It was a nice clear day and the crowd was piling in. The MIT college class was together and celebrating their graduation. People lined up to take a seat as the festivities were under way. After a few moments the soon to be graduates walked down the aisle and took their respective seats. Speeches were made, congratulatory words were given and smiles filled the area.

After all that, it was time to call the graduates one by one so they could receive their degrees they worked so hard for and rightfully deserved. One by one names were called and then thee name was called. The administrator called out.

“Anthony Capazzo Jr!”

The crowd usually roared after each name as those in attendance supported their family member or friend. When Tony Capazzo’s name was called however there was a hushed silence over the crowd. No one came forward to accept the degree.

“Anthony Capazzo Jr!”

The administrator called out once again and yet again no one walked up to the podium, no one stood up. There was no Anthony Capazzo within site. The administrator chuckled nervously and moved on.

“Emily Carrera!”

~MEANWHILE ON THE OTHER SIDE OF PHILLY~

One by one members of the Mano Di Morte family walked out of headquarters. The upper echelon of Philadelphia could also be seen shaking hands with Tony Capazzo Jr. Handshakes and kisses on the cheeks went around and everyone looked happy. Tony took a few steps forward now being by himself and looked up to the sky. He smiled and adjusted his white striped fedora and suit jacket. 

It was the same suit he bought earlier in the day. The black suit with white suspenders, matching handkerchief and the matching white stripe on his fedora. Earlier in the day when he picked the outfit he didn’t know if it would be his last, but a few hours later and Tony was absolutely shocked at the news he received. Today was a milestone day.

Tony reached into his jacket pocket and pulled out a cigar. He lit it and began to smoke. A few more members came up to Tony and congratulated him once more before filing out and leaving. Tony puffed away at his cigar with one hand and shook hands with the other.

He spotted Paulie who was waiting a good distance away from the Headquarters. Paulie was just an associate and was not in the Mano Di Morte family nor in any family associated with Philadelphia. He was Tony’s associate however and a great worker for Tony. Paulie would take a bullet for Tony and in this world that held a lot of weight. Tony began to make his way toward Paulie knowing he would never ever come close to Headquarters without an invite.

“Paulie, how are you? Is everything ok?”

Paulie leaned in and kissed Tony on the cheek and gave him an envelope with cash in it. 

“Paulie, why did you do this?”

“Tony please accept this, it’s not much but all you’ve done for me…it’s the least I can do. Congratulations Tony!”

Tony shook his head and then grabbed Paulie giving him a hug.

“Thanks Paulie, thanks a lot man.”

Paulie nodded as the two began to converse. Paulie made sure not to ask anything specific because he knew everything that went on in that building was off the table and not up for any discussion...period. Tony and Paulie did business and Tony told Paulie what he needed to know and that was it.

“By the way Paulie did you take care of that thing for me?”

“Yeah…I got it in the glass case and everything. Looks really good actually. What exactly do you plan on doing with that anyhow.”

“Don’t worry about it, it’s something personal to me. I am going to need it tomorrow okay?”

“Yeah no problem Tony.”

“Thanks Paulie, I am going to get back, we’ll catch up later.”

With that the two men shook hands again and parted ways. Tony walked back to headquarters still puffing away on his cigar. He looked up at the sun and paused to take in the moment. 

Today was a very important day in his life, his “Graduation Day” so to speak. A day that every mafioso wishes to live through. A beginning of many more things to come, many more opportunities, many more doors opened and a lot more work undoubtedly. Tony didn’t care about the work, when you enjoyed what you did it never ever felt like work and days like these always made every second worth it. Tony only wished his dad was here to see him, he would’ve been very proud of Tony and seen how far he had come.  For now though it was onto the next chapter of Tony Capazzo Jr’s life. It was only the early pages but man...it sure was looking good.

Tony did it and was now a man of honor.

Kratos was absorbing the scene from the back of the crowd that has gathered for Tony's graduation.

Being  a man of few words, Kratos always preferred to listen and analyze his surroundings. He was the intelligent one from a family of four sons, and always had a knack of knowing when is the right time to act. 

Kratos always avoided alcohol as it would impair his thoughts, and he also couldn't take the smell of liquor. It'll give him the headaches. Standing a certain distant from the crowd, he just leaned on the nearest lamp post and sipped milk from his silver flask. Having worked with Tony since his first days in the crew, Kratos knew that the newly minted member of Mano di Morte was bound for greatness. Kratos can only admire Tony's accomplishment and can only hope to achieve a fragment of what Tony had, would be good enough for Kratos. 

From afar, Kratos' eyes finally met with Tony's. Kratos gave a warm smile and nodded, lifting his flask as a sign of respect and congratulations. Tony acknowledged by nodding back with a smile, before being swarmed by drunk mafiosos, associates from Mano di Morte. Kratos looked up to the sky and can only wonder, when was his turn to graduate.