treythegentleman

When he heard the street door creaking, Garfield opened the bottom drawer of his desk, the one with a colt. Expecting a “visiter”, he was suprised to see Marlon open the door of his office. “Hey, Marlon,” he said, closing the drawer, “What brings ya down?”

“I … I’m sorry to do this to ya Garf. I just didn’t no where else to go. My pockets are bleeding dry.” Marlon started.

“Forget it. Ya know I always got cha. How much you need?”

“Just enough for a ticket, a train ticket. I gotta get outta here. It’s …” he stammered.

“I said ‘forget it,’ A ticket runs about ten nowadays right?” Garfield’s reply was a slight, nod. “Okay, I’ll give you two hundred.” Waving away the protests, he continued “No, no. I look out for my friends.” Garfield handed him the bills.

“Thanks… thanks Garfield. I just… I can’t stay here anymore. It’s … I’m afraid…” Marlon trailed off. “I know she was a fuckin’ floozy broad… I hope she sucks the old coot dry.” He waited another few beats then continued. “I’m afraid that when she takes all his dough or his wife hears, she’ll come back to me. She probably will. No, no- Who am I kidding? She will. But that’s not what I’m afraid of. I’m not afraid of that broad… I’m afraid of myself. Do you know what I mean? No, of course you don’t. You were always good with people. You never let anyone push you - or me - around.” Again silence. “I’ll be a fuckin’ idiot again and let her come back. I’ll blame my fuckin’ self for her leaving. I’ll … I’ll play the damn, fucking fool again.” He had lost his timidness now. Each sentence accented by a fist on the desk. Seeing the shock in Garfield’s eyes, he quieted down. “I can’t… I can’t do that again. I just … can’t. I can’t.”

“I didn’t know she played you that hard… If you want I can arrange something…” Garfield always repaid debts. Even bad debts. Even the debts of his friends.

“No, don’t. That’s the way she survives. It’s not her fault. That’s just how she was born- to rob us suckers blind. Don’t give Greek the contract. It’s not her fault… It’s their fault. They… they didn’t warn me.” Marlon noticed he was crumpling his hat and relaxed his grip.

“They? Who’s-“

“Every-damn-one.” Marlon interrupted,”They told me how pretty she was. They told me to take her dancing. They told me to take her home… But not a single one of them told me how she robbed…” - his pride almost didn’t let him say it - “fools- fools like me. But now. After they find out that she took all my dough. They decide to tell me the stories. The stories of how she always does this. How everyone that dances with her ends up broke. How she runs with the money.” Realizing he was gritting his teeth, he relaxed. “I’m sorry Garfield. I’ve taken too much of your time. Thanks for the money.” He turned to leave.

“Anytime. I can count on you so you can count on me. I’ll miss having you running the routes. You always helped. When you get where you’re going, call me. I’ll talk to some people in the area and make sure your comfortable… g’bye Marlon. Ima miss ya buddy.”

“Bye Garf. Thanks again. When I get settled, I’ll repay you.” He said opening the door.

“No, don’t. I got cha. Don’t worry about a thing.” Garfield replied to a closing door.

Garfield felt bad for him. He knew how she played him; they had told him after. He knew how those broads worked and if he knew Marlon was running with her he would have talked to him. And maybe sent Greek to pay her a visit. He sat there thinking for a bit. Then he dialed a number on the phone. “Hey Greek…”

Garfield always repaid debts. Even bad debts. Even the debts of his friends.