[ wp ] At a fact restaurant there are two events listed as `` big Vinny 's Birthday '' . One is an actual party , the other is a meeting of mob bosses . A sweet old lady get seated at the wrong table .

`` Who sent you?'' He looked very upset as he brandished the weapon at me. 
 
 I blinked at him and cocked my head with a toothless smile. 
 
 `` Oh come now dear you know me, you've known me your whole life. Silly boy.'' I waved my hand at him dismissively and that seemed to make him even more irate. 
 
 `` Old lady!'' His voice was a growl, and his face had started to turn an unattractive shade of purple. 
 
 `` Oh dear, you need to calm down. Here!'' I reached into my purse and I felt a cold circle of steel press against my forehead. 
 
 `` Oh my, I just wanted to give you this.'' I pulled out the handful of peppermints and set them on the table. Vincent blinked stupidly at me for a moment, he never was a bright boy, and pulled the gun away from my face. 
 
 `` Who the fuck are you old lady?'' He had n't taken a mint, which I felt was very rude, but at least he was n't trying to shoot me anymore. 
 
 `` Such language.'' I tutted and set my purse at my feet. `` You know me Vincent. I was your neighbor your whole life, you used to cut my grass and then drink lemonade on my porch. Ridiculous, your memory is worse than mine.'' My old laugh sounded like sandpaper to my own ears, and Vincent looked at me suspiciously. 
 
 `` That's not me lady, you have the wrong guy.'' He had placed the gun on the table by now and was swirling a glass of wine in his meaty paw. 
 
 Again I dismissed him with a wave. 
 
 `` Nonsense, I never forget a face. How have you been Vincent, you look well.'' I indicated the pristine black suit he wore, and the very expensive jewelry. 
 
 `` A private dining room even, my my.'' My toothless grin had returned and he seemed flustered. The ten or so other men that had been around us murmured quietly. They were no matter, it was Vincent's birthday. 
 
 One of them, a spindly thing with a very pronounced under-bite whispered in Vincent's ear. 
 
 `` Whispering is rude dear.'' The admonishment made him blush a bit, and I felt that was satisfactory, no apology needed. They exchanged looks and Vincent shrugged, muttering something like harmless and senile. 
 
 `` I have been fantastic ma'am, life and business were never better.'' A large smile appeared on hiss large face and he nonchalantly reached for a mint on the table. 
 
 `` Oh here!'' I grabbed another few from my bag, just to make sure everyone had one, and clapped happily as they all partook. Surely as not to hurt my feelings, but we old ladies do love to share candy. 
 
 The waiter brushed in to take our orders, all of the young men were very polite, they must eat here often. 
 
 `` Mr. Moretti, would you like your usual?'' Vincent nodded his large head and the server made his way out as quickly as he had come. 
 
 I placed my hand on Vincent's arm. and he looked at me with a happy smile. 
 
 `` Did that man say your last name was Moretti dear?'' His smile faded a bit, suspicion returning. 
 
 `` Yes he did, is there a problem?'' He began loosening his tie, beads of sweat were forming on his forehead. 
 
 `` No of course not dear! It just seems I'm in the wrong place.'' I smiled at him as he began to struggle for breath. The other men around me were gagging and grabbing their throats. 
 
 `` W-what the fuck did you do you old bitch?!'' Vincent managed to wheeze out past the foam that was bubbling out of his mouth. 
 
 `` I guess your mother never told you not to take candy from strangers. Such a silly mistake dear.'' I produced a handkerchief from my bag and set it on the table beside the empty mint wrappers. 
 
 `` Here sweetheart, you have something on your face.'' My old lady chuckle was ugly and dark as his massive fat head slammed against the table, and he coughed out a final `` Fuck you.'' 
 
 I stood and straightened my dress, all of the commotion has caused it to wrinkle up in my lap. The other men scattered the floor, some still trying to breathe, most were still. My hand reached into my purse a final time and pulled out a prettily wrapped birthday gift, it was a watch for Vincent. 
 
 Quietly I opened and closed the door to the private dining room, the dimness of the lights inside hid my handiwork well. I made my way to the restroom and pulled a new sweater and dress from my bag, stuffing the old ones into one of the large zippered compartments. I even changed my lipstick color and took my wispy silver hair out of the bun it had been confined to. No one would ever be the wiser, no one noticed old ladies. 
 
 On my tottering feet I made my way to the central area of the dining room, following the brightly colored birthday balloons. Soon I had found my way to the table for my neighbor, Vincent Bianchi's, birthday. 
 
 He kissed my wrinkled cheeks and happily accepted his watch. I had just sat down to enjoy a lovely slice of birthday cake when the screaming started. 
 
 
 -- - 
 
 Thanks for reading!
