p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; font-size: 18px; padding: 0px; color: #555555;" data-p-id="2723461f41437ebe61151117a3e7b7c5""Fuckin' dog..."/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; font-size: 18px; padding: 0px; color: #555555;" data-p-id="465a3ae3ac6e6f06c297726b44ce541c"Joe awoke with a headache as the neighbors' dog started barking obnoxiously. He sat on the edge of the bed and groaned, his back and neck aching from the thin mattress. He could feel the springs that held it up, and how now and then they impaled his back. He had to be careful as to how and where he moved at night as to not hurt himself. Overall, he would have rather slept on the small love seat./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; font-size: 18px; padding: 0px; color: #555555;" data-p-id="731cc6eec329880d45b95dc125f83eaa"He wandered out of the bedroom and spotted Vito curled up on the sofa. Joe was nice enough to loan him a pillow for the night, and one of the blankets that he managed to find while rummaging around in the closet. His friend was still sound asleep, his eyelids fluttering now and then. Joe contemplated taking a shower, but it was Vito's turn at doing so./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; font-size: 18px; padding: 0px; color: #555555;" data-p-id="7fa0fee72048ebef1821d4a988887be1"He looked back in the refrigerator, hoping some decent food would magically appear. He knew that the disgusting pizza and moldy coke were still there, but when he opened the door, he was met with a surprise./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; font-size: 18px; padding: 0px; color: #555555;" data-p-id="0d54ad89fb8f18ffa4a175b765bfa144"The fridge had some vegetables, milk, eggs and other kinds of nutritional foods. How in the world did they get in there?/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; font-size: 18px; padding: 0px; color: #555555;" data-p-id="aee5bb0f9758e9dde1d350d3cabd93eb"On the inside of the door was a sticky note, which Joe plucked from its place and read. His eyes scanned it, and he noticed that it was Vito's handwriting./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; font-size: 18px; padding: 0px; color: #555555;" data-p-id="084ba1081ceaf3b445025495aab47b1a""em style="box-sizing: border-box;"Joe, if you're reading this, I wanna tell you how grateful I am to be your friend, and that I'm excited to start this new adventure with you. Anyways, while you were out cold, I went and bought some groceries. That way we don't starve. By the way, it's your turn to cook breakfast. Make whatever you like./em"/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; font-size: 18px; padding: 0px; color: #555555;" data-p-id="1c30e65ec7fecc93665f675c4ab03130"Joe's heart felt warm as he read the note. Walking out in the living room, he spotted Vito still fast asleep, and smiled. He'd never want to give up his time with him, no matter what./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; font-size: 18px; padding: 0px; color: #555555;" data-p-id="dc8a02a371342de04c0835f68765c53a"About twenty minutes later, Joe had prepared a plate full of flapjacks doused in hot maple syrup with a dab of melted butter atop the stack. He thought that the smell of the pancakes would awaken his friend, but alas, Vito stayed in a coma. Joe decided to let him sleep, since he partook in filling the fridge./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; font-size: 18px; padding: 0px; color: #555555;" data-p-id="d76d9cce019f98fe38e46316a6e25be2"There was no dining room or a table to eat, so he stood at the counter and enjoyed his own plate of pancakes, with a side of orange juice, just to pass the time. Once he was finished, he returned to the living room. Approaching the sleeping Vito, he rustled his fingers through his hair./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; font-size: 18px; padding: 0px; color: #555555;" data-p-id="46bd87ac0c298bd23e57c4c4e5b5fbad""Wake up," Joe started, "your pancakes are gettin' cold."/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; font-size: 18px; padding: 0px; color: #555555;" data-p-id="17bb003cb80d029f6e13913ce2d69cbb""Hmm... five more minutes..." Vito mumbled, throwing a part of the blanket over his head and going back to sleep. Joe stood there and watched him, crossing his arms. He looked at the wall clock, watching the second hand tick by. At some point, he nudged Vito with his foot./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; font-size: 18px; padding: 0px; color: #555555;" data-p-id="e1307cc5c7943ead03b96cda7c98cabb""Get the fuck up, it's been five minutes. Let's go." Joe grinned, taking joy in pestering his friend./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; font-size: 18px; padding: 0px; color: #555555;" data-p-id="df43bb3598dcd9b11fadb8e6bde7edc5""Hah hah... fuck you..." Vito grumbled./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; font-size: 18px; padding: 0px; color: #555555;" data-p-id="120840b712e4a5682efd61629547f11e"Joe sat down on the couch in a rough manner before bouncing up and down, letting loose several grunts and choice words from Vito./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; font-size: 18px; padding: 0px; color: #555555;" data-p-id="97ebc629ec84b91c8d5c090566c007f4""Alright! Alright! I'm up, fuck!" Vito kicked a laughing Joe off the couch before throwing the blanket aside and sitting on the edge, rubbing his tired, frustrated eyes./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; font-size: 18px; padding: 0px; color: #555555;" data-p-id="0d7d25d0db281b8c91cadfd5ee57e492""Sorry I had to wake you up like that. I made breakfast." Joe stood up and brushed himself off. Vito was a feisty one when he was tired./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; font-size: 18px; padding: 0px; color: #555555;" data-p-id="0f49ac4b4018ead4f942b0fb78644000""Yeah, thanks..." Vito sighed before walking into the kitchen. His steps were wobbly, but he made it an objective not to fall over or run into objects./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; font-size: 18px; padding: 0px; color: #555555;" data-p-id="3300d74b08a6c3a320ea91b7bc1321cb""Made 'em just how you like 'em; thick and fluffy." Joe was proud of his cooking, even though pancakes were quite easy to make./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; font-size: 18px; padding: 0px; color: #555555;" data-p-id="ff42cff89e74403ee27d70453425798b""Uh huh..." Vito forked a good amount of pancakes onto his plate before returning to the love seat and eating. He gazed into space while putting each syrupy bite into his mouth, his hair awry from a deep slumber./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; font-size: 18px; padding: 0px; color: #555555;" data-p-id="079e1dbe6a95352c9d89d88efdb2fac4""While you're eating, I'm gonna make some phone calls," Joe began, "that way, we can get back on our feet in terms of having jobs."/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; font-size: 18px; padding: 0px; color: #555555;" data-p-id="43d4f9e2c6c982ca22b9760ebc89368c""Uh... Joe?" Vito started. "The motel ain't got a phone..."/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; font-size: 18px; padding: 0px; color: #555555;" data-p-id="a2c1fd757ed80d2216daaefa2a6f55e9""Shit. Well, I guess that means I'll need to scavenge for some loose change. You got any quarters?"/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; font-size: 18px; padding: 0px; color: #555555;" data-p-id="da3255baae35cfa2c71abe6d15f3adad"Vito stood watch as Joe slid the quarters into the coin slot. He dialed somebody's number, pressing the receiver against his ear and waiting for an answer./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; font-size: 18px; padding: 0px; color: #555555;" data-p-id="0bddb3a0594ab9e908766f413a07aec1"There wasn't much to look out for. Vito simply glanced at a barren street now and then to make sure no one would approach them. This was a confidential kind of phone call./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; font-size: 18px; padding: 0px; color: #555555;" data-p-id="e5bd4426f46e0b1c66130ea351996fa1""Hey, John," Joe started, "it's Joe. Listen, I've got an issue. No, I ain't in jail. You see, some shit went down, and my friend and I are in a pickle. Currently, we're in New York, and we're out of work."/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; font-size: 18px; padding: 0px; color: #555555;" data-p-id="cf81e42677c07c935e5ebb9d869f9b9b"Vito listened in on the conversation, squinting suspiciously. He knew Joe was wise enough to know his people, but Vito wasn't so trusting. After Clemente tried fucking them over, after Vinci kidnapped them, and after Carlo betrayed them, Vito had lost his trust for dons. If Enzo was a good guy, then his faith would be restored./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; font-size: 18px; padding: 0px; color: #555555;" data-p-id="22ecf62aa16280a062e2ec92de7d5209""Yeah, em style="box-sizing: border-box;"that/em guy," Joe replied. "You know, the one who was in prison. He's all I've got, and we just had a bad experience with our last family. We got lucky and now we're here. Are you guys still stationed in Chicago?"