Blood Brothers

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Blood Brothers

Whitney is preparing breakfast at her shared apartment with boyfriend Eddie, the apartment is on the top floor overlooking New York city. Whitney’s boyfriend is an accountant for a successful company, they are both in their thirties.

Whitney – Honey, breakfast is ready, hurry or it will get cold.

Eddie – Just a second, I can’t find my car keys.

Whitney – Have you looked in your blazer pocket, the one you wore yesterday.

Eddie – Found it, it was in my blazer pocket.

Eddie makes his way to the breakfast table, gives Whitney a kiss, “you know I’ve missed you” he says with a slight grin on his face, “what do you mean” Whitney asks, “I mean every time you take a morning shower; I begin to miss you” he says in joking sort of way. “Hold on a minute, are you implying I take too long in the shower” pointing her butter knife at Eddie, “of course not dear, wouldn’t dream of it” Eddie holds both hands in the air in defence.

Eddie – What time will you be back from work today, you said you’ve been busy.

Whitney – The usual time, at around seven, do you want me to bring back a takeaway.

Eddie – No, I’ll cook, this evening, I’ll make pasta or maybe pizza, we’ll have it with ice cream and wine, you’ll love it.

Whitney – Ok, but you’re washing up the dishes after, I want full service or nothing at all.

Eddie – Yes mam at your service, how is working anyway.

Whitney – Funny you should ask; I’ve been asked to attend a meeting with the team. They want me to write an article for a magazine, ‘Americas Most Wanted’, something about the late nineties’ governments war on the south side notorious gangsters the Blood Brothers.

Eddie – It sounds familiar, I remember a Speech by president Jaku, his plan to destroy the Blood Brothers and restore Law and order, that was after the execution of seven police officers during an armed robbery of JPMorgan Chase.

Whitney – I promise I won’t be late; we’ll watch a movie; I’ll buy the ice cream.

They both eat their breakfast, and watch the news on TV, their relationship has been steady and loving, but at times their professional lives had gotten in the way of getting married and starting a family. Whitney always felt that the best way to get around the city was by cycling, she travels to work on her bicycle, it is the quickest, most cost-effective way to travel, and for her, a healthy way to travel. Whitney battles her way through traffic, eventually reaching her workplace, it is a large office complex with several floors a privately owned company called NBC. She makes her way into her office and receives a message on her work phone, “Whitney, be at my office today at 9:30 a.m.” The message was left by her boss an hour earlier. Hector Night is a man reaching his retirement, Mr Night oversees assigning his journalists to current issue, one of his favourite journalists is Whitney.

Hector – Please take a seat Whitney, as you know we’ve always been very pleased with the work you’ve done, this is why I’m assigning you to write an Article on the Blood Brothers for Americas Most Wanted. The person you are to interview is Gomez, Mr Ricky Gomez, he is incarcerated at the state penitentiary for murder, he murdered a police officer, execution style almost a decade ago, he’s currently on death row.

Whitney – What exactly do you want the focus of the article to be on.

Hector – That’s for you to decide, but make it interesting for the reader, find out about Mr Gomez, his past, the Blood Brothers, you’re in charge.

Whitney – What makes you think he’ll agree to it, have you approached him already.

Hector – He’ll agree to it, we’ve cut a deal, he is in solitary confinement most of the day, not seen day light in years, or had a decent meal, we’ll give him this luxury before his execution. The team has already spoken to the police and prison guard. You just need to go over there and work that magic of yours, there is good money in this Miss Kirby.

Whitney – Fax me the detail, I’ll get right on it.

Whiteny makes her way out of Hector’s office and into the NBC’s canteen. She bumps into Phillip a long-time admirer, he’s in his forties never married, forever in love with Whitney.

Whiteny – Can I have an expresso please.

Phillip – I’ve been looking for you Whitney, congratulation on your recent promotion.

Whitney – That was a month ago Phillip, what is it that you want.

Phillip – I just wanted to tell you, my office is now across yours, I’ve been promoted to the position of senior PR.

Whitney – Lucky me, listen I can’t talk, I have a lot of work to do.

Phillip – I understand I can take a hint, if you need anything, I’m just across the hall.

