*We open on the bus where Antonio is sitting on one side of the couch, Mandy on the other, and Greg in the chair diagonally from them. Antonio is still wearing what Maniac had on only he has cleaned off the face paint and slicked his hair back, the three sit in silence all deep in thought until Greg breaks the silence.*
Greg: What about the bartender? Maybe he snuck something into Maniacs drink.
*Antonio and Mandy both look at Greg, Mandy shaking her head but Antonio nods and rubs his chin considering the possibility.*
Antonio: Maybe, I do have enemies here in Chicago and Maniac...well not all the fans care for him or his antics. That's here and all over the world though so that's pretty long list of suspects right there.
*Greg and Mandy nod in agreement.*
Greg: We have to narrow it down, who would benefit from Maniac being out of the picture? Also, how would they know where we were and when would they have an opportunity to spike Maniacs drink?
Antonio: Good point, I'll make some calls and have the bartender checked out to see if he has any ties to any mafia families here or is some lunatic fan.
Greg: Great, I'll check and see if anyone has posted about the incident. Last thing we need is another one of those TMZ leaches getting ahold of this.
*Antonio gets up and walks off towards the bar, making his calls while Greg remains in the chair on his phone checking the internet for any and all possible reports of what happened. Mandy remains sitting on the couch, filled with guilt about what she'd done and at the same time a small amount of fear that Maniac wasn't coming back. She wanted to tell Antonio and Greg about seeing Kevin, the chat they had, and the pills he'd given her to give to Maniac but she knew if she did that would not only cause trouble between her and Maniac but trouble between Maniac and Kevin. She was conflicted, emotions overwhelmed her and Mandy begins to cry. Greg walks over and sits next to Mandy, handing her a tissue.*
Greg: Don't cry Mandy, we'll figure this out. Good news, there's no reports of what happened earlier so we have that going for us at least.
*Mandy wipes her eyes and nods.*
Mandy: Yeah, that's good I guess.
*Antonio ends his conversation, hanging up the phone and rejoining Mandy and Greg.*
Antonio: OK, so I've got people checking on the bartender and when they know something so will we.
Greg: Hey Mandy, do you by chance know how to get a hold of Kevin? He might be able to help us.
Antonio: Kevin? As in Kevin Armstrong? Does Maniac still associate with that piccolo bastardo?
Greg: I don't know what that last part meant but yeah, Mandy and I have only known him for a couple weeks but apparently he and Maniac are still friends to this day.
*Antonio rubs his chin while in thought.*
Greg: Wait, you don't think Kevin had something to do with this do you?
Antonio: I don't know, while I can't stand him Maniac seems to like him so I don't see Kevin trying to hurt me cause he knows he'd be hurting Maniac too.
*Antonio shakes his head, dismissing the thought.*
Antonio: Never mind, Mandy can you get ahold of him?
*Mandy shakes her head, trying her best to hide her emotions.*
Mandy: No, only Maniac does. He has Kevin's number in his...
Antonio: Phone, and his phone like he and I are also one in the same.
*Antonio goes through his contacts and sure enough finds Kevin's number. He hesitates for a moment before hitting the call button and then putting the phone to his ear. It rings a few times before going to voicemail, Antonio curses and when it comes time leaves a message. *
Antonio: Hey Kevin, it's Antonio. I know it's been a long time but I need you to call me back, there's something going on and it's putting Maniac at risk. Myself, along with Maniacs girlfriend and friend believe that there are people involved. Who they are and what possible ties they have are unknown but if you could call back we could use your help. Thanks Kevin, talk to you when you call back.
*Antonio hangs up, putting the phone back in his pocket.*
Antonio: Well, all we can do is wait until he calls back with something that will hopefully help us. Until then, I'm getting a drink. You two want to join me at the bar?
*Greg and Mandy both shrug their shoulders and stand up, heading to join Antonio at the bar. After Antonio makes them all three a drink they all sit and chat casually, trying to momentarily take their minds off their troubles.*
--------------------------------------------------
Off camera
*Back at his room at the Hilton Chicago, Kevin relaxes on the bed while watching TV and drinking from a few bottles from the mini bar. He has a huge smile on his face from a job well done, everything went as planned and he did it all by himself...maybe he didn't need any help from these Chicago thugs after all. Kevin is snapped from his thoughts by the ringing of his phone. Kevin pulls his phone from his pocket and notices the number that's calling, he knows it can't actually be Maniac calling so it had to be that Italian idiot Antonio Romano. Kevin let's it ring until it stops and after a few moments gets a notification that he has a new voicemail. Kevin sighs in frustration as he listens to the message and when it's over he immediately deletes it.*
Kevin: Guess I need the thugs after all...
*Kevin dials a number on his phone and waits. When the other end picks up Kevin speaks.*
Kevin: It's Kevin Armstrong, listen I know our families don't see eye to eye but I'm calling because I have something you want.
*Kevin listens for a moment, a smile reappearing on his face. *
Kevin: I have it on good authority that not only is Antonio Romano in Chicago right now but he is extremely vulnerable, he doesn't have Maniac watching his back. Plus I have his current location but you should hurry, Maniac is only momentarily disposed thanks to the tranquilizer pills.
*Kevin listens again momentarily before talking again.*
Kevin: Oh this information is legit don't worry, what I want in return...to be there when he dies, if you accept those terms then you have a deal.
*Kevin grabs a bottle of liquor and downs it, tossing the bottle aside before giving out the information he has, hopefully sealing Maniac/Antonios fate.*
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