The Ballroom on Magnolia Street Read Online Free PDF Page A

gangsters crept up the stairs to Johnny’s office and knocked on the door. He confidently called out to them to enter. Johnny was sitting behind his desk, casually smoking a cigarette. He was wearing his best, double-breasted suit. And a liberal helping of expensive aftershave.
    ‘Come on in, fellas. Make yourselves at home,’ said Johnny, with just a hint of a New York brogue. The two men stared at him.
    ‘Are you ready to do business?’ asked the smaller criminal.
    ‘Or do you need a little persuasion?’ added the big man. ‘Such a shame to have to spoil those good looks of yours.’ There was real intent in what he said.
    ‘I’m ready,’ said Johnny. ‘Get back in your cage. Let’s get this over with before someone comes.’
    ‘A wise decision. Well, hand it over. We’re busy men.’
    ‘It’s over there, in the cupboard,’ said Johnny, pointing with his cigarette. ‘I’ll get it for you.’ He stood up slowly, never taking his eyes off the two interlopers.
    ‘Not so fast, Hogan,’ said the one code-named Sly. ‘We don’t want no funny business. We’ll get the money ourselves.’
    Knuckles went straight over to the cupboard and tried the handle. It was locked.
    ‘It’s locked,’ he said.
    ‘The key’s in the lock, you big monkey,’ said Johnny. ‘All you gotta do’s turn it.’
    ‘Don’t call me a monkey,’ snarled Knuckles, his face turning red.
    ‘Shut up and hurry up!’ Sly urged.
    When Knuckles turned the key, Johnny ran his fingers through his hair in a confident gesture that seemed to unnerve Sly. Sly could smell a set-up, a mile away.
    ‘Wait a minute. Give me the gun,’ he said to Knuckles.
    Johnny froze. He hadn’t banked on that. He hadn’t thought they would come armed. There was no money in the cupboard, only light bulbs, envelopes and ashtrays. As Knuckles fumbled for the gun in the pocket of his raincoat, there was a knock at the door and Marion came in, carrying a tray of tea and biscuits. Knuckles quickly withdrew the gun then returned it to his pocket.
    ‘I’m sorry, Johnny, I didn’t know you had company,’ she said, setting the tray on the desk. ‘I wanted to talk to you about something.’ She coughed gently, and waved the cigar smoke away from her face.
    ‘For God’s sake, what kind of an operation are you running here, Hogan, letting women loose all over the place?’ said Sly.
    ‘I thought I gave you the night off, baby?’ said Johnny, trying to sound casual.
    ‘You did. One of the bar staff called in sick,’ Marion said crossly. ‘I had nothing else to do.’
    ‘I wish you’d told me,’ said Johnny. ‘I would have got someone else to cover.’
    ‘Never mind the staff rota! Sit over there, doll, and keep quiet, and you won’t get hurt.’ Sly was livid. ‘Hurry up, you great lump, and get the money!’ he shouted at Knuckles. ‘I don’t want to have to use the shooter.’ After that, everything happened at once. Marion fainted clean away. She fell heavily on the floor, striking her forehead on a wooden chair. Johnny rushed to help her, causing Knuckles to lose his balance as he spun round to see what was happening. The big man landed in a heap, and there was a tiny hiss as he burnt his lips with the cigar.
    ‘Well, that’s nice,’ said Sly. ‘I hope you didn’t hurt yourself.’
    ‘Shut up, he made me do it, running about like that. I can’t concentrate under these conditions.’ Knuckles held the gun inside his pocket, his finger on the trigger. ‘You said there would be no hassle.’
    ‘Ah! You’re useless! You couldn’t rob sweets off a small child. Now, get the money before I lose my temper completely.’
    Knuckles leapt up in a rage, slipped on the crumpled rug and there was a loud crack as the gun went off and he shot himself through the foot. He was silent for a moment, his eyes wide open in shock. As the pain began to tear at his bones, he let out a wail that made them all jump.
    ‘Ah, Jesus wept! Sweet Jesus! Why does