The barman handed Louis a bottle of the whisky he had just ordered.

“A gift from your friend over there.” pointing towards the thug sitting with Heinrich.

Louis glanced over as Heinrich shook his head almost imperceptibly to allay his concerns and drank his whisky.

The problem now, having had the Gato stuff, that anything and everything paled into insignificance and was either too rough or too weak.  He looked at the bottle, fifteen years old should be quite palatable and to be fair, it was certainly drinkable yet lacked a certain character.

Heinrich stood up and walked out, Louis giving him a nod as he left.  Louis stood up, picked the bottle up and walked over to stand beside the generous young man.  In his head Louis felt like a young man himself but here was a confident young hoodlum making him feel a little on the comfortably mature side.

“Thank you for your generosity.  I am Louis Mezzo.  I don’t believe I’ve had the pleasure.”

Joe tensed as Louis came to stand next to him, it seems that the barkeep wanted to fucking tell people that he was a generous little bastard, he did not need that kind of stuff getting out. He sighed, knowing that there was no use in arguing over spilled milk, instead he drank his bourbon cautiously before looking to the man of honor from the corner of his eye. He wondered if Louis had known his brother or nephew if he did, he did not recognize him. Something that he was glad for, he was kind of tired that the connection was made with people that he did not have the pleasure to know. 

"It's no problem, in times like this, people believe God will let up and give them an escape. The escape, in this case, would be booze Mr. Mezzo."

He teased with an arched eyebrow, turning his head with a smirk to study the man in front of him, he did not seem like anything special. Actually, neither did he. He was not a man of honor, he was a businessman and yet his life involved people like this and that was something that he did not mind at all. He welcomed it even, not to the extent of killing someone, but enough that he would be willing to help them out in a time of need. 

"Ah, I'm Joseph or Joe Pavanno. It's a pleasure to meet you Mr. Mezzo, I do believe you and yours have been wandering around these streets a little more since you got my letter. It seems that South Philadelphia and its city of lively entertainment is indeed threatened by our pipsqueak district."

Joe found himself quoting the words of Louis before raising his glass in cheers and taking a sip, he did find himself drinking more often as the people of Philadelphia seemed to wander from place to place.

Louis remained standing while Joey sat and introduced himself.  It brought him to mind of a quote where good manners will open doors that the best education cannot.  When did it become the done thing to not even stand, most people’s buttocks were overused and their minds underused.  That was the point where Louis ascertained that young…he’d rarely used young as a pejorative before…Pavanno here was little more than a big mouth on legs.

“Master Pavanno, business takes me to Detroit less occasionally than other cities to be sure however the presence of myself or any of my associates here is probably more symptomatic of the trading routes and practices we have established than as a response to your….letter.”

Louis sat down placing the bottle on the table and looking Joey in the eye.

“Knew a Pavanno once, it’s not a common name really is it?  Unlike a Smith.  Or a Jones.  How’d you get mixed up in this sort of thing anyway?”

"So, I'll be a little bit here with you then." He says to SilviaCorvo before quickly heading to the booze counter and grabbing a bottle of whiskey, he grabs it then heads back to the table, he opens it and takes a long sip while sitting down in front of her.

"I never got the chance to ask you that." He grabs a cigarette from his jacket and lit one, he takes a drag then pulls another ashtray closer to him. "What brings you to Detroit?" He says, curious.

Frank was there on business and he wanted to congratulate KennyRusso on getting bumped up and meet some kid named Joey_Pavanno.  Frank was hoping to see his Uncle Joe at the bar but he knew his uncle owned most of Detroit and could be anywhere.  Frank looked at the joint then thought about his old business partner Mael.  Mael was the little brother Frank always wanted but never got.  He cried when the news hit him that Mael was gone.  Frank fly to LA and took Mael's body and had the funeral director work all his magic to make Mael presentable.  He didn't want Mael's mother to see him that way.  Frank was torn by the way they massacred his boy.  

Frank heard great things about KennyRusso and Jeoy_Pavanno.  He wanted a formal introduction to both men and was hoping a mutual friend would come by the bar and make that happen.  Frank himself didn't know either man nor what they looked like.  He heard Joey was somewhat like Mael but he doubted that.  Mael was brash and smart.  Mael was down to earth and funny he was always about money and handling business.  He was like Frank only younger and they took his adopted kid brother away.  

Frank stood at the bar hoping he would hear someone say their name so he could know what they looked like.  Ordering a beer he lit a cigarette and exhaled slowly not caring anbout a thing other than business.

