Getting the Band Together

She had walked into town six months earlier. It was a busy place unlike anything she had seen in her travels. Certainly unlike her home. That was something she could never explain to the people she met here. They would think she just arrived. Her explorations had been low key. Like a lost puppy. Other cities. Learning languages, manners, cultures. She had to fit in when she got where she was going. Little things went away or were replaced. Clothes. The guitar case needed to look like it was once well cared for but time and rough living stained it. Her hair, that was a crime but it was necessary. Less bathing. Her mother would be annoyed to see her.

She had carried her guitar case and a small back pack. Along the way she had found bluejeans that held together well enough. A couple shirts. She wanted to bring nothing at all but her mother taught her not to be foolish for the sake of spite. Her backpack had a few panties, a tiny collection of lipsticks she still had trouble applying. It seemed unnatural but the red had the desired effect.

Her pack had a few practical items. Note books filled with songs and music. A cellphone with more music then she had ever heard but her father had insisted. IF she had left it behind she would be running away from home. If she took it, she was just traveling. On her belt she had a hunting knife, mostly for show, but in the backpack was her dad's .45. That was not for show.

She brought 5 gold coins. Each an ounce in weight. For emergencies her mother said.

Her first week in town she looked as poor as she hoped, a run away as far as anyone could tell. She found a park with kids playing music, cases open for passerby's to toss gratuities in.

She sat to listen. Some weren't bad. But most were going to starve if this was the only way they made money. She could see in their eyes who was starving. And who had regrets but had eaten.

A boy in jeans just slightly better then hes walked over, sat beside her unbidden.

“Look, I don't mean to be an asshole but Tiffy there was here first. I'm next, then Jax over there. Then you. Ok? We all got to eat. Tiff had the morning rush. She'll be done in a bit. Then I get mid-morning. Jax get Lunch. He missed yesterday. You get early afternoon. The crowds are pretty good here. No shakers. If you see us pick up and leave, then get moving. Shakers are takers.”

“Sorry, I'm Eddie. For Edwardo...My parents thought that was funny. You?”

“Do I think its funny?”

“Your name, new girl?”

“Oh... Gadget.”

“Really? Your going to go with Gadget? Pick something like Ginger or Gail, if you don't want people knowing your name. Jax did. Its from a TV show he liked.”

She shook her head, “Its OK, Gadget is fine. Nice to meet you. I guess its obvious I just got here.”

“You been on the road to get here long?”

She nods, “Ya. You wouldn't believe how far I came. I've been in the city for a week. Wandering around mostly. Stayed at the Mission...Scary place. Anyway....If I wander off do I loose my place in line?”

“Not as long as I'm here. Tiffy and I hang. She waits till I'm done. But shes not good at keeping the list . Jax will leave the second he's done. So you'll have to be here when he is done, then defend your spot if others show up. Cali is a no show so far. She's missed most of a week. That's bad. Shes got a hawk after her. She's given it up a couple times. I'd rather starve and busk. Holden isn't here either. If he shows up he'll try to muscle in. But if you hold your ground he'll back down. Tell him we talked. After you, then him, if he shows. Its the dinner crowd then, and we try to be off the street by dusk. The night has too many shakers. Shakers are takers.”

She listened to Eddie play for the mid-morning crowd as they cut through the park going from one tall building to another. He's as good as she remembered. Though maybe not quite as good yet. Style would come in time. Besides, it was Tiffy who blossomed, if they survive.

Eddie comes over to her, “Ah, Gadget. You said you been wandering around? Don't wander south of here. Bad area. Forty Thieves.. Actually the Forty Threes, 43rd Street gang. Fucking takers. Over by the river is a nice place in the summer. Cold as hell this time of year but a more or less permanent encampment of old timers is there. The city comes through and cleans it up some times. Gives them time to get their valuables out then trashes whatever they had been living in. Twice a year. Shows the uptowners they are cleaning the place up. After that some Do Gooders come by and drop off new tents and mattresses and blankets. The hawks stay away from there because police got no concern if one or two kiddie pimps end up in the trainyard. Some of those old timers are ex military and ain't shy about it. But, some are almost as bad as the hawks. They won't rent you out but they will trade warmth for wetness, ya know. Better off finding a squat.”

