​It had been a hectic month with all kinds of commotion. After the move from New York, then the fall of Los Angeles, the confrontations with the existing Godfathers to win control of the city and now, Achilles had been forced to take a step back from leadership. There had been so much work and each time it looked like the end was in sight, something else happened and it all piled up again. Whatsername had taken over the role of Godfather in South Philly and there was a natural emancipation of personnel over to Tetley's new family. But now, Curtis' long time friend and now Godfather had called on him to build a new family to take the space left by Achilles departure. 

Curtis had stopped drinking. Out of sheer necessity as much as Barry's stern warnings. There was a tall blue-green bottle sitting on the end of the polished wooden bar in the new building. Curtis had been looking at it all week, like a circling shark each time he passed. It had been a long week of relentless refurbishment and each day's sunlight had shone through the windows casting glinting rays of light bouncing off that elegant bottle onto the walls. It was hypnotic. Each time he passed it the fucking thing called to him like a seductive siren on some treacherous rocks. He had resisted. The shakes had subsided and clarity was back. He was sharp and focused and clear but this wasn't some born-again seeing the light shit, this was bloody-minded self-enforced suffering. He'd set himself this goal and today, today the finish line awaited.

He took one last walk around the building. The upstairs offices were all prepared and organised with a functional precision and orderly beauty that would make even Tetley smile. The downstairs was nicely divided. A spacious lobby with check tiles, oak walls and plush deep green leather chesterfields then through some large double doors on the right, an expensive lounge and bar area. Following the same theme, high back chairs surrounded low tables with a long impressively stocked bar running the length of the wall. If there was one thing Curtis had taken a meticulous care in assembling, it was the bar. He smiled as his hand glided the length of the polished surface until it gripped the perfect form of the absinthe bottle. Picking it up he walked outside and down the steps. Turning he looked up and the new stone block perfectly set into the brick above the doorway. Into it carved one simple word...

.

Factory

.

He smiled and turned back to look down the stairs into the street. There was a gathering crowd and people already making the most of the buffet and drinks they had laid out for all comers. Curtis drew his gun and gently tapped it against the bottle until the ringing sound had everyone's attention.

"Thank you all for coming. I won't keep you long as I'm sure you'll all want to get stuck into the food and the bar inside. I must first say a few words of thanks and explain our position here.

Firstly, I'd like that thank Godmother Whatsername for giving me the honor of my own family. It is said 'Godfather' is a term of respect and affection, in this case it would be an understatement. You have been as close to blood to me, as this thing of ours allows. My love for you is both sincere and life-long. I thank you for the love and unity you have given me, I will do all I can to continually repay it as we move into the future. This is a great opportunity to further the development of our district, enrich the diversity of the city and most importantly of all, get as much fine imported alcohol in one building as possible!"

Raising the bottle to the crowd, he took a big swig. It tasted so good and as it burned it's way down his neck, he felt a surge of craving and a need for more. Holding the craving at bay he went on with what needed to be said.

"I must also say a few words about this family. This place we have built will not be for everyone. It is not a soft option.

We will not be hunting anyone down to become members as they get off the boats.

There will be no rewards for joining us and no promises made either.

If you want to be a part of this family you will have to approach one of us and make your own introduction.

If accepted as an associate you will have to work hard and prove yourself as worthy of inclusion. If you fail to do so you will be held back. If you continually fail, complain or irritate Barry, you will probably find yourself in the river.

Our family is a traditional one. The step between being an associate and being a Made Member inside the family, will be a significant one. If you are looking to gain a high rank fast with few questions asked, go somewhere else.

We will only invest our time and considerable experience in ensuring the well rounded development of serious mobsters. If you demonstrate the commitment to work on your skills and on becoming a real asset, then you might have what we are looking for. A life in this family will be no free ride. You fuck around, we'll shoot you. You work hard and we'll be there for you until the last bullets take us all."

Raising his bottle in the air, he took a long gratifying drink. Each swallow more sumptuous than the last. This was liquid heaven, this was reward for abstinence, this was letting go. He pulled the bottle from his burning lips and cracked a broad smile. 

"Now... Lets get pissed!"

He walked down the steps to mingle with the gathered crowd.

Whatsername walks up to the newly renovated building and straight to the bar. Today was a day to celebrate for sure. She got herself a drink and then went to find Curtis.

Curtis! You have done wonders with this place, the bar looks absolutely stunning. I am so glad I was able to give you this opportunity. You have been one of my best friends for a long time. You know how to cheer me up when I’m down and you know when I need a stiff dose of reality. You are an amazing man and I know you will be an amazing leader here in South Philly. Congratulations!

Whatsername found herself a place to sit and enjoy her glass of wine. It had been a very busy day and busy week. She needed to just sit back and relax and enjoy tonight.

