Arsenal #2

[Spider-Man Beyond]

Arsenal #2
A Hero’s Day Off

Written by Jim Crawbuck (Royharper)
Edited by Daniel Dyer (Spider-Man Beyond)

A disheveled man is walking down a street. He ‘s got his hands in his pocket and his head down. He walks up to a place called Scotland Yard. There are two bouncers at the door who appear to greet him. This man’s name is Ted Whalen. Ted is a private investigator. About six months ago a women, hired by an anonymous employer, hired him to tail a man named Vincent Moriarti. He owns the place where Ted’s been frequenting for guess how long. Ted was made almost instantly. Vinny even went over and told him about it. Ted knows Vinny knows and neither of them seem to mind. Ted is just sitting at his favorite table, drinking his whiskey strait, watching the girls strut their stuff and losing himself in thought.

Man, I thought this was going to be a disaster. A guy I didn’t know pays me a hundred grand to watch some strip club owner. Of course I accept one hundred grand but now I’m thinking this is going to be dangerous. He makes me, God knows when. Then tells me about it. I guess he was sort of bragging. He doesn’t get someone to ace me. Nobody roughs me up. Instead he gives open bar everyday. After six months it is obvious he into some underhanded junk but I can prove it. Maybe if I could he’d give me a girl or something.

Ted laughs to himself as he ogles some dancer.

A young man approaches the table. Ted spots him and lifts his glass. “Vinny,” he shouts to let the girl in front of him know they are friends.

Vinny smiles, puts his hands on Ted shoulders and asks, “ How’s my favorite private dick?” and quickly fallows with, “Is Debbie taking care of you?”

“All good on this front,” says Ted without ever removing his eyes from the dancer.

Just then, trying to be discreet, one of the outside bouncers slides up behind Vinny. He starts whispering in his ear. This grabs Ted’s attention.

“Trouble, Vin?” Ted inquires with a dash of smugness. Still looking strait ahead, Vinny’s eyes light up for a fraction of a second. Then he places his hand on his chin and mutters to himself, “What to do? What to do?” He stares at Ted long enough for everyone to notice. Then looks back at the bouncer. “Alright! Mosely, let ’em in. Bring him to my office and Ted and I will met you there,” orders Vinny.

Ted recoils his rubber necking. His curious eye turns confounded. His confusion is engulfed with a title wave of fear.

My God this is it. Wrong place wrong time. I’m about to get whacked. Think, Teddy. Think. “Vinny, what could you need me for?” Ted asks nervously.

Vinny smiles when he sees the expression on Ted’s face and when he hears the quiver in his voice. “Ted. This is why you are here. This is the stuff your employer wants to know. I’m sure he or she could careless if Debbie’s a natural blond or not. This person wants to know what I’m up to, right?”

Stupid, Teddy! He knows you are scared. All right, relax. Now punch out Maverick.

“Vinny I don’t even know who these people that hired me are. Now you and me, we’re friends. I just going to mind my own business and drop this assignment,” offers Ted trying to wash his hands of the situation.

“Nonsense. Teddy someone paid you to do your job and up until now you’ve been doing it. Why turn your back on that money? After all, like you said, we are friends. Think about the money. What was that price? $25,000,” Vinny says trying to ease Ted’s nervousness.

“100,000” quickly interjects Ted. You buffoon. Think before you speak. You’re making this worse.

“Teddy, I don’t know what kind of man you think I am, but I promise you these eyes have never lost their innocence,” says Vinny as he glances around the room. Then he let’s out a chuckle and says, “Well, maybe their virginity but not their innocence.”

Ted laughs, trying to hide his nervousness.

Vinny continues, “What I’m suggesting, my friend, is I believe coming with me is safer than leaving.”

Ted throws his hands up in the air and says, “Of course, Vin. I hope I can help.”

They walk into the backroom together. Mosley is there standing over a man on crutches.

“What happen to you?” inquires Vinny.

Mosely then hands him the handle of a broken baseball bat.

^

[Spider-Man Beyond]

Meanwhile, at the Harper residents.

“That is what I mean, Roy. You could be so short sighted,” says Dick, oozing frustration.

Roy just giggles while shaking his head.

“And this is funny because...?” asks Dick.

“I had a conversation in my head with you right before it all went down. It seemed to go just like this,” Roy answers in sarcastic awe.

“That’s great. You knew I would disagree with the move but you did it anyway,” says Dick in disbelief.

“Damn right! It wasn’t your move. In fact, it’s got nothin’ to do wit’ ya,” demands Roy.

