Transportation and alcohol normally didn't mix well, but the way Tony put the two together it was a match made in heaven. The late night bus routes, some of the taxi services, and even some of the newspaper routes were able to distribute alcohol all throughout the different boroughs of the city. It hadn't taken long to get it all put together, especially with a bit of start up cash from his new boss Mr. Bufalino. When he had brought the idea to his boss as a lowly Gangster that had just joined his outfit, he was terrified. The man had a reputation, but Tony had felt that it was too good of a money making scheme to pass up. Luckily for him.....the boss loved it. 

A few weeks prior...

"Hey, is the boss in his office?" Tony asked one of the guards at the bottom of the stairs. 

The man just kept looking forward and ignored Tony's question. The guard sitting in a chair just a few feet away laughed as he was cleaning his pistol. Tony took off his hat and ran his hand through his hair as the frustration built up inside him. 

"C'mon it's a simple question. I'm a member of this crew and I just want a word with him about a chance to make some big bucks. I think he'd want to hear...." The guard pulled out his pistol and smacked Tony across the face with it before he could get his last few words out. 

The world spun out of focus as gravity pulled Tony to the wooden floor boards below his feet. He could feel the blood dripping down his face and taste it as it filled up his mouth. It had been quite some time since he took a hit like that. Last time was probably when that older boy jumped him for his money and hit him with a piece of brick in an alley. It didn't end well for that boy either....

Tony got up quickly wiping some of the blood from his face and watching the guard smirk as he put his pistol back in his holster. His first mistake...

In a flash Tony's hand came from his pocket with brass knuckles on to crack the guard across the chin and send him falling back into the stairs. He was about to go in for a few more blows when he felt the barrel of a pistol on the back of his neck followed by the sound of the hammer clicking into place. That's when Mr. Bufalino came out of his office....

He was in the middle of puffing on a cigar and putting his coat on when he spotted the calamity that was his bottom steps, "What the fuck is going on down here?"

They all rose up and backed off from the stairs as Mr. Bufalino came through and glared at all of them before he broke into laughter....

"You let this youngster get the better of you?" He shook his head, "So what's all the commotion about anyway?"

"I wanted to have a chat with you sir about a good money making opportunity that I have." Tony exclaimed in hopes of avoiding any falsehoods from the guard.

Mr. Bufalino smirked and took a seat where his guard had originally been with his pistol, "Okay, then lets hear it and make it the short version."

Tony rushed over and began to explain....

"Here it is sir. We make a large percentage of our cash from the alcohol business as far as I can tell. We have some of those deep woods and down south folks bringing it up into the city. Then we have to spend out time and cash transporting it further into the city and distributing it all around. That means buying enough cars, trucks, and paying for enough protection. Why don't we cut our costs and increase our profits?" He paused to take a breath and gather his thoughts as he finished his pitch hoping it was coming together alright, "We get the buses, taxis, and paper routes to help distribute our liquor. Plus we make 'em pay for protection when it comes to the rest of their business as well."

He stopped and looked at his new boss who was rubbing his chin and muttering to himself....."So what do you think boss?"

Mr. Bufalino stretched and got up from the seat before replying to Tony's question...

"I like it. The real question is do you have the money to set it all up though?" His tone changed and he was serious this time.

Tony wasn't sure what to say as he hadn't truly thought about that part of it, just that the idea was solid enough to bring to the boss. So he finally just had to admit what he was thinking going into this 'sales pitch'. 

"Well, I have earned a little bit of cash so far. I could probably start with the paper routes since they'll be easier to convince and cheaper in any sort of costs. Then work my way up to the buses and taxis I suppose...." Before he could continue Mr. Bufalino raised his hand to stop him.

"Don't worry kid. I figured you didn't have the cash to truly get this all going. I'll pay whatever costs there are, but if things go south you'll be the one paying for it and I don't mean with cash. We're clear right?" The boss looked him straight in the eyes.

"Yes sir. I understand." With that, they shook on it and Mr. Bufalino left the building to go about his other business.

Tony wanted to make sure they had a way of explaining some of their income in case any feds or police came checking in on their earnings. The more legitimate it seemed, the less likely they were to go to jail or be shaken down for cash. That's where his new business would come into play....

The Pistola Lounge

It would not only act as a way to clean up some of the cash coming in from their liquor business, but give them a place where they could have a drink and relax. Wouldn't hurt to have somewhere to make some business deals in private either... 

A few weeks later....

