Strongarm - The Politics of a Criminal Underworld

Thomas D'Ercoli
Tommy was seated across from his nephew Nicky, who was secretly being dressed to get made, and he suddenly remembered that Nicky's friend Claudia was 3 days late on the weekly kick. Tommy puts his fork on the plate that plays host to expertly made chicken cacciatore, reclines in his seat, and takes a sip from his glass of wine. He puts the glass on the table and says, "That fuckin' schifusa..." Tommy shakes his head, and wipes his face with a napkin. "She's 3 fuckin' days late. This is the second week in a row, Nicky. You gonna let this broad jerk you the fuck around all the time? You know why she's holding out on you, right? Right?" Tommy points at the dance floor, but he's just implying the outside world, "Because she's out there, doin' blow like it's nobody's fuckin' business. Who does she think I am, Nicky?"

Dominick Terranova
Nicky shook his head from the left to the right, glaring across the table at his uncle. He breaks eye contact for a moment, before looking back in to his uncle's eyes. "She's not holding out on me, I can guarantee that. This broad's been with us for how long now? Her business isn't getting any slower and her clients didn't suddenly turn into fanooks. She's just been busy. Besides, I've been meaning to get over there the last few weeks to see the broad, but I've been busy with the warehouses." Nicky pulled a package of Lucky Strikes out of his jacket pocket and lit one up with his Zippo lighter.

Thomas D'Ercoli
Tommy stared at Nicky with an uneasy coldness about him. He sat motionless, and without a sound. He breathed heavily, but slowly through, and out of his nose, until he finally breaks the moments of suspense. "Alright Nicky, you wanna be the fuckin' big man here and take the blame for this broad? Are you sure you wanna do this?" Tommy pulls the Rosada Sungrown cigar out from behind his ear and puts it between his lips. He strikes a match and holds the flame to the tobacco. He waves the match out, and speaks with the cigar in his mouth, "OK. I'll let you do that, then. I'll cut this broad a break - in fact, bring 'er down to Zerilli's tomorrow night, her and I can have some nice dinner. How about that? She's such a fuckin' angel, then alright, let me see for myself, huh? This fuckin' broad's a cocksucking wizard according to you, so why not?" Tommy speaks without showing any malice or discontent. He ashes the cigar in the ashtray and says, "In fact, tell 'er she ain't gotta work these high class jobs no more. Tell 'er she's got the nod from upstairs that she can take a break for a while. And while you're at it, how about you uh..." Tommy ashes the cigar again, sticking it between his teeth. "How about I tax you 5 percent on that scheme you got goin' on down the docks?"

Dominick Terranova
Nicky drew on his cigarette for a few moments, taking the time to think out his next words carefully. Part of him wanted to tell his uncle to go fuck himself, but he knew that wasn't such a good idea. Tommy could still throw a mean right hook. "I'll let the broad know that you want her out for dinner when I go see her tonight. Hell, she can even take your cut straight to you herself. As far as taxing me on the docks, you'll be putting me in a pretty rough spot. Port authority is patrolling twice as much as they were three months ago." Nicky felt embarrassed but on the surface he retained a look of perfect serenity.

Thomas D'Ercoli
"Port authority?" Tommy stares at Nicky condescendingly, "port authority? N-..Nicky, you're tryin'a pull 'port authority' right now?" Tommy takes a drag from his cigar, ashing it again. He lets the smoke cinematically pour from the slight gap between his lips. "I tell you what." Tommy snaps his fingers and waves a waiter over, "Clean this up." He says to the waiter, who does exactly as he's told. Tommy looks back at Nicky, "I tell you what. I'll give my friend a call, you know the one, the guy with the friends in private security? Well, I'll give this guy a call, and have 'em keep these pigs out of the shipment yard. So, yeah, I'm taxing you 5 percent." Tommy got out of his seat, and left his cigar in the ashtray as he moved to the balcony of the privatized dining area in The Southie - a famous erotic entertainment bar in North Jersey - and watched the women move. "You know Nicky, it's been ah..." Tommy turns to face Nicky, but looks at his watch. "It's been about...- Jesus Christ, this thing's a real cocksucker. Won't even give me the right fuckin' time!" Tommy taps his watch furiously. "There we go, Christ al-fuckin'-mighty, finally!" Tommy nods a few times, staring at his watch. "If my watch is right, then it's been about...6 years since Gianna left me." Tommy looks up at Nicky with a shit-eating grin. You could tell that Tommy didn't think much of himself, but so what? This guy runs North Jersey. He doesn't have to think much of anybody. He doesn't even have to think at all. Tommy walked over to Nicky and put his hand on his neck and shoulder. "You know if I don't come down on you, I'm gonna look weak. 2 straight weeks this broad's either been light, or she's been late. You're her guy, you're the mother-fuckin' fuckin' one who calls the shots with her. Aren't you? Isn't that who you are?" Tommy pinches Nicky's cheek and kisses his head. "I gotta remind people...I'm the boss. I can't look soft over here...you know that." Tommy takes a seat after removing his blazer.

