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Stepping Up To The Golden Calf


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Violetta Williams was trying to fit in yet again. She was hoping to find a new target for her little gang to get her some more money. She was dressed as if she was a college girl out for a night at the casinos and clubs, in a nice black top, a pair of tight black pinstripe pants and some nice-looking boots. She couldn't decide where to start, she walked down the boardwalk, trying to look bored. She couldn't help but notice the Golden Calf. Not exactly the biggest prize on the Boardwalk, but she could easily get inside, check the place out, and not even be noticed. Plus, it's probably not a place that gets robbed very often. She just needed something to get her gang started on the big time.

Letta walks through the front door, trying to case the joint without looking too suspicious. She wanders over to one of the low-ante blackjack tables, a huge smile on her face. She puts down some small money in chips, looking around for anything really unusual. She seems to be decent at not bleeding these chips away, spending as much time as she could at the table without drawing too much attention to herself. Anyone who's ever cased a building might be able to tell what she's trying to do. And, there were a few open seats that could fill up any moment now.

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Lenny is prowling the floor of the casino, looking for what, he is not exactly sure. Opportunity, surely, but exactly what?

The Mob is in deep in the casinos, so maybe this is a good place to take my first step on the ladder of crime, with Hieronymus King waiting for me all the way at the top.

It's certainly a lot nicer in here than it was out at the Arena, which frankly scared Lenny half to death. No, all of this is familiar from a childhood spent in the shadow of the big casinos back in A.C. He's wearing his usual get-up, tacky cowboy boots, black jeans and black Italian knock-off leather jacket, which really doesn't stand out too much.

As he reaches the blackjack table, Lenny catches sight of an attractive young woman who seems to be discretely casing the joint; it's in the casual flick of her eyes as she notes the position of the surveillance cameras and casino security.

Interesting. And wow, are those cute boots! No, no, stay on target, you are doing a job here, kiddo.

The handsome young booster finds a chair next to the girl and flashes his pearly whites. "Hi, hiya doin'?" He indicates the table with a jerk of his head. "You having a good night here or what?"

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Letta stared back down at her hands, pointing to the cards, then shrugging quickly. She couldn't control the cards, but she could control how to play them. She looked like one of the most cautious blackjack players in the history of gambling with how she played.

"Not bad. Not bad at all. Probably a little better now. Maybe you could bring me some better cards.."

She smiled over towards Lenny, then looked back towards the cards and the casino. She wasn't quite sure what this guy was up to, but it was better than looking like she was alone. At best, he knew who she was, and what she was up to. At worst, he's a patsy for when the cops come asking questions about any of this. It's a win-win for her.

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"Not bad. Not bad at all. Probably a little better now. Maybe you could bring me some better cards.."

Lenny grins, leans over and blows on her cards, and then shrugs. "Best I can do, honey, but I can buy you a drink." He whistles loudly and points at a passing waitress with both hands, pistol style. "Yo, sweet thing! A little refreshment for the lovely lady, see voo play!"

The young punk turns back to Letta and extends a hand. "Lenny Stein, just in from A.C; pleased to meet ya." He fishes a jumbo pack of chewing gum out of his inside pocket, grabs a stick and offers her some. "You like Juicy Fruit? I'm all outta Doublemint."

He pops the stick in his mouth and starts chewing loudly and rapidly. "Gum's the only thing that's kept me sane since I quit smokin'; three weeks this Friday, can you believe it?" He shakes his head in disbelief at his own willpower.

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"Juicy Fruit? Nah, I'll pass on the gum. That drink, though.."

Letta smiles back over at Lenny, waiting until one of the waitresses moves over to the pair of them. She pauses for a moment, seeming to think about what she's going to get.

"I'll have a kamikaze, Grey Goose and on the rocks, not too much ice. You want anything too?"

She points a finger over towards the man, looking down at her cards, shaking her head.

"Another 14. You guys aren't settin' me up, are ya? Hit me."

The dealer drops a face card, and Letta makes a bit of a face. Disappointed, she looks back over to Lenny, and shrugs.

"At least I get a free drink, right?"

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"I'll have a kamikaze, Grey Goose and on the rocks, not too much ice. You want anything too?"

"Jack and Coke for me, thanks." Lenny smiles and waits patiently for his drink.

"At least I get a free drink, right?"

The young man nods. "That you have; one of the many perks of bein' a lovely lady. And speakin' of..." The drinks arrive and Lenny raises his glass. "Here's to hoping your luck changes asap." He wipes his mouth on the back of his hand, and grins. "So what's your story, Miss...?"

