Standing there in the front office one of the family warehouses, I watched the last of the five guests arrive. Once again, I wondered what I did this week to piss off Q to get stuck babysitting our out of town brothers. Not that I don't like them, they are blood, and I even know a couple of them...but it was cutting into my drinking and bookmaking time. Shaking off the slight hangover, I began my introduction.
"Everyone, glad to have you here in the city. Since you are all recently Made men, and none of you have been here before, the Boss thought you might enjoy a little tour of the city. To kill some time til it's time for the meetings later on.
If you would follow me to the back of the warehouse, we have a limo waiting."
Heading to the rear of the warehouse, I ushered each of the men into the stretch limo, followed them in and motioned for the driver to take off. He had the route I laid out for him, so I was free to relax and open the nice chianti flown in for the occasion.
Giving each of them a glass, I offered to answer questions til we neared the first site on my list.
Enjoying the relaxed small talk and the good wine, I'm put back into action as the driver taps on the window between us, notifying me we are near.
"Gentlemen, thought I'd like to start this tour at a spot that represents the beginning. This park is Penn's Landing. It is where William Penn first landed to set up his colony, which was the start of Philadelphia, and Pennsylvania. It was also the start of the Wolf Pack. Over there in the corner of the parking lot? That is where Jimmy Noodles was riddled with over a hundred bullets on his 40th birthday. He was consigliere, that is what started the war that put us in power, and united us as a power."
Giving them a moment to look around, I motion to the driver to head to the next spot.
Turning to the men, I ask, "Anyone need a refill?"

We were on a roll now. It would only take a few minutes to get to the next site.
Rounding the corner I saw it coming up.
"Gentlemen, over there you can see the Betsy Ross house, home of the original design of the Starts and Stripes. Just to the left down on the corner of Arch St, and 3rd, that is rumored to be the spot where Don Quirinus made his bones by whacking two lieutenants of an opposing family at the tender age of 19. He will neither confirm or deny it. To this day, no one has ever been officially named as the assassin. Although, curiously, shortly after that event he was welcomed into the family, he had been made.
Here, let me fill your glasses as he head a few blocks away to the next Philly monument."
I once again motioned for the driver to head out.
Have to remember to thank Jewish Jake, this is some good wine. Maybe this wasn't such a bad assignment.
Oh well, day's young.

"Coming up is one of my favorites, " I told them.
"Market and 5th, home to the Liberty Bell, one of the enduring symbols of this country. Anyone wanting out here to see it, we have plenty of time. But, before you do...Also, across the street opposite corner. The National Bank there? That is the spot where 4 of our young Wolves made history as the largest bank robbery in the nation. That was several years ago, and I won't relay their names, but they are all people I respect and answer to now. Unfortunately, a larger bank robbery eclipsed their national claim, but it is still a record here in Pennsylvania."
Opening the door, I let out a couple of the men that want souvenier Liberty Bells for their kids.
I step out also, to grab a smoke, and stretch my legs.
Looking at my Rolex, I see we're a ahead of schedule. Good, I could use a steak and cheese...and I know a great spot just past the next site.

Once the miniature Liberty Bells have been bought and a few photos taken, everyone gets back into the limo, I crush my cigarette out and follow them in. Getting the driver to head out, I settle back in the seat and listen to my stomach start rumbling.
We're only going a block so no one has much time for anything. A nice day I'd have walked the block, but it's a little cold and misty, so what the hell...nice limo, may as well use it.
Rounding the corner I can see the big building come into view.
"Here we are gentlemen, Independence Hall. Birthplace of our country, home to many famous and important men and documents."
I can see the look in their faces, these aren't stupid men, they may be considered thugs by some, but the common person would be surprised to know that now days a lot of us have degrees and brains. It isn't a job where pure brawn can last long any more. I can tell they feel like I did first time I saw this old building, a little awed.
Drawing their attention away, I point to the old elegant building down on the corner of Chestnut and 6th.
"That is the site of one of the largest art thefts in history. It isn't well known, because a lot of it was from private, anonymous donors...it took over a year to talk all of them into parting with art work to have a month long show unlike any seen in a long time. Took a few of us Wolves about 5 hours to empty it all out. We still have paintings and scuptures stashed, unloading only a few here and there to rich secretive men who keep their art collections in hidden vaults. Helped finance a lot of structural business to help us to get to the level of power we now enjoy."
"Ok, time for a little break...," I roll down the window to the driver and tell him where to head.
"Gentlemen, you are in Philly home of the best sandwich known to man. So it'd be a shame to head home without trying one of the best examples of this sandwich. We are heading to Sarcone's Deli...he's a family friend and makes a Philly Steak and Cheese that will make you forget your names. Hope you're hungry."
At last...a Sarcone's steak...day just keeps getting better.

