Over the next few weeks, Joey and Frank, who up until this point were working their asses off so they could get a piece of the good life, had now finally reached their goals. The moment they brought the man who killed LaSalle's son up in that swanky penthouse everything changed. LaSalle greeted Joey like long lost pals, something that was missing a few weeks back.

LaSalle turned every bit of a hack-politician as he showered praises for their work while making up excuses to Joey about the past. He did everything to make himself smell like roses, all so he could get his hands on the man that haunted his dreams.

Before they handed him over, Joey wanted to make one thing clear above anything else. He told LaSalle that he didn't care about what his status was in the past, as long as he was back in the business. Even with his politician-like demeanor in full show, LaSalle turned serious enough to contemplate his words. In the end, he nodded and placed his hands on Joey's shoulders saying "Welcome back, Joey."

After gaining LaSalle's gratitude things had only gone uphill from here. Although they still had to do the dirty work every once in a while, schooling the upstarts, collecting cuts from businesses, taking care of flaring turf wars, being in LaSalle's good graces certainly makes those jobs a whole lot easier. Pretty soon, word was spreading that Joey and Frank were becoming one of the few right-hand men of LaSalle's mob.

They were treated in the same league as the upper echelons of the crime world in Vanderville. With them being listed in that exclusive rank they were getting invited to every single high-class, rich snobs, campaigning politicians, party known in Vanderville, whilst Joey still wasn't too fond of "these little nuthin'-but-suck-cock get-togethers" as he called it.

Drunken stupors and slutty women were all the rage whenever they had LaSalle with them. Basically no one could touch them, if they ever wanted to see the light of day again. Even the bouncers Joey had an altercation with some time ago were smiling up to their ears at him, the one showing his big toothless gap of a smile.

They were riding 1st class all the way. Everything was going well for them, that is until...


"Hey, you called for me?" Joey said as soon as he entered the beautiful suite that he was once denied entrance to.

"Yes. I did. I was meaning to talk to you about something." LaSalle replied; sitting comfortably in his expensive bear skinned armchair.

He tilted his seat back as he squashed his cigarette on the ashtray and continued on, "The Yakuza are making an offering. A peace offering."

Joey was silent, his face never shifting for a second.

"I know these were the scumbags who betrayed you 5 years ago. The same people who were with Estrada the night it happened."

LaSalle got up from his seat. Turning to the large glass wall behind him before he went on, "But the Yakuza are giving me... us...you and me an offer we just can't refuse. They're giving us their Bay Area docks for only 10 percent of the revenues from the auction house."

He spun around towards Joey, his face beaming with ecstatic joy. "Yes, it sounds suspicious but if we could put that deal in ink, imagine the possibilities."

LaSalle took a moment to visualize his dream while Joey looked on quietly, emotionlessly.

He continued, "Joey, my boy. I'm telling you this because of your past with them. I'm not going to pretend what they did to you never happened. That's why I wanted you to know about it before anyone else."

LaSalle looked at him with piercing eyes, almost as if gauging his reaction. Joey stared back, unblinking. "I told you already. The past is dead to me. You can do whatever you want."

"That's what I wanted to hear." LaSalle beamed, "I'm putting you and Mahoney in charge of security. Now I want you to make everything as airtight as possible. Joey, if we can make this deal happen Estrada won't ever be able to show his balls around here anymore. He and his fucking docks can go to hell!"

He bellowed out a laugh, and then moved towards Joey. He spoke once more but this time his voice was much lower.

"And once we make those bastards sign the paper, and we got what we came for… You can do whatever you want. Anything."

LaSalle raised his hand and gently tapped Joey's cheek. "…Because the past is really hard to forget."

"…Yeah."

LaSalle smiled wryly and then went back to his desk. Joey stood there for a second or two before going out the door.


'RRRiiiiiiiiinnnnnggggggg'

"Yeah, Frank here."

"It's me, Joey."

"Hey, man. Where are you?"

"I'm here at LaSalle's place. Listen, I need you to meet me someplace. Where are you?"

"I'm here at Kitty's. Just getting a couple of drinks with my lady friends. You know, getting laid, snorting coke, living the dream!"

"Yeah well, I want you to go to the Shining Star Casino at East Ford Vale. This is the big one right here. The moment we've been waiting for."

Making kissy faces at the girl on his side before turning back to the receiver, "Alright Alright, I'm goin'. Meet me at the lobby there, okay."

