Terrible Business

'It's a terrible business,' said Vito the fat man
'But what are ya gonna do
'They'll yank out your teeth and cut off your head
Right out on tenth avenue

We were sitting in lawn chairs in hot August sun
Just watching the traffic roll by
Vito just sighed and took out his gun
For a moment I thought he was gonna cry

'It's been 30-some years I been running this car wash
Took it over from my old dad
Never knew when I started it'd last me this long
It's a grind but ya know I'm glad

'Hey Richie,' he called in his baritone growl
Get out here and bring us some beers
Ya know he's a good kid, pretty wise for his age
All this'll be his in a coupla years

Vito stared into space for a second reflecting
Then went back to cleaning his gun
'It's a shame hafta do this in this day and age
But I sure as shit ain't gonna run

Richie poked through the door with a six in his hand
Set it down on the ground by his chair
Took his lighter and popped 'em and passed 'em around
Pushed his hand through his overgrown hair

'They comin' again? Why you're cleaning your piece
Richie asked and he took a sip
Vito nodded, 'I think we just best be prepared
Looked around and said 'I got a tip

Then he looked at me somber and said 'Listen Mikey
You finish your beer and you go
It's for your own good if you're not in this hood
There's some shit you just don't wanna know

'It's a terrible business,' said Vito again
'But what am I gonna do
It's the price that you pay each and every day
Just to stay out on tenth avenue