New York, the bustling Metropolis of Neon lights and skyscrapers. The clear blue sky, and the idyllic surroundings surround you. You can barely take it all in… Small time businesses, left, right and centre. The friendly world, everyone knows your name, and everyone knows everyone else. Everyone gets on here, and the police force here is second to none…

Boy, was I wrong. New York in 1949 was a hell of a lot different. Those businesses I was on about, they were nothing more than fronts for weapons, drugs, brothels, and you name it. The police force, yeah, they're corrupt as hell. They'll take bribes from anyone and everyone, just to get as much money as possible, and they'd accept it faster than lightning striking.

Did I mention New York being safe? Well, it's every man for himself out there. It's a world of brutality out there, murdering, hits, and all that stuff. The Five Families were in an all out war, and no one was safe. I guess New York's not so much of an idyllic place now?

So, I guess you could say my story was a weird one, couldn't you? Now, I bet you're wondering how I got caught up in this mafia stuff? How did a good kid like me end up going off the straight and narrow? Well, if you'll sit and listen, it all began when I was 20 years old. I was young, foolish, and naïve…

'Thank you Roberto' the old lady said softly, and she smiled gratifyingly at me.

She was my mother, the nicest person in the world. She needed my help everywhere, not that I minded. I was her minder, except that I didn't get paid. She was all I had in my life, and it was all I knew. It was cold that day when it all began, and there was a bitter wind howling. She was wrapped up tightly, and needed my help more than usual; she couldn't see where she was going.

It wasn't the usual weather as well; it was very dark and stormy. I really unpleasant day, I didn't see why she wanted to go outside. We crossed many streets slowly, we didn't have a car, you see, and we eventually made our way outside the Bowery Hotel.

My mother coughed, and started to heave badly due to the bitter conditions. It was a really pathetic day, and I went to check on her. Two men walked across the street, though, and another two men looked around cautiously, seemingly guarding the hotel, of something or someone. Also, the sound seemed to be drained from the area, and the tension could be cut with a knife… of course, I didn't notice it, though, as I was busy looking after my mother.

The two men near us drew some Magnums from their coats, but hid them out of sight, towards the pockets. The other two men ducked slightly behind two parked cars, and pulled out Pistols, again hiding them. The tension was mounting among the street, and there was starting to be a lack of people walking around. Until… it finally happened. They stopped hiding their guns, and they all shot.

I instinctively ducked, but my mother, being old, didn't. She was caught in the crossfire, and got shot repeatedly. She… she died, immediately. I still weep about it, till this day. I began to cry that time as well, but a man ducked, and gave me a .38 Snub Nose Pistol… why I don't know…

'Kid, follow me' he said gruffly to me.

He shot the other of the two guys, and everyone was dead on the floor, except for him. He shoved me into the driver's seat of a car, and got into the other side.

'You know what the Benatzi Hall is?' he asked, 'otherwise known as the Benatzi Compound?'

'Y…Yeah…' I said quietly, drying my eyes.

'Drive there, now!' he shouted.

I hit the accelerator, and we were off, leaving the scene of death and destruction. He pulled out a Tommy Gun, and loaded it with ammo. He rolled down the window and looked out. He began shooting at a car following us. I swerved the car in and out of traffic, and it crashed into an oncoming car. I swerved the car around a corner, and he was forced into the side of it.

'Kid, can you do me a favour?' he asked irritably, 'stop driving erratically!'

I carried on driving the car, taking heed to his words, but I didn't know why. At that point, I had nothing left in my life, so I guess I had to. What if I didn't? What would I do? Nothing? What would you have done? I was already getting involved with the mafia, and I didn't know it.

So, I drove, and drove. The man kept shooting and reloading at various cars that were tailing us, saying nothing to me. Eventually, no more tailed us, and he rolled up the window, and put the gun away.

'All in a days work' he said, satisfied.

We eventually arrived at the Compound. It was empty, and it was usually a bustling area of mayhem most of the time. The man got out of the car, and smiled happily. It wasn't the nice smile of mother, though; it was that satisfied smile, the smile of a killer.

'We did it' he said, 'but I'm sorry for your mother. It was just business, but you can't spend all your time mourning.'

I looked at him in disbelief. He had no remorse in his face, and I just had feelings of rage coming up.

'YOU… YOU…'

I ran at him, and started to try and attack him, but he grabbed both of my arms, and held them to the side.

'Kid, I know you're angry, but I'll teach you to control it. Listen to me; I'm an Associate in the Benatzi family. I am part of the mafia family… I'm James Stanten.'

I looked at him in horror, and shook my head.

'I want you to do some jobs for some family members, and myself and hey, maybe one day you may join us. One day, you may join us as a full time member. What else do you have now, anyway?'

I looked at him, and contemplated it. He was right though; I had nothing left now that my mother… and what could I do. I did the only thing I could. Would I be a bad person if I did the only thing possible?

'Fine, what is it you want?' I replied quickly.