Dominick Terranova
Nicky nodded his head a few times, speaking not only with his mouth but also with his hands. "She won't be fucking me around anymore on my money after I talk with her. You're right. What I do reflects back on you just as much as it reflects on me. I'm gonna set this broad straight." Nicky had to admit his uncle was almost always correct, at least when it came to business. Nicky pulled his pager out of his pocket and sent Cherry a quick message telling her to give him a call as soon as she saw it. Ashing the cigarette out on the tray, he set the pager down on the table and returned his focus to his uncle. Nicky gets lost in his own thoughts, catering to the fantasy of being in Tommy's shoes one day. He imagines that he'd make a suitable boss, maybe even better than Tommy, but Nicky tried not to buy into his own pseudo-narcissism. He knows all about the stress, and pressure that comes with being the boss. He recalls a time in his teenaged years when he was in charge of a fantasy football bracket, and how he almost lost the sheets, and everybody's picks, and choices along with it. It would have spelled nothing but disaster for him. "Yeah. You're right, Tommy. I'll show this broad what-for." Nicky nodded a few times, taking solace in his uncle's advice, but mainly in his own conclusion. While Tommy certainly influenced what he believed most times, Nicky was proud to know that he was the one, and only person controlling his thoughts. He knew he had to bring the hammer down on Claudia, but he also knew that it would be hard; he's always had trouble raising his hand to a beautiful woman. It's going to be hard, but Nicky knows he has to do it. He knows what making it in the mob is going to take...and he's willing to do anything.

Canonized playing the role of Dominick Terranova
Count Epsilon playing the role of Thomas D'Ercoli

With one quick sniff and a rub of her nose, Claudia leaned back in her chair looking satisfied. That’s the shit. Her dilute eyes trailed down towards the mirror seeing some residue left over from the lines she had created minutes earlier. There was no way she was going to let it go to waste, especially since this stuff was expensive and it was coming out of her own pockets. She wiped her finger across the small mirror and then rubbed it on her gums, feeling her mouth becoming numb. Although the broad might’ve not gone to school, that didn’t mean she was stupid, she knew what she was doing was bad let alone illegal but she just couldn’t help herself. It was too late anyway; it had already become part of her daily routine. And after all, in the line of work she was in it’s nice to escape sometime, even if the escape was just a delusion; anything was better than the real world. Claudia shook her head trying to forget those dark thoughts as she reached down to open the first draw of her dresser. The corners of her lushes red lips pulled up as a cheeky smile appeared on her face seeing four neatly stacked piles of notes. “Come to mamma,” she uttered to herself as she picked the piles up and set them down in front of herself. Claudia couldn’t help but admire the small fortune she had made over the last few days. She picked up the first pile, getting ready to count it when one of her broads come bursting through the door with a bothered look on her face. “Cherry we have a problem!”

“Please tell me it’s not Nicky…I told that motherfucker I would give him his cut at the end of the week,” she cursed again in frustration before rolling her eyes. Just because the man technically owned her didn’t mean she was going to let him just walk all over her. Claudia was starting to get really irritated with Nicky and his whole family. She was basically running this whole place for them and was only getting a weak 15% for it. It was utter bullshit and there was only so much crap she was going to take.

