The Mulroney Brothers

In America nothing is ever for free, but I was too young to know that then. After our drinks Charlie took me to his friend Doris' place. It was way out in Brooklyn. I had no idea where I was going. Charlie got us a cab and I settled myself down for the ride. By the time we arrived it was dark.

The buildings rose up along the street tall and crowded together. We got out, Charlie paid the fare and we went inside. The hallway was long with doors leading off it and a central staircase rising up all of the five stories. I looked up the stairwell and felt giddy for a moment, the sound of a couple rowing upstairs floated down. Charlie banged on Doris' door and when she came out a fag hung from her lips, her dyed ginger hair drooping down in ringlets, she had too much rouge and lipstick for a woman of her age. I was a little taken aback.

“Who’s this then Charlie?”
“It’s my dear friend Declan. Fresh off the boat. In need of a room. Got anything you can spare Doris?”
“Charlie I’d love to help you but I’m full. Got no space left.”
My heart sank. I wasn’t expecting this.
“Oh come on Doris, you must have something?”
“Do you mind sharing?”
Doris peered at me, the ash about to drop off her cigarette.
“I guess I could share.”
“Nicely said lad.” said Charlie.
“Well alright then, I could put you up at the top with the Mulroney boys. They ain’t no bother. It’ll be twenty five bucks a week in advance. I’ll take the first week now.”

I had no idea if twenty five dollars was a lot of money, but it seemed a lot to me. Charlie nodded encouragingly. “Gee thanks Doris, that's really swell of you.”
“Only because you’s a friend Charlie, I wouldn’t do that for no-one else.”

I felt comforted by this little exchange and I put my hand in my pocket/and pulled out some money. I counted out twenty five dollars and handed them over. As I was about to put them away Charlie said, “Actually Declan that cab was two dollars and I need to get back to my place on the other side of town. Can you give two and we’ll call it quits?”

It seemed mean spirited of me not to give Charlie the money so I peeled another two dollars from the few that I had. At this rate my money was going to run out fast. Charlie must have been reading my thoughts.

“If you’re looking for work, it’s not easy around here. People can be anti-irish. I know what I went through when I first came.”
Doris nodded her head in agreement.
“If you fancy joining me and the lads I’ve got some jobs you could do. We’re always looking for a likely pair of hands, and you seem the right sort.”
It seemed perfect. We shook hands on the deal.
“See you tomorrow. Have a lie-in and a bath. We don’t start work till dark. I’ll be back for you at eight.”
“Will I need to bring any tools?”
Charlie laughed.
“If you’ve got a screwdriver bring it, but otherwise I will give you everything you need. You’re part of the team now.”

The room was a tiny attic room. Two mattresses were on the floor covered in a assortment of blankets and clothes. Doris had given me a bed roll to lay down on. I pushed the other two ‘beds’ closer together and made space to put down mine. There was a small dirty window which I hoped in the morning would let in some light. But I knew the chances were slim. Twenty five dollars a week was beginning to seem less of a bargain. My room mates were out, and I wonder what the Mulroney boys would be like. Irish obviously, so that was good, but the room itself gave off no clues. They seemed to have no possessions, not even a crucifix on the wall.
Exhausted, I laid down on my bed and fell asleep.

In the middle of the night I was woken by cussing and swearing.
“For the love of God Michael will yer shut up. I’ll get the money back I swear.”
“You said that last time.”
“And I would have done. I came that close to winning. You know I did. You saw it.”
“But you did nay.”
I sat up in bed. The two lads jumped out of their skin with fright.
“Jesus. Who the feck are you?” asked the first.
“And what yer doing in our room?” added the second.
Dazed with sleep, my eyes were barely open as I answered wearily. “ Declan. Declan Donnelly. Doris put me in here, this was all she had left.”
“How long ye stayin?”
“I dunno. Do you mind if I go back to sleep?”
“Nay bother. Declan. To be sure we’ll be seeing you in the morning.”
I didn’t bother to answer them, I was already drifting back to sleep.

In the morning I awoke, stiff and sore. The bed roll was lumpy and uncomfortable. I was going to have to get something and somewhere better than this as soon as I could. I just hoped that i could afford it.
One of the Mulroney boys was shaving in the thin light which struggled it’s way through the years of grime on the window. He saw me move in the reflection from his mirror.
“Ah, you’re awake then are yer Declan? Sorry about last night. I’m Ryan. Nice to meet you.”
I stood up and stretched, trying to even out the wrinkles in my spine.
“Good to meet you too Ryan. Not to worry about last night, you didn’t know.
Ryan turned back to finish shaving and I went out into the hall to look for the piss pot as there wasn’t one in the room. Finding ours was the only room at the top of the stairs, I went down a level. I really needed a pee soon. I tried a couple of doors but they didn’t open. And then I saw Ryan’s mop of black hair coming up the stairs towards me.

“Hey Ryan. Where can I take a piss?”
“It’s the door at the end.”
“Cheers.”
I dived along the hall and through the door relieved that that I would soon be even more relieved.
Inside the door I found a flushing toilet, which impressed the hell out of me so high up in the building. I climbed back upstairs and was shocked to find two Ryan’s in the room.

“Hey Declan. I’m Michael. I’m the oldest of the two of us. That, there is Ryan. You can tell us apart by our brains. I’m the one who’s got some.”
Ryan took a step towards his twin brother and thumped him hard in the stomach.
“And I’m the one with the muscles.” he said.
Michael doubled over. Ryan wasn’t playing. That must have hurt.
“So Declan what brings you to these fine parts?” asked Ryan brightly.
“ I got not where else to go. I just arrived yesterday, Charlie said this was a good place.”
“Fresh off the boat are yer?” asked Ryan
“ And you’re already one of Charlie’s boys?” asked Michael.
I decided to answer Michaels question first.
“I only met him yesterday.”
“Ah.”
“What do you mean Ah? Charlie really took care of me. Brought me here.” I said.
“Yes that really is an act of charity.” said Michael drily.
“Don’t you listen to him. Charlie’s alright. He takes care of his boys.”
“So long as they takes care of him.” added Michael.