Whatsername thought it was Philadelphia’s turn to throw a party. Chicago had just hosted a wonderful Christmas party that she was lucky enough to attend. New York had their ball drop ceremony every year. Las Vegas, well Las Vegas was a party every day. It was definitely Philadelphia’s turn. Whatsername knew just the place too and knew she could bring it all together.

She went home and started making some calls. She knew the venue she wanted, the caterer, the band, the decorations. She just needed to get it all set up. After all the calls were made Whatsername of course went shopping. She would need the best new dress she could find for the evening. The last one was red; she figured a blue dress would call in the New Year just splendid. She found some new shoes while out and thought it would all look perfect with the new necklace and earrings she had received for Christmas.

The evening had finally come; Whatsername was dressed early and headed over to the grand hall. She wanted to check on everything before anyone arrived and ensure that the preparations were to her liking. As she walked into the ballroom she was amazed. The food tables were all lined up down the left hand side as she had requested. Soon the food would be put out, salads of many sorts, mashed potatoes, steamed vegetables and of course the prime rib roast and crab legs.

In the centre of the room were round tables, each surrounded by six chairs and covered with a beautiful silver table cloth. In the centre of each table was a vase of fresh flowers, mostly red roses and white carnations.

As Whatsername walked towards the front of the room, the band stepped out from behind the stage. “Would you care to hear one song for sound check Ma’am?” asked the lead singer. Whatsername nodded. As the band began she walked the length of the dance floor and looked up to see the mirror ball twinkling and ready to cast light down on dancers below. She also noticed the white sheets hung along the ceiling as she had requested, looking like waves from the ocean.

She walked over to the bar area, the ice was out and cooling bottles of wine. The champagne was ready in the back for the countdown later. There was beer and liquor and mix, all waiting to be ordered. Beside the bar was a large table full of hats and noisemakers and bags of confetti.

Everything was in order. Her New Year’s party was ready to accept guests. Whatsername walked outside where the marquee was just about to be turned on. When the ballroom owner hit the switch the night’s sky lit up

Welcome to Philadelphia’s New Year’s Eve Celebration. All are welcome.

Whatsername walked back inside and grabbed herself a Happy New Year hat, as she put it on, she saw her first guests start to pull into the parking lot outside. Tonight was going to be a good night.

Curtis knew Whatsername was organising a big new year's eve bash. It would be a typically prestigious occasion and  everyone would be in their finest clothes for the much anticipated event. He debated what to wear. He'd been quite taken with the resplendent purple ball gown he'd woken up in after the Christmas party but to be seen wearing it for the majority of the festive period would never do. Besides, it may send out the wrong signals and give the simple minded the wrong impression. He elected to don something more traditional for a heterosexual mafioso male.

He arrived at the event a little early as he knew all too well that Whatsername would put all the food out early. Getting out of his car he walked into the main room and was taken aback by the wonderfully overstocked bar.

"Oh, my sweet dick, it's magic!"

Seeing his Godfather speaking to the band at the back of the hall he made his way over and embraced her.

"Godmother. Friend. Comrade. Thank you for throwing this event and thank you for that fantastic array of intoxicants! Really first class work there. The room is looking suitably regal and the band sounded good as I pulled up. Its almost a shame I left the ballgown behind now. "

Whatsername smiled as he spoke and didn't bat an eye at the mention of the dress. She'd known him half her life and knew better than to ask searching questions. They only ever lead to more questions and that rabbit hole really didn't seem to have a bottom. Best left unexplained. She encouraged him to get stuck into the buffet and get a drink before the real activities began. Curtis smiled.

"Right you are my dear. I'll get warmed up before the rest of the degenerates arrive and start lowering the tone."

She chuckled and he headed to the bar. He sat down and grinned at the bartender like a smug tiger looking at unsuspecting prey. 

"Oh hello you lovely creature. You and I are going to have some fun together tonight I can promise you that!"

The bartender looked at his unsettling grin and became visibly uncomfortable. This just increased the alcoholic mania in Curtis' eyes. The barkeep had been told the clientele would be 'colourful' in character and he was starting to wonder just what he'd let himself in for. He did his best to look casual and asked what he could make the thirsty Don.

"Well, now you ask, I'll have that bottle there. No son, not a glass. The bottle. Well, not to be uncouth, I will take a tumbler. Might seem unedifying if I start from the bottle at this hour. And before the sandwiches to boot. Terrible show, where are my manners?"

He filled his glass and swept up the bottle from the bar, winking at the bartender as he left. He wandered over to a well placed table and settled in. As he sat he saw Satanta straightening his suit and greeting the first of the arrivals entering the building. There was a sense in the air, that baited anticipation the preceded all the most hedonistic events. Tonight would be a good night.