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"Miss? Do I look that old?"

Letta laughs, holding up her drink.

"Violetta Williams. Letta for short. So, Lenny, what brings you to The Golden Calf? Not exactly the kind of action that most people from AC are looking for. This place is kinda small time. I heard the mob's not even bothering with it."

She smiles, a bit too knowing about this sort of thing for someone who's just supposed to be a native.

"I mean, unless you spent all your money on the trip."

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"Miss? Do I look that old?"

Letta laughs, holding up her drink.

"Violetta Williams. Letta for short. So, Lenny, what brings you to The Golden Calf? Not exactly the kind of action that most people from AC are looking for. This place is kinda small time. I heard the mob's not even bothering with it."

She smiles, a bit too knowing about this sort of thing for someone who's just supposed to be a native.

"I mean, unless you spent all your money on the trip."

Lenny laughs, has another sip of his Jack and Coke, and then leans in to speak in an almost conspiratorial tone. "Well Letta, I'm in public relations, personal management, that kinda of thing. Most of my clients are attractive young women, like yourself, but I handle guys, too." He winks and grins. "I'm always looking for new talent, always looking to find clients for my talent; all kinda jobs, sleek, sexy and dangerous." He pauses to look over his shoulder, then leans back in. "And unless my expert eyes deceive me, you are in the market for talent."

The slick young man leans back, grins and cracks his knuckles as he chews his gum loudly. "Am I right? 'Cause I think I am."

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"You might be.. You might be. Do you have a card? Perhaps a room somewhere on the Walk?"

Letta couldn't help but smile. Not exactly a comforting smile, but one that says things seem to be going her way at the moment. Of course, she might run this guy's name through her usual snitch lists and whatever. She doesn't trust the guy, but he seems to not exactly be the one to trust, anyways.

"Plus, what sort of talents are we talking about here? I mean, I don't.."

Letta looks over at the dealer, then points towards the bar.

"Cash me out. We can keep talking at the bar, Lenny."

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"You might be.. You might be. Do you have a card? Perhaps a room somewhere on the Walk?"

Lenny's smiles falters for a second, and he looks slightly ashamed. "Ah, actually, no; my office is in another part of town, kind of a hike from here, actually. However, cards..I do have." He reaches into his jacket and pulls out an inexpensive silver case, which he efficiently snaps open. "Here ya go."

The card is not all that impressive, cheap linen cardstock with a raised blue font which reads:

Leonard Stein

Talent Coordinator

Cell: 973-555-1968

The only address is Freedom City post office box, which doesn't exactly reek of class :roll:

"Plus, what sort of talents are we talking about here? I mean, I don't.."

Letta looks over at the dealer, then points towards the bar.

"Cash me out. We can keep talking at the bar, Lenny."

He nods and follows her, casually looking over his shoulder as he escorts her to the bar with a gentle hand on her elbow, his voice once again low.

"I am currently representing a very talented young lady who specializes in acquistions; very classy, very discrete. Quiet girl, doesn't talk too much, but they say actions speak louder than words, am I right?"

He smiles ingratiatingly as he sips his drink and continues chewing his gum.

"Whisper. She calls herself Whisper." He flips open his cellphone and lets his finger hover over the keypad. "I can arrange a meeting right now, if you like; could have her here in half an hour, less even." Lenny cocks and eyebrow and grins.

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Sammy walked into the Golden Calf with a frown upon his face. He hated the frilly gold plating covering the place. It just really reeked of bad taste and that was something, Sammy really didn't enjoy seeing.

'God I hate this joint. I wouldn't even be here if it wasn't for Lenny telling me there was some new competition in town. No body comes into my backyard trying to make score! I don't need the cops coming around asking too many questions.'

Sammy moved deeper into the casino easily avoiding the two security guards on duty. He looked about at the various sections of the main floor, wondering where this new 'talent' was located. There were just too many people to tell exactly and even if Lenny had given him a description of the new comer, Sammy still most likely not be able to spot them if they didn't want to be found. No, there was only one way to find them and that was to simply trust in Lady Fortune.

Sammy closed his eyes and took a deep breath before moving forward. Even with his eyes closed, he moved fairly confidently forward, turning just at the last moment to avoid colliding with a waitress or a slot machine. It wasn't until he reached the bar that Sammy opened his eyes and looked about.