“No…it’s a customer, he smacked one of the girls…I don’t know what the story is but security have taken him outside but he continues to make a scene outside and is asking to speak to the owner…” Cherry raised her hand to stop the broad from speaking not caring to hear anymore. The story didn’t matter to her, because no excuse would make it okay for someone to hit one of her broads. They were her money-makers and there was no way she could afford to loose one because some seedy fucker couldn’t keep his hands to himself. She rose to her feet and strutted her ass out of the dressing rooms, through the club and outside. She couldn’t care less by the fact she was only wearing a g-string and a bra as she got outside as she was more concerned with getting this asshole away from her business.

“Are you the piece of shit that fucking touched one of my girls?” Claudia didn’t let the man even get a word in as she grabbed him around the throat and pinned him up against the wall of building. Sure she didn’t look like she was backing much, but the adrenaline was pumping hard as her hands tightened around his throat. “You listen closely mate because I am only going to say this once…you fucking touch one of my girls again and I will cut your fucking balls off…you hear me?” She loosened her grip slightly allowing him to get a word out.
“That fucking bitch deserved it,” he sniggered before a wicked smirk spread across his face. Claudia eyes slightly widened surprised that this man would actually just say that, clearly he had no idea who this club belonged to. Well, it didn’t matter to her as she without hesitation kneed the scumbag in his private area. He let out a loud groan as he collapsed to his knees in pain.

“I don’t care whether she deserved it or not, you don’t FUCKING TOUCH HER…Comprende?” She hated dealing with these scumbags; they have a few two many and then think they can just do whatever the fuck they like. Well, not on her watch.

“You stupid whore are going pay for that…you wait until I tell Nicky Nova…” the man managed to utter as he clutched his balls in agony.

A faint smile spread across her lips hearing Nicky’s name. Why am I not surprise, of course this asshole knows Nicky – because lets face it assholes hangout with other assholes. She knelt down next to him so that her lips were right next to his ear. “Are you threatening me? Because I’m 99% sure that Nicky Nova would not appreciate people threatening his favourite broad…but hey, go right ahead. Tell him! And then we can see whether he believes you or the poor innocent girl that sucks his cock….I don’t know about you, but I wouldn’t piss the girl off that sucks my dick,” she chuckled before rising back to her feet. “If you don’t mind moving your sorry ass off my property you’re holding up my business.” She smirked as she gracefully flicked her hair over her shoulder and headed back inside.

As she walked back into her dressing room and took her seat she noticed her phone displaying an unread message. “Huh…” She opened it up to find it was from Nicky asking her to give him a call. “He can wait…” she smirked again before returning to counting her earnings.

Dominick Terranova
Nicky rushed out of Sansalieri's Pork Store, and headed straight to his car. On his way, he blew past Tommy, and his UB, Ralphie Brancato.

Ralph Brancato
"Ho!" Ralphie called after Nicky, "Nicky, slow down. Get back here, come on. Come on." Ralphie took a cigarette out from behind his ear, and placed it between his lips. Ralphie was the kind of guy who walked the walk, and talked the talk; he's the kind of guy who wears a leopard print tie, and a pink pinstripe suit to a pork store. But the thing about Ralphie is that he won't say go fuck yourself to your face. You get on his bad side, and you're looking at one of two things: standard tax, or really painful tax. He'll either lean on you for, say, 12%, or he'll take your racket right from you. He's that kind of guy, and he loves being that kind of guy. "Come here."

Dominick Terranova
Nicky stopped dead in his tracks, and walked back to Ralphie and Tommy. "What's up? I gotta be somewhere's, it's fuckin' urgent." Nicky interlocked his fingers at his waistline, wrapping his forearms around his ribcage.

Ralph Brancato
"Where's the fuckin' fire? I mean I was just in the kitchen, and not only did I not see a fuckin' flame, but I didn't smell no fuckin' smoke neither." Ralphie placed the cigarette in his lips, and took out his Zippo lighter. He clicked the metallic golden lid back, ignited the fire, and lit his cigarette.

Dominick Terranova
"I'll call you." Nicky goes to walk away again.

Ralph Brancato
"My left nut you'll fuckin' call me - you'll tell me right now." Ralph stared down his nose at Nicky, sucking on the cigarette. He blows the smoke through his nose.

