The Tempest Act 2, Scene 1.1

Act 2, Scene 1

Alan paced the hall which they had ate and rested. He had done the head count and found his son missing. He looked to the others and grew more agitated.

"Stanley, did you see Freddy?" He hollered out to the nephew of his.

"I did not. It was all dark...." Stanley replied from the settee which he placed himself on. He had removed his jacket and had his shirt unbuttoned to reveal his chest.

"I told you to keep an eye on him." Alan shouted back.

"So you did, and also the two dozen others. All of us to watched out for Freddy. He's too volatile.." Stanley taunt back his uncle. He had it with the older man; years of backing his calls and nothing to show yet. The only reason he was with the man was out of desperation to be associated with the family. He was a nobody on his own, but with the Nates, he was the enforcer. He paired well with Anthony, the thinker between the two of them. He knew that Anthony had been identified to be the next family head but little does he knew, that Stanley was also groomed. Uncle Nates said he had the balls like his dad, Brady. Sure, at times he argues with the older man, but its all square by dawn. That time, he saw Gonzales stepped in to appease his uncle.

"Hey, Alan." Gonzales stepped in and pulled the older man to the far side of the hall. He offered him a drink of the wine and made him sit down.

"It ain't good for your health to get all worked up. Freddy probably holed somewhere..." Wrong words to use.

"Holed up? My son ain't dead. Are you telling me he died?" Alan grabbed the other on the lapel of the shirt.

"Alan, back off. I was saying Freddy is shelter somewhere. There are no one pursuing us or ..." Gonzales pulled himself off. He looked at the shirt for tears. He was to explained further when the older man broke into fear.

"Gonzo, he can't die just yet. I promised Abigail that he would be fine. He would grow up..." Alan was losing it there. It was bad to be seen like that by the boys. Gonzales stepped his body over to cover the scene. He placed his hands on Alan' shoulder.

"Alan, he is fine. I would find him." Gonzales pressed down firmly on the man's shoulder. "We would find him. Now you composed yourself."

Alan trusted Gonzales, he was there when he took over the group. He did not get involved but he also did not assist Paul. He stuck it out with Alan after that; no mentioned on Paul or why he did it.

"Ok, Gonzo. Please find him." With that Gonzales, he called on the others except Stanley and Anthony to find Freddy.

"Search the ground too." Gonzales told them. They were mutterings among them but they went out to check. They checked the rooms, the corridors and also the outside ground but many places they were blocked by the locks or fencing. So they re-route their tracks. They reckon if they can't get through, neither could Freddy. After all, he was a weaker man. 

"Gonzo, I should had listen to you. You told me not to come." Alan told his Attorney. " But I wanted to impressed Christopher. He was with us before he went big on the bookies and now with the Eastern."

"Yes, I did tell you, but you would not listen. How many times have you ever listened to me?" Gonzales replied. "The Keane case, you went out and shot the bastard. I told you to back off and let the others do it, but you were your own man."

"Yes, I know...." Alan looked away. "I..."

"You are Alan Nates. No one tells you otherwise. I know." Gonzales spoke up for his old friend. The older man needed reinforcement now and not more shelling for his mistakes. He was a good man, but due to his emotions and greed, he wanted the control. He usurped Paul and took over, but he also made the family stronger. He was build to lead the family.

An hour later, the boys all returned.

"Sorry, Mr Nates. We could not find Freddy. The place is a maze and there are these grilled gates; all locked with large padlocks. We could not get through and doubt Freddy could. He could be outside or maybe in the far side of the building." Blake replied on the behalf of the boys. They were all exhausted and the place had scents of death. It scared them to be here.

"The place is as big as a football stadium." Blake continued on. "We would continue in the morning. Ernie there got his ankle sprained. He stepped into a dark hole in the floor. The place is a dangerous one to move in the dark."

The others nodded to Blake' words. Alan was to reply when the impish guy came back. He was pushing in a cartload of food.

"I brought you brandy and coffee, with doughnuts...."Ariel spoke up while the boys rushed forth to consumed the fresh and hot food. But Alan stopped them.

"Hold it , boys." Alan called out. "You, imp."

"Tell me how did you get the food and drinks. This place I was told is a maze and yet you knew how to come here. And leave without us knowing." Alan asked the impish one.

"My name, sire is Ariel. I have served in this halls for years. My master lies dying in the far wing."

"And who is your master's name and how big is this place?" Gonzales asked.