It had been a late night. A body Sullivan wasn't familiar with had made its way to his mortuary for preparation. He always hated situations like this. He hadn't met with any family, he wasn't sure if the man -HAD- any family. He'd gotten zero paperwork aside from a death certificate, and everything just seemed... Horrible. That was a good word for the situation. Horrible.

Regardless, Sullivan began what it was he did best. Prepping the body.

"So, who do we have here, hmm?" he mused as he pulled the certificate from the bag with the cadaver. "Mr. Sulli-..." He stared into the bag and blinked. "Now that's just fucking weird. I know my name is really a last name, but seriously?"

Sully chuckled as he shook his head.

"So why did you die, Mr. Sullivan?" He scanned the paperwork a bit, muttering to himself throughout the perusing. "Heart attack? You look healthy as a horse!" Sullivan sighed as he inspected the body to make sure all else was in place and nothing seemed out of the ordinary. "Well, I'm sorry about your short lived life, Mr. Sullivan. I will do everything I can to make sure you are peacefully at rest. I do hope someone comes in and claims your body."

Setting the death certificate down, Sully began to remove the body from it's carrying bag. "Mr. Quinn!" he yelled out to his young apprentice who had made the move to Las Vegas with him. "Come down and help me with Mr. Sullivan's body!"

"Mr. Who?" a voice called from a room up the stairs as footfalls filled the stairwell, echoing down into the cement basement of the funeral home.

"Mr. James Sullivan. Odd, yes, I know. But, it can not be helped, young Quinn. Alas! I need you to assist me in moving Mr. Sullivan to the medical table so that I may begin the embalming."

Harvey Quinn, a boy still, really, but he had moved out to Vegas with Sullivan to continue his training in hopes of moving back home to New York and taking over Charon's Crossing from Mr. Black. Or at least managing the business while the man remained across the country running this funeral home, Asphodel Meadows...

Sully and Harvey grabbed James and got themselves ready to hoist him over.

"Alright, my boy... On three. One... Two... Three!"

The two of them lifted and quickly moved the dead weight of James Sullivan over to the medical table with a thud.

"Wonderful!" Sullivan nodded and waved for Harvey to begin tidying up the workspace so that he could focus his energy on the embalming process. A few pricks into the body to begin the draining of James' blood and bodily wastes, both Harvey and Sullivan heard the chime of the doors opening upstairs.

"It's six o'clock in the evening!" Quinn exclaimed.

"Aye, my boy. It is. But it's never too late if this is someone to claim Mr. Sullivan here and to start the process of preparing his services."

Harvey nodded to Sullivan who threw off his apron and fixed his clothing.

"Mr. Black, do you want me to continue the pump?"

Sully nodded as he headed for the stairs, brushing his hair back from his face a bit as he rounded the corner, footsteps thudding up the well.

"Please do, Mr. Quinn! Please do!"

Sullivan Black made his way around a corner that led him into the lounge area of the funeral home. His eyes came to rest on a lone woman looking lost as could be. He smoothed his white button-down shirt and black slack before approaching. His sleeves were rolled up and a set of black suspenders held his slacks up. His arms were tattooed heavily, but he wasn't worried about that. If they were bothersome to his guest, he could roll his sleeves down to hide the macabre drawings.

Placing his hands behind his back, and wearing a smile on his face, he stepped closer.

"Welcome to Asphodel Meadows, madam. Is there something I might be able to assist you with?"

Joy skips down the street after her last visit with James.  Even though the whole thing is quite somber, she loves her time alone with James.  All things considered, their romance has blossomed during his time ‘up the river’.  Since rushing over to the Maldonado’s on that fateful day, Joy has visited regularly.  Initially James tried to discourage her, but seeing she wouldn’t budge, he rather enjoyed their brief visits.

She was beginning to see an end in sight of this unfortunate event that separated her from James.  The young woman dared to hope that she would soon have the wedding of her dreams with this man she fell in love with. 

She hails a cab and gets out in front of the hotel where she is staying.  She passes the front desk and smiles shyly at the girl behind it.

