Gertrude felt like she had been put through the wringer and left to drip dry after the events of the past week. Tense doesn't even begin to describe the mayhem that unfolded, so much death. However, now was the time to begin the work of rebuilding the cities, and the morale of the mobsters still standing. Tis a cruel world...

In keeping with the style in which Gertrude was brought back to this world, firstly by Albino who, in cahoots with Chong, saw fit to throw this old lady around, with no regard for the fact she was in her twilight years. Not only but also, as if having me up out of my bed wasn't enough, they decided I should set up a home for wayward mobsters! Whippersnappers! I mean, it was nourishment she needed at her age, not punishment!

Being the old hag that she was, Gertrude decided that she was fucked if she was suffering this shite on her own. Flicking through her address book and jotting down the addresses of her favourite associates, she wrote a little note for each. It read,

Darling, I just moved into a lovely big house in South Side, Chicago. Sadly, I fell downstairs and almost broke my hip and would appreciate some company whilst I recouperate. It's been so long since I have seen you, maybe you could come to visit?

Gerty XX

Putting the notes in little envelopes and addressing them to Hualalai and Father_OMalley, Gertrude called on TomRawrdy, her trustee bodyguard to deliver the messages.

In the meantime she made preparations for guests, ordering plenty of groceries including copious amounts of meat, booze and marijuana.

As she stood at the front doors, looking out into the street as an urchin was polishing the brass plate etched with The Col Cannons she folded her arms across her sagging breasts and took in the landscape she was about to shape.

The orderlies booming voice startled the old priest awake from his midday nap.

“OMalley! Wake up old man! You’ve got a letter.”

”You cunt! How dare you disturb my sleep for some fucking past due not…”
 

Rodger the orderly was already continuing down the hallway, ignoring OMalleys rant. He liked the old man, truthfully… but he liked winding him up even more. His reactions to annoyances were generally overblown to the point of comedy. 

Sometimes the old priest would make up these stories about being involved in all sorts of organized crime, and the men he had beaten or killed, heists he had pulled off. It was fun to listen to… but Rodger has met lots of crazies in his years working at the home. OMalleys stories were better than most, but were clearly stories none the less.

Back in his room, OMalley had gotten past his rude awakening and had sat back down on his bed with his letter. To his pleasant surprise, it wasn’t a bill or notice at all, but was a note from his old friend Gertrude asking for help setting up a family back in Chicago. He hadn’t been back to the Windy City in a few years and honestly welcomed the idea of coming out of retirement. He pulled a small suitcase from under his bed and began packing it with a few clothes and odds and ends, singing a little tune under his breath…

”…cockles and mussels, alive alive-o…”

”Just one more thing before I leave” he smiled to himself as he put his jacket on, grabbed his suitcase and quietly slipped out in to the hallway.

He made his way down to the staff lunch room where he found Rodger sitting with his feet up, reading the paper with his back to the door. OMalley stole into the room, and with surprising speed and agility, snuck up behind the big orderly, pulled a stiletto from his pocket, and sliced his throat from ear to ear.

Rodgers eyes widened as the blood started pouring out of his opened throat, his mouth opening and closing, but no words coming out…

”What’s that? What’s that funny man? Something to say?” OMalley mocked with a sick grin.

”Sorry, no time for that, Ive a plane to catch!”

With that, OMalley turned and walked out the door…

Charlotte had carefully prepared the gift basket with foods that the old timers would be able to suck on until soft enough to gum and swallow. "Gertrude, I am ecstatic for you..." she trailed off when she realized the old woman could not hear her, "GERTRUDE, CONGRATULATIONS." Charlie said, much louder this time. "I AM SURE THAT..." she stopped again as a yellow puddle began to form under Father_OMalley and thats when she realized it was time for her to take her leave. "WELL BEST OF LUCK AND ALL THAT," She said walking backwards, before turning to high tail it out of there, wondering how on earth @Hualalai was going to manage dealing with this. 

* Two days earlier...

