Marcus Hammer sat in his large office overlooking the Port of Los Angeles smoking a cigarette while he read the latest copy of LA Times. The fact was that he probably should have been working on the budget report due next week or reviewing the cargo audits, but he had lackeys for that. Truth was, he had lackeys for just about everything required of the job – a job he was sorely underqualified for. He had gotten the job because he had bullied enough of the union bosses into backing him that the City Council had no choice but to confirm him when the time came.

Marcus had started in the ports as a longshoreman but had quickly found that he had a better gift for gab than anything else. So, when the unions started to gain power he had signed up as a Union Rep for his local and had quickly rose within the ranks. A few years back when the commissioners position became vacant he had greased a few palms to be nominated for the position and then pressured all of the union bosses into supporting him, either by making promises to benefit them or their locals or through sheer intimidation.

Many wondered why a man like Marcus who had shown no political aspirations in the past would be interested in the position but, frankly, it was simple – money. As a local union boss he had quickly found that he could get small bribes from local shipping companies to ensure that their loads passed through with more ease or that the porters handled their items with a bit more care. More importantly, he found that those in the higher positions could get far larger bribes from those wanting to ensure certain containers were not seen at all – it didn’t’ take a genius to figure out who was paying and why. So, figuring that the commissioners job was the highest on the totem pole and could, therefore, fetch the highest bribes it was a no brainer.

Since coming to the position he had been squeezing all of the local mob boys a little harder than his predecessor who – in Marcus’ mind had been letting a golden goose pass by. He was careful to leave the ones with the worst reputations be, but that left plenty of pansies to stick it to.

As he sat shaking his head at the latest baseball reporting his cousin – who he had quickly put into his deputy position – came rushing into the room and said breathlessly, “We may have a problem boss.”

Marcus quickly straightened up in his chair – well, as quickly as his rather large and flabby frame would allow. Seeing that his cousin was busy catching his breath and not continuing he yell, “Well what the hell is it man? Start talking!”

“I just got back from lunch with Phil, there are whispers on the street that a couple of boys from one of the local crews is looking for you – something about a gal named Angeletto or something.”

Marcus creased his brow thinking for a moment trying to recall any Angelletto that he might have pissed off who held enough clout that the local hoods would be talking about some of his boys being on the hunt. After a long moment it clicked, he didn’t know any Angelletto but he sure as hell knew a Angeletti that had been pushing back on his attempts to increase his taxes for shipping into the Port of LA without notice.

“You mean Angeletti you idiot?” seeing his cousin nod as realization came to his eyes he went on “So that guinea fuck thinks she can scare me with a couple of goons does she? Who the fuck does she think she is? Her old partner Lucy might have had the clout to set the terms but this bitch sure as hell doesn't - let em' come."

His cousin’s eye’s widened slightly as he finished. His cousin had spent far more time on the streets than he had so he respected his knowledge of these people but he felt he put far to much stock in their supposed power – he was the port commissioner for god’s sakes, what could they do to him.

“Look, if it will make you feel better put a couple of the big union boys outside the doors so they can see we got muscle of our own okay?”

With that Marcus unfolded his paper and began reading again.

Penelope, her faithful secretary stuck her head in her office door at Scalises' in Los Angelas and cleared her throat. "Ma'am," she said to get her attention causing Gracie to look up from the ledgers she had been filling in. There was so much more work to do, now that Lucy had died. She smiled at the woman, encouraging her to continue. "There is a man here, he says he has some information for you?" Penelope explained, "I didn't know if you wanted to see him or if you want me to show him the door." 

Gracie stood up and nodded, "No, I was expecting him. I forgot to let you know, I'm sorry Penelope." she said as she walked over to the woman and patted her shoulder before heading towards the main reception area. "Ah, there you are." she said to the informant, "sorry about the confusion, I hadn't informed my secretary of the schedule change." she reached out and shook the man's hand, "Follow me, I'll have a few phone calls to make, but we can get comfortable in my office. 

She led the man to her office and gestured to one of the seats, "Please." she said before sitting behind her desk and picking up the phone. After a few rings, Alexander answered. "Alex, can you grab Jack and both of you head to my office, please? There are a few things we need to discuss about a matter with the commissioner," she told him. She made a few listening noises and the nodded her head, "Alright, will see you in a bit." she told him before hanging up the phone. Turning her attention to the man sat across from her she crossed her hands and placed them on the desk, "and now, we wait." she told him with a smile. 

