Richard Marcinko had always loved Vincent's with its live jazz band, great scotch, and beautiful women. It was a place where he felt safe.

He was of above average size standing 6'2 and weighing 230 pounds. A scotch drinker with a olive complexion and black hair perfectly groomed. His friends saw him as a intellectual, cool headed, and faithful friend. They all knew not to cross him though. He was known to crack a few skulls and break a few legs if need be. He didn't have to be though. He knew how to talk and knew how to make things happen with just words and his actions.

Once, he had even helped a stranger recover from his house burning down in Richards neighborhood. The guy happened to be a up and coming lawyer in the city. That's the sort of man he was though. He knew that by helping that guy then would probably pay off one day.

Richard walked over to the bar and ordered a drink.

My usual.

Richard took a sip of his drink and looked around the room taking in his surroundings.

Then he saw who he was waiting for coming through the door. It was Paulie G. Paulie was a keen bootlegger working with Richard on a few business dealings.

Richard gulped down his drink and asked for another while waiting for Paulie to make his way across the room of Vincent's. As Richard picked up his glass he followed Paulie to the back office. They stepped inside of the office and Paulie turned around quickly, he couldn't keep the excited grin off his face.

"Look Richard," sounded Paulie, with an intelligent glare that reminded Richard of a banker. "It's not that I don't love you, but I want part of this deal. You owe me for this one."

Richard looked back, even more intrigued about this connection he was to be making through Paulie.

You know I'll always take care of you Paulie, he replied.

They looked at each other with smiles on their faces and grasped each other in a brotherly hug. Paulie walked over to the phone and made a phone call to his connection. Richard could still here the jazz music playing and began to tap his ring on his glass of scotch to the beat of the music.

While waiting on his guest to arrive. and two associates shared laughs and a few stories.

Gabriel was working hard back at the office he shared with is boss Anteros. Just lately he seemed to be doing more of the paper work than usual as she was out 'networking' as she called it, sounded more like having fun to him though.

It was late evening by the time he had finished filling out the latest batch of requisitions. Enough was enough, it was finally time to leave. He finished up the last of his drink, picked up his coat and was almost out of the door, before the phone started ringing. Initially he heisted, after all he was practically and technically more out of the office than in, it would be easier to leave it, but that wasn't his style or the reason he had made it to this trusted position. So he returned and answered it.

"Hello"

"Oh I see"

"Yeah sounds good, where, okay then why not. I'll be along soon, should take me half to get there"

Before jumping in his car, he gives one of his bodyguards a message.

"Go and find Huehuecoyotl, let him know I'm meeting some guys at 'Vincent's', if he wants to join us he is more then welcome"

He knows that Huehuecoyotl will probably just palm him off and not bother but well sometimes you got to give someone a chance!

Pulling up at 'Vincent's' he checks himself out, making sure his attire is not out of place. Pats his pockets to check his discreetly placed weapons are where they should be, once happy he walks on and into the establishment.

The place looks good on the inside and has great atmosphere. It's not his usual type of place Jazz isn't his music but the band playing seemed to have something he hasn't heard before, he actually finds his feet slightly tapping to the rythem. At the bar he orders himself a drink, giving him a chance to discreetly check out his surroundings and who is here and where.

He spots Paulie sitting, chatting and sharing a laugh with another guy. They seem close, which is always good and helps. Once he is happy with his surroundings he goes over to introduce himself.

"Hey Paulie, how are you?"

"So who's your friend here"

He got a notice from one of Gabriel's bodyguards that Anteros's Right Hand Man was on his way to 'Vincent's'. For a moment, Huehuecoyotl considered about going to church and do yet another speech at a funeral from a recent death, but he then realized he might have just meant the stylish upscale 'Vincent's' bar, a place Huehuecoyotl never was invited to.

Fuck, I need to try to not make a fool of myself, Huehuecoyotl thought, so he put on his best shirt, a handcrafted mainly pink coloured cotton with stripes in green and orange and tiny little tilted red blocks that would even make Bruce go on a psychedelic trip, he hid his machete on his back and put a jacket over it and then left.

He came back to quickly slide an Aztec war mask into a briefcase, before he ran outside again to grab a cab and bring him to Vincent's.

Upon arrival, he saw both Gabriel, Paulie and RichardMarcinko sharply dressed, silently talking about some serious business, it seemed. Huehuecoyotl walked to a bar and watched from a small distance until he would get a signal, whenever he was needed to interfere.

He just hoped no-one would notice the little pool of blood behind his feet, or his red stained trousers. Next time, he would make sure he paid a tiny bit more attention on how he would bring his machete..

Paulie stood up from the table as he was approached by the man he had phoned earlier. Taking his hand he shook it; before turning to Richard still sitting.

"This is a friend of mine. Richard Marcinko. He's new in town and trying to make a few connections. I know a few people of course but thought of you and Anteros first."

Richard stood and nodded at the man before him. Paulie introduced the man to Richard.

"Richard this is Gabriel. He's a well connected guy in the city and well he's connected." Paulie begins to laugh as they are all seated at the table.

Hello Gabriel. Very pleased to meet you. I won't hold you to long as I'm sure you are quite busy. I'm new in town but I know how to make a buck or two. I'm looking to make more than chump change though. I'm looking to be more productive I guess you could say. Our mutual friend Paulie here told me he knew a guy who could help out with that.

Richard drank from his scotch and lit a Camel cigarette.

I know who you work for and I'd like to be taken under your wing. I'll be helpful to you and the people you work with and hope y'all can be helpful to me.

Richard waited patiently for the man to speak.

Thanks Paulie, you know we are always looking for quality people to work with. So it's always better when they come introduced by someone like you

Leaning into Paulie in a friendly embrace he whispers into his ear

If this one is as good as you say, expect your package to be a little bigger. Anteros is really pleased with your work

Taking his seat, he listens to Richard talk whilst trying to appraise him at the same time. He seems a strong and imposing man, coupled with a stylish appearance that when mixed together make a very good combination. For that along he could be good for the Family.

Pleased to meet you too Richard, I'm always busy but never too busy to meet a friend of a good trusted friend. I'm glad you've done a bit of homework about us, shows intelligence too which I like. So yes we are looking for some able associates. This town ain't what it used to be so there is a lot of opportunity's out there to be taken advantage of

Gabriel turns to the Bar hoping to catch there attention, signalling to bring more scotch. He turns back to chat some more before quickly spinning to face the Bar again. He could of sworn he just saw his friend Huehuecoyotl there at the bar, but no, apart from the barman grabbing up Gabriel's order there is no one there, just a strange puddle below one of the vacant stools, with what appears to be a small pool of blood. "This business does screw with your head sometimes" he thinks to himself.

Right then lets have a another drink and we can get to know each other a bit better. If I like what I hear then I'd be happy to show you the ropes around here

The Barman arrives with some fresh Scotch and the getting to know each other starts.

Richard finishes off his Scotch when another arrives. Things were going well and a very lucrative future was starting right before his eyes.

I'm happy to oblige you with whatever questions you may have. However I'm a private man and things of this nature I like to keep Private. I'm sure a man of your nature understands. So I'd like to keep that kind of talk for another time and venue, if you don't mind. Tonight lets celebrate on our profitable partnership ahead of us.

He held his glass up to toast the occasion.

Salute!