It was almost time. Satanta couldn't believe the big New Years Eve bash was almost upon them, which shouldn't really have been all that surprising given that it was almost the end of the year and all. He had always struggled with time though. Not in any deep philosophical way, he'd just always struggled with the big hand and the little hand. Combined with things like numbers and alcohol, it made time a very difficult concept for him to grasp in any tangible manner. He had once had a fascination with Cuckoo clocks as a young child, but after nearly losing an eye in the "Don't try and kiss the bird Sat... Ohhh dear god, the idiot did it again" incident he had somewhat lost his fondness for them.

Composing himself amid the butterflies and the excitement, he straightened his bow tie. The penguin suit fitted like a glove and looked a million dollars, he might even come second to Whatsername in the best dressed category, and yet he'd only purchased it as he thought it was going to be made from real penguins. Don't be judging him! He thought they'd be alive and he'd be able to play with them. He really did like penguins.

Seeing Curtis and Whatsername ahead of him, along with hundreds of other guests and staff, Satanta smiled and approached the tremendous hall.

"You really have outdone yourself Godfather. It's impeccable. Other than the lack of monkeys, or penguins, or more booze, or some deep fried mars bars, or a cage for Standard, or a tea area for Tetley.... it really couldn't be any more perfect! 

We'll definitely be be able to rub it right in that Kelly_Kapowski's face if she shows up, her and her "Ain't no party like a Chicago party" chants while shaking her twins. I can't wait!"

With the pleasantries over, Satanta set to work. He had soft drinks for the kids to spike with booze, he had alcoholic drinks for the adults to spike with drugs and drugs for the druggies to spike with laxatives. All of this was yet to do and yet he knew he'd have to get back to the main hall in time to hurl plenty of abuse. It was going to be a busy day.  

A shiny black ford cord screeched into the parking lot outside before pulling up into a spare parking space. It was several moments before the driver’s side door opened and out stepped Adz, looking dapper in his selectively styled suit. He loved to look good and Whatsername’s invitation gave him another reason to impress. He did it for the feeling of being able to. He didn’t care much for others opinions. He knew people would judge him in this life or any life regardless and he would rather they judged him for his full pockets.

He strolled to the passenger side and opened the door to let his plus one exit. With a helping hand, an attractive brunette slid out of the vehicle. She wore an elegant long black dress with black heels to match and had a fur coat covering her back and shoulders. She had a fine figure and skinny long legs that looked like they went on for days. If you were to guess, she looked young yet of age, about 19-21.

Adz put his arm round her and gripped her tightly, pressing her hip up against his as they made their way inside, all the while flirting and increasing the sexual tension. He loved taking his women to these events. Why wouldn’t he? He could have a kind of fun with her that had usually long dried up in marriages. He didn’t care for a household or a legacy. He wanted women to come and go just as fast as his money.

Upon entering he paused to take in the ballroom whilst his companion continued to flirt and whisper sweet nothings into his ear.

Adz pulled his attention away from the sweet and innocent looking Brazilian on his arm to wink at the ballroom owner. They passed him on their way inside before noticing Godmother Whatsername in a beautiful blue dress. Her jewellery caught his attention, not to mention her beauty, although he would never dream of speaking such a thing. He kept things strictly business with those in the immediate and extended family.

He let go of his date for a moment and walked toward and smiled at Whatsername. He made brief eye contact before respectfully taking and kissing the Godmother’s favoured hand. They briefly exchanged pleasantries and talked mostly about beer and nachos. The time spent was equal to their level of familiarity with one another. Removing an envelope from his jacket pocket, Adz gave it forward and respectfully thanked the Godmother for such an event, before tipping his hat and motioning his date back to his side and they continued on.

Adz noticed his Don, Curtis, walk away from the bar toward the centre of the room as the bartender went on serving other guests drinks. He loved a good drop of whisky and made a mental note to get himself and his broad a drink before they took their seats. He also noticed Satanta whom he knew by reputation, yet not personally. He knew a lot of faces in Philadelphia and beyond, yet still liked to keep a close inner circle. Just another of the many things he picked up from his Uncle.

His date finished telling Adz what they would be doing later on, and gave him a kiss on the cheek. He lapped it up whilst leading them toward the centre of the room. As they walked they took in more of the grand hall. The overhead sheets first caught the young women’s attention and then the hanging mirrored ball, as she pointed and commented on how nice it looked.

Adz agreed before nodding toward the bar area. He leant toward her and asked if she could get him a glass of whisky and said he’d be right over, then gently and playfully nudged her in that direction. Caught up in the positive and fun energy emanating from himself, the hall and everyone piling in, she happily obliged.

