:The shades had been pulled in a way that obstructed the view from the street, but Sly, in a position of advantage, seated just inside the window, could easily peer out in to the bright daylight which contrasted the gloomy darkness of his surroundings.  He sprung back to attention when the mayor raises his voice: "I KNOW what you guys do.  You say that everything is going to be just fine.  That you are running your business and will contribute handsomely, but I know that you are bringing drugs in here.  I know you're running girls on the streets.  And now...with the alcohol.  You guys don't understand.  That order comes straight from congress.  I can't be fucking around with them.  It's my ass--don't you see?" "Joey, Joey..." Rockness responded in a soft, mocking tone, "We don't contribute?  All that charity work that 'you' are responsible for.  All of those churches that 'you've' funded the reconstruction of.  The projects that have propelled your entire political career.  It's all come from what we've given you to leave us alone.  And you know it.  It's as simple as that.  You leave us alone, we give you money, and the community gets revitalized.  You'll excuse me if I take offense to you saying that we do not contribute, sir.  And you must approve our acquisition of this land to expand our project.  You owe it to us." :Rockness, who had been leaving over the mayor's desk, straightened, and held his head up: "But...this was to be quartered off for the new housing project..." Mayor Moore blubbered. :Distracted  by the bodies bustling on the sidewalk and barely paying attention, Sly could not help but laugh at the mayor, who was gasping helplessly, nearly in tears over a two block section of residential property.  The truth was, they needed the space to expand their bootlegging operation.  Philadelphia may see a bit more federal heat, but the increase in profits would be substantial.  The demand was certainly there.  And, in truth, much of that money did end up latently helping the public, when, through the form of bribes, it was distributed amongst many special interest groups.  Sly knew what would happen now.  He focused now on the faces, shining in the sunlight, attached to the bodies zipping back and forth, below:

:The shades had been pulled in a way that obstructed the view from the street, but Sly, in a position of advantage, seated just inside the window, could easily peer out in to the bright daylight which contrasted the gloomy darkness of his surroundings.  He sprung back to attention when the mayor raises his voice:

"I KNOW what you guys do.  You say that everything is going to be just fine.  That you are running your business and will contribute handsomely, but I know that you are bringing drugs in here.  I know you're running girls on the streets.  And now...with the alcohol.  You guys don't understand.  That order comes straight from congress.  I can't be fucking around with them.  It's my ass--don't you see?"

"Joey, Joey..." Rockness responded in a soft, mocking tone, "We don't contribute?  All that charity work that 'you' are responsible for.  All of those churches that 'you've' funded the reconstruction of.  The projects that have propelled your entire political career.  It's all come from what we've given you to leave us alone.  And you know it.  It's as simple as that.  You leave us alone, we give you money, and the community gets revitalized.  You'll excuse me if I take offense to you saying that we do not contribute, sir.  And you must approve our acquisition of this land to expand our project.  You owe it to us."

:Rockness, who had been leaving over the mayor's desk, straightened, and held his head up:

"But...this was to be quartered off for the new housing project..." Mayor Moore blubbered.

:Distracted  by the bodies bustling on the sidewalk and barely paying attention, Sly could not help but laugh at the mayor, who was gasping helplessly, nearly in tears over a two block section of residential property.  The truth was, they needed the space to expand their bootlegging operation.  Philadelphia may see a bit more federal heat, but the increase in profits would be substantial.  The demand was certainly there.  And, in truth, much of that money did end up latently helping the public, when, through the form of bribes, it was distributed amongst many special interest groups.  Sly knew what would happen now.  He focused now on the faces, shining in the sunlight, attached to the bodies zipping back and forth, below:

"Alright, ALRIGHT!" Mayor Moore wailed through his damp hands, "Take the property, but you had better donate to the housing fund!"

"Have we ever disappointed?" Rockess said, rather ironically, towering, now, over the crying mayor, whose head was nearly laying on his desk. "Just sign, SIR, and we will be on our way. And you can get back to your brandy and your mistress."

"You don't--don't YOU--" the mayor stood, suddenly angry.

:Barely rising from his seat, Sly struck the mayor with a half-closed fist. The action happened instantly, and the mayor, shocked and wearing a confused expression, held his hand against his bruised cheek and slowly lowered his head:

Rockness set the official-looking document in front of Mayor Moore. "SIGN, sir." he said, softly. The mayor grudgingly obeyed, sliding the tear-spotted document back across the desk towards Rockness.

:The two gangsters turned to each other and shared a silent smile before noiselessly exiting the office, leaving the mayor sobbing in his brandy: