In the Beginning, There Were Only Three

The prelude

 

Go ahead and build it up again;
This city's just cemeteries and;
Forgotten men…

 Alonzo sat down on the steps leading down from his apartment to the canal behind his house, perching his head gently on his fist.  A sigh escaped his lips and shut his eyes briefly, inhaling the smell of salt water mixed with smoke. “Alonzo, are you out here?” He opened one eye and glanced up into the darkness, trying to focus on the figure moving slowly, clumsily toward him. “Alonzo...” the figure uttered a curse word as he almost went face-first into the railing.

      “I’m here.” Alonzo replied, leaning sideways and pulling out a crumpled back of Newport cigarettes. He slid his finger into the opening and pulled out two and the lighter before shoving them back into his pocket. “What did you need?” He placed the butt of the death stick into his mouth, shaking the lighter before switch it on and holding it to the tip to light it. He inhaled, making it glow a bright red.

      The figure sat down beside him and flicked on a flashlight, smiling needles at him. The once hidden figure was no one other than Louis, “I’ve come to suck your blood.” he mocked Dracula and laughed.

      Alonzo scowled and exhaled smoke through his nose, “That’s not funny, we need to start building.” He stood hesitantly and descended further down the steps, pausing to look back at Louis, “Come on, let’s walk and talk.” Louis stood, placing the light on the steps as he walked. The pair walked in silence until they reached the lawn at the bottom of the steps.

“What do you mean…build, ‘Lonzo?”       

Alonzo sat down on the concrete that lined the canals edge, taking a drag from his cigarette as he rolled his pants legs up and removed his socks. He exhaled the smoke and looked down at the watching his reflection before dipping his feet in. “I want an empire…I want the world.” he mumbled, moving the cigarette away from his lips with his left hand and patted the spot beside him. Louis sat Indian-style, with his legs folded and looked at Alonzo, waiting for him to go on. “I arranged a meeting for tomorrow, you, Analize, and I will have to look our best, of course. I took the liberty of buying you something. It’s in the closet. His name is…” Alonzo took a drag and exhaled slowly while he thought of the name, “Andres Ramos. The meeting is tomorrow at nine. We will meet him at Delano’s. Now, you go up to the house, call Analize and inform here she needs to be here at seven tomorrow, for briefing. Then you catch a shower and go to bed. Okay?”

Louis placed his hand lightly on Alonzo’s shoulder and stood, smiling, “What about you?”

“I’m on my way up.” he smirked, taking another drive.