How I locked eyes with Al Capone “Scarface”

In the 1900s, Chicago was becoming a hotspot for the criminal organisation. One of the criminal organisations is The Chicago Outfit. Run by Godfather named “Alphonse Gabriel Capone” also known as Al Capone “Scarface”’. Al Capone was born in January 17, 1899, Brooklyn, New York, U.S. He was an American Prohibition-era gangster, who dominated organised crime in Chicago from 1925 to 1931 and became perhaps the most famous gangster in the United States. Under Capone's leadership, the Chicago Outfit became the most powerful criminal organisation in the country, with an estimated annual income of over $100 million.

It was during a cold winter evening in 1929, and I had just moved to Chicago. My friend, Tommy, who had lived in the city for his entire life, convinced me to visit the famous Green Mill Cocktail Lounge. Known for its jazz music and lively atmosphere, the Green Mill was also reputed to be a hangout spot for some of the city’s most notorious gangsters, including "Scarface." Tommy and I had just finished a long day at work. We were both young and eager to experience the vibrant nightlife in Chicago. Tommy, who is always the adventurous type of person, suggested we go to the Green Mill for some drinks and jazz. I hesitated at first, knowing the reputation the place had, but Tommy assured me it would be an unforgettable experience. Well I trusted him, and it turned out to be the most bone chilling experience I ever had too.

As we walked to the Green Mill, I could feel the excitement in the air. The neon sign flickered, casting a greenish glow on the sidewalk. The sound of jazz music spilled out into the street, and the chatter of patrons could be heard even before we stepped inside. The doorman gave us a once-over but let us in without a second glance. Inside, the bar was packed with people. The dim light, plush velvet booths, and smoky air created an ambiance that was both thrilling and intimidating. The jazz band played energetically, and the dance floor was crowded with couples dancing. Tommy and I found a table at the bar, ordered a drink, and settled in to enjoy the music and the experience. After a few drinks with Tommy, I excused myself to go to the gents. On my way back, I noticed a group of men sitting in a secluded corner of the lounge. All of them were well and neatly dressed, with a commanding presence that made them stand out from the rest of the crowd. As I passed by, I felt a pair of eyes on me. I turned and found myself locking eyes with none other than Al Capone “Scarface” himself. For a moment, everything around me seemed to fade into the background. Capone’s eyes were piercing, and his expression was unreadable. I felt a shiver run down my spine. It was as if time had stopped, and I was frozen in place. The stories I had heard about him flashed through my mind – the ruthless gangster, the man who ruled Chicago’s underworld with an iron fist. I think to myself “This is how it ends. This is how I die. I’ve looked at him for too long, there’s no way he's gonna let me go freely.”

Just as quickly as it began and what it feels like ages, the moment ended. Capone gave me a slight nod, and I quickly looked away, making my way back to the table where Tommy was waiting. My heart was pounding like never before, and I could barely hear the jazz music over the sound of my own heartbeat. Tommy noticed my pale face and asked what was wrong. I leaned in and whispered to Tommy, telling him “what do you think? I had just locked my eyes with Al Capone.” Tommy’s eyes widened in shock and disbelief. He glanced over to the corner where Capone and his men were sitting and then back at me. “You’re lucky he didn’t take offence,” Tommy said. “He’s not someone you want to get on the wrong side of.”

For the rest of the evening, I couldn’t shake the feeling of unease. I tried to enjoy the music and the drinks, but my mind kept replaying that moment over and over again. As we left the Green Mill, I took one last look back at the entrance, feeling a mixture of relief and exhilaration. I had come face to face with one of the most feared men in America at that time and I thank god that I lived to tell the tale. That night at the Green Mill was an experience I would never forget. It was a reminder of the dangerous world that existed just beneath the surface of Chicago’s glamorous nightlife. While I never saw Al Capone again, the memory of locking eyes with him stayed with me, a haunting reminder of the thin line between ordinary life and the dark underworld that thrived in that city.