Sitting on a Detroit city corner sits a small Butcher's shop in the bottom level of a two story building. Outside hangs a sign....

Motor City Butcher Shop

Once inside there is a sleek counter top that has clearly been cleaned quite well. It is stainless steel and next to it sits a tremendous amount of different meats to choose from. Above the counter is a sign that lists all the different options and even opens up the opportunity for specialty orders...

You nod to the butcher as you come inside, he turns to speak to you noticing who you are.

"So, are you here for the meats or for the room upstairs."  He looks at you awaiting an answer.

You had heard that there is a small gambling location on the second floor of the building that is run by Calimero DiGrazia. Although you weren't sure until just now as you were confident that is what the butcher was referring to. So what are you here for? To order some freshly cut meat or to have a bit of fun gambling upstairs? 

You decide to place an order...

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You're feeling quite in the mood to do some gambling...

Upstairs there is a large metal reinforced door that is guided by an Italian man who is holding a shotgun. He looks you up and down before opening the door for you. Once inside you see that there are a few poker tables, roulette tables, craps tables, and blackjack. There are plenty of people standing around the perimeter of the room with guns keeping guard. 

You walk around watching as some people win a few hands of poker or get unlucky with roulette. Eventually you feel a tap on your shoulder causing you to turn around....

"Hello, my name is Calimero. I hope you've brought some cash to partake in the games. Is there anything I can help you with? Perhaps we can order you a drink?" He awaits your answer.

As you contemplate your answer and what you want to do you hear somebody shout as they lose all their cash in one hand of poker. They attempt to get up to confront the man who just won the pot and is quickly met with the butt of a gun to the back of his head knocking him out cold.

"Sorry about that, so what would you like to do?" Calimero smiles as he turns you away from the commotion.

Isabella smiles, "I have a confession to make."  She chuckles at the humor of the pun.  "I've never actually played poker.  I mean, I've seen it played and have the gist of it but never once played."

She shrugs.  "But... my father gave me my allowance today and I'm feeling a bit lucky so... why not?  There's a first time for everything... right?"  She entered and sat down at a table, paid for her entrance to the game and waited to be dealt in.  She wondered what other gangsters might appear to join her in a hand or two.

Calimero was happy to see Isabella-Luciano visiting his Detroit racket. As not only was it a place for him to earn some extra cash for Marie, but he could meet and have some fun with others he knew or was yet to meet. Overall this place was for fun and money. 

"Well, hopefully you do not lose it all. I think that anyone can pick the game up quite quickly. Although you'll have to play a few games with some of these strangers until we possibly have some other high profile mafioso make an appearance. I myself do not partake in gambling directly." He knew that it may sound strange as he was benefiting from the others who were partaking. 

"Can I get you anything to drink Isabella? I have heard it is always good to pair gambling with a bit of drinking." He chuckled

As he was waiting her reply he spotted a man clearly signaling another man who sat at the blackjack table across from him. This.....dishonesty...was not something that god would forgive. Quickly Calimero motioned to his men and they made their way over to the two men. They grabbed the two cheaters and dragged them from the tables out a side door. 

One of Calimero's men came forward and he handed over his knife with the rosary attached, "They will pay the price for attempting to steal from us. Also, make sure that they do not leave here with any possessions or cash upon their person."

The man nodded silently and went on his way.....

"Ah, so what was I saying? Oh yes. Can I get you anything to drink Isabella?" He smiled hoping that the disturbance did not cause her any alarm.

walking into the shop donny was confused, he just wanted some fresh beef to have a cookout for his crew, but he also realized they were doing some gambling which he had a proclivity for.

shit man can I play some dice and buy two cows cut American style?

Calimero was down in the butcher shop when in came Donny_Donowitz. He seemed to be pondering the meat and trying to make up his mind when some people came down and out of the back door into the butcher shop talking a bit loudly about the gambling happening upstairs....

After hearing all this Donny seemed to gain a bit of excitement over the idea of gambling a bit before getting his order. Calimero nodded and chuckled.

