Prologue

“Worried about protecting your domicile? Guns R Us is pleased to offer the all new RemingMoss 500 and RemingMoss 870 shotguns! These two beauties are old school pump action smart shotguns,” the salesman exclaimed as Jay walked by. “You can even get them with faux wood finishes for that antique look.”

Jay waved the holographic advertisement away and kept walking as it returned to the wall screen. Or he tried to keep walking. No sooner than the Guns R Us ad was gone it was replaced by one for K B MILFs, which is an escort service and brothel. Numerous ads for beer, food, and even virtual girlfriends followed. Jay sighed. He knew this is what happens when you sell your net search data even one time. But he had been hard up for cash and hadn’t known the one sale would haunt him years later. Jay was already late for his scheduled delivery and still hadn’t come up with a passable excuse. Jay finally reached his destination, Capones Italian Bar and Grill. Capones wasn’t a bad place. The food was decent, the beer better, and nobody dared rob the joint. That was probably due to it being a mob joint.

People had assumed the government had long ago put the La Cosa Nostra out of business, but that simply wasn’t true. The mob had simply gone to ground behind their legitimate fronts biding their time and let its more outlandish and outspoken members be arrested or killed. The mafia reemerged in 2105 taking control of a fourth of the criminal underground in East City. The Yakuza, Triads, and Russians controlled the rest. Smaller gangs were still a problem, but generally left those alone that they knew worked for the larger factions.

“You’re late,” the bouncer at the door told Jay.

“Had problems with my bike.”

“Really?”

“You saw me walk up, didn’t you?” Jay retorted. “Where is the boss?”

The bouncer snorted. “Nucky is waiting for you in the kitchen.”

“Not in his office? Jay asked.

“Nope. Nucky likes to cook at times. Today is one of them.”

“Thanks,” Jay replied walking through the door. Two minutes later he was escorted into the kitchen by another one of the mob boss’ goons.

“Now we add the meatballs and sausages before stirring,” Riccardo “Nucky” Capone was telling those gathered around him.

“Mr Capone…” Jay started only to fall silent as Capone held up a hand.

“Finally, we add a little wine for that extra flavor,” Nucky said pouring some wine into the pot before him. After setting the bottle down, he started stirring. Without looking at Jay, he said, “You took your sweet time getting here. I expect better from my couriers.”

“I apologize Mr Capone. I had some motorcycle trouble.”

“Is that so?” Nucky asked picking up a towel and wiping his hands off before turning to face the courier.

“Yes sir.”

“I’ll let that slide just this once,” Capone said.

“Thank you, sir.”

“Where’s my data crystal?”

“There is no crystal Mr Capone, the data is in my reserve,” Jay replied tapping his head.

“Tony, check the data,” Nucky told one of his men.

“There is no need to check it, Mr Capone. The whole point of using couriers for this sort of thing is that our internal storage or reserve is completely secure and cannot be copied or even transmitted without the proper key, which only you have.”

“We’ll see,” Tony said pulling out a tablet and gesturing for Jay to join him at the table he sat at. Jay complied. Tony held out a cable and grinned. “Too proud to plug?”

“You should upgrade so you have your own internal cable,” another one of Capone’s men said.

“No,” Jay answered ignoring the comment and taking the cable before plugging it into the port at behind his right ear. “Sending you the data.”

“It’ll take a moment to verify the data,” Tony said.

“Jay, you can have some pasta with us once everything checks out,” Nucky said pulling Jay’s attention to the mob boss.

“That’s…it would be an honor,” Jay replied. Tony caught Capone’s eyes and shook his head.

“Almost done,” Tony said causing Jay to turn to face him. Nucky held out his left hand and another man placed a bat in it. The man grinned.

“You know what I hate, Jay?” Nucky asked.

“No, Mr Capone,” Jay asked starting to turn back to the boss. His head never completed the turn as Nucky swung the bat hitting Jay in the side of the head. The courier fell to the floor.