“You and Tiffy got a squat? “

“Ya...but.. its tight.. sorry.. I can't help with that. The industrial by the train-yards have a lot of junkies. You can sleep there but the temptation is too strong for people. Temptation to use, temptation to steal.”

The usual crowds go back and forth with little or no regard for the desperation they pass through. Think them self generous if they toss the change from a six dollar cup of fifty cent coffee.

Eddie wanders over to Sit as Tiffy finishes her set. Gadget wonders if they think of it in terms of 'Set' yet.

Eddie starts playing. Riffing really. Loud, to get attention. Hes got endurance, Gadget thinks.

A couple hours go by and Gadget spends it looking over the place. Walking around and getting a feel for the square and its regulars.

A coffee shop, a waitress looks out the window at the buskers sadly. Grief, and gratitude. She escaped the life. A newsstand. No reading. A fat man watches a little TV and collects money. Thinks he's sly to slip alcohol from a flask into what is probably coffee.

A Little Ceaser's Pizza. Classic cardboard pizza. The clerk. Another survivor. A paycheck away from being on the street again. Squats. Can't make rent.

A laundromat. Customers only. A walkway to the parking lot.

A liqueur store that looks like a prison with bars and locks.

A big youth comes running like he's being chased through the plaza. No one behind him.

He runs past Eddie and Tiffy. Jax has already gathered his blanket and put his arm through loops and was moving. He jumps down stairs only to stop. Tiffy and Eddy are almost up when the runner comes walking over to them, hang dogged.

Up the stairs come 4 guys and a girl. Toughs. Shakers for sure. Their clothes only look a small bit better then the people they shake down. They walk straight for the three.

Suddenly she feels a should hitting her from behind, walking past. A big guy, 19, scared and cruel. A follower. He looks back at her, sees the guitar, “I don't know you. Tax ya later.”

He walks to the top end of this part of the plaza. Another coming in from the parking lot . Jax walking ahead of him, being pushed.

Behind her two more. The ones the runner was fleeing from. In to their trap it seems.

Gadget touches a knob on her hearing aid and she hears better.

The big guy in front. Army boots. New. “I don't give a fuck, Eddie. Starve. Fork it over. Hey, Tiffy, you can keep your money for a little help with handsome.”

Eddie scowls, steps between him and Tiffy, bravely but foolishly. He hands over a wad of bills.

“That's both of ours...a days work, Wart.”

Big Wart....Good. Now I've seen him, “Not for me it wasn't. All fun. Maurice will fork over a couple hundred for a couple hours with Tiffy.”

Eddie says nothing, smart for once.

Jax says he hadn't played yet, he doesn't have any money. Wart's number too grabs Jax's guitar and the two struggle. Eddie intervenes and gets a punch in the face from Wart. “Little wart holds Jax's guitar.

'That was stupid Eddie. Jax, 5 bucks and you can have your guitar back for tomorrow. Or wet trade. You know where we will be.”

Lastly Wart turns to the runner. “Holden, you are the stupidest fuck I know. You got taxed and instead of just playing elsewhere you tried to warn Eddie and the Stone Benches Band. “ He says with an air of mockery.

Gadget smiles for other reasons when she hears Wart's jab. She's in the right place and time.

Wart lays a smack across Holden's face and wart two punches him in the belly as he falls.

The shakers move along, laughing. This can't be the only way they make money. Shaking down buskers. Cali...They have her someplace. Making money off her.

Tiffy starts crying after she the gang has gone. Jax, probably only 13 himself, start sniffling, trying to be tough. Tiffy must be 14. Eddie would be 16. Holden 15. Cali would be 13, if she lives.

Walking over Gadget hears without the spy ear.

“Those assholes,” Eddie says.

Jax says, “Lets see if Dearly will spot us a blue plate special or two.. its been long enough.”

Eddie shakes her head, “Can't. Bossman is there.” Jax whimpers.

She walks up, “Those are the takers? “

Eddie nods, “Not their name.. Just Wart's guys. They get you, too?”

She shakes her head, “That big guy said he would tax me later. “

Holden says, “That's Waldo. Wants people to call him Eastwood, but Waldo is his name. Big, tough, and mean. One of Wart's muscles.”

Eddie puts his arm around the whimpering Tiffy.

“We ate yesterday. Holden? Jax?” They both shake their heads.

Gadget says...”You all squat together? “ Eddie looks at her, confirming, thinking they have to find Cali.