/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; font-size: 18px; padding: 0px; color: #555555;" data-p-id="08a1f2dee19442664325396f996ed1c3"Vito looked down at his nails, noticing the underside of them were filling with dirt. He hadn't given himself the time to take care of his body through all the stress and anguish. After this one phone call, he knew that he and Joe would be back in business, and back in health./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; font-size: 18px; padding: 0px; color: #555555;" data-p-id="d2607253a747ee660a667a2c3b9791c7""Good... how're the kids?" Joe had trailed off from having a professional conversation with John to talking about domestic things. Vito rolled his eyes and pat Joe on the shoulder./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; font-size: 18px; padding: 0px; color: #555555;" data-p-id="e1faaab6f377954af5dd5d00fc54373e""Hey, what's the verdict?" he asked, growing a little impatient./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; font-size: 18px; padding: 0px; color: #555555;" data-p-id="34890ce40bec73c68468d371c3047ba5"Joe, in response, lifted his index finger. "Yeah? Oh, hold on..." He turned to Vito and held his hand over the phone so John wouldn't hear his side conversation./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; font-size: 18px; padding: 0px; color: #555555;" data-p-id="13f2d37acab4d79156c429883576b9b1""John's gonna put a good word in for the other two, including don Enzo. They know me, they know how I work, so they shouldn't have any problems with you."/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; font-size: 18px; padding: 0px; color: #555555;" data-p-id="2159e255b688e6261d7cfe044de21017""So... does that mean we can get the hell outta here soon?" Vito crossed his arms. "Two days and I'm already sick of New York."/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; font-size: 18px; padding: 0px; color: #555555;" data-p-id="18a3cbc49711cc1ef7780c95e24dcf6c""Yeah, but we'll be here longer if you keep complainin'." Joe returned to the phone. "I'm still here. I have him with me. Anyways, we'll try to find a way out there. Chicago ain't too far, but it'll be a few days since we get there."/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; font-size: 18px; padding: 0px; color: #555555;" data-p-id="eda1dac83a35459ddcbb14b0dfad4f15"Vito heard the last part and raised an eyebrow. Joe hung up and exited the phone booth./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; font-size: 18px; padding: 0px; color: #555555;" data-p-id="940d33c95853c8bc6435933a93b655c7""And?" Vito started./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; font-size: 18px; padding: 0px; color: #555555;" data-p-id="272d28326a2c94779facedea4ad890b1""If you and I impress them again," Joe began, "Enzo's gonna put us on the payroll. All we gotta do is go out to Chicago and do a couple jobs for him."/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; font-size: 18px; padding: 0px; color: #555555;" data-p-id="0e4c4a939fc9ac8fb618779a76e2b77b""What about the part where you said that it'll take a couple days for us to get there? Ain't we gonna take a plane?"/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; font-size: 18px; padding: 0px; color: #555555;" data-p-id="4957fec828bfa7930d336202a237451e""We already took one flyin' here to New York just to get out of Empire Bay. Now, this is where the real trip begins."/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; font-size: 18px; padding: 0px; color: #555555;" data-p-id="bdfb975a1bad270791e471bb197e1251""Real trip?" Vito was utterly confused./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; font-size: 18px; padding: 0px; color: #555555;" data-p-id="ef88a8c9ef8d11f0708fa1118562613f"Joe held the keys before Vito's eyes. They were the same ones used for the rental car. "We're goin' on a road trip."/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; font-size: 18px; padding: 0px; color: #555555;" data-p-id="acb1901506910a887c03dfd92b95edbe""Road trip?! Wait, we didn't plan no road trip comin' here!"/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; font-size: 18px; padding: 0px; color: #555555;" data-p-id="d0de91ca6309dfe4cdff7bf06993365b""We planned for an adventure." Joe corrected him. "And that's exactly what we're gonna get. We leave tomorrow."/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; font-size: 18px; padding: 0px; color: #555555;" data-p-id="3f1e1187a6fd8bcaed337d9b030880f2""Okay, fine, but in a rental car?"/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; font-size: 18px; padding: 0px; color: #555555;" data-p-id="f782c38f29f40fc3b23d580fd4a2e05e""Once we make bank, we'll get ourselves some decent wheels." Joe crossed his arms. "Honestly Vito, I ain't see you complain this much."/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; font-size: 18px; padding: 0px; color: #555555;" data-p-id="d5291e560dda3df53a866f12e612a2b5""Ugh, whatever, sorry. It's all goin' so fast, and you're the one in charge."/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; font-size: 18px; padding: 0px; color: #555555;" data-p-id="7daac33f9c26252869c96f083b89baeb""Hey, remember when I said everything was gonna be all right?" Joe grinned. "I meant it."