America's King of Poetry

Chapter 16 Conditions that cannot be refused

The ship re-entered New York Harbor, and the Statue of Liberty reappeared in front of Arthur.At night, the light on the pedestal illuminates the body of the statue with a shining blue light.When it was first given to the United States by France, it was a beautiful bronze color, and it was a bronze statue.After that, the bronze statue was constantly blown by the sea breeze, and had chemical reactions with various substances. Over time, it became the current turquoise color.

This sculpture is one of the most famous symbols in the United States, symbolizing the country of freedom, but freedom, like the bronze statue, will change color if it mixes with various things and reacts too much.

Arthur has been sitting on the bow of the boat smoking, the burning cigarette butts flickering in the dark, like the neon lights flickering in the city.The Marlboro cigarette case in his pocket was already deflated. It was knocked from Schmidt by Arthur, and it was almost exhausted in less than a day.Arthur is not a smoker, but some emotions need smoke to dissolve.

The sea breeze was blowing on his face, Arthur recalled what had happened in the past two days, and noticed some changes in himself.

When he first crossed over, all he could think about was "Gou Quan's life in troubled times", but after three days passed, he felt that he was "Gou Rixin, day by day, and day by day", with new surprises every day.After forming a "link" with Russell, he shoots in the Carlow High School gym, an event Arthur never imagined he'd be shooting at.It is not so easy for a person who has never touched a gun to fire the first shot.

Established a "link" with Abramo today. When Russell killed Casey, Arthur didn't fluctuate in his heart, and he even wanted to eat roast chicken.After that, Montoro was thrown into the sea, and it was Arthur who kicked him down.Skilled like a qualified gang boss, he is extremely vicious and cruel in front of interests.Arthur was not like this in the past. He had always had a good impression of Montolo, otherwise he wouldn't remember that cake so clearly.

There is no doubt that something about Russell and Abramow, along with Link, influenced Arthur.

Arthur was soberly aware of this, he smoked all the way, thought all the way, when the boat docked and returned to East River Park, Arthur flicked off the cigarette butt at his fingertips, threw away the cigarette case, and the box of Marlboro was exhausted.

He was the first to jump ashore and ran all the way to the bronze eagle statue in Battery Park. Seeing no one around, he unzipped his trousers and urinated under the statue.

Russell and Montoro parked the boat, followed by Arthur who had just peed and lifted his pants.

"Be careful Arthur, if you are seen by the police, you will be fined and you will be in trouble." Russell reminded Arthur that New York is quite strict about defecation and defecation.But there are very few public toilets in this huge city, and the situation in a small number of public toilets is even more terrifying, allowing you to experience what a mountain of shit is like.As a result, many tourists and people can only pay a tip to go to the toilet in the business, or simply pull it in their crotch.

Arthur looked around, straightened his underwear, patted Russell on the shoulder, and said, "Why so serious?"

After speaking, Arthur laughed and walked away, and the two followed him to the parking lot to get in the car and drove to Tony Luciano's apartment in Long Island.

……

Russell sat in the front seat of the car and knew the way from Manhattan to Long Island.

It is more than eight o'clock in the evening, driving through the Brooklyn Bridge, heading east on Highway 495 on the Brooklyn elevated, and an hour's drive to Nassau County, Long Island.That's where the rich in New York live.

On Long Island, which is 190 kilometers long from east to west, about one-fifth of the west side is New York’s Brooklyn and Queens boroughs, where more than 500 million poor and ordinary people live; four-fifths of the land on the east side belongs to Nassau and Suffolk counties in New York State, which is the Garden of Eden for more than 200 million middle-class and wealthy people.Wall Street's financial elite, Broadway's well-known actors, Madison Square Garden's front-row guests, as well as large and small wealthy businessmen, congressmen, and leaders of underground gangs live on this peninsula surrounded by the sea on three sides, densely covered with forests, with a pleasant climate and mansions everywhere.

When Arthur was a child, before his father Luther had an accident, he also lived here.In a detached villa with two floors, four bedrooms, a garden and a swimming pool.After his father passed away, the villa had to pay high maintenance fees and real estate taxes, and his mother could not afford such a large expenditure, so she sold the villa at a low price.

Ten years ago, Tony, who took over the family, bought the villa, refurbished it and lived in it.Every Christmas, Tony invites Arthur to come to his house to celebrate. Every time Arthur goes, there is a sense of sadness that "the master has become a guest".And since his mother passed away, he has never been to his former home.

Arthur sat in the back row with Montolo, watching the changing scenery outside the window, gradually changing from row upon row of concrete forests to rural fields surrounded by green trees.It was supposed to be a beautiful and pleasant scene, but it was covered with a sense of gloom under the shroud of pale moonlight at night.

Montoro said nothing, he dared not speak.Until now, he still doesn't understand why Russell, who has always been loyal to Tony, rebelled and turned to Arthur, a young boy.He guessed that there should be other people behind him who instructed that Arthur was just a pawn.But along the way, he observed Arthur, and found that this kid was completely different from before. He had a deep demeanor, and there was a terrifying explosive power hidden in the silence.

