Detroit, the 1930's. It was shaping up to be a busy day for old Uncle Joe. He had been meeting with various men and women of honor that had come to pay their respects after having gotten back on his feet. It was business as usual for Uncle Joe and he had one more very important meeting to attend to before he could head home for the evening. Albert Hofmann had been putting in work with Uncle Joe for awhile now, he had also been busy putting things together on the streets.

Albert Hofmann was making a name for himself for running a small crew in the neighborhood that was affectionately starting to be called the purple gang. They got the name due in part to the color of paper that their narcotics came in. AlbertHofmann was a jack of all trades but specialized in the narcotics trade, more specifically psycho active drugs. Something Uncle Joe knew nothing about.

Albert and Kenny Ligambi, Uncle Joe's youngest brother had become quite good friends. They were running the purple gang together and generating lots of money for the family. They had been working so hard that Uncle Joe wanted to legitimize Albert Hofmann as a bonafide caporegime within his family and allow him to expand his operations. This was an honor for a non Italian but Uncle Joe knew he could trust him. His own flesh and blood could vouch for him.

When Albert arrived to Joe's office he was greeted by Sal Colazzi and Jeremy the jew as they played cards outside Joe's door. The three greeted one another before Albert made is way in to greet Uncle Joe. It wasn't often that Albert was called in for a one on one sit down. Uncle Joe was fairly informal these days so it must of been about something important. The two men shared a hug and pat, Uncle Joe motioned for Albert to have a seat.

"I appreciate you coming by today on such short notice. I called you today because I'm a gambling man and I want to take a gamble on you. You've done good for me and I want to show my gratitude ."

Uncle Joe picked up his bowl and took a puff before passing it to Albert and continuing on.

"I'm going to let you expand your gang on behalf of the Ligambi family. We'll be here for you every step of the way as you and my kid brother do your thing and carve out your own piece of the city.  You're going to represent me directly now Albert. I expect you to tow the line and keep the heat low. I also expect you to work with the other various organizations throughout the territories. Your problems are my problems. Thats what this thing of ours is all about."

Uncle Joe stood up and walked over to a key rack on the wall. He combed through the keys before grabbing the one he was looking for and tossed it to Albert.

"That's the key to our old warehouse off Patterson avenue. It's a fixer upper but I'm sure you and Kenny could make good use of it."

Albert grinned and thanked Uncle Joe for the opportunity. He had respected him for a long time and worked hard to get into this position. Albert stood up and made his way to the door with Joe. 

"One more thing before you go Al. A little something for you to put on the streets over there." As Uncle Joe handed him a large envelop of money."

Albert hugged Uncle Joe and thanked him again for the opportunity before leaving. As Joe made his way over to his table to pack his things and go home for the night it dawned on him that they had left the body of a local squealer named fat Chip Ianucci locked up in an ice box in the warehouse off Patterson avenue. They had been waiting until the heat died down to dispose of the body properly on one of their garbage routes through Uncle Joes waste removal company. The disposal of fat Chip Ianucci would have to be the first thing on the purple gangs agenda.

When I heard that the old Uncle Joe was expecting to meet me at his office, I had some ideas about the subject of such meeting. The small part of the family called "Purple Gang" were doing good lately and I was fortunate to be coordinating it. Our LSD production and distribution was paying off. 

I figured we'd have some special task or discuss some route flow, something like that. When I heard the old man giving me the nod to expand the Purple Gang operations, I couldn't help but smile. I couldn't say I didn't want it. Me, Kenny and our small group had worked hard to make that happen and it finally did.

I gave Uncle Joe a warm hug, telling him I was going to make him and the whole family proud. I took the address to the warehouse and envelope he handled to me, thanking him again and smiling. On my way out I met the also old Philly Boy and a few other friends from the family. We talked briefly, and I made it clear that they could count on me at any time, as always.

Then I left, my head seething with plans and goals. Life was good.

Vincent was sitting in the back of the room listening to his Uncle Joe talk to Mr. Hoffman, he had worked closely with the man for quite a while in the position under him within the family. Vincent knew that with Al getting move over to run his own crew for the family that it ment it was time for Vincent to move up and step into his old role within the family.

Vincent was excited for himself as well as Mr. Hoffman and Uncle Kenny, he waited for a couple people to finish speaking then moved in to greet the man.

"Albert Hoffman, boy where do I begin. You've been a huge part of what were doing since day one. You're one of the few people that don't have the same blood running through their veins as myself that I trust with my life. You and Uncle Kenny make us proud over there I'll look out for the Old Man and make sure things continue to run smoothly here. If you need anything we're a phone call away."

Vincent then hands him a small envelope of cash.

""A little something to help out and say congrats man, you've earned it."