Hi, I'm Snazzy and I'm Trucker

Okay RENORCR, I'll watch out for the falling walls. You and all the Snazzers have a nice Turkey Day, as Life Goes on.

Easy and I had fallen asleep in each others arms. The phone woke me up and I staggered over to it.

Johnny was playful, " Barney ! What are you doing ? If you like it that much I'll sale her to you ! "

I rubbed my face awake, " Sorry ! I must of dozed off. What time is it ? "

Johnny wasn't Big Ben, " It's time to get a move on ! Put Easy on ! "

I handed Easy the cordless phone, " Yes, John ! No ! No, I'm sure. Yes sir, I'll tell him. Okay ! Thanks ! "

Easy watched me get dressed, " He want's you to meet him in the Pro Shop. I'll walk you down there. "

I handed Easy a $ 100 bill, " Now, take this ! It can be our little secret ! "

Easy pushed my hand away, " No ! John told me not to take your money and I won't ! This job is all I have ! Besides, I'd never cross John ! "

I placed the bill on the bed, " Well, if you happen find something. You know, finders keepers ! "

Easy shoved the bill into my pant's pocket, " I don't want it ! John pays me good and that's, that ! I don't need acid in my face ! "

I looked shocked, " Acid ? What are you talking about ? "

Easy pecked my cheek, " Let's get down there and I hope to see you again. John doesn't like to wait, so are you ready ? Let's go ! "

I followed Easy into the Pro Shop down stairs. It was full of high dollar sports merchandise. You know. Golf clubs, fishing reels, bowling balls, and what-nots.

Johnny didn't mince words, " Once you leave here ! I mean the second your out that door ..."

I jumped in, " I understand ! There won't be any problems ! I know what I'm doing and this isn't my first barbeque. "

Johnny thumbed my lapel and squeezed my shoulder, " One dime ! A nickel ! No ! One penny ! If one penny, of that comes up missing ! Barney, I'm holding you responsible ! Do you understand me ! "

I placed my hand on Johnny's shoulder, " You don't have to worry ! I'll get her done, or name isn't Barney Goose ! "

One of the Gorillas shouldered the golf bag, while the other two flanked me. We walked directly to the General Lee and I popped his trunk. I removed my tote bag, so the golf bag had room to lay. The Gorillas all stood facing the parking lot looking for utt-ohs, as I arranged my arsenal. The General's pipes gave out a deep throated roar, as I eased out on his clutch, and made my way. I drove slowly, with one eye kept in the mirror, and one hand on the Mac-10. The drive was tense filled, but luckily for me not a long one. I exited the loop and backed in front of my motel room. It was a dark night that helped hide my activities. I unlocked the wooden door and did my entry sweep. I had made it a habit to search the room everytime I entered. One of my biggest fears was to walk in on a burglar. I guess that I'd just never felt safe at that low rent motel. Maybe it reminded me of too many crime scene photos of the past.

Let's break Snazzers, your Snazzy1.

 

I sat at the small table next to the window looking out at General Lee. The parking lot was almost vacant of cars and there wasn't a soul stirring. The motel neon sign flashed thru the foggy damp air. A cool front had moved in and the dankness fit my mood. The golf club bag kept crying for me to exam her. I tried to ignore her advances, but my curiosity finally got the best of me. The iron heads wore those cloth covers that are suppose to protect the clubs. I tried to yank a club out, but the whole bag would lift up. It dawned on me that the club heads were just props. Yep, the entire golf bag was hollow and there were no club shafts. Hmm ! Okay, let's frisk search her and try to feel what's inside. Yep ! That feels like stacks of money. So, if a wood chuck, could chuck wood, how much money is in there ? Okay ! Now, it depends on the denominations. If it's all one dollar bills, which we know it isn't. Okay let's say twenty dollar bills and wrapped in $1,000 packets. That'd be about 10 packets, maybe 12 packets, per layer, and let's figure, about each layer being this thick. That'd be, about two fingers deep and that makes, about 8 thumb to little finger. So, from bottom to top, thumb, little, thumb, little, thumb, little, and thumb, little. Multiply that by four, so we have 12 times that, at $12,000, carry the six. Okay, about three million, give, or take a hundred thousand.