The fierce way he kicked himself into the water on the boat before was quite similar to Luther back then. Luther would do anything to collect money.

Montolo's eyes were rolling, his expression was cloudy and uncertain, but he didn't escape Arthur's eyes.Arthur seemed to be looking out of the window, but actually observed Montolo through the reflection of the glass window, knowing that this guy was weighing the pros and cons, and estimated the current situation.And Arthur just didn't open his mouth, and didn't give Montolo a chance to test him. He had to wait until Montolo couldn't bear it.

Russell turned on the stereo and played Led Zepplin's "Babe I'm Gonna Leave You". The beautiful guitar sound and the lead singer's sharp and psychedelic vocals formed a wonderful combination, but Montolo was upset.

"Hey Russell, can you turn off the music?" Montoro was still talking to Russell as usual, as if nothing happened on the boat an hour ago, and the punch didn't hit him on the jaw, which almost dislocated his jaw.

Russell didn't respond and continued driving.Montolo began to get irritable, and the music was not an enjoyment but a distraction for him at this time.What's more, he didn't like to listen to Led Zeppelin at all, what the hell was this noisy rock music crying about.

Arthur saw Montolo's restlessness, and waved his hand as a signal. Russell saw the gesture in the rearview mirror and turned off the stereo.

Montolo finally couldn't bear it anymore, and said, "Arthur, do you remember, when you were young, me, your father Luther, and Tony together, we took you to the playground?"

Arthur could hear that Montolo wanted to play the family card, to get close to him, to soften himself, and then to communicate slowly, so that he could dispel the idea of ​​killing Tony.To be honest, letting Montolo kill Tony with his own hands must have been mentally unprepared for him.He was going to kill Arthur, but now it was a bit sudden for him to turn his gun.He just drank two sips of water on the boat, let alone killing Tony, he would agree to kill his own mother.

After calming down, Montolo felt that there was still room for turning around, and killing Tony would be too disadvantageous for him.Although he has a relationship with Luther, after all Luther is dead, and he has followed Tony for more than ten years to build his current career.If Tony died, the variables would be too great.He is almost 50 years old, he has passed the years of blood licking, he has no ambitions, he just wants to retire safely, and don't be shot to death and lay dead on the street.

He hoped that Arthur was just impulsive and could persuade him. As for how to deal with it later, it was not something Montoro had to consider. He just wanted to escape tonight's disaster.

But Montolo didn't know that Arthur guessed his mind thoroughly. This has nothing to do with Russell and Abramo. Arthur is an old fritters.

Therefore, he didn't give Montoro a chance to get close, and shook his head directly: "I don't remember, I was still young at that time."

Arthur actually remembered that Luther took himself to the playground, and by the way, met with other gang members who brought their children to the playground to sell smuggled and stolen goods.When he was a child, he didn't know it at all. When he grew up, his mother told him and warned him not to do illegal things in the future.

Arthur is quite obedient, but he has more girlfriends, and he has never done anything illegal until now.

Montolo was cut off and couldn't continue, not knowing what to say.Seeing his embarrassment, Arthur smiled, approached him and put his arms around his shoulders. The two leaned close together, and said, "Uncle Montoro, if you kill Tony with your own hands, the family business will of course be handed over to you. Just like Tony killed my father back then, the kingslayer will always ascend to the throne."

Hearing Arthur's words, Montolo's eyes finally stopped rolling. He didn't expect Arthur to propose such a tempting condition.Didn't he do all this because he wanted to be the boss of the family?If what Arthur said was true, then this condition really moved his heart.

Russell is Tony's right-hand man, but he is not involved in the specific affairs of the family, and neither is Casey.Montoro is the real power faction of the family, the head of the three horns.If Tony died, he was indeed the most qualified to be directly promoted to the boss.Tony's health has always been good, there is no sign of abdication, and there is no plan to cultivate an heir.

Montolo followed the Luciano brothers all his life, and never wanted to usher in a chance to replace them.

After intimidating, Arthur lured and offered Montolo an undeniable condition.

Montoro was finally moved, but he was still not sure, and said, "So, can you tell me why? If you don't want to inherit your father's position, why did you do this?"

Arthur thought to himself, your question is simply farting, even if I don't want to inherit the position of the boss, should I be killed by Tony?Or run away?I have a house, a car, a job, and a beautiful little girlfriend in New York. Why should I run away?Why not fight back?

But he still explained: "First, Tony wants to kill me; second, I want to avenge my father; third, my mother told me not to do illegal things; fourth, I just want to be a cook. Are you satisfied with this explanation?"

How could Montolo say he was dissatisfied? He held Arthur's left hand tightly and said, "I swear in the name of my mother that I will be loyal to the Luciano family and you, no matter where I sit."

Arthur smiled, picked his face with his right hand, and said, "Then should you call me Godfather?"

Without any hesitation, Montolo raised Arthur's left hand and kissed gently, saying, "Yes, Godfather."

(End of this chapter)