Chapter: 1 The Sable
It's a rainy, cool, windy night in Vancin, Utah, and we're closing in on a large black 5 story building. There, we see only a light on on the fourth floor. A figure inside with a large black hat is sitting at a red wood colored desk. As we peep closer inside, we see that the figure is a brown male Sable wearing a rather large black German greatcoat. Then there is the sound of someone knocking at the door.
[The Sable]
Ja, ja, come in.
(A small gray Mouse in a brown trenchcoat walks in.)
[The Mouse]
Ah.. hello Ludwig, sorry to bother you, but I have been told to come see you about these papers.
[Ludwig] *looks angered*
These are der papers for der oil shipment for last week! Why are you just now giving them to me?
[The Mouse] *gulps*
Ah.... ah the boss told me that the mail was late getting here. They had some problems getting here because of the Rafurs.
[Ludwig] *jumps up out of his chair*
What! Der Rafurs Operation ist still here! I thought we took care of them last month!
[The Mouse]
Well, they only sent a few of their group out in that fight, and many others where still safe at their hideout.
[Ludwig] *sighs and sits back down*
I wish we had won, we lost a few gut men in that fight. I'll remember Stanley, und Raymond, und Author. They where such gut men for this lowlife job we have. I don't know what ever got me into this job. We all know that Thorne would shoot anyone that tries to escape this deal. He's a gut man in business, but he ist hard to deal with. I've known him for some time, but I never would think that he'd get me into something like this.
[The Mouse]
But what's the problem, you've been working with him for five years now. That was back in 1923, you have to have gotten use to his ways by now.
[Ludwig]
Not really, I can't seem to get over der fact that he ist wanted by just about everyone out there. Everywhere you go you see wanted posters saying, "Thorne Al La Rosa, Wanted For Smuggling Oil Into The State. Award $132,000.00" Why und what made him go into this kind of work?
[The Mouse]
Maybe he was having a hard life living here and you just didn't know about it.
[Ludwig]
Come on Rick! He lives in der state of Utah, he's rich, what better life can he get!?
[Rick]
Beats me, but I have to go now. I really need to deliver this letter to Murray before he gets angry at me for delivering his letters late too.
[Ludwig]
Hum.... Murray huh. Tell you what.
(Ludwig reaches across his desk, picks up a letter, and then hands it to Rick)
[Ludwig]
Give this letter to Murray und tell him that I said danke for letting me borrow eleven dollars from him today.
[Rick] *grins*
Tell him you said danke?
[Ludwig] *looks inpatient*
You know what I mean.
(Rick walks out the door laughing, and gently closes it. Ludwig looks out his window and sighs at the sight. He thinks and remembers all of the things he's seen, and will never see again. A tear ran down Ludwig's face from his left eye as if it was one of the rain drops that runs down the other side of his window. Ludwig sighs again and walks back over to his chair. He rest his head on his chair, and falls asleep two minutes later.
Meanwhile, in a small apartment seven blocks away. There is a young beautiful purple and white Skunk getting ready to go on a night on the town. She combs her fur with her little brush and turns off all the lights in her apartment. She opens her door and sticks out a purple umbrella to protect her from the rain, and puts a large purple white and pink hat on. She then walks out, and closes the door behind her and locks it. As she steps out into the night, she walks over to a corner on the end of her street, and stops there. A light golden Fox in a black trenchcoat then walks from around the corner and stops right next to the Skunk.
[The Fox] *grins*
Good evening Miss, and how are you on this fine rainy night?
[The Skunk]
Ah don't talk to strangerz.
[The Fox]
Ah, a French dame. Well, Madam, I will not be a stranger if you get to know me better.
[The Skunk] *starts to look annoyed*
Misur, ah do not want zee in my life. Please leave!
(The Fox puts on a crossed face and grabs the Skunk by the right arm.)
[The Skunk]
Let me go vou animal! HELP MWA! HELP!
[The Fox] *covers the Skunk's mouth*
Don't waste your breath, no ones going to hear you. Now be like a good dame and come home with me.
Fortunately, someone did hear the Skunk's cries for help. A window opens and mid size figure jumps out und runs over to the side of the street where the Skunk and Fox are. As the figure got closer, it appeared to be a black male Sable wearing a gray trenchcoat. As he runs over to them, he not only scares off the Fox, but the Skunk as well.