Knock, knock, knock, " Who is it ! "

Sweet Thang, " It's me ! "

I eyed the peep hole, " I see you ! "

Sweet Thang's eye pressed against the glass, " Let me in. "

I unchained the door, " Come on in. "

Swet Thang hugged me, " Your all alone on Christmas ? "

I hugged her back, " No ! Your here ! "

Sweet Thang sat on the bed, " I brought this and I hope you like it. "

I pulled off the green wrapping paper, " Man ! Just what I wanted ! You want a glass ? "

Sweet Thang took off her coat, " No, but go ahead. I have some orange crush and cokes in my pickup. I'll get them ! Be right back ! "

I watched her fetch, " So, what's going on ? "

Sweet Thang mixed my drink, " Dad's having a party at his house, but is still moving next month. I'm off untill after the holidays. Mom is at her sister's, my brother is at his inlaws, and I'm here. So, what are you doing ? "

I took a gulp, " Nothing ! I did get you something, but it's in the General."

She watched me fetch, " You shoudn't have ! It's beautiful ! Are these real diamonds ? Your crazy ! Why did you do this ? "

I helped her fasten on the braclet, " It's not high dollar ! I got it at the pawnshop and it wasn't that much. I just hope you like it. "

Sweet Thang teared up, " No one has ever given me something this nice. Sniffle, sniffle, sniffle. "

Knock, knock, knock, " Barney ! It's Elmer ! Barney ? "

I peeped out, " Come on in. This is Sweet Thang and that's Elmer. I got your golf clubs here. "

Elmer gave me the look, " Golf Clubs ? "

I tilted my head, " You know ! From your friend that I visited ! "

Elmer nodded, " Oh ! My golf clubs ! Okay ! I'll take those and it was nice to see you Sweets. Oh, Barney can you step outside for second ? "

I grabbed the golf bag, " Sure, I'll carry these out for you. I'll be right back, this won't take but a minute ! "

Elmer had backed in, so we placed the golf bag in his trunk. The fog had gotten thicker and you couldn't see more than 50' feet.

Elmer shut the trunk, " Did everything go okay ? That John can be a prick and I don't like dealing with him ! "

I shrugged my shoulders, " He was okay, but what's his story ? He tries to act like Joe Pepsi from the Good Fella's. Man ! I feel sorry for his wife ! "

Elmer doubled over, " Pepsi, Pepsi, He ehehehehe, a hoot, eheheheh, hoot. Geno will love that one ! Hehehehe, Pep,hehehe! Okay, Barney ! You ready to go ? Heheheheh ! "

I had to ask, " Go where ? "

Elmer got serious, " To make the drop ! Why did you think we've been making all these collections ? "

I shook my head, " No one told me about any drops ! All Geno had me do was collect a few bags. What now ? Do I have go to New York and count it out to John Gotme ! "

Elmer wet himself, " Hehehehe, no more, hehehhe, Gotme, heheheh ! Your a hoot ! Gotme ! Hehehhe ! No, no, look ! We just have to meet up with Geno and he'll take from there ! "

I went back inside, " Sexy Thang ? I've got to go for awhile. You want to wait here, or ...."

Sweet Thang gave me the look, " Whose machine gun is that ? Why is there a shot gun in the bath room ? What are you up to ? "

I lied, " Those are gifts to some of store employees. Geno had me keep them here and that's what we're doing. Me and Elmer are taking them there now. "

Sweet Thang bought it, " Can I go ? If it's office party they shouldn't mind. If they do, I'll wait in the car ! "

I lied some more, " No ! It's in a bad part of town and I don't want you to be sitting in a car ! Geno is kind of funny ! It's for employees only and it won't take long. Just wait here ! "

Sweet Thang grabbed her coat, " Forget it ! Here take this ! I don't want it and have a good time ! "

I stood there holding the braclet, " Merry Christmas ! See you next year !"

Elmer honked his horn, as I packed my arsenal in my tote bag. Man ! What a Christmas. Dang ole Elmer and Geno ! Then Sweet thang has to get her nose all out of joint and act all #####y ! Then that Johnny guy ! What a character and a joke. Well ! Now, Easy was alright ! Yep, I wonder if I could really buy her from ole Diet Coke, Pepsi, or Walks Funny. Whatever his name is. Man !
Let's get going, before Elmer drains his batteries. Honk, honk, honk !

Let's break Snazzers, your Snazzy1.

 

Oh My Gosh..........Snazz where IS yer brain ? ?

and "screwed the pooch".......LOL I thought my brother made that up, now I know it's a guy thing.

