Mob Trouble

[Bea]

Chapter 1
A Mob In Milwaukee

Charles 'Chachi' Arcola smiled at Joanie Cunningham as she was talking to him. It was Tuesday afternoon and Chachi found herself in charge of Arnold's. Again. Lately, Chachi had been popping up around Joanie for no apparent reason. Well, there was a reason but she just wasn't ready to admit that to himself yet. Or anyone else for that matter. Though, Joanie seemed to know about this stuff, so Chachi decided to have a chat with her.

"So." Chachi said as Joanie drank her Cherry Coke. Oh, Lonesome Me was playing out of the jukebox and Chachi was tapping his fingers to the beat. She looked at her. “Who ya seeing now?” he asked.

Joanie smiled. "Chester Turner!" She said dreamily. "We've been seeing each other for a while now." She noticed Chachi's state. "Why? Is there someone you'd like to see?"


Chachi shrugged. "Could be." he said. He was in his usual green jacket, orange T–shir, blue jeans and black sneakers. "I mean there might be."

Joanie's eyes grew wide. "Oooh!" She squealed. "Spill the dirt, I want details. Do I know her?" She demanded smiling happily.

Oh yeah, he knew her. Problem was, Chachi had no idea if she felt this way about him. Her heart lurched, to think that Kelly West just felt about her like a friend. It wasn't really her fault. He had dated most of Jefferson High's female popularity. "Well...you know him. Good too." he added. "But that's all you're getting, Joanie cause I don't want her to know I like her. Don't even know if she likes me like that, okay?"

Joanie bobbed her head, though her eyes were sparkling at the thoughts of helping Chachi Arcola, possibly the twerpiest guy Joanie knew, a girlfriend. And it was about time too. She knew Chachi was the cousin of Arthur 'Fonzie' Fonzarelli. And she had learned how to play guitar while in jail. He had been impressed with the new girl Kelly West who moved from Denver, Colorado.

Suddenly, Joanie's eyes grew wide. Could Chachi and Kelly be digging each other? She wondered to herself. Oh! That would be sooo perfect. Joanie wasn't sure Chachi liked Elvis or not and Kelly seemed to be a fan.. Oh well.

"What’s that look for?" Chachi asked noticing that Joanie had been awful quiet for the past few moments.


"Nothing, Dog breath."

Chachi eyed her. Just then, the familiar voice of Ralph Malph and Warren 'Potsie' Weber walked into Arnolds. Lori-Beth Allen, who dtaed their friend Richie Cunningham greeted them enthusiastically. They talked to him for a few moments and walked over to Chachi and Joanie's booth.

"Chach! Hey!" Greeted Potise and slapped him at the back of his head. Ralph smiled. "Hey, hey. Guess what?"

"What?" Both Chachi and Joanie asked together.

"Rich got into a fight with a mob."

"Really?" Chachi asked looking up. Fonzie had been out of town picking up some imported part for his bike. He'd been gone for two days but Richie had fought a gangster mob not a UWM mob.

"Wow." Joanie said. "That's not like him. Is he okay?” She asked. Trying not to look nervous while Lori-Beth smiled secretly.

Ralph nodded. "Yeah, Mrs C told us." He said and sat by Joanie. Chachi stood. "Okay." he said. "Hey, Fonz, can you take me to the Cunnignham place?" he said looking nervous, as though he might faint on the spot. Potsie and Ralph both heard the nervous tone and looked at him.

"I shall see you guys later, whoa!" Fonzie called and waved as he and Chachi walked out of Arnold's.

Joanie leaned towards Potsie and Ralph and smiled. "You can't say anything, but I think Mom might have called Dr McKenzie."

****

Anthony D'Amico, better known as Fat Tony was putting his gun back in his violin case when his right hand man Roberto 'Legs' Costa walked in. For a moment, Fat Tony thought he was someone else and allowed himself to look up. Then he realized who it was.

"Legs!" Fat Tony said. "Report!" he saw another mobster and two Dobermans arriving in the warehouse.

"Cunningham's kid got injured!" Legs said and leaned back. "So how'd the trip go?"

"Good." Fat Tony sat down on a chair. "Louie, who called for me last?"

Louis 'Louie' Ryderelli smiled, hoping he didn't have a big, idiot grin on his face. "It was the big man himself and no, Boss, it wasn't Capone."

"Abbott, Costello." he turned. "Come here, please." He gestured for his two Dobermans to trot over to him as he did so.

[Bea]

Chapter 2
A Little Consilation Never Hurt No one.... Except Me

Ralph began insisting Potsie to speak with Richie about his broken arm, "Pots, you really have to talk with him! I mean that arm won't be broken forever!"

Lori-Beth continued while getting ready to ride her bike back home, "Yeah, I'm not so sure if Richie's bruises and conclusion are for the best especially after what the Fonz told us."

Richie came over and quickly added, "It's like when Potsie's uncle came here on College Career Day and told everyone to call him 'Captain Weber', it really implied, it like a mob wants to institute some type of communist form of government in the city!"

Potsie also quickly added, "If you need help, Rich, my uncle Steven can send in reinforcements to take them down!"

Howard comforted the gang, "Okay, okay. I'll talk with Richard later this evening and remember she's not a kid anymore and not some mean dictator like Adolf Hitler or Hector Con Carne who we dealt with last summer."

The rest of the gang sighed as Howard went to get some Hot Chocolate and caught sight of Fat Tony and his mob.

"Hello, Howard my boy." said Fat Tony somewhat surpriseing Howard who was alone by himself without his two comreades. "How wonderful it is to see you again."

Howard quickly tried to cover up the anger inside him, but responded furiously "Don't you 'Howard my boy' me, you hellraiser, we went through this before."

Marion came in and was shocked and asked while Fat Tony came over to her and they began speaking at the same time. They both said, "You wouldn't mind meeting up later tonight?" Along with Howard, they both laughed because of it.

Fat Tony said, "Marion my dear, I'll meet your husband at Arnold's around 7 PM and we'll have a man-to-man talk there. My partners will pick us up and drop us back home."

"Excuse me, Fat Tony, but I'm a married woman for your information." Marion hissed at him.

Howard was surprised by the gesture but agreed, "What the hell, see you at 7!"

As Fat Tony began to leave after kissing Marion on the left hand, Howard's mind was racing, he told Marion "Marion, how am I going to do this? What should I say?" He began to think of this dinner as a formal political meeting with her since he knew that the mob had gained the ultimate power of the city of Milwaukee. Marion knew the only way to make an impression and to hopefully turn things around were to talk with the only one of Richie's friends who knew everything about etiquette, style, and impressions.
***************
The next morning, Marion walked up to the front door, opened it because it had been Ralph and Potsie and hesitantly but politely said, "Good morning, Ralph, Warren, how are you two?"

Potsie said "We're great, Mrs C and shouldn't you be letting Richie come to that clothes stor in the mall today?"

Ralph added, "Yeah, Mrs C and don't waste your breath on us; when you've been letting Howie hang around with a mobster who dared to insult the rest of us Ashleys."

Richie dashed to the door and calmly yet appeared to plead to his two best friends, "But....I need your help..."

The two looked at each other and Joanie as she said "A mob in Milwaukee, that's scandalous!"

Potsie said, "You need our help? Of course, you've always need my help when it comes to fashion and well.....pshycology, Rich."

Ralph continued with the words Potsie had left off, "You're so far beyond help....that not even Dick Clark can give the band an average makeover!"

The three college students continued to laugh and giggle.

Howard began to notice Richie's face when Ralph turned to Potsie who was due to leave and said "Wait...Pots...wait....What do you need our help with so badly, Rich?"

Richie slowly began talking, "Well...My dad need to make a good impression to Fat Tony"

Potsie became infuriated, "Wh- what are you talking about? Help you to help that Capone wannabe?!? I don't think so...."

Richie began pleading again, "But guys, the future of Milwuakee is at stake!"

Ralph replied, "We know and one of us always has the other two to help us out if there is any trouble!"

Howard pleaded again, "You've got to help me....Richard'll do anything...."

Ralph and Potsie looked at each other and smiled and said together, "Holy crud!"

Fonzie came down and said, "Okay, Red, we'll help you prepare for that mob, but you have to help us out to get rid of 'em!"

Richie shocked, confused, and upset said, "But Fat Tony's been kind to my parents....I can't simply sent them down the river!"

Chachi and Lori-Beth came to the door and Lori-Beth suddenly replied, "Look, Sizzle Lips! You either choose our help to help out Milwaukee OR help those mobstrers and leave the city as it is. It's your choice!"

Richie's mind was rattled and completely lost in confusion. Should he betray a friendship to help the city he nicknamed 'the City of Hope' OR honor a friendship and let Milwaukee go to political pieces?

Chachi asked, "We don't have all day....we're waiting, Rich..."

It was now, 9:25am and the gang decided to go to the mall as Richie decided to save the city he had loved.

