The time had finally come. @Syndicate, @Joe_Ligambi, and @Adorkable had all been planning this since almost the instant they moved to Philadelphia. It was a clear evening, though quite cool - the entire group walked with their hands in their pockets. Of course that was only one of the reasons, as all of them came prepared to do business and were carrying their pistols with plenty of ammo...just in case. 

Syndicate had a calm expression on his face as he looked between the two comrades he'd authorized to be CrewLeaders. 

"We all know the plan, but lets go over it one more time. Thanks to Joe, we know the current quote-unquote GodFather loves to gamble. We've managed to get a very solid grasp on his schedule and know that he'll be over on North 32nd St at the old mill. They run a series of games there every few nights and they've agreed to let us do our business in one of the back rooms, away from prying eyes." 

Adorkable nodded, chewing on some bubblegum and blinking quicker than was normal. 

"Right. And thanks to those pictures one of my Wise Guys snapped, we know that this guy isn't opposed to a little female company. So when we spot him at one of the tables, I'll slip him a note asking him to meet me in five minutes at the bar. I'll offer to buy him a drink, slip him the sedative..."

She patted her pockets, quickly making sure she remembered them. Wiping her forehead with a smile, she pulled out a small vile and then slipped it back inside her coat. Joe interjected, 

"And I'll be watching the whole thing from nearby, waiting for when he starts to get groggy. Pretending to be an old poker buddy, I'll toss my arm around the bastard and lead him to 'safety' - at least that's what everyone nearby will believe."

Syndicate smiled briefly and stopped walking for a moment.

"Excellent. We're only a few blocks away....this is what we've been waiting for. Time for me to kick this fucker they've been calling "Godfather X" out of business and claim the title."

The trio continued the rest of the way and found themselves reaching the old mill in mere minutes, though they were completely unaware that HenriDucard had been following them. He knew of their plan and wanted to be waiting outside. Originally the three had planned to part ways after their mission was complete, but Henri had other plans in mind. 

Wasting no time at all, Syndicate walked into the underground casino first with his head held high. He looked around and immediately thought - they actually think this is worthy of calling a casino? Joe and Adorkable followed closely behind Syn, side by side. Joe's eyes darted around searching for the bar, which he headed towards. Syndicate seemed to float through the small gatherings of people, making his way for the side hallway that would bring him to the room he'd been told would suffice. 

Adorkable had long since memorized the photo she'd been slipped of Godfather X, but it still took her longer than she'd hoped to spot him at one of the tables. BlackJack - a classic. She slipped a hand into her pocket to retrieve the note she had written requesting his company, and strolled casually up beside X. 'Accidentally' bumping into him, Adorkable fell over. X offered her a hand getting up. Flashing him a smile, she accepted his hand and slipped him the note. 

The hand continued as if nothing happened and Adorkable moved onto the next step of the plan. Taking a seat at the bar, she didn't have to wait very long until X appeared beside her, shoving the money he'd won into his pants pocket. 

"Can I buy you a drink?" She asked, smiling.

X nodded, taking off his hat and setting it on the counter in front of him. 

"I'll take a double shot of your best whiskey mixed in with some cola." 

The bartender made the drink and slid it over, but as he handed the drink to X, Adorkable gazed over X's shoulder for just long enough - a curious tilt to her head, enough so that it made X turn to see what she had been looking at. She wasted no time in slipping the sedative into his drink. As he turned his head towards her once more she picked up the glass and handed it to him, also picking up her own glass. Clinking them together, Adorkable downed hers in one sip as X followed suit. She grinned, knowing it wouldn't be long until he could barely stand up. 

Joe had been lingering at a Craps table fifteen feet away, hawk-eyeing the situation. He had seen Adorkable slip X the sedative and watched, nodding approvingly, as he drained it in a single gulp. Joe glanced down at his watch and tapped his foot impatiently as the seconds ticked on. Two hundred and forty....Two hundred and forty one... He glanced back up at the bar and noticed the slightest wobble of X's chair. Go time. 

Approaching X as if he had known the man his entire life, Joe wrapped an arm around the soon-to-be-ex Godfather. 

"Hey old pal! Been awhile since we've sat down and battled in some Hold Em eh??" 

