http://slow.writerscafe.org/DeanDuPont The original writings of author Leonard Schneider en-us Copyright 2026 WritersCafe.org 1776054727 WritersCafe.org RSS Generator 15 The title sums it up, really. Acid, paranoia, and the police. It's a lovely mix. Especially when you're in your twenties and borderline homeless. http://slow.writerscafe.org/writing/DeanDuPont/1565445/ A short tale of working in the adult entertainment industry. http://slow.writerscafe.org/writing/DeanDuPont/1565428/ The adventures in pizza delivery in a college town. Okay, it's Berkeley. And I did it for seven years. My hope for humanity was destroyed. Up the working class, m**********r. http://slow.writerscafe.org/writing/DeanDuPont/1565322/      Bekka and I made an attempt at sleep around 1:30.  It was futile, between the drugs and the adrenaline we were stuck to the wall.  We drifted off around 4:30....     .... Only to be awakened by the alarm at 5:55.  I felt like throwing it through a wi.. http://slow.writerscafe.org/writing/DeanDuPont/1565156/      We rolled down Santa Monica Boulevard to our fate, cutting up Wilcox Ave. and doubling back on Fountain.  We anchored around the corner from Seward, just in time to have some obnoxious junkie type with a broken bottle in his hand accost us as we got out of the car.  &nb.. http://slow.writerscafe.org/writing/DeanDuPont/1565153/      The fax came through while we were still on the road.  It gave instructions to leave the money bag in the men's room at the Yucca Street park.  As long as everything works out and all the money was there, Chrissie would be returned within twelve hours.  Await furth.. http://slow.writerscafe.org/writing/DeanDuPont/1565152/      The sky was just starting to lighten as we pulled in Angel's driveway.  False dawn, I think they call it.  As we got out of the car a thought struck me.     "Hey, anyone know what day of the week this is?" I asked.     Angel said, "Yeah, it.. http://slow.writerscafe.org/writing/DeanDuPont/1565150/      "What time is it?" asked Bekka.     "Just about midnight," I replied.     "Seems later."     "That's just your body rebelling.  We've gone over a day and a half with no sleep, and we've been moving around almost all that time. &nb.. http://slow.writerscafe.org/writing/DeanDuPont/1565149/      We arrived at Angel's house around 8:30 at night.  Angela answered the door, Angel being asleep on the sofa.     "Did you need me to wake him?" she asked.     "No, let him sleep," I replied.  "Really, we need to use the phone.  Any mor.. http://slow.writerscafe.org/writing/DeanDuPont/1565148/      I called Vinny back first.  "What do you mean, where's your wife?"     He yelled into the phone, "You scumbags carted her off four hours ago and she's still not back!  I mean what the hell did you do with her?  Where is she!?"     "Hey.. http://slow.writerscafe.org/writing/DeanDuPont/1565146/      The flies keep landing on my hand.  They're drawn there by the blood that drips off of it, refusing to congeal.  They itch.  I shake them off and resume my position, leaning against the garbage bags.     "Bekka!" I whisper.  "How you doing?" &nb.. http://slow.writerscafe.org/writing/DeanDuPont/1565143/ A mafia soldier's wife has gone missing, and Lenny & Bekka were the last two people to see her. It's up to them to find her again.... Or else. http://slow.writerscafe.org/writing/DeanDuPont/1565133/      I stepped in the door and called to Bekka in a low voice.  She'd said she was going to bed early, and I didn't want to startle her.     "Lenny?  Is that you?" she called.  I assured her it was me, and could I come in the bedroom?  I had news I w.. http://slow.writerscafe.org/writing/DeanDuPont/1564549/      Frankie and I sat at the bar in the Pink Panther.  I was midway through my third Johnnie Walker, Frankie nursing a soda.     Frankie asked, "So you're firing Calm Steve?"     "I can't.  First of all, this all happened away from the mansion .. http://slow.writerscafe.org/writing/DeanDuPont/1564547/      Now I really was at loose ends.  Eight days before my deadline with Don Ventimiglia and I had nothing to show except a list of Mexican fast food places in Chatsworth.  Angel was too busy sweating over his own hide to worry about me, and a third reading of the police rep.. http://slow.writerscafe.org/writing/DeanDuPont/1564545/      On Monday I was back at the Starlight Motel.  