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Two Bits [MultiFormat]
eBook by Clint Gaige
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$6.95 |
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$5.91 |
eBook Category: Mystery/Crime/Suspense/Thriller
eBook Description: Just released from prison, Archibald Green notices the parallels between freedom and jail, but the former sting artist vows to be a new man although he observes appalling lies or at least illusions of truth. Then again working as a bored telemarketer for a nasty employer at Earthly Goods Incorporated in Darwin, Maryland will make a cynic out of a saint. A lifetime of either fence (jail or picket) seems too torturous to Archie so he decides that there will be no more TWO BIT scams, but to go for one big dollar con. His target is superego millionaire mob boss Pat Shannon not just because of the money but also because of a family revenge matter. Since Pat wants to star in pictures, Archie pretends to be a movie producer, setting the game afoot.
eBook Publisher: Quiet Storm Publishing, Published: 2003, 2003
Fictionwise Release Date: May 2005
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Available eBook Formats [MultiFormat - What's this?]: Adobe Acrobat (PDF) [1.0 MB], eReader (PDB) [155 KB], Palm Doc (PDB) [142 KB], Rocket/REB1100 (RB) [131 KB], Microsoft Reader (LIT) [130 KB] - PocketPC 1.0+ Compatible, Franklin eBookMan (FUB) [185 KB], hiebook (KML) [413 KB], Sony Reader (LRF) [223 KB], iSilo (PDB) [116 KB], Mobipocket (PRC) [150 KB], Kindle Compatible (MOBI) [179 KB], OEBFF Format (IMP) [194 KB]
Words: 45246
Reading time: 129-180 min.
Microsoft Reader (LIT) Format: Printing DISABLED, Read-Aloud ENABLED
Adobe Acrobat (PDF) Format: Printing DISABLED, Read-Aloud ENABLED
All Other formats: Printing DISABLED, Read-aloud DISABLED
ISBN: 0972881905
 
"In the vein of Leonard's Get Shorty, and Newman's The Sting, Two Bits is a fine work of cleverly crafted fiction. Clint Gaige invokes anticipation in the reader with fingernail biting vigor. He knows how to move the story at breakneck speed utilizing his host of unusual and savory characters. Tension, it's in there. Action, it's in there. Satisfaction, it's in there."--Midwest Book Review
"A fast-paced story, filled with seemingly unrelated characters and events that author Clint Gaige weaves together in a tight, satisfying tale."--All About Murder "Crisp, clean, and to the point, author Clint Gaige doesn't waste a word. The dialog is witty, the scenes sharp, and the ending a total surprise. Two Bits is a million-dollar read."--The Word Museum "As this reviewer read Two Bits, the movie The Sting came to mind, but not just the mob and the con connection. Like that superb movie, this wonderful novel is amusing, at times gritty and definitely darker than the film, and stars a delightful assortment of Runyonesque characters. Still in the end Clint Gaige's strong tale peels down to Archie and Pat, opponents who make for a fine gamble for readers."--Harriet Klausner
CHAPTER ONEA con has two ways to go ... the right way protected by a white picket fence or the wrong way surrounded by guards and a steel fence. Either way, a fence is involved. And, here I go leaving one fence for another... "There you go, Archie. You're a free man now." Officer Larson took a step back as he pulled back the front gate. "I guess you could call it that." I smiled and stepped over the line into freedom. "Catch you on the flip side." "Take care of yourself." "I've got a parole officer and a job waiting for me ... how hard could it be?" I knew that freedom was wasted on me; I'd screw it up somehow. Across town, my story was just getting interesting. * * * *"Flavor?" the woman at the counter countered. "Flavor? Since when had coffeehouses sported thirty-two flavors?" "Yes sir, we have a..." the kid struggled to remember the script, "we have a..." "Cut!" Bryce Maven, the director of the independent film titled; Coffeeworld, slumped into his chair. "Come on kid, do you think you could at least finish the line? Huh?" "Sorry, sir." The actress playing the clerk mumbled. "What is this shit?" Gene Rain was beyond angry at this point. Once he had been adored by millions of young girls, but since the writers of his daytime series Angst killed his character he had faded away. His pride had only been bruised, but it was permanently damaged when they brought the character back with a younger and better-looking actor. The business was starting to beat him down and he could feel it, his hairline could feel it, hell, the unborn children he would never have could feel it. "Sorry Gene, we'll get it on the next cut..." Bryce turned towards the actress, "right?" "Right." "Cameras ready?" "Yep." A voice piped up from behind the camera. "Sound running?" "Yes sir." The same voice answered "Lights." "Right-o." One more time. "Just say, okay." Bryce Maven paused and looked to his right. The answers to all his questions were coming from his crew of one, Lamont Appel. Lamont was a film student who was sick of waiting for jobs in low paying porno films, so he borrowed some equipment from his boss and took this contract. He was an eager man ready to make a film. What he didn't know is that below them on the street a car pulled up. The passengers had been hired to re-acquire the equipment and kill Lamont. "You got it." He gleefully smiled and worked unaware of his upcoming death. Forty floors below three car doors opened. Four men stepped into the light of day. Each man was armed to the teeth and ready to settle a score. They put on their game faces and prepared for work. They were there to acquire the stolen film equipment. Slowly and deliberately the main man stepped out of the car holding his cell phone. "When will that be delivered?" His gravelly voice questioned.
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