As she sat in the office of her casino, Lucretia reflected on recent events. She had been in charge of Las Vegas for almost a month now, and although there had already been a few bumps along the way, for the most part it had been smooth sailing. Business in the city was thriving, and revenues were up both on and off the books. Even more importantly, the bosses she had delegated most of the day-to-day affairs to were doing their jobs practically on auto-pilot. All in just one short month.

All of this left Lucretia with a lot of free time on her hands. Some people would think that this was a bad thing, and wouldn't know what to do with themselves if they didn't have work. Not Miss Borgia. She could always find some way or another to spend her time, be it socializing, dancing, or (and she would never admit this publicly) even her guilty pleasure of crosswording. Quenched? Slaked. Sea creature that sidles? Crab. Lucretia was that good. Or bad. Whichever one you use to describe a crossword addict. But after plowing through her stack of unfinished grids, Lucretia realized she was being silly. She lived in the entertainment capitol of the world. What was she doing indoors? She had a whole city of debauchery, gambling, revelry, and good old fashioned dirty fun to enjoy. So she did.

First, Lucretia caught a show. It was fun enough watching the men, but her mind quickly turned back to business. She'd have to tell her casino's talent agent to start screening her male applicants a bit better; if you didn't have a VIP seat in the front, just what were the guests actually getting to see? Surely not "enough" of the men. Oh well, it was fun for a few hours. Then Lucretia caught a meal at the restaurant, a few drinks at the bar, played a few hands of poker, and generally lived the resort life for a few hours before she grew tired of it. She needed to get out of her resort casino and see the city, not live cooped up in her office. So she did.

As Lucretia bounced from bar to strip club to casino to bar to concert hall and back to casinos again, she began to notice something. The city's reputation had attracted a throng of unemployed men and women, desperately looking for any work they could find. Time and time again she heard a similar conversation, sometimes screamed over the din of the bars, sometimes in hushed on the street corners with a wink and a nod, sometimes seductively to a talent agent.

The sometimes eager, often downtrodden working man would take a moment to chap up a potential employer. "Any work to be found in a place like this? Brains, brawns, looks, whatever you need, I'm searching." The reply was mostly the same, regardless of how they said it."Nope, sorry, not hiring. Our payroll is totally filled right now. Can't take any more on."

Like good applicants, the job seekers wouldn't take one no for an answer. Besides, they had a bit of street smarts and knew most jobs in this economy weren't found on the record. So they prompted further, with a wink or a nod or a wiggled eyebrow. "Both sets of books? Nothing off the record?" With a sigh, or a shrug that said "wish I could help,," the reply came back the same from anyone with connections. "Not even that sort of work to be found here. We're simply not hiring." There was also the rare "scram, brigand" from the occasional honest bartender.

This struck Lucretia like a blow. Vacation time over, there was work to be done. She stumbled back towards where she thought her office was and thought to herself (aloud, as usual).

"Wow. So full we can't even take in new faces to give them a chance? That's got to change. Seems business took off even faster than I had dreamed. Well, good. I knew this city was ripe for an expansion when I came here. Half of it is still working fully legit, too. Well, for now, anyway. I know just the man to skim the profits off that side of town and funnel it into our coffers. Soon as I can find my way back home, I'm telling Ricin to pick out a building he likes and have the owners sign it over to him. It's high time for another branch of House Borgia to set up."

After several hours of wandering up and down the strip, Lucretia finally sobered up enough to realize she was just across the street from her own casino, anyway. But she knew a good idea when she heard herself say one, even if she was intoxicated at the time. So the next morning she gave Ricin a ring and told him the plan.

SuperSao listens closely to his GodMother's speech. Intrigued by his choice of he steps up to Ms. Lucretia and gives her a big hug.

You've chosen a good man, Lucretia. We all know he will do us all proud. It will be an honor to make history in Las Vegas with the two of you.

Sao then goes to find a beer for the celebration party.