Whitney cringes inside, tenses up, but manages to get away without much trouble. She takes a seat at her desk, switches on her office laptop, begins researching the Blood Brothers. She thinks it’s a wise thing to do prior to meeting Ricky Gomez, an inmate on death row, Whitney finds an old news video clip, made in the early seventies, the clip describes the drug gangs running the streets, destroying family values and the high unemployment rates in the poorer neighbourhoods. Mostly, in the black, Mexican and ethnic minority areas. The frequent crossfire between rival gangs, and the cost of resettling many migrants to so called ‘Safer location’, ghettos secured by barbed wires with police presence. That was the political debate of the day and an election winning promise, a promise of a safer country was on the lips of every political candidate and on the minds of the electors. However, this created a social division on all levels, from education, to health, division in attaining employment as well as residency status, all gang members became stateless, Alien’s as they came to be known. Whitney stops the clip and makes a note in her diary for a brief visitation to the state penitentiary to see Ricky Gomez. Her mobile phone rings, she picks up. “Its me Eddie, I miss you, I’ve just called to remind you not to be late tonight” Eddie voice is calm and comforting to Whitney, “I know, I promise I won’t be late” she replies in a manner she has become accustomed to, “Ok see you Juliet”, “Goodbye Romeo”. Hector knocks on her door.

Whitney – Come in.

Hector – I just received a call from the state pen, the guard suggest that visiting hours to be restricted, from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. Monday to Friday only and that it is advisable that you attend fully prepared, considering that Ricky Gomez is a dangerous individual.

Whitney – I think I can handle myself, is there anything else I should know.

Hector – No, I think that’s about it.

Whitney – Ok, well I’ll see him today in that case, goodbye.

Whitney grabs a note book, makes her way to the State penitentiary on her bicycle, on arrival she shows her Identification to the Police guard, “Miss Whitney Kirby” the police guard approves, “Yes I have you listed here, for visitation, you must be the journalist” he says in polite manner, “that’s right, I’m here to see Ricky Gomez” Whitney notices the officers machine gun, and becomes aware that she’s about to enter dangerous territory. “ Ok Miss Kirby, I just need you to wait a moment until police escort arrives”, Whitney soon notices a police guard approach her, also heavily armed, “Can I please see the contents of you bag mam” his voice is unusually deep, “I only keep, my makeup and basic toiletry in my bag”, “I’m sure you do, it’s just standard procedure”. After careful inspection the guard returns her bag, and hands a device, “what’s this”, “that is for your safety mam, if at any point you feel unsafe, just press the side button, the device will sound an alarm and alert a member of staff”. Whitney is then escorted into a waiting area, she looks around and notices cameras on the wall, guards everywhere, heavy metal doors and a strange smell which she couldn’t quite describe. Soon she is approached by the prison guard “follow me” he escorts her to an empty room with a table, a seat and a see-through booth for Ricky Gomez. “Wait here mam, he’ll be out in just a minute”. Whitney is feeling anxious, but is well prepared, with her notebook, camera and video recorder. Ricky walks through, hand cuffed, and ankle cuffed dressed in an orange uniform for inmates. Instantly Whitney notices his eyes, sparkling eyes, shaved head, with film star good looks.

Whitney – Hello my names is Whitney, I’m from the NBC, I’m here to write an article about you.

There is a silence, Ricky looks distant, drowsy but fully alert, he spends time taking in what he has heard and who has come to speak to. He lights a cigarette blows smoke upwards, and eventually speaks.

Ricky Gomez – Aren’t you a little too pretty to be snooping around her, some of these guys her haven’t seen a woman in thirty years.

Whitney notices he sounds educated, not how she’d imagine him to be.

Whitney – Well I’m not here to see them I’m here to see you.

Gomez – An article, for who, who are the readers.

Whitney – The magazine is called Americas Most Wanted; it is sold on the high street.

Gomez – Is that so, well you’re wasting your time, no one wants to hear my story, it will offend their tiny little minds, so why don’t you go home, I’m sure Eddie is missing you and don’t let dinner go cold.

Whitney – Excuse me, how do you know my boyfriend’s name.

Gomez – I didn’t but the guard that checked the contents of your bag did, he told me just before you walked in.

Whitney – He can’t do that, that’s against the law.

Gomez – You came here honey to write an article about me, my first piece of advice to you, don’t believe everything you hear, most of the time the bad guys aren’t in chains, they are in Armani suits, married, with children in private schools, with a high paying job working for the government. Sh*t you think I don’t know why they want an article about me before they execute me, it’s to ease the conscious of the great taxing paying public, that have got me locked up on death row.

Whitney – Are you admitting to your guilt as a former Blood Brothers gang member.