X's face was a mixture of confusion and exhaustion, his eyes were barely open. Joe smirked and hoisted him off of the stool he was sitting on, saying just loud enough to be heard by those nearby,

"Alright buddy, let's get you to the bathroom. Here we go!"

Joe guided X around a few of the tables before they entered the side hallway that he saw Syndicate enter. It was a good thing none of the people gambling came back this way, because X had quickly gone from 'tired but manageable' to complete dead-weight, Joe was practically dragging him by the time they reached the door marked with 3 money-bag symbols at the bottom.

Kicking the door open, Joe dragged X a few feet into the room and hoisted him onto a wooden chair. Securing his hands with some robe that had been sitting under the chair, Joe pulled out a blindfold from his back pocket and wrapped it around X's head. Punching him square in the jaw just for good measure, Joe exited the room and knocked on the door directly across the hall using the knock they had agreed on. Syndicate and Adorkable quickly entered the hallway and shut the door behind them. 

None of them so much as blinked before stepping in sync to enter the room where X sat. They knew it wouldn't be long before he would be gaining consciousness and their estimate on that proved to be correct, just as Syndicate had opened the money-bag door, X lifted his head and began struggling to break free from the ropes binding his wrists together. Adorkable and Joe silently entered the room as well, closing the door before each taking a corner of the room to stand in. 

Syndicate walked behind X and began talking, cracking his knuckles all the while. 

"So... Rumor has it that you're in debt to multiple underground casinos throughout this city. Not only that, "X", but you don't even have much of a following. We've noticed that it's pretty much just the money that has kept you in power this long. Well, guess what friend?"

Syndicate paused for dramatic effect before removing X's blindfold. Judging by the widening of his eyes, it seemed that X recognized Syndicate. No surprise really, his face had been in the paper multiple times in recent history given the opening of Goliath National Bank. 

"I have more money, and people I can trust. The people you've been extorting here, while gambling at their establishments, well...they agree with me you see. We think that someone with a little more power and influence should be running the great city of Philadelphia! Of course you know what that means, don't you?"

X shook his head back and forth furiously, a noticeable urine spot emitting from his crotch. In one fluid motion Syndicate pulled out his revolver, shooting X smack dab between the eyes. Syndicate, Adorkable, and Joe all held their breath as the man fell to the floor. Scrambling up to the body, Syndicate leaned in and felt around for a pulse. As he raised his head slowly, he grinned widely.

"It fucking worked! Oh man, it's going to take some getting used to being called the Godfather Chairman!" 

Adorkable and Joe both hugged Syn briefly before taking position over X's corpse. They drew their firearms and without hesitating, each of them shot X through an eyeball - Adorkable the left, Joe the right. 

"Give the next guy thinking about taking this job something to think first about eh guys?" Syndicate said, grin still upon his face. "Alright, let's get the fuck out of here before anyone notices that he's gone missing. See you in a few hours as planned."

The three of them left the room at the same time, making their way to the mill's exit. As they walked outside and prepared to part ways, a car came screaching up in front of them. HenriDucard popped his head out from the drivers seat and waved at them rapdily. Though they had planned on parting ways, Syndicate, Adorkable, and Joe all glanced between themselves - and with a collective shrug, decided to get into the car. After all, it was Henri. 

"You guys look surprised to see me!" Henri chuckled, peeling out onto the highway, heading downtown. "Come on now, of course I knew about this plan...Anyway, look, I've arranged for a little gathering of sorts. I didn't tell anyone the real reason, but there's a group of our fellow underground associates already waiting at this fancy club. No worries, I rented it out for the evening and made sure it was secure - and everyone will be getting patted down upon arrival. Errr....That is, I assume the mission went as planned anyway?" Henri babbled on at a million miles an hour, sipping from his coffee mug.

Syndicate looked pleasantly surprised as he nodded, unsure what to think of Henri's unexpected arrival. The ride continued on in silence for what felt like an eternity before Henri pulled into a large parking lot. The four of them entered through the back and walked into the main room of the club to see a lot of familiar faces indeed. Henri pulled a flare-gun from his suit and shot it directly into the fountain opposite the bar. Sure enough, it caught everyone's attention. Clearing his throat quickly, Henri shouted,

"Ladies and Gentelman of the underworld... We're proud to announce that our very own Goliath National Banks President, Syndicate, has just taken on a new role within Philadelphia - Godfather Chairman!"
 

