TWO MONTHS BEFORE THE FIREOctober 1936

"Hey George, why aren't you at work today?" calledMichel to his neighbor.

George climbed out of his old Ford and answered"Aw Mikey they had a big lay off at the mill. I think it has to dowith all the union talk that's been goin' on lately. Any of us guysthat showed up at the meeting, strangely enough, got laid offtoday."

"Hey, I told you George. Don't associate with that tough bunchof guys. Unions will come, but you got to do it right. What're yougonna do now?"

"Well I'm not gonna work on WPA like you are. I'm gettin'too old and they work your ass off out there. There's other ways tomake money."

"Be careful George. Don't do anything you'd be sorry for."

"Don't worry I can handle myself."

George left Michel and went to his side of the duplex where helived with his wife and children, two teen age girls and one eightyear old boy. He had to break the news to his wife about the layoffnotice. His last pay check was in his pocket.

Michel went into his side of the duplex, where he lived withhis wife Stefania and two small children, Dante, five years oldand Maria, three years. To help pay his rent, he rented out thethird floor to his cousin Alfonso and his wife Gina for ten bucksa month. Every bit helped in this day and age. Stefania had justannounced that a third child would be coming in about 7 months.

Michel rolled his eyes when she told him but he knew it wasbound to happen sooner or later. They had married quite young,both were strong healthy adults and they were also Catholic. Shewas happy being a doting mother and Michel loved her very muchin that role. They had a good marriage. If only the job marketwould loosen up. He was learning carpenter work on the WPA.The pay wasn't good but the experience would be very helpful whenthings turned around.

"Hi Steffy. What's for supper?"

"Beans and potatoes, lover boy, but I was able to get a ham hockto cook with them so it should be good. Also mom gave us a freshloaf of bread that she baked today."

"Sounds good, I'm starving. Some day, I'll buy you a steak baby."

"Yeah, promises, promises that's all I get" she said smiling andgiving him a big hug and kiss.

He laughed and kissed her back.

"Hey did I see you talking to George? He's not usually homefrom the mill this early" she asked.

"Yeah, it's not good news. He got laid off today."

"Oh damn. What's he going to do?"

"I don't know. I hope he doesn't do anything foolish" he answered.

"And what did the busy little housewife do today? Anyexcitement?" he queried.

"Well I had coffee at Aunt Rose's with mom and Gina. Whilewe were having our coffee that sleaze bag Guido stopped to seeif we wanted to play the numbers. Aunt Rose played her housenumber, 509, for a dime and mom boxed 511 for a nickel. I toldhim I was broke. Gina gave him an earful when he gave her theeye. Ol' Gina doesn't take any guff from anyone. She doesn't care ifhe is in the mob."

Michel laughed "Guido's just a gofer for the mob. He thinkshe's a big bad guy but he shakes in his boots when some of the realmob guys are around."

"Yeah, but that kind of idiot is dangerous, when he thinks he'sgot the upper hand. Always trying to prove himself to the big boys"she said as she shuddered "I don't trust him and he gives me thecreeps"

"Don't worry honey, he knows better than to bother you."

The cool fall days passed quickly. Michel's old high schoolteam, Sharon South, was playing for the city championship. Hisbrothers, cousins and he were all going to the game tonight andcheer them on. Michel was a big star for the team back in his highschool days.

The four of them hopped in Michel's Model A and took off forthe game.

Stefania yelled out as they were leaving "Don't get into anytrouble you guys. I know how wild you get at those games."

"Don't worry honey. South is going to murder them tonight."

It was a good game and South did win but not by much. Theboys were all in a good mood as they were leaving the stadium.

"Hey Mikey" came a call from the crowd.

Michel turned around and saw it was his neighbor George.George was smiling and seemed very happy. He was with somevery tough looking men.

"Good news Mikey. I got myself a job."

"Hey that's great George. Where ya workin'?"

"Well Guido's movin' over to Youngstown. He'll be collectingfrom the runners and I'm takin' over his south side route."

Michel stared at George and glanced at his friends. He slowlysaid "Oh, that's good George. That's good. See ya around I gottago."

He quickly joined his brother and cousins and hurried to hiscar.

Nico said "Geez Mikey did I hear right? Is George going to bea numbers runner? That doesn't sound right to me."

"Not good, Nico. Not good. I didn't want to say anything withthose toughs around but I'll talk to George tomorrow. My theory isto live and let live with the mob. You can't antagonize them but youshouldn't make deals with them either."

When they got home and Michel went into his house, Stefaniagreeted him. She said "Hi honey. Did South win the game?""Yeah they won. It was a good game."

"Then why are you lookin' so down cast? Somethin' elsewrong?"

"Yeah.... kinda. I saw George at the game and he was withsome toughs from the Youngstown mob. He's gonna be a numbersrunner for them."

"Well honey, they need the money and I heard from Biancathat they get paid on a commission. Maybe it will only be untilthey get back on their feet."

"You already heard?" Michel asked.

"Yeah, Bianca's girlfriend told her. That kind of news travelsfast" she said.

