After settling in Chicago The Rose had  decided to venture to the remnants of  her Aunt's house.  It was outside the city limits of Detroit, as that was where her lived nearly 20 years ago, before her passing. This was where they felt most comfortable outside of any  city, away from the chaos of the disillusioned people. It had taken her a little more than  week to get there with both hitching  rides and walking  out there but once she arrived, she  was slightly disheartened, at the condition of the house .

You could tell that it had obviously went through a fire, and upon closer inspection she  could  see weathered bullet casings embedded in the ground. She was new to the criminal world, but knew there had been something big that happened here, some time ago. She kicked a casing with her black booted foot wondering what just may have caused the scene that unfolded before her. In  her mind it was akin to a movie, bullets flying everywhere, and her Aunt sneaking around the house to catch someone unawares. The vision in her mind dissipated as quick as it had arrived. They usually did, She was use to them by now having the visions since childhood. She had a fleeting glimpse of her death once , a bullet would be involved she was sure of that. Everything  else was cloudy. Her aunt Brigid's daughter and name sake had lured Tosti  from her vagabond wanderings. She had lived  a gypsy like lifestyle ever since she left the families mountain.

 Her boots made a dull thud on the porch of the ramshackle place as she entered the door that barley leaned up against the hollowed out structure. The old stale smell of smoke assaulted her nose as she wrinkled it in disgust at the odor. Despite the old smells of the place she continued up the hazard stairwell that was left. Rickety it teetered here and there with the weight of her steps. There were several sections where she had to gingerly jump from one side to the other. With each sway of the stairwell that was barely attached to the wall, her heart nearly jumped out of her throat. She made one final leap to the upper part of the house. Landing with  a herumf on her hands and knees. She stood brushing the ash mixed dust from her jeans and hands.

 As she walked into the first room, she was aware first of the breeze coming in through the missing wall on her right side and off to the left was a chest. It was fire scarred but still completely intact. As the fire seemed to have engulfed mostly  the right side of the house She looked on the ground and found a a beautiful if not fire stained knife laying in something that looked like old burned cloth. She fished it out and used it to pry open the chests  lock.

First inspection all she saw was clothing . she tossed it out over her shoulder as she continued to rummage through the box. First she found six bottles of some clear liquid she sat those aside to inspect at later time.  She pulled out more clothing from the chest and tossed into the pile with rest. Under all of it were two sawed off  double barrel shotguns. Matching engravings on what looked like rosewood stocks.  One said Rose and the other said Thorn along with some very intricate engraving of what looked like a roses and thorns. She pulled them from the trunk and eyed with them  great appraisal for the work put into them  and the fine condition they were still in. Then laid by the mason jars she has previously pulled out. As she stood feeling proud of her find something caught her eye in the corner of the chest. Upon closer inspection it was a piece of paper, out of curiosity she knelt back down and retrieved it.

She  stood there her eyes full of inquisition as she started to read the handwritten not.  At the bottom of the letter were the initials BST. Tosti knew this had been written by her Aunt.

1. No one can present himself directly to another of our friends. There must be a third person to do it.

This ties in nicely with overall social skills.

You must know how to conduct yourself.

More importantly, you must realize the importance of becoming a man of many friends aka becoming multidimensional.

That’s the easiest way to associate with powerful people.

It’s also the easiest way to date the highest quality girls (in most social environments). *** Not cold approach pick-up

Men and women… The most concrete way to establish a valuable connection is if you have a third party greasing the wheels.

2. Never look at the wives of friends.

This is an easy one. It means be loyal.

Close friends can often be considered brothers in many instances.

Your friends’ girls are off limits.

They could be throwing themselves at you.

They could tempt you with the fact that no one will ever know. It does not matter.

Get those thoughts out of your head.

And if you do decide to betray your friend… you deserve whatever revenge he has planned for you.

*** To be honest, by default, you should pass on taken chicks… unless it’s Vegas or you have no idea who the guy is/he is not around. But if you know the guy or have met him, you should not go for his girl. It just isn’t right. It’s not the honorable thing to do.

3. Never be seen with cops.

No one likes a snitch.

People get turned off by even the remote possibility of someone being a snitch.

This doesn’t apply to just cops.

This applies to any form of authority… especially in the workplace.

Employees are always wary of that one goody-to shoes who they know will report any slander against the boss.

