“Yes!”
“So how you liking New York so far?” Jimmy asked.
“I haven’t been anywhere yet!” Frederick joked.
“We have to change that,” Jimmy said as he led Frederick to his car.
They both jumped into a black 1954 Cadillac.
“Damn. How can you even afford this car?” Frederick asked as they drove off. “Work! My job pays well!” Jimmy bragged with his head held up high.
“What do you do?” Frederick asked curiously.
“You’ll see,” Jimmy replied.
Frederick gazed in awe at the tall New York buildings. The scenery was perfect. It was better than he expected – better than the movies. The busy streets reminded him of the anthill he played with as a child. Jimmy chuckled.
“Welcome to America! Land of the free! One day, I’ll own one of those buildings,” Jimmy bragged.
“Yea right!” Frederick said.
“You have to think big in this country, cousin. You can’t afford to think small,” Jimmy replied. Frederick only nodded as he kept enjoying the scenery of New York. Minutes later, Jimmy pulled over to what looked like a club – a strip club.
“This is where you work?” Frederick asked curiously.
“Yes! I own it!” Jimmy bragged. Frederick smiled and jumped out of the car.
“Man you must be really doing good for yourself!” Frederick replied. Jimmy grabbed Freddy’s duffel bag and walked into the club briskly.
“Hey Jimmy!” a half-naked girl said as she walked by.
Jimmy nodded. Frederick Olivetti was shocked and couldn’t hide his facial expression. Another girl wearing a tight dress came towards them.
“Hey Jimmy! Tony the snake wants to see you in your office,” She said then gazed at Frederick.
“Who is this?” she asked with a flirtatious smile.
“My cousin Freddy,” Jimmy replied.
“He is a handsome young man. I’m Clara,” she said, stretching out her hand to shake Frederick. Frederick smiled as he shook her. He observed her body features and couldn’t help but shudder.
“I’m Freddy,” Frederick replied.
“Stop drooling,” Jimmy joked as he dragged Frederick along with him. Frederick looked back at Clara who was still staring at him.
“She’s pretty,” Frederick said like a little kid who’d just seen the wonders of the female anatomy for the first time in his life.
“Oh yes! She is! There are plenty like her here in New York. You don’t have to be in a hurry,” Jimmy replied as they walked into his office. Jimmy’s office had a desk, two chairs, and a sofa on the side. The shelves were scattered and messy. Phone landline cables were scattered all over and it was evident that Jimmy had never invested in a cleaning service. A baseball bat stood awkwardly in a corner.
“You can’t pay for a cleaner?” Freddy joked.
“Na. There’s no point. I’m barely here anyways!” Jimmy replied. Just then, Anthony walked in, dressed in a not too shabby Italian suit, a cheap shirt and regular crocodile skin shoes. He was tall and skinny. His face was rough and scaly. His hair had a dull dark color and his eye brows were so thick, it looked like bushy trees.
“Freddy, Tony the snake. Tony, Freddy my cousin,” Jimmy said, introducing both of them.
“Why do you call him Tony the snake?” Freddy asked.
“Isn’t it obvious? His scaly face?” Jimmy said as he and Tony laughed.
“The boss wants a word in person,” Tony said. Jimmy paused. A disappointed look emerged on his face, but he managed to force a fake smile.
“Okay Freddy, I know you just got here, but it looks like you’ll be getting a job sooner than I thought,” Jimmy said.
The restaurant was simple and had less than twenty round tables. All tables had a white table cloth with plates and glassware on it. There was a bar in the forefront of the restaurant with an old bartender wiping off the table and cleaning glassware. The windows were partially tinted and had ‘Novelli Italian restaurant’ written on it.
Seated at the far corner of the restaurant was Don Patricelli – the owner. Don Patricelli was wearing an expensive grey Italian suit, a black shirt and three gold rings on his right hand that exaggerated his wealth. His gold watch had tiny diamonds laced around it and his hair, although balding, was well combed backwards with a dark shine on it. He had a giant bowl of pasta and chicken sauce. He ate it slowly as Jimmy and Frederick walked in. His bodyguard searched Frederick for weapons, but bypassed Jimmy.
