Summerlin, LV. After Kenny had opened his Bar and Casino, the word of the success was spreading all over the U.S. Lots of people visiting, drinking drinks, making merry and betting their hard earned money on the place was making the profit go sky high. People from all over were looking for a job there, the pay was good and it was a great place to make connections in this thing of ours. But not any chump could find work in the bar, only people Kenny knew and trusted, because of the nature of the place, it was designed to be a safe haven for mafioso and criminals, so the workers needed to be the same or at least know how things worked.

Kenny was looking for someone to manage his poker games on the casino and he needed someone trustworthy, who had played high stakes games and knew how to read people. A few people passed on his mind but one name took priority.

The name was Mocha. The only person that Kenny could trust enough, not because he knew her well, but her bloodline. Rain was Kenny right hand woman a while back in South Side CH for a long time. They were best friends and he even allowed her to run her own crew in the district. He had met lots of Rain's family and knew they were reliable, trustworthy and hard-workers.

Kenny knew Mocha from their younger days in South Philly. They had exchanged words but never got close enough to form a strong friendship. Also he was always busy doing petty crimes, dealing drugs and evading the police with his brother Anthony Russo that he never had the chance to get to know her better. This was before Kenny knew Rain and the rest of the family.

Sitting on his office, pondering all this, he calls his bookkeeper and asks for Mocha's telephone number. He say he doesn't have but will pull some strings. Kenny thanks him and opens a bottle of whiskey and waits for the return call.

After a few minutes he returns with the number. Kenny hang up and picked it up again and dialed Mocha's number. No answer.

He decided to write a letter.

Mocha,

I have a business proposition for you.

Look for me in the Ghost Cavalry HQ next time you're in Las Vegas and we'll go for a walk and talk.

There is money to be made.

~Kenneth Russo

With that, he sealed the letter and put on his drawer. The next day he deposited the letter in the mail and continued on with his life, hoping that Mocha reads the letter and accepts the invitation.

Mocha and @Alpino were sitting in the office in the Prestigious Building when Margo walked in with a letter from @KennyRusso. She couldn’t believe she would be hearing from him.  She turned to Alpino and asked if he remembered the Russo and of course he did.

Every summer and sometime holidays they would visit there Aunt Myrtle and Uncle Johnny in South Philly.  Anthony owned a bar right around the corner and she would run into Kenny every once in a while and had developed quite a crush on him.  He was older than her and really didn’t give her the time of day.

Uncle Johnny used to play poker games at the bar and sometime had his own games at the house.  Mocha started off dealing the game at house and where she actually started learning the game.  She, @Alpino and Larry would play for toothpicks. 

Years later she was actually good enough to deal and play at Russo’s bar.

Mocha was so excited to hear Kenny had his own establishment, was looking so forward to seeing him and learning of this business venture.

She told Margo to make reservation for her to fly out the next day.  Alpino said he would fly out the following day and meet her there.

She called @KennyRusso to let him know she would be arriving.

Kenny spent the day partying in the bar with his customers, chatting and meeting new contacts. A few hours of merriment and lots of whiskey, he made his way to his private room and passed out on his couch. That was a few days after he sent the letter to Mocha, who had finally arrived. It was nearly 1 AM when he phone rang. Dizzy and stumbling on the mess that is his private room, he made his way to the phone. Trying his best to appear sober, he picked it up and it was Mocha. They made small talk and Kenny told her about the bar and the business proposition, she was interested, they agreed that Kenny would pick her up on the airport and drive her to the bar where he would show what he expected of her.

After they hang up, Kenny returned to his couch to sleep off the rest of the alcohol.

It was the day that Kenny would pick Mocha up in the airport. He made sure to wake up early and take a shower to appear presentable. The day was sunny as he drove towards the meeting place. After a hour driving from Summerlin to Paradise, Kenny could finally see the place. He parked his car on the streets nearby and got out, walking towards the airport.

He went to the gates where Mocha was supposed to arrive and waited for her there. After a few minutes he could see her but he could hardly recognize her. She looks very different from the times back in South Philly where she would try to sneak in his brother's bar and always got caught by security. He remembers that when she got old enough she started to be a regular, gambling and having fun at the place.

He waved his hand and she approached him.

"You look very different." Kenny said, clearing his throat. "It's been what? Almost ten years right?"

He signals for her to follow him.

"We'll chat on the way to the bar. I parked my car nearby."

The minute Mocha walked down the gateway into the terminal she spotted @KennyRusso right away.  It had been several years but she still looked the same to her.  She could recognize that beautiful black hair and piercing eyes anywhere. When he saw her that devilish smile appeared on his face. She remembered how years ago it would make her melt.  She approached him and gave him a big hug.

Oh my God, it’s so nice to see you, Kenny.  It’s been a long time.  When I see Anthony I always ask how you are doing.  He would always say Kenny will do Kenny.  They both laughed. I am glad you contacted me and so excited to see what you have up your sleeve now.  Kenny put his arm around her back motioning her to follow him.

