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="d98232103f81e0b6fc98630bea793040""We met our goal. Finally!"/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="dd4df72217362b9c09da428526985015"Within a day, the two had made it to Chicago. The bright lights and liveliness of the city didn't lie. They thought the Big Apple was the city that never slept; logic proven wrong./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="f8b7cca9ad1166ca94301d0cc73436e7""I could get used to this place." Joe started. "You know how much shit we could get away with 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="3fd37fd1121ec0ee999966174a56c357""Keep your head out of your ass." Vito replied. "We still haven't met don Enzo yet. We can't be gettin' into too much trouble."/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="a5288802503be0588e4eb9c7af3cd339"Joe remembered the address by heart. Vito shifted his eyes from Joe to the road, to the lights and buildings. They were definitely in Chicago. There was no denying it. The place was more lit up than Empire Bay on a good night./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="55611882394ed8900395fe9b34587414"There was a rather tall hotel building, the majority of the windows emitting golden light through the glass. Vito turned his attention back to Joe, who'd paused at a red light./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="7601893cdafe023e539cefb2fe004e98""Up there," Joe started, "that's where he wants to meet up with us."/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="f81d9425c63954dda41432965ab4547a""A hotel? That seems fair." Vito shrugged. It was practical, but low-profile. No one would know of their business amongst the various musicians, showgirls, and movie stars resting - or partying - in their hotel rooms./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="ad0211fbe0a6ba097ce6ae260f7cc1db""He's on the top floor." Joe made a right hand turn into the hotel's parking lot. Vito kept his eyes on the building, and had a sudden realization./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="655b0365ab75b935991023e818be0e74""Joe." he began. "I've been thinking..."/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="d546e4ca77be206b5bdaf2bedf013251""Yeah?" Joe peaked from the corner of his eye vaguely. He was anticipating that Vito would begin an important conversation; something of compassion? Hope? He had to wonder what was on his friend's mind nowadays./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="267074307f4f17a12d7e4bc5de031b29""What will don Enzo think when he sees us driving a stolen rental car?" Vito asked./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="027f98b28ff64033d1a12990fa7f2c9e"Joe scoffed. "He'll hook us up with a nice ride, of course! You think somebody like him will let us drive around in a turd like this?"/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="32154e712ebad37b77d577961ad8d1b8""Good question." Vito replied. "I don't fuckin' know."/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="de16a82dd2d6dc54ad492ce5ec96da7d"They parked their car near the hotel and got out, the two of them looking up at the awakened tower before them. Vito could dimly remember the Empire Arms Hotel. Indeed, it was tall. Over twenty floors. But this hotel in particular surpassed that amount./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="1d54b386c2fd583acde67e35ebb09f8b"The friends found themselves staring at the building in awe, before they snapped into attention. Joe was the first to speak./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="c970a3fe5a6322798ff94d8c252b2c52""Let's go." Joe started forward, Vito following behind. Pushing through the revolving glass doors, they were finally in the hotel lobby. The floors were tiled with a faux gold texture, almost as if they were in a mall. There was a receptionist over in the corner of the room, to which Joe wandered over./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="d9cf04007b2c1ae5f73d1a31aa9a7a58"Vito walked close behind him, and muttered. "You know what you're doin'?"/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="29363666f29639cdd9e085a31f75c00b""Of course! Quit worryin'!" Joe assured his friend. "John told the receptionist about us. He's expectin' our company."/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="d113d5a48b186c032e0c6a4eba2e3d03"Vito figured that it would be best not to constantly question his best friend's motives. If they were free men, this meant he'd have to just relax and go with the flow./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="6cf12a079bdcec57454369452e58327b""Hey, sweetcheeks," Joe started while leaning over the desk and staring lustfully at the young secretary, "we're here to see John Silvia is expectin' us."/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="91ac36c2c46a4b8a3240afa680b50a8c""Oh?" the secretary smirked. "What's your name, darling?"/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="ae15347c5a6075b1d5b0125149a98826""The name's Joe Barbaro," he started, "and this's my friend Vito Scaletta."