Mary Pickford. 

Janet Gaynor. 

Clara Bow. 

Joan Crawford.

Two pennies got you into the motion picture show in Catania and if you loved them, and didn't fear a spot of trouble, you could hide between showings to watch the same picture two or three times in a single day.  Tamsyn used to do that every Saturday.  Right after chores, she'd take the long dirt road into the city with an apple in her pocket for lunch so she wouldn't grow hungry. 

She'd pay for the early show and sit low in the seats staring up at the flashing lights across the silver screen that gave an insight into the world far away from her family's farm.  The land of milk and honey, the place where the dreams of a young girl could be something more than just dreams, a place where she could really be someone.

She imagined wearing fancy clothes, driving fast cars, going on adventures and finding the love of some handsome man and together ... they'd live happily ever after.  It was always that way in the picture shows, they always ended with a promise of endless bliss and the most perfect kiss in the history of all kisses.  Tamysn liked stories like that best of all and every Sunday in Church she would pray that she'd one day live a life like all the characters in her favorite talkies.

Some weekends before leaving for the shows, she'd fix her hair and doll up her face with the make-up which she'd stolen from shops in the city to be just her heroes.  She'd repeat the lines from her favorite movies in the mirror and fall to her bed giggling madly, drunk on thoughts of the life she'd live if only she had half the chance.  She'd be rich and respected by women and men alike, envied and beloved.  

She could hardly believe her luck when her Aunt woke her that morning insisting that she pack her things. 

"You're going to America!"  She exclaimed. 

Tamsyn thought she might have been dreaming as her Aunt went on, "Your father booked you a place on a steamer that leaves this afternoon."

She had more money in her bag and sewn into her skirts than she'd ever seen in her whole life.  It would be enough to buy her a fancy house and car for sure!  She'd make herself pretty and tried not to cry so much that she ruined her make-up as she said goodbye to her father and aunt and didn't think too hard on what she'd do in America until her father and aunt were just dots on the horizon and the ship was far out to sea.

Nor had she thought much about why her cousin, Don Santino DiCaprio was at her home that morning... nor about why her father was not only willing to let her go after years of being adamant that America was a wretched den of 'sin and corruption.'  Of course, on the boat, with little else to think of she began to make up stories as to why.  Perhaps Don Santino, whose mother had been Lucky Lucy DiCaprio, had convinced him to send her?  Well, she promised herself to send postcards the minute the ship came to dock in New York City.  She'd write and find out the story... for now, best to focus on the bright future the lay ahead... fancy homes, fast cars, adventures, and an epic romance to leave all others green with envy.  

Tamsyn hungered for it, a future brighter than all the stars in Hollywood's sky.

The ship quarters had been cramped.  She felt like a stick in a pile meant to dry for burning.  Three beds bolted to the wall, she was in the second, she could hear the person above her crying and the one below her sicking up more often than not.  The smell of so many unwashed bodies... by the time the ship put into dock she was desperate to 'breathe free' and the words of Lady Liberty felt somewhat different than perhaps they'd been meant to be read.  

She didn't know exactly what she'd expected when she reached the shores of this great nation but being pushed through long lines, poked and prodded and checked for wellness like livestock really wasn't it?  

"Name?"

"Thomasina Fazzone."  She said to the man taking down her details in a great book.  

"Place of origin?"

"Catania, Sicily."

"Papers?"  The man asked and that began the long process of the man reviewing her for approval as a citizen to verify she was who she said.  Her aunt had been adamant that she hand over not only the papers she'd sent along but an envelope of cash with a note inside that she was instructed NOT to read.  She, of course, disobeyed within an hour of departing.

The note mentioned a woman whose name she did not know, an Isabella Byrne, and her gratitude for the officer's assistance.  Tamsyn feared how he'd react to the obvious bribe, the inference that this woman of power and influence might reward the man for his help if he were to reach out and let her know he'd done what he'd been told.  For a moment he looked at her as if he meant to arrest her or put her back on the boat and instead he picked up the rubber stamp and waved her through.

"Welcome to the United States, Miss Fazzone."