“He’s good. He’s my cousin,” Jimmy said defensively. Don Patricelli didn’t acknowledge their presence. He focused on his food with utmost concentration. Freddy noticed that Jimmy was tense, but didn’t say anything. After what seemed like forever, Jimmy cleared his throat. Don Patricelli looked up at them and gestured to them to take a seat.
Freddy reluctantly sat down, noticing the increasing tension. He looked around to see all the men surrounding Don Patricelli. They all seemed focused on Jimmy.
“Who’s this?” Don Patricelli asked Jimmy as he wiped his mouth with a white napkin.
“My cousin,” Jimmy replied. Don Patricelli nodded as he observed Frederick.
“He looks like he’s fresh off the boat,” Don Patricelli joked.
“Just arrived today actually,” Jimmy replied. Don Patricelli nodded then grinned.
“Where’s my money Jimmy?” Don Patricelli said, shifting his gaze from Freddy to Jimmy. Jimmy tried to compose himself in front of his cousin, but was still clearly uncomfortable. He had hoped Don Patricelli would avoid embarrassing him in front of his cousin.
“Give me more time…till the end of the week! I will have it plus interest!” Jimmy replied. There was a long silence. Freddy was observing what was going on. Jimmy didn’t seem certain that he would have the money by the end of the week and Don Patricelli seemed to notice the sound of deception in Jimmy’s tone. Don Patricelli shifted his gaze back to Freddy.
“Is your cousin looking for work?” Don Patricelli asked Jimmy instead of asking Freddy directly.
“He…”
“I have a name,” Frederick said, cutting Jimmy off.
The atmospheric energy changed from tenseness to amusement.
“Frederick – Frederick Olivetti,” Freddy added bluntly.
Don Patricelli was impressed by his audacity.
“Hmm you’re bold! I like it!” Don Patricelli said, amused. There was a brief silence as Don Patricelli took a bite of his meal.
“So Frederick – Freddy! Would you like to work for me?” Don Patricelli asked.
“By work, if you’re talking about mafia business then no! I don’t want to get involved in such, but I could clean and manage your restaurant if you want,” Freddy said bluntly and honestly, looking around the restaurant.
“I could also wait tables!” Frederick added. Everyone in the room laughed, excluding Frederick.
“You’re one funny son of a bitch,” Don Patricelli said, waving a finger at him and laughing. Frederick did not see the humor in what he said. His face was straight and humorless.
“What is your dream? – I mean everyone believes in the American dream, what’s yours?” Don Patricelli asked Freddy.
“I want to be a school teacher or college professor,” Freddy replied. The laughing increased. Freddy was confused. No one was taking him seriously. Don Patricelli observed Freddy and realized he was humorless.
“You are serious about your dream to be a… professor?” Don Patricelli asked, realizing the sincerity in Freddy’s statement. Being a college professor was the last thing he expected from any Italian. Freddy nodded in response.
Don Patricelli sighed heavily. “Okay then, you know University is expensive right?” Don Patricelli asked. Frederick nodded in response.
“You know the exams are ridiculously difficult right?” Don Patricelli added. Frederick nodded again. “How do you intend on paying for college as a waiter and studying at the same time?”
“Minimum wage isn’t high enou
gh to afford a decent apartment in New York or even…your cousin’s couch,” Don Patricelli said.
Frederick felt stupid and it showed on his face. Others began to laugh even more. Beneath Don Patricelli’s logic, he could see a hint of manipulation.
Don Patricelli cleared his throat. The laughter stopped.
“Okay! I’m guessing you didn’t think about the cost of going to a university in America. Well, no one is going to employ an Italian immigrant for work at this time unless you decide to enroll in the military and get your ass killed or worse, you become a cripple,” Don Patricelli said. Freddy looked at Jimmy then looked at Don Patricelli. His words made sense.
“Why do you want me to work for you?” Freddy asked. Don Patricelli leaned back, cleared his throat then wiped his mouth with a napkin.
“You have character – a character that works well in this business,” Don Patricelli said. Freddy nodded in approval.
