I had been sitting at the bar for what felt like hours in sunny Los Angelos waiting on the call as to the whereabouts of the bum I was sent out here to handle, when I heard the phone ring behind the bar.  I could hear the bartender laugh as he told the person on the other line....

Yeah that lush has been here all day!

The man walked over to me and handed me the phone...It's for you...As he left another cocktail....

It was Spike on the other end of the phone...Look I am sure you are at least 10 drinks in and still no word on that problem we talked about so why don't you hop on the first flight back to Chicago, Godfather Riina and I need to speak with you.

Boarding the plane all I could think about was what I was going to drink when the flight attendant asked. It was a long flight back to Chicago and I wasn't trying to be sober.  The last time I was summoned to meet with Spike and the Godfather they wouldn't hand me a drink and said to sober up so I knew I had to get as many in as I could before I landed

Once I landed, I tipped the flight attendant a few hundred dollars as the dice tables were profitable in LA, plus when the guy next to me said I should be cut off she slapped him which was a nice touch. I stumbled off the plan leaving a note with my address for the nice flight attendant in hopes she'd drop by later and exited the plane. To my surprise Coke was waiting for me at the gate....

My god man, did you drink all the liquor on that plane? I could smell you as soon as you got off! Look I don't know what you did this time, but Spike told me to pick you up and head straight over to the social club.  I guess it's important and he figured you'd need a ride.

I don't know if it was the liquor talking or nerves, but this seemed unusual.  Last time I picked someone up from the airport for the boss they didn't make it home alive...

The car pulled up to the social club and Spike and Godfather Riina were standing there, just glaring at me.  Spike spoke...

Drunk again I see, at this point you may need to go to AA. 

Everyone laughed 

Look it's been a long-time coming Rum, you have served me and the city well.  What do you say you take your sober brother over there and setup to help build this city stronger? 

I look over at Godfather Riina and he just nods...

Would be an honor boss! Only question I have is does this mean I have to stop drinking?

Again, everyone chuckles, and Godfather Riina speaks

I don't think any of us could handle you sober, that's why you are taking Coke with you.

I shake the hands and kiss both men on the check, this was a huge honor and knew I had to look to my grandfather's journals for wisdom as he too was a leader on these streets

The Drunken Elite has arrived!