Thanks for Nothing
By Roaldus Richmond, first published in Story Magazine
A gang of mobsters runs a risky errand for their boss. After they botch an attempt to one-up their biggest rival, the men begin to turn against each other.
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Plot Summary
Chick and Jigger work for Grescha, a mobster who runs rackets in their small town. His biggest rival is Halloran. One evening, Chick and Jigger report meager earnings from Grescha’s slot machines. The boss is enraged, and he’s sure that Halloran has something to do with it. He needs money to send his daughters to college, and he won’t let Halloran stand in his way. He instructs the men to raid Halloran’s competing slot machines. Chick and Jigger meet their co-workers outside the office. The men tease Jigger about his relationship with Ann, Greshca’s oldest daughter. Her father has no idea, and Jigger wants to keep it that way. The duo heads for Halloran’s territory with Redeye and Dilly, two of their colleagues. They use a stolen badge to pose as police and confiscate the slot machines from stores and bars. Then, they break them open outside and leave with the money. The men get into a good rhythm, swigging gin and brandishing their guns when patrons see through the fake badge. As it looks like the money’s drying up, Jigger suggests they hit Horton’s, which is Halloran’s hangout. He’s up for a challenge, and the others are too. Sure enough, the place is crawling with their rival’s goons. Halloran crudely jokes about Jigger and Ann’s relationship, which has been written about in a local gossip column. This leads to a shootout, and Jigger kills Kicker Kane, one of Halloran’s men. Redeye is shot in the leg, and the men rush him to the shady doctor who’s always willing to treat their wounds. Jigger brings the money back to Grascha, who sends along hefty paychecks for all four men. They go to a hotel for the night. In the morning, Jigger gets a call from Ann and goes to see her at their apartment. Chick and Dilly wake later in the day and head to Grascha’s office. Shockingly, the others tell them that Jigger is dead. Halloran spilled Jigger's secret as payback for Kane’s death, and Grashca killed him. Distraught, Chick and Dilly leave some money with the injured Redeye and flee the town. On the bus, they overhear two men talking about their luck on the slot machines.
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