Wooteck and Phil rolled down the highway, aimlessly chatting to keep their minds off of the dangerous situation they were heading into. As they drove past the squat little one and half story postwar houses the goverment had commissioned for returning soldiers the neighbouhoods opened up to the aging American four- square suburbs that still showed the promise of more prosperous times. The big lots an well manicured gardens told the story of a growing city with the steel mills providing thousands and thousands of jobs. Now, after the war the steel mills had been shuttering and the latest layoff of 6000 men had cast a gloomy pall over the city of Chicago and the decay was starting to creep out from the older parts of the city. Not obvious yet, but the few cars on the road were older and showing wear and a few of the smaller business fronts had "for lease" signs in the windows.
The guys went quiet as the downtown core came into view, the big grey buildings formed an imposing skyline and both of them gave an audible swallow at the sight.
Phil said "i'm a bit out of my element here in the City Eck"
Wooteck glanced away from the road " These boys have nothing on the gangs doon Embra." " the Lads there been killing each other for centuries." Eck continued, concentrating his gaze on the road once more "we'll just be staying out of sight and listening anyway. Until we get they lay of the land that is," and glanced over with a
First stop was the Bank to pick up some cash that Wootecks father had wired to them, and being freshly minted the reporters made their way to the Palmer House. It was a grand hotel, right downtown with an inviting portico. The huge sweeping limestone staircase was illuminated by massive candelebras flanking the immense stone bannisters. The high flying, butressed canopy was ornately painted and massive clock over the front door was flanked by stone sculpted angels.
"Holy shit! Eck, can you afford this place?" Phil asked.
"Ah, tis nothing. The Auld bastart owns one of these in Scotland, and they have complimentary suites for executives when they visit!" " we only have to tip well, and the bill goes straight home to dear ole Da."
"Damn!" said Phil "any chance he's adopting?"
The fellas went and checked in, and once settled and cleaned up made their way to the hotel's restaurant on the second floor. The balcony they chose was warmed by a two sided fireplace that kept the chill from the lake at bay. It was still unseasonably warm, an "indian summer" in the truest sense, and the balcony gave them great vantage of east monroe street, and a view pretty much right into the front window of the Mob's headquarters " Il Forza".
"Oh Man!" Phil always opened with embellishment, Probably a habit brought on by dreaming up headlines. "Is that Dave Beck going in there?"
A big black limosine had pulled to the curb outside Il Forza and a couple of Burly men had jumped out to usher a heavy set balding man in a black wool coat. Beck's jowls hung freely when he leaned back into the Limo and offered a hand to a very leggy and very lovely brunette in a long red gown.
"who the fuck is Dave Beck when's he's home?" Enquired Eck
"That's the president of the Teamster's Union." said Phil in awe, nodding down towards the street."The most powerful man in Chicago. Their union has over a million members."
"Not that that will do 'em any good" said Eck as he thought about the headline in the paper he had seen in the lobby, "6000 jobs lost" was the headline over a picture of the crowd in front of the fenced off steel mill. Wooteck had been schooled in economics by one of the most powerful men in Scotland. His father.
"There is far bigger money money at play that the scraps that feed the unions i'm afraid."
Still, he was impressed with the quality of arm candy the old flabby prick could afford.
I finally quit drinking for good.
now i drink for evil.