The North District Bandits - End Game

"Baby Brains," said the old man, "escaped out the back door like Bonnie and Dillinger. Those two hours was the first and only gathering of The Greats. From there they went their separate ways."1

"Alvin did take a beating in The Press for that," noted Sarah, flipping through his journal. She pointed to a passage. "Look. He even admits he was too eager, too keen on bringing The Bandits down." She snorted. "I mean, not even considering the back door, that WAS pretty bad."2

"Indeed." He shifted in his chair. "The DWA was still new. Obviously they had a few things to learn. And I assure you. Alvin and Eddy did learn from their mistakes. That was their last botch-up." He looked off. "Well, last major, high profile botch-up."3

"Poor Ruth," Sarah empathized. "I mean, to get dumped like that, straight into a stint in Jeuvey. I say that was rotten of Handsome Boy."4

"He did what he thought was best for her," he countered. "He knew their only end was at the business end of a Tommy Paint Gun. That decision kept her in The Game for many years to come."5

"Lady in Red," she whispered, making the connection. "So THIS is why she ratted out his hideouts and safe houses. I get it!"6

"Fear nothing more than the wrath of a woman scorned," he said, smiling. "It made the decision of trading information for a greatly reduced stint in Jeuvey that much easier."7

"Boys are no better," she snicked. "Let's not forget that."8

"Of course." He winked. "Forgive me, that will be the last time I underestimate your insight.9

"But as you know, The Battle at Big Rhapsody marked the begging of the end for all of them. Deservedly, the DWA got roasted by The Press, they were looking like a joke. So Alvin turned up the heat like never before. He offered huge rewards for any information leading to their capture and getting taken out of The Game.10

"The Bandits had a great run, but even they knew they couldn't last. One by one, like dominoes they fell..."11

**12

Bonnie "Ma" Parker drove down the empty and secluded street. Trees about, she didn't like trees - a good place for an ambush. It was about noon, she was well away from civilization and, hopefully, Alvin and his T-Kids. Things had gotten intolerable, the heat was everywhere, it was time to get out. She was making for The Bridge and the limits of the DWA, maybe a new game awaited on the other side. 13

She checked her arsenal: Four Tommy Paint Guns, two paint-ball splat-guns, several paint-gats. There was no Jeuvey for her, she had every intention to use these to their full effect. Her cold eyes watched the brush pass by.14

The bridge was in the distance, the coast looked clear. She smiled and hit the gas...15

A paint-ball splatted on the passenger door. Another. Another. Then dozens, from all sides...16

She squawked then fell, letting the car roll into a ditch. Splats and pings riddled the car, the noise was deafening. After a moment, silence...17

She looked out, she was surrounded and they were closing in. Bonnie grabbed two Tommy Paint Guns, hissing through her teeth. She kicked open the door then jumped out, screaming, guns firing...18

Bonnie "Ma" Parker fell, screeching, to a hail of paint-balls...19

Silence.20

Eddy Best emerged from his cover then walked to the paint riddled car and noted that many paint-balls would take anyone out of The Game 10 times over. Behind a T-Kid pulled out a motion camera and started filming...21

**22

Kid Dillinger, doll on his arm, watched the closing credits to The Manhattan Melodrama. He smirked, not bad, almost like the movie of his life. Plus, Myrna Loy was a cutie. The lights came on, the patrons stood then started filtering out.23

"We should go," said his date. 24

"Not yet," he said, holding her in her seat. He placed his fedora hat on his head then lowered it over his eyes. He was kid enemy number one, his darned mug was everywhere advertising a huge reward. 25

When the crowd thinned he stood, adjusting his tie. He and his date exited the theatre.26

"Where to now?" she asked.27

"Back to my safe house," he said, smirking. "I'll-"28

He stopped and looked around, kids were approaching with gats drawn. He turned, more, they were closing quick. He looked at his date.29

"I'm sorry," she whispered with watery eyes. "They made me do it. They're tyring to deport me into The City."30

Not even thinking he turned and ran, making a desperate bid for the back alley...31

A paint-ball splatted his back. Another the back of his head, the felt the sting of the fading game...32

He staggered six steps then fell.33

Alvin Parsons pushed his way through the gathering crowd then crouched beside Dillinger. They made eye contact as Dillinger gasped:34

"You got me."35

Kid Dillinger's eyes stared off as he left The Game forever.36

**37

"Thank you ma'am," said Handsome Boy MacRoy. He hungrily finished his meal of eggs and toast, kindly offered to him by the resident girl. He looked to the apple orchard outside. His hideout was on the lot next, but the heat was turned up so hot he couldn't even go out to buy food. Not since they took Dillinger out of The Game last week and kid enemy number one passed onto him, his darned mug was everywhere.38

So he had gotten hungry, he had to venture out.39

"Thanks again, ma'am," he said, standing. "You have a good day." He smiled his handsome smile and tipped his hat. His hostess blushed then looked down.40

He exited then made for his hideout, on foot, just a half mile down the road.41

Five cars pulled up, a dozen T-Kids exited, weapons drawn...42

"Ruth," he hissed. He drew his Tommy Paint Gun then dashed into the orchard, ducking to whizzing paint-balls and firing blindly behind...43

He ran between trees, stumbling and firing as paint splatted around...44

He reached the fence, he climbed frantically.45

A paint-ball splatted his arm. He screamed at the sting, falling and dropping his gun. Another to his leg, he slumped against the fence, hat falling to the ground. He waited for the hail of paint...46

But it never came. "Keep back," someone ordered. A moment then Alvin Parsons emerged from the cover of the trees. He kept his gat pointed as he could see Handsome Boy wasn't out of The Game yet. 47