“I hate liars. Who did you sell the data to?” Nucky asked swinging the bat like a golf club catching Jay in the ribs. The courier curled into a ball. “Huh? I asked you a question you piece of filth.”

Jay groaned instead of answering.

“Matteo, you and a couple of the boys find out who he sold the data to and then dump him in the ocean.”

“Right away boss,” the man who had given Nucky the bat replied taking the bat back. He waved to two of the other men who jerked Jay to his feet and carried him out the back door of the kitchen. Matteo followed carrying the bat.

“Nucky, we’ll need another courier,” Tony informed his boss.

“I know. You and Tommy handle that,” Nucky said wiping his hands on a towel before turning back to his sauce. “Ha. I gained a level.”

“Congrats boss. Any particular requirements for the new courier?”

“Yeah,” Capone said after a moment. “Make sure they are new to the courier game and someone we can groom.”

“I’ll get right on it,” Tony said starting to stand up.

“Not so fast. This is almost done, and I didn’t cook it all for myself.”

“Thanks boss,” Tommy said.

“Yeah, thanks Nucky.”

Chapter 1

“All these people are trash in one way or another,” Tony complained after turning down the latest potential courier.

“Most of the people new to the game as Nucky put it, are either junkies or other people looking for a quick score by selling the data,” Tommy agreed. “What we need is someone fresh off the boat.”

“That’s not going to happen. Anybody fresh off the boat will be in debt to one of the other factions and not trustworthy at all,” Tony replied.

“Could pick one of the junkies and clean them up enough to make a few runs,” Tommy offered.

“Eh, maybe. But getting someone off neuro stims can be expensive. Too bad people can’t just do the old drugs like coke, heroin, and meth anymore,” Tony said. “Heck, I’d even take a junkie that was hooked on some designer drug if we could find one.”

“Frames made drugs worthless. The corps had them all designed and hardcoded to short circuit the neurons or whatever those drugs triggered,” Tommy said. “Heck, I can’t think of even hearing about a drug user in my lifetime.”

“That’s because you’re young. That said, you have a point since I’ve never heard of a drug user either,” Tony replied.

“I’m surprised the corps didn’t write out the effects of alcohol too,” Tommy said.

“That would have been pushing it too far,” Tony replied. “People would still be rioting if they couldn’t get drunk. I’d be right there with them too.”

“Me too,” Tommy agreed. “So, what are we going to do about the new courier?”

“Excuse me guys,” another man said interrupting the duo.

“What is it, Jimmy?” Tony asked.

“Well, it’s…”

“Out with it already,” Tony commanded.

“My mother made me promise I would pick up my cousin from the bus station this afternoon. Would it be alright if I take the car and come back to get you two later?” Jimmy explained.

“What do you think you are? Italian?” Tommy asked laughing. “Listening to your mother is one of our things. Next, you’ll be telling us you’re ready to make your bones.”

“Lay off him. Jimmy’s a good kid and credit to the family. He’ll get his chance to make his bones in due time. He might even get asked to take the omerta someday,” Tony said. Turning his attention to the underling, he said, “Yeah, you can take the car. In fact, we’ll go with you. I could use some fresh air.”

*

“So, who’s this cousin you got to pick up?” Tommy asked from the front passenger seat as Jimmy drove the trio to the bus station.

“Why do you care?” Jimmy asked instead of answering the question.

“I’m curious.”

“So am I,” Tony added from the backseat behind Tommy.

“Zoe Blanco, my younger cousin.”

“Is she a looker?” Tommy asked grinning.

“Don’t be getting any ideas. Zoe was raised as a member of the purity church,” Jimmy replied.

“You got to be kidding,” Tommy retorted.

“Nope.”

“What in the world is a young purist doing coming to East City?” Tony asked.

“Much like my mom did when she was young. Got fed up with the bull crap and decided to give city life a go.”

“Does she have a place to stay?” Tommy asked with the grin still plastered on his face.

“Staying with my mother,” Jimmy answered.

“Does she have a job lined up or is she looking for work?” Tony asked. Jimmy glanced in the rearview mirror at his capo while Tommy turned to look at the man.

