Every up and coming gangster is challenged by his family, in one way or the other, to show they have the aptitude needed to be a contributing member of the family.  Somethings it comes in carrying out a crime, other times it may involve completing a necessary task that no one else in the family wants to deal with.  Today happens to be the day that Jose gets the opportunity to either earn his stripes or continue to be the “jester” of the family.

The door creaked as usual, announcing his entrance into the automobile repair shop that also served as the hangout for the family.  With the smell of grease and gasoline in the air, Jose saw they had one car currently in the bays with a mechanic’s legs sticking out from under the passenger side, obviously working on a repair.  Navigating his way past empty boxes and tools, Jose opened a second door leading into a back room and the “Family” room.  A cloud of cigarette and cigar smoke billowed from the room as he entered and he waited a few seconds for his eyes to adjust to the dim light.

Seated around a green felt table were four of the prominent family members, glasses of amber liquid set along the edge and varying stacks of poker chips sitting in front of each one.  It appeared they were playing poker, but Jose was not allowed to approach the table without being summoned, a lesson he had learned on his first day when his curiosity had drawn him in for a closer look.  He had received a beating for that at the hands of Mark and Sid, the two looming figures sulking in the shadows behind the group.

Diverting to his left and away from the table, he worked his way back to the bar where a few of the other young gangsters were crouched around a game of dice in the corner.  Jose was excited to get in a game of dice and headed in that direction when he froze in position, hearing his name being called from the table.  Everyone around the dice game stopped and looked back at him then toward the poker table.  Slowly, Jose’s head turned in that direction and he was unsure if he really heard his name.  Afraid of getting another beating for approaching, but also figuring he would get another beating if he didn’t respond to the summons, he gulped and tried to keep his anxiety under control.

“Jose, get your ass over here” came the voice of Ricardo, the RHM of the family and highest ranking man with the game currently being played.

“Yes Sir” responded Jose as he turned direction and headed to stand next to the high ranking family member.

As Jose stood there, the other three men were snickering to themselves, apparently aware of something humorous that was lost on him.  Then Ricardo said “Jose, I have a job for you.  It’s a very important job.  And if you meet my expectations, then, I will very much appreciate that and put in a good word for you with the Boss.  My Vivian has a cat.  While I hate that fucking cat, my Vivian very much loves it so I tolerate it.  But it seems that the little asshole snuck out of the house a few months ago and got herself pregnant.  And how I have six more of these little monsters at my home.”  Jose watched as Ricardo reflexively brushed his jacket trying to remove fine cat hair from his tailored suit.  Ricardo continued “Vivian knows how I feel about these cats and has agreed to allow me to find good homes for them.  She made me promise that they would go to loving homes as she knows I would simple throw them in a dumpster some place.  Anyways, that is your job.  Find the cats a loving home.”

As Jose began to relax, thinking this would be an easy task, the RHM said “Oh yeah, one more thing.  We can’t make it too easy on you.  So, you can only refer to these kittens as “pussy”.  If you call them anything other than “pussy”, then you have failed the task and then, well, I won’t be happy.”  The three men began to laugh loudly as Jose stood there in shock at the added twist of the task.

After allowing the requirement to settle in, Ricardo pointed with the tip of his cigar to a box in the corner that Jose hadn’t noticed before.  “The little shits are in that box.  Go out and see if you can find a home for these things.  And try and get it done this afternoon so I don’t have to haul them home.  Fucking cats!”

Jose didn’t know what to say, so he backed away from the table and headed toward the box.  Jose was already thinking of how he could show the kittens without calling them a name that would surely make him blush each time he said it when Ricardo said “And Jose, Sid is going to accompany you to make sure you complete the task correctly!”  Jose’s heart sank at knowing the large ruffian would be following him around to make sure he truly did embarrass himself today.

Scooping up the box, Jose headed out of the dark room, through the work shop, and out into the early afternoon sun.  He knew he had to find some place with lots of foot traffic along with possible women and kids.  Knowing exactly where he needed to go, he headed in the direction of Grand Avenue.  There was a large park directly across from a grocery store that was popular in the neighborhood.  Standing at the street between them, he could possible draw interested parties in from both locations.

A short time later, Jose arrived at the destination and was pleased with his choice as the park was filled with young children and mothers while the market looked to be fairly busy.  Opening the box, he looked inside to see six fury faces looking back up at him, with a variety of colors and color combinations.  Selecting an orange tabby colored cat, he picked it up from the box.

Staring at the cat for a minute, then looking over to see Sid sitting on a park bench reading a paper, he swallowed and cleared his throat, preparing himself for the pure embarrassment he was about to experience.  Turning to face the park and occupants, he yelled out in his loudest voice “FREE PUSSY, COME GET YOUR FREE PUSSY” hoisting the small cat into the air above his head and feeling his face turn multiple shades of red as children gawked and mother’s scowled at his declaration.