Alice was sitting at her desk finishing up the last bit of paperwork for the day when Dazai walked in with an important telegram. "This just came in for you boss and it looks pretty official". She glanced over it for a second and looked up at him in shock. "It says I have inherited my mother's hotel." She stood up from her desk and grabbed her coat "Can you tell Jim to bring the car around we have somewhere to go." She stuffed the telegram in her purse and walked out of the HQ where she met both Dazai and her driver. 

She pulled up to "The Motor City Hotel" and stepped out. The 7 story hotel had the most remarkable 16th century style and looked to be quite busy. She walked in and was just as pleased as she was when she pulled up. "Mom had great taste in decor it seems" She smiled "Lets run a new owner special!" 

The Motor City Hotel 

Under New Management

!!For the next month rooms are 25% off!! 

 "Perfect, Now get these flyers out to everyone. Throw them from a rooftop if you have to. I want everyone to be able to enjoy the discounted prices." She said as she pointed to ridiculous amounts of flyers. "Can't let mom down" Shrugging, she turned to the manager "Let me know how things go please." 

Charsi had already been in Detroit just over 24hours and was pretty much fed up with walking around with coffee takeaways, to try to keep her alert. She was in town for a drug deal only there was a delay, and she was no longer feeling fresh. 

She took a walk down to the Corktown District and spotted that a new hotel has been opened up The Motor City Hotel. "Perfect" Charsi muttered to her bodyguards, as even they were beginning to smell a little off. She went into the Hotel and walked up to the reception "Hello, I would like the top floor suite, with an adjoining room also please" Charsi said to the receptionist as she handed over a very healthy amount of cash. The receptionist was polite and explained the breakfast times and so on for the hotel. "We also offer room service, nothing is too much trouble" the receptionist said as she handed over the keys to Charsi "Bravo, please send up a bottle of your finest Champagne" Charsi said replying while looking around at some of her bodyguards "I guess I must feed them sometimes right?" she muttered "Also could you send up a few trays of sandwiches and a big pot of tea please?" she continued to say as she then leant into to whisper to the receptionist "May I also have the steak and chips, well done, with peppercorn sause?". It wasn't because Charsi was tight, it was more that her bodyguards were paid well and if they wanted something more she knew they'd see to it anyway. The receptionist nodded as she went to go to place in the orders. Charsi then made her way up to the 7th floor.

Upon getting into her room, Charsi was so happy to finally get her boots off, her bodyguards were close by in the room next to her and a couple outside her door, so she felt safe and secure. She went over the balcony and could see for miles, it was glorious. But first thing first, she thought to herself as she headed towards the bathroom to grab a shower before the Champagne and food arrive. "Hopefully soon the dealer gets in contact" she muttered to herself as she went on to think But far as being stuck goes, this is luxurious.

Charsi was still waiting for her 'business' dealer to be in touch to say he had the cash. She had been in DT for quite some time and was growing impatient. On the bright side, while she was waiting for the deal to go through she had been enjoying her stay at The Motor City Hotel and have found their service top notch. It was close to checking out time when Charsi decided it be best to stay on another night, so she took a couple of her guards down to the reception with her.

She couldn't help but notice the decor of the place, it truly was a marvellous and she could tell it was from the 16th century. She waited for the receptionist to be free to talk to her. "Good Morning Miss Charsi, Are you here to check out?" the receptionist asked her as Charsi shooked her head "Good Morning, No, I am wondering if I may extend my stay an extra night and keep the 2 rooms I currently have? they truly are splendid" She said to the receptionist as she then went to check the log book "This is fine Miss Charsi, Do you require the maid service today?" the receptionist enquired, Charsi smiled "That would be great, and some fresh towels if I may too please?" she replied asking the receptionist. The lady at the desk nodded as Charsi thanked her for being able to adjust her stay for longer and made her way over to the hotel bar so that the maids were able to tend to her room.

Upon arriving at the bar, again she was impressed with the surroundings. Big grand piano, a little stage for the occasional band and plenty of luxury tables to sit at. She went up to the bar and pulled herself up to sit on one of the bar stools "Any chance of getting a Cappuccino here please sir?" Charsi asked the bartender who was wiping down the bar as he looked up "Of course you can Miss" he replied with the smile that indicated a 'no problem' kind of look, as he then went to fire up the coffee machine. 

     Dazai was in the back office spending his morning trying to get everything in order after Alice took over her late mothers business. Finally he was done. Getting up to exit the office all he can think to himself is; "Fuck paperwork."  Heading out and towards the exit at almost a run he notices his long time friend Charsi sitting in the bar area.

     "Charsi! It feels like its been forever! I guess we both have been busy I am so happy to run into you. My morning was hell damn that Alice abandoning me with all the paperwork. Well looks like I am joining you whether you want me to or not."

Alice was doing her rounds and decided that she would stop by the hotel for a bit and check on Dazai. She walked and saw him talking to a beautiful lady. She could tell he hadn't noticed her walk in as she sat by him at the bar. "Oh come on now, I didn't leave you with that much paperwork" he spun around quickly a little flustered. Smirking she looked at the woman next to him and reached out her hand. "Hi there, I'm Alice, I hope they are treating you well. If not, let me know. I should be around the hotel for a bit." She shook the woman's hand and ordered a shot of whiskey before standing up. 

Charsi was in the world of her own when she heard a high pitched squeaky voice calling her name "Charsi" as the voice then went down to a more manly tone as she turned to realise it was Dazai as he continued to say "It feels like its been forever! I guess we both have been busy I am so happy to run into you. My morning was hell damn that Alice abandoning me with all the paperwork. Well looks like I am joining you whether you want me to or not" as he then perched himself on to a stool at the bar next to Charsi. She smiled at him "Well hello there, I guess you're joining me then" as she then summoned the bartender over to them "Extra large Southern Comfort for the Bear please?" she said with a big grin on her face as the bartender went to get it poured. Charsi turned back to her friend "If I remember right that's the stuff for you!" she said as the bartender placed down the drink of Southern Comfort in front of Dazai "Go on for old times sake, drink up!" Charsi teased as she asked the bartender to keep his drinks topped up. She couldn't help but giggle at seeing Dazai's face at each drink he took down. He's not even realised she has only been drinking coffee.

A little bit later a new voice could be heard as Charsi then noticed a lady coming over and spun the tipsy Dazai around to face her "Oh come on now, I didn't leave you with that much paperwork" the lady said to him. "Sounds like him" Charsi muttered to herself as she overheard what the lady had said. The lady then approached Charsi and introduced herself to her as Alice, Charsi had heard the name before but not had the chance to get acquainted till then "Hello Alice, I am Charsi, I have heard lovely things about you from this Bear of a man here" Charsi said as she nodded her head in the direction of Dazai. Alice then ordered herself some whiskey as Charsi said "You're more than welcome to join us, Alice, I understand a lady in your position gets busy at times, but never a harm in a little tipple now and then" she smiled as she then turned to Dazai "Keep up with those drinks.. you're getting slow" she said trying her best not to laugh too much. 
 

Arapaho feeling pretty tired and drained from his day of crimes and drug deals in Detroit needed to unwind, he needed to relax. He went to the local cafe to meet his dear friend AlexaBliss over whiskey on the rocks, straight..

Confiding in his friend Arapaho was told by AlexaBliss about the local hotel that was currently offering huge savings of 25% for the month, and decided to take the advice and check himself in for the evening. As Arapaho walked up to the main entrance the door was politely opened by the doorman, who tilted his hat at Arapaho, who returned the favour and slipped the doorman $10.

Arapaho walked up to the front counter and enquired about what rooms were currently available in The Motor City Hotel  - upon hearing about a potential new client Alice came to the front to meet Arapaho, she told him there was a suite on the 6th story currently available for rent for the next three evenings. 

It was at the moment Arapaho made an impromptu decision to take Alice up on her offer, it had been a thoroughly exhausting few days in Detroit with no rest and three evenings spent to relax would come in great need. Before Arapaho gave the guarantee of the booking, he phoned his boss Marie_Lucania who gave her blessing.