Gomez – You think I’d be here if I was innocent, what have they told you about me, go on I’m interested in knowing, making me laugh, I could do with a laugh.

Whitney – I found an old article about you, that along with your criminal record and verdict of killing an officer on duty.

Gomez – That’s true, that does make me guilty, how about if I told you that the officer I shot, had murdered two kids making their way to school, for being called dirty pigs, would that make me less guilty.

Whitney – It would make you not guilty, well was that it, a public offence case.

Gomez – No, but I’d like you to have a think about that tonight on your way home. I believe I can choose to terminate this interview now.

Whitney – I’ve travelled a long away, we’ve barely started.

Gomez – I’m sorry, but like I said you’re wasting your time if you’re looking for the facts.

Whitney – Will you at least agree to give it a try, what have you got to lose.

Gomez – I have nothing to lose, I’m just not too keen on what a lot of people might gain from your article, sh*t, I’m on death row, and still making money for the middle-class America, this place here is one big business to, you’ve seen how many people they’ve hired. Oh yes one last thing, that guard that checked your bag, is a member of the Blood Brothers, you couldn’t tell could you. Have a good evening, Whitney.

Gomez slams his fists at the booth and asks the guards to take him back to his cell.

Whitney – I’ll be coming back to talk to you Ricky.

Gomez – Ok sweet lady, you do that.

Whitney makes her way out of the state penitentiary feeling unsure whether than man she spoke to was as evil as he has been made out to be by the criminal justice system, by the press and by public opinion. She returns home in time to have dinner with Eddie.

Eddie – I can’t believe it, you’ve kept your word, you’re on time.

Whitney – I always keep my word; I’ve missed you and I haven’t forgotten the ice cream.

Eddie - Well did you speak with the notorious Blood Brothers.

Whitney – Yes, I did as a matter of fact, a thirty-five-year-old Ricky Gomez, he wasn’t anything like I expected him to be, I thought he’d be frightening, uneducated and foul mothed, but he wasn’t.

Eddie – Well you can never tell with those bastards; they may seem like decent citizens, but they rarely are. What are you going to write about him anyway.

Whitney – I haven’t decided yet, I won’t write anything until I get the full picture.

Eddie – I will be the first to read it, I’ll review it for you. What do you want to watch this evening, crime thriller, romance, adventure, TV drama.

Whitney – I’m feeling a little tired, I think I’ll just go to bed, you can join me if you like.

Eddie – Is that even an option.

Whitney takes the same route to her workplace, only this time she notices a fight break out between two men over what appears to be a trivial matter, a parking ticket. It’s not something she normally notices, but this time she pays attention to it. Something Gomez told her about injustice, that it’s not always clear who the victim really is.

Hector – Whitney come to the conference room quickly.

Whitney – What is it, what’s with the urgency.

Hector – The vice president has been killed.

Whitney along with her colleague are watching the press coverage over the assassination of the vice president Gaulle by a Latin American gunman, the news reader a man in his late seventies, he is standing a few meters away from the now deceased gunman, “the motive remain unclear”, the news reader says in his well-spoken English, “but what we do know, is that the gun man is a member of the notorious gang the Blood Brothers, he has the signature red arm band worn only by the Blood Brothers”. “Maxwell Gaulle was waving to his supporters as he was being driven in his open top Cadillac, when the gun man appeared from the crowd walked over to Gaulle and shot him repeatedly, a hero police officer opened fire immediately and neutralised the assassin”, the reporter is seen at the scene of the crime reporting the incident live on TV, ambulance and police presence everywhere, people are being pushed back by armed guards, and a general sense of chaos takes over the place.

Whitney – Shall we continue with my Article on Ricky Gomez, isn’t it bad timing.

Hector – No not at all, on the contrary, everyone in America wants to know who the bad guys are, it will boost sales of the magazine, and we’ll be doing service for the people, maybe even have an influence on the election outcome.

Whitney – What if whatever Gomez has to say doesn’t, pleas your average American citizen.

Hector – Well you know you can always add a good bit of fiction here and there.

Whitney – You mean lie and tell our version of the events.

Hector leans back into his chair, lights a cigarette, takes a deep inhale of the nicotine, pauses to think about her concern, “Well, who is interested in the truth anyway, what difference does it make, no one is going to care, if Gomez is a killer or not, they just want to hear what they want to hear”, smoke begins to flow out of Gomez’s noses, before he decides to exhale up into the ceiling.

