Greetings all,

A faint hum could still be heard from the casino floor. The Monkey Cage Casino regulars continued their normal activities, completely unaware of what was taking place in the secluded board room upstairs. Looking around the room, a smile spread across Deimne's face. He stood at the foot of a large rectangular oak table. The most influential men and women of Cosa Nostra, gathered from all eight cities, were seated there, flanked on both sides by the most trusted and reliable the Flying Monkeys had to offer. At the head of the table, sitting with a unflappable calm, was Godfather ThomasRourke.

It's not often that so many of us gather like this. Normally it's only as a result of hostility that we make time for such a gathering, so I thank you all for taking the time to join us today for a more joyous occasion. Cent'anni

Deimne spoke the words eloquently, but the old Italian toast sounded out of place when delivered in his Irish brogue. Nevertheless, it was a gesture much appreciated; and glasses were raised around the table.

As most of you will be aware, today is quite a landmark day for our guest of honour. In a world where a day can seem like a lifetime, this man will achieve his one year anniversary today at 22:57. We have gathered here today to celebrate this achievement and to look into some of the events, or the people behind the events, that have gone into shaping the man we see before us today.

ThomasRourke.... this is your life!

A long time ago, in a land far, far away... also known as Detroit this time last year... a young pup hit the streets with a wide grin, a rourkish demeanour and enough tranquiliser to sedate a small giraffe. The young man quickly proved his mettle, and found a home within Don Marietta's 'The Riot!' headquarters, where our story really begins.

In between his frequent purse snatchings and trips to the local post office, the man had one main past time common to many aspiring Mafiosi... chasing tail! This culminated in his proposal to the lovely Briana_Arao many moons ago. Sadly, it was a relationship which was more tragic than any Shakespearian play - as a 35mm reel of film locked in Godfather Rourke's safe will prove.

As the first 'Rourke' to hit this thing of ours, Thomas always aimed to set the bar high. He was followed by many of his 'kin', but in the frequent street contests that were held, Thomas always retained his title of top dog. Many rumours have suggested it was the constant living in Thomas' shadow that led to BrianRourke's, god rest his soul, inevitable and much celebrated downfall.

Deimne paused here, allowing these revered men and women to have a brief moment to recall the weakest branch of the Rourke family tree. There were expressions of anguish from those remembering the total irrelevance of Brian's existence, happiness and relief for those who revelled in the fact he was no longer with us - but from the vast majority, expressions of total blankness and confusion at the mention of this no name C.

As the weeks and months passed by, Thomas climbed the greasy pole with apparent ease, He worked closely with the Detroit leadership, making the transition from mere two bit 'hustla' to residence at the left side of the capo di tutti capi of Detroit. This woman was and still is, a huge influence on the life of ThomasRourke, so I couldn't think of a more fitting person to be the first to speak about the man himself on his big day. Please welcome the Godmother of Detroit, Marietta.

[You listen intently as Marietta begins to speak]

Oh. Speaking now. Um... who are we here for again? Thomas? OH! Thomas Rourke, not just 'Rourke'. Don't tell either I said that, please. They'll never let me live it down. I'm getting rather forgetful in my old age and that makes me angry and confused. Moving on.

So what could I possibly say about my old associate on such a momentous occasion? I'm sure many of you are expecting me to declare my undying love for the man, or something of the sort. Not going to happen. That leaves me with either sarcasm or utter sincerity- yet I'm a woman who plays on the safe side. I won't say anything that will get me killed, most likely, but I'll do my best to part with a compliment or two about him.

I count myself lucky enough to be one of the people who have had the privilege to work so closely with Godfather Rourke. He was a steadfast and patient man when he worked for The RIOT!, acting as a very level-headed Left Hand while I was charting the unknown territories of my new title as Godfather. He was a man who always put the family before himself, and whose work was nothing short of phenomenal. It honestly does not surprise me that he sits before us all today, in a rank and place of honour. As a young man he impressed me as a loyal and trustworthy crew member, and that feeling has only grown with time as I've watched him create, build and maintain the crime syndicates of New York.

Yes, I know I'm not a woman who has mastered the art of brevity, so I'll do my best to try and wrap things up quickly for the next speaker.

