14-year old Paulie Potatoes is a wannabe gangster, who just happens to have superpowers.
More than thirty years ago, two classics were born.One is a captivating novel of the Mafia underworld, The Godfather, which introduced readers to the first family of American crime fiction, the Corleones.The other introduces the world to the most recognized and revered character of all time, the “Man of Steel,” Superman.Paulie Potatoes: Gangster Crusader is a modern blend of both of these unforgettable classics.
On March 10th 2012, 14-year old Paulie Potatoes, along with the rest of the teenagers of earth inherited superpowers.Seeing this as a threat to his way of life, Mob boss Bobby Biaggio Bigotta, better known as Biggie Boom Boom, knows that he must stop Paulie and his friends by all means necessary.
Unexpectedly, Biggie resists his instincts to fight and instead he extends an invitation for Paulie to join his gang.Paulie must now decide between a life of crime or a life as a superhero.Will Paulie walk down this underworld path, blinded by wealth or will he use his newfound powers to keep the streets safe from the gangland that plagues Niagaratown?
Teen Sci-Fi/Action Adventure 44,000 words
Excerpt
Chapter 1: Say Hello to My Little Friend
“PAULIE HELP ME!”
Those were the last words that Paulie Potatoes heard from Zulay. With his ability having disappeared, all he could do was sit and watch his girl as Bobby Biaggio Bigotta, better known as Biggie Boom Boom, took her. Without warning, Paulie’s flying ability vanished and he fell abruptly to the ground. At that moment, he had no idea what had gone wrong. However, only a few short days later, Paulie would discover Biggie’s dastardly plan to take over the world – as if he didn’t have enough power to begin with.
As Paulie sat looking up toward the clouds where Zulay had disappeared, he couldn’t help but think of his childhood. Although much of his upbringing was uninteresting and flat out boring, that all changed on his 13th birthday. He discovered his ability on the same day that all children discovered that they had abilities. March 7, 2010.
Paulie could picture it so clearly in his mind while he was sitting on his bed. Although it was a beautiful, sunny day, he had sprained his foot the day before and was told by the doctor to stay off it for a week. Depressed, he looked out the window at the other boys that were playing ball-hockey in the street. Just as one of the boys potted a goal between the goalies pads, a butterfly flew across the window. But instead of flying past, it just stopped there, hovering as if to be staring back at Paulie. For a second, he actually wished that he too could fly, as he closed his eyes tightly. He pictured himself flying across Niagratown waving to all the people below. He would have sat there daydreaming all day if not for the commotion that broke out in the middle of the ball-hockey game.
“Eh-oh, Freddy, waddya think you’re doin’? That’s not fair. You can’t jump over the freakin’ net like that!”
“Oh yeah, well what about you not waiting for the ball to hit the ground during a face-off. Since when did you get those ridiculous reflexes?”
“Well what about your speed? Where did that come from? I’ve seen you in gym class. You’re the last strunz to finish the long distance race, but today, you’re runnin’ around like a racehorse.”
Paulie opened his eyes quickly and was about to waddle over to the window to get a better look, when he realized that he was hovering three feet above his bed. Still thinking that he was daydreaming, Paulie rubbed his eyes, but when he looked down, he was still floating in his bedroom.
An alcoholic, miserly attorney reluctantly defends a black man from a false resisting arrest charge. He then discovers damaging information against the cops and two cronies, and embarks on a battle to keep himself and his client alive.
