Vincent spends a few pleasant days making arrangements for his office. He delights in the minutiae of setting up phone lines, recording a message for his answering machine, ordering monogrammed stationery, and deciding what name he should put on his business cards and office door.
He’s busy in other ways as well, soliciting work from nearby lawyers on LaSalle Street and checking in with other agencies for freelance assignments—in short, spreading the word that he’s open for business. After reviewing his finances, he considers hiring a secretary. He’s sure he’ll love the auditioning process. But first, he’ll need some more cash. He calls his mother at the salon.
“Ma, I need to borrow back the money you’re holding for Papa Tony. I will pay it back the minute I can, but I need it for operating expenses right now.”
“I’ll have it for you this evening, honey.”
He smiles as he puts down his phone. He regards the door to his outer office with satisfaction. A sign painter came in the morning to stencil “SCALISE INVESTIGATIONS” on it. He thinks about who else he should contact to drum up business, and Shoes pops into his head. So, he drives back to the Neighborhood, parks in front of the barber shop, and walks in.
He finds Shoes, wearing python boots, berating an employee. So, what else is new? Shoes spots Vincent and gestures for him to wait in the alley. Vincent walks out and sees Papa Tony on the sidewalk outside the grocery store. He nods to the old man. Tony says nothing and goes back into the store.
Moments later Shoes comes out and delivers a hearty handshake to Vincent.
“Congratulations, Vincent,” he says. “So, you’re in business now, huh?”
“I am.”
“Good. Meet me here tomorrow afternoon, and we’ll take a drive. We have some things that need taking care of. I’ll tell you on the way.”
Shoes then goes back inside. Vincent hears him yelling the moment the door closes.
We? Vincent thinks, as he walks down the alley to the grocery store. Vincent relates the conversation to Papa Tony, who just sits in silence, rubbing his forehead with a handkerchief.
“Do what he asks,” is all Papa Tony says.
Vincent walks to the register and kisses Rina. She asks about Paulie, as usual.
“We talked last night. He’s doing really well. You should be proud. Don’t worry, I didn’t say anything to Papa. But trust me, this will all work out in the end.”
He studies her as they exchange more pleasantries. Vincent finds it immensely difficult not to ask about her health. She seems herself, he thinks. He cannot detect any signs of illness. But Vincent is no doctor.
After dinner with his mother, Vincent ventures out. He meets up with Mikey and Angelo and is surprised to see Alphonse with them.
“Hey, Alphonse, how are you buddy?”
“I’m doing great, Vincent. Thanks again to all of you for helping out.”
“We’ve been talking this over,” Mikey says, getting down to business. “Even though we’ve worked together before, we have never declared ourselves a crew. Now with Alphonse back, we should go on record with Johnny V, don’t you think?”
But Vincent is doubtful.
“You guys need to leave Alphonse alone while he’s on parole,” he says. “Alphonse, you do not want to go back, trust me.”
“I need to earn, Vincent,” Alphonse replies. “And if we’re careful, like we’ve always been, there’s no need to worry.”
At this, Vincent’s eyebrow raises.
“Look what happened last time,” Vincent says, thinking about Angelo and Mikey. Neither one of them has been pinched, and he wants to keep it that way. “I don’t see why you can’t just lay low for a while. Let me check with Johnny V and see if we can get you a city job. Of course, you will never have to show up, but you’ll get a paycheck.”
“If something comes up, I want in,” Alphonse says.
“There’s something else,” Vincent says. “Now that I have my private detective’s ticket, I need to get my business established. I’ll probably involve you guys from time to time, but first things first. The three of you need to understand that this is what I want—and not a bunch of scores.”
Angelo and Mikey grumble a bit, but all of them nod their heads in agreement.
“That’s settled then. Alphonse, I will get on that job for you next week. I want to stay away from Johnny V for a few days.”
“Sure thing, Vincent. Thanks again!” says a grateful-sounding Alphonse.
“Okay, I’m off to see Valerie,” he says, leaving his crew for the evening.
He waits on Valerie’s stoop for about fifteen minutes before he spots her coming back from work.
“What’s up, handsome? You here to take me to dinner?” she asks, all smiles and hope in her eyes.
“Sure, and I have some things to tell you.”
“What is it?” she replies, suddenly suspicious.
“Ha! Don’t worry sweetheart. Nothing bad.”
“Okay. Let me just change into something pretty.”
“That’s my girl.”
They walk up to the apartment. When they reach the door, Valerie starts undressing and then invites Vincent to join her, unloosening his belt for him. She tugs at his buckle and leads him to her bed. It’s quick and furious—they haven’t seen each other in a while.
“Whew, Val,” Vincent says, pushing her off of him. “Are you trying to kill me?”
Valerie punches him in the arm and goes into the bathroom. She steps into the shower, starts to run the hot water, then soon calls out to Vincent from behind the curtain, “Are you coming?” Vincent can’t say no to an invitation like that. After another round, they towel off, get dressed, and head out for dinner.
“I’ve got most of the office set up, Val,” Vincent says during the drive. “I think I’ll need a secretary. Maybe one of your girlfriends would like the job, someone who you could trust.”
“Why not me?” she asks, defiantly.
“Because I’m just getting started, sweetheart,” he replies, “and I can’t afford you yet. I want you to keep your medical insurance. Once I get rolling, I’ll need you for other things.”
She smiles.
“Anything you want, boss man.”
“Yeah, those things,” he grins, “but business things, too. Once I start making money, we can move up.”
After dinner, they catch a movie. Then Vincent drops her off and drives home.
His mother is watching TV but shuts it off when she hears Vincent’s car pull up. She goes to her bedroom and then returns holding an envelope full of cash—six grand. She hands it to Vincent as he walks in, kisses him goodnight, and then closes the bedroom door behind her.