The manager of the youth orphanage house stepped into her
office around 7am one morning. Opening the cabinet across
the room, she found a note on top of the cash box that
read:
"I knew I couldn't live a lie any longer. Living here is
killing me day by day. Please don't be upset or angry, just
have faith in me. I couldn't wait for life to take me; I've
seen it happen to so many. I had to take this chance to save
my soul, please forgive me.
Love,
Tony "Pan" Rogez"
The manager opened the cash box and realized that all the
money in it was taken, and replaced by a photo of Tony.

From the plane one could see the lighted city below. The
soft voice of the stewardess echoed from the speakers:
"Ladies and gentlemen, we kindly ask you to return to your
seats, we are now in our final approach to Heathrow
airport." People started returning to their seats when the
voice spoke again: "the temperature in London is 8 degrees
Celsius, 32 degrees Fahrenheit, the current time now in
London is 9:45 pm. Once again we hope you've enjoyed your
flight and thank you for flying with British Ways. On behalf
of the captain and all the staff, we wish you a pleasant
stay in London." Tony carried his big blue backpack and
waited in line for customs, taking out of his pocket his
American passport. Passing through customs, he looked for an
exchange booth and asked the clerk if he knew of any cheap
places he could stay at. The clerk said he didn't know of
any place, counted Tony's money out loud and handed it to
Tony "have pleasant days, sir. Next, please."

Tony exited the airport wearing jeans and a black jogging
coat. Once outside he hailed down a taxi. The taxi stopped
in front of him.
"Where to, sir?" asked the taxi driver. Tony got into the
taxi and it drove off.
"I need some cheap place to stay at," said Tony.
"I know this one spot, but it isn't the nicest place in
town," said the driver.
"Take me there, pal" Tony said.
"What are you here for?" asked the driver
"To save my soul" answered Tony and lit a cigarette. The
driver turned left into a highway. "So you feel that your
soul is going to be saved here?" he asked looking into the
front mirror and laughed. Tony didn't answer, and the driver
exited the highway into the city and stopped in front of an
old hostel building.
"That will be twenty pounds, sir" said the driver. Tony paid
him and got off the taxi. The driver looked out of the
window and said "good luck!" before driving away.

Tony entered the hostel and walked over to the front desk,
where he was greeted by a middle-aged red-hair fat lady.
"How much for a night?" asked Tony. "Twenty pounds a night"
said the fat lady "for a bed and a bathroom, breakfast not
included in the price. If you want  breakfast that's seven
pounds more."
"Can I pay for more than one night?" asked Tony
"It's a three night minimum, sir!" said the lady.
"Put me down for four night, then" said Tony.
The fat lady took Tony's money and gave him a key to room
19. Tony took the key and went upstairs to the room,
unlocked the door and walked inside. Once inside he threw
his blue backpack unto the bed, walked to the bathroom and
took a piss. He flushed the toilet, washed his hands and
walked outside to light a cigarette. He walked over to the
blue backpack and took out his belongings to put them in the
dresser. He took out a pamphlet that he got on the flight
from his back pocket and looked through it. He noticed a
picture of a nightclub in the city called "White Lines",
took the keys from the desk and walked out. He went
downstairs to the front desk and asked the fat lady for some
information. "Can you tell me how to get to the city
center?" asked Tony.
"Take bus number thirty five" said the fat lady, "that will
get you right to the center. Just walk out the front door
and make a right, then walk one block after the light, and
you'll find it."