The business took a bit of time to get going with some people not completely on board with the idea, but eventually with a bit of encouragement Tony was able to get everyone on board that he needed in order to make things work. A few dollars here, a couple of corpses there, and just the right words whispered in ears around the city. It was all running smoothly and the money was really starting to flow into Manhattan and The Renegades Headquarters. 

Tony was sitting at a table drinking some whiskey inside the Pistola Lounge when JacopoCorsi came running inside to get him...

"Tony, there is something you need to hear about now." He paused to catch his breath and Tony motioned for him to continue with his news, "Apparently a few of those southern gentlemen have heard about the system we have going on here and they've gotten some of the taxi drivers to do a few extra deliveries on their behalf."

This was unexpected news....not because somebody was trying to steal from them or use their business idea, but that it was happening so soon even with Mr. Bufalino's name attached to it. Tony got up from the table and patted Jacopo on the shoulder.

"Thanks for letting me know. I guess it's time for me and Betty to go out on a little date tonight." The statement made Jacopo a bit confused as Tony just walked past him and out the front door to his car.

"Let's go boys. I don't want to keep Betty waiting. You know how she can get...." The car door closed behind him and the other men followed him into the car. They were on the road and heading for the drop off point where they'd find those southern fucks who were trying to take some cash right out from under their noses.  

It was a couple hours later as they exited the city limits and made their way out into the woods where they had an old warehouse for storage and deliveries. It was a cheap place to purchase along with the privacy they had being outside the city limits where the police would never come snooping. This would also help keep things nice and private for him and Betty tonight.

As they pulled in they could see a couple of trucks parked outside the warehouse. A few men were going in and out unloading the liquor that had just been delivered. Tony got out with a smile on his face waving at the men...

"How's it going? You all make it up here without any trouble?" He asked as he and his men closed in. 

Quickly all of the southerners were gathering up to see what the visit was all about with one man at the head of the group. He wasn't the brightest man, but he clearly enjoyed any fight he could get in.

"What's this all about? Thought you weren't going to be checkin in on business for a few weeks. Is somethin wrong?" The man was clearly a bit unnerved by their presence. 

"Oh I was just in the neighborhood and figured I would stop by to see how things were going. I also wanted to make sure I didn't miss out on congratulating you on your new business venture with the taxi drivers of New York City." At that moment the man's eyes gave it all away and before he could react there were multiple guns pointing at them. 

"I don't know who was tellin you this information, but it isn't true. I've not done anything to..." One of the men hit him with the butt of their gun sending him to the ground with the rest of his men.

"Now, not only have you been stealing from us. Now you're going to call a close friend of mine a LIAR!? Well I just cannot stand for that. I guess you'll just have to meet Betty tonight." This statement gave him just as much confusion as it did to his friend while he was still in the city.

He continued speaking as he went into the car, "One thing you should know about Betty, besides her bad temper is that she loves to paint. She can create art like no other throwing colors left and right. Although she does seem to favor the color red and who can blame her....it's quite a magnificent color."

As he backed out of the car he held in his hand a Thompson Sub-machine Gun with a extended magazine chamber. On the side was carved the name "Betty". He checked the gun over carefully to make sure it was in tip top shape.

"Please, Mr. Castelli. This is all a big misunderstanding!" He pleaded. 

"I thought we went over this already. You're calling my good friend a liar and I just will not stand for it. Especially when you're adding that to the fact that you are stealing from Mr. Bufalino." Tony clicked off the safety and made sure the gun was ready to fire.

All of the men were pleading and yelling with nobody around to hear them but the trees...

"I hate to end such a good business relationship, but I'm sure we'll find plenty of other men with your skill sets to keep the liquor business flowing nicely. So I bid you farewell gentlemen." He smirked.

One of the men started to get up to run and that was the cue to start firing into the group of men kneeling before them. The muzzle flashes, screams, and blood created quite the scene in the woods that night. Once they were done Tony had his men dig some deep holes to bury the men and get rid of any evidence of the crime. While they did that, Tony drove back to the city to the Pistola Lounge to finish that drink he started earlier that day. 

As he walked inside the building he spotted Jacopo sitting at a table with a few other New York mobsters. He pulled him off to the side to thank him...

"Thanks for the heads up. Went out and took care of it quickly to make sure the message is received by anyone else who thinks they can come up with such bright ideas. Business will resume quickly enough, although we got their delivery before their untimely passing so we probably own't see any issues." As he took a sip of his drink Jacopo had an odd look on his face.

"You have a little bit of blood on your cheek and also some on the cuff of your shirt." He said pointing to both locations.

Tony looked down and sighed, "I really liked this shirt too."