Gaetano enters the bar and takes a good look around. A nice place, in a strange way. That was the first time he was visiting the bar since he moved to Detroit. As usual, a cigarette was hanging from his lips.

He recognized several figures in the place, including his cousin, the Uncle Joe's caporegime, KennyRusso. Since Uncle Joe had delegated a part of the Corktown territory to Kenny and his crew, Gaetano started working closely to his cousin. There was a lot of work to do and they just had to put their differences aside as much as possible.

Gaetano was one of those street kind of guys. Persuasive, strong, it was in the streets he used to make most of his money. He hated the idea of ​​being stuck in an office dealing with paperwork, although sometimes it was really necessary. Well, necessary or not he always tried to avoid that.

The day had been one of those busy days at the streets, making some collections for Kenny. The best way to relieve stress would be by drinking something, so, here was Gaetano.

He went to the bar and sat right there. Asked for a whiskey and started to drink, slowly, enjoying some time alone.

Joe smirked as he brushed his hair back, he could tell that Louis Mezzo did not think much of him, he probably did not like him. He could see the look in his eyes, he had underestimated him. He clearly thought that he talked a big game and yet he did not have the balls to back it up, he found it amusing that someone who did not know had already judged him in the first second. He wondered if he could get the gentleman to ease up, yet he knew that it would not be possible. A Godfather, whether acting or full-time was not one to let their guard down.

"Right you are Mr Mezzo, the name of a Pavanno is not one of common association. It is a name that goes back to the Old Country and the time of the honoured society."

Joe took a sip of his bourbon before pondering on how to answer the other statements that LouisMezzo had spewed out, the man was certainly not stealth or a person who hid his intent, he was blunt and went easy about the situation. He knew that he could use this to his advantage, he continued to look ahead as Louis looked at the side of his head, knowing that the man was waiting for an answer at the very least.

"Hm, who said I was involved with the life? I am but a mere business partner of Mr Ligambi and his Vice-Presidents, Ms Ferrari and Mr Russo. We are after all, not a criminal enterprise Louie."

He finally turned around, giving Louis his attention knowing that giving this amount of diserespect towards a Godfather was a surefire way to be buried six feet under.

"And I am sure that you knew many Pavanno's in your lifetime, trust me, you should feel lucky to have met them."

Having done many of errands during the early parts of the day, Auriel has decided it was high time she stopped for a little bit. Where many would still be nursing self-inflicted hangovers from the night before, she herself could feel a bit of a head cold approaching and she did not have the luxury of just sleeping it off. She had many things to do over the current days to prove to her boss her worth as a hard grafter, someone who doesn't fall down so easily, especially with just the sniffles.

She was in Detroit walking around the districts when she spotted a bar, The Russo's Bar! She decided that she will step inside to have a drink. "Maybe this will help ward off this blasting cold" she muttered to herself as she approached the establishment and made her way in. She ensured the security she was of no problem, only wish for a quiet drink at the bar and she would be on her way.

In she went and up to the bar, waited her turn to be greeted and served, she didn't have to wait long before she was welcomed and asked what she would like. "Double of your finest whiskey please," she said in a husky voice, not akin to her normal voice. She blushed as she sniggered to herself as she wondered if hairs were about to sprout on her chest. 

The drink came sliding down the bar as she placed some money onto the bar top with a healthy tip. She picked up the glass and downed the whiskey in one, "Oh wow" she said as she placed the glass back down, instantly realising she was beginning to sound more herself. "I'll have another double please," she said to the bartender, for the process to repeat. She finished up and thanked the bartender for his services, "That was great, maybe I need to acquire a little man flu more often to come back" she joked as she got up from the stool and made her way back out onto the streets of Detroit.

Having stepped off the plane following his six hour flight Mangler was able to stretch out walking down the streets of Corktown, the area was unfamiliar to him and he enjoyed the sensation of being somewhere new, somewhere to dip his fingers into. Having met KennyRusso in Chicago following a lovely evening with Rain and family Mangler was keen to head to the bar that Kenny mentioned in passing and what better time to do it than when Mangler was looking for business. 

He struggled to find it rather than ask for direction like any normal person, Manglers hard headedness shone through and he continued to walk around trying to find it. Fortunately the weather had held up which meant he was able to walk the street and almost enjoy the freedom of not having any appointments. Soon after he saw Auriel walk down an alleyway to which Mangler thought led no-where, following her down the alleyway like a lion stalks its prey Mangler saw her walk into the bar and grinned, clearly this was the spot. 

