Dramatical Theater

01. Never Trust a Loan Shark

-Nathaniel Vitale-

Paperwork.

So much paperwork.

If I had known that becoming a mobster would involve the execution and distribution of so many trees, I would have told my old man to fuck off. I mean, come on, it's actually ridiculous. Of course there's still what you would expect from a stereotypical mafia group: drugs, guns, prostitutes, dead people, blood. But there's just so much more of the boring work than I could've imagined. And then that coupled with the guys that work under me, who literally know that they do, that like to catch an attitude with me. Do they not realize that I could have them fired in seconds?! Everyone here is easily replaceable. It's probably my fault for being so lenient, but I just don't care about those low ranking idiots enough to actually waste my effort, time, and breath on them. Besides, I've still got the cover company to keep up with. Though, I suppose that's what I have Alistair for. He runs the cover show and I run the underground business. We're two sides of the same god forsaken coin. Which, of course, makes sense considering we're brothers, well, half brothers. We've got the same genes though, as is evident through our similar mannerisms and tastes. I don't think I'm wrong to suspect that our mother may be insane.

Oh god. I think my train of thought's gone rogue. Or at least been robbed.  Was that the only thing I could come up with? I swear, the tangents I go on in private are...peculiar, to say the least. It's a good thing they only manifest in my mind and not on my tongue. Another trip to the crazy house is the last thing I need.

Oh yeah. I remember that one. Terrible experience. Enough to drive any sane man crazy.

Oh god, that was terrible.

I wonder what Natalie's up to. Well...I don't really have to wonder too much since I planted a bug on her. I should check up on her. Or maybe I can screw up her date by calling her back in for work. Lord knows that Myers guy is one hell of a character. I don't know what she sees in him.

But then again, even after all these years I'm still not sure what I saw in Grace.

_________________________

"So, Nate 1, how was your date with Myers?"

"I don't know, Nate 2, you tell me." Natalie says coolly, closing the doors to my office behind her.

"Hmm?" I fix her with a concerned expression in an attempt at feigning innocence, "Whatever do you mean, dear?"

"Oh, I don't know, maybe the bug I found on my coat. Now, I know you're just worried about me, sweetheart, but you can't just go around spying on all my dates. You act like a jealous boyfriend slash overprotective dad. Hell, last time I came into your office, I found an entire file on Ryan. Nathan, you literally could've written his biography with the amount of info you had on him." She says in exasperation.

"Yep, and sorry if that upsets you, sweet cheeks, but I'm doing it for your own good, I promise." I say winking at her. "Besides, in this case the ends justify the means. You made it back safely. Plus, you and I both know that a repeat of last time is not acceptable." I point out with a smirk.

"Nathan," she starts with a tired smile, "you can't keep doing this. I don't need you to protect me. Really. In fact if anything, the best way for me to stay safe is for you to back off and just let me fend for myself. How do you expect a person to do anything with you constantly breathing down their neck. I know you mean well, but you can't keep hovering over my shoulder forever. You can't protect everyone, Nathan." I sit down at the desk behind me and look up at her sadly. She still stands at the door to my office.