Dominick Terranova
Nicky sighs, and shakes his head. He wants to tell Ralphie go fuck himself, but he knows better. "Alright, fuck. You fuckin' guys are like vultures, I swear to God." Nicky sucks on his teeth, and looks down the street to his left as if he's expecting Jesus Christ himself to come save him from the embarassing encounter. "I just...one of Cherry's pair of tits got smacked around down at The Southie." Nicky spoke with shame, knowing what his uncle would say.

Thomas D'Ercoli
Tommy shakes his head and sighs. He runs his hand through his curly black hair and looks over Nicky's shoulder at his car. "Nicky...it looks like you can't tell your fuckin' head from your ass, but I don't blame you. The first has been up the second so fuckin' long you've got an apartment up there." Tommy starts walking to his own Lincoln.

Dominick Terranova
"Tommy, come on!" Nicky chases after his uncle, feeling shame incredible shame. It was up to him to keep this Southie project under wraps, it was up to him to make sure nothing went wrong. I couldn't even fuckin' do it, he thinks to himself. But he should stop beating himself up. He knows that Tommy's gonna do it well enough for him. No point in beating a beaten dog, right?

Thomas D'Ercoli
Tommy says to Ralphie without looking at him, "I'll be back." Then Tommy gets in his Lincoln, and Nicky follows. "Dominick," Tommy starts, as he turns the engine on, "I'm fuckin' dressing you over here. Alright? I'm gettin' you fuckin' dressed to put your name in the fuckin' books," suddenly Tommy snaps, "AND YOU'RE FUCKING ME!!! YOU'RE FUCKIN' ME OVER HERE!!!" Tommy's face goes red as he stares at Nicky, "First this fuckin' broad don't pay on time, now she's causing fuckin' scenes down The Southie?! Where the fuck were you when this shit was goin' on, huh? HUH? Because, c-correct me if I'm wrong over here, Nicky, because apparently I don't what I'm fucking talkin' about half the time, according to you, but weren't you supposed to be there last night? After dinner, where the FUCK WERE YOU SUPPOSED TO BE?!" The following 15 minute drive was just tense silence. Tommy's been the boss for a few years now, and only recently has it gotten hard, so he's got a lot of rage pent up inside.

Dominick Terranova
Nicky knows what's going to happen. He knows that whoever this guy that hit Cherry's girl is, is gonna be sorry. Nicky starts to sweat, and his hands get cold, and clammy. He's nervous.

Thomas D'Ercoli
Tommy walks into The Southie with Nicky and heads straight into the office while Nicky stays out by the dance floor.

Dominick Terranova
Nicky watches the women dance absentmindedly while he taps his fingers against the armrest. Nicky's had to beat a few people, but it's never been excess, and he's never seen his uncle fight, but he's heard stories; it's violent, it's savage, and it is seriously fucked up. Not only that, but Nicky also knows that he can't stop his uncle. He shouldn't even try, in fact...he knows it's no use. To top it all off, however, is the fact that this guy is one of Nicky's oldest friends. But he's told him time, and time again to keep his hands off the girls. It's never been a problem before, but he made a mistake this time. Fucking Musto...had to put break the fuckin' merchandise, didn't you? Musto, you fuckin' idiot... Suddenly, out of the corner of his eye, Nicky sees somebody. He sees somebody that makes his stomach fold, and tie knots in his intestines. He feels his heartbeat in his head; his brain swells, thumping against his skull. The anxiety's brought him onto a migraine, but he doesn't feel the pain; he's far too preoccupied with the events at hand. He slowly turns his head to confirm that who he thinks he sees walking towards him really is that guy. Nicky lays his eyes on him and squeezes the arms of the chair. He forces a smile onto his face and says, "Hey! Donnie Musto, how the fuck are ya?" Musto takes a seat, and is about to speak when suddenly...