/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; font-size: 18px; padding: 0px; color: #555555;" data-p-id="465a3ae3ac6e6f06c297726b44ce541c"Joe awoke with a headache as the neighbors' dog started barking obnoxiously. He sat on the edge of the bed and groaned, his back and neck aching from the thin mattress. He could feel the springs that held it up, and how now and then they impaled his back. He had to be careful as to how and where he moved at night as to not hurt himself. Overall, he would have rather slept on the small love seat./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; font-size: 18px; padding: 0px; color: #555555;" data-p-id="731cc6eec329880d45b95dc125f83eaa"He wandered out of the bedroom and spotted Vito curled up on the sofa. Joe was nice enough to loan him a pillow for the night, and one of the blankets that he managed to find while rummaging around in the closet. His friend was still sound asleep, his eyelids fluttering now and then. Joe contemplated taking a shower, but it was Vito's turn at doing so./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; font-size: 18px; padding: 0px; color: #555555;" data-p-id="7fa0fee72048ebef1821d4a988887be1"He looked back in the refrigerator, hoping some decent food would magically appear. He knew that the disgusting pizza and moldy coke were still there, but when he opened the door, he was met with a surprise./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; font-size: 18px; padding: 0px; color: #555555;" data-p-id="0d54ad89fb8f18ffa4a175b765bfa144"The fridge had some vegetables, milk, eggs and other kinds of nutritional foods. How in the world did they get in there?/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; font-size: 18px; padding: 0px; color: #555555;" data-p-id="aee5bb0f9758e9dde1d350d3cabd93eb"On the inside of the door was a sticky note, which Joe plucked from its place and read. His eyes scanned it, and he noticed that it was Vito's handwriting./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; font-size: 18px; padding: 0px; color: #555555;" data-p-id="084ba1081ceaf3b445025495aab47b1a""em style="box-sizing: border-box;"Joe, if you're reading this, I wanna tell you how grateful I am to be your friend, and that I'm excited to start this new adventure with you. Anyways, while you were out cold, I went and bought some groceries. That way we don't starve. By the way, it's your turn to cook breakfast. Make whatever you like./em"/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; font-size: 18px; padding: 0px; color: #555555;" data-p-id="1c30e65ec7fecc93665f675c4ab03130"Joe's heart felt warm as he read the note. Walking out in the living room, he spotted Vito still fast asleep, and smiled. He'd never want to give up his time with him, no matter what./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; font-size: 18px; padding: 0px; color: #555555;" data-p-id="dc8a02a371342de04c0835f68765c53a"About twenty minutes later, Joe had prepared a plate full of flapjacks doused in hot maple syrup with a dab of melted butter atop the stack. He thought that the smell of the pancakes would awaken his friend, but alas, Vito stayed in a coma. Joe decided to let him sleep, since he partook in filling the fridge./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; font-size: 18px; padding: 0px; color: #555555;" data-p-id="d76d9cce019f98fe38e46316a6e25be2"There was no dining room or a table to eat, so he stood at the counter and enjoyed his own plate of pancakes, with a side of orange juice, just to pass the time. Once he was finished, he returned to the living room. Approaching the sleeping Vito, he rustled his fingers through his hair./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; font-size: 18px; padding: 0px; color: #555555;" data-p-id="46bd87ac0c298bd23e57c4c4e5b5fbad""Wake up," Joe started, "your pancakes are gettin' cold."/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; font-size: 18px; padding: 0px; color: #555555;" data-p-id="17bb003cb80d029f6e13913ce2d69cbb""Hmm... five more minutes..." Vito mumbled, throwing a part of the blanket over his head and going back to sleep. Joe stood there and watched him, crossing his arms. He looked at the wall clock, watching the second hand tick by. At some point, he nudged Vito with his foot./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; font-size: 18px; padding: 0px; color: #555555;" data-p-id="e1307cc5c7943ead03b96cda7c98cabb""Get the fuck up, it's been five minutes. Let's go." Joe grinned, taking joy in pestering his friend./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; font-size: 18px; padding: 0px; color: #555555;" data-p-id="df43bb3598dcd9b11fadb8e6bde7edc5""Hah hah... fuck you..." Vito