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Apr-22-2010 21:04

"Cut!" The director screamed. He ran onto the movie set and stared at the lost man in a tacky detective costume. The director was a head shorter than most actors, but his stare was fierce. "I told you for God knows how many times, read your script as it is WRITTEN!"

"But real detectives don't say things like 'What were you doing at the time of the murder.' It's a straight give away to the suspect that a murder had taken place!" The poor man defended.

"God damn it, who cares what you say as long as it's a talkie film. A MOVIE!" The director slapped his script on the prop table. He turned to his crew, "Who hired this genius?"

The crew was stone silent. The cameramen wiped their bulky equipment fervently like their life depended on it. The lighting crew looked at their silver lamps as if they saw it for the first time. The soundman listened to his playback looking for noises that didn’t exist.

A young man in a plaid sweater put up his shaking hand, "but sir, you said you wanted an authentic guy to play the part, so I got you a real detective."

"I said I wanted an authentic LOOKING guy, Martin! Not the real deal. This is show biz, use your brain, if you're not SITTING on it!!" The stumpy director bellowed.

"But…"

A voice light as chimes cut through the quarrel. "Boys, if you don't mind, I'll just go powder my nose." The lead actress with white blonde hair and the figure of an hourglass floated back into her dressing room.

"Yes of course, certainly my darling." The director cooed. He then turned coldly to Martin and the detective. "We'll take a 15 minutes break for you two to sort this out."

"Break! 15 minutes!" Martin announced, he then turned apologetically to his friend, "I'm so sorry, detective Zeo. I know most of this doesn't make sense, but can you please stick to your lines?"

Joseph Zeo looked at his shiny detective costume and gave a weak smile, "I dig what you mean," he sighed, "and you know I wouldn't have taken the job if I wasn't low on dough.

Apr-24-2010 07:53

It is late afternoon. Only two men are at the bar, quietly exchanging words in a casual and relaxed manner. Soon, as the sun falls behind the surrounding rooftops, the workers will begin to arrive. Hard working men mostly. Some stopping for a quick cold beer on their way home to their families; and some will linger a bit longer. It is not yet Friday when the pockets are full of paychecks and the weekend promises freer and more enjoyable activities. Then the pub stays busy late into the night and Peter O’Neil makes his real money.

Above in their apartment, Peter’s wife is making dinner for him and their three children. Soon she will call him up to eat and soon after the evening crowd will arrive. This is a long way from where he grew up, in a rough neighborhood not so far across town. There he learned about the darker side of men's minds - and women's, too. He reflects only a moment longer on the road that brought him to Peter’s Pub, then offers a silent prayer of thanks.

“Peter,” one of the men calls out. “I believe we’re ready for another.”

Apr-24-2010 08:40

As Vulkie watched Marc and Simone leave and after she and Joseph had filled Riza in with all details, Vulkie began to speak.

"Now that's she's gone, let's take a closer look in her room. I have a hunch..." Vulkie said and Joseph nodded.

"Riza, you stay guard outside, don't let anyone in. We don't want to be distracted in our search." Vulkie said to Riza and Riza shrugged and stayed near the entrance door of the lead actress's dressing room.

"Now" Vulkie said, "We need to find some clues... Look everywhere Joseph, but let the room stay tidy, as if no one was ever in here except Miss Summers, eh, I mean, Simone..." Vulkie said and she began to look around.

***5 minutes later***

"I've found something" Joseph said and pointed to the bin. As the two detectives looked into the bin, they saw a.... bottle of glue?

"What's that doing there?" Vulkie wondered. She carefully picked up the bottle, took the cap of and took a small sniff.

"It smells like the same glue that was used on the note" Vulkie said.

Joseph also took a sniff. "Yup, it's the same. That could mean two things... One of the theories is, that the "maker" of the note made the note here, but we would also find newspapers in this exact room. The other theory is..." Joseph said, but was suddenly interrupted by some noises.

"There's someone at the window!" Vulkie hissed and she pointed, as the man or female ran away quickly.

"You warn Riza, I'll go after that person!" Vulkie shouted to Joseph and she ran to the door, only to bump into the director.

"What is the meaning of all this!" the short director shouted.

"Uhm.... I can explain..." Vulkie began, a bit hesitating...

Apr-24-2010 08:52

"Well, explain then!" the director shouted. Vulkie looked down, to look into the director's eyes. She could see something troubled him, he was nervous.

"Well, I'm a private detective. Miss Nouson's my name. Vulkie for friends. You see, my dear friend and fellow detective, detective Joseph Zeo, who I believe, is featuring in your movie, contacted me and asked me if I could help him with the case about Miss Summers's note." Vulkie said.

