* CHUD Mafia RPG - Chapter 7

GAMING Boards, Cards and Tabletops
41

Heist
Bank Lobby
(ATTN: Roman, Winters, Frank, Chelsea, Virgil)

Frank hears the door opening, and step back. Roman emerges with a little less than his standard “in control” expression. Winters stays close next to him.

Chelsea looks down to her paperwork, as if unaware of the crisis. Frank’s wary eye catches her doing nothing at all unexpected.

From his position on the floor, Virgil sees them from across the room. They leave the office (left end of building) and head towards the vault (upper left corner).

42

Lion’s Den
Othello’s Lamborghini
(ATTN: Othello, Tivoli)

“Couldn’t see,” he replies meekly. “Truth is, I would only be making the list of people who can easily stuff me into a mailbox bigger if I did.”

43

Lion’s Den
Othello’s Lamborghini
(ATTN: Othello, Tivoli)

“So what are you supposed to do next?”

44

Quote:
capteucalyptus (Scott Roche): Lion’s Den Othello’s Lamborghini (ATTN: Othello, Tivoli) “So what are you supposed to do next?”

((The following was transcribed from a Yahoo IM conversation, and continues the dialogue between Tivoli and Othello))

“What?” Tivoli asks

Othello glares ahead. “If I hadn’t lucked in on your meeting what would you do next? How are you supposed to sabotage me and the rest?”

“Shit man…,” he struggles for the words, “the bitch figured that since I was still alive, she could use me one more time. Bring you and Roman’s crew… even that psychopath teacher, all to some kinda fuckin’ trap. Gave me an envelope… the meeting time and location. Then I was supposed to call you… like, panicked and everything… then get the family’s attention. Figured the crazy bastard would just follow you guys in…”

“Hmmm…Well that helps. At least we can be prepared for that meet. So what the hell do I do with you?”

I guess asking you for a one-way plane ticket would be stupid…" Tivoli jokes.

“Give that man a cigar. Problem is if I turn you in to Roman he’ll likely kill you and as it is I know that someone in the family is in the Chink’s little circle. You’ve proven how little I can trust you on your own, but I want to keep you alive.” He looks at the man. “Suggestions?”

“What if,” he is genuinely scared, “what if we go to the fuckin’ meeting like she says, like you don’t know nuthin’, but come prepared, huh?”

He pulls out an envelope with a small picture. Othello glances over at the image. He sees a rust-and-sky-blue industrial building… a condemned cannery. “Coldstone Cannery” Tivoli announces coldly. This is where they are setting up their trap for you and Romans guys.

Othello needs more information. “Anything about the time for the meet?”

“Day after tomorrow, noon…,” Tivoli replies.

“That’s gives us some planning room. Well. I’ve gotta make a cell call. I’m gonna let McCready know that I’ve got you and that you have some useful info. That should keep you alive for a while longer."

“Shit!” Tivoli goes back into fear mode. “If word gets out to the greaseballs…”

“Look if you had done what I told you to do you’d probably be out of this mess by now.”

The little Italian slowly gets angry. “They would have killed Latisha… and then made me into fucking cole slaw.”

“They don’t know where you were do they?” Othello raises an eyebrow.

“Why do you think I got outta there?”

He pounds the wheel. “Shit. You compromised my crib.”

“You did," Danny gets a bit more aggressive. “I UNcompromised it by getting the fuck out.”

Othello’s voice deepens. “How do you figure that? How did they know where you were?”

“The fuck?” He gets defensive, “You drop me off with an address… on foot… with these guys chasing you… what the fuck did you expect?!”

“Too much to expect for you to be careful I guess. I’ll take part of the blame but if Latisha’s hurt, well you haven’t really seen me angry yet." The engine growls as he gives it more gas.

“If Latisha’s hurt, you’d better blame yourself. I did my best man, stayed low and made sure no one followed me. Maybe your girl…,” apparently, Tivoli is now comfortable arguing with the merc.

Othello snaps out his phone and speaks “Foxy.” The phone rings. The line chirps a busy signal. “Damn. Foxy Cell.” Five rings, then voicemail… “Baby. If you get this message go to your Mom’s. Lay low.” He looks at Tivoli. “I hate you Italians. Nothing but trouble.”

Tivoli looks out the window. “We goin’ to get me killed now or what?”

The ride continues in silence.

45

Lion’s Den
Othello’s Car

Othello pulls up McCready’s phone number in his cell and waits for the professor to answer.