Sweet Thang preggers to boot............man and I thought My life was complicated

 

Elmer had me drive his new Cadillac, so he could suck down more suds. We had to stop at the Hide Away and load up several duffle bags. Yep ! They were filled with cash and I could even smell it. You know how money smells, it has that odd odor to it, that is unlike any other. Yep, what a deal ! So, I got on the loop and we headed East on IH 20. Elmer popped two tops and handed me a cold one.

Elmer was a little concerned, " Keep the speed limit and make sure we're not being followed. Is that Tommy Gun loaded ? "

I checked the rear view, " Yep ! That Mak-10 and Moosberg are both ready to go. I'm more worried about the cops, than anything else ! "

Elmer shook his head, " If the cops stop us, your license are good and this car is brand new ! They can't look in the trunk, can they ? "

I rolled my eyes, " You bet they can ! If they stop us and see these open containers, that shotgun, that Mak-10, and us sweating like a couple of pigs in heat ! I tell you Elmer ! This whole setup is silly and I'm surprised that ya'll haven't gotten busted. "

Elmer was all ears, " Well ! Barney your an excop and know alot more than we do. What would you do different ? "

I lit up, " Okay ! Take this run right here, it's 10 pm on Christmas Night, and we're the only car on the freeway. We're a bored cop's delight ! We stick out like a sore thumb. They might expect to see a family in a min van, or maybe a couple in a sedan. But, two guys dressed in suits, in a shinny new Cadillac, that looks like it was just driven off the show room floor ? Thier first thought would be a stolen vehicle. Yep ! Then they'd run your tags and wonder what's up ? "

Elmer got my drift, " So, your saying that we don't fit in ? "

I nodded, " That's it ! The best way to avoid being detected is to flow with the crowd. I'd make this trip in the morning rush hour and be one, of a hundred thousand cars. I'd drive something that didn't get noticed. You know, not to flashy, but not a clunker. "

Elmer pointed towards the exit, " We get off here and make a right at the light. There's an alley we need to pull into. It's a couple of blocks down. "

I flipped on the turn signals, " That's another thang ! Here we are driving into one of the worse areas in Dallas, at 10:30, at night. We're in a car that most of these crack heads would kill for. I mean just for the hubcaps alone. That's just asking for it ! "

Elmer wiped beads of sweat off his brow, " That's the alley, just pull up, and honk. They'll raise the door. "

I swung inside, as the door lowered, and we stepped out. The place was an old metal warehouse that had seen better days. Geno was ontop of an old water truck and waved me over.

I yelled up, " You need any help ? "

Geno yelled down, " Go ahead and unload Elmer's car ! "

I popped the trunk and started toting the bags, " Where do you want them, over there ? "

Geno yelled down, " What do you think ! Naw ! Just throw them in the dumpster, Einstein ! Where do you want them ! Geez ! "

My mind voices whispered to me. " Hopes ole Gee Nose falls downs off theres and breaks his necks. "

Elmer pitched in, " Dang these golf clubs are nice. I think I'll keep them. "

I didn't allow my mind voices to speak. We unloaded everything, as Geno barked out more orders, and played King Kong ontop of the tanker. I realized that someone was inside and that Geno was handing them the bags. Hmm ! Okay, let's see. That old tanker straight truck probably doesn't even run. So, I bet that it'll be winched on a low boy and hauled piggy back. I just wondered where ? Hmm ! Oh well, who am I ? Just as a mixed up guy that wasn't sure what end was up, as Life Goes On !

Nighty night, Snazzers, your Snazzy1.

 

Man Snazzy. Since the time you started posting I've already gone to school and gotten my cdl. Pretty soon I'll be out with a trainer. When you going to start driving?

 

Yes Shandera it's a guy term and used quite often, also believe it or not, my life even gets more complicated. Let's have big Snazzy welcome for Sweeze and there are more trucking stories to come, as Life Goes On.

We finally finished loading and were seated around an old wooden table that was inside a once used break room. We could watch over the old water truck and had some cover from any incoming threats. Big Owl had climbed out from the tank and was armed with a battery operated calculator. Elmer was clutching a cold beer in one hand and the Moosberg shotgun in the other. Geno poured himself a double shot of Wild Turkey, his .45 was resting next to the bottle. I placed one foot ontop of my chair and had the Mac-10 strapped around my shoulder.

