Dion stepped off the boat onto the docks of New York and took his first look at his new country from the shore. This was it, he had finally arrive at his new future. He started walking along the city checking out the local businesses and seeing what struck his fancy, as he walked he tapped his cane along the ground. Dion wasn't blind, nor was he old, he was just British. British aristocrat to be precise, the cane sported his family crest and was simply a symbol of status in his home land. Not entirely ready to give up his previous life completely he had carried it with him, along with a small suitcase full of clothes and other necessities needed to start a new life.

Something about the city just didn't sit right with him, so Dion decided to book a train ride to a different city and try his luck there. Picking a city at random since he wasn't sure what cities offered what in this country he decided on the city of Detroit and settled himself in for the long ride. He wondered what he would see in this far off city, and if it would feel enough like home that he'd be comfortable living there. Only time would tell. Being fairly young at the ripe age of 23 Dion had a long life ahead of him, he wanted to make a mark on this new country and set himself and his successors up for long healthy life here in the states.

TheMadHatter was rushing to the train, her friends in NY had kept their "business meeting" a bit longer than she anticipated. Smiling she thought to herself "those were some good times". She hurried along and made it just in time to hear the conductor yell "last call for tickets". Losing no time, she got behind the last man in line and straightened her dress out, her bodyguard James was handling their bags but caught up with her shortly before she handed the conductor their tickets.

They made their way onto the train and walked through it checking things out. She noticed a nice little spot next to a window that she would love to just sit and daydream about what life was like when it wasn't so busy. Lost in thought she almost didn't notice the man that was sitting in the seat next to it but he looked like a nice distinguished gentleman and she wasn't going to bother him anyway. "excuse me sir would you mind if I sit there" pointing to the seat she gave him her most charming smile. 

Dion looks up as someone starts talking next to him. Noticing a charming woman asking him about the seat next to him he shrugs  and stands up stepping out into the isle so she can pass. As he does so he gestures with his arm and says, "Be my guest Ms." Taking a look at the imposing man behind her Dion wonders if he should just go sit somewhere else out of the way or not. Since the charming woman didn't really tell him to go away he decides to take his chances and sits back down in his seat after the woman takes hers. After a few moments of semi-awkward silence he finally looks over at the woman and extends his hand saying, "Names Dion, nice to meet you Ms."

"great" she says as she slides into the seat. Laughing slightly at the confusion between the men, she motions for her Bodyguard to go ahead and go rest. She stares out the window for a moment as the gentleman sits back down. 

She remembered the days when she was just an associate working the streets trying to make a few bucks here and there to keep her boss happy. Working so hard to impress. Her favorite times were the parties. oh how she loved to dress up and spend the night dancing all her worries away. A short lived moment at the time  but a great one.

Her concentration is broken as she hears the man next to her speak. She shakes his hand as he extends his, "Maddy. Nice to meet you Sir....Your accent is not from here. Excuse me if I'm being rude but where are you from and what brought you here?" Maddy hadn't been anywhere outside of America so it was intriguing to hear him speak so differently. 

Dion smiles at Maddy's question and says, "It's not rude at all Maddy, in fact I am just as intrigue'd with your accent. I am from Britain, my father sent me here to become a man. He says I have to successfully start and run a business to do that." Dion looked away and mumbled to himself, "and what father says goes." Not wanting to bore her with his whole life story Dion looks around the compartment taking in the other guests before turning to look out the window Maddy is sitting by. "Nice view," he says to her nodding towards the window as they pass through the country.

FishMissile enters the cabin from the front moving towards the rear schlepping a large suitcase behind him. Having just walked past a K-9 unit before boarding the train, he was dripping in sweat. Having made this trip dozens of times before, this was the first time he really had a close call.

Taking a seat in the back, remaining quiet, he observes the cabin. Seeing the only other two people nearby looking out of the window, he feels relieved wondering if he wasn't even noticed. After taking a deep breath and wiping his forehead he puts his hat back on and pulls the front down in front of his eyes and waits.

Maddy watches him as he speaks, a bit concerned when he looks away and mumbles something. "What kind of business you thinking about starting? I might be able to help you with that." Maddy smirks and looks out the window. "It is a beautiful view. I use to make this trip often but not as much anymore and this is my favorite part of the ride. I bet it's so peaceful to live out here. Do you know where you will go once you get to Detroit?" 

She turns and looks back at Dion smiling when a man coming on the train caches her eye. He seemed to be nervous and acting suspicious. She watched him until he sat down and covered his face. He made her a bit uneasy but it wasn't something she hadn't encountered before and James wasn't ever far in case she needed help. 

Dion notices the man walk past sweating profusely. He was tempted to get up and help the man with his luggage but the nervous look on his face made him think otherwise of it so he continued to stare out the window ignoring the man as he walked past. As Maddy continued talking to him he looked at her engaging her in conversation. He shrugged at her question and responded, "Truth be told, I am not sure. I guess I will need to find myself a location and come up with a good business to run. I am hoping Detroit looks better then New York, the city there didn't really suit me." Dion looks around and notices the man has covered his face with his hat and shrugs at that too, not sure what to make of the strange man. He decides it's none of his business though and carries on looking out the window.

