Previously on Gangstermoll - Act I
It occurred to me the other day that many readers could probably use a refresher on all the twists and turns in a story as complicated as This Thing of Ours. So here is a summary of Act I to help get everyone up to speed.
Also, relatedly: I am searching for ideas for a dedicated Gangstermoll icon. If you have any ideas or photos or suggestions, let me know. If you're interested in making one, also let me know! Art is always welcome.
Previously on This Thing of Ours...
Act I: The story begins with Dom calling up Arthur, a seemingly mild-mannerered, accountant engaged in a normal life in the New Jersey suburbs, for a ride. Dom gives Arthur the address to a colonial-style manor out in the middle of nowhere, and Arthur (who turns out to be more than a simple accountant) nearly shoots a half-naked Englishman that emerges after Dom. The Englishman is Eames, who turns out to be ex-military, a former con man, art forger, and now, Dom's moll.
Arthur and Dom drive out to an abandoned warehouse where they face off with Nash, who has been cooperating with the FBI. Dom shoots and kills Nash as an example and a warning to others in La Cosa Nostra that traitors will not be tolerated.
Unfortunately, their problems with law enforcement don't end there, as Arthur discovers his home has been bugged with various listening devices, which he brings to Yusuf, their on-call tech expert, to examine. While Arthur & Dom discuss the matter at the manor where Eames is currently living, Eames comes up with the idea of masking their weekly meetings and updates about mafia business in a series of seemingly innocuous poker games.
Dom ends up selecting a nightclub called Perle to host these games, and hires a singer named Abilena, along with a dedicated waitress for their table, Ariadne. Dom, Arthur and Eames are the three players present for every game (as it is a convenient excuse for Dom to see Eames before and afterward) while the fourth player consists of a rotation of several people: Al, Dom's college friend; Cho, a hospital administrator; and Juana, a drug distributor.
As with many of Dom's previous mistresses and affairs, Arthur gets roped into chaffeuring and babysitting duty while Dom is away or otherwise constrained by his marriage to Mal. Arthur tries to strike up an uneasy friendship with Eames, though friendship seems to be the last thing Eames is interested in with Arthur.
In addition to being the right-hand man of a prominent mobster, Arthur is also caring for an ailing mother, Lydia, who has early onset Alzheimer's. For the past few years, she's been living alone with the assistance of two nursing aids, but her condition has deteriorated to the point where it seems that even this type of care is not enough.
As a break from all the stress in his life, Arthur starts seeing a single dad and local bank manager, Balal. They have a relationship that starts off as quite casual (Arthur even goes by a false name of 'Lance') though it slowly begins to develop into something more.
Act II summary here.
Also, relatedly: I am searching for ideas for a dedicated Gangstermoll icon. If you have any ideas or photos or suggestions, let me know. If you're interested in making one, also let me know! Art is always welcome.
Previously on This Thing of Ours...
Act I: The story begins with Dom calling up Arthur, a seemingly mild-mannerered, accountant engaged in a normal life in the New Jersey suburbs, for a ride. Dom gives Arthur the address to a colonial-style manor out in the middle of nowhere, and Arthur (who turns out to be more than a simple accountant) nearly shoots a half-naked Englishman that emerges after Dom. The Englishman is Eames, who turns out to be ex-military, a former con man, art forger, and now, Dom's moll.
Arthur and Dom drive out to an abandoned warehouse where they face off with Nash, who has been cooperating with the FBI. Dom shoots and kills Nash as an example and a warning to others in La Cosa Nostra that traitors will not be tolerated.
Unfortunately, their problems with law enforcement don't end there, as Arthur discovers his home has been bugged with various listening devices, which he brings to Yusuf, their on-call tech expert, to examine. While Arthur & Dom discuss the matter at the manor where Eames is currently living, Eames comes up with the idea of masking their weekly meetings and updates about mafia business in a series of seemingly innocuous poker games.
Dom ends up selecting a nightclub called Perle to host these games, and hires a singer named Abilena, along with a dedicated waitress for their table, Ariadne. Dom, Arthur and Eames are the three players present for every game (as it is a convenient excuse for Dom to see Eames before and afterward) while the fourth player consists of a rotation of several people: Al, Dom's college friend; Cho, a hospital administrator; and Juana, a drug distributor.
As with many of Dom's previous mistresses and affairs, Arthur gets roped into chaffeuring and babysitting duty while Dom is away or otherwise constrained by his marriage to Mal. Arthur tries to strike up an uneasy friendship with Eames, though friendship seems to be the last thing Eames is interested in with Arthur.
In addition to being the right-hand man of a prominent mobster, Arthur is also caring for an ailing mother, Lydia, who has early onset Alzheimer's. For the past few years, she's been living alone with the assistance of two nursing aids, but her condition has deteriorated to the point where it seems that even this type of care is not enough.
As a break from all the stress in his life, Arthur starts seeing a single dad and local bank manager, Balal. They have a relationship that starts off as quite casual (Arthur even goes by a false name of 'Lance') though it slowly begins to develop into something more.
Act II summary here.