Hi, I'm Snazzy and I'm Trucker

My next pickup was at store #12, which was a newer store located just off the loop. It took me about 20 minutes to drive over and this time I backed the General Lee in front of the entrance. Since the store was in a little better part of town it didn't have the usual low lifes hanging around it. I walked in and set the bag on the counter. The Manager unzipped it and placed several paper bags inside. He never spoke a word to me, but nodded, as he zipped her back up. I nodded back and returned to the General. The hand held barked out my next pickup to be at store # 5, Berry, see James. I soon realized that the store number was given first, the street it was on was radioed second, and managers name third. I figured that since some of the stores were located on the same streets that this helped avoid any confusion. So, I just drove to one store to the next making my pickups and tried to avoid any problems. The morning passed quickly, as my tote bag became heavier, and the low lifes began to multiply. Yep ! The later it got the more 40 Ouncers, street walkers, pimps, speed queens, crack heads, and low lifes came out of the wood work. I was amazed at how quickly my bag filled up. I mean this canvas bag was at least 3' ft long, 2' ft wide, and 2' ft deep. By noon it was stuffed full and so I got on the hand held.

I pressed the mike, " Hey Geno ! I'm getting a little stuffed here. Have you heard from Elmer ? "

Geno keyed up, " Hey Elmer ! Elmer ! You copy ! "

Elmer piped in, " Hey Barney ! Where are at ? "

I answered, but wasn't to specific, " I'm just off the loop not far from store number 6. "

Elmer paused, " Okay ! I'll meet you there in 15 minutes. "

I took my time and swung into the parking lot. Elmer was late, but showed up driving an old rusty Ford van. I handed over my bag to Elmer as he handed me an empity bag. Elmer unlocked the van and threw my bag ontop of a dozen others. He then relocked the van's rear door.

I had to ask, " How many bags are back there Elmer ? "

Elmer counted with his fingers, " Fourteen, counting that one ! "

I was concerned, " Man ! I was worried about driving around with that one bag ! Geez ! Aren't you worried about driving around like that ? "

Elmer grinned, " Oh a little bit, but things will settle down after the super bowl. We'll have do something different next year. It is getting too much to handle and Geno knows that. "

I removed my shades, " So, I was right ! I knew that those pawnshops didn't generate this much cash. So, this is like .."

Elmer cut me off, " I thought you knew. We just have a few places that let folks wager on the games. It's no big deal and even some of the cops get in on the action. Your an excop. You know how it works. "

I shook my head, " Man ! I mean, it's one thang to protect a small business owner. But, this different ! Ya'll got me out here risking my life for what ? "

Elmer looked confused, " If you don't want to do this, that's okay ! Just tell Geno ! He'll understand and it's no big deal. We can get someone else. We just figured you'd want in ! We're doing good and we'll take good care of you. You know, we both think alot of you Barney. You've always been straight with us. "

I nodded, " Okay ! Let's do this ! I'll stay on for now ! But, all three of us need to sit down and talk this over. Is that okay ? "

Elmer agreed, " Sure Barney ! Anytime ! Now, remember this stuff has to stay between us ! We don't need any trouble ! "

I made it clear, " Hey ! In or out ! I don't want to cause anyone any grief. I've got enough of that myself ! "

Elmer went on his way and I did my thang. Yep, from cop, to trucker, to now a bag man. What a deal ! As, Life Goes On.

Nighty, night, Snazzers, your Snazzy1.

 

Snazzy -- I periodically change my signature line, and I think this time around, I will bequeath my current lines to you. I think Rocky says it pretty well. Methinks you're in it deep.

Rocky: "Hey Bullwinkle, we're in real trouble now!"
Bullwinkle: "Oh good, Rocky! I hate that artificial kind!"​

 

The week crept by and I was kept a hopping. Yep, both Geno and Elmer, never had time to sit down, for a talk. Geno had Big Owl do my dispatching, and Elmer used Geno's absences, as an excuse not to cut it up. So, I just played bag man and did my collections. It didn't take long for me to figure some thangs out. Thier operation was pretty slick and simple. The reason I'd never witnessed any book making going on inside the pawnshops was because that's not where it occurred. Yep, the sports betting was done at bars, liquor stores, and in the parking lots of the pawnshops. I'd often wondered why Geno never had his store managers run the low lifes off. Shoot ! They were good cover ! Yep, as I started getting the big picture it all began to fall in place. My mind voices had a field day.

Sherlock Bones summed it up, " Yep ! Geno must be the head man and he must run the operation. He has the secure locations all over town for the cash drop offs. It starts small and gets bigger. Let's say that twenty, ten dollar bets, are placed at a bar. The bartender waits untill he has at least, let's say $ 1,000. Now depending on where the bar is located, the number of bets, the odds, the size of the bets, etc, etc,.. So, that's where Elmer comes in ! He has that vending company ! Yep, ole Elmer stops by to service his machines. The bartender hands the money over to Elmer. It looks all legit and Elmer then passes the money over to the store managers. That's it ! Instead of those managers going to make deposits, they're bringing those bank bags filled with cash back into the stores.

