Stepping down from the train’s passenger car and onto the concrete walkway, Nikolai inhaled deeply as he smiled broadly.  With the trip from his motherland, Russia, taking nearly a month to complete, he was now in his new home of Chicago, USA.  While the train car had been warm, the brisk air sent a chill through his body and reflexively, he pulled the collar of his worn brown jacket up around his neck.  Thinking to himself Mama, you provide me comfort even now as he pulls the stocking cap she had made him down over his ears.  With all of his possessions in the bag he now carries, he begins walking in the same direction as the crowd, taking in his surroundings. 

After a short distance, he sees an elderly man and asks “Sir, I sorry broke English.  I look Norwood Park.  Can you help?”  While he had perfect English, he had learned that people could be played more easily if they thought you were at a disadvantage.  The elderly man turned and replied “Yes son, while I can make this very confusing, here’s an easy solution.  See that tall building?”  With that, the man pointed off in the distance to a single large building.  “Continue past that building about a quarter of a mile and you will find Norwood Park.”  Shaking the man’s hand, Nikolai feels excitement motivate his quick gate as he begins his trek to the park and then to find Vlad.

An hour later, after reaching the park and then following the directions he had memorized from that landmark, he stands in front of a non-descript bar.  The business would appear to be closed, except for a small sign in the corner of a dark window that says “OPEN”.  Walking up to the door and turning the knob, Nikolai hears the click of the latch, confirming that the door is not locked.  Opening the doorway, a waft of cigarette smoke comes from within the dark entrance.  Stepping inside the room, his eyes begin to adjust as he notices that the room is completely quiet and he assumes unoccupied.  Then his eyes begin to adjust and he clearly sees he was wrong.  While a bartender stands behind a counter, there was a single group of men sitting around a table that is covered in drinks, poker chips and playing cards.  But one thing in common is that all action had ceased and everyone was staring at him.

Knowing he was being judged, he kept his chin high and walked over to the bartender and asked “I’m here to see Vlad.  Is he around?”  Without a verbal answer, he simply nods in the direction of the table of men.  Taking a deep breath to reinforce his resolve, he walks over to the men as they continue to watch and judge his movements.  Nikolai notices that some have strategically placed their hands in specific positions, which he assumed was in preparation to draw a weapon.  One was under the table, another was inside his coat, and yet another was down by his leg.  Speaking to the group “My name is Nikolai and I was told by Sergei to see Vlad upon arriving in Chicago”  Waiting and silently praying that he would not be killed, after several long seconds, one of the men speaks up “My name is Vlad.  How do you know Sergei?  And why would he tell you to look for me?”

Feeling relieved that he had survived thus far, Nikolai sees that the three of the five men go back to shuffling the cards and stacking chips.  But while the man that had questioned him continues to give him full attention, another of the men that has his hand hidden under the table also continues to stare.  Swallowing to get some moisture in his dry throat, he responds “Sergei is my grandfather.  Unfortunately, he passed away two months ago.  Prior to his death, he directed me to leave the motherland and come to Chicago, USA.  My grandfather said that you would help me get my feet on the ground and introduce me to the Bratva.”  As soon as the word Bratva was said, all five of the men instantly made a “Shhhhhhsssshhhhh” sound and then Vlad followed up with “Never say that name again dumbass.  Obviously your grandfather taught you no common sense.  Matter of fact, maybe I should just kill you now and end your misery.”

After a few seconds of glaring between the two, the other man pulls his hand out from under the table and sets a gun down on the table before saying “Marat, that is enough.  I apologize, but my friend here is also my protector.  But he is correct in the fact that you should never say the name of our private family unless you know everyone in the room.  My name is Vlad and I grew up with your grandfather.  I’m sorry to hear of his death.  He said you would be coming and I assisted with your paperwork to get you through customs.  He was very proud of you and wanted you to have a good life and that is why he sent you here.  But in all those letters, he never made mention that he was sick, so I hope his passing was quick.   Either way, it does not matter.  You’re here now.  You will start at the bottom and if you work hard, pay attention, and avoid getting yourself killed, I can promise you a bright future.”  Looking at Marat, he continued “Marat, take Nikolai down and get him some clothes, shoes, and a new coat.  That garage he’s wearing can just be thrown away.  Then take him down to our HQ and set him up with a cot in the backroom for now.”  Looking back at Nikolai, he continued “Once you get some cash in your pocket, you can get your own place to stay.  Until then at least you will have a dry and warm place to sleep at night.  Tomorrow, I have a job for you so get some rest.”

Filled with excitement once again, Nikolai smiles and takes the old man’s hand into both of his and kisses the back of it before saying “Thank you Vlad, I won’t let you down”.

Any sign of compassion is completely void from Vlad's face when he says “My debt to your grandfather is now paid in full.  If you fuck up this chance, I will personally kill you and send your fingers back to your Mama, one finger at a time.  This isn’t a game and if you pull another dumbass move, you’re dead.”  With that, Vlad pulls back his hand and lets it rest on the revolver to further drive home his message.

Every ounce of excitement is now replaced by anxiety as he saw the deadly cold side of his grandfather’s friend.  Turning to follow Marat, his mind wandered back to the motherland he had left behind and the smell of his mother’s cooking.  And then he imagined how devastated she would be to receive a package signifying his death.  With that, he committed to do whatever was asked of him to avoid any chance of breaking his Mama’s heart.  He was now part of the Secret Russian Mafia.