grumbled./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; font-size: 18px; padding: 0px; color: #555555;" data-p-id="120840b712e4a5682efd61629547f11e"Joe sat down on the couch in a rough manner before bouncing up and down, letting loose several grunts and choice words from Vito./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; font-size: 18px; padding: 0px; color: #555555;" data-p-id="97ebc629ec84b91c8d5c090566c007f4""Alright! Alright! I'm up, fuck!" Vito kicked a laughing Joe off the couch before throwing the blanket aside and sitting on the edge, rubbing his tired, frustrated eyes./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; font-size: 18px; padding: 0px; color: #555555;" data-p-id="0d7d25d0db281b8c91cadfd5ee57e492""Sorry I had to wake you up like that. I made breakfast." Joe stood up and brushed himself off. Vito was a feisty one when he was tired./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; font-size: 18px; padding: 0px; color: #555555;" data-p-id="0f49ac4b4018ead4f942b0fb78644000""Yeah, thanks..." Vito sighed before walking into the kitchen. His steps were wobbly, but he made it an objective not to fall over or run into objects./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; font-size: 18px; padding: 0px; color: #555555;" data-p-id="3300d74b08a6c3a320ea91b7bc1321cb""Made 'em just how you like 'em; thick and fluffy." Joe was proud of his cooking, even though pancakes were quite easy to make./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; font-size: 18px; padding: 0px; color: #555555;" data-p-id="ff42cff89e74403ee27d70453425798b""Uh huh..." Vito forked a good amount of pancakes onto his plate before returning to the love seat and eating. He gazed into space while putting each syrupy bite into his mouth, his hair awry from a deep slumber./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; font-size: 18px; padding: 0px; color: #555555;" data-p-id="079e1dbe6a95352c9d89d88efdb2fac4""While you're eating, I'm gonna make some phone calls," Joe began, "that way, we can get back on our feet in terms of having jobs."/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; font-size: 18px; padding: 0px; color: #555555;" data-p-id="43d4f9e2c6c982ca22b9760ebc89368c""Uh... Joe?" Vito started. "The motel ain't got a phone..."/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; font-size: 18px; padding: 0px; color: #555555;" data-p-id="a2c1fd757ed80d2216daaefa2a6f55e9""Shit. Well, I guess that means I'll need to scavenge for some loose change. You got any quarters?"/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; font-size: 18px; padding: 0px; color: #555555;" data-p-id="da3255baae35cfa2c71abe6d15f3adad"Vito stood watch as Joe slid the quarters into the coin slot. He dialed somebody's number, pressing the receiver against his ear and waiting for an answer./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; font-size: 18px; padding: 0px; color: #555555;" data-p-id="0bddb3a0594ab9e908766f413a07aec1"There wasn't much to look out for. Vito simply glanced at a barren street now and then to make sure no one would approach them. This was a confidential kind of phone call./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; font-size: 18px; padding: 0px; color: #555555;" data-p-id="e5bd4426f46e0b1c66130ea351996fa1""Hey, John," Joe started, "it's Joe. Listen, I've got an issue. No, I ain't in jail. You see, some shit went down, and my friend and I are in a pickle. Currently, we're in New York, and we're out of work."/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; font-size: 18px; padding: 0px; color: #555555;" data-p-id="cf81e42677c07c935e5ebb9d869f9b9b"Vito listened in on the conversation, squinting suspiciously. He knew Joe was wise enough to know his people, but Vito wasn't so trusting. After Clemente tried fucking them over, after Vinci kidnapped them, and after Carlo betrayed them, Vito had lost his trust for dons. If Enzo was a good guy, then his faith would be restored./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; font-size: 18px; padding: 0px; color: #555555;" data-p-id="22ecf62aa16280a062e2ec92de7d5209""Yeah, em style="box-sizing: border-box;"that/em guy," Joe replied. "You know, the one who was in prison. He's all I've got, and we just had a bad experience with our last family. We got lucky and now we're here. Are you guys still stationed in Chicago?"