The room roared with cheers and applause. Once the smoke cleared from the flare a parade of waitresses entered the room carrying glasses of champagne and fresh cigars. Syndicate was prepared for a quiet evening of rest and relaxation but Henriducard had different plans in store and that was just fine with Syndicate. He kept his eyes focused on the nearest cigar platter that was headed straight towards him, the finest cubans were laid out in a semi circle around a stainless steel cats-eye cutter. Syndicate cut the cigar and placed it between his teeth, he would have asked for a light if there were not already 3 outstretched hands offering him matches and lighters. Syndicate chose the shiniest one and flicked it once, he began to puff a few times while spinning it just enough to light the entire cigar. The party had officially started, Syndicate picked up a champagne glass was ushered over to a circular booth where he sat down and enjoyed his cigar for a few minutes in peace before any Godfather duties or gawking fan girls arose. 

HenriDucard was running around organizing the staff to make sure everything was perfect, it was more than perfect as far as Syndicate was concerned, he got the cigars just right. "Henri, get your fat ass over here and have a drink with me!" Henri looked back at Syndicate and then to his posterior. He smiled and joined Syndicate at the table. A waitress that had overheard the request was already standing next to the booth, eyes averted but ears listening for any drink order ready to be shouted her way. "Double whiskeys if you would please miss" Syndicate began to pull out his bill fold to grab a few bucks for the lady who quickly shook her head, "It's an open bar tonight Mr Syndicate Sir, I'll be right back with your Whiskey." 

HenriDurcard was asking a few questions about how things went down earlier when the waitress returned with two empty glasses and a full bottle of The Macallan, Single Malt Scotch Whisky. Syndicate's eyes got real wide, "Where did you find her, she knows what she's doing. Go get a glass and join us for a drink miss". The waitress was caught off guard by the request, she was there to work but her eyes glistened with the thought of trying such expensive Whiskey. She looked to HenriDurcard who had hired her to make certain she was allowed. Henri looked back at her, "Go on then". She scurried away with a hop in her step and returned moments later. Syndicate poured three rounds and lifted his glass, "To a profitable Philly" The three glasses clinked together and everyone took in the sip of the whiskey. Syndicate and Henri both watched as the small waitress held the whiskey and sank back into the booth with a look of delight upon her face. 

The door opened and a large retinue of people entered.  A few were bodyguards that Syndicate and his companions wouldn't recognize, but others were well known faces from Las Vegas' Ivory Tower - in particular their Don Francesca Messina-Dicaprio.  Her people fan out in the room, clearly here to celebrate, but not without their guards up ever so slightly.  After all - this isn't their city.

Frankie, out for one of her first trips since word of her husband's death reached American shores, still wore black but with splashes of color - and her wedding ring is notably absent from her left hand.  She looks around until she spots the newly minted Godfather.  She walks over towards him and his companions slowly - giving them time to wrap up whatever sensitive things they might have been discussing.

In her thick Sicilian accent she greets the Godfather as she reaches his booth.  "Godfather Syndicate."  She inclines her head ever so slightly.  "Congratulations.  Philadelphia is in great hands.  I hope you don't mind that I brought some of my family along to celebrate... we come bearing gifts."  She says with a smile that tugs at the corner of her lips.

She regards the other people in Syndicate's company with warm greetings and friendly nods as well before reaching into her purse to pull out a small black box wrapped in a silver ribbon.  "I hope you like it."

Inside the box is lined with a cushion of red velvet and in the center, rests a shiny set of new car keys.  "A Bugatti Royale Type 41.  Black with white styling.  Mr. Bugatti made 25 of them to spite some old English bat who dared to compared his beautiful cars to the Rolls-Royce.  He wanted to make a car for Kings, something that would never be forgotten once seen."  She looked back towards the door.  "Yours is parked outside - when the party is over, you'll have to tell me if it measures up to Mr. Bugatti's hopes."

LooseChange fans out and starts to mingle, no need in holding the wall up. He slides over to the bar and takes a seat, while nodding at the tender he pulls a sack of good green out to roll, 

"Hey can I get a shot of cognac please?"

he says to the tender as he turns to scan the area seeing his family enjoy themselves and the rest of the city making the best of a great moment. Always a promotion is a good thing, but with a lot of responsibility. The tender passes you the drink. 

"Thank you. and can you keep the bottle out for me.?"