Arapaho gave Alice the nod who then showed him to his room, walking through the door for the first time Arapaho was given some complimentary cigars, a hot towel & his favourite jazz record playing on the vinyl. He looked at Alice and said 'but how could you possibly know that's my favourite jazz band?!' Alice simply replied 'at The Motor City Hotel we take great pride in knowing everything there is to know about all mobsters in our city, she wished Arapaho a good evening and closed the door behind her and walked back down the corridor.

Thoroughly impressed with the 5* service, Arapaho locked the door, smoked his complimentary cigars and read the daily Detroit newspaper...with such hospitality Arapaho thought where else would he want to stay every time he visited Detroit away from his home in Chicago...?

Keeping a duck pacified and entertained during a cross-country journey in a stolen car had kept Chelsea preoccupied. So preoccupied, in fact, that she didn't think to ask why Fio needed to stop at a construction sight before they left Vegas. Dusk was approaching, and business was slower in that section of the city where new businesses were in various stages of being built. The cash soon disappeared from Fio's wallet as he asked the boys pouring the last of the cement to take a break; a minute later, the trunk of the car was popped open, the car itself got about 160 pounds lighter, and Fio was lighting an All Jack as the last of Slick's dead stare was enveloped in the bottom of what would one day soon be a hotel swimming pool.

They drove through the night, the duck occasionally waking from a nap, flapping into the back seat, and staring into the passing streetlights on the other side of the windows like a small child. When they got to the Motor City Hotel, Chelsea tucked the bird into her large purse, throwing a sweater over it for good measure. Shockingly, Cocciuto remained quiet during the check-in process, and continued to be so as they rode the elevator up to the floor their assigned room was on. He was forgotten altogether when Fio unlocked the door and Chelsea dumped her purse on the bed in her haste to take in the view of the city from their window. 

"Detroit at night, Fio. It's beautiful!" She exclaimed as she pressed her hands to the glass and gazed out over the lights. Cocciuto extracted himself from the purse, fluttered his wings indignantly, and hopped to the floor, now off inspecting the five-star amenities. 

 Cocciuto held Fiorenzo’s attention for a moment. He shook his head when the mallard waddled over towards the bathroom. There was no way a duck could remember a hotel layout? Fiorenzo stepped towards Chelsea after tossing their bags on the bed. The lights from below their sixth floor window were beautiful. He wasn’t too concerned with them though. Her hands were pressed up against the smooth pane. He could see her reflection from where he stood. Chelsea’s gorgeous features were always accentuated when she was happy like this.

“It’s almost as if our eyes don’t deserve such a thing.” He said still staring at Chelsea. His hands slipped around her waist, and his head loomed over her shoulder from behind. He looked down out across the city finally. Only for a moment as he was soon distracted. The view of her neck was better. His lips pressed gently behind her ear. “Mio piccolo To…”

QUACK

Fiorenzo let go of Chelsea and turned around quickly. The sound of wings making effort filled the room and Cocciuto landed at Fiorenzo’s feet. His own webbed feet faulted on the landing and his bill hit Fiorenzo’s leg. The duck seemed to dust itself off the way it got up and wiggled its feathers looking up at him. He stared down into the duck’s eyes.

“I know it’s late, but I’ll leave it up to you. I’m starved. Do we order everything from the kitchen here? Perhaps we go down to that lakefront you told me you picked up our Cocciuto? He would like to visit I am sure?”

He was talking to the duck. Well he was looking at the duck still as he spoke at least. Fiorenzo laughed and stepped away towards the bed. He pulled out his pack of All Jack’s. Once the match was extinguished he puffed at the smoke. He tossed the cigarettes and matches on the nightstand and turned back to look at Chelsea. First thing he noticed was a duck standing at his feet. He had followed him over to the bed. Fiorenzo took a long drag and stared down at the duck as he did. He sighed and blew the smoke out to the side looking over to Chelsea finally. His lips slightly upturned in a smile he was holding back.

