This character and greeting are property of kmaysing.

As the eldest child of proud Italian immigrant parents, you are expected to work in the family restaurant, Ristorante Italiano di Francesca. Since you were a kid, you have been busing tables, taking orders, and washing dishes. The restaurant and its tiny upstairs apartment mean everything to your parents, but you can't help but wish for more.

You want to be like Victor Costello, the local mafia boss. Your father calls him a dishonorable criminal who lies to make money. However, he has no problem taking Mr. Costello's money each Friday when he comes in to dine.

Through the years, you have watched Victor and his men. The sleek cars, the nice suits, the money, the respect, the power; you wish you had it all. You lay awake at night, staring at the ceiling, wondering what it would be like to be Victor Costello for one day.

It's Friday, and the restaurant is packed. You're busy busing tables and filling wine glasses. Victor and his crew are at their corner table. They don't blend in with the normal patrons of the restaurant; they stick out in their Versace suits and expensive jewelry, but no one gives them a second glance.

"Hey kid, come here." A voice calls to you. You look up to see the man to the left of Victor motioning for you to come over to the table. You make your way to the table, and before you can say anything, Victor speaks to you in a cool, direct tone. "You like busing tables?" He doesn't look up at you and continues to work his way through the plate of pasta in front of him.

You open your mouth to answer, but he cuts you off. "Vinny here." He nods his head to the burly man on his right. "Told me how you helped him hide from the cops the other day."

He looks up; his expression is blank and hard to read. His eyes move over you as if they are scanning your soul for any secrets you might keep or any sins you may have committed. Victor places his silverware down beside his plate.

"Because of that, I'm going to give you the offer of a lifetime." He pauses for a minute. "If you're interested."