Tony walked to the bus stop and waited for the light to
change. He got on the bus and rode to the city. It was 11:35
pm when Tony got off the bus in the city and walked down
busy sidewalks while asking for directions to the nightclub
from two ladies in their early twenties. One of them was
blond, wearing a black dress and was called Dawn. The other
was a brunette wearing a red dress and was called Jona.
"How do I get to "White Lines" night club?" asked Tony
"Oh, come with us, we are on our way as well" said Jona.
"So what do you do?" asked Dawn
"I like to help people" said Tony
"In what way do you help them?" asked Dawn
"In any way I can" answered Tony
"He should meet Mick" said Jona
"Do you want to meet Mick?" asked Dawn
"Should I meet Mick?" asked Tony
"He's really cool, and he's also into helping people any way
he can!"
"Shut up Jona!" interrupted Dawn "he doesn't have to meet
Mick unless he wants to."
Arriving at the night club they saw many people drinking,
smoking and dancing to a loud synthesized nineties music.
Tony, Dawn and Jona split up and wandered off to different
corners of the night club. Tony sat near the bar to get a
better look of the place and the people, and observes some
activity near the entrance. Looking up to get a better view,
he saw Dawn hugging a tall black-hair man who was wearing a
black leather jacket. The man was not smiling and looked
restraint. Dawn lit a cigarette and catching Tony's eye, she
motioned him to join them. Tony walked over and Dawn
introduced him to Mick. "I want you to meet Mick, ok?" she
asked Tony and called out "Mick, Mick!" to get his attention
"I want you to meet a friend of mine."
"How's it going, Mick?" Tony said "I hear you're the man to
meet!"
"What's your name?" asked Mick
"Tony Rogez" Tony answered
"Yeah, but what do they call you?" asked Mick
"You can call me Pan!" answered Tony
"You mean like Peter Pan" Mick laughed "just call me Hook!"
and walked off.
"So what do you think of Mick?" Dawn asked.
"He seems alright" said Tony "but what is he into?"
"I told you" said Dawn "he's into the business of helping
people"
"Let's get out of here and go somewhere else, alright,
Dawn?"
"What do you have in mind, Pan?" asked Dawn
"Anywhere" replied Tony
"I like you Pan" said Dawn "but I can't leave with you right
now. Here's my number, why don't you give me a call
sometime?" and she handed Tony a card from her purse and
walked away.
Tony put the card in his pocket and watched the night club
with a dazed expression on his face. It seemed as if the
club grew very quiet and people were moving in slow motion.
Tony watched them dancing and drinking and laughing for a
few seconds, and then walked out of the night club into the
street. He took out a cigarette and lit it. He walked over
to the bus stop and waited for a bus when a black Ferrari
pulled up next to him and the window rolled down. Jona
looked out at him and asked him if he wanted to join them.
Without saying a word, Tony threw away his cigarette and got
inside the car. He saw the silhouette of a tall man with his
feet propped against the dashboard. Dawn turned around from
the driver's seat and said "don't worry, Tony, we're going
to have some fun tonight" just before driving off.
"So what brings you to London, Pan?" asked Mick "business or
pleasure?"
"A little of both," answered Tony
"Well, how about starting with some pleasure and save
business for later?" suggested Mick and said "to the flat,
Dawn! Straights to the flat."
Dawn smiled wickedly and turned sharply at the light. A few
minutes later they arrived at a tall hotel style apartment
building. They got out of the car and the valet parked the
car. They entered the building and Tony was struck by the
elegance of the lobby with its chandeliers, mirrors and
lights. Mick called the elevator and gave Tony a little
smile, and Tony nodded his head to accept Mick's smile. When
the elevator arrived they stepped inside and Dawn pressed
the button for the ninth floor. At the penthouse floor Mick
unlocked the door to reveal a black and white carpet that
was covering the entire floor. Big fluffy pillows were
scattered around and two long sofas were adjacent to one
another. At the back of the penthouse there was a huge
window overlooking the lighted city. Mick walked into
another room and Tony could barely hear the conversation
going on when a few minutes later a beautiful black woman
called Jewels (Jules?) entered the room completely naked.
"Who are you?" she asked Tony
"That's Pan, Jewels" said Dawn and added "he's a little
shy"
"So was Peter!" cried Jewels and walked over to the bar to
pour her self a drink, which she carried with her back to
the other room. Dawn and Jona went to the sofa and sat down
to smoke a joint. Tony walked across the room to look
outside at the view when Mick called out from behind him
"What will you drink, Pan?" and without waiting for an
answer he added "I'll fix you something, hope you'll like
it!" and immediately took out a few bottles to fix a
cocktail, and poured it into glasses, one of which he handed
out to Tony.
"Here's to new beginnings" said Mick, rising up his glass
"And to good endings!" added Tony
Mick clined his glass with Tony's and walked over to the
window "Do you like angels, Pan?" asked Mick and added "Who
doesn't, right? That's my business, selling angels. They can
come solid or liquid... and they sure can pay the rent!"
Dawn and Jona started to make out in the corner and Jewels
reentered the room wearing a white robe this time. She
dimmed the lights and put on some soft music; she reached
out her hand to Tony and pulled him to sit with her on two
of the big pillows. Mick went on:
"I know you Pan" he said "I was once like you! Looking too
myself with nowhere to start. I met someone who helped me to
enter the mainstream and since then it's been one long ride.
Do you know, Pan" he added with renewed enthusiasm "that
eighty percent of young people today feel burnt out from
life before they reach thirty?"
"I know the feeling" Tony admitted "that's why I came to
London in the first place; I wanted to start living again".

