Cuthbert was a changed man with his Mastrosimone Mutual Fund millions recovered. He had spent the week after his windfall in a whirlwind of cocaine and hookers. Blow and blow - his favourite combination. At some point he had taken to calling it "the Lordian" in honour of both the man who had partaken in similar escapades and the fund which he had pioneered. But a week in, waking up and peeling his cheek from the arsecheek of even a gal as talented as "Candy" had begun to lost its charm. He had climbed out of his debauched pit and slunk into the debauched pit of the Lincoln Lawyer, namely the backseat of his eponymous car.

A conversation had ensued. Cuthbert had been enjoying his millions. The lawyer demanded to know how he had gotten into his car/office. Cuthbert had found the bottom of the scummy barrel, noticing Kuku rotting away several tiers further down, and wanted to do something productive. Lincoln Lawyer didn't care and wanted him to get out of his car/office, he had clients coming soon. Cuthbert doubted that to be true. Lincoln Lawyer lamented that he was clientless since the "dueling fiasco". Cuthbert asked him what that meant. Lincoln Lawyer mentioned that Honk had abandoned the honourable rank of Wise Guy and, presumably on account of much dweebery and lameness, been promoted to Capo. Cuthbert was furious. He demanded to know what happened to his father's dueling title. Lincoln Lawyer repeated that he didn't care and again demanded Cuthbert leave. Mulling over this new information, Cuthbert did leave, but not before pointing out that Lincoln Lawyer's car/office smelled of piss. Just like Lincoln Lawyer.

Cuthbert wandered the streets. It was all well and good doing shots out of hooker's navel's, nobody could deny that. Yet his father's legacy, the Dueling Championship, had been brought into dispute. The title around the waist of a Capo. It made him shudder. His father had been an oaf, a buffoon, a delinquent and somehow both absentee and a drain. Without him though, Cuthbert wouldn't have broken the Mastrosimone Mutual Fund and what had he done at the first opportunity? Lines from the small of Candy's back. He was more Lordian than Gerwyn now. That had to change. He owed it to Gerwyn and he owed it to himself. 

Cuthbert made his way to the building the Lincoln Lawyer had falsely implied were his offices when they had met previously. It had transpired later that the original occupant had been out of town and upon his return had been so unable to clear up the piss smell, he'd abandoned the whole place. It was easy enough for Cuthbert to reach out through a competent lawyer (one who didn't work/live in his vehicle) and make the man a reasonable offer. It was Cuthbert's now and the HQ of the National Dueling Championship. Did that sound plausible? Cuthbert wasn't sure. It was definitely what he would tell anyone who came asking at least.

He took his feet down from the desk and settled to work. "First order of business," he muttered to himself, scribbling a note on the paper in front of him. "Honk to be stripped of the title." It was a good start. The NDC title was meant to provide honour to the good working class Wise Guys of the world, not be a party piece for the bourgeoisie while they sipped champagne. No, it wouldn't do. The title could never belong to that despicable glorified fluffer for the Bosses and Consiglieres of the world, a Capo. Oh no.

That was point 1. Point 2 was a little trickier; who should be the champion? Realistically, Cuthbert had never been defeated in a duel, so he would make a fine champion. Still, that was a little on the nose. People might think it was a little suspicious to take the belt from Honk and strap it around his own waist - however justified such a decision would be. No. He was going to do things properly, not like Gerwyn would have done. He made a second line on his page. When he was satisfied, he called for his personal assistant to spruce it up and circulate it for the masses.

"Are you sure you want to do this?" Candy asked. Cuthbert wasn't sure how he felt being questioned by a recently promoted former prostitute who's tongue had been far enough inside him to reach his soul. He said as much to her. She didn't look impressed. After an awkward elongated silence, she lamented and set about mass producing the announcement.

"Here," snapped Candy handing Cuthbert the completed announcement. He looked down at the page and he had to admit, she could list this as the third job she'd successfully completed for him. 

The Mafiatrivia1 Dueling Tournament - King of the Hill

Due to the immense disrespect shown to the National Dueling Championship by Honk in being promoted to Capo, he has been immediately stripped of his status as National Dueling Champion. He will no longer be able to wear the title belt to parties, his likeness is no longer displayed in the Hall of Fame and the Champion's bathroom has had the locks changed. 

With the title vacated, we must establish a new champion. This will be decided by open dueling between any eligible participants. 

The NDC will sanction any duel which occurs between those who are ranked Wise Guy and below (the best people, lets be honest) who haven't employed loads of bodyguards like massive cowards. 

The winner of each duel will receive $2,000,000 from the NDC. The loser's next of kin can collect $1,000,000 from the NDC coffers.

Once the first duel has been sanctioned, the winner will become the NDC Champion. They must then defend their Champion status against any eligible duelist or forfeit the belt like a big chicken. 

"This is great Candy, really." Cuthbert said, smiling. She huffed and walked off. Remind a girl she used to be a hooker and apparently the road to forgiveness is long. Anyway, that was that. The NDC was back in business.  

Leaving his sulking secretary behind, Cuthbert made his way to the Streets. He saw some of his errand boys passing out the announcement and he smiled with pride. 

This quickly turned to a frown as many of them were promptly dropped on the floor. 

Out of Curiosity, Bellicose wandered over to the NDC leader and asked a couple of clarifying questions.

Cuthbert, I am curious about what happens if a Wise guy becomes a champion and then is promoted to the rank of Made Man shortly after. Do you strip this person of their title or do you have another competition lined up? 

Also, what is there any compensation for a family losing the life of one of their own? 

I am ready for Cuthbert's challenge. Even if I am slower to the draw, his bullet will simply bounce off my stout frame while mine will turn his ghoulish skeleton into melted cheese. 

Ah Cuthbert, the son of Gerwyn, he who does not like prawn and garlic pizza. 

It brings me great joy to see your line return to these streets and rightly reclaim your fathers belt. I am shocked and saddened to see Honk was promoted to Capo but continued to believe he could wear this belt of champions. 

As the linear champion your duel with the Fat and the Fury was both quick and grotesque. 

The glint from the belt will dazzle many fair lady into your bed. Long live Cuthbert!