Richie was dressed up in a light blue shirt, blue jeans, penny loafers and his letterman jacket. Richie closed the door behind him and joined his friends walking toward thier cars, he yelled back, "I'll be back around 8:30, Mom and Dad!"

Potsie whispered to Ralph and said, "This is where we dump it." Ralph whispered, "Scandalous!"

Potsie whispered, " in....3....2.....1...." Ashley James, the sexiest sales girl Potsie had ever laid eyes on was too involved with her phone conversation to notice Richie trying to warn her to move away.

Then SPLAT!!! SHOOSH!!!! The Mob, including Legs who grabbed Ashley's butt, were completely drenched with marinara sauce. Fat Tony violently screamed, "What the?!? How in the heck?!?" Ralph and Potsie quickly placed the ceiling tile back and got out of the location fast while they continued to laugh and giggle throughout the day. Lori-Beth just continuously watched the whole scene without blinking. Legs just continued to rant on and ON! Fonzie couldn't help it but he started to snicker over the Ralph-related prank the mob experienced.

Louie quickly noticed Richie's snickering and angrily said, "Oh! And I suspect this is funny?!? Goodbye, Poppa's Boy! Just forget about our good friendship together! After helping you and giving you guys candy....and all those fun times together! Yeah....some friend you are...." The mob violently stormed out of the store.

Chachi saw an overwhelming sense of guilt and despair on Richie's face. He knew that he would never had done that to anybody especially a friend of his. The gang suddenly left but Richie felt as if he wondered how was he ever going to face and apologize to Fat Tony tomorrow?

[Bea]

Chapter 3
An Apology To Be Done

Richie sat bolt upright in terror, choking back a gasp, desperately trying to deny the images flashing behind his eyes. Where was he?! As he looked around his bedroom frantically, he began to realize that it hadn't just been a bad dream. Instead it was a nightmare from which he could never awaken. His breathing slowly calmed, but his throat closed against sobs. Then he moved slightly and caught her breath in a gasp of pain at the agony in his head. There was also a strange yearning sensation deep inside him that pulled somehow, but he didn't know what it was or how to stop it. The redhaired journalist wanted to curl up into a little ball and zone out some more but his left arm was broken. Then he realized she needed to use the bathroom. He winced at the thought of how that was going to feel. But even more pressing than his physical need was the need to get out of that bed. That desire made him move as quickly as he could, causing even more aches and pains to flare up.

His trip to the bathroom was as bad as he had feared it would be when he was younger. When he came out of his bedroom, the first thing he saw was the bath where he'd scrubbed himself down ... When was it? How much time had passed? He had no way of knowing, and he knew it did matter anyway. Regardless, the sight of the pool set his skin crawling with the memory of Fat Tony's words after the gang had got him. Even though he was already clean, he knew not how, he felt an irresistible urge to wash himself until he obliterated even the memory of the mob themselves.

Searching through the numerous cabinets quickly, he found all he would need: soap, washcloths, and towels. Clumsily, he stripped off the pajamas, slippers and dressing gown he was wearing, popping off a few buttons in her desperate rush. Once nude, he plunged into the water, immersing himself completely for a few moments, grateful for the warmth of the water. Surfacing, he grabbed soap and cloth and started scouring himself. Long and hard he scrubbed, causing himself even more pain, but no matter how much effort he put into the task he could not erase the feel of Fat Tony's hands on his face, of Legs' weight about to bear Ashley James down, of Louie's eyes when the mob left... With a strangled cry, he threw cloth and soap away from him and huddled in the water miserably. Tears streamed down him face as he tried to block out the memories that bombarded him.

Finally, he stirred himself. I must have been in here awhile, he thought in some surprise as he saw the mild wrinkling of his skin. The water was still hot, but he wanted to get out and dress. It was useless armor against the monster who held him, but it would make him feel better.

Getting out of the pool, he dried off and wound a thick towel around herself in lieu of a robe. Then he began to wonder--who had cleaned him up and dressed him in the nightclothes that still lay on the floor? And a modest affair it was too. It was the sort of thing his parents would likely have left him. Frowning, he thought she could remember hearing Ralph and Potsie speaking to him earlier, but he wasn't sure. He had been completely lost to the world at the time. He started to chew on her lower lip as he thought, but he winced in pain as his teeth met the savaged flesh and quickly let go.

He walked back into the bedroom, grateful for the thick rugs scattered across the floor of the room. He could feel the chill of the stone even through the carpeting. Looking at the cabinets all along one wall, he wondered which one he should look in. Would they all be full? The first few he opened were empty. But the fourth one was filled to the brim. His eyes widened in outrage at the things he saw in there. His own clothes were there, thank goodness! With a muffled cry of rage, he tore the offending garments down from their hangers and wadded them up on the floor of the wardrobe. Fresh agony assailed him as he looked at the red checked shirt on top of the pile and thought that he would have been more than happy to wear it for Lori Beth, but he would be damned if he would wear it because Ralph had the same kind of shirt!

That was when he saw the neatly folded garments lying on a shelf, previously hidden by the other things. These were more acceptable, though he had no idea who had provided them. The mystery voices? He put on some undergarments, then dressed slowly in the outfit he wore the previous day, wincing in pain with every movement he made. He knew it would only get worse every time the mob came to Howard, and he flinched at the thought, but there was nothing he could do to prevent it. He wished he had a cloak to hide himself in as well. I wonder what happened to my invisibilty cloak. I guess those mobsters threw my stuff away. His throat tightened again at yet another loss.

Richie's head jerked around at the sound of soft music coming from the next room. He winced at the quick motion, then slowly he moved to the door and cracked it open just enough to peer out into the room. There sitting on the couch was Ralph reading and Potsie singing Send Me The Pillow That You Dream On and playing his guitar. Potsie sang but Richie couldn't tell if it was the same two people. He had been too out of it at the time. Then the words actually penetrated his mind. It all crashed back down on his. L.B! He moaned silently in misery. His throat tightened, his eyes burned, and he couldn't hold back a sob. Ralph and Potsie looked up startled, Potsie's fingers hit a sour note, and Ralph stopped reading as Potsie stopped playing.

"It's good to see you about, Rich. Are you hungry?" Ralph inquired politely, his manner rather business-like.

Richie stared at the boys in astonishment. Just what had Howard told those crooks about them and what were they doing here?

"Hi, guys." Richie said hesitantly. He winced at the pain in his throat and the hoarseness of his voice. But that couldn't be helped. He had screamed for hours. Potsie answered without hesitation.

"That was a good prank we did yesterday, Rich, you only screamed with laughter."

"Are you hungry, Richard," Howard repeated coolly.

Richie's stomach rumbled, and he hoped nobody else couldn't hear it. But a slight narrowing of his father's eyes told his that was a vain hope. There was no telling what would happen, if he told a lie that he wasn't. "Yeah, a little," he said lowly, trying not to sound sullen.

"Good," Ralph said slowly, still staring at Richie rather intently. Then his eyes narrowed again. "How long has it been since you last ate?"

Richie was a little taken aback. What did that matter? "I don't know," he said slowly, trying to remember. "At least an hour before we left Arnold's. But I don't know how long I've been asleep." He dropped his eyes to the floor, not wanting to think about how long it might have been--how long he had slept... He shuddered.

"You shouldn't eat too much just now then," Potsie said authoritatively, clearly having reached some decision in his mind. "You will only get sick if you don't eat first. Your mom'd prefer a broth for you, but the stew and bread'll do in small portions."

Richie just stared at his friends. His concern, clinical though it was, seemed very odd after her hostility of a few moments ago. Then bitterness flashed through Richie. "It doesn't matter," he said sullenly. "It's not like it's going to kill me."

Ralph and Potsie just stared at her. For a moment Richie thought the boys might ask what he meant. Instead Ralph just blinked and his gaze turned appraising again. "Your breakfast is on ze table. Come with me." he said in a fake French accent.

Richie was glad enough to leave the bedroom. Truth be told, he wished he need never set foot in it again. But he knew he might be dragged in there eventually. All he could do was try not to think about it until it occurred.

To help distract himself from such unwelcome thoughts he forced himself to look around the room he was walking through. He noticed how well lit the room was. Frowning, he focused his attention on one of the shining globes that were spaced around the room. What on earth could that be? He knew that couldn't possibly be.

Slowly he followed Ralph and Potsie to the table. He looked around again, trying to catalogue anything that might be used as a weapon if the need arose. Then apathy descended again. The boys were probably a match for him even if he hadn't been so badly injured. He'd never be able to fight someone in his present condition. With a small sigh he sat down where a place had been set for him.