"If you came for living you came to the right place" said
Mick "but if you came here to enjoy all the pleasures life
has to offer, you came to the right man."
Jewels begun to play with Tony's hair and Tony looked up at
Mick, as if asking for permission. "Do you want her?" asked
Mick.
"What do you mean?" asked Tony, surprised.
"Would you like to fuck her?" asked Mick plainly.
"Yeah" answered Tony.
Jewels slipped off her robe to reveal full firm breasts in
the dimmed room and they begun to kiss. The next morning
Tony got up and got dressed, trying not to wake up anyone.
Dawn and Jona were sleeping on the floor under a blanket and
Tony tried to get to his cigarettes and to open the door
without waking them. He already started to open the door
when he heard Mick calling him
"So you've decided to work?"
"I'd like to help if I can" Tony answered and added "what
can I do?"
"I need to deliver this envelope" said Mick "it contains a
few grams of angel dust and three thousand pounds. The
address is written on it, just hand it out to the man who
will give you an envelope marked with a big X. Bring me that
envelope. I'll be waiting for you at 2pm at a place called
"Archie's" just outside the city." Mick handed him the
envelope, and took out a roll of money out of which he took
a few notes "here are two hundred pounds for the delivery.
Once I get the envelope, I will add another hundred."
Tony took the envelope and the money "I won't let you down,
Mick"
"Just call me Hook" Mick called out after him.

After getting off the bus Tony had to walk around the
neighborhood several times before he found the right
one-story building that matched the address. He knocked on
the door and after a while he rang the bell. A short stocky
young man opened the door "what the hell do you want?" he
asked.
"Mick sent me" Tony answered and handed the envelope to the
short guy who took it from him and shut the door again. A
few minutes later he opened it again to hand Tony the
envelope with the red X, which Tony took and walked away.