Columbo chewed on his cigar, " That explains alot ! Yep ! Remember that only the pawnshop managers are allowed to write over a $1,000 loan. They fill out a pawn ticket showing $ 2,500 pay out, or maybe three, $ 1,000 loans. The real deal is that no money leaves the store ! It's all on paper and the loans are on made on bogus junk. Fake jewelry, imitation furs, conterfeit antiques, and anything else that doesn't have serial numbers. Man ! They're killing two birds ! They're able to collect thier bets and laundry thier money all at the same time ! "

Sherlock Bones puffed on his pipe, " It's elementary my dear Watson ! This is a very sophisticated operation ! Just think that Elmer's vending company can also laundry the gaming funds. He might only turn over a portion of the money. He can laundry that cash as well ! "

Columbo brushed off some ashes from his raincoat, " Uh, uh, one one more thang ! We don't know how big this organization is ! Elmer might have a dozen guys making collections at a 100 bars, 50 liquor stores, and who knows from where else ? "

After an hour of debate, my mind voices finally settled down. I had taken in every word of it. Yep, they were right, so right ! I didn't have all of the answers, but I knew enough to understand. I was just a small cog in a large gear. Geno and Elmer, weren't just good ole boy's. Well, maybe they were, but they were also up to thier necks in a criminal enterprize. Now, I had mixed feelings about gambeling. I'd done my share of it in Vegas and at those Indian casinos. How about that state loto ? Bingo parlors ? You know, what's the harm ? The government's only interest was to tax the industry. It wasn't a violent crime ! Oh sure a guy loses most of the times and I'm sure a few families suffered a little. Yep, ole Dad spent the rent money on some stupid football game. But hey ! He might win ! Even if he didn't, he'd blow his money on something else !

Shut up mind voices ! You shut up ! No you shut up ! Shut up !

Let's break Snazzers, your Snazzy1.

 

I do believe that Ducks is onto something ! So, do share with us Ducks ! Unless, those hints from that post days ago, snuck by undetected by all the Snazzers. What a deal !

Nighty night, Snazzers, your Snazzy1.

 

Truthfully, Snazz? I'm not sure what's gonna happen next. But I do know that you're not going to easily extricate yourself from these folks. My gut tells me that they play for keeps.

 

Okay Ducks, I figured since the frisbee was getting bigger that you had post #544 unveiled. Anyone ? Anyone ? Snazzy points for those who guess. Your Snazzy1.

 

Well, when you said that Sweet Thang "filled out", I thought she was going to tell you she was pregnant and insist that you "do right by her" or however that song goes.

As luck would have it, I'm going out to dinner tonight and won't be able to ponder your puzzle. Hmmm... maybe a few glasses of wine will clear my brain, though. I seem to say all sorts of wonderful things after that second glass...

 

Caught that don't drop US when I first read it. Knew what that meant even if you didn't, just figure there is a lot more trouble coming your way. GOOD LUCK, Snazzy, you are going to need it. BTW, been here since first post, figured the ladies would have caught that.

 

First a big Snazzy welcome to PappyGt13, he hit it right on the head. I'm like you GT, I figured the gals would of caught that. Of course Ducks did, but went to get a snoot, err bill full. Anyway, Snazzy points to ya'll and we'll use the honor system for any late poster, as Life Goes On.

The days passed by and I had gotten into a routine. Yep, I'd started using the General for my daily driver and returned the loaner to Elmer. Christmas Day wasn't a day off for me. Yep, I'd gotten a promotion, kind of. Well, I was now making collections all over town. The only good news was that my license was no longer under suspension. There was a private club located just off a traffic circle that was open year round. It was a gentlemen's club that catered to the uppity part of our society. Yep, it was full high brow yuppies and tried to keep the rift raft out. Elmer had tipped me off, so I wore a suit that made me look like a flat foot cop. You know. Anyway, there was no need for me to be packing any heat. Elmer had arranged for me to be escorted out by the bouncers. They were Gorillas dressed in tuxedos and I'm sure they were packing something under thier jackets. I flashed the VIP membership card and told the door-man that Elmer had sent me. Two large Gorillas flanked my sides as we sashayed thru the crowd. The club was a huge open area with a stage in the center. There were small round tables, covered with white table cloths, which circled the stage. We waded thru the ankle deep carpet towards a winding stair case. At the top was a glassed in area where another Gorilla stood guard. He held open the door as a very atractive nude model greeted me.