Thomas D'Ercoli
Tommy walks up to the table and looks down at Donnie, then over to Nicky. "Nicky, take a walk." Nicky's about to protest, but Tommy just points over his shoulder. "Take. A fucking. Walk." Nicky leaves. Tommy turns to Musto. "You. You're the guy that smacked around one of Cherry's girls, right?" Donnie nods nonchalantly. The fuckin' balls on this guy, how does he sit down? "Yeah, which one was it again?" Musto tells him it was "some Russian girl." Tommy goes, "Oh, Svetlana. Yeah, she can be a real pain in the fuckin' ass sometimes." Musto nods. "Come on," Tommy says, "let me buy a drink." Musto gets up and walks to the bar with Tommy. Tommy says to the bartender, "Double JD on the rocks." He turns to Musto, "What are you drinking?" Musto tells him a Seven-Seven. The bartender nods. Tommy says, "we'll take it in the back." Tommy brings Musto into the back. The duo seat themselves at an end table in the office. The bartender brings the drinks into the office, and leaves. "So, Musto. You get a good feel, you cocksuckin', woman-beatin', motherless fuckin' prick?!" Suddenly Tommy smashes the Seven-Seven into Musto's head, cutting open both his own left hand, and the kid's forehead. Tommy stands up, and steps around the table, cocking his right hand back as he grabs Musto's collar with his left. Tommy begins to savagely pound his fist against Musto's face, mostly hitting his wrists, and forearms as Musto covers up. Tommy's adrenaline is pumping so furiously that he doesn't even feel his hand swelling. Musto's arms become so sore that he instinctively lowers them, allowing Tommy to hit his face. Tommy ruthless, and relentlessly smashes Musto's face 6 or 7 times before knocking him into a state of half-consciousness. Musto goes slack, slumped out of his seat. Tommy lets go of Musto's collar as he falls, and then begins to kick him in the face repeatedly. 3, 4, 5, 6...Tommy steps back and looks down at his brown loafers. "Oh, you mutt. You fuckin' mutt, you bleed on my shoes? Huh? Is this your fuckin' blood, you cocksucker? Is this your fuckin' blood?!" Musto's holding his face, caking the floor beneath him with blood and tears. "Oh, what's that?." Suddenly Nicky busts into the backroom after hearing the commotion.

Dominick Terranova
"Holy shit, Jesus Christ, what the fuck, Tommy?! What the fuck!?"

Thomas D'Ercoli
Tommy looks back at Nicky, then turns to Musto. "Look at the little baby, Nicky. Look at the little fuckin' baby."

Dominick Terranova
"Holy shit..." Nicky's sweating furiously, his heart is in his stomach. He feels sick as all Hell.

Thomas D'Ercoli
"Where's the big tough guy? Where'd the big tough guy go, smacked my pair of tits around?! Huh?! Not such a fuckin' tough guy no more, huh? You cocksucker! You motherless prick! You ever put your hands on these fuckin' girls again, and I swear to Christ, I'll have your own brother cut your fuckin' throat! I will bleed you dry, and have somebody put it in your mother's bolognese! I will feed you to your own fuckin' mother, you fuckin' cocksucker!"

Dominick Terranova
Nicky stares in awe at his uncle and long-time friend. The blood that's covered the floor, the state of fear, and hysteria that Musto's in all unlock a demon that's been trapped in the recesses of Nicky's mind. He always knew that fear, intimidation, and raw, unadulterated violence were what would truly make or break you in This Thing of Ours. He always knew that it was a dirty, dirty business, but never could he ever have imagined it was this brutal. Nicky now knows what it's really going to take to make it in the mob, and he wants in now more than ever...

Dominick Terranova played by Canonized.
Ralph Brancato and Thomas D'Ercoli played by Count Epsilon.

Claudia Gaetano
Claudia threw the cigarette bud into the trash can outside the club before making her way inside. There was a strange feeling in the air that made her feel slightly uncomfortable. More eyes then usual seemed to fall on the broad as she made herself to the back office to clock in and begin her shift. Just before she was about to enter her dressing room she heard some voices coming from the office. Was Nicky here? she stopped in her tracks staring at the door as she waited to hear the voices again in hope to identify who it was, but there was just silence. A sigh escaped her lips as her hand reached for the office doorknob. She couldn't help her curiosity and opened the door up. Her face dropped immediately seeing both Tommy and Nicky standing over a brutally beaten individual. Her hand slightly turned to the side to get a better look at who it was, to her shock it was the man from last night. It looked as though they had sided with her and not him. "Oh I'm sorry," she half mumbled but loud enough to hear as she turned back around in hope to make a swift exit.

