Eddie Rizz | Part 2

- Prompt 16 of 30 - 

Eddie Rizz. King of the table. Fastest stick in southie, and in it up to his cue-balls with the Capo. Ya shouldn'ta oughtta made a bet so big, Rizzy, He chided himself. 'Specially not one you was gonna win. Time to run. 

- Start -  

In this place, creating a distraction was going to be a bit harder than Eddie was used to. Everything was made of glass or steel, and very securely bolted to the ground, so flipping a drink table was out of the question. Tripping a waiter had always served him well in the past, but that was much more difficult when all of the wait staff was hovering.

C'mon Rizz. He thought, hoping for some inspiration. He was far from home, and even further from confidence. He scanned the room, trying to find something he could use. A quick look back at the table revealed an angry Capo - or whatever you called them here - just moments away from calling some goons.

"Where'd you say your from again, friend?" That was the purple one talking - the one who had just lost a lot of his organizations money to an out-of-towner. He had four arms, which Eddie had thought would serve him better, and desperately hoped would perform just as well when it came time for a beat down.

"Elsewhyre - Planet 3, little backwater place." Eddie felt his foot hit something hard on the ground. Looking down he saw what looked like a plug-in, but much more, more really.

"Never heard of it."

"Not many people, have. Very remote. Lots of Pool tables." Eddie followed the cord with his eyes to the underside of the table. From there it spread out to all the others. Looked like it was what was making them all lit up and fancy.

"You look like you've got some place to go."

"Do I?" Eddie counted the goons in the room. Five, maybe? "Funny you mention that."

Eddie reached down and grabbed the end of the cord that was running into the socket and pulled, as hard as he could. The thing ripped from the floor in a spray of sparks, and every table went dark. He couldn't see a damn thing, and he hoped that none of them could either.

---

Ya never learn, do you? he scolded himself as he ran out the back of the parlor and into the alley. It was dark and industrial, with pipes and steam and crackling electricity to be found in abundance. A stark contrast to the bright neon and glass of the pedestrian areas that flanked him. From the sounds of the commotion back inside, most of the goons had taken his bait and were running out the front to go find him. That gave him at least a minute or two to come up with phase two of his getaway plan.

It wasn't his fault, really. Eddie had been doing a great job of layin' low - he stayed away from all criminal organizations, never took any jobs that weren't strictly on the up and up. Since his "relocation" he had made a real effort to make a good life for himself. He even started wearing ties.

And then he found out that this world had pool. What was he supposed to do but find out what kind of amazing advancements folks had made in this weird, future world? It took him a month or so to get a feel for the lighter cues - they were made from somethin' called "Nano-tubes" and were virtually indestructible. The rest was just bells and whistles - fancy clear balls on a rough glass table did nothin but make you feel special.

And what kind of luck that the first night he decided to try out some gamblin' that the poor schmuck he picked happened to be some sort of space-fairing crime boss with four arms and no skill? He hadn't even meant to con him, it just sorta ended up that way. So maybe a little his fault then. A learning experience.

If he made it out alive.

It would be best if you did.

There was also that. Apparently, once you've had a run in with The Wall you'll never be rid of it. At least it had gotten less soul shaking-ly loud.

We've been working on it. 

They'd both experienced some character growth. The sounds of more-clever-than-average thugs getting closer told Eddie that he needed to think, and think fast.  

Enough time wasting, He thought, wasting precious processing time Where do I go?

To the left and right risked running into the goons, and going through one of these alley doors risked getting the cops - or whatever equivalent this world had for law enforcement - called. Worse if whoever he startled chose fight instead of flight. 

That left either up or down. Though he rather enjoyed a nice view, it wouldn't really get him anywhere.

Down it is, then. This world has some of the best waste management systems I've ever seen. 

I'll be sure to take the scenic route, Eddie thought back to it, as he unlocked the pressurized hatch to the sewers. 

---

The Wall hadn't been lying. It was downright clean in here. Eddie adopted a leisurely pace. He had shut the hatch behind him, and was fairly certain the goons hadn't figured out his ruse quite yet. As it stood this might be his best getaway yet. He made his way down the service walkways, his boots making a soft clang on the grated metal that was suspended above the enormous pipes that snaked below for what seemed like miles. 

One mile below is the district that Fez was from.

Eddie laughed. A fitting name then. "You seem quite sentimental tonight," He replied. Sometimes it was easier when he felt like he was actually talking to someone. 

Yes. 

'Good talk." At least he tried. 

Eddie focused his attention back on the task at hand: Where the hell was he going to go? He didn't have many contacts in this city, and he didn't know how far the offended goon's power reached. He showed off like a Capo might, but didn't have the aura. Probably someone in middle management with lots of ambition. Which meant it might all blow over, or follow Eddie like the plague. 

There are twelve other planets in this Instance.

That was an idea, but Eddie didn't think he was quite ready for spaceflight. All of this future stuff was a bit much to take in all at once. 

"What about Garbage Town?" Eddie asked, feeling a light bulb switch on in what was usually a very dark brain. "There much crime there?" 

