Louie never was much one for social events, or gatherings, or public meetings involving many people. Call him introverted, but he has always kept to himself, he had his own hustle going for him and he's happy right where he is. As a newcomer to the streets, he didn't have much pull, but folks in the Southside knew he name. From petty tip overs to felony jobs, all the way to organized crimes, Louie was into it all. Not to mention he had a hand in a lot of the narcotics market through Chicago.

One afternoon, Louie strolled through a local park from his neighbourhood. A few people waved, nodded, or shook hands with him depending how well they knew each other. Louie stopped at a picnic table and took a seat for a moment. 

He began to relax and took a look around him. He was more well dressed than most of the people in the park. Many appeared to be low or middle class residents with their children. He glared around at the playground and swingset and some of the children, playing happily and content as their parents watched on, many with a cigarette in hand enjoying their peace and quiet. Louie slipped a bundle of cash out of his jackets inner pocket and thumb through the leaves of cash, cash he collected earlier doing protection rounds in Klint's neighbourhood. He sliced a bit of cash off the top and stuck it into an envelope for crew taxes, and jammed the rest in his wallet.

He was living comfortably, that was for sure. He couldn't stop thinking about bigger business opportunities and how he would expand his earning to the next level. If he really wanted to make a name for himself, he knew he'd have to come up with something unique in a business that could prove to be a nice source of income. Louie always loved numbers, and he'd brainstormed to himself for a while about how he could make a numbers game into numbers in his bank account. He'd have a long way to go and knew he'd have to make friends with the right people and get some start-up capital. The excitement of the idea of a numbers racket of my own made my mind run circles upon the endless possibilities. I knew I wanted to start working towards this goal from now.

For right now Louie is content. He's accrued a net worth well into the millions and is still expanding, rapidly to boot. When you're living like this, they are supposed to hate. He's hard-working and has future goals for fame and fortune. He knew if he continued to work hard he might make his mark in Chicago, or maybe all of Illinois. Maybe even within the entire central region. But this is all for the future and it was time to focus on the present.

Louie snapped out of his daydream after some time had passed. He stood from the park bench, popped a smoke in his mouth and lit it. He shoved his hands down his pockets and lowered his gaze as he continued down the pathway.

It had been a hell of a day. Lordian had almost broke his hand on that one guy's face earlier, but everything was fine now. The Godmother hadn't left him any business and he caught up on his paperwork, which meant he had some time for himself. He decided he was going to go for a walk in the park. It was nice out, if a bit late in the afternoon, but the fresh air would do both him and his hand some good.

He made his way through the park and noticed a gentleman there, dressed closer to his style than to the style of those who frequented the park normally. He did not recognize him, but knew he must have been from one of the families in Chicago based on how comfortably he found himself walking around.

Time to make an acquaintance.

He approached the man and stopped just a few feet away.

"Hello sir, I don't believe we've met. My name is Lordian, might I inquire as to who you work for?"

Farther along the pathway, Louie had stopped by a small flowerbed to admire the flora. He continued to enjoy the cigarette, fresh breeze, and sunlight he had been before, until his momentary bliss was halted. A voice from over his shoulder called out;

"Hello sir, I don't believe we've met. My name is Lordian, might I inquire as to who you work for?"

Yeah, the name rung a bell. Though we had never met I certainly heard of him. This was Lordian, the same Lordian who is Marie Lucania's right hand man. How very bold of him, to speak about this thing of ours so openly... Nevertheless, I'd be suicidal or a nutjob to not oblige. If a Lucania boss tells you to jump, you shut your mouth and respond, "How high?"

I exhaled the excess from my cigarette, and gave the dart and affirmative flick into the grass before unsheathing my hands from their pockets.

"Mr. Lordian, it's an honor. You don't know of me yet, but my name is Louie Canicatti."

*I'd extend a hand out to shake*

"Paul Klint sponsored me and welcomed me into his crew. If you have a while, come sit by the shade with me and we can speak more."

Lordian shook the mans hand as he extended it and cracked a smile. It was always nice to see someone open up and not just shut down right away.

"I've got all the time in the world, I hope I'm not interrupting you. I was just out for a bit of a stroll myself and you mister Canicatti stick out like a sore thumb in this park."

He took a seat on a nearby bench and glanced around the park. It was still a cool day, for which Lordian was eternally grateful. If there was one thing he hated, it was heat. He stayed away from most of the West Coast because of that, Seattle was nice though.

