“These are dangerous times we live in son.” Father Lancaster tells his boy, young Alexander Dimitri Lancaster. “You see son, where we are going… It’s not really something we’re allowed to say out loud.”

The vehicle is moving through the winding streets of New York City. Traffic is its typical nightmare for this time of night. This special day does demand a bit more traffic be put on display. The Lancaster’s are throwing a party. They want all who are in the know to see. Decadent debauchery maybe? For a coming of age ceremony. Young Dimitri is going to be sworn in to the family secret. So keep quiet we don’t wanna miss it…

The vehicle comes to a halt and there is a red rug strobe out to welcome the prized guest into the family establishment. Hotel apartment. Luxurious, bystanders are curious but there isn’t any news or coverage in the papers or media. This is something else. No flash photography. No pictures. Only what the eyes can see. When it’s a Lancaster that means a lot…

“It would appear that everyone is here already. Let’s not keep them waiting.” His dad says to him. His mother has already left with his siblings. They’ve gone in already. They aren’t the highlight of the show.

“Remember, when I say the word.” Father Lancaster insists.

“I look away.” Dimitri replies.

“Yes son, it’s not enough to just close your eyes. You’ll still see. Trust me.” He replies.

“Yes father.” The young boy says faithfully.

“But what if I hear it.” He states at the last second landing on the pavement.

“Shhh, no more of that. We are in public. John! Long time old friend haven’t seen you in how long?” The old man pushes ahead to greet one of his cousins.

Dimitri meanders his gaze to his feet as the party passes him by. He knows if everything goes wrong some part of him might die. At least that’s what his sisters and brother say. That’s what the cousins tease him about. The night is filled with dancing and revelry. Till it becomes truly late and only him and his father are escorted away from the festivities.

It’s then that it happens. Father Lancaster’s grand master plan to save his house from this curse they’ve indulged in for far too long.

Shots are fired into the ceiling. People scream and run amok and panic.

Father picks Dimitri up and carries him into the depths of the hotel apartment Lancaster establishment. Into the bowels of what they’ve hid from everything even th government. A safe. A code. He knows it all. It’s open for his son to take the fall. Upon a platter a beat heart. Father covers young Lancaster’s eyes as they approach. There are always guards. They address him.

“What’s the commotion outside.” Dimitri can hear his uncle’s voice inquire.

“It’s nothing I want to finish this let me boy look upon it and let’s be done.” Father Lancaster demands.

“But the ceremony? Won’t it not work if we don’t do all the stuff?” Dimitri can hear her aunt inquire.

“Seeing it is enough. I will not stand for him to have to dance this charade. I would have him never see it if I had my say.” Father Lancaster states.

“Yes we know your feelings about it but it’s for the boy not you. Mother has decided. So it’s done.” His uncle replies back.

“So it is…” Father states as the power goes out. The lights go out. Even the candles around the heart blow out. Pitch black darkness consumes the vault. And when they appear again the heart is gone.

“Who? How… you?” The uncle states

“I’m as lost as you.” Father lies. His brothers eyes seeks his demise. The heart can be dealt beating against moneys front breast pocket. It had dropped through a hole in fathers pants pocket. So strange how it could just happen that way. Almost as if the heart intended it to be this way.

“Don’t just stand around! Find it!” The uncle declares as more shots and gun fire can be heard upstairs. “We’re under attack and I know who the traitor is!”

“Dimitri run until you can’t anymore and then run still further. You’re mother will find you I will be right” his father states as he’s stabbed in the heart by his brother.

The lights go out again but somehow Dimitri can see his way through the nights shade. A beating in his breast pocket. Leading him to safety. He knows he’s got to keep it safe. He knows he can’t look at it. Finally he’s outside and his mother grabs him and they’re in a car and bolting away. Never again will they be back here in New York.

“Did you do it? Let me see your eyes.” His mother inquires.

Dimitri makes a decision then. He looks upon the heart as he lifts his head to his mothers eyes. She can see he’s seen it. She doesn’t know he has it. She’s sated. The secrets kept. He’ll have to find a place to hide it. Keep it safe from everyone and everything. The heart of the world doesn’t just belong to the Lancasters. It doesn’t belong to anyone. That’s what his dad said and he’ll make sure of it. Keep it tucked away safe away from the greedy eyes of a family built on greed and magic eyes.

He’s so sure of himself succeeding you could call him Money…

Money Lancaster. A Dime a day keeps the hungry at bay…