Ten minutes before his scheduled time with Mick, Tony found
Archie's and walked in to find Mick already there, smoking a
cigarette at the corner.
"Here's the envelope, Hook" said Tony as he approached Mick,
and handed him the envelope.
"Were there any problems?" Mick asked
"None" Tony answered.
Mick opened the envelope, looked inside and placed it in his
pocket. Then he took out a silver chain that had a black key
and a large silver medallion on and handed it to Tony.
"What's that?" asked Tony.
"Your new apartment" said Mick simply "I rented one for two
years. But don't feel pressured" he added, seeing Tony's
astonished look "you can leave whenever you like. You did
real good today, Pan. I'll give you a call sometime" and he
got up and left the restaurant. Tony put the key in his
pocket and ordered himself a beer. As he sat there, sipping
his beer, looking at the people drinking and eating, a
beautiful young woman entered the restaurant. She was
wearing a pair of jeans and a black sweater over a beautiful
body, and her long brown hair fell over her eyes as she sat
down with a book in her hand and started reading. Tony
picked up his glass and approached her table.
"Hi" he said "my name is Tony. Can I buy you a drink?"
The young woman smiled at him "My name is Wendy" she said
"and I'd like a drink"
"What are you reading?" asked Tony, pointing at her book
"The Little Prince" she said "do you know it? It's a story
about a lonely boy on a long journey."
"I know all about it" answered Tony quietly.
"About the long journey or about the little boy?" asked
Wendy and chuckled.
"A little of both I guess" returned Tony "and what about
that drink?"
"I'd like a beer please" said Wendy and Tony sat himself at
her table.
"So what do you do?" he asked
"I graduated from college about a year ago. I took some
modern literature and philosophy, but I got sick of it, so I
just finished my degree as soon as possible" she said and
added after a while "I guess I was just looking for some
good time and wasn't getting enough." After a short pause
she said "I'm working in a bookstore in the city, and I live
with my mom, but I just want to have some good time and take
it easy for a few years."
Tony thought for a while and said "Listen, I know this
sounds crazy, but I just rented an apartment for two years
and I'd like you to move in with me. I mean, what fun is an
apartment for a lonely boy like me if I don't have someone
with me?"
"Well, I'll have to think about it" said Wendy slowly "why
don't we meet tonight and talk it over?"
"Here's my number and address" said Tony and added jokingly
"what time are you coming over?"
"I'll be there at 7:30" said Wendy and, looking at her
watch, exclaimed "I'm sorry, Tony, I have to run. I'll see
you tonight, ok?" and she kissed Tony on the cheek and left
the restaurant.
Tony stayed behind for a few more minutes, and after paying
for his second beer, got up and left, taking the bus back to
the hostel.
"I want to check out now" he said to the fat receptionist
"No refunds, sir!" said the woman and took the keys from
him.
"That's alright, keep the change" said Tony and left the
hostel.

Tony reached his new apartment around 4:30 that afternoon.
He opened the front door and saw a big grey leather sofa
with two matching armchairs. Walking into the kitchen he saw
it was fully equipped, even with cups and plates and tea
bags. The bedroom had a queen-size bed with wooden cabinets
on each side and a telephone on one of them. Tony opened his
backpack and put his things in the drawers. In the living
room he lit a cigarette and placed the pack on the antique
wooden table next to a big black glass ashtray. In one of
the drawers Tony found a stereo system which he turned on
and set on a radio channel of nineties music. Tony settled
on the sofa with his cigarette and listened to the radio for
a while when he heard the telephone ring.
"So? How do you like it?" Tony heard Dawn's voice from the
other end
"Dawn?"
"Didn't I tell you Mick was great? Isn't the apartment
great?" she kept on asking
"Yeah, I really like it" said Tony and added "I just hope I
won't let Mick down"
"Just do what you are told and you can't go wrong" answered
Dawn "are you coming to White Lines tonight?"
"I don't know" Tony said "I'll try to make it, ok? I'll talk
to you later."