/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="395db29ce67e8f357618aec512eafd41""John is on the top floor, room 9014. He's been waiting quite a while." She smiled sweetly before Joe and Vito ventured off./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="af35123ca4ffdee2b583bccdb1a58e1c"They entered the elevator, and Joe pressed the button at the very top. The metallic doors slid shut and the movement upwards began. Vito leaned with his back against the wall and hung onto the bars. Moments passed and the doors finally opened, letting the two men out. However, just as they stepped forward outside of the elevator, a group of happily screaming showgirls dressed as flappers with feathery scarves and hairpieces poured out from one of the corridors and into the elevator, pushing past Vito and Joe like they were nothing. The pair of friends jumped to the side as politely as they could, letting the chipper women through./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="f32af65da4982a9cd4c1201ba5a51cb9""Jesus fuckin' Christ..." Vito muttered. Joe laughed and went to take his disoriented friend by the shoulder to lead him down the hall./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="fe788f36abd90e59090b0983ecf7ffcb""HEY, you broads!" A gruff voice was heard booming down the hall. "Quit your fuckin' screaming before I tear you's a new one!"/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="d6ee220b4d0eb0a02e48da96f92f67fd"Vito's and Joe's eyes shot forward, and they completely forgot about the giggling hoard of girls shutting the elevator doors. As they left she floor, the sound of free-spirited laughter disappeared./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="979df1d4554809c3ed8d9357fc50716d"Someone had appeared at the other end of the hall. A tall man, wearing a blue suit, designed for a cowboy. He looked like he came out of a costume party. His features were dark, and he had some stray pink feathers on his suit, supposedly from being around the showgirls./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="d915191ed580323d596de6bee78d9dce""Joe?!" he called out. "Is that 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="5475d075ff2adc627ba43f5bd39c6474""Hey, Johnny!" Joe shouted in return, walking towards him with his arms out. "Aren't you gonna give me a hug, you crazy bastard?!"/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="654bdd3b2f34fbe5bfd5146a9bdfb40d"John sprinted down the hallway before Joe caught him, lifting him a foot off the ground. John pounded him on the back, laughing delightfully. Vito watched as the two men reunited in a friendly embrace before Joe put him down. He'd just seen John from afar, but up close, he could see the aging on his face. He must have been in his late thirties, a few scars on his face. He had a gold tooth, and Vito could tell due to how wide his smile was./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="61005b4eafdefc2b679a4a227e0acc8a""How're you doin', fatty?" John asked, caressing Joe's shoulders./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="08aed9020ae1dbf1117eaf04aaba3ca8""Lost a few pounds actually," Joe corrected him. "Maybe gained a few back. I need to get back on that South Beach diet you boys put me on!"/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="1f454eccf2f808e167e868589fd7c12a""You'll shed that shit off while you're partyin' with all these broads!" John chuckled before turning his head to meet Vito's gaze. "Is this the jailbird?"/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="1ec5b68aa76de57aa5366f60f4c9191e""Yeah," Joe started. He put a hand on Vito's back and brought him forward. "This is my old pal, Vito. Vito, this is John. Don't let the outfit fool you. He ain't no cowboy."/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="113bdfe047c1634f1c983004a6c42862""You're not wrong!" John laughed. "Been a city slicker my whole life. I just got out of a costume party with a group of broads. You seen 'em runnin' in the hallway?"/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="3cfa66579b72a86e99520b97b9c68f06""Yeah..." Vito shrugged, sticking his hands in his pockets. "A stampede of them came down the hallway, shoved us out of the way and took the elevator down."/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="9126417e9a2a6c49093af8fa686edb9f""Shoved you?" John repeated. "Fuck, I'm sorry fellas. The showgirls here can get out'ah control. I'll line 'em up with ass-whoopings later. One by one, em style="box-sizing: border-box;"WHAM! WHAM! WHAM!" /emJohn swung his hand in a gesture to imitate a spanking motion./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="4b3cc0a23613dd3f74f1629839154dc2"Joe had been laughing. "You really know how to handle these broads!"/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="facdfba532409a8bb6e6082cb0154166""It's hard when Fernando keeps giving them crack!" John complained. "It's like feeding sugar to a fuckin' toddler. They go apeshit!"/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="a3909d13c5408a45f7be922937394534""Shit, he's still on that stuff?" Joe asked. "Shouldn't he be dead by now?"/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="58479c002e8919caa20b7231127aa414""Nah, he detoxed." John answered. "He just makes business off of it now. He lost thirty pounds, his teeth, a kidney. The kidney because he got shot. He looks better now, I guess. I can't tell the difference. He always looks like shit to me!"/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="605a79aba7211687a8a45214fdf0553b"Joe and John kept laughing before Vito cleared his throat. "Hey, ah... I heard we could talk to your don. Enzo, was 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="a77d8298b44206f3702bd82c76a8eaac""Oh, shit!" John slapped his own forehead. "I forgot, that's what you fellas are here for! Unfortunately, you can't meet him yet, but Greg is downstairs. He didn't think you'd be here today, so try not to give 'im a heart attack."