With a smile, she strode forward, her stomach only just now complaining loudly.  She felt as though she was starving.  It was time to find and eat her first meal as an American.

The board was a nice woman.  Thin and frail-looking and full of advice on where was safe to go and where wasn't... of how to keep herself out of trouble in this city so full of thugs and pitfalls she'd not even knew existed.  Tamsyn told herself that everything was falling into place as she confided in the woman the story of her past, her identity, and her plans for the future.  She even showed her all the money her family had been so kind to send her to America with and sang show tunes all the way to the restaurant where she ate a fancy meal and filled herself to bursting with the most amazing things she'd ever tasted!

When she got back to the house and found her things littering the sidewalk she gathered up what little of it hadn't been stolen and shoved it into her bags screaming at the door of the boarding home.  People yelled at her for yelling and this only made Tamsyn cry.  Where was their sense of decency?!?  Every penny she'd brought with her was gone!  She was destitute!  She'd trusted that woman and she'd robbed her blind and cast her out to the wolves she'd spent the day warning her all about.  

A police officer came to her cries but with no proof, he said he couldn't do anything.  "Did you have the men at Ellis Island write down what you came with?"

She explained how she'd hidden the money for safekeeping and so there would be no record of it. 

"How do I know you didn't just get off the boat and want me to take money from that businesswoman to give to you?  I'm sorry, I just can't do anything for you, Miss, best you take this as a very expensive lesson and run home to your family now while you still can."  The cop sighed and shook his head as if wondering how anyone could be so stupid.  Tamsyn was beginning to question that herself as she wandered down the street carrying her disheveled bag of belongings... wondering where the hell she was going to sleep tonight.

Dear Papa,

I write to you using some of the last of my money.  I am ashamed to admit that I was robbed on my first day here.  I have spent the night in a church home but I can not stay there long.  I will try to find work but I am scared.  Please write to me.  Tell me what's happening at home and why you changed your mind about sending me to this place.  You were right.  America is everything you said it would be and I want nothing more than to return.  Please, wire me money at this location so I can return to you and beg your forgiveness.  I do not want to spend another night on the streets in this horrible and fearful place.

All my love,

Thomasina

Tamsyn gave the man his copper penny and let go of the letter and thanked the man for helping her to understand how her father could send her money here at this business to get home.  All she had to do was keep checking every day to see if a letter or money came in response.  All she had to do was wait.  

Unfortunately, her belly complained loudly again.  She was so damn hungry.  It had been more than a day since her last meal.  If she didn't find a way to get food soon she might have to do something desperate...

Tamsyn never wanted to know the answer to the question, how long did you have to go without food before you began looking at little old ladies in their fancy dresses as if they were easy marks?

Four days.

It took four days before Tamsyn found herself following an old woman through the park contemplating why she should be so poor and hungry while that woman was rich enough to be feeding small cuts of meat to her puppy that she herself salivated over.  It shamed her to envy a dog's meal.  It shamed her more to realize how much she hated a woman who was someone's grandmother for certain, and for no better reason than her fortune had been better than Tamsyn's.  

All through the park, she followed her working up the courage, and on 27th Avenue near to the woman's home, Tamsyn finally managed to break into a run and grab the purse.  For a moment the woman held fast to it, and she feared she'd be caught, but the old woman's grip could not hold against a desperate and starving younger body.  

Opening the purse several blocks away she pulled out the two dollar bills inside and paused only a moment to look at the small picture of a happy family.  Tamysn threw it and the purse into the gutter and tried not to think about it.  An easy feat considering just how much she longed for a real, hot, meal.

WESTERN UNION

To:  Miss Thomasina Fazzone

From:  Ms. Antonia Fazzone

Message:

Thomasina sorry to hear of your misfortune. [stop] I regret that I can not send along more money than this but I hope that it will get you by until you can find work. [stop] Do not return home. [stop]  It is not safe. [stop] Your father has gone on to join your mother with the angels. [stop] Praying for you daily. [stop]  All love.  Aunt Antonia [stop]

Tamsyn crumpled the paper in one fist and held tight to her money in the other.  Sliding down the wall of the Western Union building she wept.  She would not be going home.  Not now.  Not ever.  Her father was dead and she did not know how or why.  The only way to go now, was forward, though she could not say how.