He barely got to the kitchen to get some milk when the phone
rang again.
"Hi Tony, it's Wendy" said the voice on the other side
"Listen, I thought it over, and I would love to come live
with you"
"That's great, Wendy!" cried Tony "when are you coming
over?"
"Well, I thought maybe I'd come now" she said hesitatingly
"Yeah, sure, come on over" Tony said
"I'll be there in half an hour" she replied.
Tony took out some clothes and got into the shower, singing
some silly song to himself. After stepping out of the shower
he lied down on the bed with his hands over his eyes and
just lied there for a few minutes until he heard a knock at
the door. Wendy was standing outside. She was wearing black
jeans, a white knitted sweater and a black trench coat and
was carrying a big black duffle bag.
"Welcome home, Wendy" Tony greeted her and took her bag
"I think I'm going to like it here" Wendy answered and
kissed Tony on the cheek.
Taking off her coat, she settled on the sofa and took one of
Tony's cigarettes.
"Do you want some coffee?" Tony asked
"I'd like some tea if you have" she answered
"Sugar?"
"None, thanks"
Tony went back to the kitchen to put on the tea pot and
Wendy turned on the little lamp on the cabinet and changed
the channel on the radio to a station that was playing some
soft music. Tony returned with the tea and placed the cups
on the table. He took a cigarette and offered one to Wendy.
"Do you mind if I smoked some pot?" she asked
"Do you have enough for both of us?" he replied
"More than enough" she said and pulled from her coat pocket
a decent looking joint. They smoked the joint together until
Tony took the last drag and put it off in the ashtray. "So
what's your story?" Tony broke the silence "are you a lonely
girl or on a long journey?"
"A little of both" Wendy answered with a soft smile.
"I told you I know all about long journeys, right?" said
Tony
"Yes, you did"
"Well," Tony said "I was raised in an orphanage. My parents
died when I was a kid so I ended up in an all boys'
delinquent school"
"What's 'delinquent'?" Wendy asked
"It's boys who had problems dealing with the punches life
threw at them" Tony explained "I had many good friends at
school and lots of close friends at the orphanage. And I
always took everyone's problems upon myself, as if they were
mine. It was hard to handle but I always felt good helping
someone. The kids nicknamed me "Pan" for the story of Peter
Pan who always helped others to feel good. I was known as
Pan ever since" he finished and added after a while "I left
the orphanage because I felt I was loosing the fight with
life. So I took whatever money I had and came to London to
start again" he concluded "what about you?"
"I guess my story isn't very interesting" Wendy started "I
was raised in a very strict house. My father wasn't tolerant
to anything out of the ordinary. He didn't hit me or
anything, but he always expected the very best of me. I
always had to get the best grades at school, to be on my
best behavior at home, or anywhere we went. We were never
close, and I could never share my feelings with him. But
when I was fourteen he went through a major heart attack and
was in the Intensive Care for some time, but he made it. He
said it was as if 'heaven sent him a message' because it
made him realize how much he was missing. He changed his
life after that; he became much warmer and easier to get
along with. We could share our thoughts and feeling with
each other and our home became much warmer. Now, though, my
mother lives in the outskirts of the city with my brother,
and my father remarried and lives happily. We don't talk as
much as we used to, but I can always count on him for
support when I need it. I guess that's my story" she
finished her tea and took another joint from her pocket.
"Here's to long journeys" she lit the joint and took a drag
from it
"And to lonely girls" Tony answered
Tony took a drag from the joint she handed him, got up to
change the radio station again to the music of the nineties,
and asked Wendy if she wanted to dance. They began to dance
slowly together, holding each other tight. Tony's arms were
hugging Wendy's waist while she began to unbutton his shirt,
and he pulled off her shirt to expose her naked breasts.
They started to kiss and pulled each other down to the
floor.

Wendy woke up the next morning and quietly made her way to
the shower without waking Tony up. As she finished washing
up and dressing, she walked back to the bedroom and touched
Tony gently to wake him.
"Sorry to wake you, but I have to get to work" said Wendy
"I'm taking the key to make a duplicate and I'll be home
around 5:30" she looked at him and smiled saying "go back to
sleep, I'll see you later" and she left the apartment. Tony
slept on for a few minutes until he finally got up and
headed for the shower. He heard a telephone ring and came
out of the shower dripping, with a towel around his waist
"Is this Tony?" asked the man on the other side of the line
"Who's asking?" asked Tony suspiciously
"I'm calling on behalf of Mick Jokers" said the man
"oh, Mick? What's the problem?" asked Tony, suddenly
alarmed
"No problem" said the man casually "just calling to invite
you to an engagement at Mick's place tonight"
"Oh, sure, what time?" asked Tony
"Guests are invited for 9pm" said the man "and dress
casually"
"I'll be there" said Tony and hang up the phone. Looking
around him he added to himself "I guess I need to buy
something casual now..." He finished getting dressed, and
after drinking some milk, he left the apartment and took the
bus to the city. He went into a store and started browsing
through some clothes when the sales-lady, a red-haired woman
in her mid-twenties, approached him
"Can I help you?"
"Yes, I need something casual to wear"
"I think I know what you need" said the woman and picked up
an elegant pair of black pants and a black and white
stripped shirt. "Try these on" she gave Tony the clothes and
directed him to the changing room.
When he came out in the new clothes she gave him an
appreciative look "you look really good in these!"
"I'll take them, then" said Tony and went back to change.
He paid the woman and left the store, and walking a few
blocks away, he passed a few people who were selling clothes
on the street. He approached a fat man who was selling
leather jackets and picked up a fifties-style jacket "how
much for the jacket?" Tony asked
"One hundred and fifty pounds, sir" said the man
"How about one hundred?" offered Tony.
"You'll be robbing me blind, then, lad. How about one
forty?"
"I'll give you one hundred and thirty and we'll call it
even" said Tony
"Deal!" cried the man, and took the money Tony gave him.

