The North Disctric Bandits - The Gathering

"Eddie best?" asked Sarah, confused. "I thought he was the one that went after organized crime later that year. The juice smugglers and racket runners and their kingpins like Lucky Larry and Frankie Martini."1

"Very good," said the old man, beaming as he put a finger on his nose. "And yes, this is true, this is the selfsame Eddie Best, scourge of all kid mobsters. Not many know he and Alvin were good friends and that he got his start as an officer in the newly formed DWA. He never reached superstardom until later, of course, but it was his contribution to bringing down The Bandits that landed him the promotions and historic assignments."2

"Wow. So interconnected, for both The Bandits and law enforcement. So many huge changes from so few key events. I had no idea how important this era was."3

"Indeed." He looked off. "Indeed."4

"Well," she said, anxious. "Don't keep me waiting. Tell me what came next."5

A moment of searching greying memories, then: "There was an investigation to suss out exactly who had smuggled in the paint-gat and gave it to Baby Brains. This isn't known to this day. But obtain it he did. The Press made yet another circus of this. Throw in another narrow escape and the shooting of several T-Kids shortly after and he achieved his dream: The front pages. Though it wasn't anybody's fault Eddie took the heat for his friend.6

"Here things had come to a pinnacle. In one way or another time was running out for everybody, it became an all or nothing game of cat and mouse. Again and again they pulled heists, again and again they escaped the traps. To The Press this game had become the only game in town. The only thing like it was the Jacob James robbing spree of '80.7

"But the Bandits felt the heat as Alvin and Eddie poured more and more resources into nabbing them. Jobs had become more and more risky, there was simply no hopping district lines to evade pursuit. They needed to lay low, rest and recoup and let the heat died down. Through unknown events they all found their way to a secluded mountain lodge known as Big Rhapsody, located a ways up a Dark Cove mountain..."8

**9

Baby Brains Malone peeked through the window, studying the blackness. The moon shone above, the light outlining the trees. He squinted, always on the lookout for approaching T-Kids. He couldn't tell, way out here in the sticks. Worse, there was only a single lane road leading to and from the lodge. He looked at the five cars parked outside.10

"I don't like this," he said, still scanning. "I wouldn't know if someone was coming."11

"Relax, Baby Brains," said Handsome Boy MacRoy. "Nobody knows were here. Nobody followed us, you made sure of that, right, Ruth?"12

"Uh-huh," she answered, flitting her eyes. "I followed last, after an hour you all arrived. The caretaker didn't bat an eyelid. You're clear."13

Handsome Boy turned to a paint-gat pointed at his head. Baby Brains hissed through his nose several times as his eyes twitched. Ruth squeaked then froze, looking down. She hiccuped. Again. Shock or fright made her do so, it had become a common occurrence since becoming the moll of a bandit. She closed her eyes and whimpered...14

"Don't you," hissed Baby Brains, "ever call me that name. I don't think Handsome Boy MacRoy would be so handsome with paint all over his face."15

"My name," he replied, calmly pushing the gun aside, "is Charlie Lee MacRoy."16

"Now now boys," said Bonnie Ma, placing her Tommy Paint Gun onto the table. "We're not here to shoot each other. There are plenty of T-Kids itching to do that. Charlie, refer to him as Malone. Malone. Put that gun away, sit down and behave yourself."17

Baby Brains grunted then sat. Only Bonnie Ma could talk to him in this way. Only Bonnie Ma, there was something about her... He looked at Kid Dillinger. His eyes were darting around that room, his mouth in a smirk that seemed to stretch half way across his face. He hated that smirk right from the first time he say it. And Handsome Boy, too, with those perfect features, that flawless skin. In truth he was jealous of the both of them over the attention The Press showered for being... Kid Dillinger and Handsome Boy MacRoy. Charisma and looks, for them is was so easy. Him? He had to do it by risking his neck again and again, raising all heck...18

The all settled about a round table, shot glasses of juice scattered. All had been drinking and well into a reality bending sugar rush. Through the night they were playing poker, Ruth the dealer. Handsome Boy, his legendary luck still holding, had been winning all night. Ruth, for her part, did what she did best: look pretty and giggle at comments that weren't funny.19

Kid Dillinger slammed another juice the pushed his sunglasses back up his nose. "So," he said, slapping the glass on the table. "Great bust out, Malone. Clever, slipping into a crowd. Great press coverage, you made the T-Kids look silly. Again."20

"Not so great," said Baby Brains, motioning to Handsome Boy, "as he got for his part in the West Shore Massacre. The cold blooded shooting of four T-Kids. Nice. Real nice. Sounds like something I would do." He smiled his creepy smile then held up a shot glass. "To Handsome Boy MacRoy and the taking of T-Kids out of The Game!"21

"That was NOT me," hissed Handsome Boy. He sat back then slammed a juice. "No. That wasn't me," he said, slapping the glass onto the table. "I don't shoot kids in cold blood, even T-Kids. I follow a code, just like you, Dillinger, I don't shoot anybody unless I'm shot at. I was holed up with Ruth out in Gumshoe Bay when that happened. Tell them, Ruth. Tell them."22

"It's true," she said, concerned. She held his hand. "Charlie wasn't anywhere near that. He wouldn't do something like that, not in a million years. Charlie is a good kid." She leaned over then pecked him on the lips. "Handsome kid."23

"I believe you Charlie," offered Bonnie Ma. "That doesn't fit your M.O." She gulped juice. "And I know the feeling. I felt something similar when Cleo and I busted Buck Stevens out of Jeuvey..." She frowned then looked elsewhere.24

Silence.25

"Cleo pulled the trigger," Kid Dillinger filled in. "But credit for the fallen guards went to Bonnie. However," he smirked his askant smirk, "the busting out of Creepy Face Kyle was all me. That plan was all mine." He poured another.26

"The Press," said Baby Brains with acid. "They don't know how to get the facts straight. I've taken out more T-Kids than the rest of you combined. They way they make things out to be you're as good a me."27

"It's obvious they don't want to," said Handsome Boy, ignoring the latter part of Baby Brains comment. "All they want to do is sell papers, that's all they care about. And they're using all of us to do that. Alvin and Eddie, too. Even Superintendent Edgar. They couldn't care less about the truth and what's right."28

For a minute they all mulled their position in The Game.29

Bonnie broke the silence: "Enough. Doll face, deal another round. Charlie's been winning all night and I want to win my money back. Your luck can't hold out forever."30

"Whatever," he replied, waving a hand. "Just give me more juice. I need more juice, maybe it I drink enough you'll win it back..."31

"Please, Charlie, go easy on the stuff," said Ruth, worried. "Keep it together, you and your sugar rushes..." She kissed him, rubbing his knee. With her worried smile she gathered the cards then mixed. She had a feeling about this place, a kind she never felt before. Something bad was doing to happen. Something bad to her heart. Trying to keep brave she shuffled. "This game is Acey Deucey One Eyed Jacks. Who's going first-?"32

"I will," said Bonnie. She poured a shot then rubbed the Tommy Paint Gun. "I'll go first. Deal the darned cards doll face..."33

"I'll go next," sighed Dillinger. "I'll follow my girl anywhere." He turned, smiling. He kissed Bonnie.34

"Might as well be me next," said Handsome Boy, looking down and rubbing the back of his head. "Let's do this. Bonnie's right. My luck ain't gonna last forever."35

"Hey no fair," spurted Baby Brains. "Always last. It's always that way with you older kids."36

Bonnie Ma Parker, Kid Dillinger, Handsome Boy MacRoy and Baby Brains Malone toasted.37

The last game commenced...