Hello Miss Toth.  How was your visit today?

It was lovely.  I know James is going to beat this rap and I will be waiting for him when he is found innocent.

That’s great Miss Toth, have a lovely afternoon.

They have the same conversation every day for weeks during the trial and Joy comes to think of Gayle as a sort of friend.  She doesn’t share everything with her, but they talk frequently.  Nearing the end of the trial she is called home to Las Vegas to attend to some business.  Joy doesn’t want to leave, but James convinces her that everything will be okay and she heads off with some trepidation. 

She settles back into her life in Las Vegas for about a week when she gets the fateful call.

Is this Joy Toth.

Yes it is, who is this please?

James’ lawyer then tells her that James has died in prison.  Joy falls back in a chair and listens as tears fall down her face, ruining her flawlessly applied make up.  She talks to him for a long time, making some notes and nodding her head as she weeps quietly.  He tells her the body was sent to a local mortuary by the name of Asphodel Meadows.  She cleans up her face as best as she can and heads over to the address he gives her.  She holds her breath unconsciously as she heads up the stone steps.

The proprietor greets her and she holds out her hand. 

I am Joy Toth.  I believe my fiancé James-Sullivan has been sent here from New York. May I see him?

She is on the brink of tears, but manages to follow the man.  He seems just a touch too cheery for her taste, especially given the circumstances.

Sullivan's face quickly twisted into a look of tormented sorrow.  "I'm terribly sorry for your loss, Miss Toth. As a matter of fact, he has been sent to us. However, I might urge you to give me until the morning. We've already begun th-..." Sully trailed off. He'd seen this look before, and he knew she still needed to identify the body both for herself and for the county records. With a heavy sigh, he nodded to Joy.

"Yes, ma'am. I will take you to him, but I have to warn you that we have already begun the process of embalming him. I apologize for the unsightly manner you will see him in. I will have my assistant cover him before we enter the room so you do not see our work being done, but merely the face of your dearly departed."

Sullivan cleared his throat and turned,  "This way please?"

He led Joy around the corner from where he'd entered the room and up to a heavy, wooden door. Opening it slowly, he called down the stairwell...

"Mr. Quinn?"

"Yes, Mr. Black?" a younger voice called from below.

"Do please cover Mr. Sullivan completely aside from his head..." Sully begged.

"How am I supposed to work with his entire body covered?!" the voice complained back.

"Mr. Quinn, the departed's -fiancé- would like to identify the body... Please cover Mr. Sullivan."

Sully looked at Joy and offered her an apologetic nod of his head. "I am so sorry. It's often difficult to get good help these days which is why I keep the obstinant boy around. He is good at what he does."

Quinn called up from the basement floor. "Mr. Sullivan is prepared for the fiancé. Give her my deepest condolences. I shall leave her to grieve with you. You handle the people so much better."

Sully shook his head a bit,  "Sometimes he does talk too much. Again, I do apologize." He waved his hand for Joy to continue following him down the stairwell until they made it to the bottom floor. Laying on a table, with nothing but his head showing, was James Sullivan. Joy was allowed to go first, but Sully remained close by. Two reasons, of course...

One, she really shouldn't touch anything down there before they were finished aside from maybe James' face. And two, it was best if she wasn't alone in the moment.

"I'll be right here with you, Miss Toth, if there is anything that I can do for you..." He remained just out of arms reach to give the illusion that she was there with her fiancé, but close enough that she could still feel his presence and knew he hadn't left her alone down here.

As Joy follows the macabre man down the stairs she feels a lump in her throat.  Tears are stinging at her eyes and she knows it won't be long before she gives into them.  Joy feels the overwhelming need to grieve, but now is not the time.  She needs to identify the body and then she can move into that process.  Maintaining control over her emotion remains in the forefront of her mind.