The director immediately waved around. "How can I make a movie with a detective that is contradicting his text and a lead actress that is getting threatened by a note that even a 4-year old could've made..." the director said.

"Life must been tough for you, being such "short on time" with this movie and having to work with people that don't "judge" you by the size, but by the money they get for their work" Vulkie said, lightly agitated by the director's comment on the note.

The director turned immediately red faced and shouted : "You get out of my sight, right this instance. And you, Mr. Smirking guy, get back to your place and rehearse your sentences!" the director shouted, as he pointed to Joseph, to get back to the set.

"Yes sir..." Joseph said, as he got rid of his grin about Vulkie's comments, and immediately obeyed the director, by going away. Not before whispering into Vulkie's ear : "Go to the guard's office, see what he knows"

Vulkie silently nodded and watched, as the director and Joseph went back to the set.

"Riza, you come with me. I could use your "persuasive" ways to help me with the guard..." Vulkie said to Riza and Riza silently went with her to the guard's office...

Apr-24-2010 09:11

*** The guard's office***

"Right, this is the plan. I'll wait around the corner until you've distracted the guard that much, that he comes with you. Ask him some small questions, then knock him out cold or just dump him, I don't care. When you've got him away from the office, I'll "sneak" in and take a look for some more clues. Perhaps another lead, who knows..." Vulkie said. Riza nodded.

And so, the plan went ahead. Riza knocked on the door, asked the guard some questions, took him with her and after Vulkie made sure no one was around anymore, she went inside the guard's office.

It was a terrible mess. Coffee mucks everywhere, a radio was stationed on top of a cabinet and there were... Newspapers lying everywhere.

As Vulkie quickly looked through the newspapers, she found one that was missing all kinds of letters, neatly cut out of the newspaper.

"Bingo!" Vulkie murmered and "stashed" the paper in her pocket, to bring it with her.

As Vulkie went outside the office, she saw Riza standing next to the door.

"He's out there... He had a nosebleed and just when he saw the blood, he fell unconscious" Riza said, as she pointed towards the guard lying on the floor.

"Good..." Vulkie said. "In the meantime, I've found another clue..." as Vulkie took the paper out and showed it to Riza.

"So this is the newspaper that was used for the note... But it doesn't make sense.... Who could've..." Riza said, as she was interrupted by Joseph.

"I'm done here for today. Let's go, it's sunset and I want to get some good rest..." Joseph said.

As Riza and Joseph went away, the director immediately scurried himself towards her...

"Not you again..." she murmered and waited to what the director had to say.

"I thought I summoned you to go away!" the director said.

"Yeah yeah, keep your "shorts" on, Mr. Director... I'm going already!" Vulkie said, as she turned around and walked to her car, driving herself home...

Apr-24-2010 09:12

(FYI, at my last part, at the "As Riza and Joseph" sentence, "her" is a meaning of Vulkie)

Apr-24-2010 09:20

Joseph Zeo parked his Buick on a side street in the Irish sector of town, and got out of the car with Riza. The sun was about to set, casting a golden glow to everything around them.

"Thought you said you wanted to get some good rest. Where are we heading?" The sharp lady detective asked.

"We will relax, and see an old friend of mine," Zeo replied, "someone who meet more people than the rest of us pooled together, and hear things around town whether he wants to or not."

"Sound like quite a guy." Rize remarked.

"He is." As Zeo entered the building labeled 'Peter's Pub', he saw the person he was looking for coming down the stair.

"Hey Joseph! It's been a while. I just had dinner. Have you eaten?" Peter asked warmly.

"Ah, we're fine, Peter. How are the kids?"

"Sam has grown a head taller since last Christmas. Sooner or later the lad will surpass his old man in height." Peter poured Zeo a Scotch whiskey, his usual. "And for this nice lady here?"

"Oh I forgot to introduce. My apologies. This is Ms. Riza Hawkeye, a good friend of mine, although seldom do I hear people describe her as 'nice'..." Before Zeo could finish, Riza ebbed him hard on the rib. Zeo gave a silent grunt and learned to shut up.

Riza said, "another Scotch is fine, thank you, and don't listen to Joseph." Peter smiled and poured Riza three fingers.

"I suppose you're also a P.I.?" It came out more like a statement then a question.

"Peter here is a great observer of people. He can tell a lot from just the way you carry yourself." Zeo inhaled the aroma before he sipped his drink.

"And from the way you're drinking, I supposed you're here on business?" Peter stated.

Zeo gave Riza a 'see what I mean?' look and continue, "Ever heard of the actress Simone Summers?"

"Who hasn't?"