Alex walked into Scalise's with a confident stride and with a simple nod to receptionist said, "I am here to see Gracie, she is expecting me." before continuing on his way without waiting for an answer. He didn't mean to be rude but he had been summoned urgently by his employer and her tone made clear to him the type of work that needed to be done. 

Entering the office he nodded at Gracie before looking the stranger up and down quickly and then nodding to him as well. he was an older gentleman but it was clear that he was someone used to commanding respect - and that he knew how to ensure he got it. 

Taking one of the other seats he looked at Gracie and asked, "I take it we are just waiting on that Saint guy you mentioned now?"

Saint stepped back in to the office at Gracie's request, and was surprised to see so many people he didn't know standing there.  Accepting that Gracie knew what was going on and had some kind of plan, he nodded silently to each of the other men in turn, then addressed himself to Gracie, "So, I figure this asshole at the ports has been outlivin' our people way too long. I ain't usually for killin', but the way I see it, this guy probably deserves it."

The stranger cleared his throat and stood. He paced around the office a moment before speaking. “Good afternoon, you folks don’t know me but I’m Phil Scandeli. I worked for Ms. Esposito and was a good friend of Mr. Scalise’s before her. Both of them wanted this son of a bitch dealt with – so I want to be sure you guys are able to take care of him.”

"I know that fat bastard Marcus Hammer well and I know that he has been putting the squeeze on several of those involved in the business and that Gracie here is no exception.”

"Here is what I can tell you. Marcus is a gasbag with no real muscle, but he's too stupid to realize that fact. His cousin is in with some of the low level thugs here in LA that do some of the muscle work for the unions and Marcus thinks that gives him the strength he needs to push his weight around; and so far no one has felt the need to correct him - a job I am sure you fine gentleman intend to do. Now, if he weren't so goddamned stupid he probably wouldn't be a threat, but he is and his cousin is as loyal as they come. His boys may be low level but they can swing a bat as hard as the next guy, so be careful - I don't think any of them have earned their bones or has the balls to, but watch out for firepower all the same. The last thing I'll add is this, there isn't a made man in all the cities that would mind if this guy were to disappear, so no need to worry about retribution for any business you feel needs to be taken care of. Have a wonderful day folks.”

With that Phil nodded to everyone in the room and walked out.

Saint smirked at the stranger's back as he left the room.

"Well, I guess that settles that then..." Glancing around the room, he found an empty chair and sat down, making himself comfortable. 

"@Gracie, I feel like this is up to you -- how do you want to play it? My advice -- let's set an appointment, friendly-like -- as if we intend to play ball.  We get there, I say my bit, and just when he thinks he's got the situation under control, Komrade Ink here can put a bullet in his head," Saint finished as he hooked a thumb at @Alexander_Solnik.

Gracie watched the man as he spoke, she knew most of what he was saying, but sometimes it didn't hurt to go over the details again. While Jack spoke she was writing down her plans quickly but then had to stop because she started laughing. "Komrade Ink?" she asked looking at Jack, a grin on her face. "Oh, I am going to have to remember that one," she said before looking at Alex to see how he was taking his new nickname. "Normally I just call him Babushka," she told Alex with a wink. "But you bring up a valid point, you two have not been introduced." she shook her head, "My manners these days, my mother would kill me," she muttered. "Jack, this is Alex. I've hired him to help out around here since Lucy passed," she explained. "Alex, this is Jack. He's been a part of RP Inc. for a while, and he had a lot of dealings with Joe and Lucy, I believe." 

She glanced at her notes and then looked at Jack, "Honestly, your idea is pretty much what I was going to suggest." she told him before smirking, "Great minds, eh?" she asked. "I would rather not kill him, but the past few months have been nothing but headaches, so while if he lives, I'd prefer it, I still want to leave him with a few bruises." she frowned, "But you're absolutely right, if things go south...." she trailed off, knowing they were both smart enough to figure out where she was going with this. At least she knew Jack was. 

"Any thoughts, Alex? Or shall we get a move on?" she asked the imposing heavily inked Russian who had been mainly silent since he got there. Which was strange for him. She frowned, but then wondered if perhaps this wasn't what he was like when he was working. "Do a good job," she said in a singsong voice, "And I'll buy you a bottle of vodka!" she joked hoping to get some sort of reaction out of him. She wasn't so sure she liked this scary serious side of him. 

Alex smirked slightly at Gracie’s comments about vodka but quickly returned to a serious expression. He was an easy-going guy most of the time but he took his work very seriously and once he started to get into the mindset needed to injure or kill someone he tended to stay there until the job was done.

Alex thought over the plan laid out by Jack and adjusted slightly by Gracie and could find no holes in it.