'Hmmm, the bar. Guess I'll order a drink and see what might be around.' Sammy waved for the bartender and placed an order for a rum and coke. As he waited for the drink to arrive he glanced around at the people seated at the bar. Only two of the patrons caught his eye. A young college girl from the looks of things and her strangely dressed boyfriend.

Sammy smiled at the couple when their eyes caught his. 'Great. Now kids are invading the casinos. What more can be going wrong in this world?'

Sammy was wearing his usual black jeans and black t-shirt. A matching black backpack was hanging on one shoulder which he lowered carefully to the floor once his drink came. He turned around to get a look at the main floor again and scanned the area for the newcomer.

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Letta smiled towards Lenny, looking down at her watch for a second, then down over the bar. She noticed the new guy at the end of the bar, giving him a quick look-over, before turning her attention back to Lenny.

"Well, if she's gonna show up here dressed like she's gonna rob the joint, no deal. Need someone who can fit in at the moment. She's just quiet, not.. ya know, anti-social? As in, says weird stuff for no reason, and all of that, right?"

She continues to sip her drink, now trying to check out how things look from the bar. Not that this was exactly going to be a hard job, but it would be the hardest thing she's done yet. She's just trying to avoid silly mistakes.

"If she is what I'm looking for, though, we might be able to work something out, Lenny. Do you get your cut before or after?"

Letta looked down the bar again, at the man standing there with his drink giving herself and Lenny a look, then paused for a second.

"..That guy looks a little uncomfortable, doesn't he? Maybe? Not that I'm gonna judge, but."

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"Well, if she's gonna show up here dressed like she's gonna rob the joint, no deal. Need someone who can fit in at the moment. She's just quiet, not.. ya know, anti-social? As in, says weird stuff for no reason, and all of that, right?"

Lenny shakes his head and flutters his hand dismissively. "Nah, nah, nah, none of that noise; Whisper is a straight shooter, a pro, not some nutjob like a lot of these mooks you see around town."

He leans in close, and the mixture of alcohol and chewing gum on his breath is rather repulsive.

"This girl is new in town, like me; she's looking to establish herself in the local business community. That means no tricks, no drama, no BS, no nothin'. Nothin' but the job, ya see? She's focused." He snaps his fingers. "Razor sharp."

"If she is what I'm looking for, though, we might be able to work something out, Lenny. Do you get your cut before or after?"

Lenny smiles indulgently.

"After, sweetheart, after. It's my job to bring the parties together; after that, I fade into the background. I make sure my girl is happy, and that's all there is to it."

I am getting way too good at this, thinks Grim beneath Lenny's oily facade. Maybe I'm in the wrong line of work?

"..That guy looks a little uncomfortable, doesn't he? Maybe? Not that I'm gonna judge, but."

Lenny leans back from the bar, just enough to catch a peek of the new guy past Letta's shoulder, then shifts back to his original position, frowning.

"The backpack's what got me interested; they let you carry those things in here? There oughta be a law. He could have a piece, he could have anything in there."

The young hipster snickers.

"What's if he starts selling Girl Scout cookies or somethin'? This is a classy joint, am I right?"

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Lenny leans back from the bar, just enough to catch a peek of the new guy past Letta's shoulder, then shifts back to his original position, frowning.

"The backpack's what got me interested; they let you carry those things in here? There oughta be a law. He could have a piece, he could have anything in there."

The young hipster snickers.

"What's if he starts selling Girl Scout cookies or somethin'? This is a classy joint, am I right?"

Though the floor was full of ringing slot machines calling for the tourists to spend their money on a hopeless gamble, Sammy was still able to pick up on the end bit of Lenny's words. He frowned and turned to look directly at Lenny before bending over and lifting his pack.

Sammy slowly placed the pack on his left shoulder and picked up his drink in his left hand. He walked directly over to the couple, his frown still on his face. "You got a problem with the way I dress?" Sammy said looking Lenny up and down. He smiled and placed his pack on the floor at his feet. "Cause if you are, you might want to go and buy yourself a copy of GQ and rethink your own choice of clothes."

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Letta notices the man coming up to the two of them, and she stops talking for the moment. The man didn't exactly seem like the type to be easily scared off or who responds well to being talked down to.

"You got a problem with the way I dress?" Sammy said looking Lenny up and down. He smiled and placed his pack on the floor at his feet. "Cause if you are, you might want to go and buy yourself a copy of GQ and rethink your own choice of clothes."