These people are usually uptight and friendless. Don’t be that person.

4. Don’t go to pubs and clubs.

Don’t take this law literally.

Obviously, when you are young, you definitely want to go out and have some fun.

That’s what college is for.

Just don’t dedicate your life to it like so many have.

You need a higher purpose in life.

Eventually, you will need everything you got to drive toward it.

You will need all of your focus.

There will not be time to party it up like you did in high school and college.

That’s why it’s important to experience your wild days during your high school and college years (and a few years after).

You don’t want to still be chasing the player lifestyle into your thirties while also trying to follow your path.

5. Always being available for Cosa Nostra is a duty – even if your wife’s about to give birth.

This doesn’t really apply. It sort of relates to number 6.

Family always comes first though… remember that.

6. Appointments must absolutely be respected.

When you say you are going to do something you do it.

When you say you are going to be somewhere at a certain time, you show up at that time.

Again, this relates to your word.

A man’s word is everything.

Breaking your word and breaking appointments (without prior notice) is a sign of weakness.

To be honest those are traits usually associated with ingrates.

7. Wives must be treated with respect.

Don’t get suckered into the whole mindset of “I’m gonna be a big bad alpha male by playing mind games with women.”

It will get you nowhere.

High quality women don’t fall for the games.

They screen out the little boys and search for grown men that know how to conduct themselves.

Little boys don’t get to play with grown man toys.

Become the total package. Get women to fall in love with you.

8. When asked for any information, the answer must be the truth.

“I never lie because I don’t fear anyone. You only lie when you are afraid.”- John Gotti

When someone asks you something, tell them the truth.

People say that “the truth shall set you free.”

What they really mean is that the truth will boost your confidence.

It boosts your confidence because that fear of hiding the truth is off your chest.

On the other hand, if they don’t ask… you don’t have to tell.

 A direct question deserves a direct answer.

9. Money cannot be appropriated if it belongs to others or to other families.

Keep it simple. Worry about your own finances.

10. People who can’t be part of La Cosa Nostra: anyone who has a close relative in the police, anyone with a two-timing relative in the family, anyone who behaves badly and doesn’t hold to moral values.

Tell me your friends and I’ll tell you who you are.

You can know everything about someone just by looking at who they associate with.

That’s how the world functions.

No one has the time to figure out an individual’s life story.

Your associates are a measuring stick for the cool guys on whether or not to let you roll with their crew.

Your associates are a measuring stick for high quality girls on whether or not you are date worthy.

The people you associate with can make or break you… so be smart.

BST

Tosti took the note and folded after reading it. This must have been some notes of her aunts when she first was inducted into this criminal life. It was probably best kept and memorized, she thought as she slipped it  into her pocket.  She found a plain blue colored skirt and ripped it to make a make shift bag to carry off her new treasure. She attached it to the end of one of the shot guns  grabbed the other  in her free hand and walked to the edge of what was left of the stairs. She looked at the six foot drop  bent her knees with a slight bounce and jumped down to the bottom floor. She was not using those stairs again, they were going to collapse she knew it , just had that feeling in her bones.   Her boots made a dull thud across the floorboards as she left the house. The sun was resting just along the horizon she set out walking back to Chicago.

Pete had just attended the funeral of his cousin, the last bit of family that he had in this god forsaken city. He was done with Detroit, if he never came back, all the better for him. Though Tommy had left him a generous amount of money, and a few of his most loyal men even decided to follow Pete back to Chicago. In a few days it seemed like everything had gone to hell, but he supposed that was life, filled with its twists and turns. He made his way down a quiet road, his old pickup did its best to take away the quiet part. Though that didn't matter, there was nobody around, why would there be, this part of Detroit had been abandoned for a long time. Houses lined the streets, skeletal and dilapidated, grim reminders of the vestiges of time. Pete looked at each and knew that each one had its story, he had let himself get distracted, and he almost missed the lone woman walking along the side of a road that led to one place, Chicago. The same city that he was heading to, Pete was a firm believer that the downtrodden had to stick together and so he stopped.

"'Scuse me Miss. If your going to Chicago, I'd be more then happy to give you a ride."

The rusted old red pickup truck probably didn't look too inviting, and Pete's weathered face probably didn't add too it either. But he was the honest sort, and this woman had one hell of a hike in front of her, were he her, he'd greatly appreciate a bit of rest for some weary feet.