“Don’t know. I suppose we can always ask. You’re thinking of offering her the courier gig?”

“Read me like a book,” Tony answered.

*

“Do you know what this cousin of yours looks like?” Tommy asked as they waited for the bus to unload passengers.

“More importantly, does she know what you look like?” Tony asked.

“Yes, and yes,” Jimmy answered. “I have a picture of Zoe in my frame and mom assured me Zoe would have a new picture of me as well.”

“Works for me,” Tony replied.

“My question is, how does she have a picture of you when purists don’t have frames?” Tommy asked.

“They do use old style putters,” Tony said. “At least, that is my understanding.”

“You’re right, Tony,” Jimmy replied.

“So, purists are sort of like stim addicts and jack in?”

“No Tommy, purists don’t get chipped at all.”

“Woah,” Tommy said. “How do they even function in the modern world?”

“Not easily. That’s what mom always says anyway,” Jimmy replied. The men fell into silence.

“That’s a nice-looking dame. Though, I’ve never seen one dress so old fashioned before,” Tommy said after a while.

“What dame?” Jimmy asked. “It’s a little early for them to be working.”

“Over there,” Tommy answered pointing at a girl waiting at the luggage carousel.

“Small bust,” Tony grunted after looking and went back to whatever he was looking at on the net. Jimmy turned to look.

The girl in question was about 5’2” with dark or tanned skin, it was hard to tell in the poor light of the station, and long wavy black hair that reached her shoulder blades. She was wearing a dress that reached her ankles with sensible flat shoes. When she turned her head in their direction, the men could see that she had bright blue eyes above a small button nose and pouty full lips framing a small mouth.

“That’s no dame. That’s my cousin,” Jimmy said just before walking toward the girl. “Zoe!”

“Not bad at all,” Tony said as he looked up once more. “She’ll do nicely if she’s willing to get chipped.”

“Yeah, not bad at all,” Tommy agreed. “And just the right height. I love the short ones.”

“Stop thinking with your little head,” Tony replied.

“Capo, I can’t help myself.”

“You better learn. If she works for the family, Nucky will insist she’s off limits.”

“I’ll keep that in mind,” Tommy replied nervously.

*

“Zoe Blanco, this is my associate Tommy Romano and our ca…boss, Tony Rossi,” Jimmy introduced his cousin to his other family. Zoe looked a little confused about why her cousin would have his boss and a coworker with him. Seeing her expression, Jimmy explained. “We were working away from the office, and it was quicker to bring Tommy and Tony along than to take them back to the office and then be late picking you up.”

“Oh. It’s nice to meet you both,” Zoe said.

“The pleasure is all ours,” Tommy replied. Tony was surprised he didn’t kiss the girl’s hand. He would need to warn him again.

“It’s nice to meet you too,” Tony said. They walked out to the car with Jimmy carrying Zoe’s bag making small talk. Once, all were in the car, Tony said, “Jimmy, drop us off at the restaurant and then you can spend the rest of the afternoon helping get your cousin settled.”

“Tony, are you sure?” Jimmy asked.

“You work at a restaurant?” Zoe asked. “Won’t you need Jimmy for any afternoon rush?”

“That’s a good question,” Tommy said.

“Our…association owns a restaurant among other ventures,” Tony said. “I just want Jimmy to drop us off so we can get a late lunch.”

“Oh,” Zoe replied. After a moment, she asked, “Is the restaurant hiring?”

“I can find a job for you,” Tommy said.

“Tommy…”

“What?”

“Remember what I told you earlier.”

“Right boss.”

“Don’t sell yourself short,” Jimmy told Zoe ignoring the other two men. “There are lots of jobs available in the city. I know you used to do dance or gymnastics.”

“She might could get a job on stage,” Tommy quipped.

“It was gymnastics, and no, no stage jobs for me.”

“Are you still in good shape?” Tony asked.

“I run a mile at least twice a week. More if I can get away with it,” Zoe answered. “Why?”

“We are looking for a courier. Being in shape and able to run is a good thing.”

