You unlock this door with the key of imagination. Beyond it is another dimension - a dimension of sound, a dimension of sight, a dimension of mind. You're moving into a land of both shadow and substance, of things and ideas. You've just crossed over into the Mafia Zone. 


  Submitted for your approval . . . a young man walking along the street.  He’s carrying $100,000 in his briefcase.  He’s just a young goomba that got a lucky break.  Being the shrewd businessman, he’s decided to donate all that money to his boss.  A wise move.  Now, over there in the alley is another young punk, down on his luck.  He has a crow bar and a hunger for money.  He sees the goomba walk by, and thinks about mugging him.  But, as he walks past the alley, the goomba looks over and sees the little thug.  He places his hand inside his coat pocket, and the punk thinks he’s reaching for a gun.  He thinks better of it, and turns around and walks away. 

  Twenty years later . . . the young goomba is now Consigliore.  His tribute to his boss boosted his standing with the family.  Now, the old godfather is on his death bed.  He transfers all power to his favorite donator, and dies.  The new godfather begins his reign of terror.  Local businesses are now be extorted for more money than they can pay.  Old shop owners have their stores looted and kneecaps broken for not being able to meet the unfair taxes.  He starts wars with the heads of the other families, and lots of lives are lost, many of them just innocent civilians.  He pays off the mayor and police chief so much than law and order are a joke, and the people suffer for it.  His abuses are so many that he is reviled and hated by those even in his own family.  Soon, the city falls into ruins for not being able to support its legitimate economy, and all that was left were the brothels and casinos of the godfather.  The corruption sends up such a stench that New Jersey looks like a great place to live.

  Now, let us go back to that fateful day in the alley.  The young punk sees the goomba walk by, and thinks about mugging him.  But, as he walks past the alley, the goomba looks over and sees the little thug.  He places his hand inside his coat pocket, and the punk thinks he’s reaching for a gun.  But, he lingers for a moment, and sees the goomba pull out a handkerchief and wipe the sweat from his brow.  The punk brings his crowbar swiftly down upon the arm of the goomba.  The goomba drops his briefcase and runs away in fear.  The punk takes the briefcase, and by some force of fanciful luck decided to go to college, and become a doctor that treats poor people in rural Nebraska.

  Nursing a broken arm, the goomba goes before the local Don.  He explains that he had a tribute, but he “lost” it, and he swears he’ll make it up.  The Don, tired of the goomba’s excuses shoots him in the head, and dumps his body in the river.  The future is saved the despotic rule of the future tyrant.

  The moral of this story is actions have consequences.  Some good, and some bad.  The consequences of the punk’s actions turned out good, but only in The Mafia Zone.

SINGERROURKE was eating his popcorn furiously as ArtaniS was telling the story. Delighted to be the first one to hear it again SINGERROURKE moves closer to the edge of his seat. Until finally the story ends. SINGERROURKE stands up and applauds.

ArtaniS I love these stories you are bringing us. I almost feel as though i should be paying you for entertaing me as much as you are. I feel like this story is just as great if not greater than the one that preceeded it. Thankyou friend.

yet anther masterpiece from someone who is fast becomeing a master storyteller. keep up the good work, friend