Big Owl held the calculator under Geno's nose, " That's the total, this is our take, here's what's Dixie bound. "

Geno had to ask, " Anyone short ? "

Big Owl rolled his huge eyes, " The same one as always ! He's short $8,600 and some change. We need to send him a wakeup call ! "

Geno looked at Elmer, " He's one of yours ! "

Elmer nodded, " I told him last time, so he was warned. I'll go ahead and make good on it and pay him a visit ! "

Geno cut his eyes at me, " Sit down Barney ! Your making me nervous. "

I sat down like a trained K-9, " Sorry Geno, all this waiting is getting to me."

Geno pointed at me, " We need to decide on what to do with him. What do ya'll think ? "

Elmer chimed in, " I couldn't of done it without him. He's a hard worker and best all he knows how to cut our risk. We could learn somethings from Barney and I trust him ! "

Big Owl turned sour, " I don't trust excops ! Barney can earn my vote like everyone else does. Hell Elmer, I wouldn't sponsor him in a soap box derby."

Geno blew a gasket, " Vote ! Since when do we vote ? Olw your a bean counter and good at what you do, but you work for me ! I decide on whose in and whose out ! You got that ! "

Owl hung his beak, " Your right Geno, I'm sorry. "

Geno took a swig, " Barney ! The only problem I have is that you seem to be a bit flip-it at times. I'm running a business and need loyal men who put this first. Are you willing to do that ? I mean before your family, those little gals, your other interest, and everything else ! "

I took my finger out of my nose, " Oh, I appreciate the job offer, but like we agreed to. I was just waiting for my D.L. to clear up. It's good now and in a few more weeks I can go back to driving Amelia. I'd do that now, but a deal is a deal. Yep ! Ken and Kim, they're the husband and wife team that I hired on. Anyway, they still have a contract with me. So, if that Shark lawyer keeps getting my court date postponed. You know, I've had about six court dates and showed to all them. Then that Judge Jarhead just passes the case to the next term. Is that usual, or do ya'll know ? "

Geno palmed his forehead, " Barney are you nuts ? I'm offering to make you an associate, an earner, a guy who has some say. What do pull in a year with that truck ? Fifty grand ? That's peanuts ! My bottom man makes that in six month's time, just starting out ! "

I tried to educate Geno, " Well ! The way it works is like this. See, the truck makes a dollar per mile. That's how much Road Kill pays, anyway. So, now I don't get that. You see, I have to pay for fuel, road taxs, maintenance, road repairs, my income tax, and a bunch of other stuff. Don't forget that road is expensive too ! You have eat, pay for motels, and shower. Well, you get these free showers, with your fuel ticket..."

Geno had heard enough, " You Idiot ! Elmer ! What are we going to do with him ? Geez ! Go ahead and run it down to him. If he's in, he's in ! If not then just settle up with him. That place we talked about is where I'd start him. We need a good man there ! "

Our meeting ended when the day cab, long nosed, Freight Shaker arrived. The driver winched on the straight truck to the drop deck. Four tough guys wearing hard hats and white overalls stood guard. They climbed back into the Ford crew cab, with tinted windows, and followed the rig out. Elmer had me drive back to the Hide Away. I was beat and sashayed back to the motel. It had been a long night and my mind voices were to tired to kick in. Life was getting awfully confusing. But hey ! Life Goes On !

Let's break, Snazzers, your Snazzy1.

 

Boy Snaz, things are getting complicated here.

When I go to the store and a clerk asks if I found everything okay, I usually say no.
When they ask what I was looking for I tell them a 10 lb bag of twenty dollar bills.
Looks as though you found several of those. Sometimes it starts up some good
conversation.

Don't go getting in anymore trouble now. You don't need it.
Although the story may need it to keep us Snazzers on pins and needles so go
ahead and give us the next chapter.

 

It was the day after Christmas and I had slept in. I showered and called the local pizza joint for a round hamburger. I tipped the driver a fin and dug in. The hot melted cheese burnt the roof of my mouth, so I took a gulp of my canned ice tea. The weather had cleared and a bright sun warmed things up. I sashayed into the Hide Away a little past my due time.

Elmer was waiting for me, " If your ready let's go ! "

I drove as usual, " So, Elmer did everything go okay ? "

Elmer popped a top, " Just like clock work. Of course once Dixie loaded that tanker it became thier problem. Go ahead and pull in here ! "

The bar was within the Fort Worth city limits, but located on Idiot Lake, and even had a boat ramp. I'd drank there on many occassions back in my cop days. There was a closed sign showing inside the bay window, so Elmer knocked. An old grey haired man let us in, but relocked the door, and left the closed sign in place.