"Why of course. You may go on upstairs and play a few games. My man here will have your order ready for you when you make your way downstairs and you're ready to make your exit. No need to rush either. Enjoy your time up there." He smiled and motioned for Donny to head on up to the fun upstairs.

He then turned back to the butcher shop and decided he should finish up cleaning as he could not stand a dirty business...

Apache walks into the meat shop, but he wasn’t there to buy meat he was there because heard of the upstairs gambling hall. He headed up the stairs where the Italian guard was standing with his shot gun. The guard looked him up and down and Apache looked the guard up and down. Apache then figured he would mention how he heard of the joint.

”Calimero_DiGrazia told me to come down here and see him.”

The guard instantly opened the door before Apache could even get the rest of the words out.  When he entered the gambling hall he noticed it was guarded to the T.  Armed men with all sorts of fire power we standing all around.  He seen the poker tables were full.  So he walked over to the blackjack table and put $100 on the table.  

Then Calimero walked up asking him if he wanted a drink.

”Sure I’ll take a gin on the rocks!  How’s life treating you?”

Calimero quickly signaled for one of the waiters to go grab the drink for Apache...

"Life is treating me quite well my friend, I have been really building up my business ventures around the country in order to increase profits as well as the appearance of legitimacy. So far things have been successful and I hope to keep it that way." He gave the man sitting next to Apache a quick look and he left the blackjack table.

"So how have you been as of late? Things going well here in the Motor City?" He smiled and a man arrived with a drink for Apache and an unspoken order of a rum and coke for Calimero.

He took a sip of his drink and was pleased at how well it was mixed...

Orion had landed in Detroit and being that it was his first time in the city he really wanted to do some exploring and get to know the city. He loved the feeling of a new atmosphere and being around strangers. There was a sense that anything could happen. As Orion walked along he noticed a rather large butcher shop and remembered that his hotel room was completely empty.

He was certain that late in the evening he would be hungry for a snack and decided to preempt his hunger. As he stepped inside though he was caught off-guard when asked if he would like to go upstairs. He figured he could always purchase his meat on his way out and decided to go. Once he reached the top floor his eyes widened as he had haphazardly stumbled upon a hidden casino. A grin instantly spread across his face as he took a seat at the black jack table.

Calimero was making his rounds on the mini-casino's floor to make things were running smoothly when he spotted Orion taking a seat. He wanted to make sure stopped by to say hello and check in on one of his new customers...

"Hello, I hope that you are having a good time so far here. If you need anything then please let me know. I'm happy to make sure all visitors are comfortable when they visit my place of business." He smiled and patted Orion on the shoulder.

He paused for a moment as one of his men came up and whispered something in his ear. 

"Apologies, the offer still stands. I'll just be a bit busy for a moment as I take care of some unfortunate happenings." Calimero smiled as he turned away.

He could be spotted slipping his blade out of it's home at his hip....

Alexander had made a substantial amount of money since settling into Detroit. Who knew business owners could be so generous with their tips for his performances. Feeling like lady luck was smiling on him, he decided to go for a bit of sport. Some of the silent partners in the aforementioned businesses had told him of a place nearby where he could do the same and he decided to risk it. 

Letting his new Studebaker roadster casually roll to a stop in a parking lot he stepped out. The car looked at home amongst all the other expensive cars there and he was glad he had purchased it from Somnyoneshoe . He looked at the dilapidated building, a stark contrast from the conspicuous cars parked outside and smiled at the irony as he walked in through the doors. Having never really visited a gambling den before, he was unaware of the proper protocol but his eyes trained by years of watching the crowd and reading people as a bartender, quickly picked up some necessary clues. Coupling that with the information he had received prior to arriving, he was soon on his way up the stairs.

Guns were visible everywhere eliciting an almost loud gulp from him. Cautiously stepping past some of the scowling patrons he found his way to a poker table with a vacant seat and promptly sat down. Pulling out some cash he exchanged it for chips and the games began. The other patrons seemed somewhat cold to him at the start, but after they had a few drinks and a few rounds had passed they were laughing together like old comrades. 

