You see, they call them issues these days.

Not like issues of  comics like Shoot or Whizzer and Chips or Razzle, though. Naw, these are things like anger management issues, relationship issues, substance abuse issues. What that means is that issues are stuff  that’s wrong with you. Stuff that fucks you up. And fucked-up people are called people with issues. See?

Like Tony Amerigo. It’s his mucky book shop that I’m stood in. He’s got issues, alright. He used to be a well tasty heavyweight. Could have knocked the Brut out of Henry Cooper, back in the day. But old Tony, like his dad before him, is more than a bit fond  of the gargle – floats like a butterfly, drinks like a fish. So, he’s got alcohol issues. Self-medication issues. And cash flow issues. Which is why I’m here trying not to breath in the cigarette smoke since Tony hasn’t exactly responded to the smoking ban in a positive way.

And that’s the trouble with people  like Tony. They  just don’t understand that times are changing. Now me, I’m a man of the 21st century but Tony’s a bit of a relic, like. He’s had the same mucky book shop for donkeys. The same rusty shutters. The same sun bleached pigeon and trainspotting magazines in the window –  as if the locals don’t know what he sells. Probably the same porno mags there , from the looks of it.

That’s why his business is going down the shitter, to be honest. These days everyone can get their filth on their computer or even on their mobile. For nowt. So, why go to a dump like this?

He’s got location issues, too.Used to be well posh round here when I was a kid but now it’s like holiday camp for smack heads. Once it gets dark, it’s that Michael Jackson ‘Thriller’ video all over again.

My boss, Captain Cutlass, has told Tony to diversify. Maybe get in a couple of one armed bandits, scaffolder’s lap tops and the like. Or some of the duty free tabs that the Poles and the Euthanasians sell. But Tony’s stuck in his ways.

Oh, and here’s another thing. These days, it’s all about  how you say something.That’s why I’m very careful about what I call myself when I turn up at Tony’s gaff.

I’m a factotum, you see. Now, I know what you’re thinking: What’s a friggin’ factotum when it’s at home? Well, I’ll tell you. It’s someone who sorts stuff out. Bit of this. Bit of that.
The bloke I sort stuff out for  is an entrepreneur, although some people  call him a gangster.. And a right head the ball, with it. His name’s Captain Cutlass. Well, that’s not his real name. His real name’s Jordan but no one calls him THAT these days.

Cutlass is a sea coal baron which means he’s got a bunch of lads who drive jeeps down to the beach at low tide and dig up coal. He’s made a packet, he has. Not that he needed it. Before he got into the sea coal game, Cutlass made a mint smuggling booze and tabs and that into the docks. He used to stand at the front of one of the boats waving this massive friggin sword about. Hence the nickname. Although I think the sword was actually a rapier.

Anyroad,  old Tony’s a bit thick, like, and I doubt he knows the difference between a factotum and a totum pole. So, what I say is  that I’m a ‘representative’ of Mr Cutlass. See? I don’t even say I work for Cutlass.What I say is I just ‘represent’ him. It’s not the same, like. More official.

I say that  Mr Cutlass isn’t very happy with Tony’s contributions and that he would appreciate it if Tony increases his monthly payments since he’s been getting a bit behind.

After a bit of  the to-and -fro I have to be proactive and take the initiative, don’t I? I break one of   Tony’s thumbs. And then the other. So, he’s screaming and turning red and telling me that he’s got nowt. The cupboard is bare.

After a couple more slaps I come up with the idea of torching his shop to get the insurance and pay off Cutlass and a little consultation fee  for me. The only problem is that Tony hasn’t paid the insurance since God was a bairn.

And now it seems like Tony has a problem. Except, that these days, we say that there are no problems, only challenges. So , yes, our Tone has a a nasty friggin challenge.

* * *

I’m outside the old Odeon finishing my curry and chips when the BMW pulls up.

‘Get in,’ shouts Captain Cutlass, turning down ‘Tiger Feet’. No fucker else in this day and age listens to Mud but Cutlass is a even more of a relic than Tony Amerigo. Big black, spidery quiff. Teddy Boy suits. The full whack.

‘Just the man I’ve been looking for,’ says Cutlass,.’

‘Aye?’ I say.

‘Oh, aye,’ he says, sniffing a bit and looking me up and down.

‘Tony Amerigo,’ he says spraying the car with peach deodorant. He’s a right poncy twat sometimes.

‘Oh, aye,’ I say, playing it cool.

‘How did it go?,’ says Cutlass.

‘It was … challenging,’ I say

Cutlass look me up and down.

‘And what the bollocks does that mean  in the Queen’s English?’ he says.

‘Our Tony has … issues,‘ I say

‘Aye?’ he says.

‘Oh , aye,’ I say.

‘And what type of issues are these?’ says Cutlass.

‘Financial issues,’ I say.

Cutlass shakes his head.

‘I reckin the daft twat’s going to have some mortality issues,then,’ he says.

‘Aye,’ I say,  ‘fancy a pint?’

The end

Bio: Spinetingler Award nominee Paul D. Brazill was born in England and lives in Poland.  His work has appeared in a number of print and electronic magazines and anthologies and  his story Guns of Brixton will be included in the 2011 Mammoth Book Of Best British Crime. His blog is YOU WOULD SAY THAT WOULDN’T YOU?