Reply to thread

Message: <blockquote data-quote="Silver Moon" data-source="post: 3226584" data-attributes="member: 8530">Chapter One-hundred-eighteen, “Family Vendetta“, Saturday June 10th, 1882, 3:30 P.M. Minerva exits the Lucky Lady and is half way back to her house when she is cornered by her parishioner Joseppi Franjoluppi. He has a frantic look in his eye and says waving his hands wildly exclaims in his thick Italian accent, "Priestess! I am greatly distressed and fear for my life. Another member of the Corleone family has just arrived in town, a dangerous man by the name of Francesco Fracanzani. His cousin Anthony must have called for him! He rode in a few minutes ago and is checking into the Promise City Hotel as we speak. He has many guns!"Senor Franjoluppi!, Por Favor slow down. slow down. You must calm yourself so that I can understand what is happening. Come we will go to my house and have some lemonade and you can tell me all about it." She takes him by the arm and leads him to her house where she sits him at the table and pours him lemonade from the icebox.  “Now tell me, What makes you think that Senor Corleone, has sent his cousin to do you harm. Has he threatened you?""No Priestess, but why else would he be here and heavily armed? He must have discovered the presence of a Ciccio, my mother's maiden name."  She replies, "I do not know why he is in town Senor.. but I do know how to find out. I will go and ask him. You stay here and enjoy the lemonade," she pats his hand "and I will return shortly. You will see that all your worries are unfounded." she smiles and turns to leave.As Minerva is nearing the Promise City Hotel she sees an Italian-looking man with a long-barreled revolver on his belt leaving the building. She watches as he walks a block north on Allen Street and then heads over to the Lucky Lady Dance Hall and Saloon.Harry Rote recognizes the look on Jake's face and has a glass of Kentucky Bourbon waiting for him before he even reaches the bar. Harry asks, "Problems Jake? You seem a bit preoccupied today."  Jake accepts the glass and swirls the contents around before inhaling the aroma. "That obvious, Harry? All this election nonsense and the cowboy gang popping back up is sure distracting. That and I miss you know who. Nothing that cannot be cured with a taste of this," Jake sips the bourbon, "and a quiet chat with a friend. What about you Harry?" Jake quickly changes course like always, deflecting attention away from his troubles with a disarming smile. "The man who has so unsure of himself not too long ago has seemed to found his confidence and stride. From where I stand you are handling it all marvelously."Harry smiles and replies "Well Jake, I've discovered that there are worse things in life than being a retailer of one of the most desired commodities in town. People warm to you real fast and have accepted me in the role that Niles previously held and following some advice given to me by you and Job my distributors now have too. Plus the Lucky Lady is a great place to operate out of. I'm glad we now have the separate place for liquor storage but I wouldn't want anywhere other than the finest Saloon in town to promote my business from." While they are talking a man enters the Lucky Lady, checking his long-barreled revolver to Thom. Jake immediately recognizes Francesco Fracanzani, one of the business partners of the Three Gods Meeting Hall back in Tucson, whose specialty is security. Francesco takes a seat alone at a table at the far end of the saloon, which is presently unoccupied other than Jake and Harry.  "Go ahead and see what he wants," Jake says to Harry.Harry goes over and takes the man's drink order, bringing him two shots of whiskey. The man takes a copy of the Denver Post newspaper out from his pant's pocket and reads while he drinks.  For the time being, Jake is satisfied with letting Francesco continue to be a 'stranger' and wonders if Tony Lucky will introduce him. He passes time chatting with Harry. Towards the end of their conversation he asks him, "Keep your ears open Harry. If you here anything about the cowboy gang, Fisk, the county lawmen, anyone beside Bernice named Turner or a Nick Goudge let me know."Minerva enters the saloon as Harry walks over to take the man's drink order. She walks over to Jake and in a low voice asks, "Do you know who that man is that Harry is serving?"   "Yes," he says quietly, "but I would rather pretend that I do not until I determine whether he wants me to know who he is." Jake said rather cryptically. "He brings no threat to me, just the opposite."  Minerva states, "I must know what his intentions are."Jake looks at her in a puzzled way. "It has to do with the poker tournament, but for now it must be unrevealed until he makes it known himself. What is the urgency?"  She replies, "Senor Franjoluppi thinks that Tony Corleone has sent him here to kill him to settle some old family vendetta. I know that it sounds silly but He is hiding at my house and obviously quite terrified." She looks at him hopefully. "You are a smooth talker, Jake. Perhaps you could find out if that is a possibility?"Jake exclaims, "Tony who? A family Vendetta? Mierde, is nothing without complications? If he does not know that this Fran-jo-who-pla character is in town and I bring his name up no amount of smooth talking will take my foot out of my mouth." Jake shakes his head, "I know that we have never discussed this before but I was wondering does your family have an unsettled vendetta or family feud?" He rolls his eyes."Si, against your family. I was sent here to drive you crazy. "she grins.  "Sr. Franjoluppi claims that Tony Lucky is Tony Corleone, a family member of a powerful Italian gang of some sort. Apparently somebody in Sr. Franjolupi's mother's side of the family killed someone from Corleone's family and so they seek their revenge through a blood vendetta. He has been hiding from Sr. Lucky for quite some time now, and insists that Tony sent for his cousin, that man over there, to do the job for him. Are you going crazy yet? Now, It's possible that Sr. Franjoluppi has gone a bit loco from consuming too much of Dionysus' italian wine during the festival, but I assured him that I would get to the bottom of it. I suppose that I could just ask that man over there if he was sent here to kill Sr. Franjolupi, but if it is true that that is his mission, than I will have placed Sr. Franjoluppi's life in danger. I need a more subtle way to find out why he is here, If Ruby where here she could read his mind. Hmmm, I wonder if Katherine has that ability? "Jake replies, "I told you why he was here. He is going to help with the poker tournament. He is an associate of a friend of mine. I assume since he has not greeted me that he wants his involvement in the poker tournament to remain a secret. Now, is he also in secret come here to finish on a blood feud? How in Hades would I know? He is Tony Lucky's cousin, and he does think that his cousin is an imbecile. I have no idea if Katherine can do that thing too." Jake pauses for a moment, lost in thought. "Look, I will see what I can find out. For me to just walk over there and ask about it, no matter how slick and smooth seems ill advised. Should I ask him the same thing I asked you? I know that we have never discussed this before but I was wondering does your family have an unsettled vendetta or family feud against anyone that might be in town?" He rolls his eyes again. "Perhaps it would be better for you to gain a relationship with a stranger, since you are the town spiritual advisor, so you can speak to him again if needs be? This way you could determine what kind of respect he has for your position and you would better understand what influence you may wield later." Jake finishes the last sip of his bourbon. "Oh, and Senorita, you are doing muy bien at driving me loco."   She says, "Why would you ask such a question?" He answers, "I would not, Senorita. It was sarcasm. Sometimes in a weak moment I do that. I was attempting, unsuccessfully, to point out the futility of such an act. Perhaps it would be better for you to gain a relationship with a stranger, since you are the town spiritual advisor, so you can speak to him again if needs be?."  She says, “Jake, It is easier to gain a relationship if introductions are made properly.” Jake replies, "That is what I have been telling you! He has not introduced himself since arriving and I am pretending not to know him. There are reasons unrelated to your concern for him that may create a desire to be unrecognized. Do you see?  "Uh huh, I see." she nods placating. "For reasons that relate to the upcoming poker tournament you must remain strangers. Right, I understand completely. I was hoping that perhaps you or Harry could introduce me, but since you cannot reveal yourself at this time I will have to find a plausible excuse to introduce myself. Nothing is ever simple in this town, is it?" she says voicing her frustration. "Is there anything in particular that you desire to know about him while I am asking?" He replies, "No, Senorita, that is also what I was trying to tell you. I know him, he knows me, and I thought I knew why he was here until you came into the saloon with this further complication Oh, and Senorita, you are doing muy bien at driving me loco." She guffaws heartily. "I welcome the company." and before he can respond she makes her way over to the table and introduces herself.  "Buenos Dias Senor. I am the Pastor Minerva Garcia Florencia, Welcome to Promise City."   He smiles and says, "Ah yes, I rode by your church on South Street. I trust that there will be services there at some point tomorrow, could you tell me the time so that I might attend?"Minerva replies, "Services begin at 7:00 A.M. if you are able to rise so early in the day." she jests. "The gods of Olympus will be pleased by your attendance, Senor... I am sorry what did you say your name was?"     He replies to the Priestess, "Frank, Frank Lucky. This is my first visit to Promise City, it seems like an interesting enough place to visit."  The Priestess asks, "So Frank Lucky, What brings you to our fair town?"He replies, "Passing through on my way from Denver to Dallas by way of Tucson. My cousin Tony lives in this town so I thought I'd stop in and see how he is doing. I believe he's one of the gamblers at this saloon, although I believe his letter said the name of the place was "Tony Lucky's Ladies".  Minerva laughs, "That is certainly a catchy name. Perhaps Senor Kane will consider expanding the sign to accommodate him."  Will you be staying in town long? "Frank replies, "I guess that'll be up to my cousin, he doesn't even know I was coming here."  "You must be very close to your cousin to travel so far out of your way to say hello. I am sure he will be pleased to see you and hear news from family.'  she listens for a moment." I detect a bit of Italy in your voice. I am from across the sea also, Perhaps I have visited your region. Tell me, what part of Italy are you from?He replies, "I am originally from Sicily, the Island off the boot, just like Tony's father. And as I said, I stopped off in Tucson, so this really isn't off the beaten path on the way to Texas. So, do you know when Tony might be coming by? Or maybe where he lives?"   Minerva replies, "He is usually here in the evening to run his table. I am not sure where he lives but I believe that he resides at the Cochise boarding house. Senor Kane would know for sure."Frank replies, "Okay, I guess I can wait until tonight. I guess I'll go see about getting a bath and shave. Thank for the information Priestess, I will see you tomorrow at church if not before."  Minerva makes her way back home where an anxious Franjoluppi is awaiting her return. "Senor, I have discovered that the man you fear is indeed Tony Lucky's cousin from Sicily. He claims that he is just passing through and that Senor Lucky does not even know that he is here. I will keep an eye on him and see what more I can discover."  Franjolupi nods and says, "Thank you Priestess. I will keep a low profile and make sure that I'm with at least one member of Arcade's Gang if I have to go out to be safe.""That is probably best for the time being, Senor Franjoluppi. I shall see you in church tomorrow." she says as she walks him to the door. "May the gods keep the wolves from your door, Senor." Minerva awaits Nakomo's return and the pair stroll down the street as the Crimson sun sets in the distance. Minerva looks up at the blood red sky and musses. I hope that is not an omen of things to come."   As they make their way pass the El Parador they notice that it is rather busy this evening. "Why don't we have dinner there?" Nakomo suggests. Minerva agrees and the pair enter the El Parador.</blockquote>

Verification