Joey finished the conversation, stopping at the elevator. He waited for it to open as the cold air of the hallway made him shiver slightly. When the doors finally opened he entered quickly. As he pressed the button to go down, his cell phone rang.

"Yeah, who is this—oh, it's you..."


"...I should have believed him."

"Huh? Did you say something" Frank asked. He was leaning on the information counter eyeing the pretty desk clerk. Once he saw Joey coming, he ended his attempts and started walking towards him.

"Ahh—nuthin' Joey said, looking around, "We gotta meet Marvin here somewhere. You didn't see him?"

"No, man. I just got here." Frank shrugged.

"Let's just look around for him." Joey suggested although it seemed Frank already had that in mind.

The casino was a huge place. It had only two floors but each floor was about half the size of a football stadium. They passed the lobby and entered the biggest lounge room they had ever seen.

A large fountain stood atop at the center in white marble that glistened in the many bright yellow hazed lights of the room. At the front of it was a diagram of the whole casino. Joey and Frank went over to check it out. From the map they saw the whole layout of the building. To the north of here was where the actual gambling was held.

Going east would find themselves in the recreational district complete with bowling, arcade, pool, cafes, a gym, movie theaters, musical theaters, ballroom dancing, and even a pharmacy.

The western part was more miscellaneous. It included a basketball arena for the city's basketball team, the Vanderville Huskies. Rooms for reserved private parties and conventions. And also the VIP rooms for the casino's high rollers and regulars.

"You know the mayor tried hard not to let the city's basketball team settle here." Frank informed him, "Now he's swimming with the fishes."

Joey chuckled nonchalantly, "Who do you think put him there?"

He looked at the map again and saw that most of the second floor had the same things as the first floor with regards to their respective areas. The only difference was the casino took the whole two floors as one.

The two continued their search, starting in the casino floor. As they expected the whole place was colossal. Rows upon rows of slot machines and video poker greeted their entrance, tables for blackjacks, roulettes and craps were placed everywhere, and there was even a side that focused on sports betting.

Farther on held a large stage for the musical entertainment, evidenced by a well-known band playing there currently. A dozen dining tables stood in front of the stage for guests who were interested in listening on, and maybe have something to eat.

They found Marvin in one of the roulette tables with some ladies on each arm.

"Hey you two, you're finally here." He greeted them, a smug look on his face. "I assume you two already know why you're here."

Frank scratched his head. "Actually… Joey hasn't told me anything."

"Yeah, I didn't tell him cause' I wanted you to tell us both about it." Joey answered, looking at Marvin inquiringly.

Marvin was a bit perplexed but only ignored it and complied with Joey's request.

"Uh, yeah, —a deal's gonna' be taking place here in the casino. It'll be worth millions to us and I'm talking about tens and thousands of millions here. You can just imagine the cut we're gonna' get from this. We'll be the richest men in all of Vanderville."

He stuck out his arms in a wide manner as if to say this would be all theirs. An unbelievably broad smile stood out, one that could match even Jaws.

Marvin finally composed himself and put his arms back around the two women. "But there is a catch… well, sort of. The thing is that our dealers are practically giving it away for nothing."

"How did LaSalle do that?" Frank asked with a hint of amazement in his voice.

"LaSalle didn't do nuthin'." Marvin replied. "The dealers were the ones who offered it first. I know, you could already smell the bullshit from here."

"So what do we do?" Joey butted in, cutting to the chase.

"Well," Marvin took his arms out again but this time ushered the two ladies back to the roulette table so they could talk more privately.

"LaSalle wants the whole building full of his men. He wants the place crawling with his goons on every corner. The plan is he wants…erh—those guys— to get the shit scared out of them so much that they wouldn't dare do anything funny once the deal starts."

"And therefore forcing the Yakuza to go through with the deal whether they were planning something or not." Joey added.

"The Yakuza, huh?" Frank said, intrigued.

"Y-Yeah…right, listen," Marvin cut-in; changing the subject as he tried to glance at Joey's direction.

"In two days we should have every one of our men here and ready. I've already prepared a whole lot of M16s and SMGs at the auction house, so you can get all the weapons you need and for the men, and also bulletproof vests are there as well. Everyone should have one."

Joey surveyed his surroundings then spoke again. "This is a big place I don't think we've got enough of our men to cover it all."

Kind of thinking what a stupid obvious question that was. "Then hire some more dumb muscle to help us. This is an important deal and we've got to make it work no matter what. We clear, gentlemen?"

Marvin nodded to them and proceeded to walk away but then stopped short, craning his neck.