Whitney – Ok, I’ll get you the story, under one condition.

Hector – And what condition is that.

Whitney – That you give me time, and I want the story to be a full story, we’ll have to pay extra for extra ink on the page.

Hector – Deal, but if the story is bad, you’re paying to cover the costs.

Whitney rises from here chair, picks up her belongings straightens her dress and walks confidently out of the conference room, “Goodbye, I have a lot of work to do, don’t call me until I have my article ready” hector points towards the door, “close the door behind you gently”. A few hours later Whitney arrives at the state penitentiary, makes sure that no private information is in her handbag, she is approached by a guard, gives him her hand bag, he inspects it, then returns it, “It’s standard procedure mam, all visitors are searched in this manner”, he opens the gate for her and she walks through into the empty room with the glass booth again. Only this time Gomez takes a little longer to arrive, but when he arrived, he isn’t handcuffed anymore, the restriction had eased a little, for his good behaviour.

Gomez – You didn’t miss me did you, to tell you the truth I didn’t think you’d bother to come back after that incident with the vice president.

Whitney – Incident, it was more than just an incident, Gaulle was assassinated by a Blood Brothers gang member.

Gomez – What makes you so sure he was a gang member, you’re a journalist, of all people you should know that the media twists the truth.

Whitney – Why else would the assassin wear a red arm band if he wasn’t a gang member.

Gomez – I know the Blood Brothers, I was one, the government has always used different tactics, one of the earliest methods they used was sending in under cover agents to supply drugs in the poorer areas of the community.

Whitney – Why would they want to do that, and what makes you so sure they were police, and not just drug dealers.

Gomez – I grew up in that community, I saw the drug addicts, the pimps, the gang warfare, I saw how the police infiltrated the area, the violence inflicted in my neighbourhood, I saw all of it as a child. My mother used to tell me, the change was sudden, her childhood was normal, everyone went about their lives like any other citizen, but the economy collapsed, there was unemployment. That’s when trouble started, drugs became suddenly available, in a community that were mostly catholic, hardworking and law abiding. My father was caught in between a crossfire, rival gangs waring over territory, he died when I was seven years old.

Whitney notices a tattoo on Gomez’s left forearm, it’s a tattoo of a tribe’s man wearing a red arm band, she asks him about the tattoo, “What is that Tattoo on your arm, does it have any meaning” by now Whitney’s tone of voice changes from that of a well-spoken journalist, to a genuinely curious women, saddened by the story.

Gomez – It’s our symbol, if one of us were to leave the gang, we would always remain blood brothers regardless of the distance, or our differences. Also, we would always know who a Blood Brother is and not a police agent impersonating one of us, it’s always better to know who your friends are, or to be more precise who you brothers are.

Whitney – Were you all that close.

Gomez – Loyalty was the most important quality; we were loyal to each other put it that way. So, in answer to your question, how do I know the gunman that shot Gaulle wasn’t a gang member, one of the methods police agents used against us, was planting a weapon in a gang members vehicle, sometimes in their home, or anywhere he or she may be at the time. The weapon would have been used earlier to either murder a rival gang member or just an innocent victim, consequently a warrant of arrest would be issued, since investigation and evidenced gathering would have been undertaken by the police. The suspect would be then taken away, we lost a lot of members that way. The worst was, when a rival gang member was murdered, it sparked street wars. Of course, the media coverage of the incident falsified the facts, people became outraged, the ghetto areas became no go area for most people, that’s why I was surprised that the NBC would send a journalist to speak with me. I guessed since I’m on death row, it wont matter what I say.

Whitney - Who were exactly members of the blood brothers, were you all from the same community.

Gomez begin to look exhausted; he applies pressure to his temple to relieve a headache, closes his eye, thinks about the question.

Gomez – In the beginning, mostly Mexicans, Latinos, but as the government intensified the war on gang members, or as they put it to “neutralize the enemy”, members came from the wider community, we had, Hispanics, some were Chillian, even the Italina’s were on their hit list, the African American community had their own war. They were not like us, the effect it had on the community was bad, young men were stigmatised, the brightest and most educated couldn’t find work, they either starved or became one of the Blood Brothers. As they years went by, the ghetto area was cut off from mainstream society, it became the norm, we were cursed by two wars which was being fought, one against the government, that put us in this mess, and the other, the drug wars, the street wars, the gang wars, crime was the only way out of poverty. Crime paid, but it came at a high price, families were ruined, the average life expectancy fell from forty, to twenty-five, for gang members, there was a large cemetery for the fallen Blood Brothers.

