It was warm night in September. After the move to L.A. i was making sure to get stuff inline and have my hand in a few things that would profit the family. The sunset strips lights I was cruising on in that same '32 rolls royce phantom had given the relocation a nice home feel like I had in Vegas. After spending years in Las Vegas I knew the ins and outs of the casino life and being the number one supplier of booze helped but now it was Hollywood. I knew as soon as I heard the news about L.A. I had to have my hand in the movie business. I was on my way down the strip to Orlins new pawn shop he had just opened here in L.A. to pick him up so we could go make some offers that couldn't be refused to a local director, casting agent, and a actor who had been working on a new movie. The three were suppose to be having a meeting at the studio to discuss the script.  After having already made several trips to L.A. prior to the move I had good idea for how these yuppie Hollywood types are and sometimes they need that extra persuasion so knowing someone may have to "take a vacation" had me thinking about my first kill back in 1919.

My best friend at the time had been Anthony Cuzzeto. Him and I had both been from the same small town in Pennsylvania but this town was was on the uprise of becoming booming little place called Pittsburgh. All the steel work had slowed down pretty much to a halt at this time though but that was nothing for Anthony seeing how his dad was in charge of the steel yard for a certain family. Now see Anthony was an Italian American his family roots date back hundreds of years in Italy and his dad had good dealings and arrangements with certain organizations. Myself, I'm just some dumb Pollock who had a knack for the hard dirty work.

Pulling up to Orlins Pawnshop I noticed Orlin locking up for the night. "perfect timing" I thought I noticed Orlin had his long coat on. Now see, when Orlin has his long coat on he either has his sawed off shotgun or his Thompson under it ready. After explaining to Orlin what we was doing tonight and who we was doing it to i got back to thinking about that day in 1919 where I received a certain reputation.

One day leaving the steel yard Anthony and I had got real cleaned up and dressed good for a "friends of Anthony's dads" party that night. To my surprise, I, a pollock got invited to a full Italian affair. To be honest, I was nervous. I'm an outsider which was even weirder but Anthony told me his father asked for me specifically so fuck it, figured i would go.

I remember showing up with Anthony and his dad feeling like the odd man out. Walking into the restaurant the number of men in expensive suits was unreal. Some of the guys i seen around the steel yard others only knew through reputation but i knew these men were of importance to Anthony's dad, Pauly Cuzzeto.

After driving some time in silence Orlin asked what was going, if everything was okay. I looked at Orlin and asked him if he was full blooded Italian. Orlin replying "yes" made me smile thinking about Anthony's dad. Keeping my eyes on the road i said to Orlin "you are doing well in this thing of ours really busting your ass. I expect you to continue to rise. You know how hard it is for a pollock?" i asked Orlin who just looked at me without replying. "Alot of work my friend a lot of work indeed. Youll get there." beginning to get close i got back to thinking about Anthony's dad Pauly.

Sitting there in the restaurant exclusively filled with wise guys. I was alone, Anthony had gotten off to somewhere talking with a few people. After a few moments Pauly came to me saying "Richard come with me." Ill admit I was thinking "oh shit" while i followed Pauly up the stairs of the restaurant coming to a long hallway. Pauly stopped me mid way down the hall and looked at me with a face of serious I've never seen before and said "now look here I like you kid l, you and my boy been friends alls yous lives I know youve saved his ass from being kicked a few times and i know youve helped him complete the things I've asked of him. Youve been to my home, you ate my food, and youve stayed under my roof countless times. I look at you as my son as well. You got this coldness about ya boy like you got nothing to lose and everything to gain. I like that, wish Anthony had that. Now Im going to introduce you to someone, hes going to ask a favor of you and it will be up to you on how this decision affects your life. After this meeting boy you forget you ever met this man, you forget what he looks like, and the favor he's asked you understand me?" I remember some how keeping calm and giving Pauly a simple nod.

Pulling up to the studio Orlin and I made our way into the office space heading to the main office two floors up. Heading up them steps behind Orlin who actually had his sawed off twelve gauge under his jacket now had it out and ready. The closer to the third floor we got. The more excited I got. Seems weird, but I was about to be in the movie business. It wasn't me being nervous but walking through that door was a similar feeling to following Anthony's dad, Pauly, through the door at the end of the hall.

Following Pauly through the wooden door we were introduced by 1 man sitting behind a beautiful redwood hand crafted desk puffing on a cigar as the smoke cloud fogged the room. "Sal this Richard Kuklinski, the boy I was telling ya about" pauly said as he took a seat to the side. "You know who I am boy?" the old man asked me with his deep Italian accent. "Yes sir." I replied."HAHAHAHA" the old man began to laugh followed by "Sir? Boy take yourself a seat." I took my seat opposite of Sal. "Here's the deal boy, I'm Salvatore Loretti, and for years I've been hearing your name. Pauly tells me you work at the steel yard beating hot metal all day and then even go out with Anthony doing jobs for us. I like that and appreciate that especially with you not even being blood. Thats impressive. Pauly said you were open to "harder" work for us."

