The Calm
Issue 59

The calm usually precedes the storm. It opens with Loop and Lono arriving in Chicago, some time after securing their release from jail. Loop breaks Lono's balls as he waxes lyrical about the city. Meanwhile, a man sits on a toilet, gun in hand, plotting to kill two people. His name is Wally. In front of him is a broken frame of himself and his wife Christine. Upstairs, his wife is indulging Victor in a spot of oral pleasure. There is a knock at the door, Loop and Lono. Lono does a 'knock-knock' gag on Victor, who embraces his psychotic former comrade. Victor sends Christine out for some drinks before turning his attention to Loop. Lono introduces him as a friend, Loop Hughes "as in mister". Recognising Loop as the son of the late Curtis, Victor says it is a pleasure.

Wally continues his conversation, saying he never really cared about Christine until she left him, but now he realises how much he does. Up above, Victor is shocked to hear of Shepherd's death. Lono explains that Shepherd left a key to a safety deposit box in Lono's personal effects for him to find when he was released. The key opened a box in Cleveland, where Shepherd kept his records. Although Lono talks using musical euphemism about a collection of 45s, it is clear that these are Shepherd's personal records on the Minutemen, Graves, and the plan. Lono knows Victor was awoken first, and asks if he has seen Graves since. Victor says he hasn't. Lono disbelieves him, but Victor is telling the truth.

Lono pauses, then using Loop to cover him, lies to Victor, telling him Graves was there as they were released, and asked them to contact Victor. He wants to know if Victor is still down with the plan, or having second thoughts. Victor asks if he means taking out the Trust. Lono puts forward what seems to be a new plan, possibly Shepherd's plan, of one leader instead of thirteen families. Victor pauses to think this over, but is still on board.

Downstairs, Wally is concluding his conversation and psyching himself up for the kill. He has been alone the whole time, talking to himself in the mirror. Through the window, he sees Christine returning to the building. Lono tells Victor to pack his bags and go. Victor only has one bag, an attaché case that he "never unpacked". Christine arrives with the bottles. Lono reverts to type, and attempts to force her into having sex with him whilst Victor is out of the room. Christine struggles, and Loop intervenes, but Lono forces him away. It is only Victor returning that saves Christine.

As she looks to him for help and support, Victor says he is leaving, grabbing the bag of booze and his attaché. It takes Christine a moment to realise he is leaving for good. She cries, telling Victor that her husband knows about them. Victor tells her that she was just a good time, and has left some money for her on the dresser. Outside, Lono is begrudging Victor his interference, calling him selfish for not sharing Christine. Loop is disgusted by Lono and his obvious misogyny. Victor arrives and the three set off on the road to "settle a score".

Back inside, Wally enters the room with his gun pointed at Christine. She realises his intent, and attempts to persuade him around. She undoes his flies, calling her affair a mistake. As she does her best to please her husband, Wally catches his reflection in the window, and points the gun at Christine once more before placing it in his own mouth and pulling the trigger. Loop hears the shot, and asks what it was. Lono replies that it was a starter's pistol, and they start down the road.