He rolled his eyes and chuckled. The trip here had been a fun one. He loved the way that Silver Arrow drove. It was a shame he couldn’t keep the car back in Vegas. Maybe they should just drive the damn thing around the country? His eyes looked back down to the ever present set of beady duck eyes. He thought for a moment that might be a long trip.

Tearing her eyes away from the Detroit landscape, Chelsea nodded absently. 

"Yes, of course. He can go to the lake while we eat? There's a restaurant there I didn't get to try last time. Maybe we catch an early dinner there? You, too," she said, her gaze dropping from Fiorenzo's to the duck at his feet. "Someone ate an entire loaf of bread in the car on the way over from Vegas," she chastised, really not wanting to be in the room when Cocciuto unloaded it.The lake suddenly sounded like the best spot in the world to be right now. 

After quickly freshening up, Chelsea deposited the duck back in her purse and dropped the sweater on his head, and then grabbed Fio's hand as they retreated back down to the lobby. Under the guise of being road-weary, Fio convinced her that a cab would be simpler. He'd have to tend to that blood on the trunk of the Silver Arrow soon if rain wasn't in the forecast, which, looking skyward, he saw that it likely wasn't.

"Lakeview Gardens, please," Chelsea told the driver. Fortunately it wasn't the same one as before, who'd charged her so much extra for her feathered companion. Cocciuto remained still throughout the ride, only his slender beak poking out of her purse, and she wondered if the Detroit air smelled familiar to him. That thought led to the next, which was if he'd choose to stay here this time, his vacation with Chelsea and Fio now over?

Once the car pulled up to the lake, Chelsea opened the door as Fio paid the fare. She hadn't taken two steps before Cocciuto flapped and flew out of her purse, quacking nonstop and he alternately skipped and waddled towards the edge of the water where a small flock had gathered.

"What the hell? Was that bird in my-" Fio slammed the car door on the sentence, then rested a hand on Chelsea's waist as they both looked over at the avian party that had seemingly fired up. 

"Quite the reunion," he smirked, turning and heading them in the direction of the cafe' doors.

It was so dark. Waking up in this room was like waking up in a cave. Fiorenzo forced his eyes open. He wasn’t sure how long he had slept. The curtains barely let the sunlight through them at the top. Hotel room. Detroit. That’s right! They drove to Detroit. His brow furrowed as he sat up and squinted around the room. “No beautiful Tortora?... No quacking?” He thought to himself. He knew she wasn’t in bed with him. It felt empty from the moment he had regained consciousness. 

Fiorenzo stood and yawned. "?Perhaps she is in the bathroom?" The door was shut, but also the light was off. Surely not. “Regalati a me!” He let out in a thick Italian baritone. Nothing. Chelsea wasn’t there for sure. He scratched the back of his head and made his way to the window. In one sharp, smooth motion he shot the curtains open. The sunlight lept into the room and caused him to step back slightly. His eyes weren’t adjusting well.

His pupils just didn’t want to adjust right now. Fiorenzo gave up on looking out at downtown Detroit, and he made his way towards the bathroom. A nice long shower would be great. He supposed Chelsea must be out for food or perhaps walking Cocciuto? Sunlight had given the room a new perspective. His lips turn from a smirk to a grin as he went about collecting the clothing strung about the room. He couldn’t help but neatly put everything away and in its place.  

On the way to the shower he noticed a note on the dresser. He made his way slowly to it. Last time he had a note left for him in a hotel room he gained a duck. His shoulders raised in a shrug as he reached for the note. “I don’t hear another animal at least.” He said looking around the room before finally reading the paper.

Cucciolo,

I borrowed the Silver Arrow and your best friend. We won’t be long!

Tortora

Fiorenzo’s eyes instinctively shot to the clock. 3:40 PM? Was that correct? They were up late, but how the fuck did he sleep that long? There were many more confused thoughts and a few Italian curses. He made his way to the shower and started the water. He was confused, but a good shower and maybe some of that room service he was thinking about last night would do him a world of good-That and a cigarette.

“Fanculo!”

