Shini and Joy sit on the portico of Joy's booming business, Bringing Joy to Seattle.  Joy is excited and could drone on forever, singing the praises of her left hand, Artie_Bucco.  How he has stepped up and exceeded her every expectation.  His passion for his work.  His absolutely amazing cuisine.  Shini humors her in every way, and Joy appreciates Shini like no other, but Artie deserves accolades.  He deserves something special. After deliberating over it for a very long time, she decides what her next step will be.

Shini?  She nearly shrieked at the short male.  Artie_Bucco has shown his loyalty in every way.  I couldn't ask for a more dedicated mafioso.  Ollie? she bellows to her trusted bodyguard.  She tells Ollie to bring her the phone and he drags the heavy metal contraption over to her table, nearly tripping on the cable that is attached to it.  She rings up Artie and tells him to get down to her office in an hour because she has business to discuss.  He arrives as instructed, looking flushed yet dapper in his best suit.  Joy rises to greet him and kisses him on both cheeks.

Artie_Bucco, you are a great asset to our family and I will always indebted to you.  A look of relief washes over him, yet he still looks a bit nervous. 

As a reward for all of your hard work and dedication, I have decided to make you the first Don of my crew.  How about that?

She lets the words sink in as she and Shini look to get his reaction.

Artie put the restaurant phone down.  He had been about to visit his bank manager to discuss spreading his meager wealth about to avoid suspicion.  Even though the man owed him money, you still had to look good for the bank manager so had taken care not to get flour on his suit. 

Despite the fast walk, his blood ran just that little bit colder and he could feel a shiver coming.  He wasn’t a big fan of surprises and as much as he liked Joy, being summoned to her office with a degree of urgency always got him nervous. 

Maybe she hadn’t enjoyed something at the restaurant.  He’d have thought she would have said at the time if that was the case.  As he wound his way up the stairs he paused for a couple of minutes to gather his composure, trying to let the redness subside from his cheeks and let his heartrate return to normal-ish but without complete success.

He walked slower up the last few steps and almost walked into Ollie.  You could never tell what was going on by his expression.  The brickwork of the local buildings gave more away than the stony look of silence

Just go inside Artie

Joy greets him and kisses him on the cheek.  His heart is still pounding in his chest.  He glances round the room to see Shini standing there as well. 

As a reward for all of your hard work and dedication, I have decided to make you the first Don fzzzz fzzzz fzzzz fzzzz

Something had suddenly happened to his hearing, it was like all blood had stopped flowing…or all his blood was in his ears.  Whatever it was Joy was beaming from ear to ear and mouthing something.  What should he say…WHAT SHOULD HE SAY…

Ummm…Joy, I am most humbled by this.  I do what I do because it is my pleasure to serve you and expect no reward in return.

Inside he could feel his heart pounding.  This was amazing and completely unexpected