Elmer made the introductions, " Sid this Barney, Barney that's Sid. How are they hanging Sid ? "

Sid shook my hand, " When your my age they don't hang, they drag the floor. So, this is the BARNEY ! I remember you ! I didn't know you were cop back then. I figured you for one of them bikers. You know, the Brothers still come in here and I bet that they remember you ! "

Elmer looked worried, " Is that going to be a problem ? "

Sid grinned, " Hell no ! I'll get the word out ! Them Brothers listen to me. Well, the ones that aren't in the slammer, or on the lamb. Who was that ? Ole Guilty Dog wasn't it ? Shot and killed that man at the Waffle Palace. You know, his old lady killed him dead ! "

I walked down memory lane, " Yep ! I knew about that. That was after he beat that murder charge. "

Sid grinned, " I bet that you didn't know he was staying here ! Hell ! If he'd listend to me ya'll never would of caught him. He was right up there in my apartment. Yep ! I had leased it out back then. I still had my house, but when my wife died, I sold it. So, I live up there now. "

Elmer had heard enough, " Give us a beer and just a minute Sid. "

Sid twisted the caps, " I'll be back in my office. Nice meeting you Barney."

I lifted the bottle, " Same here ! "

Elmer got down to it, " Sid is retiring, so this can be yours ! He'll show you the ropes and he knows this business ! I mean it ! He knows it all ! So, it's up to you. What do you think Barney ? "

I looked confused, " I'm buying a beer joint ? "

Elmer laughed, " No Barney ! This place belongs to me. I lease it to Sid and have been for 20 years. You'll just lease from me and it's a real money maker ! You'll have a good advantage. Sid, is one of the best earners we have and this is good location. "

I was honest, " Elmer I don't know. If that DWI ever gets off my back, I just want to hit road. I appreciate what you and Geno..."

Elmer wouldn't take no, " Listen to me ! Take this spot ! If it doesn't work out, then we'll do something different. We don't have anybody ! You'd be doing me and Geno a favor. We're knee deep in aligators and need you. If it's too much for you, or whatever ! We'll find something else for you. Give it 60 days ! 60 days ! "

I gave in, " Okay ! 60 days ! But, listen here ! I'll do it for 30 days and let you know. If I decide to leave, then you'll have 30 days to replace me. I mean it ! I'm really just wasting ya'lls time. "

Elmer tapped his glass neck with mine, " Deal ! Hey Sid ! Get back out here and meet your replacement ! "

Sid shuffled over, " Okay Barney ! Welcome aboard ! We'll get started right after the holidays. Just remember one thang ! I can be your best friend, or one mean SOB ! That's all up to you ! Are we clear on that ? "

I shook Sid's hand, " Well, I can be one heck of a guy, or one ugly woman !"

Elmer spewed like a whale and fell off his bar stool, " Hoot ! Heheheheh, hoot, heheheheh, hoo. Hehhehheheheh ! "

Sid joined in, " Hoot, hehehhehe, hoot, hehehheheh, hoot, hehehe ! "

I drove Elmer back to the Hide Away and we drank untill a pink Elsie showed up. My matress was magic carpet ride to the Sand Man's den. Life was full of twist and turns, as it went on.

Let's break Snazzers, your Snazzy1.

 

Sounds like a place near a mile long factory. Ladd, Galbraith, Rost, McGowan {2}, Hunnycutt, Porter ring a bell with you Snazz?

 

Okay Joel, ready or not, here comes the next chapter, as Life Goes On.

Geno found a replacement for me sooner than I expected. Elmer wasn't happy, but that's Life. So, I handed the General Lee's keys to Elmer's new assistant and drove Elmer's old Chevy to my new assignment. Sid had moved out of the upstairs apartment and in with is daughter. He had plans to move into a swank retirement community in California, as soon as I was trained. The Palm Club was it's name and it was dive. It was part of Idiot Lakes history and had been built out of cinder blocks back in the 50's. I had to sign a lease with Elmer, apply for a liquor license, and move into the apartment. It wasn't all that bad. Well, except the bar was out to itself. I mean there wasn't as much as an outhouse within a mile. Matter of fact the closest place was the old biker's compound that was now vacant. The apartment was actually a loft that was just a big room. The kitchen had a butane cook stove, an old electric refrigerator that's motor set ontop, an electric water heater, and an emergency generator in case of power failure. The loft had it's own private water well and septic tank. The bedroom was just a king sized bed that took up half of the living space. The bathroom had an old legged bathtub. You know, the type the yuppies would kill for today. It had a chromed shower head and new shower curtain. I bought it at the local J-mart, because I liked the little zebras. The wood floors wouldn't hold a shine, so I bought a 9' X12' Persian rug, that helped make the place look a little more homey.