This man has had my back in several different instances, and I cannot possibly express how much I appreciate him, or how proud of him I am at this moment. I do know that I will be sending him a lot more money than he sent me on my 'congrats you're getting too damn old' day.

Your accountant makes note that $5,000,000 has been wired to ThomasRourke from your account.

Congratulations, Thomas. You're getting too damn old. I cannot imagine this 'Thing' without your influence, guidance and presence. Make sure to find some time to celebrate, old friend. Oh, and undying love and stuff. You deserve everything you have, dear.

As Marietta returned to her seat, Deimne stood once more, but as he was about to speak, there was a loud thud. Deimne paused and shot warning glances towards his boys. Two senior enforcers peeled away from those standing against the wall and walked to the door. As it was opened, a muffled voice floated through.

"Let me up in here, you motherfuckers. I DEMAND TO BE HEARD. Dat Thomas, he ain't nothing but a lousy bum, ya hear! More crooked than ol' Gramps! Bent I say, more than a figure zero! YOU HEAR ME IN THERE BIG GUYS? DON'T FORGET THE NAME, IT'S PETTY."

The incoherent rambling continued until a second dull thud was heard. Moments later, the two soldiers - recognisable as Noah-Levenstein and his son Jim - returned, smiling slightly and wiping their hands with the swankiest of monogrammed handkerchiefs. Taking the cue, Deimne shared a chuckled with the seniors figures around the table and continued with his speech.

A man who always liked to surround himself with powerful women, ThomasRourke was anything but bent! It was in his formative years that he also worked closely with another of our current outstanding female leaders on a daily basis. To give her thoughts on the life of Tom when he was but a young whipper snapper, please welcome the former right hand man of 'The Riot!' and now capo di tutti capi of Las Vegas... Aurora.

[The angelic tones strike you as Aurora begins her speech]

Hello everyone,

Guess we're all here to talk about ThomasRourke, well I guess I have a few things I like to say about this Godfather. Well more hoefather if you ask me, it all started with our parents actually, his father LiamTheMute who believe it or not was not so mute.

He thought he could kill anyone inside but you see he couldn't even kill himself, but het got one thing right.. He did a pretty good job as a one time Right Hand Man to Marietta.

Eventually he died, finally, we all had a party. But... He couldn't be there.. oh well.. Then came along his son ThomasRourke, the first of the Rourke craze, following soon after was BrianRourke, Rest in peace.. We save that for another time though.

ThomasRourke had entered this life at full speed, he came in thinking he knew all the right moves, he could do what ever he felt like, what ever position he wanted was his and that basically he could fill his father shoes. However Tatiana had swooped in and had taken in his fathers spot so he had to go to the Left Hand Man position, in his face really. He always spoke his mind and somehow proved to Marietta he could run his own family, Marietta stuck him in New Orleans because let's face it who cared about New Orleans at that time.

He hung out there for a little bit and then decided New York was more suited for his needs as a Godfather, after all who was really going to stop him anyway? So he packed up his stuff moved even further away from Detroit and settled in New York.

I was working as Marietta's RH at the time after that and I must admit I felt I did the job a lot better than he did. Marietta was much more fulfilled if you know what I mean and I'm talking about baby cakes you sickos. Back to this Rourke guy, Thomas "I don't even know what you did in the bathtub to get your nickname" Rourke was sitting pretty making all the waves in New York, even though he did a pretty good job at it I must say, he was pretty successful but people had a lot to say about this godfather, he didn't care though, he do what ever he wanted. He did some other stuff you know, shot some people on the way... but here we are today...

Happy birthday Godfather Rourke, you might be a hoo fo shoo, but you made it! Congratulations my friend. All the love from Las Vegas.

As Thomas' skills developed, it was decided by he and those above him that it was time for a change. In an innovative move, something that would go on to be the hallmark of his leadership and something he still strives for each and every day, it was agreed for Thomas to move and become the Godfather of New Orleans. This was a mutually beneficial arrangement between ThomasRourke and JimmyTheLionHeart, who controlled New Orleans at the time.