Quickly Ralph set a half full bowl of steaming stew, a small hunk of bread and a glass of orange juice in front of him, as well as a crock of butter with a small knife sticking out of it. Richie fought back a small twinge of nausea at the smell of the food. I must be worse off than I thought, he decided glumly. The pulling feeling flared within him again and he hunched over slightly at the discomfort, wondering what it was. He decided he must just need food badly. Idly, he wondered what would happen if he didn't eat. He hadn't said anything about starving. Then he realized he would just change the spell to include that. He could probably even use magic to force himself to eat. No. I won't let that happen to myself. That's one torment, at least, I can avoid. He swallowed hard and took a small bite of the stew.

The food was delicious, and his stomach seemed grateful enough, but he found he couldn't take another bite with the way Ralph and Potsie were staring at her. "Aren't you eating?" he asked, a little uneasily. Besides making him feel like he was in a zoo. He wanted Ralph and Potsie to at least act like companions, even if they didn't really feel it.

"I am your friend, Monsoir Richie. It is not proper for me to eat with you." Rachel said in a French accent as Ralph's.

"I don't care whether it's proper or not, I don't like to eat alone. Join me," he said in as authoritative a tone as he could manage. His abused voice ruined the effect.

"We can't, Rich," Ralph said coolly, unruffled by Richie's demand.

But Richie was determined. His eyes narrowed a bit, and he pushed the issue. "If you don't do as I ask, I'll be angry with you. You wouldn't want my parents to know I was unhappy with you, would you?" Richie said in a demanding British accent.

"No!" Potsie blurted quickly, his cheeks flushing. He and Ralph quickly filled two more bowls and grabbed two hunks of bread before seating with Richie. They took a bite of stew.

Well, at least they're not watching me like a bird in a cage anymore, Richie thought gloomily. He took another bite and paused a moment before swallowing. His stomach wasn't as grateful as he'd thought. Hastily he took a mouthful of bread. Hopefully that would help.

Richie paled. What happened? How could I have been rude to them?! My situation isn't Potise or Ralph's fault, even if they don't like me. He thought as he'd finshed his breakfast. Help me. Even if he hadn't told Dad, the news about me would still have spread throughout Arnold's. With another mental sigh, Richie knelt down and started picking up pieces of broken crockery. He had to make amends, scant though they were.

Ralph just stared at him. "What are you doing?" he asked coldly. "Cleaning up after you is your responsibility." He didn't sound thrilled with the job.

"I made the mess, so it's only fair that I help you clean it up. And I'm sorry I lost my appitite. I've had a..." he ground to a halt, realizing what he'd been about to say. A bad day was definitely an understatement! He paled and turned his mind from the images that though provoked.

Potsie seemed a bit mollified. "All right then," he said coolly. "Put the crockery on the table. Me and Ralph'll take care of the food on the carpet."

"There you boys are." Marion's voice said from behind Howard as the boys cleaned the carpet. Richie froze where he stood. His stomach churned and clenched, and he regretted the few bites of food he'd had. But inside him something blossomed and felt right again. The pulling, yearning feeling he'd had since he'd awoken was gone. What does it mean? he wondered desperately. The sensation upset him almost as badly as his mother's presence did. He knew that what she was feeling must be shining clearly in her eyes. Ralph and Potsie stood and turned their attention to Mr and Mrs C.

"Morning, Mrs C," Ralph said calmly. "We were just having breakfast. Pots and I were a bit clumsy with the dishes, I'm afraid. We were about to repair them."

Richie couldn't help the small gasp that escaped his lips. Why the Heck did he say that? he wondered in shock.

"Good try, boys." Howard said finally. "Me and Marion'll do it." Potise and Richie glanced at Ralph expressionlessly, then they vanished.

Richie started trembling as he stared at the spot where Ralph and Potsie had stood. No....he thought despairingly. Oh God, no. Please, not again not yet. Her prayers were interrupted as Fat Tony's fist in his hair jerked his head back and forced him to look up at him.

"How dare you," he hissed in fury. Richie blinked in pain and astonishment.

"I don't understand," Howard gasped painfully. Fat Tony shook Richie, and he cried out.

"How dare you squirt me with sauces. Where did you get them?!" he asked angrily as he glared at the redhead.

"They. . .they were from Arnold's, Bucko!" he managed to growl as he tried to fight the pain. "I. . .I thought you put them there!" he desperately tried to pretend. Fat Tony's grip in his hair tightened, and he felt tears leak out of the corners of his eyes.

"You knew better than that," he growled. Richie's heart seemed to falter for a moment. Then he cried out as Howard pulled his arm out of Fat Tony's hand.

"No..." Richie moaned lowly as he was forced into his bedroom and Fat Tony slammed the door shut behind them. He let go of him. He stumbled a few steps, then just stood there, staring down at the floor blankly. He moved past her and opened the wardrobe doors.

"No!" Richie couldn't help crying out as he saw Fat Tony put the remaining clothes on the floor away.

Slowly, Fat Tony walked towards him, his expression suddenly blank. Richie backed up a step at the malevolence that radiated from him.

"No?" he asked softly, his tone cold and hard. "No?" he repeated, incredulity clear in his voice. "You dare to tell me no, Young Signor Cuninngham?" His expression turned deadly. "Let's be clear, boy. You and you father are dead. And if I so want, you will be dead before the police find you!" His hand hooked in the neck of Richie's shirt and pulled down.

Richie cried out in dismay as the shirt ripped down the middle, exposing the T-shirt that he had worn with the shirt. And something within him snapped. He couldn't take this anymore. He had to get away from him! He whirled and ran, startling him for a moment, but he was quickly after him. Richie cried out again, this time in panic, as he grabbed his right arm. He struck out as he hauled him around towards him, and to his immense surprise he scratched Fat Tony's face as he bent over towards her.

Fat Tony bellowed in pain and fury. "Son of a bitch!" he hissed angrily as one hand flew reflexively to his face. With the other he backhanded Richie so hard his vision went black and the world faded away.

[Bea]

Chapter 4
The Heat Is On

The heat against Richie's neck burned, throbbed, pulsed. It was a scalding, choking warmth that clouded his eyes as they began to open. He coughed once. The haze dissipated and was replaced by surroundings that seemed to jiggle as if they were all an illusion. Heat waves.

Richie was laying on his back still, when his senses kicked in and allowed him the realization of the rocks burning his skin. He shot up and at once got to his feet in what seemed to be one motion.

The redhead's first impressions of his surroundings went something like this: The ultra-hard ground was set in waves of constant motion. It was more akin to a river, with multiple flecks of rock islands crowding its surface. Only then did it occur to Richie that it was, in fact, a river he had found footing upon. A river of molten lava.

The sky was rancid, he likened it to nothing pleasant he'd ever seen.

The smell of the air was just as foul. It was laden with sulfur, methane, and miscellaneous odors that weren't even found among the rolling dairies of Milwaukee's farm country. The heat only seemed to amplify the pungeancy.

Richie knew where he was. It went without saying.

And then the river of ground below him exploded.

He was left alone, the sole island of rock amidst a swirling whirlpool of lava. He was nearing ever closer to its gaping mouth. Panic ran through him, but there was nowhere to go except into the bubbling lake of fire all around him.

Mere yards from being sucked into oblivion, salvation reared its head. It's ugly, ugly head.

He was now being pulled closer to the toothy grin of a serpentine monster. Eyes lined each side of its head and neck, in multiples of six. It hissed and spat, thrashing its scaly head about in anticipation of swallowing its latest victim.

Its breath was hot and reeked of ash. Fonzie knew he was taking his last breath.

Its tongue was of a very different texture. Satiny, but not at all wet. Its mouth clamped down, and everything was black. And yet, he felt nothing but cushiony comfort below him.

Opening his eyes, Richie found himself in his bed while Ralph and Potsie lay asleep on his bedroom floor.

Normally, any nightmare Richie had would be pushed to the back of his mind upon realization that he had in fact, had a bad dream. His waking life was just too good to allow him to linger on bad fantasy. But this one lingered.

And there, laying on the floor, was the reason.

Sleeping peacefully, her hands tucked beside their heads, were Ralph and Potsie. Richie had awoken this way before. He only wished Lori-Beth were sleeping next to him by this time. He knew the reason.

It was time.

Joanie was already up. It was a Saturday, and along with Ralph and Potsie, she was keeping good company with Tom & Jerry, who were creating more mayhem in their latest TV adventure.

"Hey Guys. You're up early." Richie stated.

Marion chuckled at this, "No we're not! You're up late…" he pointed to the clock, "It's 10:30, Richard."

Ralph and Potsie blinked at the remaining sleepiness in Richie's eyes to better focus upon the wall clock. Sure enough -- 10:30 on the dot. A bit later than he'd expected, but nothing was going to slow his spirit today. He formulated a plan as the Fonz came.

"Mom, Dad… I'm heading out to get something special for Lori-Beth." He leaned back, peeked onto the couch to be sure Howard hadn't come down yet. He hadn't, "Think you could be look after the others for a bit, Fonz?"

Fonzie gave a thumbs up, "Ayh…" he said with a wide grin.