His inexperience was shining through and he lost the 7th hand in a row. The guy sitting next to him burst out into laughter "You've got a 1000 bloody tells kid and you haven't had a sip of hooch. Wait till the lads hear about this." Said the man, playfully patting him on the back. Alexander just smiled and blamed his luck. While he had lost quite a lot of money he had reveled in newfound camraderie. Eager to go on, he was surprised to notice someone tapping his back.

As he turned around he saw a stranger standing in front of him. Raising his eyebrow in curiosity he wondered what Calimero_DiGrazia wanted.

It was quite the long evening for Calimero after having spent some time downtown being questioned by the police. He had decided that he would make sure to stop in at his Butcher Shop now that it would be his closest business to home. It was only a couple of days since it happened, but he had made a move over to Detroit to work with Isabella Luciano and the Ivory Tower. He got inside and quickly inspected the butcher shop. Although it wasn't up to his own personal standards, it was better than pretty much every butcher shop he'd ever been in so it would have to do. Nodding at his employees as he walked past them and began to make his way upstairs....

Once inside his little upstairs casino he heard some slight commotion at a poker table. He went over and watched as a young man lost a few hands and one of the other players busted his balls over it. The losses weren't great, but he could tell the man had motivation to continue on. In fact he actually recognized him ever so slightly from a description he had heard of a Detroit singer. It must have been AlexanderKnight.

So he tapped the young man on the back to get his attention....

As Alexander turned around he smiled and spoke to him, "So, I see you're not doing so hot. You might want to mix up your tactics or maybe try another game. Even if you don't I'd like to offer a complementary number of chips for the night. Let's say $10,000 worth. Think of it as a kind gesture. Maybe at some point in the future we could have a chat about that talent of yours."

The day started off a bit rainy so Calimero decided he would make his way to his casino racket hidden away above his butcher shop. There was probably some money for him to pick up and maybe a few things to  get taken care of whether that was planning a high stakes poker game or adding a new table here or there. It was a never ending business that he had to keep fun for his patrons.

Eventually after a long walk he made his way to the front door of the Butcher shop. As he was about to walk in he bumped into Josie who had been on her way out. 

"Sorry miss, I did not see you coming through the door. Did you enjoy yourself upstairs?" He had assumed she was coming from the casino, but she gave him a bit of an odd look.

"Oh, I guess from the look on your face that maybe you actually just stopped in to check out the available selections in the butcher shop. Well, if you're interested I could show you the casino that is hidden away upstairs." He smiled and hoped that the new member of The Ivory Tower would join him for at least a little while.

Josie smiled at Calimero_DiGrazia as he offered her a tour of the casino. It had been such a long time since she found the time for a little fun.  She perks up and smiles again.

Yes, sure. That would be great. I could do with letting my hair down. A few drinks a bit of gambling and a good pal. Perfect. 

Josie follows as Calimero_DiGrazia leads the way.

Having not long landed in her home city of Detroit she had an idea to nip through Downtown to grab some supplies for the lighthouse. She just knew it was still early in the day and many there would still be sleeping. She decided to surprise them by cooking a good hearty breakfast to start the day. 'Maybe it gets them up with the aromas of the cooking' she pondered to herself as she entered Motor City Butcher Shop.

The butchers were owned by one of the family members and were the first time she had visited. She felt guilty for not going before, but with the way, life can get busy she knew he'd understand. She also knew he did some behind the themes stuff here and wasn't just selling the best meats the city had to offer. But today, for Lushie she was there for totally legit reasons. 

She walked up to the counter and placed in the order to the butcher who was serving "Greetings, May I have enough Sausages and slices of bacon for a family of 21 please?" she asked as the butcher nodded and proceeded to get it together, "Would you like the bacon smoked or unsmoked Miss?" the butcher asked her, for her to reply to do a mixture. She was relieved she had one of her guards with her, Amber to help carry it all as he handed over the wrapped up meats for her to pay up for. She got out her money and paid up what she owed, "Thank you and you have a good day sir" Lushie said as she turned to make her way towards home, fetching some other things along the way. 