She heard the motor down the street from the old truck raising dust behind her as she continued on her walk. This was normal for her walking from place  to place snagging the occasional ride from a kind stranger that offered her a ride. It was going to be a new experience for her to settle somewhere, her thoughts wondered frequently. It was always hard for her to  stay in the now, as her thoughts frequently ran off with her mind.

 She heard the truck  getting closer so she stuck her right hand out her thumb pointing in the direction she was heading , home to Chicago. She never expected the truck  to stop , as several vehicles had already passed her.  To her delighted surprise it had not only stopped ,but  it stopped near her.

She sized the skinny guy up first, he seemed polite, and he was direct . She liked direct people, wasted words were a crime. People talk to much, guess they like to hear themselves talk ,she thought as her mind wandered  momentarily again. The fates could not have been more on her side as his words finally sank through her wandering thoughts.

"Aye, thanks for the lift ." Her voice was melodic with gratefulness as she pulled the truck door open and slid into the passenger seat .  She laid her cloth bundle hooked to Rose on her lap  and  sat Thorn against her leg.

He hadn't actually expected her to take him up on the ride, Pete would help anybody he could, within reason, but a lot times people didn't trust a stranger. She sat in the passenger seat, making herself comfortable, he noticed the sawed off, which would be why she wasn't worried. 

"Goin anywhere specific? Im headin to the Northside, Don't mind goin a little out of my way though."

He put the old truck in gear, and started to make his way down the quiet road again. 

The old truck lurched slightly as he put it into gear, a little rough in its old age ,but a fine truck nonetheless. She knew from her years on the road how to judge people, this one did not seem so bad. Not many folks these days would pick up another carrying  a couple of sawed off shotguns. 

She turned to look at him as he asked his question, her father had taught her always look another in the eyes when talking to them. The eyes can't lie.  All she saw though was something akin to hardship. Must have been fairly recent she thought, I wonder what it  was. Oh damn girl she thought quit it, it certainly is none of your concern.

"Chicago city limits will be fine, thank you. " She smiled warmly. "Also thank you for the lift."

"If it were me walkin on that road, i'd want a lift too. Seems right. Aint none of my business, but I couldn't help but to notice those works of art your carryin over there. Seen a few guns in my day, none quite as nice as those, most don't mix art and death quite that nice."

Pete quit his rambling, having said his peice, paying attention to the road, last thing he needed was something to happen to this trusty old beast of his, because he was ogling some well crafted firearms.

Her thoughts rambled on in her head ,as  his words  did the same. He is a talker that is for sure, maybe he is nervous some people are just nervous types that ramble on for some sort of comfort. She absently laid her right across Thorn leaning against her leg, as she scolded herself yet again for her rambling mind.

"Family heirlooms, you could say it is a hobby of ours." She lifted her hand from  Thorn and offered it to him, chiding herself for doing so after all he was driving that was rude of her. " My name is The Rose, nice to meet cha."

She looks disdainfully at  the guy yelling at them as they drove down the road. She  leans out the window and hollars  as they pass . She thought to herself what a real waste of human space this guy is.

" Maybe you should use a dictionary , and find the meaning of plagiarism. : the practice of taking someone else's work or ideas and passing them off as one's own. Hmm,  Does not appear I have claimed what you are referring to, as my own work. So get bent with no lube."

She sat back in her seat as they rolled down the road leaving the guy in the dust.

Pete reached one hand over and shook hers, all the while keeping one hand on the wheel and maintaining a balance of attention to his guest and the road, not that it made too much difference, as the road was fairly empty.

"Nice to meet you Rose, They call me skinny pete, or skinny for short. Sorry If I end up talkin your ear off, the roads get a bit too quiet. You start to think too much in the silence, and that can be dangerous."

" Nice to meet you Skinny. Not enough people think, and one could never think to much. "

She  adjusted herself and got comfortable , leaning her head back on the seat.

"Since you like to talk , why don't you tell me some of your story. Everyone has one."

Pete had told Boris this story once, about how he had met Rose. Boris thought about ol Petey and smiled, he had met Rose, right around the time that they had met. Boris thought about Pete's story, the quiet truck ride to Chicago, Pete had been a good man; the sort who had just wanted to help people. Boris sighed as he prepared to sell the Man's truck at a dealership in Chicago, he had no use for it, seemed right to get it to someone who would use it.