Disclaimer: I dont' own anything that was in the 1992 musical. which this is based on.

In all matter of opinions, our adversaries are insane.

- Oscar Wilde

Everything was going as planned. Ace thought to himself as he wandered Chicago's noisy streets. In every major city the Commorants held territory things were beginning to stir. Anyone who was even remotely street savvy knew a storm was coming.

Good.

Ace smiled. He'd waited too damn long for this, made too many plans, lost too many men for this to fail now.

In every big city the Royals, rivals of the Commorants, ruled with an iron fist, breaking every lesser gang and twisting it to suit their means. The only freedom the Commorants had held for far too long was the gambling rings. It was time for a new power to rise. To stir things up as it were.

The Chicago streets were cobblestone but Ace could still feel the mud seep in through the sides of his shoes. The spring's chill worked its way past Ace's heavy suit to settle in his bones, making the dark haired man shiver slightly. He walked two steps faster, after all he had to catch this train. It would take him to where the fighting would be. Well at least where it would start. Ace rushed through the train station and managed to just slip onto his train as it left the platform. Making his way to the assigned box Ace was happy to note it was soundproofed. That would make things much more pleasant, it meant he wouldn't have to buy the other passenger's silence. Ace stepped into the darkened compartment and locked the door behind him. Turning on the lights he found the other occupant of the small space. The brown eyes were wide and terrified. Deep lacerations covering the man's upper torso, though none were deep enough to cause severe damage, just a lot of pain. And goodness, the bruises... My, his boys had outdone themselves.

Ace lit a cigarette.

"So, You gonna tell me what I wanna know?"

The other shook his head. He was scared and didn't try to hide it. What the Commorants had done to him so far was bad, but everyone knew that Ace had a penchant for causing pain.

Ace sighed disappointedly. What a pity, it was always better to talk sooner rather than later. After all he was under no delusions. Everyone talked. Ace slowly lowered the cigarette from his lips, letting the smoke swirl around his form. Then he smiled coldly and placed the lit end on the other man's collarbone.

From the open window what was heard were shattering screams, but more terrifying was the exhilarated laughter of a man who'd lost his mind long ago.

Of course anyone who'd heard the screaming wouldn't have breathed a word, not when it was that train.

After all the 5:10 to New York had a reputation.

AN: Well the stage is pretty much set.