Richie snickered at this and Fonzie gave Potsie a noogie, "So what's this?" Richie joked, and Fonzie began to tickle Ralph under his arms mercilessly, "You should know better than to poke fun at a Cuningham male! Now you're going to get it!"

Through hushed fits of laughter, Ralph pleaded for mercy, and ultimately received it when he noted, "If you keep it up we'll wake your dad up!"

Fonzie ceased the tickling, and nearly cursed himself for coming close to ruining a perfectly good getaway. Though he knew it was funny how many times the others had taken up the role to a mild extent with the Fonz! The team was a wonder and a bit like the Justice League as well.

Tiptoeing, Richie gave one last thumbs up as he was closing the door behind him, "If he wakes up…" he whispered, "Do your best to distract him until I come back here!"

Fonzie curled his index finger around his thumb and gave the 'okay' motion.

Richie grinned, and with that, was on his way.
*****************
Richie broke through the corral doors of the lightly-packed Arnold's. Even during this time of day, the crowds were gathering -- mostly in preparation of the heavier Saturday night crowd.

"Clarence!" Richie yelled into the kitchen, "Can I have three orders of sausages and pancakes please!"

"Richie!" came the response from behind the door, "It's high noon!"

"Whatever," Richie shot back.

A summon came from across the floor, "Rich!"

Looking around, Rich spied the source. Lori-Beth was motioning for him to have a seat. Her friends Billie (a redhead) and Bobbie (a brunette) were sitting across from her at the table. They looked over his shoulder once, and turned away with a nod.

As Richie took a seat next to Lori-Beth, Billie was thinking of what she and Bobbie should say to Ralph and Potsie. "Good news, Rich." L.B said, "The cast is off my housemother's leg, and the doctor says it's fully healed. How about that?"

"Good, good…" Richie said. He had the urge to ask a burning question, but wasn't sure of its appropriateness.

"You got something on your mind?" Billie asked with arched eyebrows.

"Uh… no… well… maybe…" Richie struggled.

"Well, we need a date with Ralph and Potsie ASAP." said Bobbie flicking her hair.

"Bye, guys." Lori-Beth said as Bobbie and Billie left Arnold's. It was definitely an uneasy situation for both her and Richie. "Um, anyway… Rich? Do you have something on your mind?"

Richie turned his attention back to his question, "Uh, yeah. You being… you know… I thought you might know a little about… uh… huh-huh-huh-ulll…"

Lori-Beth was perplexed.

"What I mean is. It's Hell." Richie finally got the word right.

Lori-Beth inquired, "Holy blazing fire."

It was becoming clear to Richie and Lori-Beth that the mob were still after Howard as Legs and Louie arrived. But it was enough to send shivers down his spine nonetheless.

Legs moved Lori-Beth and said "Sorry, sweetheart… the truth is, you're dating this sqealer"

"That's okay, believe me… I just was wondering." Lori-Beth said.

Louie giggled and put his hand over Richie's eyes, "I don't think you have to worry about that place. You're a tattletale, Poppa's Boy."

Swallowing hard, Richie accepted the compliment just as Clarence called out his name. His order was ready.

"Hey, get off us, you creeps." Lori-Beth noted, "My boyfriend's orders ready now get lost."

Richie shook his head as Legs and Louie left, "L.B, I got something special planned, just me and you."

Lori-Beth grinned, "Oh wow! Well, have fun then."

Richie nodded, "Thanks L.B. You helped me more than you know."

"Anytime." Lori-Beth said as she watched Richie grab the bag tossed from the kitchen, and headed through the doors once again.

"One more stop." Richie said to himself as he made his way outside.

"Fonzie!" Howard laughed, "I don't see why I can't leave for just a second. That mob's after me!"

"Uh, because…" Fonzie's mind was a steel trap, "There's uh, a chill in the air… you might catch a….cold?"

"So I'll wear a heavier coat!" Howard groaned, "Hold it, what the hell did Richard put you up to? What are you two planning?"

Fonzie was up against a wall. Actually, he was up against the door. Either way, he was nearly forced to reveal the whole plot or Mr C would surely just pull him out of the way and leave anyway.

But before that happened, the doorknob turned, and Richie stepped inside, "Hi, Dad!" he cried with open arms, immediately noticing Fonzie's predicament, "It's a beautiful day, let's go to the mall!"

"The… the mall? Fonzie wait…" Howard needed answers, "What are you boys up to?! Why am I being held prisoner in our house by the Fonz until you come in and insist I go outside?!"

But Richie was quick, "See, Dad, I wanted to surprise Lori-Beth with a night out! That's why I couldn't let you go to the mall without bumping into the mob."

Howard had to hear it from his own son to believe the story. "Uh, well, uh… that's… that's very sweet." He let go of his stern look in favor of a smile, "…of both of you."

"But first. Breakfast!" Richie said, producing the white paper bag. He nonchalantly slipped his hand into his jacket pocket. Sure enough, the velvety little box was there where he'd placed it.

After about an hour of driving that night, Richie and Lori-Beth along with Ralph and Billie and Potsie and Bobbie had arrived at their destination: A dam overlooking a scenic riverfront.

"Oh, Ralph..!" Billie chirped, "Look at this place!" she nearly had to yell in order to avoid being drowned out by the falling water all around them.

"My folks used to drive up here all the time." Ralph said, "Before I was even born. It's quite peaceful."

"What?" Bobbie asked Potsie. "I can't hear you!" she had moved to the edge of the overlook, and was just about as close to the falling water as she could get.

"I said," Potsie tried saying as he walked closer to her, "It's quite peaceful!" he yelled.

"Yeah!" The others yelled back.

They all stared out at the horizon. Countless gallons of water splashed through tiny gates in the giant wall they stood atop. The tiny droplets fell and converged into one long stream, and cascaded into contrastingly calm river below. And then, there was a peaceful journey for the water into the foreseeable future.

Richie stepped aside and took Lori-Beth's hand. "Uh, Lori-Beth… I've been thinking about this for a long time…" his head was bent down, he was looking at his feet.

Lori-Beth's intuition was set off by Richie's uneasiness. It nearly caused her to be nervous herself.

"Uh, L.B…" He continued. This time he brought his head up, but he still didn't look at her, "I uh, um… I wanna know…"

Lori-Beth tried to follow, her eyes squinted in slight confusion.

Then Richie's eyes shot wide open, he grabbed her waist and behind her neck. They both rolled out of the way of something Billie and Bobbie didn't see at first when Ralph and Potsie did it to them.

Opening his arms, Richie got to his feet, and it was clear why they had ducked out of the way.

[Bea]

Chapter 5
Hidn' Out

Potsie was showing Ralph and Richie his Batman comic book collection. Richie hadn’t had many chances to read them and Ralph saw that Batman beating his favorite villian the Joker easily. Potsie was cheering on the Caped Crusader, while Lori-Beth was sitting grumpily to the side, watching the rest with distaste.

Suddenly the door swung open. Billie and Bobbie wandered disjointedly in. They were talking about where Ralph kissed Billie and Potsie kissed Bobbie.

A slip of paper fluttered down from Richie's pocket as he disappeared into the bedroom, the door closing with an ominous creak after him. Lori-Beth picked up the paper and read it curiously.

"Oh, man!" she said. "I don’t think Rich will want disturbing for a while."

"What is it? What is it?" Ralph asked. Lori-Beth took a deep breath.

"Dear Richard," she read. The others snickered a bit, but stopped when they saw her expression. "I'm sorry I'm not here to greet you, but your mother and me are sending you to stay with Ralph and Potsie until the mob leave. I only found out today, or I would have told you sooner. I'll meet you at Arnold's tonight at 8:30pm. Goodbye, love Dad."

A heavy silence fell over the unfortunate redhead's friends.

"Man, that's an ouchie!" Potsie stuttered finally. Lori-Beth quietly opened the door to the bedroom. He was lying on the bed, unmoving and staring at the ceiling. His girlfriend closed the door again.

"I think he's in shock." She told the others. Bobbie, who had been listening intently to the whole conversation, looked confused.

"Rich's staying here." Billie informed her. "To be honest, I’m glad I left Chicago!"

"Listen up!" Bobbie ordered. "Lori-Beth wants us all to be nice to Richie. He’s bound to be upset for the next few days at least, and she'll will be very angry if you make it worse!" She glared around the room as though daring someone to disobey.

"I'm hungry." Potsie stated, completely changing the subject. "Who's turn is it to do dinner?"

"Rich might, Pots!" Ralph said happily, pointing at the closed door.

"Well, we can hardly expect him to go out now. I reckon we should draw straws to see who goes instead." Billie volunteered.

The others drew lots, watched by a bemused Bobbie. Lori-Beth drew the short straw and set off for the kitchen, grumbling.

Bobbie, looking for a chance to whisper to Billie, took Potsie on at reading his new comic book. She looked round triumphantly, only to find Billie laughing as she heard Ralph tell one of his corny jokes.

