by Patricia Bellomo | Jan 3, 2012 | Mob Blog
Mob Blog: I Smell A Rat
Mob Blog: I Smell A Rat, January 3, 2012
[dcs_p]Business meet at my office in Boca. But it’s really a farce. This guy comes to me–dropping names to impress me–letting me know he’s “connected”. He wants to set up pain clinics in a couple of strips malls I own in Broward. He could do this the regular way by leasing space … why involve me? But he wants my protection, which translates to “no trouble with the Broward County Sheriff’s Office or the Fort Lauderdale police”. I already know it’s a no-go, but I ask him what’s in it for me. “Thirty percent of the action,” he says.[/dcs_p]His action is peddling scripts, but his real money comes from defrauding Medicare, claiming he’s into them for close to ten mil. It’s the scam of the hour, and every hustler in South Florida is in on it. So now I know he’s a phony and probably a rat. I give him a little smile and tell him I’m not interested. “It’s not how I do business.”[/dcs_p][dcs_p]I Smell A Rat is told from the point of view of Bellomo’s main character, mobster Louie Morelli. If you enjoyed this anecdote, check out Bellomo’s books at: www.patriciabellomo.com
by Patricia Bellomo | Dec 28, 2011 | Mob Blog
Holiday Hell, December 28, 2011
Angie’s sister and her husband have been staying with us for the better part of a week now. They plan to hang out until after the New Year, but I’m ready to send them packing. My brother-in-law is okay when sober, but these days sobriety is rare, and he’s been a nuisance. Hanging out in Lauderdale-by-the-Sea this afternoon, he got into a fistfight at Aruba’s. I wasn’t there, but I understand he was uttering threats and dropping my name and now I’ve had enough. It’s time to go.
by Patricia Bellomo | Oct 6, 2011 | Mob Blog
Showdown at the Greek Isles, October 6, 2011
[dcs_p]What’s the point of having a girlfriend if she acts like a wife?[/dcs_p]Lunch at the Greek Isles Restaurant at the corner of Galt and A1A. It’s an old favorite, low-key and casual, with the best Greek food in South Florida. Victor’s got his chick with him, and they’re getting serious–she’s walking around with a yellow-diamond engagement ring–and I suppose that’s what set off my girl, Kylie. Right from the start Kylie’s acting funny–like she has a headache or PMS–and I’m doing my best to be Mr. Nice Guy. She pouts throughout the meal, and then Victor’s chick goes to the john, and Kylie lets loose. “It’s time you made a decision,” she says.[dcs_p] What are we talking here, rice pudding or baklava? Kylie doesn’t appreciate my humor, and she throws out the C word: commitment. Now, I’m getting a headache. I remind her of my marital status, and of how accepting she was of it. She wasn’t talking commitment when I set her up in a Boynton Beach condo, was she? How about all those trips to Vegas and the Cayman’s, not to mention the VISA perks? “You need to think about us,” she says. But I’ve just about had it, and I tell her, “Baby, there is no us.”[/dcs_p]
by Patricia Bellomo | Jul 15, 2011 | Mob Blog
Happy Hour at Shooters, Fort Lauderdale, July 15, 2011
[dcs_p]Had my crew pull the Stella di Mare into Shooters today. It’s summer in south Florida, lower nineties and hazy skies. The humidity is making Victor’s hair frizz, and he keeps smoothing it down. No wives today–it’s Friday afternoon, and we’ve got the girls on board. As usual, Nathan’s not playing, but Buddy Shuler showed up with his wild chick, Rachel, and she’s keeping us all entertained. She’s been behaving nicely for Buddy, but Victor and I know better, and after a few margaritas, her bikini top comes off. Buddy admonishes her, and she pouts, tells him “he never lets her have any fun”.[/dcs_p][dcs_p]It’s happy hour at Shooter’s. We’re sitting at a table on the deck, in the shade of the canopy. During season Shooters is a real party spot, but midsummer it seems more like a family place, although there are quite a few boats coming and going on the Intracoastal. At any rate, it’s quiet today–no hot bod contests or anything like that. Rachel’s disappointed. She used to be a dancer and was hoping for a chance to showoff.[/dcs_p]
by Patricia Bellomo | Apr 12, 2011 | Mob Blog
Buddy Shuler’s Chick, April 12, 2011
[dcs_p]I met Buddy Shuler when he was a young sportscaster in New Orleans. I use to see him at the Saint’s games, and on occasion I’d invite him into my skybox at the Dome. A lot has changed since then, and Buddy and I are both living in south Florida. He’s broadcasting his conservative talk-radio show from a station in Lauderdale and every now and then we’ll play a game of golf or get together for lunch. The last few times I’ve run into him, Buddy’s been bragging about this hot, new chick he’s got. He’s telling me he’s in love and that, despite the fact that he’s worth ten-million, his girl loves him for who he is.[/dcs_p]
[dcs_]I let him talk. What do I care if a guy makes a fool of himself? But Victor calls him on it. “Come on, Buddy,” he says, “you’re telling me this gorgeous broad would still be climbing into bed with you if you were poor?”[dcs_p]
[dcs_p]”That’s exactly what I’m saying,” he says. “Rachel’s a sweet girl, a real angel.”[/dcs_p]
[dcs_p]Yeah, right. A couple weeks later I invite Buddy for an outing on the Stella, and he shows up with his chick. She’s gorgeous all right, but she’s no angel. I know this girl. She’s a raven-haired looker who happens to be good friends with my girl, Kylie. Every now and then Kylie kinks it up by inviting Rachel over. So Buddy asks me what I think of his lady. “Isn’t she great?”[/dcs_p]
[dcs_p]Victor’s busting his seams, trying not to laugh. I tell Buddy she’s beautiful. What am I supposed to do, tell him Rachel gives the best you know what in Palm Beach County? No way, not me. Let Buddy figure it out on his own.[/dcs_p]