/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="5fbc39d92fbe82a104b1506074dfa759"The three men ventured into the elevator, now bereft of drugged up showgirls. However, they left their trail of feathers, as a way to mark their territory./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="dd4df72217362b9c09da428526985015"Within a day, the two had made it to Chicago. The bright lights and liveliness of the city didn't lie. They thought the Big Apple was the city that never slept; logic proven wrong./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="f8b7cca9ad1166ca94301d0cc73436e7""I could get used to this place." Joe started. "You know how much shit we could get away with 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="3fd37fd1121ec0ee999966174a56c357""Keep your head out of your ass." Vito replied. "We still haven't met don Enzo yet. We can't be gettin' into too much trouble."/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="a5288802503be0588e4eb9c7af3cd339"Joe remembered the address by heart. Vito shifted his eyes from Joe to the road, to the lights and buildings. They were definitely in Chicago. There was no denying it. The place was more lit up than Empire Bay on a good night./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="55611882394ed8900395fe9b34587414"There was a rather tall hotel building, the majority of the windows emitting golden light through the glass. Vito turned his attention back to Joe, who'd paused at a red light./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="7601893cdafe023e539cefb2fe004e98""Up there," Joe started, "that's where he wants to meet up with us."/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="f81d9425c63954dda41432965ab4547a""A hotel? That seems fair." Vito shrugged. It was practical, but low-profile. No one would know of their business amongst the various musicians, showgirls, and movie stars resting - or partying - in their hotel rooms./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="ad0211fbe0a6ba097ce6ae260f7cc1db""He's on the top floor." Joe made a right hand turn into the hotel's parking lot. Vito kept his eyes on the building, and had a sudden realization./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="655b0365ab75b935991023e818be0e74""Joe." he began. "I've been thinking..."/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="d546e4ca77be206b5bdaf2bedf013251""Yeah?" Joe peaked from the corner of his eye vaguely. He was anticipating that Vito would begin an important conversation; something of compassion? Hope? He had to wonder what was on his friend's mind nowadays./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="267074307f4f17a12d7e4bc5de031b29""What will don Enzo think when he sees us driving a stolen rental car?" Vito asked./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="027f98b28ff64033d1a12990fa7f2c9e"Joe scoffed. "He'll hook us up with a nice ride, of course! You think somebody like him will let us drive around in a turd like this?"/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="32154e712ebad37b77d577961ad8d1b8""Good question." Vito replied. "I don't fuckin' know."/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="de16a82dd2d6dc54ad492ce5ec96da7d"They parked their car near the hotel and got out, the two of them looking up at the awakened tower before them. Vito could dimly remember the Empire Arms Hotel. Indeed, it was tall. Over twenty floors. But this hotel in particular surpassed that amount./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="1d54b386c2fd583acde67e35ebb09f8b"The friends found themselves staring at the building in awe, before they snapped into attention. Joe was the first to speak./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="c970a3fe5a6322798ff94d8c252b2c52""Let's go." Joe started forward, Vito following behind. Pushing through the revolving glass doors, they were finally in the hotel lobby. The floors were tiled with a faux gold texture, almost as if they were in a mall. There was a receptionist over in the corner of the room, to which Joe wandered over./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="d9cf04007b2c1ae5f73d1a31aa9a7a58"Vito walked close behind him, and muttered. "You know what you're doin'?"/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="29363666f29639cdd9e085a31f75c00b""Of course! Quit worryin'!" Joe assured his friend. "John told the receptionist about us. He's expectin' our company."/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="d113d5a48b186c032e0c6a4eba2e3d03"Vito figured that it would be best not to constantly question his best friend's motives. If they were free men, this meant he'd have to just relax and go with the flow./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="6cf12a079bdcec57454369452e58327b""Hey, sweetcheeks," Joe started while leaning over the desk and staring lustfully at the young secretary, "we're here to see John Silvia is expectin' us."/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="91ac36c2c46a4b8a3240afa680b50a8c""Oh?" the secretary smirked. "What's your name, darling?"/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="ae15347c5a6075b1d5b0125149a98826""The name's Joe Barbaro," he started, "and this's my friend Vito Scaletta."