Whitney begins to cry as she hears this story, unlike Gomez she grew up in a middle-class family, in leafy neighbourhoods where the only time they were aware of poverty or crime was by watching the news channels. She went to a fee-paying school and graduated from college with a master’s in journalism, now in her early thirties, she remains sheltered from the darker side of society, a side of society which she was now reporting on. Gomez isn’t the sort of guy, she has ever known personally, or even heard of, but for some unexplainable reason she finds him kind natured, “Everything that I have grown to believe, tells me that this man, is someone to be avoided, locked away in a dungeon for eternity, and yet something ells inside tells me this man isn’t the monster he has been made out to be”. Whitney speaks these words in her mind, and as she sits tranced in her seat, she senses that Gomez can hear her thoughts. He looks deep into her soul while she fights off the gravitational pull to be one of them. “Thank you, Ricky, I think you must be tired now, maybe we should end this interview for today”, Whitney, drinks a glass of water, forces herself to come out of the trance she has been under. Gomez slams his fists against the booth, calls for the guards to take him back to his sell.

Prison Guard – Mam please follow me; we need you to fill in a form.

Whitney – What form.

Prison Guard – It’s a security questionnaire, standard procedure, please follow me.

Whitney walks along a dark corridor, right at the end of the corridor is an office, the guard opens the door for Whitney, inside the office there is a lady, she gives Whitney what appears to be a parcel. “What is this” she asks looking surprised, “It’s from Gomez, he wanted us to give it to you, we’re not permitted to do so, but we’ve known Gomez for many years, he’s reaching the end of his sentence on death row, next week he will be put into the electric chair, take it with you, and keep it to yourself”. Whitney thanks the lady and makes her way back along the corridor to the exit. Once she reaches home, she unwraps the parcel and finds a book, the title of the book is ‘The Innocent Out Laws’ the true story of the notorious Blood Brothers. The book is band from sale everywhere in the open market, but copies are shared amongst certain people.

Eddie – I have two tickets to the theatre, I’m taking you out tonight, have a shower and get ready for a great evening.

Whitney – The theatre, which theatre.

Eddie – The Broadway theatre, two tickets for fiddler on the roof.

Whitney – Never heard of it, but I’m sure it will be great, let me get ready.

The evening starts of very well, they catch a taxi, enjoying the scenery and each other’s company, Hector is exited about his job promotion, “I have been promoted to manager of the accounts department, I’ll get a pay rise, a new office, large bonus”, Whitney puts on a fake smile, “I’m so happy for you Eddie you’ve always said you wanted that position in the company” she grabs Eddie’s arm, pulls him towards herself and gives him a kiss on the lips. They arrive at the theatre, hector pays the taxi driver, grabs Whitney’s hand and walks into the theatre. “Look I forgot to tell you a letter arrived through the post to you, I opened it by accident”, Whitney pulls away from Hector, “who was it from”, “From the Magazine you are writing for, they’ve asked for the article to be sent to them intime for the release of their next issue”. Whitney feels a sudden pain in her chest, Gomez is a man on death row, and as he puts it, used for publicity purposes. The couple watch the theatrical play and spend the rest of the evening dinning, “We’ve been invited by my parents for lunch at their house this weekend, you know what it’s like, they’ve grown to like you and have asked me about our long term plans” he reaches over the table, grabs her hands looks into her eyes lovingly, “Well you know how much I care about you, but I think we should wait, we’ve both got such busy lives, you with your promotion, me with the travelling, the over time” Whitney pulls her hands away refills her glass of wine and begins to change the subject. “What shall we order for desert” she looks around to see a waitress, “I’ll have whatever you’re having” Eddie sounds disappointed, he feels she’s now quiet at the table with him, just as Whitney was about to place an order, a gunshot is heard outside.

Whiteny – Oh my God what was that, is anyone hurt.

Eddie – I don’t know, but it looks like some kind of traffic incident, oh I see it, what is it with these people, it’s always the same lot, why can’t they stay in their own neighbourhood.

Whitney – What do you mean, stay in their own neighbourhood.

Eddie – The blacks the Mexicans, the lot of them, can’t we have some peace anymore, you know the other day, this guy cut me up on the road, I almost called the police.

Whitney – Speaking of the police here they come.