"—and…make sure the men you hire are…trustworthy. You know, just so we don't have any problems."

He finished with an uneasy cough and then returned back to the roulette table where his two ladies were happily watching someone else play.


"Hey, you're looking snazzy there." Frank mused at Joey who was wearing a finely knit tuxedo.

"What the hell are you talking about? We're practically wearing the same thing." Joey countered while he adjusted his tie in the mirror. "… Damn it."

"Come on, let me do it." Frank pulled Joey over and fixed his tie for him. "Can shoot a guy a mile away, but couldn't even learn to tie…"

Frank finishes and takes a step back. "I have to say you're looking like a decent human being this time." Frank said coupled by a laugh as he analyzed Joey again. "Not like those other parties. You remember that time you were wearing fucking flip flops—"

"Yeah, okay just shut up and let's go. I look like the fucking Penguin!" Joey snapped.

"Act like him, too." Frank remarked behind his back.

They reached the casino 30 minutes later, barely beating the Friday night traffic. Already the place was packed full of guards roaming about. All of them dressed in black clothing. It made the scene look as if the president was coming and they were the secret service.

Upon reaching the entrance way, they found two men trying to get inside but were being denied entry.

"Come on, you bloody gits. Let us in. We're very important people here, ya know." One of them spoke. His crooked nose flaring up crossly.

"Yeah, we're dishtink—, instinc—, digstingwisheed persons we are. We know Joey Giovanni. We're drinking buddies, used to take swigs by the buckets we did. Ain't that right, me drinking buddy?" The other, tall and burly, barged in.

"O' course it is. Wasn't a day we didn't be doing the ol' 1-2-3, heh heh. I'm drunk as hell right now." His lanky partner replied, belching loudly as he finished. The foul stench of his breath made the guard wince. Joey and Frank leisurely walked closer to them.

"I see you two actually made it. You actually got your asses up from your mom's basement." Joey said with as much loathing that he could possibly muster. And then he smirked.

"Course we did, wouldn't miss it for the world," The skinny one said, rubbing his hands together. "Free food."

"Couldn't you two have dressed a little better?" Frank added, looking at their raggedy clothes.

"Formalities, formalities…are we heading in or not?" he replied again.

Joey sighed. "Okay…here's the keys, let's go. They're with me—unfortunately."

All four of them entered the casino and marched straight to the gambling room. As soon as the door opened Marvin was fretfully waiting at the front of it.

"Oh, Thank God! You're finally here! I can't believe you just showed up now." Marvin cried out.

"Why? The deal doesn't start for another 2 hours." Frank argued.

"I know that, but I want everything to be in order. And that includes you two helping me with security…hey, who are those two?" Marvin exclaimed.

"'Ello there, mate. The name's Philip. And this big tub of lard bushwanker right here is Gibs." The man named Philip introduced themselves.

"And why are they here?" Marvin asked, looking at the other two with irritation.

"They're our personal men. You know, guys who got your back. You gotta have one if you're an important guy. Where's yours?" Joey replied, adjusting his tux smugly.

"Oh, uh…" Marvin turned his head as if he was looking for something, "then I guess I'll go with you guys. Yeah, I didn't…uh, guess I forgot about that."

"Listen, mate" Philip said firmly, "Do you know where the buffet is? I'm starving."

"…Y-Yeah, they're over there." Marvin pointed up front. The two blokes quickly moved on leaving the other three behind. "You sure can pick em'."

"Ah, Joey, Frank." Just then LaSalle had appeared to them, holding a glass of champagne and was clearly turning pink.

"I see you're enjoying yourself there." Joey greeted him.

"And why not?" LaSalle replied. "We're about to become very rich men. All four of us standing right here, the most filthy stinking rich men in the fucking kingdom!"

"Will Torrence and Estrada be here, too?" Frank asked, abruptly ending his blissful speech.

"Torrence? That man never comes out of wherever piece of shithole he lives in. But of course I invited Estrada to be here. It wouldn't be complete without him here, seeing his face when he realizes his precious docks will be nothing more than a garbage dump."

LaSalle cackled noisily and downed his glass emphatically, throwing it over his head after he did so. He proceeded to leave them in favor of the sports betting section.

Marvin started again. "Come on, now. We've got to check the areas to see if there's anyone making trouble. We can't let it get out of hand especially when the deal starts. And it is going to be."

He headed out of the room while Joey ushered Philip and Gibs to follow them, bringing along heaps of food on their hands. "Comin' governor. Gibs, don't take the whole plate you brainless twit. Save some for me why don't cha."