Walking into the office abruptly caught the attention of the director, casting agent, and actor. "Who the fuck are you?" the Director yelled out but he quickly went quite when Orlin put the twelve gauge to his head. I walked in calmly taking my seat at the table that the 3 were at. Noticing the script right there i grabbed it placing it in front of me. "I'm Richard this here is my good friend Orlin" I said pulling my 1911 out and setting it on top of the script. "You see fellas I plan to take over this studio here and since your three gentleman are the best around here I plan to offer you three a simple deal. I want sixty percent of everything" I said lighting a cigarette waiting calmly for any type if reaction. "Sixty percent of what?" the actor asked. "Sixty percent of everything, meaning salaries, ticket sales, and any other profit made. Oh, you will also film what I say and cast who I tell you too" I replied calmly. "YOUR OUT YOUR FUCKING MI-" the casting agent tried to say but before he could finish I pulled up that 1911 and blew his brains out his head. Setting the pistol back on the script i took a drag off my cig then said "like i said, casting who I say". Pulling that trigger just now made think of that favor asked from Sal.

After Sal asked for a favor I remember looking to Pauly with a slight look of confusion. I looked back to Sal and said to him "Yes sir, whatever you need." boy did Sal like that he took a big puff off his cigar and chuckled a little. "You ever kill someone before" Sal asked. "No" i replied not showing much emotion. "But could you boy? If i put a fucking gun in your hand right now and tell you to kill whoever will you do it?" Sal yelled asking me. I remember all the shit running through my head thinking about life and death thinking about murder on a moral ground. After a split second of thought, I looked at Sal Loretti and simply said "Yes" as calm as ive ever said it. "Good he said Pauly has a package for ya good meeting ya kid i expect this done as soon as possible"  I stood from my seat and was about to leave with Pauly when Sal Loretti stood extending his hand to an outsider. Shaking this old mans hands i could tell he ain't worked in many years other than counting his money. Leaving the room, taking a grasp on the fact I just met the most powerful man in Pittsburg. Pauly handed me a envelope "good choice in there here tuck this in you coat" he said. " you have a piece kid?" he said asking me if i had a gun. Of course I said no. He reached into his suit pulling out and handing me a mk4 38. revolver, my first ever pistol. "You need to go take care of this right now and leave Anthony here this has to be done clean. You understand?" Pauly asked. Leaving the restaurant i remember faintly Anthony hollering my name as I walked by him like a shadow.

"So do we have deal?" I asked the actor and director... "Its just too much" the director said quivering his words in fear. "To much" I said chuckling, i pinned the directors hand to the table flat. He began to squirm but Orlins sawed off kept him at bay. I reached down pulling out my boot knife that was as sharp as a razor. I took a slight glance at the actor who was shitting himself in fear and then cut the directors pinky off he instantly cried out in pain. "Is all this worth a measly sixty percent?" I said looking at the actor with a chilling grin. "Deal" the actor said stuttering his words. The director still just crying in pain managed to agree to terms through the suffering of pain. "Someone will be down first thing tomorrow with contracts. Be sure to sign them." I said before leaving the office just as calmly as I walked in. Reaching the street I told Orlin to drive as I got in back seat to relax and enjoy my new business adventure. I lit another smoke as Orlin drove my phantom back to his pawn shop and just relaxed and got back to thinking about my first hit.

So as i was leaving the restaurant. I opened the envelope to find a piece of paper with a name of "Gregorio Contie" then under his name an address "Twenty first and Smallman Streets". "A Boss?" i remember thinking to myself "they want me to take out a FAMILY BOSS?". Looking at the paper and saying to myself "fuck it" I recognized the address sure enough and got a cab to twentieth street just a block away. I was walking up the street when I saw Gregorio getting into his car. Before he could start the car i came up behind and shot him 4 times with that .38 through the driver window and instantly took off running. They never did catch me or even suspect me since I had no real blood ties. I still don't know the reason behind that hit. I just knew after this, there would be more "favors" would be called on in the future.

When Richard said he wanted me to assist him I agreed. I was getting a little bored and needed some action. He picked me up and told me what the game plan was. I smiled as we pulled away.

The Rolls-Royce Phantom was a pleasure to drive back to my shop. As Richard sat in the back relaxing, I stepped on the accelerator.  "Damn! I have to buy me one of these." I said over my shoulder, Richard's laugh was his only reply.

I pulled up in front of my shop, left the motor running and got out holding the door open. Reaching into my coat pocket, I grabbed a flask out and took a swig. As Richard was getting out of the car I handed him the flask. He took a long drink from it and gave it back to me. "So your a movie producer now?" I chuckled, "Going all Hollywood." Richard smiled at that as he got behind the wheel, "Thanks for the help tonight Orlin." he said. "Anytime. That was very entertaining." I replied as I shook his hand before closing the door. When Richard drove away I decided to go fine someplace to eat. Extortion always makes me hungry.