They were getting used to me.  The clerk asked me if I was doing business in the area.  I told him, "You might say that.  I'm a low-level soldier for the mafia, and if I don't solve that murder in Chatsworth in the.. http://slow.writerscafe.org/writing/DeanDuPont/1564541/      The phone rang three times and Angel answered.  "Hey Angel, it's Lenny.  How ya doing?"     "I'm fine.  You have some news for me?"     "Yes sir.  The people you're looking for are in Chatsworth, at 6857 ______ Drive.  It's d.. http://slow.writerscafe.org/writing/DeanDuPont/1564538/      It's noon Sunday and Bekka and I are seated with Vinny in a restaurant not six blocks from Angel's trattoria.  This place has the same air of exclusivity, for the same reasons.  This is Vinny's prize: a place with good food where you can talk about anything without worr.. http://slow.writerscafe.org/writing/DeanDuPont/1564534/      Angel called around 3:30, sounding peeved because I was delaying his lunch.  "So what do you know, Lenny?  Found Todd yet?"     "I found him, and there won't be any more trouble from him.  He's dead."     I swear I heard Angel choke on.. http://slow.writerscafe.org/writing/DeanDuPont/1564532/      I arrived back at Olivehurst to find I couldn't park in  my space.  It was already occupied by a Ford Taurus.  I pondered this, then recognized the Taurus as camera guy Calm Steve's car.  I  still had no idea why Steve would be over, except to talk busine.. http://slow.writerscafe.org/writing/DeanDuPont/1564530/      Nationally, torches --- professional arsonists --- cost the insurance companies untold millions of dollars each year, and not by stealing calendars.  I will heave no great sobs of pity for the insurance companies, as I consider them to be burdensome pests.  Nonetheless,.. http://slow.writerscafe.org/writing/DeanDuPont/1564526/ A search for an arsonist leads to murder. It's early fall of 1989 and Lenny is now the only punk rock mafia soldier known to man. http://slow.writerscafe.org/writing/DeanDuPont/1564522/      Dr. Liu beat us there, on purpose.  He wanted to be able to set up a temporary surgical theater, much to the distress and slight panic of Angela.  "Please Mrs. Morelli, do not pass out.  I can only handle one emergency per household per day, and your husband let me.. http://slow.writerscafe.org/writing/DeanDuPont/1564497/      We walked in the house still laughing at the efforts of the Mighty Mulvoney.  "And you wondered why I didn't want to own a BMW.  I'd be associated with the likes of that guy.  S**t, I'm embarrassed to share the same ethnic makeup as him."     "So you.. http://slow.writerscafe.org/writing/DeanDuPont/1564495/     Saturday morning Bekka woke me up, announcing her plans to get an early start up to Encino for her usual lunch and gossip session with the guys' wives.  I rolled over and went back to sleep as the front door closed....     .... Then snapped awake and dived for the p.. http://slow.writerscafe.org/writing/DeanDuPont/1564491/      They were right about my jobs being boring, initially.  My first assignment was to drive out to Montrose, out past Burbank, and pick up a suitcase to be delivered to Frankie's house.  This was all conducted past ten p.m. for some reason, but that --- like the contents o.. http://slow.writerscafe.org/writing/DeanDuPont/1564489/      I got a hold of Angel a little past four.  Strange how methamphetamine can relax you.... or at least steel your nerves.  I came right to the point.     "Angel, you've wanted me in the organization, so I'm in.  And no, I'm not getting divorced, it's o.. http://slow.writerscafe.org/writing/DeanDuPont/1564486/      "So let me get this straight," I asked, "You're okay with me becoming a member of the family?"     Bekka said, "You can't become one.  You're not Italian.  However, you can be an associate, and that's okay with me.  Not much would change for you, sin.. http://slow.writerscafe.org/writing/DeanDuPont/1564485/ The year is 1989. Lenny Schneider is a twenty-one year old punk rocker who, as much to his surprise as anyone's, finds himself running a mafia-owned porn production company. http://slow.writerscafe.org/writing/DeanDuPont/1564482/