McCready feels the vibration from inside his coat pocket. He removes the small cellular phone and moves away from the crowd. “Listen to that squak box, mate,” he tells Dino. When he’s safely away from the crowd, he opens the phone. “Hello?”

“Prof. Othello. You’ll never believe who is sitting to my right.”

“If it’s Lihn Lao, I’ll marry you.”

“Good thing it isn’t but I did see her from a mere few yards away. More o nthat later. I have Tivoli”

“Ah, the elusive Three Rings. It’s fucking spectacular that you have retrieved such an elusive quarry, but I’m afraid there are more pressing issues at the moment.”

“Besides the fact that the Weasel, Linh, and some mysterious third figure have formed an unholy Triumvirate?”

“Yes. My former employer Mr. Avery has donated several police helicopters of the highest caliber to the force. They are virtually invincible and totally operational. You know of what I speak.”

“Shit and our boys at the bank may be the first guinea pigs. We should warn them somehow.”

“I’ve got Dino listening to the squak box on a black and white as we speak. I think we’re going to need some transportation. How soon can you be here?”

“I’ll have to get something a bit bigger. Give me 10 minutes. You’re at the Convention Center?”

“Civic Center, front steps. We’ll be in the back of the crowd. And Othello?”

“Yes.”

“Tivoli goes in the trunk. DON’T eat him.” He hangs up.

“Crazy white folk.” He snaps his phone shut.

46

Heist

Unnoticeably, Virgil moves from his current position, getting somewhere in between the vault door and the bunch of guards. His gun is firmly tugged by his side, ready to go into action at any time. He waits for what is coming next.

47

((Updated above post regarding “Lion’s Den” thread and included rest of the dialogue between Othello and Tivoli.))

48

PROTECTION, PT. II

Despite the bullets flying through the glass at the front of the store, Paulie stops and stares in awe at the row upon row of guns and ammunition gracing the walls. He falls to his knees, arms spread wide in reverence.

“I have slipped the surly bonds of Earth and touched the face of God.”

Julian gives him a quick “are you kidding me” stare, and Paulie is back up and racing along the racks. Hunting rifles, shotguns, but nothing that really sings to him.

Until.

Near the back of the store is a door with a cheap, store-bought PRIVATE sign taped to it. Paulie checks the knob – it’s locked. Paulie grins. Most likely the place where good ol’ Ray keeps the items of dubious legality.

He blasts the wood around the door with the AK, kicks it open, and steps inside expectantly.

49

Rally

While McCready’s on the phone, he listens to the squawk box. It’s all a bunch of loud, staticy promises of a safer and healthier Coldstone. The people all around him are all smiling like cancer patients smoking joints to help alleviate their denial.

It bothers him that Avery and Palooka have already exited the stage. They have spotted the two, and he’s awaiting for McCready’s next plan of action.

50

Rally

McCready puts the phone back in his pocket and grins. He half glides, half saunters through the crowd towards Dino.

“Big man. I hate to give orders-aw, hell, I love to give orders-but not to friends and associates. We gotta leave Avery and Palooka for the time being. C’mon, let’s go.”

He motions them away from the crowd to wait for Othello.

Once they are out of earshot from the police activity, he says “Our cannibalistic colleague informs me that we will have a new addition to our motley gang-though he will be riding in the trunk. I believe you know him. A Mr. Tivoli?”

51

Rally

Dino smiles at McCready. Though part of the reason is probably just being away from the deluded masses. Or perhaps he’s been infected by their illusions as well. Whatever the case, his smile hid any traces of fear and doubt about the new shiny toys, and how they may get into action soon.

52

Rally

McCready reaches over and claps a burly arm around Dino’s shoulder.

I have no need to pray*
That fear may pass away;*
I scorn the growl and rumble of the fight*
That summons me from cool
Silence of marsh and pool*
And yellow lilies is landed in light*
O river of stars and shadows, lead me through the night.

“My mentor said that to me before my first strike on a British Paramilitary Unit in 1986, and I said it to my boys in '94. We’ll do fine. You’ll do fine. Your friend is proud of you. I can feel it.”

He squeezes Dino’s shoulder and removes his arm.

“And don’t you worry, boyo,” he says as he lights up a fresh cigarette. “Those shiny toys are going to get some use one of these days.”