LooseChange fires his blunt up and takes a shot holding his glass up as to toast the moment. 

@ HenriDucard knew I employed some of the best cleaners in the business and entrusted me to take care of some important business.  I received the call from him that it was mission accomplished for Syndicate and @Adorkable.

My people were ready and we moved in quickly to take care of the scene.  Luckily for us, there wasn’t much bloodshed and only one body.  As Big Moe looked down at Godfather X lifeless body "Damn what a nice shot."   We removed the body and cleaned up the scene making sure no clues were left behind.  I cased the room one more time.  Once everything was in order and the site was secure I made my way to the club where the others had gathered.

As I walked into the club the festivities had already started.  I gave @HenriDucard the everything is taken care of look then approached the new Godfather Chairman.

Godfather - Chairman Syndicate

This world of ours is so unpredictable. Things happen suddenly, unexpectedly or as planned. We want to feel we are in control of our own existence. In some ways, we are, in some ways we're not.
At times our own light goes out and is rekindled by a spark from another person.

You are my spark, my Man.

I congratulate you on your position as the new leader of Philly.  I look forward to continuing this journey with you and extremely honored to be under your leadership.  
 

Now I need a drink.

In with the Summerlin Don ventured Francis. He'd never have thought in his wildest dreams he would be attending such an event. But things were ever changing in America. It was a life he was still getting use to. Slowly. Happily, though, as he scanned the room with wide eyes in an effort to take some of it in.

Seeing his boss go to mingle, the out of uniform priest peeled off and headed for the bar. His constant run ins with families mixed in this kind of lifestyle were enough for him to know he wasn't someone to approach the man of the hour. So he set himself up at a vacant spot and ordered himself a drink.

"Whatever a priest shouldn't be drinking." He said with a smirk. He removed his hat and placed it down on the bar, then looked around at the crowd of people.

He imagined it a top honor to be recieved in this light. Or to have muscled into it from the shadows. To have the power over a city. Ultimate, power. Like an angel at the foot of the throne of God. All seeing, knowing. But always a step from that one spot. The halls that seated the God's themselves.

It had the priest's heart step up a beat just thinking about it. Not the power itself, but the responsibility that came with it. Now, where was that drink, he anxiously thought.

Bubbles looked up at the clock in her office, they were going to be cutting it close. It wasn't the longest drive down to Philadelphia but it wasn't the shortest either and if they didn't leave soon they were going to be late. She hated being late but for some reason always found herself not so much on the on time side.

A couple more minutes passed before Insomnia waltzed into her HQ.

"Well it's about time, we are gonna be late."

Insomnia just looked at her and smiled, he was about to sit down but before he could Bubbles grabbed him by the elbow and tugged at him as she was heading to the door.

"Come on, we need to go and go now. We can't be late to this celebration. It's not everyday Syndicate takes the role of Godfather Chairman you know."

With a shrug and a nod he followed her out the door. They hopped in the waiting car and made their way down to Philadelphia. The driver knew they were going to be cutting it close and the fact he was told to make sure they got there in time that's what he did. They pulled up right to the front of Syn's HQ, the place was already jam packed with people. It wasn't much of surprise, an event like this was definitely something to celebrate. This was a big day for Philadelphia and judging by the celebration going on, she wasn't wrong.

Insomnia and Bubbles exited the car and made their ways up the stairs to the front door. The crowd parted ways to let them through, kind of like the parting of the red sea. Someone opened the door for them to enter, which was a very nice gesture Bubbles thought. 

It didn't take them long to find the man of the evening. He was about swarmed by people, just the look of it on the outside gave Bubbles a bit of anxiety.

"Excuse me! Hey! Give the man some room." Her voice echoed through the crowd of people. It took some of them by surprise and one by one they took a step back leaving Insomnia and herself a path. Once there was a path big enough for her to squeeze through she did, it was one that Insomnia couldn't quite fit through but he could manage fighting his way through by himself.

At last she was within a couple feet from Syn. With a big smile she walked up to him and gave him a hug and a kiss on the cheek, before taking a step back.

"Congratulations!"

She looked him up and down, making sure he didn't catch any heat from the old godfather.

"I see you made it out unscathed, it takes talent to do that." She said with a small chuckle. "I couldn't be happier to see you take this position and become the head of Philadelphia. There's no one better I can think of and I'm looking forward to seeing all the great things you will do in this fine city. The east coast has a bright future my friend."

