Eddy,
Bank Robber
When
I worked in Park Cake Bakery there was an interesting guy I worked with. His
name was Eddy. Now Eddy had a very sharp mind, was an alpha male and had
several scars on his face from old fights. It wasn’t his cake making or scars
that got our attention; it was his professional criminal past. He was a bank
robber who used guns to do it. They’d gone to a bank and made a withdrawal in
the coolest way.
“Give
us the cash or we’ll plug you! Fill up the bags. Used notes only.” The bank
staff did as told just like in a gangster film.
And
that was that. They had the cash and would’ve been best investing it in bricks
and mortar Brink’s-Mat robbery style. The cops caught them later and he got
serious jail time. Upon release he worked in the bakery. The guy who ran the
work agency gave him a job as he was an ex copper and wanted to let Eddy have a
chance going straight. And straight he went being a good worker.
Eddy’s
first words to me were: “Hey mate, do I know you? From jail?”
I
knew I had to be careful with this one, paranoia, sharp mind and he looked
quite handy. I replied, “You know me now mate! How are you doing?”
We
got on very well. Eddy told me some stories after one of the other lads, who
was also quite handy but on a lower level told me of Eddy’s past. “He robs
banks.”
I
asked Eddy on this and he asked me who told me. I said one of the lads but I don’t
want you hurting him. He was fine. I said I knew a bank robber when I was in
the south before. They’re what I call alternative businessmen. They rob a bank
and don’t have to be wage slaves. They know the risks and the cash is actually
insured so is paid back to the bank.
There
was in issue with a young Pakistani lad. Words were said as Eddy was close to a
very pretty Asian lady who the lad also liked. There was a bit of pushing and
shoving in the cake storage area. Later both said sorry and shook on it.
Eddy
came back to work as he was fired due to an incident. This led to another
display of his temper. He had a pal who had a Queen’s crown neck tattoo. They both
had a row. They were ten or twenty yards apart and such was Eddy’s word that
his mate took a step back! This was after he argued with the bakery manager, a
woman who was like a bloke. She took it and gave it back.
Time
moved on and I left the bakery. I worked briefly in Littlewoods in Shaw. And who
did I see there? Eddy! My opening words to him were: “Where’s my guinea pig?”
It
was cool to see Eddy there. I missed him. We chatted and I told him of the
incident I saw with his pal. He said did I see it and I replied I did, all of
it. It was funny looking back but Eddy could’ve hurt his pal seriously. I’m
glad he didn’t.
We
worked in the warehouse picking and packing orders. There was another incident
with a young Pakistani guy again. Words were said and Eddy gripped him and let’s
say told him off. The Pakistani reported the ex armed robber to the
supervisors. The two were separated on different floors. Eddy went to the guy’s
work area and ‘told him’ off again! The guy never said a bad word to Eddy ever
again.
Eddy
told me his dad owned a pub near where I used to live. He dad was a big fan of
both Numan and Bowie, the superb 80s singers. His dad liked both the same not
one over the other.
I
wish I’d have spent more time talking to Eddy as he was the real deal. We
civilians don’t get to meet real life gangsters very often, part of the
underworld. I’m not talking about stealing cars or shop lifting. Eddy was the
real deal. If he robs more banks I want him to remain free. I hope he’s fine
and healthy right now. Did you know he also had an A Level in art? He was quite
a guy.
***