Thomas took up his new role with joy. Not only did he move cities to fill the role vacant in New Orleans, he even gave Detroit the greatest going away present any man could give... he took ForkRourke away with him in a burlap sack.

Sadly, Senior Fork is no longer with us. However, on a day such as today, we just couldn't leave him out of the festivities. Forgetting our normal social norms and conventions, we are pleased to welcome our own gifted medium, GingerAle, to hold a séance with the ghost of ForkRourke. Always one keen to avail of her 'special services', I can't thank Ginger enough for providing us with her help in this mediumship.

Strolling to the foot of the table, GingerAle takes Deimne's seat and settles herself into position. Her normally dazzling appearance even more striking as the lights in the room get dimmed for dramatic effect. She slowly falls into a trance, as changes begin to overcome her very appearance. She begins to look goofy, it looked as if ForkRourke was in the room himself. She beings to speak up... her voice a touch higher pitched than normal. Gasps all around, there was no doubt about it. This nasally whine could only belong to one man!

[Fork's voice rings out from an angelic body, it just doesn't seem right... but you can't help but listen.]

Thank you GingerAle for providing me this fine vessel allowing me to speak on this special day. I feel like this speech has been a year in the making, and I can't wait to finally share it with you. Let me go on a tangent first and abuse my new-found abilities.

(ForkRouke plays puppet master and makes GingerAle pinch her own left nipple, causing her to give out a squeak.)

As I was saying... This has given me the opportunity to look back on all of the wonderful memories we have made together. It has taken us more than 365 days to reach the point where we are today and trust me when I say that we have all been looking forward to this day for what seems like a long time! (Yes, this day, this wonderful day when you are promoted from Onesies to a more age appropriate attire not consisting of a pacifier with a built in lanyard)

(GingerAle's hands shoot up uncontrollably and start making finger puppets from the candle in front of her. Fork takes this opportunity to cast whimsical shadows to recreate the running of the bulls, the hokey-pokey, and the entire Roots series.)

When I began to think about what I wanted to say today, I found myself looking to others for advice. I talked with hookers, forcefully retired police officers, drug dealers and family members who you have not shot yet. Someone asked me whether I wanted to talk about the past, or whether I wanted to talk about the future. I thought about it for a second, then quickly decided that it would be impossible to talk about one and not the other.

One year is a long time. To some of you in the audience whose left breast I am not currently cupping - this may not seem to be true, but when you are an infant, 12 months is the better part of your lifetime. In that lifetime we have accomplished many things - such as surviving the move out of Detroit to New Orleans, only to pack up and move to New York. We have survived wars together. Mourned the lives of lost ones together. We have even made mistakes. (Most of which have been buried as to not reveal the embarrassing nature of such events.)

At the time, pride and manhood were on the line, but now looking back it all seems immature and pointless. Lets embrace some of the small events that have happened over the past year. Like Windsocks. Waterbottles rolling off the dashboard of the Model-T and hitting you in the nuts. Pro shots while RHM that... didn't work out as planned. Being woken up at 4am so I can shoot someone, then missing. Only to witness moments later flying to the wrong city at a moment that was critical to ending a war. You falling. You falling that other time. You falling that other other time. You falling pretty much every time our paths cross. Trying to work one of those new fangled devices that cut your grass. Me trying to poison you with a tonic to help you when you were sick. Me rigging the slot machine that made you think you picked it when in fact you only hit the button rather than using real skill. You do not posses such skills. Truth.

Our experiences so far have made for the amazing journey that is our past but your future promises an even greater and more exciting journey. Scarily enough, you must travel alone without me. Up until this point, we have all been travelling together down the path to our future. We recently have come to a point in the road where there is no fork, (Get it? Because I am dead, get it?) but instead many many separate trails that you must follow.

I shall share with you some words of "Fork Wisdom" in hopes that it helps with all your future endeavour.

Horace wrote: "Nil sine magno vita labore dedit mortalibus. When translated into Forkish, this means "Life grants nothing to us mortals without the hard work wacking IAs."

Julius Caesar said: "Veni, vidi, vici" which translates into "I flew. Success! I have zee logz."

Lucretius wrote: "De nihilo nihil" which translates into "Sad Panda is Sad."