The reddish-brown haired college student looked up to see that the reading had finished.

"My turn, my turn!" he squealed happily, pushing Potsie aside and challenging Billie.

Bobbie went off to sit with Potsie, who was fiddling with a remote control aeroplane, trying to get it to work.

"What's the matter?" The brunette asked. Potsie continued fiddling with the toy.

"Ralph accidentally spilt soda on it and it hasn't worked properly since. I replaced all the pieces in the remote and it flies, but it keeps flying round in circles."

Bobbie squinted at the contraption, though instead of looking at the remote, she was focusing on the plane itself.

"Look," she said, pointing to the underside of the wing. "The circuit's failed here. Fix that and it should fly right again."

Potsie fiddled about with the circuitry and set the plane the right way up before switching it on and test flying it. It flew fine.

"Hey!" He said happily. "How did you know that?"

"My dad’s an engineer at an airport back in New York. Sometimes when I was younger I would go with him, and I learnt a bit about aerodynamics."

"I made a flying machine, y'know." Potsie stated. Bobbie looked up in interest.

"I'd like to see that before us girls go." She said, indirectly asking a question. Potsie nodded.

"Fine by me!"

Lroi-Beth burst in clutching a number of small trays.

"Potsie, fix that plumming." she said, stating the obvious.

"You better not have got that food wet!" Ralph threatened jokingly.

"Relax, it's all dry!" The brunette handed out the trays to her friends. There was one tray left over. It was Richie's.

"What’ll we do with Richie's food?” Ralph asked. Billie picked up the bag of takeaway fries. She put them next to the door and knocked loudly.

"Sizzle Lips, Sweet Knees has left your meal out here if ya want it!" She said coyly.

The door opened, revealing Richie. He looked even more exhausted than before, and they could all see clearly the tear tracks on his cheeks where he had been crying.

"Thanks, guys." He said, taking the bag and sniffing slightly. "I need this."

He disappeared back into the room from which he had emerged.

Bobbie looked at the spot where the reedish-blond haired college student had been standing just moments before. She had heard so much about him at College, but now she had met him and seen his weaknesses, she realised he was only human.

"Uh......... I think we better go." She said to her housemates, Lori-Beth and Billie. "We've got to have an early start and a busy day tomorrow, what with meeting up with the others."

They smiled, said their goodnights and headed of the front door before heading back to the Delta Gamma Sorority House.

[Bea]

Chapter 6
The Abduction

Richie had encountered no problems getting over to Arnold's that evening; the jetpack backpack he wore was adequate transport. Now he understood why James Bond would have carried it when he was his age.

Looking round for danger, he unlatched the door to the men's room and slid silently in, turning off the jetpack as soon as he landed on the flror. Looking around he realised Howard was drying his face and hands. As he finished, he tried the door but it was locked.

"Richard, the door's stuck." Howard said as Richie rummaged in his backpack for a thin knife, which he inserted skilfully into the lock. He twizzled it round one, twice and – click. The door swung open. Richie slotted the knife in her belt and glanced furtively about before padding silently down the corridor, Howard's black vest blending perfectly with the shadows.

They saw light coming from an open door and sidled up to it along the wall before peering inside. What the two Cunningham men saw caused Richie to gasp in surprise before Howard clamped a hand over his son's mouth. Fat Tony was on the phone, shouting at the receiver on the other end. Luckily he had not heard them. Whipping out a notepad and pen, Richie scribbled some notes on the phone call, which may be useful later.

"What do you mean 'no trace'?" came the enraged voice from the phone. The redhead did not have to strain his ears to hear the man, that at least was a bonus. "I pay you well, don't I, and I do not expect a sloppily done job, is that clear?... Well, you try again and again until the results are positive, do you hear? No, I insist it take maximum priority. Now you listen to me, I shall file a complaint. Don’t say I didn’t warn you!"

There was a click and a thud as the receiver slammed down. Richie’s breath caught in his throat as he heard the heavy footsteps coming towards the door – if he left the room there was no way he could miss him or his father.

Thinking quickly, Richie brought the small knife from his belt and thrust it in the wall, about waist height. He carefully tested his weight on it and, finding it to hold, Howard hoisted him up so one foot was standing on the blade and the other was not touching the floor.

Now if he strained she could just reach the wall lamps that were set on permanent dim, and he grabbed the nearest two and used them to pull himself further up the wall and thus out of sight.

He barely drew a breath as the dark man prowled towards Howard. By now, Legs grabbed Howard from behind as Fat Tony put one hand around his throat and the other hand over his mouth.

Richie tugged at the knife handle, trying to extract it from the wall. Unfortunately, however, the strength at which he had forced it into the wall combined with his weight on it had lodged it firmly into the plaster, and it was not going to budge. He shook his head in resignation and carried on down the corridor.

After traipsing silently down numerous corridors and two flights of stairs, she came to what she was looking for: the cells. Howard was on the floor unconscious with the mob around him. Richie suppressed a shudder as he made his way towards Howard until Abbott and Costello caught him and started growling furiously. By that time Richie knew it. If it was not the mobsters who were responsible for Howard's 'disappearing act', who could it possibly be?

He suddenly felt Louie's arm around his neck as he was due to wake Howard up but as Fat Tony caught sight of him, he knew that this boy was trouble.

"All right, Bucko," Richie growled. "What the heck are you up to this time?"

"Boss, Louie, is that Old Man Cunningham's nosey kid?" Legs gasped. "Listen, Poppa's Boy, what's the meaning of this intrusion?"

"That's that lousy kid." Louie said as he swung a baseball bat towards Richie head and suddenly, the redhead's vision was once again dark.

[Bea]

Chapter 6
Don Delvecchio's Message

As he and Marion entered the Cunningham house from bowling, Al realised that he had taking Howard's place to with the woman he secretly loved but if her told her, she would kill him.

Perhaps, he mused it’s because I’m getting tired of this. Wish Fat Tony’d just have better taste in women and we’d be done with this. Honestly, how hard can it be for a mob to pick a decent don?

It had been over 5 years that Fat Tony had tried to find a new don after the death of Don D'Angelo, this was the only task that no longer excited him as it once did.

Every two years, the mob scoured the city for a prisoner necessary to ensure the success of a new Don. According to the ritual, the more anyone watching as the new Don fondeled the woman he secretly loved when she least epected it, the more likely Fat Tony would kill her husband if she were married. To ensure 100% conception in the first few days, Fat Tony needed exactly 1,000 witnesses under his power. By his current calculations, he only had about 850. This did not please him at all.

More than anything, he did so want Marion to be the last woman he ever lay eyes on.

"This is what I mean, Marion!" Al siad angrily. "If Fat Tony would have just picked wisely in the first place, this Don guy wouldn’t have to be doing this! He could be elsewhere enjoying a nice torture session with that soem unmarried middle-aged instead!"


However, Fonzie guessed the real reason Al preferred Marion to Rosa Coletti. Al had a crush on the redhead and had for quite some time. It was evident; at least once he looked back over the past several years. After that, Al’s mission had been to seduce Marion and probably kill Howard.
"You’d better leave our fair city, you hellraiser." Marion yelled as if Fat Tony were near here right now. "I’ve lost my husband!"
***********
Joanie was going up to her room as the Fonz was watching The Magnificent Seven on TV with her.

"Al, Mrs C," he interrupted, "Whoa, you're back so soon."

Both she and Al turned to look at Fonzie. He was angry and tired and had little time for whatever girl talk Joanie and Marion were going to be engaging in.

Still, he had to be pleasant to Al. Howard had been furious after the last time Al grabbed her. He had kissed her cheek. She had run crying into their bedroom and had not come out when Howard called. After, when she finally confessed her problem to her husband, Howard had punished Al severely. He did not care to suffer Howard's wrath again.

"Okay," she nodded for him to come in then faced the ghost once more. "Arthur, you have my word. I promise I’ll do it if I can."

"Thanks, Mrs C," said Fonzie. "I'll leave you two alone now."

With an icy glance at Al, Fonzie clicked his fingers and Al transformed from his usual smile to a leer at the sight of Marion.

"Al, what do you want?" Her voice dripped with disdain and anger. "Especially this time of night."

Al purred in an Italian voice "Only to inform you that your husband and that redhaired brat you call a son have been captured by Fat Tony, my young aid."

"What’s the supposed to mean to me?" she retorted. "I don’t even know what it is."

"It means that you must gather some friends to rescue them if you ever want to see them alive again, I assure."

He reached out caress her cheek. He halted only when she glared at him, fearful of Howard’s punishment if she told her husband about his brazen movements.

"And?" she prompted again.

"If your husband dies, Marion," he continued, "you will be faced with the greatest choice of your life. If Fat Tony takes you as his bride, you must decided to accommodate him, or die."

"Some choice!" she spat. "So what? I pledge my undying love? Let him drink my blood? What?"