[The Sable]
Hey, wait! I'm not going to hurt you! Hold on!
(The Skunk then stops and turns around.)
[The Skunk] *gasping for breath*
Who... are vou?
[The Sable] *catching breath as well*
My name... is... Abel, what's yours?
[The Skunk]
My name ezz Fifi.
[Abel]
Ah.., Are you ok?
[Fifi]
Wee, thanks to vou!
[Abel] *smiles*
Well,... I hate to complain, but..... I don't have an umbrella. And getting wet is not one of my favorite things, so.... ah...
[Fifi] *smiles back*
Vou can use my umbrella if vou would like.
(Abel gets under the umbrella with Fifi)
[Abel]
Thank you. Want me to walk you home?
[Fifi]
No, ah am going to le jazz club.
[Abel]
Oh, I've never been to a jazz club before.
[Fifi] *giggles*
Ah don't think that carnivores are allowed.
[Abel]
Why?
[Fifi]
The club thinks that vou carnivores like to start trouble and fight a lot.
[Abel]
I don't do any of that stuff. You see how I saved you from that Fox. Don't you trust me?
[Fifi] *giggles*
Vou are cute, but ah don't think that will help vou much in le club.
(Fifi gives Abel a light kiss on his muzzle.)
[Fifi]
Bye now.
Abel looks at Fifi as she slowly walks away from him, not even caring about getting wet. Once Fifi got to the next corner, she waved her hand out and yelled.
[Fifi]
Taxi!
A black taxi car then turns out of the street, and stops next to Fifi. After Fifi had opened the door and got half way in the taxi, she turns and looks at Abel. She gives him a little wink gets and gets the other half of her in the taxi and closes the door.
[Fifi]
Driver, take me to le jazz club on 22nd Street.
The driver screeched his tires taking off leaving Abel in the cold rainy night. As Abel watches the taxi drive by, he waves good-bye. Once the taxi cab was no longer in site, Abel quickly walks back to his small apartment.
Once he got home, he unlocks his front door with his key, slowly walks inside and closes the door behind him. During the next 2 hours, Abel could only think about Fifi. Mainly wondering why this is the first time he has seen her. He has been living on 12th Street for six years now, and just can't seem to understand why he hasn't seen her before.
Abel slowly gets up and walks to his table in his kitchen. He stops and looks at a few old family pictures on the table. He looks at pictures of his mother, father, and one older brother. They had moved to Arizona in 1925 after the Rafurs Operation had devastated their street. The Rafurs had shot and killed many of those living on 12th Street, and 23rd Street. Abel's parents then wanted to move away, but he did not. He had many friends in these areas and did not want to leave them behind. His parents decided to leave two days later because of another threat of attacks on the streets. They did not want to leave, but they knew how stubborn Abel was, so it was no use in persuading him to leave. About three months later, another attack came on the streets. This time, even all of Abel's friends left. For years now he has been living alone living off a low paying job at a bar. He never has enough money to buy anything that cost over $30.00. So he has no car, and no nice cloths to wear but his favorite gray trenchcoat his mother made for him before she left. He barley has enough food to eat, and works very hard to keep him self alive. Still, his lonely life is what makes him so depressed at most times. He has tried to contact his family, but his mail never seems to get through. He wants to leave the town, but there's nothing but miles of dessert north, east, south, and west of Vancin.
Even with all the troubles in his life, Abel makes do with it and lives the only life he can. Abel walks slowly out of his kitchen, turns off the light and walks over to his bedroom. He takes off his trenchcoat and slowly gets into his medium size wooden bed. After a few minutes of constant thinking, he falls asleep.
-
Meanwhile, back at the five story building. Ludwig is awake and just now finishing up on his daily work and is about to go home. He puts everything that's on his desk in his desk drawer, gets up and walks to his front door. He opens it and walks out, then closes the door and locks it behind him. He walks down the stairs to the first floor and out the main door. He stops on the edge of the street and looks up.
[Ludwig]
Hum... it's stopped raining. Maybe I can just walk home.