The Perfect Tits spoke, " Welcome ! Please follow me to your table. "

I was seated facing the down stairs stage, " Man ! You can see it all from up here ! What's your name ? "

Perfect Tits showed her pearly whites, " I'm Easy ! What can I get you ? "

I starred at her nipples, " A white Russian with extra milk ! "

Easy giggled, " Are you serious or pulling my leg ? "

I grinned, " Okay ! I'll have a double bourbon and coke on the rocks. Oh, I'm here to see Johnny. Is he here ? "

Easy stood at attention, " I'll go get him right now ! I'm sorry ! "

With that, she spun on her glass high heels and took flight. Geez ! I didn't even get a chance to see her round cheeks bounce away. So, I gawked around and checked the joint out. Let's see. Nice looking place ! Disco lights, strobe lights, mirrors on the wall, nice thick carpet, and a decent sound system. Man ! Them gals are grade A ! How can she do the splits like that ? Geez ! I'd be afraid that something would tear ! She hasn't got any clothes on ! I know ! I know !

Johnny The Walk shook my hand, " Barney ? I'm glad to meet you. I'm John, but my friends call me Johnny. I've heard alot about you. "

I stood up, " Nice place you have here. "

We both sat sizing each other up, " Glad you like it ! I'm sorry, what are you drinking ? It's my treat ! "

I pointed, " She already got it. Man ! You sure have some beautiful ladies working here ! "

John grinned, " Well, which one do you like the best ? "

I smiled, " All of em ! Man ! I wouldn't kick any of them out of bed ! "

John waved Easy over, " Easy ! Take my friend Barney here to the executive suite. It's on me ! "

Easy took my hand, " This way Baney ! "

I looked at John, " Your kidding ! Really ! I was just clowning around. She might hurt me ! "

John laughed out loud, " Barney ! You are a hoot ! Go ahead ! I need a few minutes, so take your time. Anything you want, it's on me ! "

I let Easy lead my hand back to the executive suite. It was like a picture from a Penthouse Magazine. A big round bed was right in the center of the room. It had a red silk quilt, with matching red round pillows, and a red round canapy. There was a big screen t.v. that was showing the live stage show down stairs. A fully stocked liquor cabinet, a private bath with a hot tub, and a sound surround stero system. What a deal !

Easy sat me down at a round table next to the bar, " I'll fix you another one. That was Windsor and coke, on the rocks ? "

I nodded, " Yep ! This is a nice place ! How long have you been working here ? Do you like it ? "

Easy set my drink on the table, " This is my first week and I sure need this job ! Please don't let me screw this up ! Just let me know what you want and I'll do it ! "

I took a swig, " Well, you think there might be something you could slip on. It's kind of hard for me to ..."

Easy swung open the closet door, " Our costumes are in here ! I can be a cheeerleader, a school girl, a nurse, or whatever you want ! There's whips and stuff too ! "

I shook my head, " Naw ! Just something to wear. You know ! Just pick something out to put on. I can't think with you all naked and stuff ! "

Easy looked confused, " So you like to think ? While you do it ? How about this one ? I can be a college grad and wear this square hat, with the frazzles. If you don't like ..."

I patted on the chair, " Just cover yourself ! Here, have a seat ! "

Easy's voice cracked, " Please ! I don't know what to do ! "

I wrapped my jacket around her shoulders, " Sit down and I'll pour you a drink. Your doing just fine ! Let's talk a little while. "

So, that's what we did. Yep ! We laughed and got to know one another. Easy had just turned 21 and her boyfriend was an airman at Carswell AFB. He had been sent over to the middle East, so she had to make ends meet. They didn't qualify for base housing and she hated working in fast food. She didn't have any family ties, because her boyfriend was hispanic. Yep, she had been disowned, because her boyfriend wasn't white. What a deal !

Easy dropped a bomb, " You sure are nice to be one of them. How long have you been one ? "

I raised my glass, " Been what ? "

Easy poured me a fresh one, " You know ! Mobbed up, made guy, whatever ya'll call it ! "

I rolled my eyes, " I'm a salesman, for a vending company ! I run all over town stuffing twinkies into machines. "

Easy looked frightend, " I forgot ! I'm sorry ! I shouldn't of asked ! "

I took a swig, " Really ! I just got this VIP card as a Christmas bonus. I sold more cupcakes than the other guys. Now, your boss ! I don't know about him, maybe he's connected. "

Easy whispered in my ear, " I'm suppose to check you out for microphones. Are you a cop ? "

I whispered back, " No ! Who told you to check me for a wire ? "

Easy fessed up, " John told us that when he calls this the executive suite that we're suppose to check. If he calls it the Pent House then your okay. I was a little mixed up, because he also called you ' My Friend ' . That's suppose to mean that your one of the special ones. "

I grinned, " Well, Easy ! I'm not special ! I'm not a cop ! I'm not wearing a wire, but I want you to check ! Let's keep everyone happy ! "

Easy dimmed the lights to a low glow and turned up the surround sound. She danced, as she slowly helped me out of my clothes, and into the bed. We kissed and her golden blonde hair spread across the red pillow. Her light blue eyes begged for more of me. I paced myself to a steady slow rhythm that prolonged our pleasures. We both felt the earth shake, at the same nano second, as our bodies became one.

Lets break for a cold shower Snazzers, Your Snazzy1.

 

Well Snazzy, if your going to enjoy life. Enjoy it for the moment. Because when the walls fall, they fall.

Be out with families. Happy Turkey Day.