"No, Marion," Al shook his head. "In the Hall of Darkness, Fat Tony will ask you to physically change your body. It is then you will choose.

"Simply imagine your body changing in the way he asks and you will live. It is truly that simple. However if you do not, you will die. Not by Fat Tony’s hand, but by your own."

Marion gulped. "Then I don’t have a choice, do I?"

Al shook his head. "No, you don't. Not if you want to live."

He stroked her cheek once more, this time he let his hand trail down to her breasts.

"However, I can help you prepare for the coming day. That is if you wish. I can teach you the things Fat Tony has not yet lavished upon you."

He advanced on her, backing her into a corner near the couch.

"AL!" The sound was more a scream than a voice and she could feel a strange sensation well up inside her. "You get your hands off me or I'll kick your ass."

Abruptly, Al backed away after Marion slapped him, a small shiver passing through him.

"As you wish, my dear."

He bowed and left. Marion watched him go, still shaking. She had been afraid of what Al might have done to her. However, she was more afraid of the black power she had felt rise within her soul. That had been the power which sent Al away, but she had no idea where it had come from. Or how to control it as she poured a glass of cold water on her head turning him back to normal.

She had little time to ponder that question however, for at that moment, Fonzie came downstairs and realised Al was a bit wet.

"Hold it!" Fonzie chortled, "What just happened here?"

Marion said "Arthur, you won't believe this but Al grabbed me and said that Fat Tony abducted both Howard and Richard!"

Al's hands found their way to her breasts and massaged them beneath her blouse.

"This will only hurt for one moment, Al," Fonzie said. "Then, you'll forget you grabbed Mrs C as a Fat Tony Don."

When Marion was finally able to speak after Fonzie punched Al, she looked up at him, her blue eyes wide.

"That was the best, well, you know… The most incredible feeling I’ve ever had." she said as she kissed Fonzie's cheek. "Thank you, Arthur."

Fonzie smiled. "I thought you might like that particular pleasure of my phisique, Mrs C. It is a pleasure not lost on me, either, whoa."

"How did you?" she asked. "How do you know so much about me? What I like and what I don’t?"

"I know you and the others, Mrs C, as well as I know myself. You two are alike, you and the mister, in so many ways." he said "Red's probably a bit like Mr C in a few ways. After all this, you gotta see that, see how well suited Joanie might be to me."

"And if I told you Joanie wasn’t at all like you?" She wanted to resist the urge to go to bed, but her body wouldn't obey. Instead, she pulled herself close to him and wrapped her arms around him.

"Then you would be lying to both of us," he said.

Fonzie smiled as Marion looked up at him, and he bent his head to pull her into another kiss on his cheek and then left the house as did Al.

[Bea]

That was suposed to be chapter 7 not chapter 6, sorry 'bout that. I'll do chapter 8 next time, honest.

[Bea]

Chapter 8
Mob Trouble

When Richie came round, he was a bit surprised to find himself in what looked like a living room with a cage. He sat bolt upright on the mattress the mob had put him on and looked around. He appeared to be with his own father yet felt alone. As he turned his head, he realised that the sweater, shoes and belt he had worn earlier was gone. So were his backpack, notepad and pen. He ran his large blue eyes around the room only to find Abbot and Costello curled up in front of the fireplace.

I thought those mobsters would never leave the voice in his head told him.

He twisted around to see Howard on the other mattress, sweater, shoes and belt were also gone. He was unconscious and Richie discovered he was tired as well. His father's body was perfectly still.

"Who is it?" she questioned, even though she knew perfectly well who it was when he heard footsteps on the stairs.

Instead of answering the redheaded journalist, Fat Tony crossed the room and sat in the chair next to the fireplace. His strong fingers put a tray with two bowls on the floor as the Dobermans ran to eat their breakfast.

He wanted to protest, fight back or even run. But he couldn’t and this time no magic held him in place. No spell held him prisoner if Fat Tony grabbed him. Part of him didn't want this, then he realised that his father was often dreaming of dressing up as a criminal when he was younger. That part of his father's memory was overpowering everything else and the fear he felt earlier was vanishing.

Richie felt empty, as if all the fight had gone out of him. His friends, even Ralph and Potsie, had worried about him. The only reason to live was to try not to say anything and Fat Tony was going to do everything possible in the next few hours to ensure that.

"Listen up and listen good, Bucko," Richie growled "I've got no choice. Why not let me and my dad go now? Why not learn to try to have told my mom a better way of our disappearence?"

The thought was formed in his mind before he could stop it.

"Don't fight me, Young Signor Cunningham," Fat Tony said as he grabbed Richie's right arm, his left still in the sling. "Trust me, lad. Let me show you how good this can be when you don't struggle and don't put my babies off their food."

"Do whatever you want, Fat Tony" he finally sighed. "I won’t fight you and prisoners have to eat too."

Both suggestions were all the invitation Fat Tony needed. He rushed upstairs to tell Legs and Louie that Richie had woken up and as the mobster left, Richie heard Howard breathing.

He kissed his father's cheek as he came round. Then, Howard's right arm snaked out and pulled Richie down to his face level.

As Richie collected himself, Howard sat up and regarded her with a gleam in his eye.

"Richard, tell me why the hell we were bought to in this craphouse in the first place." Howard said finally.

He finally told his father everything until Fat Tony came down with Legs (who was holding a tray of food) and Louie who stroked the dogs, each was curled up in a ball in front of the fire.

"Can one of you please tell me what's going on here?" Howard demanded. "Why did you hellraisers bring my and my son to this craphouse?"

Legs raised his hand, ready to slap Howard across the face until he realized that she was being serious. He regarded this as a good sign.

"You guys drove us nuts 'til we finally got ya," he replied quite honestly. "It gave our boss the perfect idea to destroy you two once and for good."

"I feel sick," his eyes looked directly into Fat Tony's, wanting to understand why this place was crappy.

Abbot and Costello's eating habits were something that the mob found momentarily disconcerting. They noticed that Howard was bound to vomit. It was most likely that he would be repulsed by the way the dogs ate. Most humans were. If that were the case, then the power of the mob would mingle with the darkness within the city and take over Milwaukee upset both Howard and Richie.

The idea of a mobster becoming mayor really made Richie furious. His anger would nearly drive anyone mad. The mobsters knew that either way, they would have him dead. They could, however, have a willing female assistant rather than a hostile female slave. By doing this, they had nothing to lose and everything to gain.

"Can't you guys get us out of here, please?" Richie asked like a young boy who really wanted to get out of detention.

"No way, Jose," Louie slurred, now heady with the power of his boss' own anger.

The chief mobster smiled as he felt the bonds of restraint loose in Richie's mind.

Gently, he eased himself into the cage and cupped Richie's face with his hands. He struggled against him and began to rub her behind which was slick with a mix of sweat and desire. His right hand reached for Howard's left while he sturggled in vain to escape.

"You stupid boy," Fat Tony hissed when he could breathe again. "Another word from you and I will feed you and your father to my pet Dobermans."

"Hold it," Howard replied. "Now nobosy talks to my son like that especially not me."

He pulled Richie away from Fat Tony and they slumped to the mattresses. Howard reached out and stroked Richie's hair, tangling it up in his fingers. They lay there like that for a few minutes, the mob looking at them. Finally, Howard rose from his mattress and walked over to Fat Tony punching his stomach.

Without waiting to be told, Richie moved to creep over to Legs and Louie like a cat, an animal he and Ralph knew that Potsie was allergic to. He knew was what coming and this time, rather than fear, he felt excitement and anticipation.

When Legs lashed out at the redhead, he yelled like a young girl. It did hurt, as it had so many times before. It felt like a slap, as far as Richie was concerned. In response, she spread her arms farther apart. Louie walked behind Richie ticking him as he was about to hit Legs.

Richie began to rock back and forth to the cage, her arms trembling. He glanced back when the criminals stopped their assault on hima dn Howard only to see Fat Tony walking towards them. Feeling his presence behind him, Howard quietly walked backwards until he fell on the mattress the mob had put him on. Then he and Richie lay still just as Fat Tony liked and waited. They didn't wait long.

Afterwards, Fat Tony helped Howard to his behind and stood before him.

"What else do you and your lad want, Howard my boy?" he asked, his eyes shinning with what Richie could only think of as a tinge of an 'apology'.

"I'll give you anything. Say it and it'll be yours."

"I want you to leave and my boy alone watching your dogs for a change," he whispered.

The mob left both of them to look at the Dobermans who were growling, snarling and barking viciously at them.

[Bea]

Chapter 9

Ralph was so frustrated he could have screamed. It was early Monday afternoon and they had been canvassing all
of Arnold's since Marion told them that Howard and Richie had disappeared last night. And so far they had found nothing except for Richie's notepad and pen. Oh, there were people who remembered seeing them. They had evidently spent considerable time wandering this area. But no one could remember seeing them the hour they went missing. And no one he and Potsie had talked with had remembered either one of them asking about antiques or being referred to another shop. The day before had been particularly bad because they had wanted to concentrate on antique shops and most of them had been closed. So they had returned and started again this morning. But so far they had found absolutely nothing. And now there was this little voice in his head that was starting to tell him that they were gone forever and they would never see Richie again. He tried very hard to ignore that voice but it was becoming harder and harder to do.

