Zoe upset with Max…again.
Anger Mismanagement
Written by Don Blinebry | Noir and Nonsense Originals
Synopsis
A quiet meal turns dangerous when a man from Max Moxie’s past shows up looking for revenge.
But in a place like this, nothing ever plays out the way it should.
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Max Moxie stirred his coffee with the barrel of the .38 Smith & Wesson. Milk and sugar weren’t necessary. The Militec-1gun oil gave the dark brew enough flavor to make it palatable. He tapped the revolver on the edge of the cup and tasted the results.
“S’matter, Max? Ya don’t like the meatloaf?”
“Is that what it was? I thought it was armadillo . . . or one of those furry things you see in the road.”
“I guess it ain’t so good tonight, huh?”
“To be honest, no.” Max glared at the insipid smile and greasy apron his inquisitor wore like a badge of honor. “What I ordered was the goulash. This is supposed to be Gaspar’s House of Goulash, isn’t it?”
“Yeah but only because the sign was already there when I bought the joint. New signs are a lot of money y’know? Anyway, I never learned how to make that goo-stuff.”
“That’s just swell.” Max went back to stirring his coffee.
“I can make you somethin’ else?”
“No. Guess I’ve lost my appetite.”
“Say, how come your girlfriend, whatzername . . . er, Zoe, ain’t cooking for ya? You guys fightin’ again?”
“Yeah. Zoe’s what I’m really hungry for. She is so ticked this time though.”
“Well, if yer hungry, ya wanna try one of my wife’s cookies?” The proprietor offered a plate of the flattened confections.
“Hey, don’t mind if I do.” Max put the revolver on the counter and reached for the one with the chocolate sprinkles.
“I’ve been waiting all night for you to put that iron down, Moxie.” The man’s voice from the far side of the room rasped its demand. “Keep your hands up where I can see them and turn around.”
“Well, well, well.” Max turned to his foil. “Look who got out of jail free. Hello, Raul. I didn’t expect to see you for twenty-five to life.”
“One of my boys put my name on a list of non-violent offenders.” Raul grinned his satisfaction. “When the prison got too crowded, I was the first one they let go. Ain’t bureaucracy grand?”
“Who’s the nut with the gun, Max?” The proprietor’s whisper showed the strain of holding the cookie tray high above his head.
“I’m forgetting my manners. Raul, this is Gaspar. Gaspar, this is Raul Juan Carlos Etchasketchavera.”
“That’s Echevera.”
“That’s what I said. Raul is a master criminal and wannabe artiste. Since I’m the one who put him away, my guess is he’s back to thank me properly.”
“You always were a good guesser, Max.” Raul cocked the hammer of the Colt revolver. “Well, so long.”
“Wait, Raul. What about my cigarette? You know the rules. You can’t shoot me until I smoke a cigarette.”
“What cigarette? There ain’t no rules here.”
“Of course there is. . .are.” Max tried to sound authoritative. “Everybody knows the cigarette rule. I get to smoke. It’s not a health risk since you’re going to shoot me anyway.”
Raul relented. “Okay, okay, go ahead and light up, but only one and not one of those extra long ones either.”
“Y’know, I quit years ago, Raul. Can I have one of yours?”
Raul bellowed. “Now you’re just stalling, Moxie. I’m gonna blast you...”
The roar was deafening. Raul’s white shirt turned crimson as he stumbled backwards, half turned and pitched face first through the plate glass window of Gaspar’s House of Goulash.
“Not today, Raul.” The woman’s voice from the shadows had an angry edge.
“Zoe, baby, you’re back. I knew you loved me. I knew you couldn’t leave me.”
Zoe stepped into the light cradling the double barrel Winchester 24. “Nobody is going to shoot Max Moxie,” she ejected the two spent shells and reloaded, “except me.”
Max ran.
Meet the Usual Suspects
A Cinematic Moment
Anger Mismanagement, brought briefly to life.
Evidence Room
Found near the scene.
A noir keepsake.
Just take it. No questions asked.
