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Journals: Book 2, Entry 20 “Underworld” "City of Fountains" is a nickname for Kansas City, Missouri, a town whose headlines have screamed of a gangland war that left over 30 dead. It’s no mystery why the Gua would seek out organized crime. Drugs, gambling, prostitution – all things that could weaken mankind’s resolve. But why did Nostradamus point to this gang war? The quatrain suggested I form an alliance with "the steed," a man I suspected to be Sammy "The Horse" Kozak, head of a Kansas City crime family for over 10 years. I’m wanted for capital murder, so mixing with mobsters might be insane – Eddie sure thought so. But checking Sammy out could lead me to the Gua, and that’s an offer I can’t refuse… Took the name Nick Flynn and checked out the ’88s Club, Sammy’s totally nude strip bar and a front for his operations. Met a brick-wall bartender named Pete, told him I was looking for Sammy. My cover – "Loma Cinquemani" had sent me up from the Miami families with a recommendation to the Horse. When I told Bud, the second brick wall, that I could see all kinds of ways to kill Sammy in the bar I got his attention. Pocketed his gun right under his nose. That got someone else’s attention – enter Sofia Kozak – Sammy’s wife. Looked like I was about to get my meeting. Sammy checked up on me – verified my story about doing security for Cinquemani. Eddie did his best Brando and convinced the Horse that I was the real deal. I was in … but only if I proved myself. In the bar Sofia came on strong – told me when she saw something she took it. She gave me a key to her place – told me to come over when I was finished at the club. I declined. Respectfully of course – and it wasn’t easy. It was my final test. I passed. Sammy was ready to talk. Seems, until last year, four families controlled the organized crime in KC – now there were only two left – Sammy ran one, Jack Mitchum ran the other. Things got ugly when everyone’s trucks started getting hijacked ten months ago – the bosses were pointing fingers – Sammy tried to stay out of it and survive. Until this week – that’s when some hot club dancer ripped her pole out of the floor and tried to hurl it through Sammy’s heart. The Horse thought it was the weirdest thing he’d ever seen – when they chased the dancer down, she seemed to disappear into thin air. Pay dirt. Figured it for a Gua husk with a new ability, and that was never good. Sammy couldn’t figure out how the rivals, or whoever might have been responsible, could know his every move. I told him we should sweep the club for bugs – and I knew the best bug-man in the business – a guy I trusted with my life. Eddie Nambulous. And that’s when stuff got typically Gua-strange. Turns out Eddie found a bug in Bud. Not the ordinary high-tech kind but the part organic, part mechanical, oozing-type only the Gua could build. Bud puked it up under duress – and then it dissolved. Sammy and I found rival gang boss Jack sitting in a car with Sofia – looking more than a little bit guilty – but Sammy had sent her in. Kozak stuck a big gun in Jack’s face and demanded to know who was backing Mitchum. Jack didn’t want to talk, so I gave it a try – a basic strong arm. Jack told me the outfit backing him was too strong and none of us had a chance. He called them freaks, said they had powers – and he knew their name – Gua. But that’s all Mitchum said … because Sammy shot him. Turns out Sammy wasn’t much of a believer. Not until we got back to the club and Pete pulled a gun on him. Bud and Pete got into a fire fight and Bud lost. Pete dissolved for Sammy and then Sammy got pissed. Nobody messes with Sammy Kozak – not even E.T. The Horse was ready for war with the Gua. He said he’d stayed alive and on top all these years because he fights back and doesn’t quit. Sammy would rather be dead than roll over like Mitchum. Made me think the mob was the right kind of ally to have. I always loved the Godfather, only this time the drama was too real. What would happen if Michael Corleone were threatened by the Gua? I was about to find out. Read Eddie's Paranoid Times Article: "Married To The Mob." “Underworld” Writer: Larry Barber & Paul Barber Director: Rob LaBelle Executive Producers: Francis Ford Coppola, Larry Sugar Created by: Chris Brancato Guest Stars: Rob LaBelle, Jerry Wasserman, Desiree Zurowski, Rob Lee, Bill Croft, Tim Henry, Jano Frandsen. |
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