"What would you say to being given an apartment until you could get on your feet? Maybe in exchange for you doing a bit of work. Can't say it'll be all that honorable but it'll be work and I could pay you well. You would get that fresh start you want and we can help you grow a business. Whatever kind you want." Maddy looks at him excited "And the guys would love a new face around. I'm pretty sure they get tired of me. They could show you around the city even." realizing how silly she may have just looked, She smiled and looked away briefly. "That's if you want...The offer will be there until we get off the train. Which should be plenty of time to think about it. The chance of a lifetime. A home, a family, not your traditional kind but that's what we are, money, and the chance to prove to your dad you are amazing." Maddy glanced back at the man with the hat and back to Dion. Trying to read the expression on his face.

Dion spent the better part of the train ride thinking to himself. On the one hand he knew his father did a number of questionable activities as a business owner, nothing he seemed to do was to the benefit of people. However, would he do these un-honorable things Maddy had hinted at? Something told him to sit in silence the rest of the train ride and then get as far away from this woman as he could, while another part of him was incredibly intrigued. What did she do? What places would he go so see, what things would he do while in her services? After a bit he thought of the shady individual who had passed them by earlier, he started to get fairly curious just what was making the man sweat so much on the way by? Was it really the weight of the suitcase, or was it maybe something inside of it? Toward the end of the ride he finally seemed to ease out of his tense position and relax a little bit. Stealing a sidelong glance at the woman next to him, how well she was dressed and the expensive jewelry she had. Not to mention the bodyguard protecting her, he decided he wanted that. He wanted to be rich and well protected, his father had forced him into this world and he planned to make the most of it. Turning to Maddy he tapped her on the shoulder, took a gulp as she turned to regard him and said, "I'll do it!"

Maddy watched out the window and day dreamed as she always did on this long trip home. She knew that what she was offering him was not something to take lightly and was giving him his space. She did glance over a few times to see if she could read him but he was tense and definitely deep in thought so she just went back to looking out the window. James came through a few times to check on things and bring her some tea but only stayed briefly, he had been on these trips with her so many times he knew what she was up to. She felt a tap on her shoulder and she smiled to herself before turning around with a more innocent expression. "I'll do it!" he said to her. Giving a half smirk she said, "great, I am glad you made the right decision. With very little time to spare too." She looked up and in the distance you could see the city, it was beautiful at night. The city lights had it lit up and you can almost feel the busy atmosphere from this far away. "When we get there I will have a car waiting for us. I can take you to the apartment where you will be staying for now to drop off your stuff and then we can take a drive around the city to talk a bout a few more things and give you an idea of what it has to offer. I know a great restaurant we can grab something to eat at too." She made sure she had all her stuff before turning back to him. "Dion, Welcome to the family" 

Dion was always very dedicated, once he put his mind to something he was all or nothing about it. So as Maddy responded with her plans for the rest of the evening Dion nodded his head at each point listening with rapt attention. Not wanting to be left behind he quickly gathered up his things and followed Maddy out of the train towards her waiting car. When the trunk was opened he tossed his things inside and then offered to help Maddy lift hers in. He might be agreeing to help with some less then honorable activities, but he was still a gentleman after all. Once inside the car Dion sat slightly taking in the sights of the city, nodding as Maddy indicated places of interest along their route to his new apartment.

When they arrived at his apartment Dion memorized the address while grabbing his stuff out of the trunk and running it inside. Not really sparing the place a 2nd glance he locked the door and hopped back into the car. Dion had work yet to do that evening and he always liked to be busy and seen as a hard working individual. Seated back in his spot in the car he waited for Maddy to give direction as to their next stop.

Dion offers to put her bag in the back and she hands it over to him before getting into the car.  She tells her driver to take the scenic route to the apartment. Familiarizing him with the area would be an important task and who better to show him than her. She pointed out a few places as they went. Great places to do business and some spots to stay away from. She explained what area their turf was and how she ran it. 

She waited in the car as he went to drop his things off. She made a call to a few of her associates to meet her at the night club on 8th street where they had to demand payment from the owner. She figured this would be an easy first experience. 

He returned to the car quicker than she expected and she was thrilled to see such eagerness. "We need to go see a Mr. Cardoza and retrieve a payment he is late on." She pulls out a gun from her purse and hands it to him "You know how to shoot?" She asks as she puts a knife in a strap on her leg.