Letta just smiles over at the man, then points to the backpack.

"Still, just a little unusual for a guy to carry a bag into a casino. And not have security jump all over them or something for it. It does stand out a bit."

Letta shrugs, looking back over at Lenny.

"But, I bet Lenny here doesn't mean anything by it. Just making chatter, right?"

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Sammy looked down at the backpack when she points it out. He shrugs his shoulders and returns her smile. "You'd be right if they were lax in their security measures, but they are quite proficent here. Ever since the Lucky Seven Casino was hit earlier this year, they've done wonders on improving the security at all the casinos of the boardwalk."*

Sammy takes a sip of his drink. As he lowers it, he points to the main entrance. "They've got scanners in the doorway that would pick up on most weapons or electronic devices. If you tried to walk in here with a gun, you'd be marked as a possible trouble maker and have their in house security force shadowing you everywhere. They've got cameras hidden all over the place as well."

Sammy turns slightly pointing out the obvious cameras in sight. "Those are just the basic cameras to keep the tourists in line. The real security cameras they use to keep watch over the indiviual tables and the money cage of course."

*See Forget the Cards, I win for more details.

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"But, I bet Lenny here doesn't mean anything by it. Just making chatter, right?"

Lenny just smiles and chews his gum, but he carefully notes all the security features the newcomer indicates, acknowledging each detail with the slightest of nods. When he's finished, the young man grins. "Wow, you really know you're stuff; you a security consultant or somethin'?" He leans over and overs an outstretched hand. "Lenny Stein, talent coordinator; sorry we started off on such a bad foot, I was just messin' around."

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Lenny just smiles and chews his gum, but he carefully notes all the security features the newcomer indicates, acknowledging each detail with the slightest of nods. When he's finished, the young man grins. "Wow, you really know you're stuff; you a security consultant or somethin'?" He leans over and overs an outstretched hand. "Lenny Stein, talent coordinator; sorry we started off on such a bad foot, I was just messin' around."

Samay looks at the offered hand for a moment before smiling broadly and taking it. "Something like that. Name's Sammy. Sammy Cosentino. I like to keep up on the latest security measures. You never know when it might come in handy."

"So, you're named Lenny. Seems the Boardwalk has quite a few Lennys around. I might get you all mixed up if I'm not careful!" Sammay barks a laugh at the minor joke before taking a drink. "Talent coordinator, huh? Not much talent out here in the Boardwalk. Unless this fine little lady is your latest discovery, that is."

Sammy arches an eyebrow at the young woman, wondering now why she was with Lenny.

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"Talent coordinator, huh? Not much talent out here in the Boardwalk. Unless this fine little lady is your latest discovery, that is."

Letta smiles a bit, followed by a shake of her head.

"I'll take that as a compliment, Sammy. But no, I'm not one of his new talents. He and I were making some arrangements, in fact, for me to meet one of his...talents, I guess."

Letta keeps smiling, but gives Sammy another quick look-over, before extending her hand.

"Violetta Williams. You from around here, Sammy? If you were, you'd know that the biggest kind of security that a casino could have is protection from the Freedom City Mob. Well, not for the short term, but for the long term. Those mooks are relentless, like pitbulls."

Letta points around to the various tables, then smiles when her finger comes pointing back at Lenny.

"Notice how Lenny here's probably the most ridiculously dressed guy in the place. Shows a low mob presence, if I have to guess. Not that the mob's not cutting something from the place, but just saying..This place is relatively mob-free. By casino standards."

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Letta smiles a bit, followed by a shake of her head.

"I'll take that as a compliment, Sammy. But no, I'm not one of his new talents. He and I were making some arrangements, in fact, for me to meet one of his...talents, I guess."

Letta keeps smiling, but gives Sammy another quick look-over, before extending her hand.

Sammy lifts an eyebrow at her statement. He looked over at Lenny again before turning to take Letta's hand.

"Violetta Williams. You from around here, Sammy? If you were, you'd know that the biggest kind of security that a casino could have is protection from the Freedom City Mob. Well, not for the short term, but for the long term. Those mooks are relentless, like pitbulls."

Letta points around to the various tables, then smiles when her finger comes pointing back at Lenny.

"Notice how Lenny here's probably the most ridiculously dressed guy in the place. Shows a low mob presence, if I have to guess. Not that the mob's not cutting something from the place, but just saying..This place is relatively mob-free. By casino standards."