"Well I don't mind playing a number once in a while. Everyonedoes but that's as close as I want to be. Let's go to bed."

THANKSGIVING DAY1936

Michel and his family spent Thanksgiving with the restof the Gianini family at his mom and dad's housewhich was on the other side of the duplex from AuntRose. The two Gianini brothers, Giuseppe and Enrico, had boughtthe duplex after moving from a small town near Philadelphiawhere, they had originally settled after immigration from Italy.

As with many in those times, they moved to the "Rust Belt"and worked in the steel mills, so prevalent in that area. Michel'sdad, Giuseppe, left the mill and was doing well as an insuranceman.

Michel and Stefania had moved in with his folks when theymarried and planned to stay until they could afford to rent on theirown. These were depression days and work was hard to find. Aftertwo children were born they just had to find a place. When the westhalf of the duplex next door became available, Michel felt that theycould just barely afford it on his WPA wages, so they moved. It wasgreat because they were still close enough that Michel's mom couldhelp Steffy with the kids and Michel could pick up a few bucksdoing odd jobs in the neighborhood. He was quickly becoming agood carpenter.

Michel's other brother, Giuseppe Gianini Jr., they called himJoe, started making plans to open a bar downtown in the basementof an old building. He wanted to name it "The Cavern NightClub". He would pattern it after a German rathskeller that he hadfrequented during Prohibition. He had the place rented, and hadbeen working on fixing it up for months. He told Michel that hecould earn some extra money tending bar there if he wanted to.

But Joe was having one very large problem. His request for aliquor license was being held up and he didn't know why. He couldopen in a few weeks if he could get the license. This was his dreamand he and Bianca had been saving every penny they could bothearn ever since the end of Prohibition in 1933. Joe had worked ata speakeasy when booze was still illegal, so he knew how to run anight club.

He told his story of woe to his brothers, Michel and Nico, thatThanksgiving night. Neither brother had an answer for him.

The next day, Friday, was a no work day so Stefania sent Michelto Abraham's Grocery on Taylor Street to pick up a few groceries.He was walking back home with Dante in tow a few steps behindhim when a police patrol car pulled up next to him.

A gruff voice called out through an open window on thepassenger side "Hey Gianini, com'ere."

Michel stopped and turned towards the car. With narrowedeyes he said "Yeah, Delaney, what's the problem?"

In a loud retort "It's Lieutenant Delaney, wise guy."

"Okay ... Lieutenant Delaney.... now ... what's yourproblem?"

"The problem ... is with your stupid brother Joe. He's got acrazy idea that he can open a bar in this town without goingthrough proper channels. Tell him to see me tonight at 8:00 atRomeo's Ristorante. He knows what to bring and he better be thereif he knows what's good for him."

"Yeah, yeah I'll tell him. He also got a visit from the "protectionboys". Seems like, everyone wants a piece of the action."

"Don't get smart with me Mikey. You've managed to keep yournose clean so far, so I'll overlook that last remark, but things canchange very fast if you get too smart. Just remember that."

Michel sighed.

"Okay" he said "I'll pass the word."

The Lieutenant pulled his arm back inside the car, nodded hishead and the patrol car sped off with a squeal of rubber left on theroad.

Dante looked up at his dad with big, frightened eyes and said"Daddy, who was that mean man? I don't like him."

"Don't worry little guy. He won't hurt you. He just thinks he'stough."

"Yeah but you're tougher" said the little boy looking upadoringly at his hero. He reached up and took his dad's hand andthey both turned and walked away.

After they got home and Dante went next door to play with hisbuddy Sonny, Michel asked Nico if he knew if Joe was working atthe Club today.

Nico said "Yeah he was but Pop said that he's on his way overto line up some insurance on the place."

"Good, I've got to talk to him about the other kind ofinsurance."

"Wadda ya mean, Mikey? Pop's the insurance man."

"Nico you're a little too naïve yet. In this town you've got tocut in the mob and the cops both. They work in cahoots with eachother. Joe's gotta see Delaney tonight if he wants to get that liquorlicense."

"Oh yeah, now I see what you mean. I hope Joe can open hisplace. He promised that I could help clean up the place and maybewait on a few tables. I'm broke as hell. I just met a nice girl and I'dlike to take her to a movie or something."

"It could be good for all of us Nico, especially with people dyingto go to clubs now that prohibition is over.... Oh good I see Joepulling in now."

Soon the dapper middle brother walked in the kitchen door. Allthree brothers were good looking but Joe patterned himself afterRudolf Valentino. He was a real ladies man but Bianca kept himwell in tow since she hooked him. That didn't keep all the ladiesfrom swooning over him when Bianca wasn't around. But Joe knewwhen he had a good thing and he just laughed it off. Bianca was agood looker too and she had been known to stand up for her man.Woe to the babe that got in her way if she thought someone hadtheir sights on Joe.

"Hey Joe, we gotta talk" said Michel.

"Sure thing big brother, what's on your mind?" answered Joe.

"That Irish mick Delaney stopped me on South Street todayand said you gotta see him. I think it's about the license."