Ricin sits in the back of the dimly lit room as Godmother Borgia gave the account of her recent thoughts. Only finding out a few hours ago, Ricin was as surprised as any other person. He had never expected to be bestowed with such an honor. Right Hand Man had been prestigious enough. With so many excellent mafioso within Las Vegas he had assumed that Lucretia would pass the torch elsewhere.

But, he had been chosen. He was to take up the Boss position in Las Vegas along side Cryptic and Youngsta. Those are some tough leaders to stand next to and look good. Ricin was confident though. He had read through his fathers journals and learned all he could from his past experiences as a leader. He vowed not to repeat their mistakes of the past. As he was deep in thought, Lucretia finished her speech and walked by touched his shoulder to get his attention. "Get up there and make it look good" she said. Ricin stood to address the gathering

Sorry about that folks. Sometimes my thoughts run away from me. Anyway, I only have a few things to say here. Lucretia, I can not express the how much this means to me. To be given such an honor within the metropolis that is Las Vegas is stunning. Never did I think that I would be the one getting your blessing to set up here. I promise not to let you down; you have my word.

I will be giving my own speech sometime in the very near future to formally introduce my family, but we are called The Scarabs. I thank you all that have already sent your letters of support. Your support is a welcome site.

Thank you for your time ladies and gentlemen.

Congratulations Ricin, from an outsiders perspective, an obvious and excellent choice to help Las Vegas flourish. Good luck.

Excellent choice! Congratulations, Ricin!

Congratulations Ricin!

Being in sin city on "Business" *coughs* Bruiser has the pleasure of hearing Godmother Borgia make her announcement.

*claps hands*  Eloquent as always Miss Borgia, and might I say you are looking stunning this evening.  I am quite honored to be here to your  announcement.  From what I can see Ricin should make a fine addition to your great city.  Bruiser reaches out and kissed the Godmothers hand, and bids her a good evening, as she's had a bit to drink and looks as if she's ready to head home.

Don Ricin, Bruiser says as he extends his hand.  I am pleased to meet you and be here for such a glorious day.  I wish you nothing  but the best our thing can give you.

Congratulations Ricin! Its been a while coming, the bold suit is so flatering :)

balian after turning down another aspiring young thug for job, hears the speech from the new family leader.

"Congratulations Ricin!  You shall have all the support you shall need of me in setting up with your new family quarters. Our city deserves another leader like you. "

D_D listens intently to the new leader

"Congratulations Ricin ! I dont have to say you deserve it ,you have been chosen because you deserved to be a leader "

Ricin, congratulations old friend.

Many congratulations Ricin i looked through my fore-fathers journals and had nothing but good things to say about your bloodline

I wish you the best of luck.

Congratulations Ricin, from what I can see you're a fine choice. I look forward to seeing what your family brings to our world

Congratulations to the fine city of Las Vegas, for today you have added a truly outstanding new addition to the city.

Ricin, this move won't be a shock to those of us who know you. Your loyalty, hard work, ability to lead and inspire is all beyond question. To be able to do this with the utmost professionalism while retaining your normal charm, excatly what is required in a leader.

I'd happily wish you all the luck in the world, but instead, I'll go much further. I'll wish you everything you deserve! Congratulations.

Ricin, you've always been a cool cat to me and I am very happy to see you get this position. Congrats and good luck my Friend!

MrSimpson does a little jig

Grats Ricin, Lucretia I couldn't think of a better man for the job to expand our fine city of Las Vegas.

Congratulations Ricin... i was waiting for this day to happen.

Did they really just allow this man to have his own family? I think everyone's lost their god damn minds at this point.

Aftershock chuckles a little to himself.

Congratulations Ricin, I've been waiting to see you shine for a while.

Styrenex stands humbly amidst the gathering,and seizes the opportunity to approach Ricin........"Don Ricin,you have done so much for me and my father before me,thankyou,congratulations and blessings......"

Zuldazar stares at Ricin and smiles

Ricin, Our bloodlines go way back. And Zuldazar is very happy to see you here today. Zuldazar knew you would accomplish this again and again and you have. Zuldazar would like to wish you the best of luck mate and he needs to talk to you more often as we have a lot to catch up on.