"Did you know anything about her brother's murder, and his dealings before he died?"

"Depends on who's asking, and for what reason." Peter replied quietly, wiping a spotless beer glass.

Apr-24-2010 09:21

Zeo leaned closer and spoke in a low voice. "Earlier today, Simone received a threaten note, and it seem that it was related to her brother's death, or his life before he died. Which ever way you wanna put it. So, we need more information in order to sort heads from tails." Zeo finished and continued to sip his whiskey.

Apr-24-2010 11:26

Peter looked about the pub. Still early. His bartender, Meaghan, had just arrived and was pulling her apron on.

“Pick up your glasses and let’s have a seat.”

They walked along with the bar on their left as traffic passed on their right, outside the wide front window frames and the small tables with chairs. At the end of the bar, the windows ended as well, and the area opened up wrapping around to the left where two pool tables sat waiting. They continued to the far wall and drew chairs up to the corner table.

“What do you know about him?”

Joseph answered. “Not much. Nothing really. We don’t even have a name.”

“Johnny Cross,” said Peter, “though not many know of him or that he was Simone’s brother. She was just making her way to the big time when he took a dive off a roof. Never even made it into the obits. Used to hustle the women telling them he was her agent when she started out and he could get them into pictures. What makes you think he has anything to do with the threat?”

Riza chimed in, “The note said she would end up like her brother.” Peter noted the lack of emotion in her voice. No, not really lack of emotion �" lack of fear and a firm hold on her emotions. Easy to look at and a cool lady, indeed. He understood why Joseph had brought her along. Joseph never brought any but the most trusted when he came to talk business.

“Well, there’s not much more to tell. The guy was mostly a nuisance. Besides hustling the women, he was always trying to get in with the studio big shots. Rumor was he promised to get Simone to leave that director Salazar in exchange for a fat envelope. I don’t think anyone believed he could do it. Any help to ya?”

Apr-24-2010 11:28

Joseph thought for a moment. “Any idea why he was killed?”

“Nothing specific comes to mind. Want me ask around?”

“Sure. Just send me a message or call the office. I’ll be back, or Riza might come if I’m tied up.”

Peter couldn’t hold back his smile. “I’d want her with me, if I was tied up.” A chuckle escaped. “That blade of hers would come in handy!”

Joseph smiled too, and looked at Riza. “I told you he was a sharp cookie.”

Riza laughed. “About as sharp as my friend.” She reached and touched the place where she kept her trusted stiletto. Reassuring as always, she thought.

Outside, the street was filling as the factories and docks changed shifts. Some began to enter the pub and Meaghan was skillfully filling their orders. Peter stood up.

“Gotta get to work. Stop by anytime, Joeseph. And Miss Hawkeye, you don’t need this guy to come by. You’ll be welcomed as a friend.”

As they pushed through the door, the evening air coolly greeted them and Joseph and Riza paused before getting in the Buick.

Apr-24-2010 19:57

"Simone, I need some names. Someone who knew you and your brother. And if your brother got mixed up with the wrong people, you need, no, you HAVE to tell me NOW. I think both of you got mixed up with the wrong people to be honest. And If I'm gonna protect you, you need to talk. Because if you don't, someone here trying to help you, is going to get seriously hurt or killed. Do you understand me?" Marc said.

Simone nodded and a tear rolled down her right cheek. She stood up and walked to the window.

"It was about twelve years ago," She said. A moment later, she told her story.


"My brother Johnny hustled a lot of women. Most of them to the mob. After they got what they wanted, they'd kill them. Most of them, I knew. When the mafia got what they wanted out of them, they'd brutally kill them. Johnny took photos of it. Of course, the mafia didn't know. If they found out, they would have killed him right there. That was when Luciano was in power; some time back in 1929. I found out and forced him to stop by threatening to turn him to the police." Simone said.

Marc listened. He knew where she was going with this now. He pulled out his pipe and filled it with his favorite tobacco and lit it.

"Johnny must have been blackmailing them." Marc said. "The mob works that way with black mail. If you owe them money, they won't kill you. They will beat you until you wish you were dead. They won't kill you because then they won't get their money." Marc replied puffing on his pipe.

Simone closed her eyes. It was the ugly truth that Marc had said out loud. Johnny was blackmailing the mob; a nasty thing to do. "Simone, how long did he do it?"

"I can't say for sure. But he did it for a while."

"And we can't prove that the mafia killed him." Marc said.

He stood up and paced around the room and Simone took a seat on the bed.

"Which group was it that he was black mailing?" Marc asked.

"I don't know the name of it..it's bunch of Italians..."

Marc closed his eyes and sighed.