"Yeah I know. I had to raise the cash first but I got it now.Where's he want to meet?"

"Where'd you get the dough? Nothin' foolish I hope."

"Don't worry. It's legal. I got a big commission on a new accountfor the towel company. I've had it coming for a while but they wereholding it back until the first delivery. I raised hell with them."

"Well I hope you didn't piss them off too much. You still needthe job until the place gets rolling."

"Naw. They know I'm the best salesman they got. I told ya,don't worry, I'm safe. Where's the jerk want to meet?"

"Where else? ... Romeo's. He's in their back pocket as deep asyou can get. He said eight o'clock."

"Okay, I'll handle it. Where's Pop? I gotta get some legitinsurance too, the real kind, not the street kind."

"He's waitin' for you at his desk in the house. I think he's got apolicy lined up for you for the joint." Michel said.

"Okay. Talk to ya later. I'll let you know how I make out withDelaney. I know he wants his cut before I get the license, pluswhatever kinda crap he might enlighten me on." Joe said.

As Joe walked away, Michel slowly shook his head andmurmured to himself "Boy I sure hope Joe's not gettin' in too deep."

He went inside to spend this off day from work with his wifeand little girl.

As he entered Steffy said "Hey I thought Danny was with you."

"He was but he went next door to play with Sonny. Dannyreally looks up to that kid. He's a good boy and even though he'sonly a couple of years older, he watches over Danny."

"Yeah, the whole family is nice. I sure hope George is okay withthis new thing he's doing."

"It's not good Steffy. I hope it's only temporary but once youhook up with those guys, it's hard to break away."

That back door flew open and an energy filled 5 year old boyburst into the kitchen "Hi mommy ... hi daddy" he said in a voicethat came out of a little mouth sandwiched between two brightrosy red cheeks.

"Hey, hey little guy, slow down.... what's the big hurry?"Michel asked.

"Well when I was playing jacks with Sonny, Mr. Edward askedif you were at home and I said yes and he said he wanted to talk toyou so he's coming over" out came this torrent of words without apause.

"Okay, okay. Is he coming now?"

"Yeah, I think so. He was putting on his coat, Daddy why doesMr. Edward have two first names George and Edward?"

Michel chuckled "Well Danny, Mr. Edward's mommy anddaddy came from a country far, far away called Lebanon. Whenthey came to America on a ship they stopped at a place called EllisIsland to ask if they could live here. When the man said they couldhe asked their last name and since the man couldn't understand theunfamiliar name spoken in a foreign language he said I'll just writedown Edward and that will be your American name. That's kindof the way they did it with all the people from countries like Syriaand Lebanon. That's why the man at the store on Taylor Street iscalled Mr. Abraham. Do you understand?"

"Yeah.... kinda.... I'm going back and play with Sonny" as heran out the door "Hi Mr. Edward. Come on in, my daddy's home."

A laughing George Edward stood in the doorway "Man,wouldn't it be great to have all that energy?"

"Come on in George" said Michel as he too chuckled.

George entered and said "I just wanted to ask about Joe, Mikey.Is he having a tough time getting a liquor license for the newplace?"

"Well yeah. You know the usual ones have their hands out, boththe cops and the mob. Strange how they both have the connectionsto determine a government deal" Michel answered.

"It's a sign of the times Mikey, a sign of the times. Everybodydoes what he can to make a buck. Hey maybe I can help push italong. My brother Johnny is in from Philly and he has someconnections down in Harrisburg. Want me to ask?"

"Yeah.... Sure it won't hurt and maybe Joe can get the placeopen one of these days."

"Okay, I'll see him tonight and see what he says. See ya later."

"See ya George and send my little guy home. It's time forlunch."

"Okay Mikey.... Will do."

Joe Jr. went into his mom and dad's house through the backdoor and into the kitchen.

"Hi Mom" he said as he saw his mother at the open oven doorputting in loaves of bread for the evening meal.

She turned around "Joey! Come here for a hug. I don't get tosee you so much anymore, since you've become such a busy man."

She grabbed him and kissed him several times.

"I miss you too mom but I gotta keep going if I'm gonna makeit big.... some day."

"I know. I know. You wanna see Pop?"

"Yeah, I gotta get a policy going before I can get the license.Just seems like there's a million things to do."

"Go see Pop. He's at his desk and then before you go, I gotsome sauce you can take home to Bianca. Maybe she can use it forsome pasta tonight."

"Thanks Mom. You still make the best sauce in town. See yalater."

He walked up the stairs to the second floor where his dad didhis insurance work.

"Hi Pop. Did you work something out for me?"

"Yeah Joey, I got an application ready to send in to the companybut I've already talked to them and its okay. How do you want topay the premium, monthly, quarterly or annual?"

"Better make it monthly for now, Pop. I've got a few otherexpenses to pay and I'm not sure how much it will be."

"Yeah I heard you've got to see that mick Delaney. Well that'sthe price of doing business here."

"Here's the cash for the first month. After I get going maybe Ican do better Pop."