“So what do you say? Join my team?” Don Patricelli asked impatiently. Frederick paused for a moment as he weighed his options. He looked at his cousin then looked at Don Patricelli.
“Yes,” Freddy said. Jimmy smiled.
“Good!” Don Patricelli replied.
“But only under one condition,” Freddy replied. Don Patricelli leaned forward, frustrated and curious about his audacity to make conditions.
“You clean Jimmy’s debt!” Freddy added. Don Patricelli smiled. Jimmy scoffed. He tried to whisper something into Freddy’s ear, but Freddy shrugged him off.
“You don’t have to pay me for a month. I’m all yours! But Jimmy’s debt must be cleaned,” Freddy demanded.
Jimmy cleared his throat. “Fred...”
“Shut up Jimmy! I’m trying to think,” Don Patricelli said, cutting Jimmy off.
“Do you know how much Jimmy owes?” Don Patricelli asked Freddy. Freddy shook his head.
“Why don’t you tell him Jimmy,” Don Patricelli added.
“Sixty six grand,” Jimmy replied nervously and ashamed. Freddy didn’t show an ounce of surprise. His eyes were fixated on Don Patricelli.
“I’m all yours for a year. You give me a place to stay, a temporary car and some new fancy clothes – like the one you’re wearing. After a year, I’m done,” Freddy said with a straight face, re-negotiating the deal. Don Patricelli facial expression changed. He thought about the seriousness of the deal. A man giving up a year of his life to clean his cousin’s debt? That was far beyond selfless. He had to take advantage of the situation.
“Okay,” Don Patricelli said. He finished his wine. Jimmy was surprised and so was everyone in the restaurant.
“I have a feeling you are worth it,” Don Patricelli added, nodding continuously.
“Here’s five hundred dollars. Get yourself some good clothes.” Don Patricelli said as he whipped out a rubber band of cash from his pocket and slammed it on the table. Freddy had never seen anyone hold that much cash before.
“Keys!” Don Patricelli said, signaling to one of his guards to toss him a key. Don Patricelli then handed the key over to Freddy.
“That’s a key to a 1952 mustang. It’s old, but it drives fast. I’m giving you this so you won’t have any excuse to be late when I call for you,” Don Patricelli said. Freddy nodded. Jimmy was surprised.
“I have a one bedroom condo on East Street. You can stay there. Anything else?” Don Patricelli asked. Freddy shook his head.
“Good! I’ll call for you when I need you. Now leave! Let me finish my lunch before I change my mind,”
“What the fuck was that back there?” Jimmy yelled in a morbid state of anger as he walked towards his car.
“What? You should be thanking me,” Freddy replied.
“Thanking you? For what? You don’t understand this business Freddy, It’s all about respect! Now the whole town is going to know that Jimmy the Pitcher is being protected by his cousin,” Jimmy yelled back. Freddy understood Jimmy’s plight, but was expecting a little bit of gratitude.
“Okay I understand! I’m sorry okay?” Freddy said.
“Shut up Freddy! You’re not!” Jimmy said. Freddy smiled.
“Cheer up man! At least you don’t have to worry about finding sixty thousand dollars by the end of the week, you can pay me half of the money instead,” Freddy said. Jimmy paused, his eyebrows raised then busted into a smile.
“That was your plan? Save me from paying sixty gees and then taking half of it from me?” Jimmy asked.
Freddy nodded.
“Yes! I’ve got a car, a place to stay and some money for clothes – I can always eat at your place or the restaurant if I’m hungry. I’m no financial guru, but I have every basic necessity for the next year. Then with my half of the sixty thousand, I can pay for tuition and you can keep the thirty grand to yourself and get your shit together,” Freddy replied with utmost enthusiasm.
“You have no idea what you are involved in! Do you?” Jimmy said.
“What? Breaking bones, extorting money and all that shit. What’s hard about that?” Freddy replied. Jimmy shook his head.
“Ok then mister Mafioso. You spend two hours in New York and all of a sudden you think you can easily handle this business?” Jimmy asked sarcastically.
“Come on man, don’t be sarcastic! I can do this! Remember when you saved me from those street thugs in Sicily? And I told you I owed you my life? This is me paying you back,” Freddy said. Jimmy was quiet for a while.