When she steps into the room all her resolve to be polished and somber go out the window.  He is lying there looking so peaceful, almost as if he were asleep.  Her hand glides across his handsome face and very quickly she brushes her lips across his.  She holds back sobs suddenly realizing the gravity of the situation.  She turns to SullivanBlack and nods.  That's him, James Sullivan. She says in a very controlled and even tone.  Then she runs up the stairs as quickly as possible.  Overwhelming sadness engulfs her whole body as she breaks down completely for several minutes.  The undertaker leaves her to mourn by herself for a short time, then he returns to her to give whatever help she may need.

I'm so sorry.  I know you are used to this, but do you have someplace I could go to pull myself together a little bit.  Then we can finish up any business that is necessary?  Joy manages a wan smile through her tears as her voices breaks.  She looks to the him for some sort of statement.

Sullivan followed Joy up the stairs but waited just around the corner while she fell apart. He gave her a few moments before approaching, placing a hand on her back and directing her toward the ladies room.

"Please, by all means, take as much time as you need, Miss Toth."

He pointed to his office door that was wide open on the other side of the room.  "I'll be in my office preparing the paperwork for you and lining out some caskets. Don't hesitate to yell if you need anything."

Sully then left the woman to tend to herself and made his way into the office, sitting at his desk and pulling out some catalogs and forms.

"Mmmmk, caskets, burial plots, burial costs..." He placed his pencil in his mouth as he moved things around. Harvey stepped out of the office restroom and nodded to Sully.

"Mr. Black, is she gone?"

"In the restroom."

"Should I continue with embalming?"

"Mhmm..."

Sully seemed to not really be listening, simply answering as would be expected, but Quinn knew he'd heard every word and said all he wanted to. With a light shrug, Harvey Quinn made his way back across the lounge and disappeared into the stairwell. Sullivan continued flipping through his catalogs and marking the caskets which they had in stock and beginning the paperwork for purchasing one of them.

After getting everything he could without Joy finished, Sully grabbed a plot map of the cemeteries around town and set it on the desk. He also grabbed a few pamphlets about grief counseling and support groups around the area. With everything laid out for Joy, Sully leaned back in his chair and waited.

Joy makes herself presentable again in a timely fashion.  She pulls out her compact and touches up her make up, concealing most of the evidence of her emotions spilling out onto her face.  She tucks things in and straightens her clothing, and then brushes her hair back into place.  If you didn't know what was going on in her life, you may not even notice the tell tale signs of her grieving.  She leaves the ladies room and appears at Mr. Black's door, quietly knocking on the door jam to make her presence known.

Sir, I am ready to finish up here.  I don't have much experience at this, so I will depend on you to help me along the way.

Joy sees that he has spread out some catalogs and paperwork on the desk, getting ready to help her through this dreadful ordeal.

Sully had closed his eyes for a moment while waiting for Joy. She was as quiet as a church mouse as she approached, and her knock startled him. With a slight jump and an almost comical flail, he sat up and cleared his throat.

"Yes, yes. No worries Miss Toth. We need to first pick a plot for your beloved, and then a casket for him to spend his time in. Do you happen to know if Mr. Sullivan had life insurance?"

He looked up at Joy as he shuffled the plot map around to her.

"Also, these are some of the best plots we have available. The nicest cemetery. However, we can go elsewhere if it feels like it's too much or like it's just not a good fit for Mr. Sullivan."

He offered a pained smile to the woman, trying to allow her to make her decisions.

Mr. Black, he did indeed have life insurance and I am the beneficiary.  I wouldlike him to have everything of the highest quality, and while I can't say I will spare any expense I am more than willing to spend a fair amount. 

Joy points at a spot on the plot map, thinking to herself how she would rather be buying just about anything than these items.  Then he shows her some caskets and she looks through them for awhile.

Which on would you suggest?  She asks politely.

Sully flipped through a few pages of catalogs before pausing on a very nice Warfield-Rohr casket. "This is probably one of our finest. Not too terribly expensive either." He spun the page to face Joy. "Mr. Sullivan's rest would be quite nice, and it will be a pretty piece for all those who would wish to come and pay their respects."

