One of the more difficult tasks here at the house is keeping the coffee machine in line. Although it is not alive there are suspicions that deep within it’s bowls rests an alien being. It coud be simply AI instaled at the Swiss facory but knowing the Swiss there would be a warning displayed somewhere on the machine.
Keeping it in line is a simple operation. A yank of the plug sets everything to rights again should the little devil decide some nafarious activity.Now that my cup is ready it is time to take a little trip. The clock is set for January 24, 1925. The location is Chicago and duration one hour. A pull of the plunger lands us on State street in time to hear the news.
Chicago Outfit gangster Johnny Torrio survived an assassination attempt when Hymie Weiss and Bugs Moran jumped him as he and his wife were returning to their apartment from a shopping trip. Torrio was shot multiple times, but Moran’s gun clicked empty when he tried to deliver a coup de grâce to Torrio’s head. Johnny did survive but turned ober control of the Chicago Outfit to Al Capone. He moved to New York and then to Italy.
Trying to stay warm in the freezing cold the alarm goes off and the cozy couch saves the day. My text tone let’s me know a text has arrived. It is from Linda Hill. It reads:
Your prompt for #JusJoJan the 25th and Stream of Consciousness Saturday is: “in line.” Use it any way you’d like! Enjoy!
To see what others have done with the prompt, visit Linda Hill’s post. Here is the link
In Line by John W, Howell © 2025
“That was some story.”
“The way gangsters kept each other in line was pretty brutal.”
“So that was the end of Johnny Torrio?”
“Nope he returned from Italy to eventually establish the National Crime Syndicate with Lucky Luciano, Longy Zwillman, Joe Adonis, Frank Costello, and Meyer Lansky. He stayed active until he was jailed for tax evasion. He lived quietly after his release in 1941 until his death in 1957.”
“I can’t believe he lived that long.”
“He was in charge of activities that netted over a billion dollars a year in today’s money. I’m sure he saved a little for his old age.”
“Just a shock that in his case crime paid.”
“You just never know. Maybe he wasn’t very happy.”
“I know what would make me happy.”
“Did you order an Uber?”
“Right over there.”
Photo by Dan Antion
“That looks like a Ford Taurus from the 80s.”
“A classis.”
“Don’t vclassic me. Does it run?”
“Of course. How else did it get here?”
“A tow truck maye. Well at least there is a back seat.”
“Uh.”
“Uh what?”
“Two milk crates back there.”
“Of course there are two milk crates. Why am I not surprosed.”
“Shall we go?”
“I’ll bet five bucks he won’t be able to start it.”
“Ha. Got you there. It’s already running.”
“I give up. Let’s go.”
“Adventure ho.”
Fiction Favorites 
Are we really supposed to blame your innocent coffee machine for what happened next?
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No, it was as you say, innocent. 😁
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😀😀
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Now what if that AI possessed coffee machine plays it like old Johnny and doesn’t bite the last bullet when you pull the plug? You’d have to move . . . definitely.
As for that Uber, I thought it was a Buick!
Have a great Saturday Boss. Or as I call it Salud Day. 😉
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It just may be a Buick, Pilgrim. I think we’ll just say that it is. Thank you for the Salud Day greeting. I’ll try to spell it correctly this time.
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They’re close.
It’s the toasting, not the spelling that counts.
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😄
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The old milk-crates-for-a-back-seat trick! I take it this Taurus is the owner’s winter car?
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It sure looks that way, Liz. Also I have to say that I might have mis-identified it. Could just be a Buick. 😁
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You may be right about that. The grill doesn’t look like a Taurus.
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I agree.
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haha, it’s all the coffee pot’s fault, eh John?
BTW, do the milk crates have any seat belts?
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I think you have to hang on to the sissy bars above the rear windows.
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I get the feeling crime pays once it’s so big that it can’t be connected to the criminal. I mean, it always sounds like these gangsters were publicly known to be criminals. Yet, they only get caught when doing something stupid themselves or evading taxes.
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Sometimes the law has funny quirks. Like having to have a witness to the crime. (Who tend to wear cement overshoes in Lake Michigan)
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And how certain crimes are allowed if you make enough legal money.
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All too true.
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I’m sure the IRS took their share of that money, at least the portion they could identify. As to the accountant who likely testified, I’m guessing he wasn’t around in 1957. I’ll check that car more closely. Surprise, surprise, it hasn’t moved.
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It is a surprise for sure. Thanks, Dan.
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And the IRS made Torino out as the bad guy. I remember when they took over running the Mustang Ranch brothel. Kind of seems like the IRS was more of a competitor than an enforcement group.
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As they say, they have to live too.
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A classic 🤣 and let’s not let the coffee machine get out of order anytime soon, please! ☕️ I’m about to have my first cup of the day. Happy Saturday, John! 😊
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That first cup is the best. Thanks, Laura. I hope you have a good one.
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Sounds like your coffee machine — like gangsters — needs to receive the strong arm of law enforcement.
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Yes that black cord needs pulling every once and a while.