Tony arrived at the apartment in the afternoon to find Wendy
unloading groceries in the kitchen. "Where were you today?"
she called out as Tony entered the kitchen.
"I have this business party to go to tonight, so I went to
buy some clothes" answered Tony.
"Whose party is it?" asked Wendy
"Mick''. He's the guy I'm working for" Tony explained and
repeated "he's throwing a party so I have to go."
"What do you do for him?" Wendy inquired
"Delivery work mostly" Tony answered "he's really generous
and he likes to be good with everyone. Why don't you come
with me?"
"I'd love to go!" Wendy exclaimed and hugged Tony.

As they got out of the taxi that night, Wendy looked around
her at the building "he lives here?" she asked "it looks
wild!"
"Wait till we get inside" Tony smiled
A waiter opened the door for them and they entered the
apartment "this is absolutely wild!" Wendy exclaimed.
"Listen, I'm going to look for Mick and tell him we're here.
I'll be right back" said Tony. Wendy nodded and walked away.
The apartment contained about twenty five people who were
dancing, drinking, smoking pot or doing cocaine. Tony went
to Mick's bedroom and knocked.
"Glad you could make it, Pan!" said Mick when he opened the
door "how did you like the apartment?"
"It's a great beginning, Hook" answered Tony "I just hope I
can make it worth your while" he added.
"Don't worry, Pan" said Mick "I told you before, you know
it, you'll be on top of the world. And when everything is
said and done - we'll be more than even."
"No, I mean it, Mick" Tony continued "I really want to help
you, anything you want done - I can do it."
"Well," Mick thought "how about going somewhere tonight, are
you up for it?"
"Sure, what do you need?" asked Tony
"I need you to teach someone a lesson" said Mick quietly
"see, about a year ago I did some business with a dealer
from the other side of the city, and some of my sources tell
me that he's been telling people that he took me for a fool"
said Mick "he also took more money than he deserved, but I
let it pass then. See, Pan" he continued "I'm a patient man,
because I know that everyone gets what they deserve in due
time. I need you to go to his business, it's a small record
store not far from the city. Go into his store with a
baseball bat and smash every album, CD or record player in
there. And don't forget to tell him "that's from Mick"
before you leave" he said angrily and looked at his watch
"he closes at 11pm, so you won't have any problem to get
there a bit earlier. Take my car, it rides better" and he
handed Tony his keys.
Tony located Wendy at the other side of the room drinking a
cocktail and talking with Dawn. "I see you two have met" he
said as he came bear them
"Where have you been hiding her, Tony?" cried Dawn as she
saw him "keeping all the fun to yourself?"
"Oh, you should know, Dawn" answered Wendy lightly "that
Tony and I like to share our fun, but we definitely have no
rules of keeping others out!"
"You should listen to her, Dawn" Tony said with a smile "she
knows what she says" and he pulled Wendy a little aside "are
you having a good time?"
"Yeah, I really like it here" she answered
"Good" Tony said "I have to go take care of some urgent
business, I'll be back later"
"What's so urgent?" Wendy asked him, alarmed
"Mick needs something done tonight" he said and added
casually "don't worry, I'll be back in no time"
"I'll be waiting" Wendy said, content. Tony kissed her on
the cheek and left. He found a baseball bat at the back seat
of Mick's black Ferrari and drives off.

Mick was doing his second line of cocaine. "So" he said
"he's nothing but a poor orphan boy. Well, it will just make
it so much sweeter" he said with a wicked smile and turned
to the bed where Wendy lied naked. She lifted her head and
kissed him.