At least today she wouldn't need to steal another old lady's purse.  Tonight she could wash and sleep in a bed and she'd think of something.  Somehow.  Tomorrow.

Tamsyn moved through the streets where pickings had recently been slim.  The heat was on in her usual stomping grounds and with cops all around looking for the person lifting purses off old women, she had to chance a less secure location and a more dangerous target... men.

It was a hot summer night, men were out chasing skirts and getting drunk and that made them sloppy.  Tamsyn hoped this would allow her the best odds of snagging some cash to get a bite to eat and maybe something nice for herself besides.  She searched high and low for a man who looked like he'd had a few drinks, someone who looked like he had wealth to spare and eventually she spotted Victor_Lucchese.

Of course, Tamsyn didn't know then she'd chosen a dangerous mark.  She had no idea who the man was - just that he had the looks and apparent wealth of Hollywood leading man and clearly had been drinking.  Oh sure, he wasn't drunk just yet... but he was getting there.  Now, if only she could get close.

Tamsyn followed him for a while eventually finding her way nearer to him than she ever thought was wise to go.  His pocket was wide open, she knew her hands were small and delft, the question was, could she actually lift a wallet out of man's pocket without him feeling or noticing it?  She slid her hand carefully past the opening seam...

Victor didn't know that he had his wallet lifted but the men that were guarding him saw the young woman following him as they trailed from a distance.  It wasn't until he reached to pay for his drink that he realized his wallet was missing.  He looked at the closes man near him and then they both looked around the room.  Francis pointed out the girl that had been following Victor like a cat stalking a mouse.  Then Ray moved to the door to cut her off.  She saw that Victor and David the man that was next to Victor were looking around.  She then saw Ray standing at the door looking at her.  She paused and smiled as she ducked into the crowd tossing his wallet into the air after pocketing most of the cash.  David lost sight of her but was able to retrieve Victors wallet.   

David explained what happened as Victor saw that the kid took him for a eleven hundred dollars and Victor wanted that kid found and brought back to him.  Victor planned to give that kid a good old fashion spanking.  He was going to tan that kids hide, Victor was also offering three hundred dollars to the fiirst person that brought her to him or gave him the ware about of this kid.  David didn't mention if the kid was a male or female and victor was to hot to even think and ask. 

Tamsyn sprinted away from trouble.  Oh sure she knew the guy was big, and that he might be a problem, but she didn’t see he had a whole slew of goons with him!

The crowd was difficult to get through but when she emerged into the night air she was sure she was free.  Surely the man had enough money to write off the amount of cash he lost as the cost of a night of fun.  Certainly she wouldn’t expect him to send anyone after her, that would just be silly.

Walking down the street she turned to an alleyway where she felt she could see if we count the money. Her eyes bulged nearly out of her head as she realized the incredible some she had pulled out of the man’s wallet. Not just a few dollar bills but a few hundred dollar bills!

Suddenly she was not so certain that she wasn’t being followed. She peaked out of the alleyway and check to see if she can recognize any of the men on the street. Fairly certain that none of them were someone she needed to worry about, she proceeded down the road walking quickly but not so fast as to draw attention.

If you were running you had something to hide or you had someone chasing you and she couldn’t afford anyone to think that of her tonight.  What she needed to do was stay calm and keep your head low. If she could make it all the way to her motel, then she would be safe.  Surely no one legitimate was carrying that much money which means he wasn’t going to go to the cops.

Just as she was passing by a news stand, She spotted one of the monkeys in a suit who had been chasing her earlier. With all alacrity she doubled back the way she came. She was confident there was no one following her earlier right up until the moment she ran right into another goon’s chest.

He made an attempt to grab her she dropped to low and knocked him wear it counted. The man doubled over helpless whimpering, and Tamsyn ran.  She darted into traffic car horns blaring.  As she went she could hear the men yelling at her to stop. And she thought maybe one of the men was laughing at the fellow she had punched right between the legs.