These wonderful words of wisdom were found on various bathrooms scattered around the wonderful city of New York. I hope they guide you as your own personal mantra as they have mine.

Finally, I want to leave you with a lasting impression, for this may be the last time we may ever talk.

(Fork quickly takes control of GingerAle's hands again, rips off her shirt, undoes her brassiere and proceeds to helicopter her breasts in large circular motions.)

Take care Thomas, and happy birthday.

While we have you here Ginger, I might request that you also try and contact BrianRourke, god rest his soul. I'm not sure if he'll take time away from harassing the angels to speak to us, but we've got to try.

A loud shuffle is heard at the back of the room. A well dressed man, with a slightly slanty looking tie, makes his way towards Deimne. The gentleman has a strikingly Rourkish appearance. Sporting a name tag , which was odd as nobody else was wearing name tags, you see it reads... "BrianRourke", with a golden arch of some description printed alongside the name. There is a sharp intake of breath from everyone present as Brian, looking far less dead than anyone would have expected, clears his throat. Before a word could be said, Brian collapses. The room, once again, gasps. The rumours were, finally, true. BrianRourke was dead, god rest his soul. Not wanting to dwell on such an insignificant event, Deimne nodded to Iota. The man quickly removed the body from the room, making sure to relieve any valuable goods from the corpse along the way.

Though his time in New Orleans saw the mans ascension to the role of capo di tutti capi, an outstanding achievement in its own right, it will be his work in New York for which he will always be remembered. The city, in ruins following war, was the perfect location for his innovative and cutting edge style to take things to a new level.

Surrounding himself with loyal and dedicated minions, the man has gone on to build an empire as powerful and memorable as any before it. Through his many business ventures, striking new areas never touched before, he has gone on to build a city that any leader would be proud of. A city that will continue to grow, innovate and flourish long into the future.

During his time in 'The Jungle', he has worked alongside many great people, most of them distinctly apelike in appearance. One man that stood by his side for a long time and has now gone on to achieve the rank of Godfather himself in Los Angeles is here today to say a few words about the man himself. Premier, the floor is yours.

[A familiar voice strikes you... ahhh, yes. Godfather Premier, who else could it be.]

*Howling*

Yes... I am that cool. I really just started my speech like that. I mean, not many people can open a speech like that. Thomas is cool enough, but not to many other people.

Calm down ladies, I didn't come here to talk about myself today. I came here to talk about Thomas as well. I met Thomas when I was a mere made man, working as a captain in New York for him at the time. We went through a lot of ideas about how to improve the city and what we could do to make it better. Through the times we experienced many different wars and attacks ourselves which, as always and can pretty much see, we came out victorious as everyone expected us too.

One of our biggest challenges and enemies was birday. I mean, he's just a great mafia person and he was so powerful... No, no, let me stop lying. He wasn't really on our scale at all. He was just one of those guys we shot a few times. I'm sorry for telling a lie. As everybody knows, I cannot tell a lie. That is why I could not continue on with that charade.

Thomas taught me a lot through my time being a captain for him and when it came time, he saw fit to move me to the newly demolished L.A and make me Godfather. So... I owe Thomas a lot and he's always been there for me with not only advice as a leader, but friendship as well. I think he's a big asset to our community and a great leader and a great asset to his city as well. I would pretty much do anything for him... Especially shoot Birday because I mean that's just what friends do.

Thomas was always a kind man to me. He is a good looking man as well, I'm not going to lie. His rosy red cheeks and his childish laugh always made me smile, and he always brightened up my day to talk to him. So, hopefully this little speech brightens up his and ladies you know the number so just give me a call afterwards.

Another of our esteemed leaders, capo di tutti capi of Philadelphia, ScipitaRourke has joined us today for the celebrations. Having started life as a member of Thomas' family, she knows the man as well as anyone. She went on to work under him as a boss in New York, before moving on to lead the city of Philadelphia. Despite excelling the achievement of her forebears and creating her own Kingdom of Predators, Scipita never forgot her very first family, as none of us do. I'd like to let the newest Godfather of our eight cities have her opportunity to give her thoughts on the birthday boy.