“Why even tell me then?” asks Dick.

Roy answers, “Actually, I was telling Wally. You just happen to walk in on it. Must be Harper luck.”

“That’s true. He was telling me and he does have bad luck,” adds Wally in between sips of his beer.

“It’s got plenty to do with me. We have a team to consider. You are representing all of us when you do that,” says Dick ignoring Wally.

Roy over dramatizes a look of enlightenment. “Oh! I see now. How silly of me to do something on my own. Of course, this means I want a full report on everything you’ve ever done in Bludhaven since the Outsiders and we will vote on your every move from this point on.”

“He’s gotcha there, Dick,” chimes Wally.

“Thank you for your official JLA insight but he doesn’t have me. Bludhaven isn’t in the backyard of the Outsiders base of Ops., Roy is.”

“Don’t Roy me,” a short pause, “Dick,” flippantly answers Roy.

Dick shakes himself. “I hate when you say my name that way,” angrily answers Dick.

“Well, then stop acting like I pissed in your pixie boots, Batboy. You of all people should understand some things you gotta do on your own terms, by your self,” argues Roy.

“Holy excellent points, Nightwing,” Wally chimes in with.

They all laugh. Dick and Roy calm down.

“Okay, I get it. None of my business. I’ve just been on edge a bit lately. I’m sorry,” says Dick.

Dick and Roy hug. Wally gives them an “aawwwwww.”

“Hey, when’s Garth getting here with those pizzas. I’m starving,” Dick says changing the subject.

“Yeah, and the games going to start soon,” adds Wally.

Ding-dong goes the doorbell.

“That must be Gills now,” jests Roy with a smile.

^

[Spider-Man Beyond]

Later that night back at Scotland Yard.

“Don Hubriocca. What brings this unscheduled visit? It’s not pay out time. Is it?” inquires Vinny.

“I heard some… let’s say unpleasant news about a broken deal. They tell me it was some of your boys,” the Don replies, never braking eye contact.

Vinny doesn’t waver. He continues to stay calm and keeps a level tone to answer, “It’s true. I did come across an unforeseen problem.”

“Vinny. Vinny, I’ve been very happy with your productivity since you came aboard but you know how disappointment affects me. I hate to suddenly be disillusioned about your ability,” retorts the Don.

“As would I, Mr. Hubriocca. I see this less as a problem and more of an obstacle, a small obstacle. I mean you don’t want to take on one of these “superhero” types. I certainly don’t want to waste the money, men or time on it either. I suggest we just stay away from him. That seemed to be his only demand. I can handle that without it affecting my numbers,” says Vinny as if he is stating a fact.

The Don peers into Vinny’s eyes. “It’s not going to effect my business!?” repeating the question that’s already been answered.

“You won’t even notice he’s there. You have my word he will not be in my way again,” boasts Vinny.

The Don gets out of Vinny’s grill. He snickers and paces. He turns to Vinny and says, “I love your confidence, Kid. But it takes more than attitude to survive this business. I know you know that. The world could be a cruel place with out friends to look out for one another, caprice,” warns the Don. “Have you taken care of the Russians?”

“I continue to work around them. They pose no threat,” say Vinny-showing confidence. “And howzabot them… uh… that street gang…” the Don asks desperately trying to remember.

“Taking Over,” Vinny adds to remind the Don.

Again the Don snickers. “ Ah, Yes. That’s right T.O.”

“They’re contained but they do slowly yet steadily rise in number,” Vin answers matter of factually.

“Get on it before it becomes a problem,” the Don demands.

“Yes, I will,” says Vinny humbly conceding.

“I’ll be in touch,” says the Don.

His four highly paid bodyguards parade him out the door.

“The one on the right in the front…” says Mosley from the corner, ”he’s a former light heavyweight gold gloves champ.”

^

[Spider-Man Beyond]

Two weeks later, parked three houses form the Harper residence.

I’ve been watching him for over a week now I’ve been reporting his every move. I’m getting paid by two different people to do nearly the same job. I’m getting more money then I could possibly be worth. I’m not dead. Which was up in the air for a little while. So why do I feel like scum? Because I know I’m working for the wrong side. Mr. Harper here is the good guy. Vinny just taking my info to do his dirty deeds when our hero is M.I.A I got into this gig to be a good guy not a problemed one. He’s a dad for Pete’s sake. He’s got a little girl. I know one step out of line and dead man status goes right back to center stage. That’s one show I can definitely wait to see.

Continued...