She says, “If I can squeeze in to your squat, I'll get pizza. A couple from that place.” Pointing to Little Ceasers. Jax looks at her, then Eddie. Holden looks too. Silent agreement.

“Alright. We should go. If we set up again and start playing they'll come back. Today is over.”

Gadget says, Where do I meet you. I have an errand to run before getting food.”

Eddie gives her directions for 4 blocks away. “You'll see a tall water pipe on the side of a building. Painted blue. Hit it a few times and one of us will come get you.”

She nods. “An hour at most.”

After they leave she looks around the square. Regulars going back and forth had walked past the shakedown without noticing or interrupting. They didn't seem to miss the music even.

Gadget walks to the liquor store. Walking down the rows the clerk's eyes never leave her. She picks up a flask sized whiskey and then a large bottle to fill the small one from. She stops at the register and picks up several tiny bottles. They kind of things she could have shoplifted. She looks to the clerk.

“Are you high or stupid?" he says with disdain, "Ok Lets all sing the song- Lalala!! I have to see some identification! Lalala”

She produces a hundred dollar bill and puts it on the counter. Meeting his eyes. “Even if I kept the change its not worth selling to you if you don't have ID.”

She pulls a thin wallet and opens it to the clerk. His eyes go wide. “Ah.. really?”

“I can depend on your keeping it a secret?”

He nods, takes the money and puts the purchases in the bag.

Next she goes into Little Ceaser's and orders four $5 pizzas. She slips them int a canvas bag, not minding that they slide to the bottom of the boxes when she shoulders it.

Walking down toward the the building with the blue pipe her ears tingle. Hunter and prey.. She is being hunted.

She cuts over down a narrow gap between two city buildings. Stopping she waits.

He comes. Waldo. “Well I didn't think taxing you would make me rich! Booze and food. Fork it over. And any cash you got”

He walks up toward her with certainty born of experience. Gadget puts the bags down so not to damage them. She walks toward her hunter. He has no idea he is now the prey.

He reaches out to grab the smallish girl with both hands, “Maybe a kiss or a fuck too, now that I SEEEeeee........” Gadget grips his hands on her should hard, then kick out with her traveling boot, steel toed, and hears the sound of soft flesh, not bone. She kicks again and Waldo sinks to the ground. Pushing him to his back she delivers two rapid punches to his belly.

“Now, don't you throw up..... it'll only make you messy and me pissed off. Look me in the eyes.... OK? You think you're tough? The universe is filled with monsters that would not blink about squashing you like a potato bug. And I am goddamned well one of them, Waldo. Now.... You belong to me. Unless you want me to make sure you never get an erection again. We understand each other?"

“I'll take that for a yes. Where is Cali? “

“Wart has her.. Hes got her up back of the station.. Passed out last I saw. “

“OK. The station....Eddie knows where it is? Good. Now you go away. Not to the station. It won't be safe there tonight. You understand me? “

He nods.

She reaches into a pizza box and extracts three slices, “I can tell you're hungry. So here. Just to show you I'm not.. well.. totally a bitch. Remember. Don't go to the station. Don't tell Wart. Don't piss me off. Now go.”

Waldo gets up and staggers, trying to run, but he carefully holds the pizza. Everyone gotta eat.

She finds the pipe and knocks on it. Waits only a few moments till Holden peeks his head out.

“We were worried you were followed. “

“I was but its ok. Lets go inside.”

She follows Holden down a short alley to a pried open side door to an industrial building. The interior shows a lack of traffic. The path makes several turns before ending at a dead end. Above are large pipes passing through. Water pips probably. On the west wall is a concert poster in a language Gadget does not know.

Those huddled near each other are Eddie, Tiffy and Jax. A single candle puts out light if not warmth. They shiver under blankets and their breath comes out in fog.

They look up as Gadget enters. Eddie says, “Glad you made it. We were worried.” They look at the pizza boxes in anticipation. Gadget moves close.

Eddie goes on, “Cali is usually between Jax and Holden, if you don't mind. “

Gadget nods, taking the top pizza box with the missing pieces, slipping the other 3 to the group. She pulls out a large bottle of Tabasco that she liberally puts on her pizza. The others eagerly grab the other boxes. They relish the pizza, a good meal for them. Jax reaches for the Tabasco looking to gadget for permission. She smiles and hands it to him.