[You see a young lady quickly toss back a drink, building up some 'dutch' courage. Godmother Scipita clears her throat, taking the attention of the whole room.]

Ok then let's talk about SUCK. Errm I mean ThomasRourke.

First of all we can say he's a bit unstable, guy doesn't even know where he wants to live as you've all just heard. Just keeps moving around! Detroit, New Orleans, New York... What's next St. Louis? Or Chicago.. hmmm Premier just opened that city.

So anyways, ThomasRourke... This is how my mother met him, after some years of absence in our mafia world my mother decided to run around in the streets a bit see if she recognized some old friends.. She came across this speech of ThomasRourke, about selling ranks! She was all like wtfomg things have changed, the men could sneaky HQ them, you never know right?

So anyways after hanging around a bit more she quickly realised the man didn't do sneaky killing or at least that she knew off.. Might be uber sneaky sneaky you never know right?

Moving on! I don't know the exact details but my mother ended up in his crew, something to do with ForkRourke, you've heard his speech earlier. ForkRourke was kind enough to let her join the crew while in the knowledge my mother was going on holiday the same day, at that time she was a capo. ThomasRourke was not very pleased with having a capo on holiday, he nearly fired ForkRourke! I am sure it must have been a case of the top of the iceberg. I mean what's wrong with getting a job and directly going away! Right?

So things were fun for a while even Butt_Ox said the occasional hello, my mother was making real friends here! But then my mother got sloppy, don't ask me why but the crazy bitch shot at an innocent gangster in Los Angeles. It was there when she learned when ThomasRourke makes you realise you're wrong it's too late. She died just moment later before anyone else even realised what she did.

And pay attention now, you might want to write this down since many out there still can't figure it out. Don't mess with the ThomasRourke. If you're lucky he finishes you off quick, like ripping of a bandaid... But if you're unlucky... he starts a bounty hunt! Just saying...

Ok so this is were I came along, apparently ThomasRourke is also the forgivable kind if you are really lucky. I am not sure I should even say this out loud but let's hope it's ok.... He bought me an army of bodyguards and directly let me back in to his crew. The kind man! I didn't know what hit me, no seriously, couldn't see it because of all these walking closets in front me.

I was quite the girl I tell you!, nobody messed with me! Might be the surname too, never could pin it down really. Or maybe I am just really that scary.. who knows... even Premier stopped hitting on me!

So I did what any good girl does, worked my ass off, no not literally I'm in the mafia damnit! Earned lots and lots of money and made my Godfather ThomasRourke really happy, it was the least I could do really. During that time by just being around and listening is where I would say I learned the most, the most of all my relatives ever managed to learn. I came in the real mafia, this was no more ROUGE crap, excuse me ROGUE I mean ofc, please don't shoot me haha, nah seriously this was serious business.

So I set up my own crew in New York as one of ThomasRourke his bosses, working directly with him, man had a blast! But I guess I'm a little unstable too... Pot kettle.. yeye... ThomasRourke had recently cleaned up Philly, details better be laid at rest but here ya go.

Empty city! It was screaming at me Scipitaaa Scipitaaa, so got my bags together and with ThomasRourke his blessing moved my lot to Philadelphia. Philadelphia, great city you should come by btw..

This whole journey I am thankful to ThomasRourke, thankful for his guidance and thankful for him just being there when needed.

And that's why we're here today, to celebrate ThomasRourke not just for managing dodging bullets a year long, but for how he changed my view on things and I am sure I am not the only one.

So congratulations ThomasRourke! Happy anniversary, may many come!

So there you have it ladies, gentlemen and Rourkes. A brief glimpse at what has been the life of ThomasRourke to date. What more could I possibly say. We've heard the good, the bad and the ugly... and that's just talking about BrianRourke.

ThomasRourke, this is your life! It's something to really be proud of, good sir.

Deimne makes his way to the top of the table, kicking Rourke along the way for spending the last few minutes trying to chat up GingerAle. As he approaches Godfather ThomasRourke, he removes a large brown envelope from his pocket.

Enjoy Thomas. A small gesture from all of the monkeys here in New York.

