Chapter 2: Chapter 1 - An Offer
In the beginning, of course, this isn't a biblical reference. The kickstart, the introduction, where we get to see one of our guys and his background when it comes to committing crimes and being a veteran by it. And it all began by being inspired in a movie, and movie that turns little boys into real men, Brian De Palma's Scarface.
Our man grew up watching Al Pacino as Tony Montana in a movie that depicts how a man skyrocketed himself to the top and witnessing his ultimate downfall by the vices that intoxicated him. Of course, this shouldn't be a role model for a kid, but it did. And after viewing, the words coming up from his mouth are 'I wanna be a gangster someday.'
Doing an impression of it is fine and always fun to see, but living life becoming like him? Too risky and dangerous. Tony Montana is an act, not a role model, yet the viewers misunderstood the point. Especially the young ones. As a kid watching a gangster film, this is what the kid wanted to be when he grows up.
Being an inspiration comes from passion and the fruits are this; an adolescent boy selling drugs to make money. Hustle, the word that describes hard work by taking the risks of life in the streets. If the police come by, the deal is done. But our man isn't giving up that easy, our main guy Vicente Campana won't just surrender his troubled self into the authority.
As he grows up, he is still considered as a fish among the sharks of the business. And having little to no experience with guns might be a struggle, seeking advice for his fellow crooks gave him a piece of it. For obvious reasons, he has to learn how to defend himself in whatever situation comes, it'll come in handy.
First, the firearms, now, the people he should or shouldn't mess with. Campana has ties with the American and Mexican gangs, he is friends with them, after all. And after the ban was lifted for the immigrants to stay away from America, the market has been restored and expanded.
Vicente enters America for the first time in his life, and people were surprised by his ability to speak in English and how fluent it is despite the accent coming out. Earning his westernized name 'Vincent' from his American subordinates, he sure does fit in immediately.
With Campana's loyalty to the gang he was in, he was called by a small-time mob to work for them in exchange for a huge amount of money, but that involved him abandoning his gang. It sounded like an invitation for him or a huge opportunity he should seize before it was too late. This is it.
One day, he was at a coffee shop to discuss the terms with a guy named Frank Hopkins, the leader of the Hopkins mob group. He is also making a name for himself in the mobster business, and Vincent seems to be at a right time for a collaboration.
"So, um, good morning, Vincent." Frank took a seat with Vincent to start the discussion.
"Good morning as well, Mister Hopkins." Vincent greeted back that made the mob boss earn a smile.
"So, I'll go straight to the point, want to be in the big leagues huh?" Hopkins took a sip of his espresso after starting the exchange.
"We all want to be in the big leagues." Vincent points it out in general.
"Well, except for those people who choose to stay in the underground yet begs for money, attention, and a mixture of both. It sounds demanding, and we all don't like it." He rests his arms on the couch while speaking to Vincent.
"Coming from the underground business, it's easier to not get into trouble, but the money? Hah, a smaller amount than my lunch money." Vincent talks about how he makes drug dealing.
"How much do you make in a week, my boy?" Frank asked how much money he earns for a week.
Campana scratched his cheek before calculating it. "Let's say... 20 grand per week. And I do sidelines, and that gives me extra income depending on how much they give me."
The mob boss tilts his head. "Not bad for a beginner. Amateurs have to start somewhere, right?"
"Who you calling an amateur?" Vincent was narrowly offended by it.
"Shit, you got some sharp tongue in you. Relax, my friend." Frank calmed him down.
"I assure you that I'm a fucking professional when it comes to work, Frank. As you long as you give me the check, it will be a quality service." Campana confidently stated.
"I like the sound of that, kid. Now, the work is not something you expect from a dependent guy like you. No more gang banging, okay? You have to think, act, and be like real men." Frank warns him about the job he is talking about.
"I'm an independent man, señor. And I know where did you get that kind of schtick." Vincent takes a sip of his black coffee after telling Frank about how he works.
"What do you think it is, Vincent?" The mob boss asked again.
"Antonio fucking Montana. Scarface, man. Greatest fucking movie ever made." He gets the reference.
"Ah, my man, I like your taste." Hopkins cackled after knowing that he watched the gangster movie.
"I remember, I wanna be like Tony someday. I am hyped to reach that level, but now, I'm scared." Vincent expresses what he felt towards the movie and how it had an impact on him.
"Why so scared, Vincent?" Frank gets concerned.
"As a kid, I wanna be like him. But look at me now, I am turning into him. See the difference?" He explains how did he end up admiring Tony Montana.
"I hate to admit, but that level you are talking about? It's way too far to achieve, but you could make it. Trust me." Hopkins was just being honest.
"How are you so sure of that, Mister Hopkins?" Vincent crossed his legs, asking how he is sure of it.
"You came here to work for me, yes. You and I, owning the world. That's what you wanted, right? Vicente Campana, a bad motherfucker." Frank pictured it.
"A hell of a moment to savor, Frank. So how much are we talking again?" He wants to know about the cut he's going to receive on their deal.
"We gotta start with 60-40, the best deal out there. Others do 50-50 nevertheless, you see the oppression and maltreatment." The mob boss cites the pay cut they'll do.
"It's not that bad, but I kind of question the example you gave me. 50-50 yet you think it's unfair. Care to elaborate?" Vincent still lacks context.
"See, people do get jobs easily. Some others call it style, some others are just desperate to find one. They go for it by using how they look like and completely disregarding the quality, and some do just appeal to the emotions of everyone to get it. Does it sound fair? Fuck no." Frank gave a clearer example.
"Okay, but what does it do with my job?" Campana asks once more.
"You're skilled, Vincent. I know you have to thank your friends who taught you everything. I apologize in advance, however, but you have to leave them behind to step up your game." Hopkins asserted the conditions upon working for him.
Vicente himself thought of the consequences he'll choose to align himself with the Hopkins mob, even if it meant to leave his comrades where they are. The struggles of his and his gang of hitmen would pay off if he accepts the deal, but the benefit would only pay off for himself.
"Is it a yes or a no? Hard pass? Or we conclude the deal?" Frank asks if he is fine with the bargain.
"Fine, deal. Where are you sending me off?" Vincent abides the deal.
"That's my boy... The enthusiasm, I like it but you have to tone it down. And for your first-ever work for me, find this guy." Hopkins provided him photos of his first target.
Campana took the printed images. "Where I could find him?"
"Little Italy, in New York."
To be continued...
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