Kenny kept making small talk as they walked towards the car. Telling stories about the old neighborhood, the people who lived there, the games the kids played on the streets and the parties on holidays some folk used to throw. It was a good time to grow up, a shame it was cut short for Kenny and his brother too soon. Nostalgia hit then a little sadness but Kenny kept the same face while talking to Mocha. They arrived at the car and Kenny opened the door to her, trying to be a gentleman, something he never did and doesn't know why he's doing. Perhaps he doesn't want her to know who he is now and keep the memory of that boy in her mind instead of the bitter man in front of her.

She entered in the passenger seat and Kenny closed the door, Kenny also entered the car. He put the key in the ignition and the motor roared.

"So, poker games. I remember you were pretty good at those back in the day, that's why I decided to give you a call." Kenny said with his eyes on the streets, driving towards Summerlin.

"So, my proposition is the following: This bar I opened, it has casino and a few poker tables. I was thinking that maybe you'd like to manage them? Set up a few tournaments, watch for cheaters and make my life a little easier because to be honest, I don't even know how to play poker. I've had my bodyguard helping me out with this but I need a dedicated person for the job that I can trust, and that's you."

Kenny stayed silent a little bit waiting for Mocha's reply.

Damn, Mocha thought as @KennyRusso escorted her to one fine-ass car.  He was doing good for himself.

Well, Kenny you know I reside in New York now.  My brother @Alpino and I have a business office there although he resides in Chicago.  You remember him right?  She watch as Kenny nodded of course.

But what I can do is hired well-trusted people to run the poker room when I am not there and will try to come to Vegas as often as possible to keep things in order.  I have two on the security team that would work well with your security team.  I will make sure the cashier booths are up to par and well-maintained. Once we get things rolling don’t think there will be any problems at all.  I think we can work it out and will accept your offer.

"Well this is just our first talk, we'll have to plan a little bit over drinks when we get to the bar." Kenny says while driving with one hand and lighting a cigarette with the other, then he let the cigarette rest on his lips while he put his two hands on the steering wheel. He feels bad having this conversation on the car but he's not the best at small talk, so he goes straight to business.

"Once we get there." Kenny goes for his pockets and pulls out a key. "The bar is open 24/7. But this key opens the door near the counter. It's my private room where all the details about the poker games are kept."

He stopped at a red light and turned his head to face Mocha.

"I'll have a little business to conduct this morning but I will be at the bar later. You go in, find a man named Theo and he'll take care of you and show you around. Then when I return you can report to me what you think and what improvements we should make. Also give Theo your contacts and he'll speed up the process of contacting them and checking how much money we'll have to pay them."

Mocha nodded then they stopped talking business. She was way more charismatic than him so she started some small talk. After a few minutes they were at the Russo's Bar and Casino where Kenny parked and got out of the car to escort her to the entrance.

"This here is Mocha, get Theo for her and tell him to do what she says, alright? We got a new poker manager." 

The security guard nodded as Kenny said his goodbyes and returned to his car, trusting that Theo will take care of what she needs.

As Al got ready to fly out and meet Mocha, he felt a mix of excitement and nervousness. This was a new venture they were embarking on with KennyRusso.. Al remembered him from the block, his brother's bar but they were a little young to be going in there but he always managed somehow to get inside without being noticed.

As the plane landed, Al was waiting to make a phone call once he got down. He quickly made his way through immigration and retrieved his luggage and rang Mike as he had details he needed confirmed about his meeting and then he booked a taxi to take him into the city. Mocha mentioned earlier before he departed that they had to meet up at Russo's Bar & Casino. 

Al reached there and was asked by the security guard what his business was here. The guard wasn't sure who or what the guy standing infront of him was. "I m here to see Kenny and Mocha, I believe they are waiting for me". The guard replied "Kenny isn't here, but you are Mocha's brother? She did mention you will be coming by sir" 

The tone of the guard changed immediately as he realised who Al was and let him through. 

As Alpino entered the bar, he saw Mocha sitting at a table flanked by a beautiful woman, who, upon CLOSER inspection, he recognised as JaymeBaxter, PI and BDLOTSC.  The mood lighting reflected off her beige latino complexion, lighting the space around her.

Al had heard of Jayme before, not only was she a BEAUTIFUL WOMAN, she was a well-known investigator of MYSTERIES in the city and had a reputation for being ruthless in her business dealings. Mocha introduced Al to Jayme and explained that she was joining them for the meeting.

Al was nervous about meeting Jayme, but he tried to hide it, if Mocha trusted her, he would also have to. good friends were hard to come by these days.  They sat down and ordered drinks while they waited for KennyRusso, who, as usual, was INCREDULOUSLY late.  Jayme seemed friendly enough, but there was something about her that made Al uneasy.

Eventually, Kenny arrived and much to Al's susprise, before greeting anyone else, he was ALL OVER Jayme.  It was NAUSEATING and went on fur what seemed like an ETERNITY before the meeting got underway.  They discussed their plans for the new venture and Jayme offered to invest a significant amount of money.  Al, while impressed by Jayme's knowledge and business acumen couldn't quite shake the nagging feeling that there was something not quite right about her.  He turned, startled by a noise behind him but sighed with RELIEF when he saw it was only a PIGEON, pecking at the window.

The meeting lasted for several hours and by the end, they had agreed on a plan of action.  As they said their goodbyes, Al couldn't help but feel like he had just made a deal with the devil.  He wasn't sure what the future held, but he knew that Jayme would be a force to be reckoned with......