Starting into a dark alley way she hoped it would cut out open to another street. When she realized there was no way out it was already too late. She was not alone in the alley. Pulling a knife she threatened the man “I don’t want to open you up, Mister, not over money... but I ain’t letting you touch me!”

Unfortunately despite all her bravado, she wasn’t very good with a knife yet and had very little experience fighting trained men.  The struggle was nearly over before it began and Tamsyn’s last thought before being knocked cold was whether or not $1100 would have been worth it.

A black car pulled up to the alleyway.   The front passenger door opened as a big barrel chested man stepped out.   He opened the back passenger door and out stepped Victor.   Seen David carrying the kid in his arms and turning to see Ray waking very slowly and in a great deal of pain while holding his manhood Victor shook his head wondering how this kid was able to get so close and take Ray down without a gun.  It wasn't until David was close enough to see the kids face as the hat the kid was wearing fell off that they saw it was a girl.  Victor rolled his eyes and shook his head as he looked at David then Ray.   

Victor instructed David to put the young lady in the back seat of the car with him.  Victor picked up the kids hat and told Ray to get in on the other side of her as he got back into the car she was still out cold as she sat between the two men.  David walked back to the bar to retrieve the second car.  Victor had them take him to Doc Olly to check the kid out.  Doc Olly was a real family doctor that didn't mind making money under the table.  He did a lot of patch work for members of the mob and they generoulsy paid him well for his services and to ensure he kept his mouth shut.  

Still upset that he got lifted by a child a girl at that and that his boys failed to prevent that he didn't want it out that his security was weak.  The car pulled up to the home of Doc Olly.  The Driver pulled into the drive way and then got out and closed the driveway fence.  The fence was a six foot tall wooden privacy fence.  Ray picked up the girl and carried her into the house.   Pete stayed with the car as Robert followed behind Ray.  Victor walked in as the Doc told Ray to sit her down on his couch.  Before Victor could explain what happened the Doc had his smelling salt and woke the kid up.  She swung for the fences hitting Ray in the jaw.  Robert grabbed the girls arms as the Doc told her she was okay.

Victor stood in the dark corner of the room just watching.  The girl reached into her pockets and tossed the money she took at Ray.   Then she saw a tiny flame in the corner it revealed a face for a second the  she saw a bright glowing dot floating in the air.  Then Victor stepped forward and exhaled a cloud of smoke and picked up the cash.  He took three hundred and gave it to Doc Olly then he counted out six hundred and stuffed that into his pocket.  He gave a smirk as he handed the girl three hundred dollars back.  She looked at him with eye that said I will kill you then she took the money as she ask:

"what's the deal.  You chased me down and beat me up and now you hand me money and who the old guy."     

First things first kid.  Let the old man check you out.  He a doctor his name is Olly.   Then you and I will have a sit down.  That cash was because you earned it.  You got me chasing you down around town and you dont even know who I am.  

Victor gave a head nod to follow him as they walked into Ollys kitchen while the girl sat on the couch letting Olly look her over.  Victor then finished his cigarette while Ray and Rob stood by both exits to prevent the kid from sneaking out.  Olly explained that she had just a few bumps and bruses but over all the young woman was in great heath.   Victor was in shook.  He replied

Young Woman she a kid!

Olly shook his head no and laughing as he informed Victor that science would disagree.  As Victor looked in the room where the Girl was she was half way out the window.  Shanking his head as she escaped Victor gave a smirk thinking this kid was going to be the death of him or make him extremely rich.   

Two days had passed uneventfully.  Tamsyn had enjoyed a very rich dinner two nights in a row and bought herself a new blouse. Of course this required stealing a tube of lipstick and rouge to go with it, but who was counting?

She was beginning to feel normal again as she paid for a month in an apartment instead of a motel.  Here she could make meals and feel as though she were living in a real home.

She also splurged and made a call home to Sicily.  When she received no answer at her fathers home she decided to try to call Don DiCaprio’s home.

