The Immortal Mobster

2

Chapter 2: Eton

After intruducing himself to Alice, Griffin turned back to Mr.Polkes. He asked to speak with him privately.

The two were in one of the back rooms for several minutes as Alice stood in the shop with the two armed men. She wasn't sure what any of these people had going on in this shop, but at this point, Mr.Polkes bakery was her last hope. She needed this job, and she didn't care if Mr.Polkes was a criminal.

Griffin came out of the back room followed by a white-faced looking Mr.Polkes. The two armed men turned and walked out of the bakery as Griffin made his way to the door.

Alice watched him and Griffin gave her a smile that seemed more calculated than genuine. He passed her leaving the building with the obnoxious ringing of the front doors bell.

Griffin was gone just as swiftly as he had come.

Alice looked over at Mr.Polkes once she'd torn my gaze from Griffin Eton's back. He seemed upset.

"Mr.Polkes are you alright?"

For a long moment, there was silence as he too watched Griffin Eton walk down the street. Then he finally spoke,"Yes...Yes I'm fine."

He came around the counter, "I need you to leave now."

Mr.Polkes said this while shooing Alice towards the glass doors. She didn't move too far. She needed a job. This was her last option.

"Wait. Did I get the job? Will you consider me?"

Mr.Polkes stopped,"Yes. Yes. Come on Monday, now please leave."

Alice let herself be pushed out the door as she thanked Mr.Polkes. He did not reply only closed the door behind her shutting all his blinds.

Alice was so ecstatic, she barely registered or cared about the fear Mr.Polkes had for Griffin Eton and the hasty closure of his shop. Happy with her new job, Alice treated herself to a slice of cheesecake at her favorite cheesecake shop.

The next morning she was up and ready for her first day at Polkes Pastries. She rushed out her apartment and down the few blocks, it took to get to the bakery.

Mr.Polkes had not told her what time to come in. The blinds were still shut and the door said closed. Alice knocked none the less.

After a few seconds of knocking Mr.Polkes peaked his eyes out between the blinds. Alice waved, trying to use her most genuine smile.

Mr.Polkes opened the door for her. He showed her the ins and outs of the shop. How to work the register and so on. She smiled and nodded the entire time.

The store was never too busy. A few people every so often no more than three at a time. Alice politely helped them choose pastries or loaves of bread. Checking them out and offering a "Have a great day" with each purchase.

That was how things went. Two months. Day in and day out. Alice smiled and using her most polite voice.

Griffin Eton came at least once a week. He would smile his calculated grin and speak privately to Mr.Polkes while his two armed guards waited in the shop.

Alice was intrigued by Griffin. He was so handsome and had that air of danger. Sometimes Alice thought she was drawn to danger. Griffin Eton was her new kryptonite.

She would ask Mr.Polkes about him every time he would walk out the door. All Polkes would say was, "Stay away from that man. He is nothing but trouble for pretty girls like you."

There were some times when Alice would ask about him after he left, and she would see him turn his head back towards the shop as if he could hear her asking.

His face would curl into a little smirk, then he'd turn and walk away.

Alice wanted to know him. She wanted to know why he came every week, why he had two bodyguards, and why Mr.Polkes would never talk to her about him.

Griffin Eton was a mystery Alice wanted- no needed- to unravel.