/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="395db29ce67e8f357618aec512eafd41""John is on the top floor, room 9014. He's been waiting quite a while." She smiled sweetly before Joe and Vito ventured off./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="af35123ca4ffdee2b583bccdb1a58e1c"They entered the elevator, and Joe pressed the button at the very top. The metallic doors slid shut and the movement upwards began. Vito leaned with his back against the wall and hung onto the bars. Moments passed and the doors finally opened, letting the two men out. However, just as they stepped forward outside of the elevator, a group of happily screaming showgirls dressed as flappers with feathery scarves and hairpieces poured out from one of the corridors and into the elevator, pushing past Vito and Joe like they were nothing. The pair of friends jumped to the side as politely as they could, letting the chipper women through./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="f32af65da4982a9cd4c1201ba5a51cb9""Jesus fuckin' Christ..." Vito muttered. Joe laughed and went to take his disoriented friend by the shoulder to lead him down the hall./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="fe788f36abd90e59090b0983ecf7ffcb""HEY, you broads!" A gruff voice was heard booming down the hall. "Quit your fuckin' screaming before I tear you's a new one!"/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="d6ee220b4d0eb0a02e48da96f92f67fd"Vito's and Joe's eyes shot forward, and they completely forgot about the giggling hoard of girls shutting the elevator doors. As they left she floor, the sound of free-spirited laughter disappeared./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="979df1d4554809c3ed8d9357fc50716d"Someone had appeared at the other end of the hall. A tall man, wearing a blue suit, designed for a cowboy. He looked like he came out of a costume party. His features were dark, and he had some stray pink feathers on his suit, supposedly from being around the showgirls./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="d915191ed580323d596de6bee78d9dce""Joe?!" he called out. "Is that 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="5475d075ff2adc627ba43f5bd39c6474""Hey, Johnny!" Joe shouted in return, walking towards him with his arms out. "Aren't you gonna give me a hug, you crazy bastard?!"/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="654bdd3b2f34fbe5bfd5146a9bdfb40d"John sprinted down the hallway before Joe caught him, lifting him a foot off the ground. John pounded him on the back, laughing delightfully. Vito watched as the two men reunited in a friendly embrace before Joe put him down. He'd just seen John from afar, but up close, he could see the aging on his face. He must have been in his late thirties, a few scars on his face. He had a gold tooth, and Vito could tell due to how wide his smile was./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="61005b4eafdefc2b679a4a227e0acc8a""How're you doin', fatty?" John asked, caressing Joe's shoulders./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="08aed9020ae1dbf1117eaf04aaba3ca8""Lost a few pounds actually," Joe corrected him. "Maybe gained a few back. I need to get back on that South Beach diet you boys put me on!"/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="1f454eccf2f808e167e868589fd7c12a""You'll shed that shit off while you're partyin' with all these broads!" John chuckled before turning his head to meet Vito's gaze. "Is this the jailbird?"/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="1ec5b68aa76de57aa5366f60f4c9191e""Yeah," Joe started. He put a hand on Vito's back and brought him forward. "This is my old pal, Vito. Vito, this is John. Don't let the outfit fool you. He ain't no cowboy."/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="113bdfe047c1634f1c983004a6c42862""You're not wrong!" John laughed. "Been a city slicker my whole life. I just got out of a costume party with a group of broads. You seen 'em runnin' in the hallway?"/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="3cfa66579b72a86e99520b97b9c68f06""Yeah..." Vito shrugged, sticking his hands in his pockets. "A stampede of them came down the hallway, shoved us out of the way and took the elevator down."/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="9126417e9a2a6c49093af8fa686edb9f""Shoved you?" John repeated. "Fuck, I'm sorry fellas. The showgirls here can get out'ah control. I'll line 'em up with ass-whoopings later. One by one, em style="box-sizing: border-box;"WHAM! WHAM! WHAM!" /emJohn swung his hand in a gesture to imitate a spanking motion./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="4b3cc0a23613dd3f74f1629839154dc2"Joe had been laughing. "You really know how to handle these broads!"/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="facdfba532409a8bb6e6082cb0154166""It's hard when Fernando keeps giving them crack!" John complained. "It's like feeding sugar to a fuckin' toddler. They go apeshit!"/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="a3909d13c5408a45f7be922937394534""Shit, he's still on that stuff?" Joe asked. "Shouldn't he be dead by now?"/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="58479c002e8919caa20b7231127aa414""Nah, he detoxed." John answered. "He just makes business off of it now. He lost thirty pounds, his teeth, a kidney. The kidney because he got shot. He looks better now, I guess. I can't tell the difference. He always looks like shit to me!"/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="605a79aba7211687a8a45214fdf0553b"Joe and John kept laughing before Vito cleared his throat. "Hey, ah... I heard we could talk to your don. Enzo, was 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="a77d8298b44206f3702bd82c76a8eaac""Oh, shit!" John slapped his own forehead. "I forgot, that's what you fellas are here for! Unfortunately, you can't meet him yet, but Greg is downstairs. He didn't think you'd be here today, so try not to give 'im a heart attack."/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="5fbc39d92fbe82a104b1506074dfa759"The three men ventured into the elevator, now bereft of drugged up showgirls. However, they left their trail of feathers, as a way to mark their territory./p