/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; font-size: 18px; padding: 0px; color: #555555;" data-p-id="08a1f2dee19442664325396f996ed1c3"Vito looked down at his nails, noticing the underside of them were filling with dirt. He hadn't given himself the time to take care of his body through all the stress and anguish. After this one phone call, he knew that he and Joe would be back in business, and back in health./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; font-size: 18px; padding: 0px; color: #555555;" data-p-id="d2607253a747ee660a667a2c3b9791c7""Good... how're the kids?" Joe had trailed off from having a professional conversation with John to talking about domestic things. Vito rolled his eyes and pat Joe on the shoulder./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; font-size: 18px; padding: 0px; color: #555555;" data-p-id="e1faaab6f377954af5dd5d00fc54373e""Hey, what's the verdict?" he asked, growing a little impatient./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; font-size: 18px; padding: 0px; color: #555555;" data-p-id="34890ce40bec73c68468d371c3047ba5"Joe, in response, lifted his index finger. "Yeah? Oh, hold on..." He turned to Vito and held his hand over the phone so John wouldn't hear his side conversation./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; font-size: 18px; padding: 0px; color: #555555;" data-p-id="13f2d37acab4d79156c429883576b9b1""John's gonna put a good word in for the other two, including don Enzo. They know me, they know how I work, so they shouldn't have any problems with you."/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; font-size: 18px; padding: 0px; color: #555555;" data-p-id="2159e255b688e6261d7cfe044de21017""So... does that mean we can get the hell outta here soon?" Vito crossed his arms. "Two days and I'm already sick of New York."/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; font-size: 18px; padding: 0px; color: #555555;" data-p-id="18a3cbc49711cc1ef7780c95e24dcf6c""Yeah, but we'll be here longer if you keep complainin'." Joe returned to the phone. "I'm still here. I have him with me. Anyways, we'll try to find a way out there. Chicago ain't too far, but it'll be a few days since we get there."/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; font-size: 18px; padding: 0px; color: #555555;" data-p-id="eda1dac83a35459ddcbb14b0dfad4f15"Vito heard the last part and raised an eyebrow. Joe hung up and exited the phone booth./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; font-size: 18px; padding: 0px; color: #555555;" data-p-id="940d33c95853c8bc6435933a93b655c7""And?" Vito started./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; font-size: 18px; padding: 0px; color: #555555;" data-p-id="272d28326a2c94779facedea4ad890b1""If you and I impress them again," Joe began, "Enzo's gonna put us on the payroll. All we gotta do is go out to Chicago and do a couple jobs for him."/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; font-size: 18px; padding: 0px; color: #555555;" data-p-id="0e4c4a939fc9ac8fb618779a76e2b77b""What about the part where you said that it'll take a couple days for us to get there? Ain't we gonna take a plane?"/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; font-size: 18px; padding: 0px; color: #555555;" data-p-id="4957fec828bfa7930d336202a237451e""We already took one flyin' here to New York just to get out of Empire Bay. Now, this is where the real trip begins."/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; font-size: 18px; padding: 0px; color: #555555;" data-p-id="bdfb975a1bad270791e471bb197e1251""Real trip?" Vito was utterly confused./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; font-size: 18px; padding: 0px; color: #555555;" data-p-id="ef88a8c9ef8d11f0708fa1118562613f"Joe held the keys before Vito's eyes. They were the same ones used for the rental car. "We're goin' on a road trip."/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; font-size: 18px; padding: 0px; color: #555555;" data-p-id="acb1901506910a887c03dfd92b95edbe""Road trip?! Wait, we didn't plan no road trip comin' here!"/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; font-size: 18px; padding: 0px; color: #555555;" data-p-id="d0de91ca6309dfe4cdff7bf06993365b""We planned for an adventure." Joe corrected him. "And that's exactly what we're gonna get. We leave tomorrow."/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; font-size: 18px; padding: 0px; color: #555555;" data-p-id="3f1e1187a6fd8bcaed337d9b030880f2""Okay, fine, but in a rental car?"/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; font-size: 18px; padding: 0px; color: #555555;" data-p-id="f782c38f29f40fc3b23d580fd4a2e05e""Once we make bank, we'll get ourselves some decent wheels." Joe crossed his arms. "Honestly Vito, I ain't see you complain this much."/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; font-size: 18px; padding: 0px; color: #555555;" data-p-id="d5291e560dda3df53a866f12e612a2b5""Ugh, whatever, sorry. It's all goin' so fast, and you're the one in charge."/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; font-size: 18px; padding: 0px; color: #555555;" data-p-id="7daac33f9c26252869c96f083b89baeb""Hey, remember when I said everything was gonna be all right?" Joe grinned. "I meant it."/p