A man stumbled into the building from the poring rain. He was absolutely drenched, but at the same time, relieved. He gripped the handle tighter. He closed the door behind him and proceeded down the dark hallway.
At the end of the hallway was a door. The man reached for the door, when a voice boomed, “Enter.”
How does he do that? the man thought with a shudder of slight fear. He opened the door and stepped into the room. He closed the door behind him and observed the room.
The small room was dimly lit by a single light over the center of a round table. The man seated himself directly across from a dark figure.
When the dark figure spoke, his scratchy voice made the hairs on the man’s neck stand on end; “The brightest gem may be mined in the strangest of places.”
“As can people,” was the wet man’s reply.
For a moment, the dark figure said nothing, just staring the man down, interpreting the code they had just relayed. Finally, he said, “So Louis; do you have the box?”
“Right here.” Louis lifted the heavy travel case up onto the table. “I wouldn’t have come if I didn’t have it.”
“That is true, Louis. Now, how was your journey from the United States to here in little old Adria?”
“After getting the box, I stowed away onto a cargo ship here. On the ship was boxes of dead fish, Vincent. Dead fish. I was freezing and retching. Anyway, after at least two days without food or water, the ship arrived in Germany. I got food, ate and took a train to Italy. The ride was a few hours long, but it was fast. I got off the train, scanned the crowd for anyone suspicious, and took the cab you set up. I got out in Villadose and walked all the way here in the poring rain.”
“I admit Louis, you got guts. Coming all the way here… doing this for me. That hits me right here.” He pointed a ringed finger at his chest. “Of course, I hired you for that specific reason, but it takes a real man to accept this task.”
“Your friend held a gun to my head,” Louis said harshly. “I had no choice but to accept.”
“Yes, and it takes real wits to make such a snappy decision at gunpoint; when your life is in danger. I respect that,” Vincent said.
“So what’s so important that’s in this box or suitcase or whatever?” Louis asked, folding his hands atop the table.
“Well, I normally wouldn’t tell someone, but because you’ve gained my trust, I will tell you.” He reached for the suitcase and opened it up. “Young Louis, have you ever heard of the Mafia?”
“No, Vincent.”
“Well, your safely rich country full of unorganized crime is about to find out. In this travel case is the plans to our organized crime spree. A few years ago, the Mafia was formed in our sister region, Sicily. Since then, underground recruits have been made throughout Italy,” Vincent explained. “In a month, America will come to a rude awakening, young Louis.”
“You can’t do this,” Louis said immediately, standing from his chair. “I won’t let you!”
“Oh, but dear boy…” Vincent gave a toothy smile. “You already have.”
Two big men appeared out of the dark and grabbed Louis. Of course, the natural reaction was to resist, but the men were too strong. Louis trashed, but the men’s iron grip was too much, and he eventually became worn out.
“Take him to the isolated room so he can… think about this. Make sure he gets plenty of food, and let him walk around the room. He is no threat to us.”
The two men nodded and hauled Louis off, out of the room and down the hall. They stopped at a door, opened it, and threw Louis in. There was a loud slam, and it was completely dark.
The more and more that Louis thought about it, the more and more he felt bad. He could have stopped this, and sacrificed his life for the safety of America. He shook his head and thought, No, even if they had shot me, they would’ve just found someone else. It wouldn’t have made a difference.
Louis started to feel his eyelids droop. It was so dark, he wasn’t sure if his eyes were opened or closed. Surely, he could have fallen asleep with his eyes open right then and there.
There’s no use worrying, he thought. Besides, I’m tired and need rest. I just hope that they don’t try to poison my food in the morning… whenever that will be. Wonder if I’ll be able to tell…
Those were his last thoughts, for he feel asleep right in the dark room, on the cold, hard floor.
