Tony Partly Cloudy by Nick Rollins Read Free Book Online Page B

business.
    Without a word, Eric left his post at the door, crossing the apartment in a few strides until he stood in front of Tony’s couch. With one hand he lifted one end of the couch, pulling it away from the wall. To Tony’s astonishment, he then reached down and lifted up a part of the wooden floor, which swung upward as if on a hinge.
    Jimmy was standing now. “Like I said, Tony, tonight is a dry run. We should be back in an hour – two hours, tops.” With that he walked over to the opening in the floor, and stepped into it, apparently onto some sort of stairs or ladder.
    Tony was flabbergasted. “Wha – what is that? I mean, where does that lead to? I didn’t even—”
    “Tony,” Jimmy said, cutting him short. “Some things you don’t want to ask too many questions about, capisce ? Like I said, we’ll be back in an hour or two. Just sit tight, and don’t go anywhere, understand?”
    “Yeah, but...” Tony groped for words. “I mean, I thought we were going to play cards...” The words sounded stupid, childish.
    Jimmy was now visible only from the waist up. Looking at Tony, his expression softened. “You’re a good kid. You really were all set up for us to play cards, weren’t you?” He reached into his jacket, pulling out a roll of bills. Peeling off several, he dropped them casually on the arm of the couch.
    “Anybody asks, we did play cards tonight. And you were on fire – you took me to the cleaners!” He smiled, nodding toward the cash he had just dispensed. Then he descended, disappearing from view. Eric then followed, his massive body somehow fitting into the small opening. When only his head and shoulders were visible, he turned to look at Tony. Reaching for a rope dangling from the trapdoor, Eric said, “Leave the couch where it is, okay?” For some reason the gentle, improbably high voice made the man seem even more menacing.
    “You got it,” Tony said, nodding emphatically. And with that, Eric disappeared, pulling the trapdoor shut above him.
    Tony stood staring at where the two men had disappeared. Slowly, tentatively, he approached the trapdoor, the outlines of which were skillfully disguised among the edges of the floorboards. Tony had lived nearly three months in the apartment without noticing. But then, it was underneath the couch, which Tony had never moved. The apartment was furnished, and he recalled being told not to rearrange the furniture. Now he understood why.
    “Holy shit,” he said quietly, to nobody in particular.
    He thought about lifting up the trapdoor, curious as to where it would lead. But then he thought about Jimmy’s warning not to ask too many questions. Then he saw his briefcase on the floor near the couch, and remembered the chem exam he had the next morning. Shit.
    Tony pulled out his books and got set up at the kitchen table, where he tried to focus on his homework while he waited for Jimmy’s return. Across from him, Jimmy’s overcoat was still draped across the chair, proof that he hadn’t imagined all of this. Soon Tony was engrossed in his studies, and nearly fell out of his chair when he heard a voice say, “Look at the college boy, hard at work.”
    “Jesus Christ!” Tony yelled involuntarily. Jimmy was standing in front of the couch, and Eric’s head was now appearing through the trapdoor.
    Tony lowered his voice. “Sorry, Jimmy. Er, Uncle Jimmy. Jeez – I didn’t even hear you open the – you know, the thing there. I never even heard you come in.”
    Jimmy held up his hands reassuringly. “Sorry, Tony. Didn’t mean to scare you.” Behind him, Eric closed the trapdoor and moved the couch back into position.
    Jimmy strolled over to where Tony sat, standing behind him and placing his hands on Tony’s shoulders. “We appreciate your hospitality, Tony. You’re a good kid.”
    “Well, hey, Jimmy – I really appreciate what you guys are doing for me. I mean, with the apartment and all. It’s so much easier to get to school, and