There were a few people in the store when Tony entered it
with the baseball bat in his hand. He was still wearing the
clothes he bought earlier, with the fifties jacket on top.
He started smashing everything he could see around him while
people were running out of the store. "What the fuck is
this?" yelled the store owner as Tony continued to smash up
his store.
"That's from Mick" Tony answered and ran out of the store
and back into the car. He turned on the radio loudly, and as
he drove off he started yelling "Fucking motherfucking
shit!!!".. he got back to Mick's place in a few minutes and
saw Wendy in the corner talking with someone, and Mick
standing near the window. Mick excused himself from his
conversation and signaled Tony to a quieter part of the room
"Pan, my man" he said in a friendly manner "did you go with
the plan?"
"Yeah, I rearranged his fucking store, Hook" Tony replied
and handed him the car keys.
"Hey, did you give him the message?" asked Mick
"'That's from Mick!'" said Tony
"You did good, Pan!" called Mick "tomorrow a friend of mine
will pick you up and you'll get yourself a car, alright?"
"You're alright, Hook" said Tony in gratitude
"You've earned it, Pan" said Mick.

Next morning, as scheduled, Tony was awakened by a phone
ring "Hey Tony, let's get you a car, huh?" said the voice on
the other side.
"When are you coming?" said Tony, still dazed
"I'm already waiting downstairs" said Mick's friend "I'm in
the brown Mercedes"
"Oh, ok" said Tony "I'll be down in a minute" and he leaned
gently over Wendy
"I'm going to get a car, I'll be back later"
"What car?" Wendy asked, stunned.
"Mick is getting me a car" he explained and hurried
outside.
After twenty minutes of walking around the used-car lot,
Tony made a deal for a used Cadillac and Mick's friend paid
for it. Tony reached back the apartment at noon, and found
Wendy sitting on the sofa drinking tea "did you get a car?"
she asked.
"Yes" Tony answered happily "a 1989 Cadillac, blue with
black leather interior"
"That's great Tony" Wendy said "it looks like you're really
moving up in the world"
"And it's only the beginning" Tony replied excitedly "Mick
says in a year I'll be on top of the world"
"I quit my job today" Wendy said after a moment silence "I
just couldn't go on doing my boring little job at the
bookstore anymore. My boss said he's sorry I can't continue
and gave me an extra fifty pounds bonus to my pay check.
He's really sweet but I just couldn't work there anymore"
"That's ok" said Tony "I was going to ask you to quit
anyway" he said and sat down beside her "I mean, before we
know it, we'll be flying high. Wendy, I'm telling you, I see
a great future for us, just have a little faith in me and
some patience and everything will work out great!" and he
reached over and kissed her.

Three months later Mick was sitting on the sofa in his
apartment near the window wearing an open black shirt.
"I have to leave him, Mick" said Wendy "I don't want to be
with him anymore. The jobs you are giving him are starting
to get to his head, and it just becomes unbearable to be
with him. Please, Mick" she pleaded "let's end this charade.
It's time to move on to new things."
"Tell him you're pregnant" said Mick after a short silence
"and that it will be for the best if you moved back with
your mother. Be gentle with him but let him know you're
serious. If he's starting to give you a hard time just give
him your mother's number and tell him to call you in a few
days, and then leave."
"I love you, Mick" said Wendy and she fell down to her knees
and started to cry softly, leaning her head against Mick's
chest. Mick stroked her hair gently and quietly, with a
blank expression.