They say you are the company that you keep.  In this case I do have to say that I am feeling awfully lucky today.  It's been a tough few days, but I can say without a doubt that this has been quite a surprise.  Save Fork Rourke, I am extremely pleased by all the people who turned out today to wish me a happy anniversary, you have all been instrumental in shaping who I've become.

Marietta was my leader for many months and the values I learned there established a base for me to build on when I left the city of Detroit.  I am always indebted to her and to the empire she has built in her city.

I served at the side of Aurora in Detroit for all those months and her sense of humor was something that I know for a fact kept us going during the wars that lasted for more than a day.  I was quite happy that in my year I was able to see that she overcame the horrible history of 1%s that plagued her family line to ascend to the rank she has now.

Fork Rourke, my longest serving RHM, and a staple to New York.  A guy I don't think I could talk about the history of city without mentioning.  I appreciate the service he offered this city, and hope he's somewhere down there smiling.

Premier, my once protege from the city of New York, a man who has proven all of the critics wrong becoming a great leader to his city.   I am glad my time on this earth saw that transformation take place.

Ohhh Scipita, I am unsure about raping band-aids, but I will say that the rest of your words were wonderful to hear and reminisce on.  It was a sad day to see you off to Philly, but you are indeed someone who deserves a city.

Deimne, you have been the crutch that the whole of the city has leaned on.  When Premier left there was a void that you stepped up and filled magnificently.  You are, and have always been, a credit to this city, and a leader that makes it stand as proudly as it has for all this time.

To have a tribute of this caliber... It's truly something.  I am proud to have been alive this long and headed a city with such distinguished members and leaders like Deimne, brandon heat, Starshine, Sibilo, and TM.  You are all great at your craft, and I owe this city to each of you.

Well, being old, I need a nap.

What can be said really but wow.

It is said sometimes that you can tell a mans true colours from really looking at him. From the words of the people that he keeps close to him. If that is anything to go by here. It would seem you are an immense inspiration to the greatest leaders around here in our day and age. That can only mean good things.

Congratulations on your awesome achievement. Godfather Rourke. Well done.

Butt Ox stumbles into the celebration with an empty bottle of scotch in one hand and a two-dollar hooker in his other arm...

"I'll bet you fuckers thought I would never find out about this party, eh? I don't care if I didn't receive an invite, I'm here and I'm staying!"

Butt Ox lets out a giant belch, then straightens his collar as if prepared to deliver an eloquent speech...

"So, uh, yeah, happy one year mafie birfday! I remember when I first met you. I was a young 'un wandering these streets with a stupid name. I was deliberately trying to annoy people and get someone to take a shot at me. Ah, the whimsical nature of youth. However, you ignored my obviously annoying qualities and the several death threats I had already issued before being on dry land for more than 24 hours, and you made a deal with me. My loyal service in exchange for an assload of bodyguards."

"This totally went against my master plan of being annoying and dying a glorious death as an unsponsored Goomba. Retirement seemed like an attractive option, but you talked me out of it. Now, eight months later, I am still here and working in your service, through the good times and the bad. Remember the time we shot people for trespassing in New York? Oh, what a hoot that was! Or how about the time we wiped out Los Angeles? Or how about the time we wiped out New Orleans? Or what about the time we cleaned out Chicago? Or how about the other time we wiped out Chicago? Or Philly?  Oh, lol, we have had such good times."

Butt Ox wipes a tear from his eye

"Of course there have been difficult times, too. Like all those times I said we should kill a bunch of people for no reason, and you said 'no'. Don't let anyone ever say that you don't have a heart of gold."

"Anyhow, enough of the talking. Bring on the hookers and coke. This is supposed to be a celebration!"

Starshine raises her glass in toast to the man before her.  Godfather, congratulations on your one year birthday.  This is a momentous accasion that I am proud and honored to be a part of. 

She tosses the sparkling apple juice back and wanders off to find the cake table.

Il Siciliano heard about this celebration so walks in ready to contribute and notices nobody did as Butt_Ox asked

"Alas, I have not been on these shores for a year so I can do nothing but congratulate you on the passing of such a milestone. Happy Birthday, here is my gift to you"

Just as he finishes his sentence a lorry arrives before reversing in and opening it's back door up to reveal 20 fine looking hookers each with a tray of coke in their hands.

