The Associate (Part 1)

     "So let me get this straight," I asked, "You're okay with me becoming a member of the family?"

     Bekka said, "You can't become one.  You're not Italian.  However, you can be an associate, and that's okay with me.  Not much would change for you, since you're already running Inana like a champ.  At most they'd have you run errands that you're used to, after all the time you spent dealing."

The Associate (Part 2)

     I got a hold of Angel a little past four.  Strange how methamphetamine can relax you.... or at least steel your nerves.  I came right to the point.

     "Angel, you've wanted me in the organization, so I'm in.  And no, I'm not getting divorced, it's okay with Bekka if I hook up with you gentlemen."

     "Lenny, this is wonderful news!  I'm delighted with your decision.  You're in."  All news with Angel was either "wonderful" or "not good."  Not good news meant serious trouble for all those involved with its delivery.

The Associate (Part 3)

     They were right about my jobs being boring, initially.  My first assignment was to drive out to Montrose, out past Burbank, and pick up a suitcase to be delivered to Frankie's house.  This was all conducted past ten p.m. for some reason, but that --- like the contents of the briefcase --- was none of my business.  I made the delivery, was thanked by Frankie, and went the hell home.

     The next one was along the same lines: pick up a duffel bag in Irvine and take it to Vinny's house, at night.  Hell, if this was all they wanted me to do, I could adjust very quickly.

     The one after that became complicated.

The Associate (Part 4)

    Saturday morning Bekka woke me up, announcing her plans to get an early start up to Encino for her usual lunch and gossip session with the guys' wives.  I rolled over and went back to sleep as the front door closed....

     .... Then snapped awake and dived for the phone when I realized where she was headed.  I hadn't told her what had happened to  me in Lawndale, with Angel and I sticking to our story about why I hadn't driven the Acura home the day before.  I quickly dialed Angel's number, hoping he wasn't sleeping in.  He wasn't.

The Associate (Part 5)

     We walked in the house still laughing at the efforts of the Mighty Mulvoney.  "And you wondered why I didn't want to own a BMW.  I'd be associated with the likes of that guy.  Shit, I'm embarrassed to share the same ethnic makeup as him."

     "So you blue-eyes don't all stick together?" asked Bekka.

     "Hell no.  Look how much  time England and France spent at war with each other.  The only way we appear to have any advantage is we're the ones who always get elected to office.  Other than that, being a white boy can be as much of a drag as it can for anyone else.  Except the blacks.  And  the Mexicans.  Oh, and the Southeast Asians.  Okay, I guess being a white boy ain't that bad a gig."

The Associate (Part 6)

     Dr. Liu beat us there, on purpose.  He wanted to be able to set up a temporary surgical theater, much to the distress and slight panic of Angela.  "Please Mrs. Morelli, do not pass out.  I can only handle one emergency per household per day, and your husband let me know about his first."

     I shoved us into the driveway and helped get Angel out of the car.  He was dizzy and light-headed, not in the condition to be walking on  his own.  His narrative had started out clear at least.

Rick, Revisited (part 1)

9:45 a.m. on a Saturday, and someone rings the bell at the mansion.  Anyone familiar with the place would simply walk in and announce their presence,loudly.  Strangers would ring multiple times, hoping to attract the attention of anyone in the further reaches of the place. No, this was a single ring, which meant whoever it was knew our  layout.  Curious.

Rick, Revisited (part 2)

     My hackles went up when we pulled up in front of the mansion.  It was after five and Rick's truck was still out front.  Something was wrong with this  picture, and I had no idea what.
     Bekka's antennae were up too.  "Rick shouldn't be here this late," she said.
     "I know.  Makes me wonder what he's  up to.  I've gotta find out."
     "I'm coming with you," Bekka said.
     "You know what?" I replied, "I'm not even going to argue about it with you.  Take off your shoes so you don't make any noise and stay behind me."

Rick, Revisited (part 3)

Two Months Later

     It was half past nine in the morning and Bekka and I were headed to Inana.  We were in my new car, an Acura.  I figured that if Honda built them, they've gotta be worth the money.