Dion takes the gun from Maddy and gulps a little. He had of course used guns before, pistols was an old fashion thing in Britain. Not very common anymore, but not forgotten either. He had been taught how to shoot them so he could defend his honor, however he had never fired one at a person before, only targets. As Dion looked down at the gun in his hand he started to wonder what had he really gotten himself into, he also wondered how likely it was he'd get out of it if he tried. Figuring after a few seconds that he was not likely to be getting out of it he slipped the pistol inside his suit pocket. As he did so he noticed Maddy placing a knife in her leg belt and couldn't help but notice her nice legs. Averting his eyes lest he be considered staring he thought it might not be so bad working for her after all and slipped the seat belt on. "Pistols is an old custom in Britain, it's rather out of style now but not easily forgotten. I've been trained to shoot at 10 paces since I was a kid."

"that's good to know" she looks over and smiles. "you ever kill anyone?" She laughed a little to herself. "You don't have to answer that. It doesn't matter, we can teach you"

Maddy pointed out a few more places on the way to the night club that he should be familiar with if he was to work with her people. As they came around the corner of 8th street you could see the crowd of people enjoying themselves, you could hear a nice band playing inside, the music lively and energetic. Maddy had always enjoyed this place. The owner himself was a really great guy but unfortunately that didn't make a difference when owed money. She usually didn't go on these kind of business dealings but she wanted to see how Dion would react in person. They pulled up on the side of the street and parked. There was another car in front of them with 5 men standing outside of it smoking and chatting. Maddy looked over at Dion "ready?" not waiting for an answer she got out of the car. Maddy walked over to where the men stood. She introduced Dion to the men and let him know that this should be nice and easy. They might even get to stay and enjoy themselves for a bit after.

She walked across the street, a few guards in front of her and a couple behind. The night club hadn't quite opened for the night but that didn't stop them from letting themselves in. One of the door man was hesitant to let them just walk through but thought against stopping them knowing Maddy's reputation. He knew she didn't hesitate to "handle" people that got in her way. She smirked as she walked past him looking around for the owner,"smart man, where's your boss?" The man pointed to the bar. Glancing over in the direction he pointed she thanked him and they headed in that direction. 

Dion smiles a little at Maddys question but decides to answer honestly, "No ma'am, my honor has never been challenged before. No one opposes my father back in Britain, at least not in his presence." Dion continues to take not of locations Maddy points out as they continue their tour of the town. When they reach the club Maddy gets out, following her lead Dion also gets out of the car. Grabbing his cane, he looks rather odd walking next to all these American men with a clear British manner and clothing style about him. He makes the best of it and tries his best to fit in with the crowd though. As they walk towards the bar Dion does his best to follow the lead of the guys around Maddy, including following in her wake instead of walking beside her. He looks around the place and then towards the man they appear to be approaching, paying close attention to the man's mannerism as they approach. The man doesn't seem to be nervous at all as a group of men approach him who clearly shouldn't be there, and then the man catches a glimpse of Dion and lets out a loud laugh. "Hey Maddy, what's with the British pimp?" he says looking between Maddy and Dion.

Not waiting for a response from Maddy, Dion straightened himself up to his full height. Stepping past Maddy and the guards in front of her he stepped up to the owner and swung his cane straight for the man's head. Stopping it a few centimeters in front of the man he let it sit there for a second before dropping his hand and placing the cane on the counter in front of them. Taking a seat next to the owner he reached over the counter and grabbed a glass and bottle of whiskey. Pouring himself a shot he took it and then poured a second before looking at the man next to him. Turning to address the would be tough guy he said, "I believe payment is due when services are rendered sir. We've held up our end, you have failed to hold up yours." Taking a hard look at the man he held out his hand expecting the money to be produced, his other hand was resting on the cane waiting for the man's response.

After a few tense moments the man grumbled and produced an envelope full of money, placing it grudgingly into Dion's hand. Dion in turn slipped it into his inside jacket pocket before taking the second shot he had poured. Getting to his feet again he took one last look at the man and said, "That wasn't so hard was it?" before grabbing his cane and walking back over to where Maddy stood waiting. He nodded to her waiting for further directions.

Maddy watched as Dion approached the man and threatened him with his cane. Her men ready to back him up, she waved them down discreetly so she could see how Dion would do. She was surprised at how calm he was and impressed at how he handled the man. 

After being handed the money Maddy smirked and looked over at the owner, "Meet my newest associate Dion. You can answer to him monthly when payment is due." Maddy smiled at Dion "You're going to fit in just fine here." Looking back to the bar "Stay and celebrate our newest member. All drinks on me" she tossed the envelope of cash to James and watched  as her men patted Dion on the back and welcomed him to the crew.  Having other business to attend she turned and walked out. She knew they would take care of him.  

Dion hung around the club for about an hour before turning in for the night. He had a long day with all the traveling and really just needed to get some sleep. Hailing a cab outside he gave them directions back to his apartment and passed out on the bed shortly after arriving home. The next day started his first day on the job working for his family and he still had to unpack. He did note one thing about the club though while he was there for an hour. The man sure did have good taste in music, he might have to visit the place more then once a month while collecting dues.