Birmingham England, 1919, this is where a boy ended up soon after the war had concluded. The boy had no memories of how he actually got to this place though, in fact, the boy was very close to freaking out. The last thing he could remember was reading a web novel on his phone. After finally getting tired enough, he placed his phone on the charger and went to bed, and then he was here.
He knew where ‘here’ was of course. The time or city didn’t matter much, but one word kept replaying in his head.
‘Peaky Blinders’
‘Peaky Blinders’
‘Peaky Blinders’
‘Peaky Blinders’
‘Peaky....Fucking…. Blinders’
There was no ‘God’, there was no status screen or power ups or missions or even a damn explanation. He didn’t know if he died, if he got reincarnated, or if he was just transported into another world because not a single ‘Divine Being’ deigned him important enough to actually explain anything. He somehow just knew where he was and that he was in the Peaky Blinders show.
Then there was the show itself. The lad remembers watching season 1 on Netflix when it first came out, and has watched every season since, but his memory of the earlier parts were fuzzy...yet clear. There are parts where he remembers every word spoken in a scene but others where he could barely remember what the topic was about. That...wasn’t good.
Other than that though, he knew nothing else. Looking around he realised he was in the middle of a busy and dirty street. Using some broken glass as a mirror that was further along the road, he immediately found a couple of really big fucking changes. He was dressed nicely in black dress shoes, dress pants, and a gray vest. Sitting on top of his head was a gray cap that most, if not all, Blinder’s wore. The kid actually looked quite sharp.
Is that a Webley Revolver tucked between my waist? Well the free clothes and gun are convenient, I guess whoever sent me here isn’t a complete asshoole.
That wasn’t the problem though, the problem was that before this moment that ‘kid’ was a 36 year old man but now looked no more than 16. There were several changes that he felt like hyperventilating about. The blue eyes, blonde hair, and the white skin. Don’t get him wrong, he doesn’t have a single thing against caucasions, but when you grow up and Black Pride is preached almost as strongly as The Bible, the simple change of pigment almost felt more disabilating then the realisation that he was transferred to a new dimension.
While he was freaking out, he hardly noticed that the busy street was beginning to clear out with frightening speed. People were heading into their homes and locking the doors, vendors began to hide behind their stands and kids started running away, although some found nearby hiding spot to watch...something. It wasn’t until the boy began hearing a clopping sound that the situation dawned on him.
Season 1 Episode 1....It’s Tommy!
In episode 1 of the Peaky Blinders, Tommy does the ‘Powder Trick’ in the middle of a busy street so everyone could see. Tommy has a horse that he gets someone to put a ‘Spell’ on to win a race. People would believe anything in the 1900’s and if a ‘Witch’ arrived to put a spell on a horse, then they would surely bet what little of their hard earned money they have on that horse.
A million thoughts flew through the kid’s mind at once but before he could make sense of even a single one, a horse stopped in front of him. On top was the well dressed the sociopath himself...Thomas Shelby. His attire was almost identical to the boy’s, the only differences being that Tommy was wearing a suit and a pocket watch. Besides that, Thomas had the same blue eyes like him but black hair instead of blonde.
Honestly he didn’t know what got into him, but at that moment a type of persona just took over his actions. His body relaxed and he placed his hands in their pockets in a calm manner. A pleasant smile adorned his face. First impressions mean everything to men like Shelby, and he was determined not to screw it up.
“Our ‘Fortune Girl’ is on her way Mr. Shelby. With her there’s no way this boy here will lose.” The ‘kid’ places a hand the horse and pets it. “I’m sure he’ll meet your standards… and even surpass them.”
A hint of surprise and curiosity dances in his pupils. No doubt he has questions, many of them the kid wasn’t ready to answer. One thing the man-child did know though, was that he had to join the Peaky Blinders, and for that to happen he needed the interest of this dangerous man. Before said man could ask any questions, however, two Asians arrived from behind me, out of breath and shaking. An old man past his prime and a young girl, probably age 14 or 15. They were both dirty and haggard, the girl’s green sweater covered in small dirt patches.
This story originates from Royal Road. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there.
“Sir...this is her.” the old man spoke. Funnily enough, he barely even paid attention to the boy’s presence. They most likely assumed that Tommy brought him and so didn’t ask any questions. While Tommy wanted to ask questions about the sharp dressed boy, he had a show to put on and a schedule to keep.
“The ‘Fortune Girl’ eh?” he asked with interest.
Haven’t been here 30 minutes and I already changed something. He was supposed to say. “The girl who tells fortunes?” A small change, but a change nonetheless. Honestly, I haven’t decided if I’m going to stick to cannon or throw it off the deep end yet so I don’t know how I feel about this.
Tommy rummages through his pocket for a second before taking out some cash and handing it to the boy.
Well the Shelby is assuming I’m with them and they are assuming I’m with the Shelby. Well ain’t that awkward. I have to just go with it though, I can’t be too suspicious. I gotta somehow make it seem like my presence here is natural.