Adz loved the look of a fine women especially as she was leaving his company. He kept an eye on her, watching as she seductively walked. She playfully glanced back. He gave her a wink before turning his attention toward the table where Curtis was seated.

Above all things in life Adz held family in the highest regard. Factory and South Philly were his family. His uncle had passed several years prior and before he met him he was a lonely orphan on the streets of LA. All he wanted in life was to have that feeling of belonging, and he felt he had found it. He owed his current standing in this life and personal happiness, in part, to Achilles and now Curtis. He pondered this momentarily before greeting his current Don.

After paying his respects to Don Curtis he excused himself and turned toward the broad that would have his attention this night. He smiled at her as she motioned him over from the bar area whilst showing a bit shoulder from the behind the adorning fur coat. He walked toward her as his fixed at his tie, smiling to himself, thinking tonight was definitely going to be a good night.

Some would say the streets of Philadelphia came alive at night, whereas some would say they never slept, either way the streets of Philadelphia remained at the heart of the family business empire and it was here were The_Stig quite rightly felt most at home. He was walking to the venue, chosen by Godmother Whatsername for the New Year’s party, which in itself was unusual for a man more at ease behind a wheel than he was behind anything else. There was good reason however.

He walks the last 100 yards and smiles to himself as he takes in the sights, sounds and various smells that surround the many small enterprises that exist throughout the city. He draws nearer to the venue and with his invitation clasped firmly in his right hand he beckons the concierge stood outside of the building, who acknowledges him and points towards The_Stig’s car that has been parked outside for him by an associate.

He approaches the vehicle and places a $20 bill in the palm of the concierge who he thanks and then walks around to the passenger door. He opens the door and picks up the loop end of a dog’s lead that was placed upon the seat. He turns towards the grand entrance hallway and with lead in hand strides towards the hall. As he walks another loop of the lead uncoils off the passenger seat thereby growing in length…………2 yards, 4 yards, 5 yards and then……….he is tugged backwards. He loops the lead around his hand and tugs in the other direction, then again, and again until eventually……..the other end of the lead is made visible which by some strange quirk, is attached to the neck of a six foot long alligator. The thing exits the vehicle nose first, which is tied shut with a dainty purple ribbon and as it is led up to the entrance casually swipes its tail in the direction of anyone stood close by. The two enter and the entire room parts into two separate halves very quickly, like a parting of the Red Sea.

He leads the ‘gator to the Factory table and ushers it beneath concealing its presence with the enormous silk table cloth. Taking the lead from his hand he places that beneath the table too and makes himself comfortable as he waits for an opening in the crowd so that he can make eye contact at least with Godmother Whatsername. As he waits he samples a few of the nibbles upon the table and notices the table cloth raise and then lower with every breath of the ‘gator beneath.

“My my, the things I do to help a friend” he thinks to himself.

He spots Adz standing at the bar with a particularly gorgeous dark skinned beauty on his arm. He waves and makes his way towards them looking behind as he does so, ensuring all is well at the Factory table.

I had always kept my business quiet and kept the 'everyday kind of guy' repute for the public when in truth, behind the scenes, was the makings of a potent role of my career. I always could tie a fine tie, I thought as I placed the pin upon the tie's front and back to keep it put. I then departed away from the full length mirror after giving my whole attire it's final check. I extended my arms to buttoned my suit's cuffs and noticed my hands. Mother would kill me if she ever saw that my nails weren't fined, no matter how much I would stressed my masculinity, she just wanted my hands clean; Funny now because that is all I want nowadays in my line of business. I smirked through the reminiscent then shook off said thoughts as there was no time to waste. Stepping out of my office, I snapped my finger at my driver and motioned him to follow, then headed to the driveway where my Willys Whippet was parked. I took the backseat, cracked window slightly, then puff the old Cigar and said "Easy on the roads please, I don't want ashes all over my suit." I ordered firmly and watched my driver nod his hand in confirmation.

Shortly after, we arrived onto the parking lot, and made a stop near the building. I gave my driver a wad of cash "Enjoy yourself, I'll give you a call if I need you." I said before waving him off. You could hear the commotion from outside the building, must of be one hell of a celebration, I stomped my cigar out the headed inside to experience the liveliness myself. The decor was great and the scent of filled the atmosphere and my nostrils with delight. I made my approach towards Godmother Whatsername and the rest of the gang to share my praise to the laudable celebration before me. 

"This here is fantastic!" I complimented and greeted the bunch "I'm really enjoying the groove and gracious to experience a thing of our own here we here in Philadelphia. Great get together!" I complimented once more before excusing myself to the bar. It looked promising with a variety of drinks..