Sullivan leaned back in his chair as she looked over the casket, and a few others beside it.

"That one runs about two-hundred and fifty dollars... That would bring the total somewhere in the ballpark ooofffff..." Sully looked off toward the corner, his eyes slowly moving about the ceiling of the room as he did math in his head, his finger tapping along on the desktop as he whispered his thoughts aloud.

"Around three-hundred, eighty-five, fifty (385.50) total. All expenses for the funeral. That includes service costs, dressing and procedural costs, flowers, and use of our hearse and four limousines for your family and his. We can adjust cost if you will not need that much for friends and family."

Sully grabbed some paper and a pencil and started to actually do the math.  "I can get a full quote for you if you would like. A proper one, not just out of my head..." He smiled, attempting to lighten the mood. He knew she had a lot to handle, and this was never easy when you were alone to do it...

Joy looks for a bit longer and then settles on the casket that SullivanBlack suggested.  The settle all the particulars and she writes him a check, still with a very heavy heart. She signs all the paperwork that he hands her.

In her young life, Joy has never done anything more difficult that this and it weighs on her.  Tears flow over her eyelids and she grabs a tissue.

Thank you for all of your help.  I don't think I could get through this without your kindness.  I know we have spoken about almost everything, but when will this take place? 

"When would you like for it to take place? We can set the viewing whenever you'd like, though I suggest within the span of a week simply for Mr. Sullivan's sake." Sully smiled weakly, not wanting to say that he would begin to decay, had already begun technically... The embalming would hold him plenty well, but the longer they waited the harder things became to prepare and stay fresh.

"We can set up the chapel for his services with no problem. I could have it ready tomorrow if it were necessary."

He smiled genuinely at that point, nodding his head and allowing her the chance to think it over.

Joy looks over at the mortician with sadness in her eyes.  She knows she has to get this over with for a variety of reasons but she knows James will be gone from her forever.  As long as she is planning the funeral she can see him and touch him.  As she thinks about this, she realizes that she needs to move on.

Yes, Mr. Black I think tomorrow would be suitable, Joy says a bit sharper than she intended.  I mean, that gives me plenty of time to contact our friends and let them know.  Thank you.  She softens her voice and averts her eyes, hoping he will not notice her emotions are all over the place.

Sully nodded. "Very well, we will get everything in place and the services will be held at ten in the morning. I will take care of flower arrangements and everything else for you. I do suggest you try and be here about nine so that we can be sure everything is proper, though I'm certain it will be more than exemplary."

Sullivan showed Joy to the door and urged for her to go home and rest as best she could. The next day would be long and harrowing.

The Next Morning:

8:45 AM, Asphodel Meadows Chapel Room

Joy had shown up a little before nine in the morning, and to her dismay, the chapel was filled with beautiful flower arrangements and the late Mr. Sullivan. He looked exactly as she remembered him, and his likeness appeared as if he was simply sleeping. Black and Quinn did amazing work when it came to post-mortem dress and care. It was, after all, their specialty. Joy was asked to wait in a separate room where she could mourn with close friends and family that came early until the service was ready to start.

10:00 AM

From the entry of the chapel a white and gold casket that held the recently deceased could be seen. The only light inside the room flickered about from the candles on the altar. The candlelight cast an eerie glow across Sully's face, hiding the dark circles and bags under his eyes, as he hung his head and waited for everyone to enter. Light music echoed from the grand piano, a saddened melody as Harvey Quinn (Sully's protege) seated the family first in their reserved places. Pallbearers stood behind the casket, waiting for the services to begin. Once all were seated, Sullivan began to read...

"Friends, family, and those touched by the life of James Sullivan, we are gathered here today to celebrate the life of James Sullivan, may he rest in peace."

Sully cleared his throat as the music died down and the pallbearers were moved to their seats. A few sniffles and coughs could be heard.

