THE MOMENT
"Stop the car," 'The Duke' didn't need to add any urgency to bring the car to a screeching halt. Frankie, the driver, was glad the street was empty. It would've been worse for everyone if someone honked, or actually hit them. It was a beautiful evening with the stars out and a cool breeze; but, almost no one was enjoying it downtown. Donovan 'The Duke' Drago made it known that downtown was his territory; and, at the moment, he was putting the squeeze on the local businesses. They'd been refusing to pay, so he made it even harder by spreading the word that downtown didn't need anyone shopping. For him, the worst case was he'd buy up the failed businesses again and offer them to another batch of hopeful patsies. He made more money by shuffling the owners than he did from the protection racket. There was always some sucker that thought he could work hard enough to profit in The Duke's' domain.
"Can you explain this to me, Frankie?" The Duke asked. Frankie wasn't immediately sure and took a look out the window. There sat a two-story red brick restaurant with an 'Open' sign in the window and red neon that read: 'Donna Chang's'. Frankie was terrified as he shook his head.
"Nno boss. It wasn't there yesterday! I swear!" Frankie was new to the organization. He moved up quickly by being earnest and violent. He was given the task of keeping watch over downtown when he wasn't driving The Duke around.
"Relax, Frankie. I believe you," the boss replied. He didn't get to that position by trusting any job to a single person. Frankie wasn't the only one that reported an uneventful night the day before. "Call the boys over and have them standby," he said as he stepped out of the car. "Then, come join me for dinner."
"Right away boss!" Frankie nodded as Donovan crossed the street and walked into the restaurant.
"Welcome!" an ancient, wrinkled woman approached him, and Donovan smiled. This was going to be a cinch. "You're the first one to walk in through the door all day! My name is Donna Chang," she said as she reached him. "Please, sit anywhere you like," she gestured at the empty tables.
"Thank you, Mrs. Chang," Donovan nodded politely and picked a booth near the door. He wanted to know when his gang arrived. Frankie walked in as he sat down, and immediately joined his boss.
"Please, call me Donna," she smiled as she offered each of them a menu. Donovan held his hand out and shook his head.
"We'll take anything you recommend. Surprise us with your best dish," he said.
"Oh?" she tilted her head. "The same for both of you?" she asked. Donovan smiled. He could be courteous when appropriate.
"Whatever you think is best for each of us," he said. Donna studied them a bit longer, and then she nodded.
"I understand," she said. The old woman returned to the kitchen as two loaded cars pulled up across the street and turned off their headlights.
"Do you want them to come in?" Frankie asked. Donovan shook his head.
"Let's not make any more work for grandma. She's going to have a mess to clean up anyway," he chuckled. Then, Donna emerged from the double swinging doors carrying a short stack of plates with eggrolls piled on the top one.
"You're my first customers from this location. Please enjoy these for free," she set a plate for each of them, then put down the eggrolls. "What would you like to drink?" she asked Frankie directly. He was stunned that anyone would disrespect the boss in such an obvious way.
"Don't I get a drink?" The Duke asked.
"I apologize," Donna smiled. "I assumed yours was... with the meal," she paused again along the way and he decided he was done being courteous.
"You're new, so I'm thinking no one told you how things work around here," he said. He made a point of pushing away the plate of eggrolls. "I'm The Duke, downtown belongs to me," he said.
"And... you don't like appetizers?" Donna asked with a smile. "Or is it because it's free? You don't like handouts? I can insist you pay after all," she added.
"I don't like being insulted in my town," Donovan replied. He began moving to stand; but, in an instant, he was standing in front of the old woman. Frankie remained in place undisturbed. "You should know what you're dealing with grandma," Donovan grinned and bared his pointed fangs. She looked at Frankie and he smiled.
"Oh thank you for making it clear!" Donna giggled. "I had no idea if you were keeping it a secret from your friend. At first, I thought you weren't, but then you asked for a drink," she shrugged.
"You're saying you already know I'm a vampire?" Donovan chuckled at the thought. Donna nodded.
"I picked out the best blood we have for you," she said.
"Frankie, call the boys," Donovan growled.
"Oh don't bother, I'll get them," Donna smiled and made a dismissive gesture and a dozen men in suits fell out of nowhere onto the restaurant floor. "Welcome!" she said again. They were confused; but, well trained. The men got on their feet as quickly as they could and surrounded Donna.
"Listen grandma, here's the deal. You owe me a cut every month you're open in my downtown district," Donovan wasn't going to let himself be unsettled by her. He still had the upper hand.
"It's a little late to be asking," Donna shook her head. "If you'd played nice I would've been okay with a little bit of extortion. It's all part of the game," she shrugged. "But, surely you can't expect me to take your insults when you won't accept mine. Since you've decided to threaten me, I should tell you this place is protected." Donovan laughed, and his men were emboldened to pull their guns on an old woman.
"By who, exactly?" he asked.
"Oh.. so many people," Donna smiled. "But right now, I'm enough." Donna winked at him and his men disappeared. Their guns fell to the floor and painful groans suddenly filled the air. Donovan looked around in confusion and slight fear. The men were all caught in the tables around them. Each one protruded upside down from the center and flailed their legs in the air unable to free themselves.
"I have no interest in paying a monthly fee; but, you're still welcome to eat here," she said. Then, the gangsters were dropped on the sidewalk outside, from a higher point. Several thuds rained down. "Your friends can come in too, if they like," she smiled.