The torrential rain continued to hammer down on the streets of Pasadena. The country had been at war for days and there was no sign of the turmoil letting up soon. The support that had flocked to the opposing side was vast and seemingly endless. The Los Angeles leadership had worked tirelessly day and night to ensure the safety of as many as they could. Chong and Albino had naturally moved into a shift pattern, splitting the responsibility of troop control. The pillar that held them upright was Gertrude but even she was beginning to tire. While the city's losses were few, they were painful and it was all beginning to take it's toll. Even 'Albino the Warmonger' had grown tired of the fighting and sleep deprivation was beginning to kick his arse. Eager to end the insanity, he shook off his entourage, grabbed his gun and a bag full of cash and proceeded to jet around the country in pursuit of the assailaint still at large. It cost him millions in dollars and much more in rationality. He was ready to throw himself to sacrifice to end the annihilation. Fortunately for the members within his ranks, Dirty Gerty had managed to catch up with him and began barking orders.

"NO!" She exclaimed. "Get your fucking arse home now! We've come too far!"
Albino looked at her, a frenzied look upon his face.
"I MEAN IT!" She demanded. "You're not doing this."
As stubborn as the old woman was, Albino was young and tenacious. He would not be easily convinced. His next flight was imminent and he would soon be close enough to put his plan in motion.
"You're not fucking dying tonight, Albino. I forbid it." Losing control of the situation and less commanding now, Gertrude continued.
Still unturned by her insistence, he looked over her shoulder as the plane began to lower. As it landed on the runway beside them, he offered her a warm smile. He owed her so much for everything she'd done for him but lacking the ability to share kind words right now, all he could offer was his smile. The plane had settled and the door opened. He took one last gaze at her, the small tear growing in his eye fortunately not visible in the darkness of night. He turned his back to her and proceeded towards the plane. He couldn't believe his ears at the next words of desparation to leave her mouth.
"I WILL TAKE AUTH!"
He stopped immediately in his tracks. Turning back to look at her, his face now overcome with shock. It took him some moments to come to terms with what she had just agreed to. Once finally digested, he waved the plane off and they got back to the hunt at hand.

* Present day...

Albino joyfully bounced up to the doors of The Col Cannons HeadQuarters. He couldn't believe it himself, but he'd finally done it. He'd managed to trick ol' Gertrude into her own HQ and all it took was holding a loaded gun to his head. Why didn't he try that sooner?! Grinning as he skipped through the door, his voice echoed throughout,

"DIRTY GERTYYYYYYY!"

He made his way to the kitchen and helped himself to the fresh contents of the refrigerator. He was fortunate to have made it there before Gerty or it may have been empty. While preparing himself a lamb sandwich, a welcome arrival hobbled in to greet him. He'd heard that she'd managed to talk Father_OMalley back into the life of crime and was ecstatic to see the old bastard back in play - even if he had coldly refused Albino just weeks earlier.

"Mr. OMalley!" Albino emptied his hands and immediately grabbed hold of the old bastard, squeezing him so hard, almost knocking him off his feet. He takes a step back to look him up and down.
"Man, am I glad to see you, you beautiful bastard!" He grips him tight once more before releasing.
"All I needed to do was kick Gerty out and you'd come running, eh? Damn, I wish I'd done it so long ago..." Albino grinned.
"So where's the others? Gertrude and Hualalai? Sleeping off the hangovers?"

Rock Legend Vim Fuego had just finished playing a gig at Madison Square Gardens when he was approached by Tom a young fetching Masseur bodyguard of that saucy vixen Gertrude. She had long been a groupie of legendary rock band Bad News Gertrude had taken a tumble and injured herself so there was only one way to cure this Vim got the band together and had the van loaded with Coke and Bourbon a dose of Bad News Rock N Roll followed by a Bourbon and Coke Bender and Gertrude would forgot about her injury.

She tries to sneak in without being seen... late beyond all belief, but she'd arrived.

I'm sorry Gertie my love, I got tied up getting the HQ furnished, my nails done, abusing Albino and wishing I could beat the crap out of Reorx... You know, the usual, but I'm here now!

I'm a horrible right hand, I know... I'm sorry?

She holds up a bouquet of roses, a joint, a bottle (three) of Gertie's favourite wine, and points to a table laid out for one with a plate waiting.