Congratulations my friend this is a joy to see and I know this would have been well earnt, I know you will go on to great things and help build Philly to where it should be, good luck buddy I cant think of a better man for the job all the best for the future may it be a long and prosperous one, Salute!

congratz well deserved

This is indeed a momentous day for Philadelphia as a whole. Congratulations Curtis, you thoroughly deserve this.

I knew from the moment you gave me a roof over my head that you would go on to great things. Few men have the ability to inspire in the way you do, and I look forward to serving you in your new role as a crew leader in this wonderful city of ours.

Salut my friend, Viva The Factory, and may the angels of prosperity be always by your side.

Now then…….where`s the strong bourbon around here?
 

Congratulations Curtis.

Our kin have spoken in years gone by and if my memory serves me correctly one of my ancestors served in the same crew as you when they first arrived on our shores.  I look forward to prosperous times in Philadelphia under not only your guidance and knowledge of the old ways but also under out 3 new Godfathers.

I see you have also retained the council of the "Forehead".  I sincerely hope everything contained in his enormous frontal lobes will only serve to further Philadelphia as a entity.

Here's to Factory.

Raises a glass of bourbon and throws the old man a wizened gaze.........

Adz is standing amongst the ever growing crowd. He watches on as Curtis received well wishes and praise from his fellow Philadelphia Mafioso and those outsiders paying their respects to a position well earned. Maybe he was biased. He was to become his direct leader, after all. A new father figure to guide and kick The Myrmidons members into gear, and fill their pockets no doubt.

He liked Curtis. Not just for the fact he was at his button ceremony. Or the fact said ceremony came with a nice welcome gift for joining the illustrious members of the extended Philadelphia regime. More so, for the fact he admired and respected the man himself, beyond the title. Although only knowing him a short while, the speech added to his already growing opinion of the man.

As Curtis drew his gun and gently tapped it against the bottle a ringing sound rang out into the surrounding audience. Adz fixed at his Fedora, indirectly scratching an itch on his head, before taking it off. He was preparing himself for the speech to come.

He listened in as best he could, although the look of a nice solid drink had his mouth salivating. He hadn't had a drink since last night. He was weening off the whisky. His good friend and late night companion. The soul reason he had his wits about him. Or so he continually told himself.

As Curtis took a swig before continuing, he imagined how the drops would taste. He needed a fix, and was feeling uneasy just standing there. He felt the eyes of the streets watching him, even if he didn't show it outwardly.

Adz listened and nodded along as Curtis explained his way of running things. His vision struck a chord in him and he felt content the work Achilles had done, and he was now following, wasn't in vein. He felt as satisfied as a alcoholic needing a fix could. Not in his body, as it was calling for a fix, yet in his mind.

After watching Curtis finish his speech by raising the bottle and taking a long and what looked to be a gratifying drink, he made his way forward through the crowd.

"Now... Let's get pissed!" Sounded more like let's start the day correctly to Adz, as it drew him closer to the front of the crowd.

After stepping to the front, he waited in turn, respectfully. He stood still and holding his fedora in hand placed it back on his crown whilst he  scoured the area, watching others paying their respects and congratulating the Factory leader. The head of an extended branch of Familia from newly appointed Godmother Whatsername, in South Philly. The roots seemingly deep and now outstretching to fill this once quiet city now the talk of the streets. At least for today..

Adz watched and listened intently as the new Godmother gave her congratulations and compliments on the place they were all standing in front of. He agreed, it was definitely stunning. He had also come back from a recent organized raid on a trucking depot lead by the Godmother herself, and gave a respectful nod in her direction.

He took note of others not so familiar to him, such as Vincenzo, SheldonSmile and Kelly_Kapowski. He had seem them about the streets, yet never formally met them nor done business with them. His mind wandered to the alcohol as they spoke, drifting in and out of keeping a respectful attention and his habit demanding more of him.

He did take note of The_Stig though, as he was also of the same city and would be a new brother of sorts in this life of theirs. Also hadn't met the man directly, yet took a good note of how he carried himself before making his way forward in turn.

"My Don, Curtis." He bowed his head slightly forward before looking up at the man and making eye contact.

"I'm please someone of your standing and character is taking on from the groundwork Achilles has laid. I love this family as my own. And this city. I am happy and grateful to call you my new Don." With that and before Curtis could reply, he slid his hand into his inner jacket pocket returning with a thick envelope.

"This is for you, Don Curtis. A gift in return and to mark much business to come." He gave a nervous smirk as he handed him the envelope. Not so much for the presence and acceptance of the Don of Factory. More so for the fact the whisky was calling him loud and clear. He gave a firm handshake before moving toward a table where he believed there to be alcohol while pondering where his Myrmidon brothers Nikita_Khrushchev, John_Rosa and john were.