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When anything electric acts up, I just pull the plug and start it up again. Hardly ever fails! We are now dealing with smoke alarms and door alarms that continue beeping even when the batteries are new. Been living with beeps for a week – and you can’t pull the plug. CPI has to do that for you!
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There is a button on the alarms marked “test” If they are high up you can use a handle of a broom. You need to push those buttons and then the screaming will stop. The warning for the need for a test is the green light will flash red very briefly once in a while.
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Got it fixed finally by calling the company and discovered what a b—h it is to fix it. Had to go out and buy some strange batteries.
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Weird. Do yours have “test” buttons?
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No test buttons but all is now well!
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Good
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It always surprised me that they could only convict Al Capone for tax evasion., and they convicted Johnny Torrio for the same crime? That Uber vehicle is shaped like a Ford Taurus, but there are definitely differences. No Ford emblem on the grill, the front turn signal lights and the side molding look different.
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Yeah I think it is a Buick. (Maybe a 89) Trying to confirm. Thanks, Tim.
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A great post, John!
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Thank you, Tim. 😁
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Ford Taurus? Humbug, the greatest (commuting) vehicle ever is a rusted 1967 IH pickup with a bed full of unsecured rebar and a bumper sticker reading “This Country Was Built on GOD, GUTS and GUNS”. Heck, you don’t even have to signal or check your mirrors to change lanes.
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I agree. Those IHs were meant to be avoided. Don’t forget the bottle rolling around the bed too.
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Nice trip – glad you could visit MY TOWN. I do like to read about those days – but wouldn’t want to live then.
Tom
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Yes it is always a treat to visit Chicago. Don’t forget I lived in the area on and off for 5 years
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Of course I remember – you and my boss, Bill Bry**t worked out of the same office by Ohare and I was there often. Here’s a memory, do you remember the Silver Fox, Harry Gle*n ?
Good times.
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“How’s by you?” Harry. Of course I remember. He was in my unit and drove me to distraction. His nickname for me was Chubby Cheeks. I wonder if he is still kicking?
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“AI installed at the Swiss factory but knowing the Swiss there would be a warning displayed somewhere on the machine.” If he had more coffee all woul be well! 🤣
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So true. Thanks, Cindy.
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❤️ always!
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😊
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That would be an adventure! 😳
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The beauty of fiction is to be able to go on those adventures. Thanks, Michele.
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Endless benefits found in enjoying fiction, yes! Thank you, John! 🐠
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😊
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I tell ya, that coffee machine takes a lot of flack!
As for the gangster story, that was so very interesting. I love how you entertain and teach at the same time!
I’ll join in the salud latah!
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I’m glad you liked the post. My glass is in the freezer.
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Of course! And I always have 3-4 glasses in the freezer 😉 But dang… I’ve no beer right now!
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The stores all close down?
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No, I just don’t have any (shocker, I know). But since technically I was trying a sorta dry till vacay, I’ve not bought any. Since there is wine in the house, I’m going to cheers ya anyway!
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Thanks.
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That was quite an adventure today. The 20s and 30s were prime years for gangsters. I have my doubts about that Uber ride. Do those milk crates come with seatbelts? 🙂
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No you have to hold the sissy bars above the rear windows
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Fun story, John.
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This is such a fun idea! Thanks!
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Glad you liked it. 😁
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That’s a terrible story about the gangsters, and Bugs Moran trying to kill Johnny Torrio. I recognized some of those gangsters. I remember reading about Bugs Moran’s war against Al Capone and Saint Valentin massacre. Like you say in your story, it seems that crime paid for Johnny Torrio but he may not have been happy. I certainly would not be happy living my life like that.
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Always looking out for someone coming after you would not be a great life. Thanks, Thomas.
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I love these old cars, and coffee machines are in duty to do what they have to do. 😉 Best wishes, Michael
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Best wishes to you Michael. I hope you have a super week.
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Ha! I like the “tie in” with the coffee pot. Ours is also pretty important in our lives.
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Not sure if there is another appliance as important.
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That was a great history story! Really! And of course ‘Adventure Ho’ in the Uber made me smile. When I’m at the store and see Voodoo Ranger, It always reminds me of you.
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Aw. So glad to hear that, Jennie. I see a pre-schooler and I think of you.
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That’s so good to know! 😀
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😊
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A most interesting time travel tale, John.
Sigh… perhaps crime doesn’t always pay, but there seems to be new age crimes that pay quite well, few get caught and pensions disappear.
Neat car. Does this car have a bad reputation, hence the tow truck?
🚘X 🚘X
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This is a late 80s Buick. It is a wonder that it runs so maybe a tow truck would be in order. The crime scene in Chicago was a tough situation. Thanks, Resa. 😄🛠️
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😄🛠️ 😄🛠️
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🤣X
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Great job with the challenge. Hope there’s a VooDoo Ranger at the end of that Uber ride.
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There was. Thank heavens. 😁
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Taurus, Buick? It’s an old car
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Sigh … I hit Reply before adding this: 😆
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So right. Who cares it’s an old car.
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