Bubbles felt a hand on her shoulder, finally Insomnia made his way through the crowd and joined up with them.

"About time you join us." She looked back up at Syn. "Oh, we have an entire car filled with the finest liquor. Let me go grab some people to help carry it in. We are going to celebrate the right way tonight."

Insomnia was tailored up in his new suit for tonight's celebration. He was wearing aviator glasses even though it wasn't even sunny outside along with a burnt orange leather jacket.  Underneath the jacket was his button down collared shirt followed by denim jeans and alligator shoes. To say he wouldn't be recognized at tonight's festivities would be an understatement, he planned to come in looking sharp as ever hoping to slightly steal some of the limelight. Of course Insomnia knew there was no better way to turn heads and become quickly noticed other than bringing the beautiful Bubbles at his side accompanying him.

The duo was linked arm in arm as someone opened the door for them, they entered Syndicates head quarters taking a few steps inside before stopping, scanning the room slightly in awe. It was the first time the two had visited since Syndicates move to Philly. Insomnia nudges Bubbles while pointing upwards at the ceiling.

"Oh look at that chandelier! I wonder how much that set him back, it looks expensive. Why can't we ever have nice things like that!?"

Insomnia looks down, lowering his glasses with his index finger while smirking back at Bubbles already knowing the answer.

"I really like this place! Maybe we should invest into some housing around town?"

With a shrug of his shoulders Insomnia nods his head leading the way continuing through the room. The place was packed to the brim, practically every city head and captain were already there or scheduled later to attend. 

"Hmm looks like he isn't here yet that's not like him."

Insomnia realizes RomanReigns was no where in sight to be seen, certainly he got the invite or so he had hoped.

"Give the man some room!"

Bubbles breaks his concentration by yelling out across the room once she spots Syndicate, hovered around the table while trying to light his cigar. They quickly begin to walk over towards him, shooing people away who were to close, hoping to give the man some breathing room to celebrate. 

"Congratulations my friend!"

Insomnia cheers and whistles hoping to get the crowd pumped up.

"Seriously I couldn't be happier right now seeing you successfully and unharmed standing here today, celebrating taking the title of Godfather Chairman. It's crazy but it does't even feel like to long ago you were working alongside us here in New York, only later to take the next step in helping RomanReign's out over in Los Angeles. Now here you are today taking over chairman of Philadelphia as my neighbor in the sister city to New York. It's truly been an honor and a blessing to have met you while working with you, you seriously deserve this and I couldn't think of anyone better for the job."

Insomnia cheers and whistles once more hoping to pump up the crowd before searching into his jacket pocket, pulling out a bottle of scotch, handing it over to Syndicate with a grin.

"I know we brought lots of gifts and bottles of alcohol for tonight's celebration but I felt it was best to give you a little token of my own appreciation. On the bottom of the bottle is a name and address I think you've been searching for."

Cracking a smile Insomnia raises his hands out, using his fingers to wave Syndicate in for a hug. The two had formed a brotherly love over the  past few years and he wasn't feeling shy to the crowd staring as they hugged.

"Would you just put the tequila down, we can celebrate when we get there.", Hope said laughing at me knowing I had already had too much to drink. We had been running late heading to the celebration for Syndicate, it wasn't like me to be running late. I'd had the driver stop so many times on the way that Hope_'s patience might hit a breaking point. She was someone who cared for Roman unconditionally, but this had gotten ridiculous.

"Are you sure we can't stop one more time, I bet I could find another place that had more liquor?". I asked Hope_ drinking straight from the tequila bottle.

"Absolutely not, we are almost there." ,she said taking the tequila from me putting the cork back on it. 

The driver came to a stop and walked around letting us out. All three of us had to sit up front in the limo because of the surprise in the back seat. I asked Hope_ to run up into the building and ask everyone to come outside. One by one I watched them file out not sure what to expect, Syndicate walked out standing next to to Adorkable and Henriducard.

I walked up and grabbed his attention right away giving him a big hug. This was a very proud moment for the both of us. It meant so much to see someone that worked with me in Los Angeles get the opportunity to become a city head like myself. He had worked hard for what he had got and deserved to be called Chairman.

