I exit the cab without even thinking what my next step would be.

"Beer... I need a beer." People around stared at me and thought I was a bum, they even threw quarters at my feet. I didn't even pick up the coins believing it would hurt my ego.  I wanted to find a bar where I could think of my next move would be.

After a while of searching and wandering, I found a suitable little pub I walked confidently to the bar counter and ordered a beer. Then I scoped for an empty booth. I sat down and barely had time to have a sip my friend beer, when, a stranger sat next to me and brought out his hand to shake mine. I knew that he had had a few beers already from the smell of his breath, I was driven by interest so we shook hands.

"Hello there kid, my name is Jono. I can see from your face that you are not from around here am I right?"

"Yeah... I just got here, I though a cold beer would help me to clear my mind."

I had no idea what to expect, maybe he was just bored and wanted someone to talk to or he might've just been looking for trouble as I sat in his booth.

"Cool, this is quite unconventional from me but I would be happy if you joined our family. Usually it goes the other way around people have to use some initiative to be recruited. But I'm ready to take an exception in your case, so... what do you say?"

I was amazed, I haven't even spent an hour here and I was already asked to join a family. Mafia life wasn't new to me but I was quite unsure what to expect... Only one answer was rushing in my mind.

"I'd be honored."

Judging from the smile on Jonos face I was led to the conclusion that he was happy to hear a positive answer. I was hoping that he wouldn't be too drunk to make second thoughts about recruiting me when he would be sober.

"Great! Here's my card, if you ever need help with anything just ask me. There's also an address you might want to visit. The don of our family ScipitaRourke owns a mansion, you are always welcome there. But anyways I'd be better going. Lots of things to do and less time to do it, see you later!"

As the man left the bar I was kept thinking "wow that was easy". I glanced at the card and noticed he had written something on the other side "Check your pocket". I checked my coat pockets and noticed that he had given me a big stack of money with a little note aside saying: "I knew it" and a cute smiley face.

Almost a week has gone by and things are going smoothly for me. I've met almost everybody who belongs to the family and made a few friends on the way. I have a good life here in New York and a steady paying job as an "errand boy", but like I've said it hasn't even been a week. I don't want to think what I would have missed if I had said no to Jono. I'm happy that I'm with you guys!

Ay, my new friend.  Fresh off the boat, it's nice to be welcomed onto these shores with open arms.  I also was able to find my place very quickly, thanks to some very friendly and generous outreachers.  It's inspiring to see.

Great to see you coming into your own, I had the pleasure of starting out in NY under Godfather Premier.

Jono enters that same pub. It was a favorite hang out of his since prohibition set in. He'd met a lot of nice new people there. Jono spots Straz sitting in the same booth as when they met and offered Straz the chance to become an assoicate of The Purring Tigers. As he gets nearer, beer in hand he overhears him speaking to some mafiosi.

You see Straz...

A lot of good things can come out of a short conversation with the right people in this world we live in. I remember talking with you for no longer than 20 minutes before I saw your potential.

Let this be a lesson to all new people coming to our shores. Show respect, be polite and listen to those trying to help you. You will go far.

Keep up the good work, Straz.