Thomas D'Ercoli
Tommy turns as the doors open, and beholds the unexpected beauty of "Cherry" Gaetano, but he was still in a half-state of anger, and adrenaline. "You walk out that door, and I swear to Christ, you won't walk back in." Tommy turned to Nicky and pointed to Musto. "Sit 'em up." Tommy walked after Cherry and grabbed her bicep, making an attempt to pull her back to view Musto. Musto had his face covered with his hand, scared of being hit again. "Move your fuckin' hands." Musto did nothing. Tommy released Cherry and tried to kick Musto in the head, but his arms wouldn't allow him. "MOVE YOUR FUCKIN' HANDS!" Musto dropped his hands nervously, his eyes clenched shut as if not seeing them meant they couldn't see him. "Nicky, pull his face up." Nicky lifted Musto's head. Tommy turns to Cherry, "This the cocksucker who put his hands on your girl?"

Claudia Gaetano
Shit! Claudia wished she could've smacked herself in the face for opening the door, because she knew now there was no way out of this, whatever this was. "Okay..okay," she uttered as she followed Tommy back inside. It's not like this was the first time she seemed this type of violence but for some reason she couldn't bare to look at the beaten individual. Sure he had it coming, but this was a little too much for her, especially since her stomach was still in the process of digesting her dinner. The smell of fresh blood tickled her nose, making her feel sick. "Yep that's him..." She didn't bother to look at him and so just stared at the clock hanging on the wall.

Thomas D'Ercoli
Tommy looked from Cherry to Musto. "You say sorry to my fuckin' friend here, or I swear to Christ, I'll go for round 2 with a fuckin' meat grinder." Musto sobbed and swallowed the lump in his throat. Musto forced an apology rife with tears with fear. "There's a good boy, yeah?"

Dominick Terranova
Nicky says, "Christ Tommy, I think you broke his fuckin' jaw..."

Thomas D'Ercoli
"Yeah?" Tommy reaches into his bowling shirt's breast pocket, and takes out a fat roll of cash. He counts out $650 and puts tosses it on the floor in front of Musto. "Get this taken care of. And what happened anyways, kid? The fuckin' moolinyan come by and bust you up nice and good because you fucked their baby sister? Is that what happened?" Musto sheepishly picked up the money as he stood up and nodded. "Yeah, that's what I thought. Big fuckin' tough guy hits a woman, can't fight a grown man. Fuckin' pathetic." Tommy turns to Cherry, then turns to the mess on the floor. Then looks down at his bloody, bruised, swollen right hand. "Fuck." He shakes his head and is about to run his left hand through his hair when he remembers that it's also sliced open from the glass. He sighs and moves to the sink, running the cold water. He leans into the edge of the sink, letting his hands go slack under the water.

Claudia Gaetano
Claudia watched the scene unfold from the corners of her eyes, making sure to stay out of the way without actually leaving the room. She swallowed hard watching the individual pick up the money and leave. Now it was probably her turn, after all she still hadn't paid them their cut. She cracked her fingers nervously as she made quick eye contact with Tommy. However, as quick as he turned towards her, he turned back away to clean himself up. "So....I better get a move on cause my shift starts in the next couple of minutes," she tried to smile sweetly in hope they would let her walk away but it her smile looked more awkward than sweet.

Thomas D'Ercoli
There was a brief moment of rest in the room; the tension defusing quickly. Tommy spoke, "No. Stay, I'll uh. I'll have someone cover your shift, you and me have to talk." Nicky left. Tommy sighed, staring at his hands. "I don't usually have a temper like this." He shook his head. His voice was full of shame, and discontent, "I don't. You know, I just don't like seein' women get beat is all. So when I found out it happened under my own roof..." Tommy's speech trail off as his thoughts interject. He stood upright and dried his hands off, completely soaking the towel with blood (and water). He looked at Cherry. "Come on." He walked out to the kitchen, and told a janitor to clean up the mess in the office. Tommy proceeds to walk out to his Lincoln.