I noticed that Insomnia was there dressed too impress like usual with Bubbles by his side. I gave Insomnia the "put em up signal" acting like I was ready to box signifying what we were not allowed to talk about. I winked at Bubbles before giving my attention back to Syndicate. I had him walk with me down the stairs towards the limo where I had the driver waiting at the back seat. 

"Syndicate my brother, today is an exciting day and you know how proud I am to share this moment with you. I couldn't figure out what to get the man that already has all the money in the worlds so I got you what I wanted for myself!"

The driver opened the back door to the limo and the glass bottles of liquor started to spill out onto the street breaking. There was an uncontrollable amount of bottles falling out of the limo and it looked like it was full. Hope_ helped the driver shut the door to the breaking of the bottles. She walked around to the drivers side of the limo and climbed from the front to the back rolling down the window. Syndicate peeked into the limo to see hundreds of bottles of liquor filling the back up the window.

I laughed as her was uncertain how to react to all of the liquor. I waved everyone down started handing everyone as many as they could carry inside. 

"Mas tequila my friend. Not only did we stop in Mexico for this one, but we stopped by every liquor store in Old City District and Bella Vista! Just ask Hope_.", I said trying not to laugh knowing she wasn't happy about the extended car ride. 

"This should be enough tequila to keep the celebration going through the night my friend and then for the next couple ones after that. I hope you enjoy everything you've earned. Everything you've done is truly appreciated and will always consider you a friend, enjoy your city of love."

I grabbed a bottle for myself, popping the cork and drinking straight from the bottle. I had to seek out Adorkable and get in some time with some of my former Los Angeles counterparts. There were so many people there celebrating I was almost certain I saw one of my captains TM there as well in the crowd.

TM wouldn't miss an event of this importance, not on his life, the ramifications if word got out he didnt show up to offer his congratulations, well people just might stop buying soup. Heaven forbid he thought, but more importantly he wanted to be a bystander if not apart of this great moment for the city of Philadephia and this thing of ours as a whole. TM knew that his own Godfather Chairman was attending the celebratory event, TM knew that at all costs his godfather needed to see him present at the festivities. But first thing was first, he needed to congratulate the man of the hour, honor demanded such an action take presidence over everything else. His limited meetings with godfathers leaving the stone mafioso a little nervous, nothing that a couple of drinks stolen from a tray making its way past him couldnt fix. With a deep breathe he makes his way over to Godfather Chairman Syndicate extending his arm he shakes the mans hand firmly offering his well wishes.

"its always a glorious moment in the history of this thing of ours when the masses are graced with another godfather, a godfather chairman no less. I wish yourself, the utmost congratulations sir, I am sure many aspiring wiseguys could look at a moment like this and see it as the pinnacle of life in our thing. I wish yourself, your city and all the fine folks that call it home the best of fortunes, and the best of futures. Salute."

TM smiles and steps back, letting other swarm the Godfather chairman with their own well wishes. He takes another look around the crowd, not able to complete his secondary objective. With a sigh he decides to accept his fate, deciding to grab himself another drink he turns about much to his surprise running right into RomanReigns whos rag dolling a waiter for not bringing him the right kind of tequila, in that moment TM cant help but laugh and let his own godfather know that he was infact present.

UrsulaIguaran would be on time this time. 

HenriDucard had told her in between the lines that she should. So she knew she should. And she would. Henri also told it directly. So she simply had to. She would.
There was something big about to happen and Úrsula was told that a flare would be the signal to the start of a huge celebration. She had no idea of what.

And that made her wonder. Classic, semi-classic, upscale, loose, nostalgic? She had no idea what to wear.
That made her memories go back to the time that she hat followed her late son Aureliano to the place where the pilgrims had pitched a tent, back in Macondo. She had the same dilemma. These pilgrims used to have such different kinds of expositions, she had more often than not been well overdressed, for example that time when they brought the ice. Although, remembering that, maybe she wasn't overdressed that time, maybe that was one of the few occassions that it didn't matter. The time with the three-legged donkey, though, that time she was severely overdressed. She had been wearing all jewellery that she had acquired as gifts for her hospitality from visitors of their village over the many decades she had spend there. And then the tent's inside was like a stable. 
That made her go in a more casual outfit the time after. Which also was not the best choice.. Thinking about this, it kind of resembled her dice strategies.