Full stomachs, nothing like a great cheesesteak. The guys all look pretty happy too, Philly agrees with everyone.
"Ok, the next couple stops are all together, but each holds meaning for the family. Being in our line of work, you know we all started out grabbing purses, and knocking over liquor stores...but the first real money we started seeing...That was when we started bookmaking. And of course, what's bookmaking without sports?
Coming up here you see Philadelphia Park or The Baker Bowl, depending on who you ask. It is home to our football team the Eagles, and our baseball team the Phillies.
Phillies have been here forever, town loves them, had a few good seasons here recently...Chuck Klein and Lefty O'Doul...both great hitters. I was lucky enough to see the Babe here last season, hit two homeruns that game. Wish he played for us.
The Eagles, haven't been here long, crowds aren't bad, people aren't used to seeing pro football here. We have some tickets if you want to try out a game this weekend. I think they're playing the Chicago Bears.
Been reading that the owner is wanting to try something called the, um, college draft, sounds a little hokey, not sure if that'll take off or not.
We're hoping this stadium lasts a while...under the concrete of the stands...lie several members of a competing family. They're still being looked for. Plus, we own part of the concessions here, of course, nice little income each season."
Turning in my seat, I light a cigarette, and motion for the driver to get going.

A few blocks up away and it was time to play tour guide once more.
"I know they call baseball americas pasttime, but here, gentlemen is the home of the sport of kings...And gangsters. It's the Philly Arena, home of the best boxing in the city. Our home town boys include 'Phily' Jack O'Brien, over 138 wins, 51 by KO, and a great new kid, I think he's going to go places, by the name of Eddie Cool, or the 'Tacony Flash'. Kid is faster than greased lightning, and packs a harder punch.
Remember that fight back in '26? The Tunney/Dempsey fight? It was held a couple blocks away at the stadium, so they could accomodate the 130,000 people that bought tickets.
Great fight, all time classic. I made a killing on that fight, dropped 10 large on Tunney, and the kid came thru for me.
We own several of the new fighters coming up, grease a few palms, fix a few fights, we own about as many referrees as we do fighters, hehe. Never can be too careful when it comes to the books.
Anyway, this arena, this is where, after hours, the Boss has us bring Donny P last year. Took him up into the ring, and the Boss went 3 rounds on him with a baseball bat...we had to mop him up, wasn't enough left to lift. Boss's little message to those southside punks looking to take over some of our action.
Alright, time to head to our last stop for the day."
Sitting back as the limo takes off, I'm already tasting the whiskey I'll be hitting in a couple hours.
Hated to see prohibition end, lost some good cash, but the whiskey is definitely better tasting now.

Knowing we had a good 15 minute drive to our last location, I tried to fill the time with my fountain of useless trivia.
"Any of you follow basketball?" A few couple nod their heads. "We have a professional team here, the Philadelphia Spha's. My understanding is that most of the players are Jewish, and that it is big in their community. I'm told the Spha stands for South Philadelphia Hebrew Association.
Been to see a few games, not sure if it'll last as a sport though. Looks funny to me, those guys running around in shorts, throwing that ball through the rings."
Lighting another cigarette, I toss the butt out the window.
"Over there...that's one of our new pawn shops, they make nice fronts for laundering cash and fencing goods. We're up to 8 in the city now. Still have to grease a few cop hands, but well worth the investment."
"Here's one for you, ever hear of Hockey? We had a team here, only lasted a year, they are trying to find a new stadium, or um, an arena I think they call it. Strapping skates to their feet and smacking this little flat peice of hard rubber around the ice with bent sticks. Really strange sport, I did like the fighting though...these guys are basically gorup boxing on skates. Guess they have to, with scores of 1-0 it'd be too boring without the fights. Don't think it'll pick up here, supposed to be big in Canada, sort of migrated down here during prohibition, along with the whiskey."
"Coming up here on the right, that's the hotel that DA took the swan dive off of last month. Cops are still in an uproar over that one. We had to send the Wolves that did it out of town for a while...heat was too much even with the cops on the payroll."
As I look forward I see our last stop a few blocks away.
Almost done for the day.

As the driver pulled to the curb, I gestured towards the divers side windows. From the expressions on their faces as they looked, I knew I didn't have to explain what they were looking at.
"Men, the Holy Land. The United States Mint.
It was the nations first mint. Remember when I said that Philly was the birthplace of the nation? It was the original capital of the United States, that is why the mint was built here. With the original mint built in 1792, this is actually the third building built to house it.
This building produced over 500 million coins last year, that is over 1500 times more than the original mint produced in a year.
With the silver going thru here it is an ongoing dream to figure out how to get away with an armed robbery here. It'd be easier with bills, since coins are so heavy in mass...but one day gentlemen, one day, we'll figure it out. I just hope I'm still around to help with it.
The mother load of all robberies here in the city."
I could see the possibilities, the ideas flashing across their eyes. True family members, I thought, always planning big.
Lighting another cigarette, I tapped on the window. As the car started up, I leaned back and told them, "That'll be it for the day. Time to get you to your hotel so you can get a little rest and clean up. You know how the bosses are, this little meeting could last well into the morning.
It's been fun gentlemen, I'll be seeing you in a couple hours."