Chongo woke with a start. He wasn't all that unused to waking in strange places but with all that he'd been through he was a little shaky. "I should be happy to be alive at this point," he muttered under his breath. A quick scan of the apartment told him that Nymbel had already left the apartment. There was a warm pot of coffee sitting on the burner smelling like heaven on earth to Chongo's empty stomach. A snore from the general direction of the couch startled him. Just as he was reaching for his gat he remembered that Fat Freddy was also a temporary guest of the establishment. "Christ Almighty," thought Chongo, "Damn that capuchin anyway, running off and leaving me here to babysit when I've got better things to get done." Chongo lit the burner under the pot and headed for the bathroom while the coffee heated up.

One look in the mirror told him all he needed to know. "I'm getting too old for this shit," he said to no-one in particular. He did his best with a wash rag and some soap but nothing was going to improve the way he currently felt much less the ugly mug staring back from the glass. Chongo went back into the kitchen just as the perculator started perculating and filled two mugs with steaming coffee. He woke Freddy gently, wary of the big chimp, and thrust a mug into Freddy's huge paws. "Hope you like it hot and black" he said. "Chongo", replied Freddy. He seemed to have retained enough mentality to at least know how to handle a cup of coffee even if the rest of his mind seemed to be missing. Chongo flopped down on the sofa next to him and took a long swig from his mug. Generally he'd pour a shot of whiskey in to help fire it up but for now hot and black was good enough.

"Now what the hell am I gonna do" he said to the air with a sigh.
"Chongo." replied Freddy.
"Okay, first things first, I'd better find someplace to stash you". "You don't seem capable of taking care of yourself and even if you did come here to possibly wipe me from the face of the earth I can't just leave you here." "Lord only knows when Nymbel might show up again."
Freddy looked at him through the steam rising from his mug and said "Chongo!" But what to do with a huge chimp with all of the mentality of a punching bag. "That's it!" Chongo said snapping his fingers, "I'll take you to Jake's Gym."

Jake was an old friend (most of Chongo's friends didn't seem to be able to earn that distinction, mostly because of the kind of living they found themselves in rather than through any fault of Chongo's) who had taught a young chimp that there was more to life thatn petty theft. He probably saved my life doing it too," thought Chongo. Boxing was Jake's bread and butter and since Chongo had grown up he'd often pushed wayward kids and apes into Jake's mitts. He seemed to have a way with the kids. Jake's was the perfect place to hide Freddy. None of the kids there would be inclined to pass any info to any of the gangs out of respect for Jake. And since he was taking care of so many of Chicago's urchins he was fully outfitted to handle Freddy as well.

"That's one problem solved," he said, but how do I get him over there?" "Well, maybe Jake can think of a way, my brain is about as fried as yours Freddy."
"Chongo?" Freddy asked with his head cocked to one side.
"Yeah, Chongo." Chong said picking up the phone on the sideboard.
"Hey Jake! Chongo said as the phone was answered, "this is Chongo. I'm afraid I need a hand".
"Thought you might call", Jake replied. "Lot's of heavy duty crap goin' down round town. Figured you'd be in the thick of it."
"Yeah, you know me, life of the party," said Chongo, "I got a heavy sitting here with me on the sofa who's mind is off wandering somewhere else and I need a sitter for him. I also need to figure out a way to get him and me over there inconspicuous like", I'm over at Nymbel's place right now."
"I think I can help you there", said Jake, "Give me twenty or so and I'll have someone over there to pick you up. Just sit tight."
"Thanks Jake, you don't know how much I appreciate this", said Chongo.
"I've gotten pretty good at pulling you're fat out of the fire over the years," chuckled Jake as he hung up.
"Ain't that the truth," thought Chongo, "Need that mug topped off Freddy?"
"Chongo!"

About twenty minutes later a moving van pulled up on the street outside of Nymbel's. Chongo eyed it nervously through the blinds. As he was watching, the biggest ape he had ever laid eyes on climbed out of the driver's side of the van. Chongo could here the springs squealing in protest as the driver stepped onto the street. The ape went to the back of the truck and took out two huge crates hefting them under each arm. The ape looked up to where Chongo was watching through the blinds and started towards the steps leading to Nymbels. Chongo let the blinds slip slowly back into place and reached for his thirty eight. Chongo could hear the steps groaning in protest as the ape climbed them. There came the thud of two crates hitting the floor outside of the apartment and a pretty substantial boom from the door as the ape knocked twice. Chongo eased quietly over to the door, thirty eight drawn and ready.
"Who is it?" Chongo said, trying to sound like his granny.
"Jake sent me," came the simple, quiet reply.