As she was over-dressed twice in a row, this time she would be under-dressed if she would follow her feeling. So she should wear her finest dress.. The purple one with the open back. As she walked to her wardrobe, she skipped through her collection, looked over her shoulder and looked at the clock.

Oh my lord... Have I mesmorizing thoughts for over an hour again?

She quickly grabbed the dress, put it on, grabbed some earrings and a necklace, grabbed a pair of stiletto's and rushed to her front door.
Multitasking by flagging down a taxi and putting on her shoes, she thanked god for being a woman.

The car stopped and she directed the driver to the large parking lot with the fountain she was supposed to be and put on her jewellery. As they came at the parking lot it was totally filled.. Úrsula cursed herself as she again did not plan properly. She paid the driver and stepped out, she was still putting her earring in as she passed one luxurious car after another with out-of-state plates. As she had the bar in sight she saw the flare down the fountain.

Fuck!

She started running.. she ran as fast as she could towards the large crowd, accidentally bumping into Bumblebee, just in time to hear HenriDucard say

..just taken on a new role within Philadelphia - Godfather Chairman!..

Everyone cheered and UrsulaIguaran had NO clue who had just taken on that role! It was a good thing that 'X' apparently was put aside, but she needed to know why everyone was celebrating.
In the distance, she saw Syndicate in between three flames and Úrsula rushed towards him.

I am so sorry I am late, she said, breathing heavily from her run. I had no clue what to wear.. Oh, can you close the zipper on the back of  my dress? 
And please tell me, Syndicate, who we are here for.. Who became oir new Godfather Chairman?

With the approach of Godfather Chairman Insomnia and his beautiful companion Godmother Bubbles, Frankie gives one last warm smile to Syndicate and withdrew; her eyes lingering upon the self-styled 'King of New York' room dressed in his flamboyant outfit.  She can't help but smile at him, he seems to truly be having a great night - and why the hell shouldn't he?  One of the most powerful men in the world, beautiful woman on his arm... she knew damn well how it felt to be dressed like a million bucks and with someone you loved with a world of possibility ahead and around you.  She forced her smile to stay, but she felt green with envy.  She had only know that feeling, the intoxicating mix of power and lust, for a short time but she missed it every minute of every day.

She watches the interaction of the Godfathers for a few heartbeats before making her way to the bar to order a drink.  "Please tell me you have some manner of wine in this place?  I'll even settle for something American if that's all you have..."  She asks with an arched eyebrow.  

"We got just about every kind of hooch imaginable, Miss, but... I'm afraid we have no wine here." 

Frankie sighed.  She knew she should have brought a fine bottle of wine as a gift - if only for selfish reasons; but she figured it was a bit trite.  A car - especially a very rare one, who the hell brings a car as a gift?!?  So, much for that getting her noticed.  It was childish to have hoped her gift might have gotten her a little more face time with someone - anyone tonight.  Sitting alone was getting very old - and pity companions were the worst.  At this rate, she'd end up with one or the other by the end of the night... no one or someone who wouldn't shut up about Tony.  Truth be told if Tony were standing here right now, she might shoot him; that's how much her sadness had slowly evolved into rage.

"Gin, then."  She said, a mix of disappointment and annoyance tinging her tone.  She prayed that it wouldn't be unbearably sweet.

"Here you go, Miss."  She accepted the glass of gin an turned her attention to the band that had set up.  She hadn't even noticed them when she first entered.  Well, at least there would be dancing at some point.  Perhaps she could get in a lindy or two before the night was done.  That would at least be something. 

Frankie glanced down the bar towards GangsterPriest who was probably already on his second or third of the night.  "Francesco..."  She called out to him by his given name.  "Swear to me that you'll spin me around that floor at least once.  You do remember how to dance, right?"

With a turn and drink in hand, Francis smirked. That voice was familiar. He had been caught up in people watching. Sometimes he let his inner narrator free. And three drinks deep, he found what he came up with amusing.

He'd just finished thinking on the story of Insomnia, who he imagined had spent the previous night in prison and chose his outfit by beating the clothes off of those he shared the cell with before kicking down the bars and walking free.

The simple humour stayed with him, and with glass in hand and a quick loose crowning of his fedora he moved down to stand next to Frankie-Messina. As he did, he caught a glance of LooseChange smoking some of the herb he knew was growing in the back of the cleaners in Vegas.