The traffic incident involved a pregnant lady crossing the road, she had a child of seven with her, as she was crossing the road, the motorist ignored the traffic light and nearly ran her over. The women, a Latin American woman in her late twenties falls to the ground, she shouts at him, a gun is pulled out by the driver, and he shoots into the air. “Get off the road, he screams at her, this is not your neighbourhood, you don’t belong here”.

Police Officer – Can you please return to your vehicle and let me handle the situation.

Eddie – What is the matter Whitney, you look a little upset.

Whitney – Upset, what did that poor women do to deserve that, look he’s putting handcuffs on her.

Eddie – Don’t let it bother you, maybe we should pay the bill, order a cab and leave.

Whitney – No, I want to have a word with the officer.

Eddie – Whitney, don’t be crazy come back.

Whitney approaches the Police man, “Excuse, but what the hell do you think you’re doing, this woman hasn’t done anything wrong.

Police Officer – Mam, please let me do my job, this is a public disturbance incident.

Whitney – Well I’m finding you right now very disturbing, so what has she done wrong.

Police Officer – She clearly crossed the road without taking the necessary precaution.

Whitney was stunned by the incident, an incident which she would have not ordinarily noticed, or even intervened.

Eddie – Honey, come on let’s go it’s getting late.

Police Officer – He is right mam, have a good night, everything will be taken care of.

Eddie, grabs Whitney’s hand and takes her of the street and into a Taxi, the mood had changed suddenly, Whitney found Eddie’s lack of sympathy for the women unsettling.

Eddie – I don’t understand why you’re so mad with me, what have I done wrong.

Whitney – You’ve done nothing wrong, ok, nothing wrong.

Eddie – I don’t believe you, I’m sorry, it won’t happen again, ok.

Whitney – Appology accepted, I just need time to be by myself for now.

Eddie accepts her wish, he makes his way to the kitchen makes himself a vegetable juice, sits and watches the TV. Whitney spends the rest of the night reading her book, ‘The Innocent Out Law’s’ the untold truth about the ‘Blood Brothers’. The following day she receives a call from her friend, Bethney. “hey Whitney, how are you, you haven’t been receiving my calls, I just wanted to let you know I got engaged to Alan”, she speaks with a child like excitement over the phone, “that’s great Bethney, I’m so happy for you, when did he propose”, “Last week, he took me took me by surprise, I was taken to the place where we first met, the late night tango and bar, that’s when he went down on his knees, and showed me the engagement ring”, Bethney can be heard screaming over the phone in joy. “Ok, whatever you’re feeling, keep it in a bottle, I’ll visit you next week, I want to drink from your bottle,” “You bet girl, love you, speak soon”. Whitney hangs up the phone. She makes her way into the living room, sees Eddie on his computer, working late into the night, auditing for various businesses, she calls him several times, but he has his headphones on and doesn’t respond. Feeling disappointed she goes to her bedroom and falls asleep. Late in the night, there is a knock on the door. Eddie answers the door.

Eddie – Who is it.

Detective Phillips – It’s the police, we were wondering if we can have a word with you.

Eddie – It’s two in the morning for God’s sake.

Detective – Yes that is right I apologise, but it’s a rather urgent matter, we’ll only take a moment of your time.

Eddie – Ok hold on a moment.

Eddie opens the door and checks the Police officers’ badge, Detective Philips is accompanied by other police men, he is very muscular looking man, with sharp features and an intimidating presence about him.

Detective – Thank you sir, it’s regarding the incident earlier today.

Eddie – You mean with the motorist.

Detective – That’s right, we believe that you were present at the scene with a lady.

Eddie – My girlfriend, Whitney, you said it’s urgent.

Detective – Just standard procedure, can we speak to your girlfriend as well please.

Eddie – Sure, Whitney can you come over here, someone, wants to speak with you.

Whitney arrives at the door, in her night ware, adjusting to the light coming from the corridor, she is tired and sleepy, “yes what is it”, she says in a hushed tone of voice. “we just like to keep a record of the incident, with those close to the scene of the accident” Philips has a reassuring calming tone of voice. “Is this standard procedure”, “yes of course mam, we like to ensure the safety of all that may have been affected by crime” he gives Whitney a caring smile. “Of course, ask me anything you like, I’m glad you’re going to investigate that bastard”, Whitney, invites the men into her living room, “please take a seat”. “Thankyou, sadly the women had miscarried, the baby died, but we found a great amount of heroin in her belonging, since you two were the only people at the scene of the accident, we’d hope you’d co-operate with the us”, “What do you mean officer, I don’t understand” she begins to sound confused, “Police matters are delicate matters, we were hoping that you assist us in fighting crime, we’d like you to fill out this simple form and post it to us, as soon at practicable, your name, occupation, what you saw, and how you felt about the police response”. “How do you think I feel, an unborn baby died” she begins to sound angry. “Mam, that is the reason we’re asking you to complete this form, we will do our best to serve the publics interest, that will be all mam, have a good night’s rest” the police men walk away into the night, certain that Whitney’s account of the events will not reach the families of the victim, or anyone that may interfere with police investigation.

