Two men, agents, spies, dicks, I dunno, your call. One catches up with the other. It’s not a friendly meet. There’s a bone to be gnawed.
We’ll twist the story three different ways.
One: listen to the pursuer…
Noir Neat
Wharton sold out. After five days, I caught up with him at Corring Ferry. My 228 in his ribcage surprised him more than my face.
In an otherwise empty freight office, Wharton asked, “How long you known me, Jackson?”
“Since Antwerp.”
“I ever done you bad?”
“Doesn’t matter.”
“How you figure?”
“You turned for a buck. Hurt people.”
“You’re mad about Lucinda.”
“That too.”
“So. You on a job?”
“I am.”
“Me?”
“You afraid to die?”
“I guess. Maybe.”
Pffft! My 228 whispered.
“Not anymore, Wharton.” Wharton wasn’t listening.
I left. After all these years, blood still makes me queasy.
© spwilcenski 2021
Originally in spwilcenwrites “Take Your Pick – November 6, 2021”
Two: listen to the pursued…
Noir On the Rocks
I sold out. Jackson surprised me five days later as I left Corring Ferry. Stuck a 228 in my ribs.
In an empty freight office, I asked him, “How long you known me?”
“Since Antwerp, Wharton.”
“I ever done you bad?”
“Doesn’t matter.”
“How you figure? Oh. Wait. You’re angry over Lucinda.”
“And others. Why?”
“Better team, Jackson.”
“Trust them?”
“Sure. You on a job?”
“Yes.”
“Me?”
“You afraid to die?”
“No. You?”
Pffft! A flash from behind Jackson pushed a bullet through his chest. Blood boiled on the floor.
“Better team, Jackson,” I repeated. I don’t think Jackson heard.
© spwilcenski 2021
Originally in spwilcenwrites “Take Your Pick – November 6, 2021”
Three: maybe we got the read on this all wrong…
Noir With a Twist
“You sold out, Wharton. Odd. In Antwerp again, we’ll settle accounts.”
“Accounts are closed.”
“You talk to me or my Sig.”
“Or both?”
“Yes.”
“C’mon, Jackson. How long you known me?”
“Since Antwerp. First time.”
“Ever done you bad?”
“Doesn’t matter. You turned. People died.”
“You’re mad about Lucinda.”
“That too.”
“So. You’re working.”
“I am.”
“Me?”
“You afraid to die?”
“I guess. Maybe. Sure.”
“Cut! Cut! Cut!”
“J.P.! What’s wrong with that?”
“Wharton’s an agent. Hard ass. Knows what’s next. He doesn’t scare. He doesn’t give a shit! So, show me some steely hard-ass.”
“Okay.”
“Camera! Ready?”
“Ready, J.P.!”
© spwilcenski 2021
Originally in spwilcenwrites “Take Your Pick – November 6, 2021”
Ramblings 