     I didn't think much of the old Skylark sitting at the curb as we went through the gate of our complex.  A second glance revealed there was a driver, and one I knew.

Rick, Revisited (part 4)

     The holding cells at the San Diego County jails are both nerve-racking and boring.  There is absolutely nothing to do except gab with your fellow prisoners, the primary topic of conversation being, "What are you here for?"  You're a minor celebrity when the answer is, "Shooting someone."

Honeymoon (Part 1)

     At twenty-one years of age, I have a career-type job.  I'm as surprised as anyone.

     I run a porn studio.  There's a lot more to it than you'd think.... Or maybe not.  I have to manage the finances, handle hiring of performers, control purchasing of supplies, sit down with a lawyer and make sure new performers have valid identification, and keep track of shoots, plus a hundred other details that come up, like making sure the fridge is stocked with soda everyone wants.  It's all gotta get done, and it's up to me to make sure it gets done.

Honeymoon (Part 2)

     What lack of enthusiasm my own father displayed was more than made up for by Angel.  He promised us a wonderful honeymoon in Florida, where a member of his family owned a vacation property in Fort Lauderdale.  He also paid for a car rental and air fare.

Honeymoon (Part 3)

     ".... You take Leonard to be your lawfully wedded husband?"
     "I do."
     "And do you, Leonard, take Bekka to be your lawfully wedded wife?"
     "I do."
     "Then by the powers vested in me by the state of California, I pronounce you husband and wife.  You may now kiss the bride."

Honeymoon (Part 4)

     My first time to Florida, and my first time ever on an airplane.  Both events I greeted with excitement and trepidation.

Honeymoon (Part 5)

After a morning of cocaine and vigorous sex, we decided to come down to earth and take care of the mundane task of buying some groceries.  Our faceless benefactor had given us instructions to the nearest Kroger in his note; we assumed (correctly) that Kroger was a grocery store.  We made a list, did a "small" line, and rolled out.

Honeymoon (Part 6)

     Bekka got down to the business of putting out two more humongous lines of cocaine while I changed into a t-shirt that didn't have the word 'fuck' on it.  No sense in annoying our fellow tourists without just cause.... Or if it would be really entertaining.

Honeymoon (Part 7)

     "So lets's explore this island some," suggested Bekka.  "See what there is to see."
     Janellle said, "Not much.  Peacocks and caged animals.  Lots of monkey that like to jerk off at you."
     "Be like a day at work," muttered Bekka.
     You really do work in porn, don't you?  What's it like?"

Honeymoon (Part 8)

     At two the next afternoon we were awakened by an accented voice calling, "Housekeeping!"  Oh, the housekeeper.... Who's going to immediately see all the drugs on the coffee table.

     Oh. Shit.

Honeymoon (Part 9)

     We had fallen into a routine: up at eleven, eat breakfast (or lunch, depending on our mood), and go cruising around in the Crown Vic for a while.  A couple hours on the beach, then back to the house to shower and screw in the hot tub.  Then off to a local restaurant for dinner, and spend the night cruising the clubs.  All of this was done in a state of chemical frenzy.

Honeymoon (Part 10)

     There was one club we haven't visited yet, just out of chance.  Actually it was instinct, as it was an all-black club, both dancers and patrons.
     To say our arrival was greeted with hostility would be an understatement.  While nobody threw anything at us, we were the subject of plenty of dirty looks.  I finally had to go up to the bar to get our beers.  We finished them quickly and got the hell out.

Honeymoon (Part 11)

     "Mew.  Mew.  Mew.  Mew.  Mew.  Mew.  Mew.  Mew.  Mew.  Mew.  Mew."
     The sound of an unhappy cat being carried through an airport..  Too many sights, too much movement, too many smells.  Squeak was not a happy cat in his carrier.

Honeymoon (Postscript)

     I was welcomed back to Inana like the prodigal son.  Frankie didn't understand how I got everything done in one day, and the crew and performers were happy with an administrator who didn't insist on watching all the shoots.  For his part, Frankie had kept up on the bookkeeping so I didn't have to play catch-up.