By the end of the phone call, she wished she hadn’t bothered.  A conflict had broken out between the families. Of course Fazzone had stood with DiCaprio, and as the Don’s Aunt Rita told the story... “Many of the men are dead. Some are hiding in the hills - planning vendetta, there’s no way to know who survived who did not. I’m very sorry that you had to find out this way.”

Tamsyn made her way to church for the first time since arriving in America and she prayed for her father’s life. She prayed that if he died he died well, mostly she prayed that he yet lived.

She wandered the streets for several days spending the $300 far faster than she should have on things that made her happy for brief moments, but did not end her worries.  

By the end of the week the money was gone and once again she was considering how she would eat.  Watching some of the girls in her apartment building gave her an idea, it was scandalous and she shouldn’t want to do it but seeing the amount of cash they threw around she could hardly disagreeing with the logic.  Men were always thinking with the wrong head. 

Unlike the whores who lived in her building, it wasn’t enough to consider taking them for the money she would charge, Tamsyn saw this as a possibility for making a lot more cash than that.  

She would target man of means, like the one she had stolen from a week ago.  She would seduce them and then rob them blind.  Why sell her body for a pittance what she could take a kingdom?

That was how it began. She didn’t have to do it often, she just had to pick wisely. It was actually quite easy. Men were so eager to believe that a young woman was willing to go home with them that the pretense of being a working girl wasn’t even needed!  

And as for robbing them, all she had to do was stay just a little bit more sober than the old men she lured back to their homes. Once they were fast asleep, exhausted from delighting in her attention, she could take anything and everything she wanted from them. No picking locks, no sneaking past guard dogs, they walked her right in the front door and she left the same exact way.  Almost zero risk!

Saturday came again and Tamsyn found herself at a bar dressed in a black dress she’d spent a whole night’s work on earlier in the week.  She nursed a glass of the house’s best wine bought with the last of last night’s earnings watching the room for tonight’s entertainment and cash cow.

Life in America wasn’t perfect yet... but it wasn’t half bad either.

Victor entered a bar owned by a man named Jack Bowers.  Mr. Bowers owed him money and this was his third time paying Victor late.    Victor normally never made collection but Bowers got a loan straight from Victor and that's a slap in the face when you don't pay the bank boss.  Entering the establishment and walking into the back office where Mr. Bowers was playing touchy feely with one of his waitresses.  The door opened and David and Pete walked in followed by Victor.   Mr. Bowers was caught with his pants down and Victor didn't blink he smiled and told the waitress to get out.   

JB you owe me money and you seem to feel that my kindness is a weakness.  So I'm here to hear you tell me why I shouldn't beat the living crap out of you.  

Victor looked at JB as he was struggling to get his pants up.  Victor sat in JB's chair and looking around open the top draw of his desk and saw a 38 revolver.  He pulled it out then looked at David and David slapped JB on the back of the head.  Shaking his head looking at JB waiting for him to explain.  However before JB could say a word Pete punched JB in the guts.  Victor held his hand up to allow JB to speak.  JB pointed to a cabinet on the side of the wall to Victors right.  Victor nodded to David to check it out.  There was a stack of banded cash.  Every penny that JB owed was there to include the late fee penalties.  Victor shook his head and told him the next time he borrows any money and makes a single late payment the bar will go from JB's to Lucchese's.   

As they started to leave the office David spotted the young lady that lifted Victor wallet.  Pointing her out to Victor and Pete they decided to block the exits as Victor would approch her.  In this pincher movement they surrounded her as she was face deep in her drink.  Victor walked up to her as she forgot who he was and he gentle bumped her as she looked at him.   Victor smiled as he asked her so you talk my money and run off and not give me the curtesy of a conversation to decuss business opportunities.  The young woman jaw dropped as she saw David a the front door exit and then looked at the rear door exit as Pete waved to her.   She looked at Victor as he smiled and told her to relax he wasn't there to hurt her he merely wanted a chance to talk business.  

She nodded slowly as she was again reaching for her knife.  She told him to speak in here native lanugage and Victor was shocked as she spoke perfect Sicilian.  He asked where was she from and then she told him of her family.  Victor  shook his head and told her its a good thing he didnt touch her his family was related to the DiCaprio's.  

