Beyond the Madness

The Firm

It was a chilly Tuesday morning in the middle of February; Louis got out of bed and stretched. He dragged himself to the bathroom and began running some hot water into the basin. Today was his first day working for The Firm- he needed to look flash-and professional, but mainly flash.

Louis washed his face and dampened his hair, ready to style it. He then began working up a lather of crème, before shaving his face. Ge took extra care not to nick his skin with his cut –throat razor, he didn't want to turn up first day on the job with bloody gashes on his face. Once he had successfully removed all of the stubble from his face and neck, he rinsed his face once more before brushing his teeth. After having a quick wash at the sink, he then began getting dressed for the day.

He had laid out his clothes the night before, he chose his favourite French suit which his dad had left for him, a dark blue, with a gentle pinstripe. With it he paired a white, tailored shirt, Savile row of course, and a red tartan tie with socks to match. He slipped into his trousers and attached his navy braces to his trousers, adjusting them slightly. Louis carefully tied his tie into a Windsor knot, ensuring it was straight before locating his silver tie pin he had left on top of the bedside cabinet. Once dressed he started to do his hair, it was still damp so he just combed it before applying a generous amount of Brylcreem into his hair, working it into a slight quiff, yet somehow still slick.

Louis gave himself the once over before deciding that was the best he would look without being late, so he put on his jacket, grabbed his hat, keys and wallet, and headed out the door. He made his way to the train station, and took the train the few stops he needed to, from Bow Road, through to Bethnal Green.

When he got off the train he briskly made his way out of the underground and up to the street surface, He felt somewhat anxious about meeting the twins so he decided to quickly grab a cup of tea to calm his nerves-as he had gotten their early. He made his way to E. Pellicci, making the naïve mistake of going to the Twins' local greasy spoon. He stepped inside and took off his blue fedora, and ordered his cuppa, before glancing around and locking eyes with The Reginald Kray,

Reggie was sat opposite his brother Ron. He narrowed his eyes at Louis and shifted his vision, beckoning him over after he received his tea cup. Louis took a sharp breath and nodded his head in acknowledgment, he took his cup and saucer over to the table where they sat, and glanced at the two free seats, unsure of which one to take. Ronnie pulled out the chair beside him, gesturing for him to sit. "So you must be Louie" he said in a low voice.

Unsure of what to make of the new nickname, he just nodded and choked out, "Yeah, that's right. I'm Louis Porter. But most of my friends call me Lou." Louis looked up towards Ronnie who had raised his eyebrow, "But seeing as it's you I'll allow it" he smiled cockily. This was a risky comment but it seemed to bring a genuine smile to Ron's face. Reg smiled faintly at this interaction. The smile was laced with worry, but also hope? He seemed to think that Lou would make a good impression on Ron, and maybe do him some good; but he was also worried that this could go the wrong way and someone would get hurt, He cared deeply about his brother, and knew how important it was for Ronnie to find someone who could cater for all his needs.

"Well we might as well have our meeting now then since we're all here." Reggie said taking a cigar out of the silver case, stashed inside his blazer pocket. Lou nodded and readjusted himself into a more comfortable position, he wasn't quite sure how this was about to go down; it wasn't exactly like any other business meeting he had had before.

"So tell me," Reggie said, taking a puff from his cigar, "Why do you want to work for us? More to the point, why should we let you?" he asked, narrowing his eyes at Lou. ­"Well-"Lou gulped, "I'm a hard worker, I've had my fair share of business, I can make a good cuppa, and I was boxing champ of Canning Town for 3 years in my teens" Louis said, he was mainly relying on his charisma and humour to get his way in, he knew the boys liked a good laugh every so often, but he also needed to prove he was tough enough to be a part of the Firm.

Ron smirked at his joke about the tea, and both boys looked at each other and nodded in regards to the young man's boxing history. "Are you any good with a gun?" Reggie asked. "Not too bad a shot" Louis shrugged. "I'm more than alright with a knife though" he added, looking up at them both. Lou then reached into his jacket pocket and pulled out a shiny pair of brass knuckle-dusters, to which Ronnie looked impressed. "These on the other hand are my pride and joy; my father got them for me when I turned 18, they're even engraved" He said sliding them over to Ron, to take a closer look.

He smiled and inspected them, well-polished, but definitely used; and just like he had said, there was a small squiggle of engraving, reading: 'Louis, have a good'n~Dad'. "You're close with your father I take it" Ronnie asked him, looking over the top of his horn rims. "I was, he passed away two years ago" Lou replied. "Oh well we're sorry to hear that" Reg butted in, before his brother could say anything else. Lou shrugged it off but appreciated the sentiment.

"So, who do you live with?" Reggie asked him, "We just need to know for, you now, security" he added. "I'm on my own." Louis responded, "Mum's gone too" he said quietly. "And no, there isn't a missus at home either. You needn't worry about any of that" he said, anticipating their next question. Reggie leaned back in his chair and sighed, however Ron piped up before his brother could say anything; "So you wouldn't be opposed to moving... if we needed you to" Ron asked.

"I guess not, I don't live in the best place, whatever you guys need from me though. Why, will I need to move soon?" Louis responded. To be fair he really didn't live in a nice place. It was a grotty old flat in Bow, with damp up the walls, a bare, tiny bedroom, and a shared kitchen and living quarters downstairs- at least he had his own bed and bathroom.

Ron turned to his brother and smiled, Reggie could tell what he was thinking, and he was a tad worried, however he politely returned the smile with a slight nod. "Well for the mean time you could always move in with me..." Ronnie started, "Till we help you find a better little place of your own." He then added. Lou looked up at Ronnie and smiled, "Are you serious?" He asked, looking towards Reggie for clarification. "I don't see why not" They responded almost simultaneously; "Well?" Ronnie pushed.

"Sure" Louis replied smiling smugly, they all shook hands, and then Lou piped up again, "Wait, so does this mean I'm part of the Firm?" The twins just chuckled and nodded their heads.

So that was it, Lou Porter: Firm Member, and associate of the notorious Kray Twins.