Turning to Jack he nodded in greeting, “It is a pleasure to meet you, though the circumstances are grim. I am sure no offense was intended but I am no comrade – as far as I am concerned the communist pigs can all rot in hell; though, the name does have a slight ring to it” Alex chuckled slightly.

Turning back to Gracie his expression darkened slightly,

“I understand that you may wish to spare this man, but I have dealt with his type before. If we do not there is a strong chance he will go along until he feels you are weakened or he is in a stronger position somehow and then strike back like the snake that he is. We can wait and see how he reacts, but at the very least I am sure he will require some, encouragement. I do not have the silver tongue of our friend here, or your diplomatic ways Gracie, but when it comes time for bloody work I pride myself in my ability. You both simply need to be sure you are ready as well. If you are, I say we get on our way.”

Gracie tapped her chin with her finger as she thought about what Alex said. "You're right, if he can't see reason then he is going to have to be put down like the untamed mutt that he is." she said to him, "I'm not about to risk having another thing go wrong, and in a few months time he shows up again this time better prepared." she shook her head, "So we're agreed. We try to beat some sense into him, and then if that fails we'll have Alex take care of him." she looked at both the men and they nodded. With that, she pushed her chair back and got to her feet. "Well then, shall we go see what surprises he may have in store?" she asked them before heading out her office, the boys in tow, to the car waiting for her. 

Once they arrived she looked at them both, "I want this done, but I don't want you two doing anything that puts your own lives in more danger than necessary. I've patched enough members of this family already, thank you." she looked at Alex long and hard and bit her lower lip, "And you, no getting killed." She told him, "You do that, and I'll bring you back just to kill you myself." She nodded, satisfied with her little pep talk and pushed open the car door. 

Saint stepped out of the car and took in his surroundings. This was his first time at the ports since he'd come to L.A., but it was exactly what he would have expected. A row of shabby office buildings butted against the narrow street, each fronting large storage yards surrounded by tall fences and barbed wire. Row after row of shipping containers in a rainbow of colors were stacked, 5 high,  easily visible over the tops of the squat office buildings. Saint gazed longingly at those containers, wondering what riches and opportunities lay within them, if only he could find a way to bust in.  He knew it was more than his life's worth to try though, containers like that were invariably guarded.

The office the group found themselves in front of was identical to every other one on the street, the only thing making it clear that they were at the right place was a sign emblazoned on the glass door.

Stretching casually, Saint glanced around, looking for obviously stationed guards or other possible interference. With a quick look at @Alexander_Solonik, he asked, "We ready to do this? I dunno if @Gracie made an appointment, but I get the feelin' he'll want to talk to us if he thinks we're here to come to terms."

Alex nodded grimly and started forward with the other two behind him. As he approached the door a man that would be large to most but was dwarfed by the large Russian stepped in front of them.

Without waiting for the man to say anything Alex fixed him with a stern glare and said, “Ms. Angeletti is here to see Mr. Pratt. He will not be happy if you delay her.”

Alex could see the struggle going on in the man’s mind. He had been hired to stop anyone looking for trouble, and this guy certainly looked like he could cause trouble, but at the same time he knew that Marcus had been hoping to hear from this Angeletti lady. He glanced over the three in front of him quickly and didn’t see any weapons so he nodded and stepped to the side.

As he continued walking Alex nearly laughed – the baklany didn’t even frisk them.

---

As the three walked through the lobby toward the Marcus’ office his cousin Peter saw them coming and balked slightly. He had warned his cousin to not take this threat so lightly but Marcus had insisted that Gracie simply didn’t have the muscle to do anything – seeing the mountain of a man coming at him followed by another wily looking wise guy and Gracie herself Peter couldn’t help but think that she had found the muscle. Peter quickly stepped inside the office and, closing the door behind him approached his cousin.

“Marcus, Angeletti is here, and she brought friends – you should get out of here.”

Marcus looked up from his desk and laughed, “What you want me to run from some bitch and her little puppets? Look, if she were here to fight she wouldn’t be walking in the front door, now would she? She’s realized that she has no choice but to pay up and has come to beg me to let her shit through – I should increase the tax even more for her making me wait so long. Now, let them in and let’s get this over with.”

Peter shook his head knowing his boss was making a mistake but not able to do anything about it. He went over to the door and opened it and waved in the group that was now arriving at the door.

“Mr. Pratt will see you now.” Peter eyed the group up nervously once again and added with a slight shake to his voice that he tried to cover, “We have guards a shout away, so no funny business.”