In perfect Italian, she carried on a conversation with her new acquaintance.  

"Mr. Luchesse?  May I call you Victor?"  She gave a sheepish grin.

"Look um, thank you for what you did with the cash.  It was a big help and you should know that... well, if you're related to the DiCaprio family that I'm good for the money.  I'll get it back to you right away.  Hell, if I had known who you were I would have made it a priority.  My family, the Fazzone family, we're as tight as anyone can be to Don DiCaprio.  In fact, it's why I'm in this pickle.  You see, I was robbed by this woman who owns a boarding house near the docks on my first day in the city.  The police, she made a gesture of spitting, wouldn't help me and I've been doing whatever I can to survive ever since."

She shrugged, "It's why I lifted your wallet and why I'm working over at Westmoore Apartments now.  My father, he's missing.  You see I wired him asking for money and help but no reply came so I called and when I got no answer at our home I called Don DiCaprio's home only to find out that the Don and a bunch of men were handling some business and they've not come back.  I don't know what's happened to my father but it would seem I'm all on my own here in the city.  And while I'm able to take care of myself, I ... well, I didn't know who you were."

"So... I'm good for the money.  I'll get it back to you straight away.  Your kindness won't ever be forgotten.  I promise you.  Just remember Fazzone stands for DiCaprio.  Our blood before yours.  That's how it goes, right?  That's what all the men back home say?"

Victor listen to what the young woman went through and smiled, still looking at her and shaking his head in disbelief.  Then he spoke to her in Sicilian and told her not to worry.   He had a pal he would connect her with that ran a part of Chicago.  He then gave her three grand and told her that any Friend to the DiCaprio was a friend to the Lucchese's.   He then started to talk about why he wanted to speak with her a few weeks ago.

"Look you got skills and you know how to get out of tight spots.   Ray has never been taken down by any man and you made short work of him and you lifted my wallet and you even tried to fight David.  Not the best choice when it comes to fighting someone but understandable.   Once we get you set up with my pal Dean I want you to help me out with a few jobs.   Consider that money advance payment on what will net you twenty times that.  No pressure but you got the right size and determination to get these jobs done the right way and I need quick thinkers.  I'm in town for another week but if you want in I will give you twenty five percent of the take and call us even and every job after you will get a third but I gotta know soon.  If not no worries I will still coonect you with Dean."  

Victor calls over the bartender and orders a brandy and tells him to refill whatever she was drinking. 

What's you real name?  You gave me your Family name but not your first name?  And how old are you.  Doc Olly seems to think your an adult.

Victor takes a sip of his brandy and looks at the kid. 

She giggled.  "Thomasina.  Thomasina Fazzone, daughter of the late Anna McGinnis and Matteo Fazzone."  She held her hand out to Victor.  

"It's a pleasure to meet you.  As for age, well, I'm 23.  I'll be 24 soon though.  I got a birthday coming in three weeks.  I'd sure be glad to meet this friend of yours in Chicago?  From what I've read it's one hell of a place.  You know, I'd sure be glad to take a job from you, two or three if you don't mind.  I got big plans you see... things I'll need cash for and I'd rather be earning with a friend than earning alone."

She tilted her head to the side, "Say, fair is fair.  How old are you?  And do you live in Chicago too?"

Victor smiled when she told him her name.  He kissed the young ladies hand but when she said she was 23 going on 24 he was shocked.  He told her he was 24 and would turn 25 before the year was out.  He had a twin brother Vincent that was in America with him.  He explained that he works from coast to coast but based out in LA but spends most of his time between Chicago and Detroit.  Vincent handles his day to day business on the west coast and he travels once a month to New York and Philly.  

When she said she was in and would like to make money with a friend he told her that they would meet at his place tomorrow to go over the details it was something big but they had a partner that was in for half while the other jobs he controlled the lions share so he could afford to cut her in on more of the take.  Victor wasn't greedy he believed that if your cut is smaller but you have a piece of a successful pie then you eat more often.  Those players tend to return and the success continues.  You get greedy someone gets up set and upsets the apple cart and the order of things gets twisted and that's how people fall.  