"Should we even be here?" He said with an awkward look at his boss as he placed his hat down on the bar between them. It seemed the who's who were in attendance. And he was guzzling down someone else's tab.

"I mean, you should be. You are a Don, afterall. E sembra bellissima devo dire." He let slip, caught up in the moment. The music playing. His sense of comfort at a decent clip. The person he had practically sworn to give his life to, in front of him. And she really did look beautiful. Even if her smiles were somewhat forced.

As his compliment sunk in, he quickly attempted to shift his sudden bout of confidence onto something else. He wasn't use to the emotions he'd learnt to do away with early on in his seminary. Right, dancing.

"Can I still dance?" He teased with a smile. His eyes had a little glaze to them. He was in high spirits, off of the expensive two and three quarter glasses of Irish spirit.

The retired priest nudged his old friend's shoulder with the back of his drink hand, ice swirling around with a little liquor. Leaning in, he lowered his voice. "Preferiamo Vino a questa merda?"

The American's did a lot well. Improved on a lot. Made opportunities available for a lot of folks. But they still had to import the best liquor in the world.

"I mean, you should be. You are a Don, afterall. E sembra bellissima devo dire."

Frankie blushed and smirked.  He was several drinks in and ... flirting?

"Can I still dance?" He nudged her shoulder and warmth raced through her body at the unexpected contact.  Leaning in, he lowered his voice. "Preferiamo Vino a questa merda?"

Her heart quickened.  In that moment, she remembered a younger Francesco.  He was handsome, drunk on stolen barely-ready wine & whispering in the same voice he spoke with now.  He was a boy who wasn't yet sworn to serve God, and she a girl consumed in sorrow and loneliness... ironically caused by the absence of Tony DiCaprio, as well. 

It was as if all the years which had passed, simply melted away, and nothing had changed at all.  For an instant they were just two stupid kids in the Sicilian countryside – laying in the long grass on a hot summer day, the salty breeze cooling their bodies as wine flushed their cheeks and made them laugh just a little easier than normal.

She had been mourning the departure of her fiancée for weeks, thinking she’d never see him again and be forced to marry some wealthy land owner’s son who she did not love – and he, her only real friend left in all Sicily, was going to be leaving soon for Seminary. 

Their eyes locked and Tony asked her, "Those suitors, any of them ever get close enough to kiss you?” 

Frankie looked to her shoulder where Francesco’s hand, still holding his glass touched.  She could feel his breath on her cheek and when she turned to meet his eyes, she was keenly aware of how near her face was to his.  Her eyes instinctively looked at his lips.

“Do I have to go back and do some damage control?"  Tony asked.  Frankie finished chewing and swallowed.  She washed the sandwich down with a swig of beer to give herself time to think.

The things you recall in the space of a heartbeat are stunning.  The rapidity with which the brain can operate – juggling several thoughts at once: a discussion with a loved one who was now dead and gone, a treasured memory, and the fantasies of things that never occurred; but might have if they had been different people.

“Appartieni dove dico che appartieni.” She wet her lips.  This was low hanging fruit.  A man she once might have allowed to pursue her, if he had not put God and the Church above her.  A chance to see if fantasy and reality matched – but, what sort of woman did that make her?  Francesco wasn’t doing this because of some sort of desire to revisit the past – to explore what might have been!  This was… another one of his reckless plunges into hedonism for whatever reason he felt he had to be doing this to himself. 

He wanted her no more than he really wanted the heroin, coke, or drink that he filled his days and nights with.  While some part of her didn’t care, because some part of her wanted an entanglement free night of pleasure the likes of which she had not had since her husband walked out on her, she knew she had to face Francesco again in the future.  It could well destroy their working relationship.  She couldn’t allow her own stupidity to hurt The Ivory Tower.  She’d sworn to herself that she would not allow her grief to self-destruct the one thing of value left in her life.

“Dovrei ... trovare del vino. Non dobbiamo ballare stanotte. Forse un'altra volta?”  If only he were sober doing this – if he had come to her like this with a clear mind – there would have been no hesitation.

Frankie took a half-step back from the GangsterPriest … “If I find some wine, I’ll send it your way.”  She gave him one last regretful look – hating herself for turning from the one thing she wanted more than anything right now; companionship.  “Enjoy the party, Francesco.  You deserve to be here too.”