Looking around the dead end has much to recommend it. Defensible but with out and escape route. Out of the elements sort of. Frigidly cold. Too cold as she thinks about it.

“Whats on the other side of the building?”

“Meat packing plant. Its why its so cold in here.”

She reaches into her pack and pulls out a small backpacking ring of stainless steel to curious eye. Popping the lid she pulls a lighter out and a bit of newspaper. She wraps coal with the paper and lights it, starting the stoves fire. The flickering fire catches and warms the area slowly.

They turn to huddle around the fire in gratitude and surprise. “I've been camping a lot.” She explains.

The small area began to heat as they returned to eating.

Gadget stands after they finish eating. “Eddie? Can I speak to you for a moment?

“I spoke to Waldo. He says Cali is at someplace called the “Station.” Strung out and in trouble.”

Eddie curses, “Damn... damn. The Station? That's an abandoned gas station. Shit.”

“How many people would he have there, this Wart guy.?”

“5 maybe, a couple more. Depends where they are in their raiding.”

“Will you show me where this is? “

“Sure. Do you have an idea? If we could get them to come out chasing me you might be able to get her out.”

“Do any of you people fight?”

“Holden can land a punch. Jax can fall down and take them for awhile. Tiffy, not so much.”

“How tough are these guys?How long have they been around?”

“Tiffy and I have been here about 6 months. Holden a couple years. Not sure about Jax and Cali. Wart and his guys have been terrorizing people since grade school I hear. He's beat us up several times. Beat Tiffy and I pretty bad when we first got here 'cause she wouldn't put out. Holden hates them. I think he had run ins with them before. I know some of the businesses in the plaza lock their doors when they wander in. One of their parents is a cop.”

“Ok, show me this station.”

“Why? You got a plan? If we get them to chase me out maybe you could get in there and get her out.”

She nods and follows him as they cross town.

Looking over at a vacant gas station tucked between industrial buildings.  Lights are on in the building but none out side. The walls are covered with graffiti.  

Eddie was walking far to the east to see if anyone was out on the outside.

She pulls her cell phone and makes a call.

“Gadget. Wants and warrants on a Wart and his associates. Wants and warrants on an associate named Waldo. Police tours in the area of Third street and Hunsiker ave. Yes.” She lights a cigarette and puffs it while she waits.

“Yes. Alright. Route police at least a mile from this location. Ok,. Ok. ok. And Waldo..Ok. Gadget down. ”

A few minutes later Eddie returns carrying a half full 40oz bottle... “No one there. The door is on the west side. Ok..probably won't be locked. We sneak up. I'll open the door and yell at them. I'll throw this bottle of ...beer...piss... at them. They will chase me out. Especially if I hit Wart. While they are chasing me you go in, find Cali and get her out of there. I'll run them as far as possible. I am pretty sure I can out run them.”

“Sounds good. Lets go.”

They sneak up to the station going around to try peaking in the windows finding them taped shut. Eddie shakes his head looking terrified but determined. He reaches up and grabs the door handle, opening quickly and stepping in.

He steps in, yelling, “YOU FUCKER!!!!! WHERE”S CALI!!!????” He throws the bottle and hits Wart in the chest. Behind him steps in Gadget. They men jump up as one to chase Eddie. Eddie turns and bumps surprisingly into Gadget.

Gadget puts her right hand on his chest, pushing him hard against the door jamb. With her left hand She raises a .45 automatic. The loud crack of the gun echos in the room.

Gadget tracks from left to right, putting a round into each of the chests of the gang members. Eddie's eyes go wide in shock. Gadget steps into the room, slowly walking to each man and putting a single round into the skull of each of them. Wart last, looking up in despair as Gadget fires agin.

She turns to Eddie, “Find Cali.” He staggers past her, walking past the dead into other rooms.

Gadget moves among them taking wallets, cash, and jewelry off them. Weapons she quickly puts into plastic ziplock bags and putting them into her satchel. She looks over the table and grabs several bags of green herbs. She walks around the room and finds a backpack, looking in she finds several kilos of pressed powder.

She stands and goes to each of the dead and takes a picture with her cell phone.

Eddie comes out carrying a limp girl. He is white as a sheet, a mixture of awe and terror.

Eddie staggers carrying the girl. “What did you do?! You killed them...How could you?”

“How? Efficiently.”