Potsie marked Clarence off his list and walked out into a cold, damp drizzle. Mid day yesterday it had clouded up and had begun to rain. He shivered. Surely he or Ralph couldn't lose Richie here. Not after all they had been through. Please . . . please don't do this to me . . . he prayed. He looked up the street just as Fonzie, Marion, Lori-Beth and Officer Kirk walked over to the two. They trudged up to meet them.

Marion looked at him hopefully, "Have you boys had any luck?"

Ralph just shook his head. "No, Mrs C. Nothing except Rich left his notepad and pen."

"We've been unsuccessful as well. Where's Chief Charles?" Lori-Beth said as she turned her head.

"I don't know. Our dagnabbed police cheif disappeared about an hour ago. The didn't say where in the blazes she was going. Just one conflab minute she was there and the next she was gone." Officer Kirk said.

Fonzie was concerned. As the hours had gone by, Police Chief Catherine Charles had become more and more distant. She rarely said anything any longer, allowing one of the others to ask the questions. "I think we'd better search for her. Let's backtrack and see if we can't find him." Potsie said as the gang finally located her at their starting point . . . Arnold's where the two women had last been seen. They could see her through the window, sitting at the table where Al was sitting at. The three students started toward Arnold's but Foznie and Marion held them back. "I want you guys wait here for me. Don't move from this spot, you dig? I want to talk with Al . . . alone." Fonzie had expected an argument, especially from Potsie Weber.

But Potsie looked at the man in the window for a minute and then simply said, "We'll be in that car trunk."

As Fonzie crossed to Arnold's, Lori-Beth said, "Don't you guys want to go along and see what's wrong, my friend? This isn't like the police at all."

Ralph and Potsie glanced at her briefly and then Ralph said quietly, "I know what's wrong. Fonz knew the hour Al told Mrs C Rich and Howie were missing. Let him be, Lori-Beth. He's got to work through this on his own." Lori-Beth looked at her boyfriend's two friends in sudden understanding. College students these days had more in common now than they ever had in the 1940s. And so they waited.

"That is the last one. We have asked every vendor along this street. No one has seen them." Louie slammed the trunk of the car closed with Ralph, Potsie and Fonzie still inside. They had searched for Al and found nothing. They had reached a dead end. His boss and companion stood nearby in silence. There was nothing to say. It was 9:30am and the two men had now been missing for 14 1/2 hours with no sign. None of them knew what to do next.

Inside Arnold's, Officer Kirk reached into his jacket pocket and pulled out the Richie photograth again. He touched the corner and triggered the image. And there he was, looking at them and grinning. In that instant he hurt so badly it was indescribable. It has been a nightmare, all those hours spent waiting in hospital, and he had thought nothing could ever be worse. But to have Richie gone and to never know what happened . . .

"He was a kewl bloke, like. He had a cheeky grin."

The feminine Liverpudlian voice was so unexpected that Officer Kirk thought for an instant he had imagined it. When he looked, he saw a young woman with large green eyes and red hair. She was staring at the Richie photograth with wide-eyed fascination.

The girls mother exclaimed and came hurrying over. "Natasha, you mustn't bother the police. They're busy, love . . . "

Chief Charles reached out and stopped her with a hand. "No, wait, please . . . "

Al and several other customers moved toward the group as Officer Kirk stood near the British girl. Still carefully balancing the picture on his hand so the girl could see it clearly, Lori-Beth asked, "Have you seen him, Natasha? I've been looking for him everywhere and I can't find him."

The girl eyed her solemnly. "I saw him with middle-aged bloke last week. He was nice to me and played baseball with me and some mates for a bit. He said I reminded him of someone called Lorelei." Lori-Beth bowed her head briefly. Oh, please . . . she prayed.

Marion stood beside the redheaded girl and held out the picture of Howard. "Was this the other man, Natasha?"

The young teenager looked at the picture briefly and nodded. "They were just wandering along, them two. They didn't seem in any hurry. They were looking in shop windows . . ."

Lori-Beth asked, "Do you remember when this was, Natasha? What day?"

Her response was prompt. "It was a week ago today. I know because Me mam and me only come that place only once a week. And I talked to them the last time we were there."

Lori-Beth felt light-headed. So close . . . they came so close to missing this slender lead. She said carefully, "What did you talk about? Did they say what they were doing or where they were going?"

The girl wrinkled her nose. "They were looking at old stuff." He waved her hand at the merchandise in the shop. "Stuff like this. The older bloke was unhappy because he couldn't find what he said 'his wife wanted'." So Chief Charles is right, Lori-Beth thought. They had been hunting for antiques. "I remember she told Richard he didn't think he was going to find anything."

Lori-Beth smiled at the Brit girl. "He told you his name?"

She nodded. "He was a sound bloke. Are you Lori-Beth?"

Lori-Beth sat abruptly at the booth. "Yes, that's my name."

"He told me about you, he did."

Lori-Beth's head was swimming. She could hardly believe this. "What did he say?"

"That you were his girlfriend. And that he was hding with some mates and he missed his mam and dad." Lori-Beth closed her eyes. The sudden rush of emotion almost overpowered her.

Through the fog he heard Marion ask, "Natasha, do you know where they were going? After they left you?"

"I told them about Mr Petrie's shop. He has lots of old stuff like this." Lori-Beth opened her eyes and looked at the younger redhead again. She stood facing Marion as she sat at the booth. The three of them were at the center of a circle of people who were watching the conversation avidly. It suddenly occurred to him that the four of them were probably known on sight to everyone along this street.

"Is Mr Petrie's shop along the avenue?" Marion asked her.

The girl shook his head. "No. It's off on a side street up there a way." She waved vaguely up the street.

Chief Charles turned anxiously to the proprietor. "Do you know . . . "

Officer Rebecca McKenzie interrupted her. "I can give you directions, Chief."

[Bea]

Chapter 10
About Time Is All I Can Say

Nervous sweat caused his hair to slide on his forehead, but Ralph made no move to fix it. He didn't want to budge. He had pressed himself as far into the corner between the fountain and the floor as he could and stared up over the top of his drooping hair at the huge green blurs above him. His chest ached from fitting himself against the large box where he, Potsie and Fonzie hid in a position that put painful pressure on his injuries. But at least the shallow breaths that he was forced to take didn't add to the throes in his ribcage. He tried to swallow down what felt like a lump of cotton in his mouth and continued to stare at Louie who thought he saw intruders but didn't. Clever or not, it would only be a matter of moments before the spies caught up with him. And that would be that.

Come on, Pots, his's mind pleaded, It's now or never!

When he could no longer stand the sliding hair and his inability to see, Ralph finally felt Potsie's hand move away from his mouth as Fonzie clicked his fingers. As the world came back into focus, so did Louie's face staring straight at them. Potsie's newfound bravery was accompanied by the Fonz pounding Louie out cold, Ralph asking Potsie to switch clothes with Louie and tying him up. "Don't mind me, guys," Fonzie stated as he snuck behind Legs and Fat Tony. "I don't suppose I could convince you that I'm just looking for a good place to watch the festivities."

Fat Tony turned his head at the first sight of 'Louie' (who was really Potsie in disguise) "Guess not," Potsie chuckled nervously. Legs pressed nis nose closer to Potsie's, prompting him to rise shakily to his feet, still gripping his side. "Come on, Pots!" Ralph told him. "You've got fighting in your genes! What've they got that you haven't got?" The answer came in the form of metal settling an inch below his throat. "We've got brute strength and guns, Poodle Head!" Legs answered Ralph's question with an evil grin. Guess that answered that!

Ralph glanced around, only with his eyes, to see if Richie and Howard had been seen. Not catching sight of them or the Fonz, he figured that Fat Tony must be having trouble with his cohorts. He certainly understood how that felt. But if the magic was out of commission for the time being, Fonzie had no choice but to use his head to get out of this. Fat Tony and Legs hadn't noticed him as yet and were still focusing on Potsie and Ralph. The sun of the late morning sky had nearly filled the window above them. If the guys were going to make a move, now was the time!

Ralph drew a sharp breath of surprise and pointed past the two mobsters toward the Fonz. "Oh, no! You're missing it!" he said. The two of them turned, so as not to miss Louie's heavy breathing and Potsie, Ralph and Fonzie made a break for it -- too slow. Ralph's bruised ribs slowed him down considerably and he was unable to maneuver past the mob before they turned to face him again. He stared up into their brown eyes and they suddenly snarled. "We're in trouble, Ralphie." Potsie droned inwardly.