“Times up Ricky Gomez” a fully armed prison guard, watching over Gomez, “All right” he says, disposing his cigarette with a quick flick into the ground. Gomez is reaching the end of his death row sentence, they have given him time to be by himself at the prison yard, provided him with cigarette, and his favourite music, an Operatic song to listen to.

Gomez – Times up, you bet times up.

Prison Guard – Ricky, you know we’ve almost become friends, since you’ve been here.

Gomez – I know, you’re not too bad yourself, how are the kids.

Prison Guard – They’re not kids anymore, maybe to me, they are kids, but the youngest one is twenty, he’s training to be a chef, he says he loves the pressure environment.

Gomez – I lost my friends and family when they locked me up, who would have thought that you lot, prison guards would be my new friends.

Prison Guard – You’re allowed your shower and lunch, and you have a visitor at 3 P.M. today.

Gomez – Who.

Prison Guard – The same lady Journalist, Whitney, she is listed as a visitor, now that the interviewing is over.

Gomez – Ok, well tell her I’m on death row with a couple of days remining, so unless it’s an important matter I’d like to have some privacy now.

Prison Guard – I’ll pass on the message to her.

Gomez taps him on the shoulder “I knew I could rely on you, old friend”, he says in a joking way.

Later in the day, Gomez is called into the booth, “You said it’s urgent, so here I am, but bee quick, I’m kind of running out of time”, Whitney has a copy of the article she had written on Ricky Gomez, member of the Blood Brothers, facing the death charge, by electric chair. “I’ve brought you a copy of my article, for America’s Most Wanted, magazine, I’d like to receive your approval”, there is a tone of sadness in her voice, as she hands him the article. “Ok I will, but you’ve already got a copy of the book, ‘The Innocent Out Laws’ with you, I think it should be self-explanatory” Gomez leans forward and asks her “are you crying”, “yes I am Gomez, you’ve made me open my eyes to the injustice that exits in your world” Whitney is in a bad state, she can’t bare to face the publishers, her boss at NBC or even her boyfriend, in this moment in time. “I thought if I at least get your approval, it won’t be so bad, but it turns out that is not the case” her voice begins to break. “If it will make you feel better, I kind of needed the company, someone to be with in my final days, visitation have been out of the question in these state prison system, but on the bright side, I have had a lot of time in my cell, that’s why I wrote the book ‘The innocent Out Laws’, I’d like you to keep the untold truth with you, when I’m gone, you won’t find a written account of the Blood Brothers, anywhere in the world”. Whitney had come to revisit Gomez because she wanted to rescue him.

Whitney – Ricky, I think I can save your life.

Gomez – You save my life, I don’t have a life anymore, I lost my life when they locked me up, in here with these chains, surveillance cameras, within these walls.

Whitney – What if I share the untold truth about Ricky Gomez with the readers.

Gomez – You’ll lose your career, you still have a life ahead of you, mines over, move on, move on to better things, go on leave this death camp. I don’t want you around here.

Ricky slams his fists on both “Guard, I’m done here” he shouts at the guard standing behind the door. “I know you’re right Gomez, goodbye”. Whitney returns to her office, delivers the final version of the article to Hector, “this is great stuff Whitney” he says while biting into a mayo sandwich, “the readers will love it”, “I’m sure they will” now can I make a suggestion, “sure”, “Keep a tissue with you when your eating your Mayo Sandwich”, “What’s the matter with you” he asks in a inquisitive tone of voice. Whitney slams Hectors office door and makes her way out of the NBC office building. She decides to go for a long walk, when she makes her way into a nearby park to get her thoughts together, her emotion is getting strong, a mixture of anger, sadness, guilt, and loss. A week later the article is published in America’s Most Wanted magazine, she receives a copy through the post.

Eddie – Sweetheart, you’ve got a post, it looks like it’s from the magazine.