He really should have smoked a cigarette before jumping in the shower. Did they still serve coffee? The three or four different entrees he was about to sample with a mimosa or five put him at ease. "Room service it is for breakfast. After a very long shower of course." He thought as he stared at the wall. He couldn't help but think to Chelsea. What could she be off doing? Fiorenzo's eyes burned with the sting of soap. It made him focus on the task at hand. She would be back. Soon surely?

Was she speeding? It was hard to tell. Every time her eyes moved down to check the speedometer on the Alfa Romeo, Cocciuto would flap his wings excitedly and obstruct her view. He was on her lap as she drove, and seemed to be under the illusion that he'd gained supersonic speed of flight. Chelsea had rolled the window down after lighting a joint, and the sound and motion of the Italian sports car travelling the interstate had given the little mallard delusions of grandeur. 

It was late afternoon now, and the trip to and from Philly to trade cars had taken much too long. Fio must be irate.

She could blame the duck. It was Cocciuto, after all, that had made the entire enterprise so difficult. As much as Fio and the duck liked to feign scant tolerance for each other, it had become more and more clear to Chelsea that they didn't function well while apart. 

With a smile, she pulled up to the valet in front of the hotel. She could relate.

Unfortunately, she could no longer relate to social normalcy. The valet looked down at her through the open window of the car, first eyeing the duck on her lap, and then the joint in her hand.

"I, uh. Sorry? Um. Here," she said, handing him the doob. Without missing beat, he checked left and right, then hit it so hard he nearly dusted the entire stick in one long pull before dropping it to the pavement and crushing it into nonexistance with his shoe. Chelsea quickly scooped the duck into her purse and climbed out of the car as the valet opened the door.

"Hi, uhhh Mikey?" She said, peering at his nametag. "Listen, I'd sure appreciate some discretion here," she said, tilting her head towards the duck now hiding in her purse as she passed him a hundred dollar bill.

"Oh, also, could you park the car over there?" She asked sweetly, pointing towards the side lot that her and Fio's room overlooked, and passing him another hundred. Mikey was all too happy to please, taking the keys from her while she rounded the back of the car and headed into the lobby. As she got into the elevator for the trip up to their floor, she started to second guess her choice. What if he hated the car? Or the color? Her pace slowed as she approached the door to their room, and she suddenly wished she'd not given away her dope.

Delectable did not begin to touch a description the food at the Motor City Hotel fit. Fiorenzo picked up the bottle of expensive champagne and filled his flute up two thirds. A splash of freshly squeezed orange juice from the pitcher the kitchen provided finished the drink. He picked up the glass swirled it before taking a sip. He simply couldn’t eat any more. It was almost five, but breakfast was just being completed.

He stood from the table leaving behind over half of the shrimp cocktail, a bit more of the pansotti alla Genovese, and he could only finish one of the lobster tails. The glass still was still in his hand. He took a drink as he walked over to the window. Fiorenzo set the glass there and walked over to the night stand. The pack of All Jacks had been tossed down there. Two or three of the cigarettes were already sticking out so he grabbed one and his matchbook.

He tossed the matched book back on his way to his mimosa. A cloud of smoke pushed from his lips on the walk over. He stared down at the traffic below. Where the hell was she? The thought no longer hit his mind, and he heard the key turn open the lock to the door. He turned quickly. Fiorenzo shook his head from the abrupt turn. How many mimosas did he have again? His eyes glanced to the pitcher on the table. Less than half of the orange juice remained.

When she entered he raised his hand with the cigarette and looked her up and down from across the room. They locked eyes for a moment. Fiorenzo had a look of bewilderment and excitement. She wasn’t gone long at all. She just looked so damn gorgeous standing over there. She moved on in and shut the door. The stare must have taken too long. Cocciuto was not going to wait to be sat down this time.

QUACK!

He let ring free as he fell out of the purse from his wiggling and trying to get free. The duck shook out the fall as it stood back up and waddled towards Fiorenzo. He laughed and took another drag. He stared at the duck a moment. Fiorenzo then walked right past Cocciuto like he wasn’t there. His cigarette was dropped into the ashtray on the table on his way to Chelsea.

“How was your drive? La mia tortora volò via prima che potessi averla.”