"James was preceded in death by both his mother and father. He leaves behind a fiance, Miss Joy Toth. I never had the pleasure of knowing Mr. Sullivan myself, but I can tell you that I would have liked the man. I've heard from many sources that he was quite the hard worker and dedicated not only to himself but to any cause he deemed worthy of his time. I know he held love in his heart for the city of New York, and likewise for the city of Los Angeles. He was an avid businessman, owning an auto shop -AND- a hotel in New York, and also an extension of his hotel in the city of Angels. Mr. James Sullivan was a friend to many. Olympia, I've heard he spoke wonderful things about you to many friends all the time. Carmine and Carmeli Maldonado, I know he counted you among many of his best friends. I also know he's lost many friends on our shores... Friends such as John Shoaltz who helped him get back on his feet when he'd been released. Even surrounded by death on multiple occasions, Mr. Sullivan always kept a cheery disposition on life and if he struggled with something, you rarely were troubled with it. Truly a great man, and now he rests with no troubles left to worry him. May we all be so lucky to pass on so peacefully at some point. Please, if there is anyone who wishes to say anything at this point, come forward. Remember, we are here to celebrate Mr. Sullivan's life..."

Sully stepped away from the podium he'd been standing at to allow others the chance to speak.

Carmeli stepped up first... "This was too much a surprise, and very sad to see. Rest in Peace James." She frowned and placed a rose down beside his still body.

Vixen was next, "Rest in peace, hun."

Godmother Olympia followed in showing her respects, as well as many others. Among those included were Eros, Don Aislin, Ramires, and Keats. After everyone paid their respects, Sullivan waved for the pallbearers to rise and say their goodbyes. As they did he turned to address the crowd again.

"It seems James has touched the lives of many... May he truly inspire us all to greatness."

He held his hand out to Joy and invited her up to see him one last time and to pay their respects. He stepped forward first, offering a small farewell to the man he felt he knew better after today's services. Then he stepped aside for Joy...

Joy's eyes were swollen and red from hours of continuous crying. She bounced, unable to stay still for more than a moment. Grief had completely engulfed her core and she knew she would never be the same again. Gone was the carefree girl in love, replaced by an emotionless robot who would do what she needed to do to get through this life. Saying goodbye to this man was one of the most difficult things she had ever had to do. Taking a deep breath she leaned over the casket and whispered to James.

"I'm so sorry I couldn't do something to prevent this. It makes me feel weak and helpless, and even hopeless. I am going to find a way to stay strong though, to honor your memory. Rest in peace."

With those words, she slipped back into a corner to grieve somewhat privately. Sullivan ushered Harvey to go stand with her but to allow her the space to grieve properly. Turning back to face everyone, he nodded.

"If you would all rise, and make an orderly line, everyone may come and pay their final respects... Please exit through this side door."

All in attendance gathered and talked amongst themselves before slowly making their way out. Once everyone had left, Sully gathered the pallbearers to have them help take James out to the hearse. The rest of the day would be private for James, his immediate family (if any) and his fiancé.

He gave Joy ample time to greave, and allowed the pallbearers their chances as well, before shutting the casket for the final time. The six men lined up, three on either side of the intricate white and gold bed of James', and lifted him off of the bier and onto a rolling cart. It made life easier not having to carry him from the chapel to the hearse itself. Dead bodies, dead weight, it was truly heavier than most expected. Not to mention the caskets themselves.

Sully directed the men to slide James' casket into the back of the hearse and line it up with the notches to keep it from moving as they drove to the graveside. Once everything was in place, he shut the door and turned to the men. "Go ahead and take your places in the first limo. It's specifically for you gentlemen as an honor to your service for the departed. There are bottled sodas, canned water, and a complimentary bottle of our family's Barolo, aged fifteen years, with six of our finest crystal. If you do choose the Barolo, please remember we need you still able to lift Mr. Sullivan. However, I do urge that you take the bottle with you after today's services."

He then turned to Joy and the surrounding family. "We've also prepared two other limousines for the family. I'd ask that immediate family and Miss Toth please ride in the second, all others may take the third. There are bottled drinks, and of course, another complimentary bottle of Barolo for the family, aged twenty-five years. Yes, it's almost older than I am. Please, by all means, feel free to take all of the supplied drinks after the services today."

