The North Disctrict Bandits: Charlie Lee "Handsome Boy" MacRoy.

"A public relations disaster for Alvin," said the old man.1

Sarah held up the pictures. Superintendent Edgar screaming in rage at poor Alvin. A silly visage, one he brought upon himself. She giggled at the thought.2

"That was a press sensation," he said, glumly. "It catapulted Bonnie Ma Baker and Kid Dillinger into superstardom and public enemy number one status. Alvin did what he could to cover things up, but there's so much even he could do. They found Superintendent Edgar's car abandoned in a ditch a few miles away, dented and covered in paint. After that, Edgar knew The Game had gotten out of hand. So brought all the agencies together under a new heading-"3

"The District Wide Agency," she interjected. "The DWA."4

"Yes. The DWA. With Alvin at the head. Edgar now had a special interest to take those two out of The Game." He pointed to a picture of Alvin, wide eyed with the knowledge that Bonnie Ma and Kid Dillinger had escaped. Another of Superintendent Edgar, eyes and mouth agape, screaming at Alvin and, it seemed, everyone else. Others, snapshots of a grainy and blurry history at its finest. "It is said Edgar screamed for hours."5

They both chuckled.6

"But," said Sarah, frowning. "Edgar. He was an adult but he still remembered-?"7

"Oh yes." He chuckled again. "Like me. He was there for another great, one who didn't drive cars but rode a horse with his paint-ball six-shooters by his side." He leaned forward then whispered: "He was part of the posse that chased Billy The Boy and his gang, fifty years earlier."8

"Oh my god," she said, impressed. "Billy The Boy, he's another one. Superintendent Edgar chased him personally? Wow... Betty Starr, they say she could nail a juice can at 20 feet and play poker with the best of them. Of course there was Jacob James, the one they compared Kid Dillinger to and still do today. They were the Canyon Ridge Desperadoes, their antics and press coverage wasn't equalled until The North District Bandits came along..." She looked off, stunned. Things were coming together, there were common threads amongst all the great players of The Game.9

She knew then the old man sitting across was, in of himself, living and breathing history. This had sprouted to proportions beyond her dreams. Oh, the story this will make...10

"Indeed," he said, sitting back. "But they were before my time, a story for you to unravel at some other time."11

"Of course," she said, nodding. 12

"Now," he went on. "This spectacular break out catapulted Bonnie Ma and Kid Dillinger up and into the newly created Public Enemy Number One status-"13

"I thought Handsome Boy MacRoy held that honour."14

"He did, but he wasn't the first. He was the second, after their fall, and I'm getting to that. But back to Bonnie Ma and Kid Dillinger. Their kidnapping attempt failed, they narrowly escaped capture. Another blow against Alvin. They pulled a couple smaller jobs, but it was obvious the heat was on so they went into hiding. Alvin chased several false leads. He couldn't find them, yet another smack from The Press. Nothing from those two for the next two weeks. This is where our next great enters the story..."15

**16

Charlie Lee "Handsome Boy" MacRoy scanned the field. Not a bank job this time but a race track heist, banks were at the moment a little too hot. Because of Bonnie Ma and Kid Dillinger. Bonnie Ma and Kid Dillinger. He smirked at the news of their escape. Brilliant. And welcome, too, Alvin was to focused on them, taking some pressure of him and his gang.17

Some. They weren't G-Kids any more but the redubbed T-Kids with added powers. The power to continue the chase across district lines.18

A whistle blew, dogs dashed from their cages. The field had been converted to a racing track, kids placed their bets, perhaps hoping to win enough to buy back their scooters. Or, for some, simply some food. His eyes narrowed as he looked around. He hated this, this was nothing but another money making scheme, another set up to milk those that didn't have much to offer. Like their banks and it was disgusting. The rich robbing the poor.19

He adjusted his fedora hat then looked at the betting tent. There was a lot of money in there, but kids were everywhere. No signs of T-Kids, but still, this was to be his most daring heist yet...20

He was well named, he was one of the best looking kids in school. When he went to school. Girls couldn't help cast second glances, he often got comments. Through it all he was a modest fellow, he didn't think of himself as the looker but his nick was given to him by The Press. It struck him as over the top, conceited and unnecessary.21

He secured his Tommy Paint Gun underneath his coat then signalled the boys to move it. A dashing visage, some girls looked twice, others stared. He simply tilted his hat and smiled back with a "ma'am". 22

They all picked up the pace then rushed into the betting tent, leaving Van Hunter out front, the lookout of every heist...23

Handsome Boy MacRoy slid across a table, his trademark entry.24

"Don't move," shouted Bugsy Big, pointing his gun around. "This is a stick-up!"25

Patrons turned in fright, two betting booths girls screamed...26

Handsome Boy MacRoy rushed to the well dressed kid then pointed his gun, smiling. "Unlock those safes. NOW."27

The kid turned with wide eyes and complied. He fumbled, he dropped the keys.28

"Move IT," Handsome Boy hissed, slapping him on the back of the head. "I'll see to it you're full of paint before they take me down. MOVE IT!"29

"I..." The kid said as picked up the keys. "I just work here, I-"30

Handsome Boy smiled and pointed the gun at his head. He could see the kid wasn't shaking or sweating. He wasn't afraid, he was just stalling for time. "This isn't time for heroics. Open the safes and live another day in The Game."31

The kid, seeing he was serious, complied and unlocked the first safe...32

He scanned the crowd which Bugsy had herded to the side of the tent. On the far side a booth girl was watching him keenly. Pretty, he instantly knew, in her pearl necklace and cloche hat. Very very pretty in that red dress of hers.33

"Get the loot, Bugsy," he said. He sauntered over then tilted his hat. "Hello, doll face. Do you have a name-?"34

"Ruth Rider," she said, Flattered. "You're Handsome Boy MacRoy."35

"Charlie Lee MacRoy," he corrected. "That is my name and I hate the nick. Such a pleasure to meet such and pretty girl in a place like this." He kissed the back of her hand, Ruth blushed and looked down. "So sorry to put you into such a tight spot like this, but as you know times are tough. The Depression rages, what's a kid crook to do?"36

Ruth answered by batting her eyes.37

"Got it boss," said Bugsy, dropping two bulging bags. "This is the biggest score yet! Look at all that cash, there must be thousands in there. Cash, cards, the works. This score is massive."38

Handsome Boy MacRoy walked to the tent entrance. "Van Hunter. How's it looking-?"39

"No sign, boss." He pointed to the racing dogs and the crowd of kids busy watching them. "Nobody's even noticed."40

"Perfect. Grab a sack. Let's beat it. Remember. Through the crowd, nice and easy."41

"I'm on it," said Van Hunter as he turned and entered the tent.42

This was going better than he could've dreamt, it was like taking candy from a baby. No T-Kids in sight, this is another great victory for the crooks. He felt a hand on his shoulder, he turned. It was Ruth. 43

"Yes, doll face?" he said, matter of factly.44

"I'm tired of this life," she said, holding his eyes. "I'm tired of taking the money off jerks that only goes into the pockets of bigger jerks, all for 20 cents an hour. I'm sick of it. I want something more, I want something more exciting than this dying in a stinking booth, day after day after day. I can see you're the one and you're my one ticket out of this dump."45

Handsome Boy MacRoy held steady. Darn, she looked good in that red dress...46

She put her hands on his cheeks then kissed him. "Take me with you," she whispered.