Gracie waved her hand, "There will be no need for that," she told the man before moving forward through the door, the men trailing after her. Her heels clicked on the floor, as she walked. She wasn't in a rush, she wasn't worried or concerned. Regardless of how this went the end result was going to be the same. She wasn't going to be paying. She put a smile on her face and reached her hand out, "Well, you must be the man I'm looking for." she said to the man, in a voice that wasn't very much like her own. Having never spoke to the man, he didn't know what she sounded like, and if coming off as some vapid piece of work put him at ease, well she'd take that advantage. 

"Mr. Pratt, it is delightful to meet you." she practically cooed. "I'm Gracie Angeletti and these are my associates," she gestured to Jack, "Jack," and then to the hulking piece of man next to her with a stern face and mean eyes, "And this one here, he's new." she stared up at him adoringly for effect before turning back to Mr. Pratt, "Ordered this one from Russia. They make em' big there." She told him before laughing daintily at her own joke. "I do believe we have business to discuss, do we not?" She asked him as she took a seat without being invited to. She crossed one leg over the other and moved casually in her chair so her skirt would ride up a bit more. It was a trick she had learned from Lucy, and bless the woman for it. 

Marcus leered at Gracie not even attempting to hide is his obvious stare. As Gracie's skirt rode up her legs his heart beat a bit faster - the common whores that sold their wares down by the docks were the only action he typically saw and this woman in front of him was certainly far more alluring - maybe he could make this even more profitable than he thought.

In an oily voice that was meant Marcus considered charming he said, "Look, I see no reason for us to be enemies - I just want what is due to me to allow your good through without having law enforcement breathing down your neck. If it is about the money - well, maybe we can work something else out?" Marcus gave her a suggestive look. 

- - - 

Behind Gracie Alex steamed in indignation at the man's disgusting remarks and wanted nothing more than to rip the man's head off. A warning glance from Gracie, however, told him to hold his anger for now, however. Inside, though, he was beginning to hope this fool refused to be reasoned with - he would happily put a bullet in his head.

Saint chuckled at Marcus' comment. He had a feeling he knew exactly what the man was hinting at, especially given the hungry stare he had affixed to @Gracie's legs. Glancing over at @Alexander_Solonik, Saint decided some deflection was in order.

"Well, it's funny you should put it like that, Mr. Pratt. Working 'something else' out is exactly what we've come for," Saint began.

Sitting on the edge of the Marcus' desk, Saint deliberately blocked his view of Gracie before continuing, "Good lookin' guy like you -- makin' money here at the ports -- quite a catch... I'll bet you got a family, Mr. Pratt. That bein' said, I'm sure that we can both agree that protectin' our families is the main reason we're in business right? You wanna provide for your family, -- so do we..."

"Now look -- we ain't gonna be able to give you any more money. As it stands, what with all the unfortunate circumstances that have befell Scalise's since the demise of my dear friend Joe, we're gonna be hard pressed to meet the current arrangement."

Saint shifted to ensure that Marcus had a full view of the angry Russian behind him, then said, "Sometimes you gotta be reasonable if you're gonna keep a good thing goin', you know? You play ball with us, maybe give us a break..." Saint cast a significant look back at Alex as he finished, "And we can make sure that no unfortunate circumstances befall your family like they has ours...make sense?" 

Marcus blanched and then angrily rose from his seat, "How dare you threaten me or my family. Do you have any fucking idea who I am? I run this port and no guinea whore is going to push me around, no matter how many thugs she brings with her."

Alex couldn't hold back any longer as the disgusting man called Gracie a whore and in two long strides was around the desk, another warning glare from Gracie kept him from decking the bastard as he had planned so instead he firmly gripped the mans shoulder and, squeezing tightly, forced him down into his chair. "No one is threatening anyone - yet. Stay in your seat and listen to was Ms. Angeletti has to say; and be a gentleman won't you? I tend to get angry when people insult Ms. Angeletti." 

Marcus blanched again and for the first time started to consider that he might have bit off more than he could chew. He wanted to call for his cousin to get men in here now but hew as afraid that the moment he did the giant Russian behind him would attack and his cousin wouldn't be fast enough to save him. Alternatively for a brief moment he thought about giving in - after all, the hold arrangement wasn't that bad. Then, however, his pride kicked in once again. 

"Make all the threats you want - you don't have the pull to get away with it. Do you think I don't know what goes on in the streets?" Marcus bluffed, he honestly didn't know much beyond the fact that Joe Scalise had been well connected and rumors were the company had been taken over by those far less so. "Do you really want to risk a war with the big families? I got connections in all of em' and if you touch me they'll have you swimming with the fishes" Marcus bluffed again figuring these thugs would be scared at the mention of having to face off against one of the large organized crime families.