As the pallbearers took themselves to their limousine, Sullivan led the family to theirs. He opened the doors and allowed everyone to slide in before shutting it and moving to the second, offering the same service of holding the door until the last person was seated. Shutting everyone in, he walked passed and tapped the windows of the three drivers to start their vehicles. He took a deep breath as he stopped near the hearse, hearing the engines roar to life. The day was ALMOST over...

Sully hopped in the passenger side of the hearse and shut the door, Harvey starting their own engine and putting the vehicle in gear.  "Alright, Mr. Quinn. Lead the way to the cemetery gates."  The car pulled out, the three limousines following suit and bringing up the rear.

It was a short, uneventful trip. Sullivan was certain most everyone had chosen the wine. In fact, he would almost be offended had they not. It was certainly the -BEST- option... A fifteen year Barolo and two twenty-five year Barolos? They'd be -mad- to not try it. Then again, being of the Messina's family (married), the Barolo was an easy vino for Mr. Black to get his hands on. Truthfully, he'd had wine older than himself. The absurdity was, it tasted better and better with each year it aged.

As the vehicles pulled in to the cemetery, Harvey pulled the hearse around an open, brick pavilion with a cement bier (stand) poured into it. Sully hopped out and directed the limousines around, and opened the door for the family. Harvey briskly made his way to the pallbearers and opened their door. Of course, the wine had been cracked open, and of course, there was always -one- who was already a drunken mess. The other five smacked the man around and got him to his feet. "Just fuckin' put him in the middle and have him fake holding it. We can do it with just the five of us."

Sully and Harvey both shook their heads hearing the comment, but Harvey and the six men still managed to get James moved from the hearse to the bier in the pavilion without a hitch. Sully ushered the family to their seats and waved for those who couldn't sit to gather around the family.

"We gather here to say our final peace with James, but also to remind everyone to look around, and remember that, if it weren't for this man, there are chances that many of us would have never met one another. Cherish the friendships that you make, and never take them for granted. Life can be shorter than we imagine... Especially in the line of work -many- of us choose."  Sullivan made eye contact with almost every mobster in the crowd that day, nodding to them as he spoke.

"Let me say a prayer for James and for all of you, and then we will dismiss everyone."  Sullivan cleared his throat. He was never good with prayer since he didn't truly believe in the same God that many of his fellow criminals did, but with his job came the point that he HAD to do it. So here it was.

"To our heavenly hosts above, thank you for giving us all a chance to know and love Mr. James Sullivan. We know that he was called home to you, and he is safe and healed now. We give thanks for our continued life here, even if it's hard sometimes to carry on without the ones we love. I pray that each and every one of my brothers and sisters here today are able to find the peace that you offer us, and the guidance offered as well when we are in need. I pray that each and every one of these people gathered are safe on their way home, and, lest I forget, I pray that everyone here finds themselves closer to you through our brother, our loved one, James Sullivan, may he forever rest in your arms."

Sullivan swallowed and cleared his throat before finishing the prayer.  "Amen..."

Many of the Italians and other Christians followed with an "AMEN" of their own. Harvey approached the pallbearers and had them remove the flowers pinned to their chest and place them on the flowers already on top of the casket. Afterward, Harvey and Sully had them shake the hands of the family seated in the front row as they made their exit.

"We at Asphodel Meadows would like to invite you, if you so choose, to meet us back at the home for a free meal provided to the family. There is stuffed turkey and dressing, cranberry sauce, potatoes and carrots with a roast, and of course, dessert and more of our family's finest vino for the pairing. We have whites for the turkey and reds for the roast. Thank you, and please be safe. You are dismissed."

Harvey stayed behind as everyone else made their way out, but Sullivan jumped in the limousine with the pallbearers and headed back to the funeral home in case anyone decided to show up for the dinner feast and fellowship. Harvey could drive the hearse back by himself.

Reviewing the obits and nothing else I got to scream who is James Sullivan?