The winter of Frankie Machine

75

Jimmy knows he’s got to get in and out fast.

A quickie in the sticky.

Wham, bam, thank you, M.

He’s in a race with the feds to see who gets there first. No consolation prize for second place, no gift baskets or all-expense-paid weekends at a second-rate resort, thank you for playing, and we hope you had fun.

Winner take all.

Way it should be.

So Jimmy and the Wrecking Crew roll up at the address hard and fast and with bad intent. No more time for subtlety-just go through the door, shoot anything that moves, hope you get The Machine before The Machine gets you.

That’s good, Jimmy thinks as the car skids to a stop. I should go in the studio and cut that-“Get The Machine Before The Machine Gets You.” Next hip-hop hit out of Motor City.

“Eight Mile” my rosy ass.

He gets out of the car.

The address is a Jack in the Box.

Dave, parked across the street, can make out a crew when he sees one, even in the pouring rain.

Don Winslow

The Winter of Frankie Machine