The five men roamed around the rest of the casino. They started in the eastern section, inspecting for anything unusual but mostly browsing the stores section for their goods. Then they reached the western part where it was quieter. There weren't many people here, only those with VIP privileges since there was no game tonight and no conventions held either.

Once they cleared the first floor they marched up the second floor to check in on things there. They were again in the recreational district when Marvin glanced at his watch.

"20 minutes till eight. We'd better go back—"

'BOOOOOOOOOOOOOM'

"—what the hell was that?!"

All of them jogged rapidly out to the outside balcony. Their eyes stared in disbelief as a Boeing 727 was resting only meters away from them, leaving a path of destruction a quarter of a mile long.

"What in fuck's name is going on here?" Marvin exclaimed. His cell phone suddenly rang.

"Boss, the Yakuza are here. LaSalle wants you to get down here right now. I think they were startled by the crash." The caller said.

"Goddamn it!" Marvin screamed. "I'll be there, just—just do whatever it takes to keep them still."

While Marvin was busily talking, Philip had shifted closer to Gibs and whispered close to him. "I think we'd better make our move or else those blokes be skedaddling right out of here."

"—alright just give LaSalle some aspirin and lots of water. Make him get his head clear before he meets them. I'm coming down. Christ, that damn fuck…"

Marvin clicked his phone off and stared at Joey and Frank. "You two check the mess down there and see who's behind it. I'm going to the casino to check on the boss. Call me if anything happens."

He turned and dashed towards the exit. But Philip had blocked his way.

"I don't think that will be necessary anymore, governor." Philip snapped at him, showing his grimy yellow teeth.

Marvin gaped at him with a furious expression. "WHAT THE HELL ARE YOU DOING? GET OUT OF—u-u-uh…"

Gibs followed his partner's movement and planted himself in front of Marvin's way. Marvin could see the pistol pointed right at him.

"…shit. You two fuckers…" All three stood still for a moment. Then Marvin, as fast as he could, tried to take out his gun but it was too late. A gunshot struck him even before he could lay his hand on his gun.

Marvin's body fell to the floor. Blood trickled down from his skull as his expressionless eyes turned pale white.


"Sir, we just found out that there was a gunshot heard from the second floor. But the guards there say they've already handled it…they said."

"So what do you want me to do?! I can't go there myself. I already have problems here with Mr. Drunkard over there and what's with that fucking plane outside? —and where the hell is Marvin?!…YOU!"

"Erm, wha'd ye want there, mate?"

"You were with Mahoney. Where is he?"

"Uh, guess he still up there finishing with that bloody incident. Told us to go down here and tell ya that." Philip answered him.

"And where's the other two? Joey and Frank?"

"They went outside to check on that other bloody ruckus. That Mahoney guy also said that you better start the deal already before those folks skip town."

The man pauses. He doesn't really want to believe what this stranger had said, but he didn't have a choice.

"…sigh…okay. See if LaSalle's got his senses back. We're starting this now."


'CLICK'

"You only got one shot at this, man. Don't fuck up."

"Someone once told me I could shoot a man a mile away."

"Yeah, but we've got everything riding on this. …Just don't miss, you know."

"Trust me. If there's one thing I'm good at… it's…how…to…shoot." BANG


"What the—GODDAMN IT! LASALLE! Somebody get an ambulance! Damn it who shot him! Where is he, GODDAM IT?!

Everyone starts to panic. The civilian guests screaming and running all over. The guards frantically turning but could barely distinguish one from the other, let alone a gunman.

"There he is! The little prat's running out the fire exit!" Someone yelled out.

At once, a ringing sound filled the whole room followed by the sprinklers setting off. LaSalle's men hurriedly followed the fugitive who had escaped from the fire exit. In mere seconds, a whirring noise occurred and then a loud screeching of tires. Meanwhile, LaSalle's body sat motionless on the floor. Dozens and dozens of guards staring down at the bullet stricken corpse, flabbergasted. None of them could do anything to save him… as if there was still a chance.

The night ended in total chaos for the Shining Star Casino. The biggest headline tonight was about to reach the citizens of Vanderville in mere hours. But there was a bigger headline that overshadowed it, although the media would downplay it. Tomorrow the entire city of Vanderville will hear the news that the most powerful mob boss, Pantiliano LaSalle, was assassinated in what they would say was an everyday crime related issue. Yet for those who really knew, it meant the fall of an old and corrupted dynasty, and the rebirth of another one.