Sid pulled up in his vintage 1969, black, Buick Electra that looked show room new. His small thin frame had to fight it's way inside, as I stood behind the bar. Sid didn't like to be assisted. Matter of fact, he'd throw a fit if anyone as much as tried to help him. Sid climbed onto a barstool and I poured him a glass of his favorite.

Sid lit his Cuban cigar, " Barney a man needs to know the history of how this thang of our's works. So, keep your mouth shut and your ears open. "

I popped a top, " I'm all ears ! "

Sid blew a smoke ring, " Shut up ! I'm not going back to the New York days. Your half Sicilian and know some this Cosa Nostra stuff. I understand that your Grandfather came over, about the same time that Carlos did. Let's see ole Luigi Goose ? Your dad's, dad, God bless their souls. Anyway, Elmer told me about you spilling your guts one night. Something about Luigi ran a numbers game out his barber shop in Cleveland, for the outfit up there. Well, that's true, we did some checking. Matter of fact your uncle Mike, God bless his soul, he did well so well that he retired early. Now, I know that your mom divorced from the family as soon as she found out.... "

I had to ask, " Your telling me that my mom divorced my dad, because he was in the mob ? That's silly ! He was airman in the airforce ! I wasn't, but about 4 years old, but that's just not true ! "

Sid turned red, " Shut up ! No, she divorced him, because he was a drunk ! He turned against is own father ! That's why his brother Mike took over ! Your dad was a black sheep ! A rebel without a cause ! Now, listen I don't want to have spend all day on this ! Where was I ? Okay, now none of this has anything to do with much. Except us old timers ! What blood runs thru a man's veins is what he is made of, Capiche ? "

I capicheed back, " Capiche ! This doesn't have anything to do with vampires, does it ? "

Sid choked out a laugh, " He,hehhe ! Your a hoot ! Okay ! Carlos Marcello buit New Orleans ! He's in bad health now and his boys are taking over. Me and Carlos go back 60 years ! This is where you need to pay attention ! Elmer grew up in Orleans and believe it or not was a prize fighter. I worked as fight promoter back then and Carlos needed a favor. So, Elmer threw a few fights and we all made some money. I always liked Elmer and he had alot of guts back then. Hell, we all did ! Anyway you know about the Idiot Gang wars fought right here in the 50's. Well, they started before that, but Carlos didn't get involved untill then. So, I came down here and brought in my crew. Carlos wanted us to take over and we did ! Back then we had all the rackets going good. Loan-sharking, prostitution, murder for hire, arson, kidnapping, extortion, and even some judges in our pocket ! Those were the days ! Anyway, fast foreward. Geno was the last standing Idiot that didn't have any connections. Geno was smart and came in with us. Now, he was a self made guy. He'd done pretty good on his own and was smart enough to join us. Hell, he didn't really have any choice ! "

I had to ask, " I'm confussed ! If you were the boss and Elmer was part of your crew ? How did Geno take over ? "

Sid pointed his cigar in my face, " I'm getting to that ! Back in 63, I went away on a federal wrap. I spent 6 years in the joint and Elmer was next in line. He ran a good outfit and Carlos was happy. Then just like in other business ole Geno moved up. Geno is a cash machine ! Carlos made Geno a Cappo while I was away. Elmer never really moved up. He's a good man and when things are setup he can run them. He just can't expand and look towards the future. So, anyway I was under too much heat from the fed's to do much. Elmer set me up here and my wife ran the bar. Oh, I helped out Geno and Elmer when I could, but things had changed. There's no honor anymore, it's all about money ! Now, I know the gaming business and both of them look to me on that ! Even Carlos listens to me on the odds and book making ! If you listen to me and learn ! Barney, I'll make you a ton of money. Let's leave it here for the day. Tomorrow we'll get into the daily operations and get you started. "

My mind voices kept me up that night. They replayed every word out of Sid's mouth. Geez ! This has to be a joke ! But what did I know ? I mean, I'm just an excop, truck driver ?, bartender, club owner, gangster ? As Life Goes On.

Nighty night, Snazzers, your Snazzy1.