The sudden change from security to the mob catches his attention right away. For the first time, he pulls out the chiar next to Lenny and sits down. Sammy smiles braodly and places his drink on the counter top. "No, I've only been here a few months now. True. The mob haven't had a big hand here at the calf, but it looks like they might be starting to get interested."

Sammy tilts his head over to a large bulidboard that hangs before teh entrance to the stage area. The buildboard lists tonights entertainers, Bernie Mac -- the comedian, and Carrie Underwood -- the singer. "If the Calf keeps bringing in big named stars like those, the mob are going to get really interested again. Actually, I wonder how they are pulling in those stars. Not even the Southside Palace is pulling in acts like this and everyone knows the Driogano Family owns that place."

Sammay shakes his head and looks at Letta. "But it seems you're more than a pretty face. It's not like many people that come to this part of town know about the mob workings, so what's your angle?"

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Sammay shakes his head and looks at Letta. "But it seems you're more than a pretty face. It's not like many people that come to this part of town know about the mob workings, so what's your angle?"

Letta laughs, looking over the two men again, before calming herself down.

"I'm sorry, I guess I'm used to locals. Williams is my mother's maiden name. I'm actually part Italian. My dad's technically a member of the Tonifanni family. He's no mook, but we do get some privileges. And growing up, I heard a lot. Everyone thought it wasn't my place, but girls tend to blend in pretty well in the Mob. Plus, well, the government's a pain."

Letta looks over at the acts that are showing up in the next week.

"Might be fakes. Wouldn't surprise me. Or they're just throwing money at them. That works too. Either way, they're making money off the names, at least."

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Letta laughs, looking over the two men again, before calming herself down.

"I'm sorry, I guess I'm used to locals. Williams is my mother's maiden name. I'm actually part Italian. My dad's technically a member of the Tonifanni family. He's no mook, but we do get some privileges. And growing up, I heard a lot. Everyone thought it wasn't my place, but girls tend to blend in pretty well in the Mob. Plus, well, the government's a pain."

Sammy's eyes go wide and his smile widens. He pulls the chair closer to the couple and leans in closely. "So, you're connected. Perhaps you're the person that Lenny was telling me about."

Sammy looks around slightly to make sure that no one else was listening in on the conversation. "I've been looking for a way to get 'introduced' to some of the more prominent familes here in town. As always, Lady Fortune has decided to shine on me! She's brought me here to meet you, Violetta. I may be a very helpful person to know."

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Sammy's eyes go wide and his smile widens. He pulls the chair closer to the couple and leans in closely. "So, you're connected. Perhaps you're the person that Lenny was telling me about."

Sammy looks around slightly to make sure that no one else was listening in on the conversation. "I've been looking for a way to get 'introduced' to some of the more prominent familes here in town. As always, Lady Fortune has decided to shine on me! She's brought me here to meet you, Violetta. I may be a very helpful person to know."

Lenny smiles as well, and inside Grim does, too.

Lucky girl, all the nicest lowlifes wanna hang out with her tonight; Letta certainly has her pick of the sleazoids.

"I hope this doesn't change your interest in my client, sweetheart; Whisper does excellent work and she, well-" And here Lenny gestures vaguely towards the enthusiastic newcomer. "She works well with others; she's a new girl in town and she wants to play nice."

The young punk waves his cellphone and looks around the joint.

"Unfortunately I can't use the phone in here; security blocks the signal to make it hard for scam artists to coordinate their activities. But I can step outside and call my girl, she can be here in half an hour; less, even. So what'll it be?"

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"Well, of course, Lenny. We should probably find a nicer, quieter place to meet up since we're going to be talking some more..complicated business. Anyone got a room around here? I'd hate to have to call my uncle over something like this. And I doubt this place has a standing reservation for the Mob."

Letta shrugs, looking over at Sammy.

"You got a place around here? I mean, I've got a place, but it's not exactly any place nice. Might be room for three of us, if one of us sits on the bed. It's a..temporary place, for sure."

Letta smiles, giving the place a look over once again, waiting for an answer from either one of them.

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Sammy smiles at Letta, "Then it will be the perfect place for us to talk in detail. We all know that you'll dump the place so there should be no problems if we decide not to deepen our realtionship." Sammy takes a moment to include Lenny into his gaze.

"And that will make us all happy. Whenever you're ready to lead the way, we can have that discussion."

Sammy picks up his bag and drains his drink in one gulp. He places the glass on the coutner and gestured towards the exit.

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