Ludwig turns to the left and walks in his neighborhood's direction. As he walks, he sees the many sewer drones releasing their steam into the air. Ludwig makes a left at the corner of a street named "17th Street". He slows down as he walks down this dark alley. He lifts his coat over his muzzle and puts his hands in his pockets. One hand in his left pocket and the other in a pocket inside his greatcoat. As he walks through, he keeps a suspicious eye at the windows above him. As he walks he crosses many corners and streets until he reaches "14th Street. He crosses over to the left and walks down the street on the left side. He walks all the way down until he stops at the doors of a large brown brick building. He slowly turns the knob, and walks inside. Once inside, Ludwig slowly walks up the stairs to the 14th floor. He then reaches into his right pocket and pulls out a shiny silver key and unlocks his room door. He opens the door and walks inside and sees a Chinchilla on the floor.
[Ludwig]
Murray! Get off my floor!
(The brown and gray chinchilla wearing a black turtle neck T-shirt and thin square shaped black colored glasses slowly wakes up from his slumber.)
[Murray]
Aawaa... Um.. *snifes* *hic* Hum... Ludwig is that you..? *hic*
[Ludwig]
Isn't that just like you, always getting your self drunk und coming over here to take a nap. Why don't you go to your own place when you need sleep?
[Murray]
Ahh... *snifes* come here to keep an eye on you to make sure your not in trouble *hecups*
[Ludwig]
Well, I can see that you were doing an excellent job of that.
[Murray]
*hic* I do my best.
[Ludwig]
I really don't need a body guard Murray.
[Murray]
What! Of course you need me! I'm the best body guard around! *hic* I was the body guard for that Jeff Iysbly remember?
[Ludwig]
Yeah, und Jeff Iysbly ist dead. He got shot while you where in a corner drinking.
[Murray]
*hic* Hey, It happened when I was on my break!
[Ludwig] *rolls eyes*
Come on Murray, I need my sleep. Take a highk!
[Murray]
All right, all right I'll go! If you need me I'll be *hic* at my place.
[Ludwig]
Good Night Murray.
[Murray]
Good Night *hic*
Murray gets up off the floor and walks druckly to the door. As soon as Murray was on the other side Ludwig slowly closes and locks it. Ludwig takes off his coat off and gets into his large wooden bed, leaving his coat on the floor. He instantly falls asleep for the second time.
-
Thursday morning the day is clear and windy. Ludwig is just getting ready to go to work when he hears a knock on his front door. As he approaches the door slowly, he can recognize the knocking. He unlocks the door and goes back to what he was doing.
[Ludwig]
Come on in Murray.
[Murray]
Hey Ludwig! How did you know it was me?
[Ludwig]
Easy, I see you everyday, I know your voice, I know your smell, I even know your shadow. Tell me Murray, has there just be one day, just one day that I didn't see you at least once?
[Murray]
Hum... nope.
[Ludwig]
You see, your around me too much!
[Murray]
Yeah, but I'm your best friend. So of course I'm around you.
[Ludwig]
You are, since when?
[Murray]
I don't know, but I wouldn't have given you eleven dollars yesterday if you were not. I also got the letter yesterday from Rick.
[Ludwig]
Ah, great then you've been danked.
[Murray]
Yup. Now let's go, we need to get to work. You know how the boss gets when we're late.
[Ludwig]
Ja, don't remind me.
(Ludwig puts on his hat as they both walk out the door. Ludwig closes the door and locks it on his way out.)
[Murray]
Hum... I see you locked your door. Why don't you lock your doors more often?
[Ludwig]
I don't know, SOMEONE always seems to unlock it when I'm gone!
[Murray]
Hey, that's why the Boss hired me. I have a specialty in unlocking doors with my claws.
[Ludwig]
Hum... no wonder everyone stays away from you. Your a pest!
[Murray]
That hurt Lud.
[Ludwig]
Ahhh... Sorry Murray. I know you're just doing your job, und I'm sure that everyone else knows it too. Just... don't over use your talent okay?
[Murray]
K.
Once they had walked down stairs and then outside the front doors, they walk the same route that Ludwig took when he was going to his apartment last night. Once they had arrived to the building, Ludwig walks in first, followed by Murray. Once inside, Ludwig takes the left stairs to the forth floor and goes in his office while Murray takes the right stairs to the fifth floor to his. Once both of them were inside with their doors closed, a loud voice came and fills the air.