53

Lion’s Den
Othello’s Car

Othello spots an tan Escalade that has been parked illegally on the street. He parallel parks the Lamb and looks at Tivoli. “This is our new ride.” He and the snitch get out.

The enforcer grabs the dealer plates from the sports car and covers the SUV’s tags with them. The keys to the expensive muscle car stay in the ignition and he leaves the door cracked. “Shouldn’t be here more than 5 minutes.”

In a blink the driver’s side is open. He pops the rear and gestures for Rings to get in. “Sorry to make you ride in the back of the bus but I don’t have a choice.” As he helps the man in, Othello slips a set of plasticuffs on one hand and secures the other to an overhead handhold. The tinted windows keep anyone from seeing his prisoner.

Slamming the door he hops in the front and has the engine cranked in no time. “We’re off to the Civic Center.”

54

Lion’s Den
Escalade
(ATTN: Othello, Tivoli)

Despite being behind the wheel of a countless number of vehicles in the past three weeks, Othello takes to the escalade in no time.

The car weaves in and out of traffic, like a snake slipping through wet grass. It amazes Tivoli that one man could hit so many yellow lights in a row.

“Slow the fuck down before you become the black Dale Earnhardt. I don’t wanna be fucking tied to a flaming deathtrap in case you roll this piece of shit.”

Another sharp corner is his only reply.

“So…,” he tries again at conversation, “What’s the plan here? Pickingup some of your mafia friends… so they can whack me before we ge outta the parking lot?”

55

Rally
Coldstone Civic Center
(ATTN: Dino, Forbes)

The banner isplaced high, hanging almost even with the Civic Center pillars, three stories up. The applause dies down, and the floor is opened to questions.

The governor is seated, and the newly appointed Commissioner graves approaches the mic with a smile. Although reporters mob the front area, they are by no means the only ones with questions.

(Othello is en route, should be with you guys in a few posts.)

56

Protection Pt. II
Ray’s Guns and Ammo
(ATTN: Julian, Paulie)

Paulie is immediately alone. The large door wings shut behind him with a clunk. Lights flicker into a steady stream of illumination.

And “The Jester” quickly falls to his knees. The guilt of his awe is not unlike a man caught in a porno shop when his girl calls his cell.

Most every make and model, all diaplsyed in an almost too-artistic-to-distrub fashion. A sample of the chours from “Ode to Joy” plays on a loop while the power is on in the vault.

Paulie’s near orgasmic delight is soon intruded upon by reality.

“Get the fuck out here, Seinfeld!” Julian’s muffled voice is heard over the sounds of closing gunfire.

Unarmed and alone, the wiseguy diRossi is quickly tiring of bullet dodging.

57

Heist

Roman and the secured bank manager glide to the vault. As they pass Chelsea’s stall, he motions her to him with his eyes. She meets them both at the entrance.

Roman stabs the barrel of his gun against Winter’s lower back.

“Open the doors. This bullet wouldn’t kill you, merely leave you paralyzed from the waist down.” Roman whispers. Roman’s eyes go to Chelsea awaiting confirmation of any kind of treachery.

58

heist

Frank closely shadows Roman’s back, watching his compadre and Chelsea with eagle eyes.

59

The Heist
Bank Lobby/Vault
(ATTN: Roman, Winters, Frank, Chelsea, Virgil)

Time seems to slow. Amazingly, no one in the bank looks to have caught on just yet.

Roman ushers Winters towards the vault area. The old man is strangely compliant. Enough to seem… “off” to Roman. At least in comparison to the bank heist movies he had seen.

Frank looks to Chelsea, who stands slowly, nodding towards the rest room. She makes her way toward the door, on the near side of the lobby. (Central left, the vault is upper left or northwest corner of the bank looking down from above.)

Virgil has centered himself in the lobby, so as to have optimal access to all visible parties in the event of violence.

Suddenly, “Razor Face” is startled, almost visibly reacting to a new element.

Coming out of the men’s room (adjacent to Chelsea’s desitnation), he sees a large man, 30-something, in a business suit, striding forward. Though only a split second, Virgil is certain that the man is packing heat. A black pistol grip visible for just a moment as he adjusts his coat.

The man resumes his walk after straightening up his attire, looking around as if scanning the room. Virgil is the only one that has seen the man at all, with Roman and company at an angle too acute to spy the man’s sidearm.

60

heist

Frank’s eyes flick between Roman, Winters, and Chelsea. Certain thoughts begin to enter his mind as he slowly follows Roman, glancing around every few seconds.