Wiseguys

As the conversation between Monica and Tony had been going on, your mind had been whirling, trying to figure the angles.

Tony D'agostino. Tony Dogs. A soldier in the Tortella crime family. The one run by Vincent Maglio, better known in crime circles as Vinnie Mags. You'd met Tony a few times in New York, paying him a street tax to operate there, a tribute to the Tortella family. You had no real reason to fear him, but seeing someone who knew you here, in what you had thought of as a refuge, is jarring.

When Monica left and Tony turned his attention to you, addressing you by your New York street name, you had an answer ready.

"Sure Dogs, I got something working. Nothing big, but enough to put three squares on the table."

Tony looks thoughtful, letting his eyes drift over the campus. "Lotta money here Mikey. A guy like you could make out. There's just a couple of things," he says, bringing his suddenly cold eyes back to you. "First, whatever you got going, you keep Theresa out of it. If she even gets close to whatever you're doing Mr. Maglio will be very unhappy. Capisce?"

"Sure Dogs, no problem. I'm not dumb enough to mess with Vinnie Mag's grandkid."

"You fuckin' better not be. Second thing is that since you're working, there's a tax. Two yards a week."

"Come on Dogs, I just got here today. I haven't had time to get anything going. Give me a break. Besides, this ain't New York."

"I am givin' you a break. Otherwise the tax would be five. And its New York because Mr. Maglio's favourite granddaughter is here."

You nod, trying not to show relief at getting off lighter than you expected. "Ok Dogs we're cool. Friday good for the two?"

"And every Friday after," he nods. "And you keep an eye on Theresa. You see anything funny you let me or Frank know right away."

"Sure," you agree. "What kind of funny?"

"Any kind. Last year the kid got in with some bad people here. They tricked her into doing some stuff that messed her up. Mr. Maglio sent me and Frank and some of his other people in to look into it. Turns out some of the older girls and a few of the teachers had a thing going. Well, none of those people are here anymore," he says with a smile that doesn't reach his eyes.

"I heard some people got fired and expelled."

"Yeah. Well yeah and no. One of them, she didn't get fired. Me and Frank picked her up and got a few other boys and ran a train on her," he tells you with a cruel grin. "She's workin' the street now in Brooklyn. Pretty good earner I hear. See you Friday Mikey. Take care of yourself." The two men get into the car and drive away, leaving you standing and worrying.