Zoe laughed. “Why is that? Is it dangerous job?”

“It can be, but so can be just living in the city,” Jimmy replied.

“Tell me more about what a courier does,” Zoe said.

“A courier delivers data from one person or group to another. Sometimes, they might also carry small packages,” Tommy answered.

“Data is the primary thing they carry though?” Zoe asked. Tony nodded. “You’re not talking about crystals either.”

“No. You’d have to get chipped,” Tony said.

“Thanks, but I’ll see what I can find on my own,” Zoe replied. “Getting chipped is expensive and something I’m not sure I want to do.”

“Most jobs will require you to get chipped,” Tommy added.

“We’ll see,” Zoe replied turning to stare out the window as the city went by.

Chapter 2

“You won’t find a job even doing manual labor for minimum wage without a frame,” the employment commission clerk told Zoe. “And even if you were chipped, the waiting list for those jobs is nine months long. The wait list for any skilled job is two years or longer.”

“Isn’t there anything I can do?

“You’re attractive enough to find a lot of work as a dame,” the woman said. “Though, your looks won’t last doing that.”

“What’s a dame?” Zoe asked. She had never heard the term before.

“My, you are inexperienced, aren’t you?” The clerk laughed. “Dame is slang for prostitute.”

“Oh. I would never do that. What about government assistance?” Zoe said.

“Welfare only lasts for six weeks and since you’re not chipped, it’ll take at least six months to get you into the system and probably another six months to get the first check.”

“That’s insane!”

“Really? Just how long did you wait to see me?” the clerk asked.

“Six hours at least,” Zoe admitted. She should have known that East City was filled with people that needed help and work. She had passed several alleys filled with people living in boxes and the like.

“Look, I’d like to help, but my hands are tied,” the clerk said. “Are you willing to take some advice?”

“Sure.”

“Get chipped. To truly live in this world, you need a frame.”

“You might be right, but I can’t afford one.”

“You said you were living with family, right?”

“Yeah.”

“People upgrade their frames just like they do their clothes. Why don’t you see if they have an old frame, they will give you? That, or maybe see if they could loan you the money to buy a used or basic frame.”

“Thanks,” Zoe said standing up. “And thanks for the advice too.”

“You’re welcome. Good luck,” the clerk replied as Zoe walked out of her cubicle. The clerk took a moment to save Zoe’s file into the city database, took a sip of her lukewarm coffee, and yelled, “Next!”

*

Zoe shut the apartment door, hung her coat on the rack, walked into the living room, and collapsed onto the couch.

“Had that good of a day?” Jimmy asked grinning.

“No,” Zoe muttered without lifting her head from the cushion.

Anne, Jimmy’s mother walked in from the kitchen, looked down at Zoe, and smiled. She brushed Zoe’s hair from her face. “Are things that bad?”

“Yes,” Zoe answered. She recounted her day including what the employment commission clerk had told her about working as a dame. Jimmy coughed to cover up a laugh earning a glare from his mother.

“Sadly, the clerk is correct. Nobody will hire someone not chipped. Even most of the homeless people on the streets have frames,” Anne informed Zoe.

“But getting a frame goes against everything I was raised and taught to believe,” Zoe complained sitting up.

“That’s true, but take it from me, what we were taught is wrong,” Anne replied sitting beside Zoe and putting her arm around her niece.

“I can give you my old frame,” Jimmy offered his cousin.

“Why would you offer your cousin that old piece of junk? You make more than enough to get her something nice and have it installed,” Anne said.

“Uh…”

“Son don’t play dumb. I know what you do and who you work for,” Anne replied.

“I was hoping that wasn’t the case,” Jimmy said.

“Oh? Why is that?” Anne asked. Zoe enjoyed the back and forth.

“I wanted to surprise you when I got made,” Jimmy answered.

“That’s sweet dear, but people gossip too much for that to happen.”

“That’s true,” Jimmy admitted. “Zoe, I can pay like mom said if you want.”