Nikita stands in the crowd and listens as Curtis gives his speech. He finds himself nodding along to everything that was being said. Some of it even brought a broad grin to his face and made him look like an idiot. Luckily he was in the middle of a crowd so no one notices. When Curtis finishes his speech, Nikita works his way through the crowd and over to Curtis. He shakes his new Don's hand.

"Congratulations, Curtis! I'm sure you will do Philadelphia proud. It's an honor to be working under you and I can't wait to see what you will accomplish."

Nikita lets out a big smile, showing his not-so-fabulous teeth, and beelines for the bar.

I'm not often short of words, as you're all too aware Don Curtis, but this is one of those rare occasions. Seeing Whatsername take her place as Godfather of the district was special enough, but seeing you and Don Tetley rise to your new positions alongside her makes it all the more incredible. 

Some people put a bold suit on and try to act the role of a leader. It never works, it doesn't feel right and it normally ends in tears. For the people themselves and those that were unlucky enough to find themselves in close vicinity to them. Others are simply born for it. They inspire with their words, they motivate with every action, they rise those around them to be stronger and work harder. Those people are real leaders. They lead in the way they act, the way they talk and in the way they simply carry themselves. They don't choose to be leaders, they simply are leaders. You, my good friend Curtis, are one of those people.

You've followed in the footsteps of your forefathers. Working harder than could be expected of anyone, showing strength and loyalty beyond question or reproach and carrying yourself in a way to make the world take notice. I look forward to seeing what you, along with those other leaders gracing our district, our city and our lands, can go on to forge in the future. Congratulations good sir.

After listening to Adz's speech John decided to throw a few words himself:

"I'll make Adz's words my own here. We never got to talk much but i always thought highly of you due to the same reasons mentioned by Adz. Let's hope this marks a great new beginning and opportunity for this great city!"

"Congratulations Don Curtis!"

Knowing the wisdom of Whatsername she would of authed you for a reason.  Your time and patience and efforts are rewarded and i wish you congratulations and will watch the continue growth both in the district and city.

As Curtis indulged with his old friend; Barry smiled. Abstinence would await the culmination of the celebrations and he knew the Don had earned a drink or two after the time he had put in. Whilst he was undeniably proud to have been asked to continue in his role as second in command, it was a bittersweet feeling because it would be for a new family, Factory, and that meant he would be seeing his friend Achilles off into a well earned retirement very shortly.

The Myrmidons had been his entire life and it would be a wrench to say goodbye to them and their storied history. He had risen through the ranks of the family, survived under the shadow of a $300,000,000 hit and grown to be a trusted number two to that bastard, Achilles. They had never planned for it to end like this, but life had a knack for getting in the way.

Barry let these thoughts swirl around him for a few moments more before finally casting them aside. This wasn't the time or the place for such things; this was a time for celebration.

"There are few men I would consider postponing my retirement for. You're one of them. Let us continue this merry dance and see where we are when the music stops. A worthy successor to Achilles and someone I am proud to call Don."

This is a great day for Philadelphia Curtis. If anybody is capable of being able to mentor and lead; you are the one choice for that. I wish you the best of luck and can't wait to see your very capable hands go to work at rebuilding a freshly flourishing Philadelphia. If you need anything I will be a phone call away my friend.

Shakes Curtis's hand.

Quit drinking? The little alien spit out his ale all over the place as he heard this line. Curtis? Quit? Preposterous! Say it isn't so... The little alien wabbled feebly over after enjoying a bit too much of the celebratory champagne and ale.

My friend, it has been a long time coming. Watching you work and present yourself to the masses has been an absolute pleasure of mine. I look forward even more to seeing what you do with the gift you have been given. Perhaps a bigger bold suit in the future?

The little alien smiled up at his old friend.

Very few of us ever deserve the ranks we have been given, you my friend I can say are one of them. Congratulations Don Curtis, should you ever need anything you have but to ask and it shall be granted.

Although... what's this nonsense about quitting drinking? Can it be so? Tell me it's a joke, a mere folly. First Kelly and now You. Who am I to go drinking with now?

Cherokee finds Curtis after the party has all but been finished and sits down on the curb with him. He passes the flask and then takes it back and takes a swig.

My friend I cannot tell you how happy I am to see you as a leader again. I pestered you asking why you weren't a hand; you got it. I pestered you why you weren't yet a Crewleader; you got it. It really proves over and over that you are the type of mafioso who lets nothing stand in his way. I am so proud of you. I cannot wait to see what you can do for philly and you sure as hell better know I'll be coming to visit quite often. 

You've always got a place to stay in the Suburbs.

Cheers my old friend

Congratulation Curtis! You Deserve it! Cheers 

Well can wait to see your family grow, Goodluck Curtis and to all the Factory! 

Great job! Keep it up tho

Congratulation Curtis! and also to everyone of the Factory family.

I wish you the best of luck in your endovours:D