“Okay then! You’re a nutcase but still my cousin,” Jimmy replied. Freddy smiled back.
“Hop into my car! Let me show you what else New York has to offer,” Jimmy said.
“I have my own keys and my own car!” Freddy replied.
“Do you know your way around?” Jimmy asked. Freddy frowned.
“I didn’t think so! Hop in and let me give you a quick orientation!” Jimmy replied.
It was eight at night. Frederick was surprised by how fast his life had gone in the past day. He had gone from being jobless in the morning to having a good apartment, some new clothes and a car to drive. He owed it all to Jimmy for spring boarding his life. He couldn’t wait to start his career in teaching. He knew that a year with Don Patricelli was perhaps the worst idea, but he didn’t let that disturb him from pursuing his dream.
Frederick unlocked the door to his new apartment. The apartment was better than he expected. It had pure white walls with black marble floors. It was fully furnished with a regular black and white Television on the wall corner. The kitchen had nice dark wood cabinets and 1950s kitchenware. Frederick walked into the bedroom. He dropped his travelling bag and shopping bags of new clothes on the floor. He sighed with relief as he fell on his new bed then stared straight at the ceiling. The sky wasn’t the limit.
Thoughts flowed through his mind; his dead mother, his home in Italy, his new life in America.
Just then, the doorbell rang. Frederick got up, alarmed. “Who could be here?” he thought. He walked up to the door slowly, knowing full well that Jimmy would be too preoccupied with his night club to visit him.
He opened the door with the chain lock still on.
“Hey handsome!” the lady behind the door said.
“Oh…Clara,” Frederick said with a smile and sigh of relief after recognizing her from Jimmy’s strip club.
He closed the door and reopened it with the chain lock off.
“What are you doing here?” Frederick asked as she entered.
“Is that how you welcome people in Italy?” Clara asked seductively. She was wearing a long peach colored dress with flowers on it. Her light makeup complimented her short curly blonde hair. Frederick smiled back as he shut the door.
“Excuse my manners. I would offer you something to eat or drink, but I only got in here a few minutes ago,” he replied.
She smiled back. She looked around the apartment.
“I love you Italian men. So polite yet so vicious,” She replied as she continued pacing around the apartment.
“So
what’s going on? You came over just to say hi,” Frederick said, wondering why she was there.
“Yes – but also to help you start up your contract with Don Patricelli,” Frederick was confused. He thought his contract with Don Patricelli was a secret among men.
“It’s okay. He sent me here to make sure you’re comfortable and ready…” she added.
“Ready for what? Why can’t he come here himself?”
“You won’t be having any contact with him directly. As a matter of fact, you will never see eye to eye from now on. Every information from him will come through me. The mafia, rather, the Patricelli family is trying to reduce suspicion by creating a middle man…or middle woman in this case. I’m less suspicious – an everyday American girl.”
Frederick was quiet. He sat down on the couch. After a brief moment of silence, she sat down on the couch opposite to him, crossed her legs and smiled.
“You do understand the terms so far right?” She asked. Frederick nodded.
“Okay! Good – you should also know that your cousin Jimmy the Pitcher must not be aware of anything we discuss. As far as Jimmy is concerned, I just work for him. He doesn’t know I work for Don Patricelli too,” She added. Frederick nodded again.
“Okay! We have a year! Just one year and this is all over!” Frederick said to reaffirm his stance.
“Yes we know!” She placed her big purse on the table and brought out two 9mm guns.
“You will need this – I hope you know how to use it,” She said.
“No! No guns – I won’t need it,” Frederick replied, shaking his head.
“You might – well, just keep it in case…for safety reasons. I’d hate to see a sweet man like you get hurt,” She replied, surprised.
“When and what is my first Job?” Frederick replied, going straight to the point.
“Well, okay tiger. If you insist – your cousin must have told you about Don Moretti?” Clara asked. Frederick nodded: “He controls all the drugs and human trafficking in the east coast,”
“Good! We want him dead by the end of the week,” Clara replied bluntly. Frederick’s countenance changed. “What!?”
Olivetti: Inception Page 2