"Enjoy the party"

Il Siciliano walks off realising it won't do his rehab stint any good to stick around while the coke is made irresistable by the women.

"An impressive achievement that most can only dream of grasping, what else can be said apart from congratulations and happy birthday Sir wish you well on the big day"

Congratulations Thomas Rourke, its been an honour serving under you in NY

You have made tough choices, had many sleepless nights, killed or be killed and you have survived longer than most ever will dream, but the the future will also hold great things for New York and the cities of crime we have all come to love and work in, and im proud to call New York my home.

As am I

Congratulations Mr. Rourke

Congratulations Godfather Thomas, it's always great seeing more people accomplishing that achievement, well done sir.
Raises his glass to toast Thomas

Congratulations and a very merry birthday to you sir.. its been a pleasure working under your city.

congratulations sir. HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!. i love being part of NY and i will stay that way for ever

Walks up to -Leone- and gives him a beer and starts talking to him.

Straz stumbles into a big crowd in the streets surprised to see such big names crowded up here. There's Premier, ohh Marietta, Scipita, Deimne... List goes on. Usually there has happened something awful when Godfathers and mothers have gathered up like this, but this time was different. People were smiling and clapping exitedly.

Stra went a little closer so he could hear properly, he started hearing "congratulations" and "ThomasRourke" in the same sentence then it suddenly hit him... Oh right, his birthday is today? Straz made his way a bit closer to the front line so everybody could hear him better.

Greetings ThomasRourke, though we've never really met but I've heard many things about you, great many actually. And in those stories I've never heard anyone spoken ill of you. Atleast not the people who's opinions actually count for anything. Without ever getting to know you, you've still made an impression to me and that is truly impressed. You've had 365 days to do all those things and today is only one of many to come. I hope you great success and happiness to your endeavours.

Straz raises his flask up high

Here's to many more years of glory!

Straz lowers the flask and takes a mouthful of his delicious little mystery drink.

Gaius lights up a cigarette as he looks around the room. He picks up his glass and takes a drink from it. Flicking his cigarette into the ashtray, he sticks it between his lips and stands to his feet. He looks over at ThomasRourke and smiles, watching him enjoy the celebration and of course the attention. He clears his throat before speaking.

This is a damn fine party, for an even finer man. Thomas, through his actions, not his words has taught me quite a bit. He allowed my great grandfather to test his strengths, even though he killed off half the population of mafioso in doing so, him being the first to die. 

Gaius sighed and inhaled deeply before continuing.

Lessons were learned, mistakes were made and corrected, and I am the man I am today, partly because of him. Without his guidance, and patience I doubt many of us would be where we are.

Gaius picks up his glass and raises it in a toast to Thomasrourke, and then laughs as he says.

Congratulations to Godfather Thomas, you old bastard.

Gaius finishes off his drink and takes a seat.

Congratulations Mr. Rourke

"Though I haven't had the pleasure of knowing Godfather ThomasRourke personally, my ancestors have had the privilege of working in NY under Godfather Premier when he was a Don working under the Godfather. They told me he was a great man then, and today I can see, though much has changed with cities going to war and leaders coming and going, he still is a great Godfather. I hope he is blessed with many more years of wisdom and prosperity!"

Prestige raises his glass and looks toward the Godfather.

"Godfather, congratulations on all your past achievements that have lead you to where you are today!"

Prestige drinks down his glass and goes back to mingling.

My great ole grandpappy fought beside you way back in Detroit when you were still a Don and the right hand to Godmother Marietta. He was there to see you kill your first Godfather and he was also there to see you achieve the prestigous honor of becoming a Godfather.

There were times when my bloodline thought nothing more than to want you swimming with the cute lil fishes. Then there's times like these when it's a great honor to be around to see this day come. Enjoy it ole man!

Congratulations on your 1 year anniversary Godfather. It is a pleasure to serve under you and the only city that I would ever consider calling home. Cheers!

A young Wise guy from Don Deimne's family rises from a nearby table.

Congratulations my wonderful Godfather, you truly are worthy of that title. Hopefully you will make it two years.

The rest of the crows applauds and he does a little bow.