The next morning Wendy came home to find Tony lying on the
sofa and smoking a cigarette. "We need to talk, Tony" Wendy
said quietly.
"What is it now, Wendy?" Tony asked
"I've been doing a lot of thinking" said Wendy slowly "and I
think we should split up"
"What's wrong with you, Wendy?!" cried Tony and got up of
the sofa "it's just a matter of time before we hit the
mainstream!"
"Tony, I'm pregnant" Wendy said carefully "it would be best
for me and the baby to start a new life together. I need
some peace and quiet in my life again, Tony, and with the
baby on the way it's best if I left you. For good."
"Don't take drastic measures, Wendy" Tony tried to convince
her "as soon as I make my hit our lives will become quiet
again. Just have some more patience, Wendy, please."
"No Tony" she shook her head "I'm leaving and there's
nothing to discuss." She went to the bedroom and returned
after a few minutes with her bag. "Here's my mother's
number" she handed him a card "in case you want to call me
in a few days." She paused "it's been a great journey,
Tony." She left Tony lying on the sofa where he fell asleep
until the phone woke him up the next morning
"Hey, Pan, I hope you're ready to go" said Mick from the
other side "It's time for the big hit"
"What's up Hook?" Tony asked, rubbing his eyes and sitting
up on the sofa
"I want you downstairs in ten minutes, Pan." Said Mick "Now,
dont be nervous, everything will be fine and our lives will
never be the same again after today!"
Fifteen minutes later Mick pulled his black Ferrari before
Tony's apartment "we're going to an old warehouse out of the
city." Mick opened "three men will be waiting for you
inside. They will give you a briefcase with seven thousands
pounds and you will give them a briefcase with thirty pounds
of angels dust" he waited for Tony to nod his acknowledgment
and went on "now, once you take the briefcase, walk straight
outside, and don't turn your back on them. I'll be waiting
for you two blocks down. You'll come back to my place, we'll
have dinner and you'll walk home with two hundred and fifty
thousand pounds" he handed him something cold and metallic
"take this gun for your protection. I'm counting on you,
Pan!"
Tony took the gun and the briefcase, slightly shaking "I
won't let you down."

When they got to the warehouse things seem to work as
planned. Tony got inside, one hand on the gun in his jacket
pocket, the other clutching the briefcase. The lights were
turned on when he entered and the three men were standing
with another briefcase in the middle of the room. He opened
his briefcase, and so did the others, he took the briefcase
and left the warehouse. He was walking down the street when
he heard two gunshots. As he started to run away, bright
lights flashed his face and a young police officer yelled at
him "drop the fucking briefcase and put your hand up!"
Looking helplessly around him, Tony started running down the
street, but was shot in the shoulder by the policemen. He
still went on and was able to run down two more blocks, with
the police behind him, but Mick was not to be found. Tony
entered a phone booth and opened the briefcase, only to
discover a few thousand pounds. He slammed the glass of the
booth in fury and took out Wendy's number.
"Is Wendy home?" he asked as her mother picked up the phone
"She's not available right now" said the mother "who's
calling?"
"I need to talk to her" Tony said quickly "where is she?"
"She's not available" the mother repeated "who's calling,
please?"
"Put her on you stupid bitch!" Tony yelled and Wendy's
mother hangs up.
Tony took out the money from the briefcase and put it in his
jacket pocket. His shoulder was still bleeding when he left
the booth and ran down the street until he stopped a taxi
and got in, directing the driver to Mick's apartment.
"It's not a good time now, Pan" said Dawn as she opened the
door "you should come back some other time" and she tried to
close the door again, but Tony kicked the door before it
closed and pushed his way in. Mick was standing at the open
window with a drink in his hand. The young officer who
chased him at the warehouse was sitting on the sofa wearing
a white T-shirt with his hat upon his knees and smoking a
cigarette. On the left sofa sat Wendy. Mick turned to Tony
"It's not a good night, Pan, go home"
Tony took out the gun and pointed it at Mick
"Kill me, Pan, and you won't live to see tomorrow" said Mick
threateningly, but Tony already shot him in the arm, causing
him to drop his glass
"You stupid fuck!" yelled Mick furiously "get the fuck
out!"
"Fuck you, Hook" said Tony in a deadly tone and shot him in
the chest. The police officer jumped to his feet, Dawn was
screaming at the back of the room, and Wendy leaped across
the room to check Mick.
"You killed him!" she screamed "you fucking killed him!" and
she started to cry.
Tony pointed the gun to his head, his eyes bloodshot and his
face blank. A moment later he dropped the gun, and running
to the window, he jumped to his death. All Wendy could do
was to turn her head as he passed her and yell "Paaaaan!!"