“What about that job offer from your boss?” Zoe asked instead of replying to her cousin’s offer. “I’ll still need a job, which looks near impossible to find.”

“What offer?” Anne asked.

“Tony and Tommy mentioned that Mr Capone is looking for a courier and offered to have Zoe chipped if she would take the job,” Jimmy answered.

“I’m not sure I like that idea,” Anne said.

“Why is that?” Zoe asked.

“Capone is a decent sort, but he’s still mafia,” Anne answered. “I’m not sure how well they would like a woman working for them in that capacity.”

“We’re ok with it, mom. It’s not like the real old days,” Jimmy replied. “Besides, couriers are more like contractors than family members. That way they can take other jobs as long as they don’t interfere with family business.”

“You work for the mob?” Zoe asked Jimmy in alarm.

“That’s right,” Jim answered proudly. “How else do you think we can afford this nice of apartment, food, and clothes?”

“And you don’t mind?” Zoe asked her aunt.

“No. There are worse things my Jimmy could be doing. The other gangs know not to mess with Capone’s crew. East City is not the farm,” Anne replied. Jimmy nodded in agreement though he had never stepped foot on a farm before.

“I’m surprised,” Zoe admitted. She had not realized just how different her urbanite family was from her parents and the rest living on the farm were.

“At least you have us to help ease you into city life,” Anne said giving her niece a side hug. “I was all alone when I was in your shoes.”

“That’s true,” Zoe agreed returning the hug. “So, about that job? It’s just delivering data and maybe small packages?”

“That’s it,” Jimmy replied nodding his head.

“Why don’t they just send the data in an email or use a drone?” Zoe asked. “Why use a person instead?”

“Unlike frames, bots, drones, data crystals, and email, brains can’t be hacked. Couriers give up part of their unused brain as secure storage space,” Jimmy replied. “They have to willingly accept and transfer data.”

“Couldn’t they be tortured to do so?” Zoe asked.

“Nope. Frames have certain safeguards that nobody, including the corps will bypass.”

“And those safeguards keep the data secure as well as the host or person of sound mind,” Zoe concluded.

“You got it,” Jimmy said. “Frames can get viruses though.”

“That doesn’t make a lot of sense,” Zoe replied.

“Frames are hardcoded to protect the user. They are not hardcoded to resist viruses,” Anne added. “The corps wanted ways to attack a chipped person after all.”

“Why doesn’t everyone give up part of their unused brains to store their data then?” Zoe asked.

“Too expensive,” Jimmy answered. “Plus, some don’t like the idea of having permanent ports attached to their heads.”

“Wait. I would have a permanent data port sticking out of my head?” Zoe asked.

“No. It doesn’t stick out. It’s two female ports,” Jimmy replied starting to make lewd gestures with his fingers. “Which means…”

“I know what it means!” Zoe snapped. Jimmy grinned.

“Jimmy, you take too much pleasure in that joke,” Anne chided her son.

“I thought everything was wireless,” Zoe said.

“Sorry mom. Sorry Zoe,” Jimmy replied. “The data port is small and usually sits behind the ear so it’s easy to find. The other port is a crystal reader for instructions, security keys, and the like.”

“Wireless is everywhere, but is still slower than wired connections,” Anne said.

“Also, wired is more secure,” Jimmy added.

“Guess, I have no choice if I’m going to live here,” Zoe muttered. Anne patted her hand. “Jimmy, would you check to see if the job offer is still open?”

“Sure. Give me a sec and I’ll call Tony,” Jimmy replied. A moment later he started talking to someone else. A few minutes later he put his boss on hold and turned his attention back to his family. “Tony says Mr Capone wants to meet personally with any potential couriers. If he signs off on them, the family will pay for a high-end frame for added security and functionality.”

“When would I have to meet this Mr Capone?” Zoe asked.

“Lunch tomorrow,” Jimmy answered.

“Ok,” Zoe replied. Jimmy turned his attention back to Tony.

“It’s all setup,” Jimmy said a moment later. “And Zoey?”

“Yeah?”

“Dress nice.”