Most criminals have more dignity than to be caught seen in Garbage Town.

"Sounds like a perfect place for me then." Convenient too - he'd been meaning to make his way there at some point. One last favor to do for Fez. It wasn't too hard for Eddie to find the ladder to lower levels - the place was truly a feat of engineering, at least as far as sewers went. A mile of climbing didn't sound like the best experience ever, though. 

Second best getaway, then. He chuckled as he started the descent. 

---

Are you sure about this? 

"Yes." Eddie answered. standing in front of the door he believed to be Fez's old haunt. It had taken the greasing of a few palms to get the info, (guy would make a good Capo, if you asked Rizz.) but all signs pointed to here. And one particularly gnarly looking rat person. He was still gettin' used to that - the aliens and mutants. You don't just acclimate to rats the size of you walking around so easy, ya know? 

He knocked. The door opened a crack, the chain-lock pulled taut. Eddie saw the face of an old lady-rat peek out. 

"We don't want any." 

"Don't want yet business anyway." He replied out of habit. Eddie hoped that slum slang was as universal as hustling pool. 

The door closed, and he heard the familiar sound of the chain sliding from the lock. The door opened again, this time all the way. The lady who opened leaned a hand on her hip. As unsettling as her appearance was, Rizz felt a twang of relief - like he was back home. Only with flying cars and rat-people. 

"You gonna spend all day with your gab open or?" 

"Oh! yes, sorry mam." The familiar sound of criticism broke Eddie's trance "I'm not from around here, but I do know your boy Fez." 

"That no-good un-grateful slob!" The woman yelled, throwing her hands up. "Ups and goes without a word to his mother, and then sends some schmuck to come tell me!?" 

"He wanted me to give you this." Eddie replied, reaching into his jacket. Fez had almost forgot, running back through the wall to give it to him. He pulled out a slip of plastic, about the size of a movie ticket, and handed it to her. "Said it was fer doin such a good job raisin' him." 

"He said what?" The den-mother immediately stopped her tirade, replacing it with tears. "That scamp. Always knew how to get out of trouble." 

"Still does, mam." Eddie gave a smile. "Only reason I'm here is cause of that skill of his."
 

"So nice of you to come all this way." She reached out and grabbed the slip from him, examining it in the light. "He didn't." 

"What is it?" Eddie hadn't been able to figure out the writing on it. 

"Its an all-paid trip to Paradis," The light in her eyes could make you forget the buck teeth. "You know the planet? the one with only beaches?" 

"Never been there, myself." 

"Oh, I've heard such great things." She hugged the ticket close to her chest. "I can't believe that boy. What'd you say your name was?" 

"Eddie, mam." Eddie reached out his hand to shake. "Eddie Rizzetti." 

"Eddie! what a fun, weird name!" The woman responded by pulling him into a hug.   

"Any friend of my boy Fez is always welcome in my house." She started to move inside the house, still connected to Eddie's hand. "You must be hungry. Tell me what that bastard's been up to. You know he never calls?" 

Eddie laughed as he followed this strange woman into an even stranger house, that sat in the strangest slum he had ever seen. On a different Planet - a whole different Dimension. 

And yet, this was starting to feel exactly like home. 

- End -

 

Eddie Rizz | Part 1

- Prompt 11 of 30 -

"Stand him up, boys," The Capo said, his voice tight and clipped. Two goons slammed Eddie Rizz against the Wall, with its surface pocked with countless acts of Capo's vengeance and those of his fore bearers. Rizzy Barely felt the slug that still burned somewhere deep inside his hip. The goons retreated to join their fellows in a crescent-moon, pointing their tommies' single dark eyes straight at him. "Ready, boys?" The Capo asked, then paused. A high, metal shriek rose up around them. Rizzy was the first to understand, as he felt the rust-stained Wall behind him descending into the ground. 

- start -

The gang of thugs stood frozen for a moment, as their killing wall slowly lowered. Blood seeped from the seams as it moved. Old and thick - more akin to mud than water. It seeped around Rizzy's shoes. He felt the day-old lobster he had for lunch rise up from his stomach.

Today was not a good day.

"This some sort of trick, Rizzy?" The Capo shouted, the first of the mob to regain composure. Who could blame them, though? The Wall, or at least a part of it, was moving. That wasn't supposed to happen.

"Do you think I really have this kinda power, Capo?" Rizzy pleaded. Hands still in the air. Why stop cowering now? Whatever was happening wouldn't be good.

"You're right." The Capo chuckled. "Boys, close your gabs and kill this no good chump."

Really not a good day.

The world seemed to slow as Eddie watched the goons ready their weapons again, and prepared themselves to fire. Even slower as they pulled the triggers, almost in unison. Eddie saw the barrel of each erupt in flame, and again, and again. Each flash of light slowed time even further. Empty shells rocketed out of the sides of the Tommy guns, smoke billowing in the low light of the alley.