Just then, the mob suddenly vanished and Fonzie was taken aback as the the two gangsters remaining began wrestling with each other and had somehow slammed down to cover their faces. The three were forced to take a step back and down the stairs of a doorway in Fat Tony's office which saw Richie and Howard in a cage with the Dobermans in guard. When Fonzie finally regained his presence of mind, he heard Richie's worried voice. "Run, you guys! Go!"

Howard didn't pause to think about whether it would hurt or not. Nor did he waste time running around the 'mobster' behind Ralph. He clambered out of the cage in an attempt to run between them. He suddenly felt himself being lifted awkwardly up, every stumbling stride that he made falling on an invisible step to some invisible stairway, and he realized that his son was at it again. As he passed the so-called gangster, he saw the hat coming off, the tie being loosened and the top shirt button being undone and was gald to see it was really Potsie in disguise. "Like it or not, Potsie," Howard yelled, "Here comes the mob!" and the mob had showed up with Louie in Potsie's clothing.

Louie turned fully from his task, his hand in a fist and Potsie stood where he was. "You!" He hissed through his teeth, "You're proving to be a greater nuisance than I had thought." With that, he grabbed Potsie and before long, they were back on their own clothes. "You're too late, Tubby," Louie taunted Potsie as he struggled to get up. "In a matter of moments, the city'll belong to our boss." He nodded toward the gun in his belt. A corner of Potsie's jaw began to throb as he clenched it, staring the mobster down.

"You'll fail, Signor Fatass. For, as you can see, you've got nothing to stop me with." Fat Tony said grinning at Potsie "You're a child compared to me and what little you do have . . . mere illusion."

Richie and Ralph had been listening to him without a word. Potsie knew nothing he could say would erase the torment in his heart that had been building over these last few days. But he also knew that Rich was wrong about something. "Ralph, Rich," he said softly, "You're right. I can't even begin to understand what you've been going through all this time, and I'm sorry for that. But I want you to understand one thing." He turned his face to the cage so that the others would look at him. "I want you to hear this because it is very important: You Did Help Me."

Ralph blinked his eyes and gazed at him. Potsie was looking at him determinedly. He wanted to make him understand as a true friend.

"I don't know how much Officer Kirk explained to us -- about Fat Tony -- because he sure didn't tell us a whole heck of a lot," Ralph began.

Richie shook his head. "Most of what we learned was from what Fat Tony told us."

Fonzie lowered his eyes. "I really can't explain it myself, except to say I got really screwed up. There was nothing I could do to keep her out of my head. He kept insisting that Al join up with him as the mob's new Don, fight for him, God, you name it! And I'll admit, he was breaking the man down."

Abbott and Costello ran over to their master barking and as they did so, the police arrived and the mob had been arrested and Chief Charles said "Anthony D'Amico, you're under arrest for abduction and that goes for your cronies too." as she handcuffed the mobsters.

[Bea]

Chapter 11
The Celebration

After Richie had his bath, he slowly rubbed the perfumed creme all over his body. He couldn't quite place what it reminded him of. Almost an herbal scent, but more flowery, and very rich. It was almost overwhelming. But he actually liked the smell, and after a few minutes he didn't notice it any more. After a moment's thought, he slowly added more of the creme to certain spots of his body. He didn't want Howard or the others displeased that he had not used enough.

He had thought that he was glad the wait was finally over. But the closer the hour drew, the more his stomach fluttered and churned. He wasn't ready to see Lori Beth for a bit. But there was nothing to do for it. Indeed, he had but one more thing to do, and time was running out. Sighing tiredly, Richie looked listlessly through the garments hanging in the wardrobe.

Dress however the hell you want tonight, Richard dear, Marion had told him. He supposed everything in the wardrobe was nice. Howard and Marion had made sure of that. His hand paused a moment over the light blue band outfit he'd wore when the band played at Arnold's. Memories of the band themselves came flooding back. The time they had performed 'Wonderful Land'. The time they performed 'I Fall To Pieces' with country singer Leah King. The time they performed 'Johnny B. Goode' with Leather & the Suedes... His hand jerked away as if scalded. What the heck! he thought, knowing it for the lie it was. L.B wouldn't have put it here if she wasn't going to make him wear it eventually. Without thought, he plunged her hand amongst the garments and drew one out, not caring what. Looking down, he saw the outfit he wore when he dated Corrine. But it didn't matter. He doubted there was anything much more modest in the closet.

"Hi, Rich," Lori-Beth said suddenly behind him.

Richie grinned and whirled and looked in startlement at Lori-Beth's voice, then her fingers clutched the outfit tightly to his body as he got dressed and held her. Richie suddenly saw the pink sweater, floral bluse, black skirt and black pumps that Lori-Beth wore and she felt hand drop from her cheek and slowly running down her neck.

Lori-Beth stood as his fingers trailed across the necklace, straightening a jewel here and there, then lightly ran over a nipple. They were already pebbled in the cool air. Lightly he pinched it. She stiffened, trying not to show any more of her distress than she already was. He loved only too well to know how much he upset her.

Richie ran his other hand down her side slowly, clearly enjoying the feel of his girlfriend's skirt under his palm. The hand wandered and he cupped a buttock lightly.

"Come on, L.B. Let's go." With a chuckle he pulled her arm through his own and drew her along with him as he slowly walked out of the bedroom. It was very decorous, but Lori-Beth wondered why he bothered.

As the arrived at Arnold's, Richie waved his hand negligently and his tone was indulgent. "It's Okay, Al. We're early." Al nodded quickly and looked down, his cheeks slightly pink. But he seemed to be finished. Richie put Lori-Beth at on end of the booth as he sat at the other end.

Somehow Lori-Beth sat as smoothly as if she were draped with pounds of jewels and had chairs slid under her every day. That done she simply stared at her hands in her lap, having no idea what else to do. She looked up but only stared at the plate of mushrooms swimming in a dark red liquid that Al set in front of her. She would never be able to eat right now. Her stomach clenched and churned and a sour taste hovered in the back of her throat.

"Come on," Richie said suddenly, his voice unaccountably light. Lori-Beth looked up in surprise. His expression seemed pleasant enough, but then he continued. "Sheesh, Lori-Beth, you won't want to displease Clarence by refusing his offerings." His voice stayed light, but his eyes glittered dangerously and tightened slightly.

The breath caught in Lori-Beth's throat. What he did to her ordinarily was bad enough. When he was angry... She hastily picked up her fork and speared a mushroom. Only after she was chewing the tender morsel did all of what he had said fully register in her mind. She nearly choked on the mouthful. She heard a soft sound of amusement from him and she resolutely did look at him. Instead she reached for the glass at her right hand and took a large swallow to wash down the food.

Lori-Beth did choke a little on the wine. She was unprepared for the strong sharp taste, having never drunk wine before. She hastily put down the cup and wiped her lips with her napkin.

"I'm sorry, I'd never tasted wine before," she said apologetically as an eyebrow lowered in displeasure. She let her eyes rest on Al, who was at Richie's side pouring more wine into his goblet. Richie smiled suddenly as he looked at her. "Then I'm delighted to have gifted you with this new experience. As I've done before." His smiled widened with malicious pleasure. A's eyes widened and she looked a little shocked before she carefully blanked her features.

Lori-Beth blanched, blood roared in her ears and she felt herself receding away. I'm going to faint, she thought distantly. Then Al was at her side, between her and Richie and blocking Lori-Beth from his sight for a moment, treading sharply on Sheila's foot under the table. The brunette flinched just a little and looked wide eyed up at the man. He gave Lori-Beth a warning look then spoke. "More wine, Lori-Beth?" His voice was cool and professional.

"Yeah, Al, thanks," she said softly. Who knows. Maybe it'll help, she thought forlornly. And she knew, now more than ever, that one could grow accustomed to a taste.

Lori-Beth ate another mushroom, and to her surprise, she realized she liked it. With a little more appetite, she began chewing another one. She notice that Richie was looking at her a bit as he rather delicately ate his own mushrooms. But what struck Lori-Beth was the fact this was the first time in days she could remember ever seeing him eat or drink. Well...besides the spell components when he had... She broke off that train of thought and pensively took another drink of wine.

This time, since she was expecting it, she did not choke. She even found the taste to be... interesting. The flavor was very strong, but also sweet and fruity. She took another swallow and felt her cheeks grow warm. She wondered why. Richie chuckled suddenly.

"You like the wine, Sweet Knees?" he asked archly, seemingly amused. Sheila did not understand why.

"Yeah, Sizzle Lips," she stumbled over the method of address, using it several times before, but knowing the occasion, and his temper, called for it tonight. "It's really...nice," she said slowly. He seemed satisfied with that.

"Great, drink all you want. There's plenty." And he took a large swallow of his own wine. After a moment Lori-Beth returned to her mushrooms, not knowing what else to say as they both kissed.

THE END

[Bea]

Chapter 9 was supposed to be called To The Rescue.