As Joy is getting ready for a big night on the town, the phone rings insistently on the desk beside her.  Looking slightly annoyed, she waits for Shini to answer it.  She watches the youthful looking male as he nods and grunts to the party on the other end.  He’s talking with his hands and becoming quite agitated as the conversation continues. Joy’s annoyance turns to laughter and she can tell the twinkle in her eye is not pleasing Shini in the least.  As he hangs up the receiver with a loud clang, he turns to Joy and fills her in.

We’re going to have to make a side trip first Joy.  I know you were counting on this being an easy transition with the old coot in the Godfather Office, but he is demanding a meeting with you now. That was Coltrane on the phone passing along the message.   Since ChelseaFuccello has left to be with FioUccello, I will go in her place.

There is real worry in Shini’s voice, and Joy’s always calm demeanor irritates the hell out of him.  She doesn’t show any excitement or anxiety no matter what is going on.

Okay, let’s get a move on it then.  Joy answers him back brightly, as if they were going to a circus instead of to a confrontation with the most important man is Seattle that could very likely end in her death.  Calmly she puts the finishing touches on her make up and dabs a little perfume on her pulse points.  She's dressed in a dashing black suit with a relatively short skirt, seamed stockings and a pair of black pumps.  She set a black cloche on top of her hair and scooted Shini toward the car. Just as they are leaving, Carnival enters the room and proposes to come along as well.  I guess the more the merrier, She giggles somewhat inappropriately.

Joy’s trusted bodyguard Ollie navigated the streets like a racecar driver, and if anything unnerved her it was that.  Having arrived in their destination in one piece, Joy saunters up the sidewalk with Shini & Carnival right on her heels.  A rather imposing gentleman answers the door, smiling one of those alligator smiles that Joy didn’t trust whatsoever.

I have been summoned by the Godfather, please tell him I have arrived.  These are my associates and they will be joining us.  Joy said with authority.  Her heart was racing, but you would never know it by looking at her.  She gave him a look that said don’t mess with me or there will be trouble and he escorted the entourage back to the inner office.

Joy darlin’, Oh, you brought your little friends, have a sit down.  I heard you’re sorta anxious to take over my position.  He glares at her with his steely eyes, and she knows in that instant that this isn’t going to go down easy.  She mindlesses gropes for her Baby Browning tucked surreptitiously inside her blouse.  When two more body guards appear out of nowhere, Shini and Carnival don’t hesitate to take care of them.  As they are fighting for their lives, Joy whips out the pocket pistol and shoot him quickly in the neck.    Well shit, Joy.  That was messy.  She thinks out loud.  He manages to throw a punch at her and she ducks in time not to get it directly in the jaw, instead he hits her shoulder.  Rather pissed off at this point, she shoots him six more times in the head.  Carnival and Shini look on in wonder, never having seen Joy show such ardent emotion.  When it’s all done and they are satisfied that he has expired, Joy sends for a crew of her most trusted people to clean up the place and dispose of the bodies.

Then she sinks into his chair and puts her feet up on the the desk.  Don Joy you did a good job.  Then it occurs to her that she is no longer just Don Joy.  She is God Mother Joy.  The God Mother of Ballard.  Then she smiles and gets out a bottle of the old guy’s Champagne and a few glasses.  They celebrate well into the wee hours of the morning.

"She finally made it this far, huh..." Carnival thinks to himself as his thought process went haywire going back and forth with all the reminiscing ever since he started this thing of ours along side Joy. A Bourbon in hand of course, without some alcohol this special night wouldn't be special.

After having some peace time, Carnival then decided to go near her Godmother.

"You finally made it this far, i am so very happy for you. Not many have had the privilege to be in your position. I'll try and help you as best as i can on my part and ease your work a little bit." Carnival puts on a faint smile as he finishes his words and then for this occasion presents Joy with an earrings box. Carnival then steps back and goes back to some more drinking.

Artie was sitting by the old bar, sipping an Irn Bru in his shell of a restaurant. The plans of a new bar, a kitchen and some tables in front of him. The phone in the corner goes and he watches old Jackie pick it up.

The old guy must be about a million years old with a face that had lived a thousand lives and was all he could hope for as a hostess...”he’s gonna like shit in a skirt” Artie thought.

All he could hear was the distorted crackle of the voice on the other end and Jackie going “Uh huh...uh huh...uh huuuuh” That was old man Petrullio at the butchers.

He’s calling to say not to go near his sausages for the next week or so. His son has been involved in some messy business with helping some shady guys out disposing of something but not to worry, the meat order for your mother will be fine.

Artie laughed. This old guy was calling old man Petrullio old he’s only about 60. Wait until he gets told that.

Ok Jackie. Do me a favour. Could you get me a selection of cold cuts and ciabatta from that deli round the way. I’m going to need to go see Joy. She’s gone up in the world and I should say congrats. Maybe her heels are taller or something but if it’s better news than that I need to be carrying something other than a cold

As he headed round to Joy’s snazzy looking place he got the sense that something big HAD happened so straightening his tie, removing his hat and unruffling his sleeves, he handed the food to Jackie and got ready to bend the knee.

Congratulations Godmother Joy