Little dots made their way towards him, it felt like hours waiting. It was honestly somewhat boring, if you asked him. Wasn't he supposed to see his life flash before his eyes? Maybe visited by the ghosts of past, present, and future? He didn't know the specifics, but death was supposed to be more exciting than this.

Was this some sort of punishment? You only got the good stuff if you actually accomplished something in your life? Maybe that was it, because Eddie had done jack. No, his brother got all the good genes. All that was left for ol' Rizzy was a quick tongue that wasn't quick enough and a penchant for gambling that would eventually lead him right here.

Time had stopped completely at this point, but it took another few minutes of self-loathing for Rizzy to even notice the bullets were no longer advancing towards him.

"I swear," He said. Throwing his hands like a child in a tantrum. "I don't know what you want from me, God. But at this point I'll die of boredom before these damn bullets get here."

Rizzy wasn't sure which God he was talking to, but he'd take any one that would listen.

The Wall completed its descent with a bang that could shatter eardrums - that shook the ground so hard he almost fell to his feet.

And then a god answered.

No more Killing.

Eddie Rizz did not hear this voice. He felt it. Deep, in his atoms, hell - he felt it in whatever it was that made atoms. To say that the voice knocked him to the ground would be an understatement. It would be better to say that the voice masterfully orchestrated a series of events, starting with his birth, and ending with him now flat on his ass.

 "Th-That is really good to hear, all things considered." Rizzy turned to face the..void...that he presumed was the source of this voice. It was, completely empty. More than, you might say. It wasn't even black - it was the true absence of color.

It wasn't the most uplifting scene, but at least his day was looking up.

"What should I call you? Master? God?" He asked, doing his best impression of a subservient bow.

None of these things. There is no Word. 

"Oh." Rizzy's bow became a scratching of the head. "Why me?"

Right Place. Right Time.

"I'll take that." Rizzy would have accepted a quick death only moments ago. He turned and gestured down the alley. "What about these fel-"

They were gone. Though that wasn't the right word. They were currently in the processes of becoming "gone." Dissolving, might be a better word. Into some sort of black dust. Everything, The goons, their guns. All the casings and all the bullets that had been flying towards him. All dust the color of nothing. It was moving towards him, like a floating river made of sand. He turned, following the path of the black dust as he did. It poured into the opening where the Wall had been.

"Ah." Rizzy had answer enough.

"You get used to it over time." Rizzy heard another voice. This one was much less, impactful. In fact, it almost sounded like himself.

And then a man stepped out from the other side of Wall.

"Who the hell are you?!" Rizzy yelled, half in surprise. What was one more weird thing on top of this. Still, whoever this man was, he wasn't from Southie. No one in the 6th Borough would be caught dead dressed like that.

"The name's Fez! Or at least it used to be. I thinking somethin' different here. More...smooth. Cool sounding." The man walked closer, and Rizzy moved further away.

There was something different, about...Fez. He didn't sit right. It wasn't just the outfit - Though the bright neon patchwork of colors didn't help.

"Where are you from?" Rizzy asked.

"Planet 6, Garbage Town. Worst place in all the Twelve Planets." Fez answered.

"Sounds like Southie." Rizzy added. At least they talked like each other.

"Is that what you call this place?" The man called Fez wandered around the alley, a wonder in his eyes, as though this were his first time seeing something like it. "It's so small."

"Southie is a lot more than just this alley," Rizzy shot back in defense. "But admittedly, it is a lot like this. Why are you here?"

Relocation.

It took a few moments for Rizzy to compose himself. "What does that mean?"

Fez shrugged. "I think it means that I live here now, and that you have to go."

"Bullshit." Rizzy flared up in anger. "I have to go in there?"

"Seems so."

"And I have no choice?"

"Well, its better than dying right?" Fez smiled. "The Wall here was going to wait until you died, and then have me step in."

This is true. 

Rizzy almost felt as though the Wall had said that with a smirk.

"But you see, I can't stand death. I hate it. I made it agree to relocate you just like it did me." Fez had meandered his way further down the alley, and had now put himself between Rizzy and the Wall.

"Somehow that doesn't make me feel better," Rizzy could tell when he was between a rock and a hard place. "But it beats dying. What do I have to do."

"Just walk past the Wall. Yours is different than mine but that should do the trick."

"Wait!" Rizzy threw up his hand. "What about my girl? and my brother? What are they going to think."

"Most likely, they'll forget you - at least mostly. I don't know a lot about this stuff, though."

That's probably for the best. Alfie hadn't talked to him since he got mixed up in this Mob stuff, and his girl could do a lot better. "I suppose that's for the best then."

"That was easier than I thought it would be, if I'm being honest with you." Fez gave that smile again. "If you are at a loss for where to go, my old haunt would love a guy like you."

"I'm sure that will make sense at some point." Rizzy replied. He started towards the Wall, his feet dragging. Right as he was about to cross the threshold, he paused and turned.

"Marco."

"Huh?"

"For a name. Ain't nobody that screws with a Marco." Rizzy gave a smile, not unlike Fez's.

"I'm sure that will make sense at some point."

- end -