He gave her his address and then suggested that they go out to eat.  The meal would be on him as he owned and knew a few great places to eat all she had to do is make a selection.  

Dinner with Victor had been nice enough.  He was a polite gentleman and if she hadn't been ready to get into bed with him over business, she might have tried her seduce and ditch him routine.  If nothing else, he looked as though he'd be a bit of sport between the sheets.  

Tamsyn, however, behaved herself and retired for the night.  The next day she got dolled up, packed up her weapons and traveled to the address which Victor had given to her.  It was nearly lunch by the time she arrived but she looked god damn amazing and that sort of gorgeous took some effort so... she hoped he wasn't too cross.

Knocking on his door she waited for one of his monkies in a suit to come answer making a point to stand so that her best features were forward.  A girl could never do enough to make sure she had a leg up in any situation and she wanted... needed one here.  A man with Victor Lucchese's power could change her stars for sure!  And perhaps he was merely the next step towards her dream of becoming 'someone' on these shores.

Pete opened the door smiling at Tamsyn.  He greeted her with a warm friendly hello and called her Scraper.  She looked at him with that look a woman gives you when you are pissing her off when you think your funny.  He told her the gang was in the basement to follow him.   As she walked behind Pete she saw art work hanging on the walls.  They looked real but she wasn't sure as Pete glanced back at her before opening the door that lead to the basement he told her that they were real pieces of art work worth a mint each.  They then walked down the steps then Pete announced that Scraper was here then he went back up.  

Victor was in a sunday best suit however, it was saturday and he the other men didn't look to shabby either.  She was dressed to impress and they were trying to match wits and styles.  Victor walked over to his new female pal and took her by the hand and introduce her to the gang.  David was in a corner looking at everyone.  Victor started with Meyers and then Lucky the he took her over to AR and AA then he introduced her to Nick and Flip.  He called her by her name and they greeted her by her name out of respect.  Victor told her that he informed them that she had more protection backing then the Pope himself.  Looking at her he smiled and gave her a side wink.  Tamsyn ask what was with the Scarper tag.  Victor chuckled a bit then explained they gave you that name the same night you took Ray down with you little knee then when you ducked out of Doc Olly's house through a back room window.  Victor then sat down as everyone else did; then he ran down the plan.  

"Ok boys and girls this is the deal.  I need every ones help to pull this off.  AR you friend Rodney K Goldstein own's the largest Jewelry store in the states.  Word on the streets is he has a shipment of Diamonds fifty million do0llars worth and I want to hit it with AA's permission.  Meyers is going to take Rodney and his son's out for dinner drinks and a good old fashion good time women and booze.   Lucky has a good fence."  

Tamsyn looked at  Tamsyn he smiled and whisper he will buy from us and sell it to someone else.  She nodded and Victor continued. 

"Nick your muscle for this young Lady and Flip your the driver.  Tamsyn is the one that can get in and out.  Now I know she looks young but get that out of your head.  I told you what she did to my guys and how she escaped me.   I got complete faith in her and we know where she hails from.  You all agreed to help so now is the time.  To back out now will hurt but if you do, you back all the way out of every deal we would or ever planned to do".  

Victor waited to see what would be said but no words were spoken as he lead them into another room in the basement.  Looking at Tamsyn he asked her in a very soft tone if she had any questions?

"I've never done anything so ambitious as this before, Mr. Lucchese... but I'd like to think it's not outside my abilities."  She smiled at him.  "Do you have floor plans for this place?  I'm going to need to know my way around.  Also, I'll want to know where we're putting that getaway driver of ours so I can get my ass to him fast in a pinch.  You know, escape routes?"

She listened carefully to everything that Lucchese had to say, admiring the way he assertively told everyone the role they'd play and how no one questioned him really.  One day, she hoped, she'd have such power over men and women too.

"About this lock... what sort are we looking at?  Or don't we have that particular information yet?  I'd feel a lot better knowing what I was in for beforehand."