Whitney – In a minute, let me get dressed.

Whitney changes into her work close, puts on her makeup, pretends she has no feeling for Gomez, not that it matters, now that he is no longer alive. Eddie opens the magazine and reads the article, “this is great stuff Whitney, very gripping, I think the readers are going to love it, I think this calls for a celebration, how about I take you out tonight for dinner. You can invite Bethny and her husband to come along to, Bethny is expecting a baby, we’ll have a baby soon to”, Whitney beginning to be annoyed at Eddie’s plans for starting a family, she appears to dislike him the more she gets to know him.

Whitney – What is for breakfast, have you made breakfast Eddie.

Eddie – Not yet.

Whitney switches the TV on while Eddie makes breakfast in the kitchen. It’s a news channel, she likes to get up to date with the latest news.

TV news man – It appears that the unimaginable has occurred, high police presence at the state Pen for dangerous offenders, a member of the notorious Blood Brothers has escaped from prison. The police have named the escaped prisoner as Ricky Gomez, he escaped on Thursday night, the police are urging everyone to remain vigilant as Ricky Gomez is dangerous and armed. The police have released a photo of the man, if you see him, please contact your nearest police station as soon as possible. Now to our main news, Timothy Brown, from, the movie within the mountains has separated from her long-term boyfriend. Whitney lowers the volume, switches the TV off, makes a call to NBC offices, “put me through to Hector, immediately”, she is clearly in shock “Whitney, you know Hector doesn’t receive call before 10 A.M”, “I don’t care, just put that son of a b*tch on the phone” she is becoming quite angry. “All right hold on a moment”.

Hector – Good morning, Whitney, what is the matter.

Whitney – Haven’t you watched the news.

Hector – No, I haven’t.

Whitney – Ricky, escaped from jail, they’ve got the entire police force looking for him, and my article is circling the subways.

Hector – All the better, it will boost sales.

Whitney – I’m now associated with Ricky, I can’t leave the house without people recognizing me as that woman who wrote about the most wanted man in America, now can I.

Hector – Relax it will be fine, take a day off, people will soon forget, in fact come back next week, by then not only will people forget, but he’ll probably be also dead.

Whitney slams the phone, “honey, breakfast is ready, I’ve got fruit juice, and vegetable juice” Eddie walks into the living room “What’s the matter sweety”, “Nothing is the matter, what’s for breakfast” Whitney pretends to be hungry, but she has lost her appetite. “I’ve taken a week off; I’m not feeling to well.” A month later, the police receive intelligence, a man in a third flour apartment, resembling Ricky Gomez has been seen entering the apartment block in Italy, occasionally leaving the building for his daily shopping for food and newspaper. Undercover police plan to capture Gomez, at midnight, all the entrance and exit to the building have been blocked off. Ricky Gomez can bee seen in his apartment, reading a newspaper next to a radio, he gets up from his chair, draws the curtain and switches on the lights. “Follow my signal” says a man with his face covered, armed in bullet proof vest. “You go up the stairs first and stand by the door, when I tell you, break the door in and open fire” Several police men are nearby. The police enter the apartment, the radio is on and it’s playing Ricky’s favourite Opera by Puccini. “He’s not here” he says while searching the apartment inch by inch, “what do you mean he’s not here”, “I mean he’s just left the radio on, he’s not her”. Ricky Gomez had hired another apartment in the building, near to the fire escape, he’d left the building an hour earlier, in a black BMW, he was never located, but roomer has it that he died in a gun battle with a rival gang, years later, but this was never confirmed. Whitney left her job at the NBC, and worked as a freelance journalist, she received a letter, years later from Gomez. “This letter may come to you as a surprise, as you know I escaped from the State penitentiary a little over two years ago with the help of the Blood Brothers. Since then, I have been living in Italy. I have not forgotten your charm and your curiosity, in fact some day’s I’ve even missed your company, I’m certain that you are curios as to the reason why I’m writing you this letter. Well maybe it’s because I wanted to explain that no one really escapes from death row, but that after speaking to you, I felt that it was necessary that you would not be mislead by the general perception of the Blood Brothers, the lives of the Innocent out Law’s. I wrote this letter for you and gave it to one of the Blood Brothers if die, they would post it for me, and I do sense the shadows of death around. Farewell Whitney.

Signed Gomez

Whitney reads through the letter, her eyes become teary, finally she understood the untold true story of the Blood Brothers.

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