She shifted in her seat and watched with interest, keeping quiet while the men folk handled things. She looked at her nails, wondering if she should cut them. After a while she turned her attention back to the blustering idiot who was against the wall now. She started laughing, and after a moment got to her feet and walked over to where Alex was keeping him busy. “Really?” she asked him before looking him up and down. “you think that an outsider is going to have more pull with anyone within the organization?” she asked, raising an eyebrow. 

She chuckled again when the man’s face lost color and he started stammering. He couldn’t get a word out. She turned around and perched on the man’s desk. “Now,” she said to him as she crossed her legs again. “I was willing to listen to your offer, and although I would have walked out with the better deal, you would have left here with your life.” She leaned back, resting her weight on her hands. “But, then you said some rather insulting things.” She told him with a shake of her head, “And I just can’t let that happen.” 

She glanced at Alex and nodded her head, “enjoy yourself.” She told him with a small smile. She looked back at the commissioner and grinned at him, “Pleasure doing business with you.” She said. She knew that aside from his cousin outside the door the rest of his hired men would turn tail and run once the cash cow had vanished. That was the funny thing about hiring people to defend you, when the money was gone so was their loyalty. She stood up and moved to the other side of the room. She really didn’t want to get blood on her dress, which is why she wasn’t pulling the trigger herself. 
 

With a quick pat on Marcus' shoulder, and a look that might have been interpreted as sympathetic, Saint said, "Well -- I tried my friend. We live in a civilized world, where civilized people can do business and everybody profits -- It's just a shame you couldn't see it that way." With that, Saint tipped his hat towards @Gracie, waved at @Alexander_Solonik and said, "I'm gonna go see about buyin' the fellas outside some lunch -- give you guys a moment to situate yourself's after the ah -- meeting -- concludes. Don't worry about me gettin' home, I square that away."

Saint stepped out in to the hall and grinned at the goons standing there as he shut the door behind him. "Sorry boys, your boss and the lady have a little bit of 'business' to take care of, if you catch my meaning, I was thinkin' we could go grab some sandwiches down the street?"

The men outside looked at the man who had just come back through the door strangely for a moment before the reality of the situation seeped into their brains. When Peter had hired them he had simply told them that they may need to protect Marcus from a couple of low life thugs - he hadn't said anything about dealing with high level mobsters. After Alex, Gracie, and Saint had gone in the office one of the thugs had said he recognized Gracie from a bar downtown and that he knew she was connected to RP, Inc. This suited up guy now coming out and so calmly proclaiming that "business" needed to be taken care of and they should make themselves absent confirmed all they needed to know - that kind of calm only came knowing that you had enough weight backing your statement that you had no reason for concern. The biggest of the group stepped forward, "That jackass ain't paying me enough to go against you OC boys - come on guys, there's a great sub shop just down the way." 

. . . 

Inside the office as SaintSilver closed the door Alex paced his hand on the back of Marcus' head and taking a swift step forward pushed with his full might and slammed Marcus' face into his desk shattering his nose and busting his lip open. As he began to sit up and say something Alex wrapped a garrote around his neck and pulled back fiercely cutting off his words in a gurgle. Alex tensed his muscles to their considerable limit as the man began to struggle and claw at his arm. Alex growled but held firm as the light started to leave Marcus' eyes and his body went limp in his chair. 

Just as Alex was about to remove the garrote from around his next Peter slammed the door open in a panic with his .38 out in front of him and seeing Alex began firing. In his state of panic 5 of the bullets from then gun went harmlessly past Alex, however, one sliced into his side grazing a rib bone before embedding itself in the wall behind him. Shouting in pain Alex fell to his knee clutching his side as he tried to catch his breath.

Gracie was sat watching calmly as Alex dealt with the commissioner. She flinched a bit, but for the most part managed to keep it together. When the door burst and the cousin came in she stood up straight and when the gun fired she shouted, "Alex, no!" before pulling out her own gun and after a brief moment, pulling the trigger. The bullet ripped through his eye socket, coming out the back of his head and splattering bits of bone and brain on the wall behind him. 

She lowered her gun, staring at the place the man had been standing before dropping it completely and rushing to Alex's side. "Idiot man." she muttered as she pulled up his shirt to get a look at the wound. It wasn't terribly deep, but it was going to need some stitches. She pulled her jacket off and pressed it to his side to help slow the bleeding. "Leave it to me to hire impressive Russian muscle and then having to finish the job myself." she told him with a shaky laugh.