"Are you Handsome Boy MacRoy?" he asked, flatly.48

"I'm Charlie Lee MacRoy," he said, weakly. From the corner of his eye he could see his Tommy Paint Gun, well within reach...49

"Are you the criminal known as Handsome Boy MacRoy?" Alvin repeated, strongly.50

"Go to heck," he replied then looked at the gun.51

Charlie "Handsome Boy" MacRoy collapsed to a flurry of stinging paint-balls.52

**53

The old man stopped here and looked away.54

"What what what," said Sarah. "Don't stop here. Each's fall was separated by exactly one week. The cost of taking them down was massive, the most in crime enforcement history. It ruined the DWA." She flipped through papers. "There's one more to go: Baby Brains Malone. Legend says he was cornered by Alvin in a Gumshoe Bay shed and filled full of paint."55

"Yes," he said, still off. "Or so history records."56

She flipped through the journal, reading dates. She stopped, frowning. "Here. November 27, 1935. There's no entry. What isn't there an entry? That was a big day for him. The biggest, it was the taking down of the last of The Bandits, the closing of the era."57

He sighed, composing himself. Finally: "Things were a little... different between them."58

"How so-?"59

He fiddled with his cane, thinking...60

**61

Baby Brains Malone sat in the shed, putting his Tommy Paint Gun back together. In a corner, a pile of cash. He smirked. Six jobs, he had been busy while Alvin and Eddy chased the others, it was like he was starting all over again but with the experience.62

He clacked the barrel in place then loaded. He polished the handle, thinking... 63

After they took Handsome Boy out he finally achieved his dream: Kid enemy number one. That he was, he felt success should't be measured by how much cash you steal but how many T-Kids you take out of the game. And here he was king. Still, the heat was on, it was time to lay low, put together another gang and come up with a plan.64

He loaded his paint-gat then placed it on the table. He slammed another juice.65

The door cracked open, Alvin Parsons entered, gat pointed at Baby Brains' chest.66

Baby Brains looked at his weapons, a foot away, then looked back. He looked behind Alvin, there were no cars, no guns, no T-Kids. It was just the two of them. 67

Silence. Finally:68

"Your done, Baby Brains," said Alvin. "Reach for a gun, I dare you."69

Baby Brains looked at the weapons, considering... No. Not yet. He stood then faced Alvin, adjusting his tie. "I'm not going to Jeuvey," he said, flatly.70

Alvin lips and jaw tightened, remaining silent.71

"That's it!" Baby Brains said with wide eyes. "You gonna execute me, like you did Handsome Boy MacRoy? The grapevine says he never reached for his gun."72

"Yes," hissed Alvin. "He did."73

"Others who were there say he didn't, that you just pulled the trigger." He tucked in his shirt. "But it doesn't matter. I'm not going to Jeuvey."74

"You have the right to remain silent-"75

"You're going to have to pull the trigger."76

"-Anything you say can be used against you in a court of law-"77

"There's a reason why you came after me last, isn't there, Alister? There's a reason why you didn't tell the DWA where to find me, why you came here all by yourself."78

"..."79

Baby Brains stepped closer, the barrel nearly touched his chest. "What is my name, Alvin?"80

Alvin swallowed. "You are Baby Brains Malone."81

"SAY. MY. NAME."82

A moment, the sweat thickened on Alvin's forehead. Finally: "Your name is Nestor Arthur Parsons."83

"That's right," he hissed with wide eyes. "Nestor Arthur Parsons. You ought to know. Brother."84

Alvin's hands shook, Baby Brains's did not.85

"I'm going to reach for this gun," said Baby Brains, pointing to the gat on the table.. "What comes next is up to you." His hand moved to the table, inching...86

A violent wind slammed the shed door.87

**88

Silence.89

"Good god," whispered Sarah, flabbergasted. "They were brothers? How can a kid shoot his brother?" She frowned and flipped through the pictures. "It does explain why he didn't shoot Alvin before. But...there is no record of anything after his fall. No pictures of his paint soaked body, no accounts, nothing. Yet... he was never heard from again. Oh god... You have to tell me what happened."90

The old man didn't answer, he was busy looking off. Finally he turned and smiled. There was something different about him now, his actions and look. Even from his face his eyes were looking elsewhere. She finally noticed a very faded scare across his cheek, nearly invisibly between time and wrinkles...91

"It's all in there," he said, standing. "I'm old. I'm tired and I'm spent. I must get home. Thank you for listening, for an ear is all I ever asked. Read the journal, study the pictures, view the reels. This will make you famous."92

He adjusted his sweater then clacked his can on the floor. He hobbled out of the library, past the always glaring Miss Walker, uncharacteristically silent. Sarah knew it was because of her respect for an elder, rare that they are, she never shushed either of them once.93

Sarah rubbed her temple. This was huge, even the superheroes will be taking a back seat from this. In that box stuff that had been lost for 70 years. Pictures and footage thought lost. The journal of Alvin Parsons himself, unknown until this day. The North District Bandits will take on a newer and even greater light. She flipped through the pictures then held up one of Baby Brains Malone..94

She stopped, noting his scar. The same scar the old man had...95

Was it? Maybe not, but...96

Oh.97

My.98

God.99

The impact of what could be smacked that back of her head. Already breathing hard she stood then dashed out of the library...100

"Mister?" she called, looking in every direction. "Mister? Are you there?"101

But there was only silence.102

"You never did tell me your name," she whispered.103

She turned and slowly walked back into the library. Old mysteries had been solved, new ones unearthed...