[The Voice]
Ludwig!
Ludwig jumps out of his chair and runs over to where the voice was coming from. He runs over to a rather large steel door, stops and taks a deep breath and pushes the door open. Inside, a mid size brown mouse wearing large round shaped black colored glasses with a white suit on is looking at Ludwig with a deeply crossed face.
[Ludwig]
Ja?
[The Voice]
Where have you been?
[Ludwig]
No where, I just got here.
[The Voice]
Well, you're two minutes late! And where's that good for nothing Murray?
[Ludwig]
He's here.
(The mouse calls on a small microphone for Murray.)
[The Voice]
Murray! In my office, NOW!
(Murray falls behind the doors, opening them, and landing in the office.
[The Voice]
How did you get here so fast?
[Murray]
I was... ah.... listening from behind the doors.
(The Mouse then points to one of the black squares on the floor near him.)
[The Voice]
Anyway, get over here and stand right there!
(Murray runs over to the spot the mouse wanted him to stand.)
[The Voice]
All right, now, why have you two been late for the past week? All I ask is that Murray comes to get you in the morning, and then you both walk back here, see.
[Ludwig]
Well, I for think that being only two minutes late should not be something to blow a gasket over.
[The Voice] *frowns*
I'm the boss around here! And whatever I say goes, see? And if I say I want you two here on time, I mean on time!
[Murray]
Yes sir Mr. Rosa!
[Rosa]
That's Al La Rosa!
[Murray]
Sorry.
[Al La Rosa]
And Ludwig, I am also known to you as Al La Rosa, do you not understand?
[Ludwig]
Look Thorne, I don't have to call you that, Icthought that we were gut friends. Why all of a sudden are you threatening me like one of your backup men?
[Thorne]
That's because you're too soft, I can't trust you anymore like I used to.
[Ludwig]
Why Not?
[Thorne]
Because... Let's say that someone is torturing you to give out secret information, would you tell them?
[Ludwig]
No.
[Thorne]
Even if they threaten to kill you, would you tell?
[Ludwig]
Not even.
[Thorne]
Hum.... Maybe I misjudged you. You still may have a little Sable aggression in you. Plus your from Germany, you have to be aggressive deep down inside of you. All you German Sables have it, it's in your blood.
[Ludwig]
Heh.
[Murray]
Well, if I'm not in this conversation, I guess I'll be leaving...
[Thorne]
Oh no you don't! Your not going anywhere until you tell me why your not only late, but not in your uniform as well?
[Murray] *looks down*
Ah! I'm not! I guess I'd better go back and get it.
[Thorne]
Never! I don't need you walking in the streets with a suspicious look on your face.
[Murray]
What suspicious look?
[Thorne]
Murray, I see that you're a little drunk this time, and whenever your are, you have a suspicious look on your face.
[Murray]
Te hee, I never noticed.
[Thorne]
Get out Murray!
[Murray]
Ok, ok, I'm leaving.
(Murray slowly walks out as the doors close automatically behind him.)
[Thorne]
Well Ludwig, it's just you and me.
[Ludwig]
Joy.
[Thorne]
So Ludwig, tell me why you think that I have not been a good friend to you lately?
[Ludwig]
You have been ordering me around und you have threatened to shoot me if I leave der...
[Thorne]
Wait wait! Hold on there. I have never said that I would shoot you!
[Ludwig]
Of course you did! When Albert said he was leaving the gang you threatened to shoot me if I went with him.
[Thorne]
It worked see! He didn't leave.
[Ludwig]
But that's not der point. Just der fact that you even said such a thing ist madding!
[Thorne]
Ludwig look, now I know that I have not been like myself lately, but! I will get our friendship back on track, see. Just don't rush it. Now I've known you since I was seventeen, and I don't plan on having that end anytime soon see. Now just go on and get back in your office.
[Ludwig] *sighs*
Fine Throne, whatever you say.
[Thorne]
That's La Al R...
[Ludwig]
I know, I know. That's Al La Rosa to you.
[Thorne]
Nah see, ya got it!
Ludwig walks out the doors as close behind him. Once he was back in his office he did his usual work throughout the day.
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