Joe McJoe finally got the break he had been waiting for. He spent damn long years building his career, working out connections, and piling one side hustle after another. Due to his sweet tongue and fresh boyhood charm, McJoe managed to ride along with the dream team...

...The Kraken Development Circle. The big shot. 

As a fledgling Super-Manager, Joe McJoe got his hands on the Jade Dragon Mega Casino project. The moment he got the call, McJoe leaped with joy. Then he retched his breakfast in the toilet. Such a big responsibility! A Mega Casino in Detroit. Joe talked to his girlfriend about the opportunity, and then he fucked her for two nights straight. A great way to relieve stress.

Barely a week after getting the assignment, Joe received a call. An offer for something bigger. No need to drop the Jade Dragon. In fact, the offer would 'link up' with the mega project. 

Joe heaved a sigh upon learning that the offer is from Phil Leotardo. A hustler who spent 20 years in the can, eating grilled cheese off a radiator, and jacking off into a wad of tissue. A man who must reap the fruits of a bustling new world, for he was denied many years earlier.

Knowing that he couldn't say NO, McJoe met up with Phil and his old friend, Butch.

"A Super-Manager," Phil smiled, his full greedy teeth showing. "I never had that title. Pro'lly will never have it in my life."

"Ha-ha, thanks." Joe said, awkwardly.

"Hey, lemme tell ya something. When Jesus was in the cross, totally in pain, he called out to Peter. The disciple is dedicated to his Master. He approached Jesus, despite being tonked in the head by a guard. He asked, what it is, Lord? Y'know what Jesus said?"

"Uh...what?"

"Jesus said: PETER, I CAN SEE YOUR HOUSE FROM HERE."

Butch burst out in laughter, almost choking on his coffee. Phil laughed too, but only for a few seconds. McJoe had no other choice but to laugh along. 

"We want to talk about something that will give mutual benefit. Sign us up in your team. I can provide some really competent guys. Y'know, people in legal, logistics, that sorta thing. Don't get me started on the unions too. You might get over-excited." Phil said.

"Mr. Leotardo, I know you're a capable businessman. But I have to bring this up to my superiors. People might get suspicious."

"We talked to your bosses." Butchie added, his brown eyes fixed on McJoe. "They agreed on some terms, but they emphasized that you're the shot-caller here, Joe."

Phil nodded and studied the thin, almost weakly looking frame of McJoe.

"Just do the paperwork, Joe." Phil ordered. "Sign what y'gotta sign. I even have a ticket for you here, vacation cruise to Italy. Do the paperwork first, then head on vacation. The work? Don'worry. Fuggedabout it. Life's too short to spend on being bookish."

The waitress arrived, bringing plates of steaks and scrumptious sides for the men. She flashed a smile to Butch, then to Joe, but never to Phil. Anyway, Phil didn't care. All eyes on the deal.

"The Jade Dragon will surely make the news. And you'll be the hero, Joe." Butch tried to convince McJoe.

Farce.

McJoe knew that, from now on, the Jade Dragon will be a farce. The blight of the Cosa Nostra couldn't be avoided. It will bleed the land dry. It will rake everything - from scraps to profits. As McJoe devoured his steak, the bile of hate filled him. He won't fully submit to Phil or to any of his cronies. Somehow, McJoe knows that Phil is connected to the HiiPower mob. High power, my ass, McJoe thought.

There's a way around paperwork after all. And mega construction projects are multi-layered. Beehives of scams and deceptions. Joe McJoe pondered about fake paperwork and delaying tactics. Something that dumb Phil wouldn't pick.

With that, Joe asked Phil about the vacation cruise ticket. 

Let the Jade Dragon games begin.