Isabella decided it was time to check out operations run by her family members and so she was making the rounds with her new bodyguards Raeni & Linval.  Dressed smartly in a summertime pink dress Isabella greeted people with smiles and handshakes.  She heads for a poker table, pulling out a large wad of cash to work with.  If she was ever going to relieve Gavin of his hard earned cash, she was going to have to get some practice so... these gentlemen were very likely to have a GREAT day at the table as she practiced.

Her bodyguards watched the room intently as she was dealt into the first hand.  She opened with a conservative bet and told herself that she'd take it slow.  She would fold if the first two cards weren't a pair, in sequence, or a face card.  The goal was to stay in as long as possible, wear them down ... she could do that, she hoped.

Having nipped out from the Coffee Shop at her park, Lushie made her way through Downtown, Detroit to the area where many types of foods were sold. She needed to get supplies for her establishment. She was a fan of keeping stuff as locally sourced as possible and supporting others within the network of families she was apart of.

She first went to a dairy shop where she stocked up on milk, eggs, butter, a variety of cheeses and ice cream. From there she walked to the bakery to pick up a few large bags of flour and many loaves of bread of many kinds. The baker was kind to give her a sack full of crumbs for her to put into small bags, for the ducks at her park, "Thank you very much" she said to him as she left the bakers to make her way to the greengrocers. Once there she picked up a selection of vegetables, salads and fruits for her pies and to make jams with for her cakes. She went around a few more places getting what she needed until finally, she made way to the butchers.

The butchers were run by a member of her family and it sold good quality of meats. She walked into the Motor City Butcher Shop and proceded to order a fair bit of deli meats for peoples sandwiches back at her cafe. She also ordered some bacon and sausages for it. She paid up what she owed there as she thanked the butcher, "Thank you very much, I will see you soon" she said as she left there to make her way back to the park with all that shopping, was lucky she had a few of her guards with her to help carry it all.

Yes a butcher shopt best place for the freshest meat, then also get the cut that you want of any meat they have. I was not sure if they had wild game like pheasant, but for sure the usual meat beef, chicken, and maybe veal and venison too. While I was in line, I was trying to decide what you buy and how much. Chicken fried steak sounded good. All I needed was some beef that I would pound down some, batter like you would chicken and fry it crispy and good. ( hence chicken fried steak)

I ordered enough for nthe whole family, but I would not bread it all, as some may not like that... so I ordered some for steaks and some to be made into the chicken fried steak. I looked over the meat before it was wrapped in paper, and paid my tab, already onto the rest of this meal everyone would be sure to love. I paused a minute to thank the butcher for his fine service. Cali runs many fine establishments, this one included.

Entering the seemingly innocent butcher shop, Felix's senses were immediately greeted by the pungent aroma of raw meat. The display cases showcased neatly arranged cuts, a facade that concealed the hidden dealings of the criminal underbelly. The air held an air of duality, the mundanity of a butcher's trade juxtaposed with the tension of secrecy.

As he exchanged pleasantries with the seemingly genial butcher, Felix's trained eyes scanned for subtle cues – a nod, a gesture – anything that would reveal the true nature of this establishment. Beneath the apron and friendly smile, he sensed an undercurrent of danger, a stark reminder of his past associations.

With an order placed, Felix lingered, studying the inconspicuous details that hinted at the illicit transactions conducted under this innocuous cover. The back room, hidden from view, whispered of a realm he had once inhabited – a world of codes and unspoken allegiances.

As the butcher handed over his package, Felix's gaze met his, a momentary exchange that conveyed more than words ever could. The atmosphere was charged with the unspoken understanding that their paths were entwined by more than just a simple transaction.

Exiting the butcher shop, Felix couldn't shake the mixture of nostalgia and unease that clung to him. The ordinary facade and the criminal underpinning formed a tapestry of contradiction, a stark reminder that, despite his legitimate endeavors, he couldn't fully escape the shadows of his past.