"So, you say I don't know of you yet? That would imply that I will soon, got big plans do you mister Canicatti? I like big plans, so long as they go off without a hitch. I just hope you don't land yourself in too much hot water along the way."

I slung my jacket off and folded it neatly on the seat beside me before sitting with Lordian. I figure what I say or do should be focused on trying to maintain a good impression. So, I figured I'd bite.

"Well, for starters, there is no need for formalities with me from a man such as yourself, Lordian. Just call me Louie."

I let out a breath and tried to formulate what I'd say next.

"I say you don't know of me yet because it was simply true, I'm sure you hadn't heard about me, lest you wouldn't ask. That said, if I said I didn't have plans it would be a lie. Take a look around, Lordian. You see all these people. Some maybe hard working, 4 person families enjoying their Saturday in the park. Some on government subsidies and welfare cheques. Hell, take a look over there, that fella is even driving an S-Class!"

"Here's the point I'm getting at. Whether you're on one side of the law, or the other, there is a chain, a hierarchy like we see in front of us in these civilians. Now, I wasn't raised a dummy. I know that no matter what part of the chain you are on in any circumstance, progression is the same. Doesn't matter if you're dirt broke, or filthy rich. I am personally quite high on that chain, in the bigger picture. Sure, I'm definitely not in the category of the %2, like yourself, but I'm up there. Now my issue is that once you get 'up there' the gap between wealth milestones get's much wider. To clear this width, I can't stick to my everyday hustle's and routines, because compared to my bottom line, they don't make a dent in my net worth. To answer your question, yes, I have plans. What they are or what they will become is up to me now."

Lordian nodded. The man made sense, he had seen it for himself.

"You're right about that, it's going to be up to you, but you should know one very important thing. There are people around who are here to help you. You're not alone in all of this. No matter what side you might find yourself on."

He gestured to one of the men walking through the park.

"If he ever came to me with a problem, I would do my best to help him. I don't know him from Adam, but I got into this knowing that I would one day have the means to help people get out of what troubles they found themselves in. That goes for you too."

He crossed his ankles and leaned back into the bench some.

"So tell me, any plans you need help pulling off?"

Louie leaned back and folded his arms to the table, thinking of what he'd say at this moment.

"Well...I've always been good with numbers. I've been thinking of ideas of how I could start a lottery racket and how it could be profitable and potentially a fun event for select individuals, men like ourselves. Start-up cost isn't too much, would need a legal "front" to cover it up...perhaps the betting could be held in the backroom of said front."

The thoughts bubbled in his head but for now he pushed back the thought

"I'm at the grindstone with the ideas, I don't want to get into anything without the proper research and knowledge on lottery mechanics before starting anything concrete. I also have plans on moving up in this thing of ours, I'll roll with my crew chief the whole way up the chain."

Lordian nodded.

"I've seen some things like that around this life in the past, but nothing coordinated that I've been a part of yet. I'd really love to see something blossom out of that idea. You're right, the bankroll wouldn't be too hard to come up with, and logistically it would be pretty tight to run, you just gotta grease a couple of palms, send up the right size cut to your supervisors and you should be golden."

He looked into the sky and watched as darker clouds began to roll in.

"I don't like the look of those clouds. I'm going to head into a building soon enough and keep my head dry, but listen, if you ever need anything you stop by Marie's HQ and ask for me, they'll let you through, or at least bring me out."

He chuckled as he stood and shook Louie's hand as a goodbye.

"I'll see you again soon enough I expect mister Canicatti."

Louie jumped up out of his seat and took a look in the sky.

"I think I'll do the same thing. Mr. Lordian, it's been a pleasure meeting you here and hearing your advice, I'll be sure to get in touch with you more if the idea comes blossoms. Until then, farewell is due.

Louie scooped up his jacket and slipped it on, adjusting and flattening it to his chest. He glanced back at Lordian.

Where'd you park? I'm over in the main lot, if you'd care to walk back with me. 

Lordian shook his head.

"I don't park, I walk. Chicago isn't that big a place if you're willing to take a trolley once in a while."

He smiled and started walking in the same direction as Louie.

"Doesn't mean I won't accompany you back to your vehicle though. I quite enjoy the conversation."

Louie and Lordian continued their small chatter on the way back to the lot, where they both halted besides Louie's car.

"Well, Lordian, it's been a ball. I'd offer you a ride back to the Lucania Compound, unless you'd prefer to walk. On second thought, I may get in touch with you if my family opens the books and I get inducted, at that time I think there will be lots more to talk about."

Louie clicked the unlock button and sent a friendly wave Lordian's way before stepping into his S550.