Claudia Gaetano
Shit, shit. Claudia's eyes trailed towards Nicky as he exited the room. She didn't like this at all. Nicky was still new to the game and could easily be manipulated but Tommy was a different story. She crossed her arms over her chest trying to look strong even though inside she was nervous as hell. Sure he looked calm and relaxed but what's not to say he would snap like go all crazy ass on her like he did with that guy. She owned him money whilst that scumbag just smack one of his girls around. Claudia nodded when he stated that he usually doesn't have a temper like this. Bullshit. She thought to herself. Claudia decided to just keep her mouth shut until he asked her a question, that way she had less chance to annoy or piss him off. Pulling her coat tighter she followed him outside to his car.

Thomas D'Ercoli
Tommy opened the door for Claudia, letting her sit down. As she sits, the vehicle lurched as a result of a used suspension. He shuts her door and walks to the driver side. He gets into the vehicle, and starts it. "You owe me money." He swallowed, speaking with an uneasy sense of serenity about him. "I'm willing to give you another week to make up the spread that you missed, but I want to make one thing clear. I ain't ever gonna hit you. I ain't ever gonna toss you around, or call you names, or put you in a position you don't wanna be in." He looks at Cherry, almost completely seeing through her guise. But he didn't want to let on that he wasn't fooled. He wanted to let her feel like she was in control, like she was safe. Because, well, she was. Tommy pulls into traffic, "But if you want this to workout, this business partnership thing we got, then we're gonna have to be honest. We're gonna have to be, you know, we're gonna have to be able to trust each other. If you're gonna be a few days late, that's fine. It really is; it isn't about when I get the money, it's about whether I get my money or not. If you're gonna be light, you have to tell me. Otherwise someone's gonna kick your in your door in the middle'a the night and take your TV, or your car keys or something, and tell you not to worry about paying me back. Because it's all about image, it's all about how you look." He turns a corner, heading to Sansalieri's. "And if you hold out on me for days at a time, week after week, and don't tell me nothin' about it, how's that look? Looks like I'm soft, looks like I can't run this thing. Right?" He parks the car down the street from Sansalieri's. The area they were in had many passersby; he'd stopped here hoping to make her feel safer. He turns to her, "And I know about your problem. F'you were my niece, or my gumare or something like that, then we'd have a problem. I'd tell you t'get the fuck off it, but you ain't neither of those, so it's like this: you buy what you want, you do what you want, but if it gets in the way of our business? I'll kill you. If you spend more money on coke than what you give to me? I'll kill you. Your habits fuck with your head, and I think you might say somethin' to somebody who don't got no business knowing? I'll kill you. It won't be poetic, it won't be meaningful, it'll be me, coming at you, like an angry fuckin' bull." Tommy spoke without anger or malice; it was almost frightening how calmly he was speaking. "I don't wanna do that. No point in wasting beauty. Right?" Tommy sniffed, looking out the windshield. He swallowed. "You know who I am, right?" He didn't look at her again.

Claudia Gaetano
As she sat there listening to him, she wasn't sure whether he was threatening her or not. Although she wasn't feeling completely relaxed she was feeling way less nervous than before. But every time she looked over at his rather calm and collective face she felt confused. He appeared to be way too relax about the whole situation. Was he playing her? Or was she just over-thinking it? She rubbed her left temple feeling her head slightly hurt. Although he might claim to be a gentlemen, she knew it wasn't true. The man want afraid to kill anyone who crossed his path, so what's not to say he would hit a woman? After all her position wasn't as safe as he was making it out to be. Sure she was one of his top broads, but what's not to say some new much younger girl comes into the game. He wouldn't think twice about her, so she had to make sure she was keeping him satisfied. Even if it cost her a fix.

"I'm sorry about the lateness...it's been a..." she was about to make up some excuses but stopped herself knowing he probably couldn't care less. "I can get you your cut tomorrow morning...and I promise my problem will not interfere with your business Mr D'Ercoli," she brushed her hair out of her face and looked out the window.

Thomas D'Ercoli
"So I guess that means you know I am." Tommy drove Claudia back to her apartment. "Be at The Southie afternoon. 4." As Cherry left the car, Tommy turned back to the windshield. He drove into New York see a private doctor. It had dawned on Tommy, at this point, that if he wanted to cement his place as boss, he was going to have to be less lenient with things. This case with Musto was only the beginning of a much more sinister, much darker Tom D'Ercoli.

Thomas D'Ercoli played by Count Epsilon
Claudia Gaetano played by sweetangle66
Dominick Terranova played by Canonized