Chongo slowly opened the door with his gat levelled at the ape's chest. And what a chest the ape had. He filled the doorway throwing a shadow on Chongo as he eclipsed the hall light.
"You Chongo?" he asked.
Chongo didn't answer partly out of suspicion and partly out of awe.
"You want help getting out of here?",asked.
Chongo slowly nodded.
"Then put that heater away before I feed it to you," said the ape. "M' names Young, Joe Young. Jake sent me to get you out of here."
Chongo looked up into Joe's grinning mug and holstered his .38. "Wouldn't have done me a damn bit of good against him anyway", thought Chongo.

Joe reached behind him and grabbed the two crates, pushing them through the door.
"Afraid this is the only way we could think of on short notice to get you from here to there."
Chongo eyed the crates dubiously and shrugged.
"Ain't zactly first class but nobody gonna see you.", "This Freddy?" asked Joe.
"Yeah, that's Freddy," said Chongo.
"Nice to meet you mister Freddy," Joe said, sticking out a mitt that dwarfed even Freddy's massive hands.
"Chongo!" Freddy said taking the proffered mitt and shaking it vigorously and kept shaking it. Joe gently disengaged from Freddy and cast a curious glance over his shoulder at Chongo. Chongo just shrugged. Joe opened the crated and Chongo was happy to find that they were lined with straw and blankets. No it wasn't first class but at least it wouldn't be too uncomfortable. He turned to help Joe get Freddy into the other crate in time to see Joe pick up the humungous chimp and cradle him like he was a little baby and place him gently into the crate. Freddy wrapped himself in a blanket and was asleep in a heartbeat with only a quiet "Chongo." and a yawn. Joe put the top on Freddy's crate as Chongo climbed into his.
"Please be careful," Chongo joked, "I've got all of my fragile valuables in here."
Joe grinned as he lowered the top of the crate. Chongo was wondering how Joe was going to get them out to the truck since he hadn''t brought a hand truck with him from the truck. Chongo got his answer as he felt his crate being picked up like so much groceries. He didn't have to guess that Freddy's crate was under Joe's other arm.

The ride over to Jakes was bumpy but otherwise uneventful and Chongo soon found himself sitting in Jakes office on the second floor of the gym.
"Enjoy the ride?" asked Jake.
"Yeah, definitely something no-one shold miss." replied Chongo, "you don't know how glad I am to be here though."
"I think I can guess", Jake said handing Chongo a cup of coffee. "The Kids have been telling me quite a few stories. You're lucky to be alive at this point."
"Don't I know it", said Chongo.
"At least you got a dance out of the deal," said Jake with a grin.
Chongo groaned, "ohhh...how did you hear about that?"
"Nevermind," Jake chuckled, "you probably won't have to worry about that anymore anyway."
"What do you mean?" Chongo asked.
" The Howlers got her marked for some reason," Jake replied, "the kids have been on about it all morning.
"Shit!" Chongo thought. Aloud he said "Jake, this shits' got to stop. I've lost some good friends, made some new enemies and I can't take much more of this.
"Well, you're safe here, relax."
"I can't", said Chongo, "I don't know why she danced with me, but I'm pretty sure that she's an innocent in this. I can't let her get rubbed out 'cause of me."
"Well I'm not sure how you're going to stop it, but if I can help just let me know." replied Jake.
"You've done more than enough, hell, you did more than enough years ago. If I'd had anyone else to turn to I wouldn't have dragged you into this." said Chongo.
"Hey, Chongo, you'll always be one of my boys," said Jake, "You've always got a home here."
"Thanks Jake, that's great to hear. I like to think I got it all handled. Its great to have somebody like you that I can trust when the crap hits the fan." Chongo always watched his language around Jake.
"I think you're forgetting somebody else," said Jake.
"Who? Freddy?" Chongo replied.
"No..., Drecker." Jake said.
Damn, I forgot to call him thought Chongo, but I gotta see to Freddy first anyway.
"What can you do for Freddy here?" asked Chongo.
Freddy was busily playing with an old speed bag in the corner.
"I have some boys that can take care of him." said Jake.
Jake opened the door to his office and called down the stairs.
"Hey! Mike, Peter, Davey, Micky! Get up here!" shouted Jake.
Four young monkeys wearing red shirts ran up the stairs and into Jakes office.
Chongo stared in disbelief.
"But they're just Monkees!" he said.
"You were expecting beatles perhaps?" replied Jake.