The boy takes the money and stands to the side. With a head nod, he silently infer for them to get on with it, and they take the hint. The old man looks confused but does as told and gets the girl to take out a red pouch. She begins to pour some type of red sand in her hand, looks into the horse’s eyes, and began chanting.
Honestly, I have no idea if this an actual spell or not anymore. I mean, this is obviously a con, but I’m in a fictional world filled with people who aren’t real so magic must be a real thing. Shame that this world isn’t the type where I can level and defeat monsters and shit. Not that I have any problem being here, the Peaky Blinders are total badasses.
After a couple of seconds, the chanting stops and the girl blows the red sand into the horses face. Obviously the horse neighs a bit but seems fine. The boy nods towards the old man and gives him the money, then looks back towards the Shelby. The moment the money is in their hands, they run away, leaving the kid and Tommy alone.
“Well continue Mr. Shelby, business before pleasure.” Thomas looks at the teen in contemplation for a few seconds before nodding.
Walking the horse around in circles, the Blinder shouts so all can hear. “The horse's name is Monaghan Boy! Kempton, three o’clock, Monday! You ladies have a bet yourself but don’t tell anyone else.” and with that he begins to gallop away. The boy couldn’t help but sigh in relief as the normal citizens began gathering on the street. He however knows that it’s not over and begins following the horse.
I’m pretty sure I grabbed his interest enough for him to at least start a conversation with me.
“Well are you going to tell me who you are?” the Shelby asks, looking straight forward.
“I am but a simple orphan caused by war Mr. Shelby, but I don’t think that’s the answer you’re looking for.”
“You would be right.”
“...Michael, Mr. Shelby. Micheal Corleone.” There’s no damn ‘Godfather’ here, and if I’m going to be apart of a gang, I might as well have a gangsters name. Besides, no way in hell I’m sticking to my normal Stanial Jefferson name. I’ve wanted to change it something cool for a long time now anyway.
“And what do you want from me, Mr. Corleone?” the curious man asked with a slight smile. His interest were clearly piqued.
“Peaky Blinders, run by the Shelby Family who became infamous after the war. Though not the strongest gang around, they are certainly not the weakest. Run by a smart and cunning man, one Thomas Shleby, they have much potential.”
“You’ve done the research, yet I still do not know what you want. Or are we gonna get to that point anytime soon?” he asked with fake annoyance. The now named Michael could tell he didn’t really mind the conversation.
“Ah, well I am a simple man Mr. Shelby. I have simple goals, yet to achieve those goals, the road is quite complicated. I even have a list.”
“And on that list?”
“Number 1, meet Thomas Shelby.” Micheal says with a smirk. Tommy almost chuckles at this but stops himself before it could come out. This early in the series he’s not known for being jovial.
“It seems you can cross that off the list.”
“Indeed.” Micheal agrees with a smile. “Number 2, join the Peaky Blinders.”
“And why would you want to do that, as you’ve said, there are stronger gangs around.” he asks, finally giving Corleone his full attention.
“Those gangs don’t have you leading them. You see, I have an eye for potential, and you seem to be overflowing with it. You and your brothers not only fought for your country and king, but came back alive from it, and made something of yourselves.”
“Is that right?” he asks, giving Michael a look.
“Yes. Number 3, make a famiglia within the Peaky Blinders with me as the Don. The Corleone Famiglia. They will of course, however, still be under the Shelby Family.”
“Famiglia huh...Those are big goals Mr. Coleone, aren’t you a little young to be thinking of not only joining a gang but rising so far up within its ranks?”
“As an orphan, everything has a risk. If I’m going to take risks, I might as well go all in. Besides, I have a feeling the risks I’m taking now will pay off. Just because you are a small gang now, doesn’t mean you will be one forever.”
“Hmm…” the horse suddenly stops. It takes a moment for Michael to realise why. He walked all the way to the stables for the horses without noticing.
He wants me to leave.
At this point in the story, The Peaky Blinders have some very valuable equipment hidden in these stables. Michael definitely isn’t trusted enough to know anything about it.
“This is where we will part ways for now Mr. Shelby, I have much business to attend to.” Michael says, turning around and beginning to walk away. “Oh!” he stops. “Be careful, I wouldn’t worry too much about the Chinese but if that horse wins, Billy Kimber will not be happy. Even more dangerous than them, both of them, is the Chief Inspector Chester Campbell.” and with that Michael walks away.
The Chinese and Billy Kimber both have a hand in the races, and no one is supposed to be fixing them without their knowledge and permission. That’s why doing the Powder Trick is so dangerous. That horse will win the first time, and those who were on the fence about whether the ‘spell’ would work will change their minds and bet on the horse the second time. The horse will win again, and everyone would hear about the horse that was put under a spell and how it won 2 in a row already. The third time, even more people will bet on the enchanted horse winning...and the Peaky Blinders will bet on it losing...and the horse will lose. Billy Kimber, the most powerful gangster in Birmingham, won’t be happy.
Now where the hell am I going to go?