Walking in the cloud of smoke hit Mangler first, then the sweet smell of alcohol like it was stuck to the walls, this was his kind've place, watching the girl order up a round and then another, he took his time approaching the bar ordering his round before his eyes locked onto Frank-Cali and he grinned. Slapping the man on the back Mangler exclaimed "Frank my man; fancy bumpin' into you here. You Mister Russo 'round here yet? I'm hopin' to bump into the guy." Mangler sipped his glass, noticing that Frank was nearly out and waved at the bartender to bring him another one.

Out of the corner of his eye he spots Joey speaking to the two fellers from Philly, one of them being a Godfather and queries what the topic of conversation would be with a scratch of his chin.

Logen has taken the call from Lynchy earlier in the day. The message was clear. Meet him at Ruso's place 7PM sharp.

Say one thing for Logen Ninefingers say he was running late.

He has been searching for the entrance to the place for around 5 minutes. He was pissed off. The weather was poor & his spirits were becoming as damp as the sidewalk.

Logen spots some shady characters walking down a dark alley & decided to investigate. He sticks to the shadows & follows them down a flight of stairs into what appears to be a shithole, sparse decoration & tables towards the wall.
He decides against a drink incase he needs a clear head for business later. He walks to an unoccupied table & pulls up a chair. Logen settles in to wait for Lynchy to arrive.

It was impossible to say what Joey_Pavanno’s motivation was.  Ninety nine percent of people would look someone in the eye when talking to them and those that didn’t couldn’t often be trusted.  Unless there was a lazy eye involved and it was hard to tell which eye to look at or who they were talking to in a group.  Louis had always considered himself to be quite accommodating and always tried to see the best in people even if it was only initially but this Pavanno was an odd bird.

It now wasn’t about respect, it was just down to manners.  There seemed to be an entitled arrogance about the man that wasn’t easy to warm to….the name Joey Peacock started bouncing about his head.  Finally, at the point Louis was about to just get bored by the arrogance Joey finally turned round.

“So was Charlie your brother, your cousin or what?”

The two had a very similar conversational style he felt, where Charlie was the life and soul...Joey...not so much yet.

Louis hadn’t really meant anything by wondering what he had got mixed up in but the Olympian sized conclusion leap seemed to be a little bit of protesting too much.

“I’m intrigued that you would know to contact me if you weren’t mixed up in some form of shenanigans.  I mean, I took the liberty of checking out the railroad invoices before I headed up here and your name doesn’t appear on any of them.  We don’t do much in the way of business up here quite yet.”

Louis took a drink.

“Anyway, while I’m here is there anything you can do for me?”

"Charlie was - well - he was an expectation for me. I can see it in your eyes, I saw it in the eyes of half your people. They don't see me Mr. Mezzo, they never will, for I am a face that they recognize. Only, it is not for my very own looks, which get me by if I say so myself. It is for that of my brother, The Cat, Charles Pavanno. Left-Hand to Joe Adonis, Don under Jack Mezzo, and killed in a brutal war that consumed nearly half of Philadelphia, Detroit, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, and killed a Godfather in Chicago."

He sipped his bourbon, looking at the drink that his whole family was seemingly fond of, he never understood why Pavanno blood seemed to be attracted to such a drink. Perhaps they just enjoyed the feeling of the burn, reminding themselves that they were not immortal or would live forever, they were target practice for the next ambitious fuck that wanted to bring about a new regime.

"If you want me to put in Biological terms, Charlie is my half-brother. He is, well, was a thorn in our side back home. Our mother wanted him to come home, I wanted him to stay where he was, he did not belong with us and I insisted that he belonged here, with you people. I guess I did not know what I had Mr. Mezzo for a while until I received news that he was dead, it's a sobering reality, one that I did not choose but was thrust into my lap like a gift."

He looked around, noticing how people of Detroit and other cities seemed to be flocking to the bar like people who had not had their first drop of liquor in a year, he would have laughed, yet he did not have that strength within him. Louis mentioning his brother had brought him back to where he did not need to be. 

"My brother left a manuscript, he wanted to be remembered, he had written a lot on his life. A lot of seemed to be from his experiences, he always talked in riddles and I would love to know how he ascended to such a position. The manuscript was how I knew of you, it mentioned his Casino and the newest kid waving the South Philly flag proudly, the son of the Godfather, LouisMezzo."

He took a sip of his bourbon before raising his eyebrow curiously, wondering what exactly this man needed to be done from a man of Detroit? 

"Would you not have your own people for that? I find it a bit suspicious that you would need me to do that for you. If I can make a little cash from it. I'll see if I am available for something that you need doing. 

Heartless went throw long day of work and preparations to open some shops, he needed to take little break and have a drink to relax, he walked throw the streets when he found The Russo's Bar!.

