Business…  It was always all about the business.  Business to grow your family, to grow your city, to keep your mayor and Godfather happy…  The business was what they were always about.  And it was the business that kept the young ferret up late into the night.  There were many more things that weighed upon the ferret’s mind, more things than one likely would imagine ever weighed upon any similar mind.  Then again, Ellie never had been a standard ferret.  But this was not a story about Ellie…  But about Chicago. 

Oh Chicago…  Crazy Chicago…  This city was dearly beloved to her and all those that chose to reside within.  It was these people who resided here that truly held the heart of the black and white furred Don.  Chicago was booming, growing, and flourishing.  She smiled as she allowed herself a moment to think on this.  These were usually the thoughts she allowed herself to dwell upon.  These and just how to make this city even better.

Tonight there was a darker matter that weighed upon her mind…  One of those who had become so very close to her had fallen ill…  Very ill…  Any of her Beloveds would have her care and concern in a case such as this, but something about the nature and sudden severity of the situation vexed the young ferret even worse.  So it became necessary to take some fairly drastic measures…  Her city could not be allowed to fall into disarray.  So it was that she had made the difficult decision to place into effect a foster system of sorts, only for a crew.  A plan has been formulated and she had taken a few days to ponder and watch and wait, holding her breath and hoping that the situation would change.  But so far it hadn’t.

Now Ellie had held another plan brewing in her mind and so it was that this plan would come to be quite a bit sooner than she had intended.  This piece of the plan gave her great pride and excitement and her whiskers twitched at the mere thought of it.  In these past months, ArgusFilch had become a trusted confidant and dear friend to her.  Mrs. Norris had been alright too…  He had been an adviser, a protector…  The small ferret saw more to this man than some did and she was eager to encourage and cultivate this.  Argus had been speaking to her only days prior about a plot of land he had been eyeing to expand their businesses.  But Ellie was formulating other ideas.  Quietly chittering to an errand boy, she requested that he go and alert Argus to her need for a meeting with him.  She also sent for Frank_Cali and Stacy…  Scofield’s two most trusted, as well as young TM…  She knew that he too had a part to play in all of this.  She had a plan and she longed for them to hear it. 

Once the four of them had arrived, certainly with expressions ranging to pleasantly surprised to downright bewildered by the summons of the ferret.  Now Ellie began to chitter away far too eagerly before suddenly stopping in the middle of what she was saying.  Blast it all…  She really needed to invest in a Ferret Whisperer one of these days, so she finally just handed them each a paw-written note for them to read.

My dear ones…  You all know the difficult time and decisions we have before us…  I have come to a decision on how to proceed for now.  I will be sending Argus to set up his own family here in The Loop with me.  He will be joined by you three to help him and to care for the members of the Fox River State Pen…  It is my hope and prayer that Scofield will return to full health very soon, but we must accept the possibility that his recovery may be a long one.  Whatever the outcome of this, Chicago will stand strong and sure and if you accept, yours is the next step in ensuring such an outcome. Each step will bring Chicago to a brighter tomorrow.  This one will be no different.  

Once Ellie was certain they had all had ample time to read her note, she looked to Argus, moving quietly to jump upon her desk, standing up to her full hind paw height, still having to look up, but getting just as close as she could to looking him in the eye.  The look on her little fuzzy face couldn’t have been more easy to read…

Will you lead them?

I picked up Mrs. Norris and shut the door behind me as the errand boy had summoned me to head over and see Ellie in her office. Once I got to the double doors I pushed on through. With Mrs Norris tucked under my shoulder I walked into her office and saw Ellie sitting in her big chair behind the desk. The chair was oddly way too big for her, but it gave her and the office so much character. 

Just as the door closed behind me I heard it re-open. Turning around to my surprise I noticed a few familiar faces walking in. Stacy walked in alongside Frank-Cali and TM was right behind them both! That was when I knew something was up, was Ellie not happy I was looking at plots of land? I thought she knew traveling from Hogwarts was quite the journey and I'd rather travel more often though the states.

With a big smile she opened up about what was needed of me and asked for the help of these other family members as well. I was more then excited to here the news that I headed right back to gather all of my things from Hogwarts. Shaking hands with my family members on the way out to show a sign of respect and gratitude for the journey we were about to embark on.

Just before I left I turned around and addressed Ellie.

Ellie, my friend and leader I thank you for this opportunity. I know these aren't under the best of circumstances, but we have been given the opportunity to make the windy city into something great. I will do my best to not let you down and hold the standards of the community. I appreciate all the help you have given me since I have a lot of luggage to carry back I will need to take TM with me to handle some of it. Thank you once again Ellie it means the world to me.

Mrs. Norris meows in excitement to Ellie, then jumps down and walks in between the legs of Stacy and Frank.