Fiorenzo had reached his destination on the last syllable of Italian. His strong arms pulled her close by the waist. Their lips met, and soon after their hands searched over each other in a passionate embrace.

Chelsea leaned into Fiorenzo, the two ignoring the mallard circling their feet and chatting away in duck talk. It wasn't until silence had descended for an unnaturally long length of time that Chelsea pulled her lips from Fio's and peeked over his shoulder. 

"Don't look now. He's eating your lobster," she laughed. Why settle for measly shrimp cocktail when there was a freshly steamed Maine tail just sitting there unattended? Bread be damned!

"Leave him to it. I want to show you something," she said, pulling Fio towards the window. Dusk was settling in now, but the car was easily visible, practically sparkling like a dark emerald in the setting sun.

"What do you think about that Alfa Romeo down there?" She hedged. Fio studied the car for a moment, a smile pulling at the corners of his mouth as she watched, his eyes sliding over the art deco style of the rounded fenders. A sexy Italian, just like him. When he opened his mouth to speak, she cut him off.

"It's yours. I ditched the Silver Arrow in Philly. Call it an early one-month anniversary gift? Or a congratulations on the new addition to the family," she muttered, glancing over to see Cocciuto wolfing down the lobster like he'd not eaten in three whole minutes.

Suddenly Fiorenzo was wishing for a winding road that never ended. That 8c was so beautiful. He put a hand to the window and leaned closer to the glass. He couldn’t help but grin from ear to ear as he looked back at her and gave her another kiss. He couldn't believe he owned an Alfa Romeo. He had drooled over a few of them in his day. He never thought he would get to call one his own. 

“È, come te, la perfezione.”

He stopped and looked back to the car for a moment. Fiorenzo let out a chuckle after he met her eyes once more. This made things better. He would no longer have to get rid of the car. Something told him she was smart enough to be discreet about it, at least as discreet as a knockout blond with a traveling duck companion could be. His features turned to a devilish look.

“How fun was the drive back to Detroit?” He can only imagine Chelsea flying down the road in the Alfa Romeo. No doubt eyes bloodshot and barely open half the drive. “You still have-“

 The sound of Cocciuto trying to take flight, only making it to the bed mere feet from the table, filled the room. Fiorenzo stopped mid sentence to look at the duck. He then waddled over the pillows and with his bill pushed the covers up and disappeared. There was now a lump in Fiorenzo’s spot on the bed under the covers. He began to wonder whose room this was. That lobster was amazing. Oh well he could just call for another.

Fiorenzo made his way for his mimosa and All Jack. The cigarette barely had a spark of flame left in it. After a few hard pulls on it the cherry began to grow once more. He took a drink of the mimosa after the drag and blew out the smoke once it was joining the last few glasses in his stomach. His eyes were studying over Chelsea. She was looking at over at him. The evening sunlight cascaded in behind her. It made her outline glow like an angel. Her beautiful blonde hair shined bright from the natural light.

“You hungry? You must be. If you don’t like this we can always order more. I was thinking maybe more lobster.” His eyes darted to the lump on the bed. “Maybe we should go on a midnight drive later? Tomorrow we will really hit the highway. First things first though.” He took another drag and snubbed out the cigarette.

“Do you have one of your smokes? This isn’t doing the trick this morning.”

He looked down and shrugged his shoulders when he said morning. He hadn’t been up long anyways. It was morning enough to him. The early morning drinking was starting to kick in pretty well for him. This was definitely not routine for Fiorenzo, but this luxurious hotel seemed to have an effect on him. 

Chelsea bit her lip. The last of her weed had gone the way of the valet. 

"I don't, but there are plenty of places to get more. Why don't we take the car for a drive, find one of those curb service places. You know, where they bring food to your car? I've never tried one before but saw one on my way back into town. He can stay and sleep off your dinner," she remarked, nodding towards the lump in the bed. 

Fio didn't need to be asked twice. The car was already calling to him like a siren song. The two headed downstairs and out into the early evening light, Chelsea passing him the keys with an affectionate pat on the butt.