He walked inside while he taking off his jacket as he was feeling hot after what his work, he took a seat and asked for any cold drink that is available while he put some papers infront of him to finish them while he enjoy his drink.

He saw some familiar faces around and big names in the country having their drinks, but he wanted to stay away from attention to finish what he have as fast as possible to get back to his work.

The young woman continues to listen to KennyRusso, and he is a very kind man. She did not consider his point before, that the bar would mostly have alcohol, but the woman should indeed visit a bakery instead for the next time if she hopes to find drinks which are more to her liking. Nonetheless, he brings her some snacks and a soda to which she smiles.

''Thanks... and I do indeed plan to visit this place more often in the future, but arranging with the bakery just for me? That is not necessary even if I appreciate it a lot you know'' she laughs a bit and starts to eat some of the snacks now. Very slowly though, just taking her time and enjoying it while watching the people around her.

Rayne found herself in Detroit today, really it was a layover back to Philadelphia but she had quite some time until her next flight. She really wasn't in the mood to wait around the airport for half the day nor did she wait to sight see. Figuring the best way to pass some hours was to grab a drink or two or more, depending on her mood.

Taking a cab from the airport, the driver dropped her off at one of the more well known places in Detroit. Now she took his word for it as she really had no clue. As long as they had liquor, really that's all that mattered. Walking up to the door she glanced and read the sign above it Russo's Bar. Bar, that meant booze. It was just the place she wanted to be at. 

Rayne pushed the door opened, as all eye fixated on her for that moment. The place was actually quite busy for this time of the day, was a bit shocking to her. It was a good thing though, hopefully she'd be able to have a drink and a conversation with someone. If not at least she'd still have her drink.

Finding her way to the bar, she sat down at the first empty seat she could find. A seat which happened to have an empty seat on each side of it. It didn't take long for someone to greet her.

"Can I have gin martini, with extra olives."

Roger stumbles through the front door and rushes to the bar, he really needed a drink today.

"Give me the strongest you got, and leave the bottle buddy."

He waits in excitement to see what the strongest they got is.

After spending some time with SilvaCorvo, Kenny finally gets back to work, he gets up and gets some orders ready and delivers them. He gets up and heads for the bar and takes a big bottle of whiskey, he sees Mangler having a conversation with Frank-Cali and Kenny don't want to bother then, so he just nods at both and sends them a smile. They had a awesome dinner some days back where Kenny suddenly disappeared. By disappear - passed out on his room. He takes a seat at the couch and takes a look around and see a lot of people enjoying their drinks and company, he can't help it but smile. He thinks a bit about the Russo's Bar in Philly and how abandoned it should be after Anthony died, he plans on visiting there and fixing the place to be up and running again.

Kenny takes a long sip of his bottle as he sees RayneMartini walking in, he stares a bit then waits for her to take a seat, when she does, he gets up and walks slowly towards her, with the bottle in hand. He asks what she wants and she orders a gin martini with extra olives, he nods then goes to the booze counter to mix the drinks. He finished and grabs a handful of olives and places it on a plate, he goes back to Rayne and delivers her order.

"Hope you enjoy it, ma'am. Anything you need just call me, I'll tend to the other costumers."

He walks over to the bar and notices Kinky_Roger there, he asked for the strongest thing he got and Kenny already knows what. He grabs a Brazilian Corote and places it in front of him.

"I had a friend who lived in Brazil, this is the strongest thing I ever drank. It's worse than gasoline. Good luck brother"

Roger smiles at Kenny before raising the bottle.

"Thanks brother, bottoms up."

Roger starts drinking from the bottle like it's the end of the world, knowing that when he wakes up the next day he shouldn't remember a thing.

The walk through the dark alleyway always gave J-Love chills, he wasn't afraid of the dark but rather what could be lurking in the darkness, he always moved quickly and kept a hand on his gun when visiting Russo's Bar. At last he could see the blinking sign above the stairs leading down to the bar, he moved quickly and once down the stairs he knocked the door three times and within seconds the door opened and a large man greeted and allowed him entry.

Once inside J-Love heads straight over to the bar, on route he looks around briefly and notices some familiar faces to the bar, he greets them with a nod and a smile, at the bar J-Love orders his usual.

"Whiskey please sir, and a round for the bar, we're celebrating my Made Man promotion."

ÖonelyWolf walks in for some moments in peace and some drinks and maybe to talk a bit with they who were here right now

"A whiskey thx and something to chew on too thanks"

His eyes wanders around and they spot some characters and raise the glas to them in honor.