act21side

Yeah, saw that. Assassinated, looks like?

I feel so bad for him.

Since you all seem nice enough, I'll tell you a little more about him.

I have to deal with mafiosi pretty regularly, so I've heard a thing or two from them.

The person who murdered him hasn't been found yet, and the young master of Famiglia Bellone was also attacked at the same time.

Huh? Bellone?!

That's right. The Bellones were poised to stand head and shoulders above the other famiglie, but it seems like someone's been plotting against them for a while now.

Many famiglie that had previously given up are now starting to move again, little by little.

Did you hear any of them mention the name Texas?

Texas? There's not a single person in Siracusa who doesn't know that name.

But usually in the context of 'the last Texas' or something along those lines...

Really?!

You're a strange one, you know that? It's obviously all made-up. How could there possibly be a Texas still alive out there?

But... Alright, you have a point.

In any case, you should already know that our troupe has some connections to Famiglia Bellone, through the director.

Just as those people were saying, in the past everyone wanted to get on his good side. But now...

You all saw what happened.

Do all of Siracusa's famiglie go around doing whatever the hell they want like that?

...Remember what I'm about to tell you.

If you want to survive in Siracusa, you either need to join a famiglia, or stay as far away from them as possible.

Then... you need to delude yourself into believing that as long as you stay away from them, you won't get sucked into any trouble.

Alright, I should head back to the theater now.

Right.

Aaaaaaaahhhh—!

What now?!

S-Someone's been tied up over here!

Assuming nothin' outta the ordinary happened, someone ought to have found the poor fella by now.

I don't get it, man. Why go through all that trouble keeping him alive, just to let him go? What's so special about that guy anyway?

What it proves is, that shady bartender wanted him to be found.

As for why... it's usually a trap.

Tch, what a sinister fella.

You say that now, but if he ends up winning, you're gonna be calling him a genius.

Dipshit.

Hah.

What's so funny?

I just remembered how we used to argue like this back when we were kids.

Never would've imagined that after all these years, after all of life's twists and turns, the two of us'd still be out here, fightin' for our lives.

That's fate for you. Never know where it's gonna take you.

Heh. Ain't that the truth.

Who could've known something like that would happen in Lungmen?

And that after all that, we'd still come back to Siracusa.

Gambino... If, and I mean if, Lappland has really decided to leave us alone, and let us fend for ourselves...

Would you still stay in Siracusa?

What, do you miss your Lungmen that bad?

Hmph. Forget it, not like you'd ever understand anyway.

Let's talk about something more practical. You really plan on switching employers?

Looking at the news, the guy we tried to off today was Don Bellone's son. Seems like someone real important died at the same time.

Which sounds to me an awful lot like some unknown famiglia has been using us as their weapons.

Might as well go make that relationship formal, then.

Better than taking on odd jobs and begging for scraps.

That's right. As soon as you're back in Siracusa, you participate in an attempted assassination of one of the Dodici dons. You two sure have grown.

Guess the good ol' days are over...

Lappland...

Oh? Today's breakfast is looking pretty good.

Pay for your own.

Aw, is that any way to treat your boss?

So, what've you been up to all this time?

I went to say hi to the folks, and got to enjoy some sorely-missed family time. Simple as that.

Haah, what a relief that despicable old mug back home is just as punchable as it's always been.

You with a famiglia?

Oh, did I never mention it? My last name is Saluzzo.

Saluzzo?

You're a Saluzzo?

Capone, do you know what the thing I hate the third most is?

Capone feels a chill course through his body, but the sensation is so fleeting that he has to wonder if it was his imagination.

When people start wailing and moaning once they hear the name of my famiglia.

Ah, come to think of it, the way you do things really does remind me of that one famiglia.

What about the other two things? If I'm gonna die, might as well die knowing.

Haha. Seems like you've picked up on how to get along with me.

Actually, I just came up with that line on the spot.

Tch.

Alright, talk to me. So why'd the two of you decide to do a hit on Famiglia Bellone?

Come in.

Sorry for bothering you, Signor Segretario.

No, no, Your Honor, the pleasure is mine.

Your office is... quite impressive.

Haha, I frequently have distinguished guests here, and this is the sort of decor they prefer, so I figured I'd go along with it.

So, did you need me for something?

I wanted to talk to you about Carracci's death.

Hmm? I believe I already made a statement about that.

I know.

But I wanted to have a chat with you, for more personal reasons.

Oh right... I heard you swore you'd find Carracci's murderer and bring them to justice.

Good, good. Young folks ought to have that kind of drive.

So have you made any progress?

Unfortunately, not yet.

Sorry to hear that.

I heard you'd always been on good terms with him personally, so...

That's true. Carracci was greatly concerned with the citizenry's well being, things such as food, water, and sanitation.

But I don't think there's anything I can do to assist you.

I never actually mingled my way into his innermost circle.

So while I'd love to help, there's nothing I can do.

Anything you can give me is fine. A place you think is suspicious, or anyone in the government I should keep an eye on.

You're asking too much. You understand what I'm saying, don't you?

Your Honor... several other Ministri dei Lavori Pubblici died before Carracci. Do you remember them?

Seven? Or maybe eight?

The people in those positions were just puppets. Each famiglia was trying to push their own people up there.

But in the end, they were all taken out by other famiglie.

When it came to a position as important as il Ministro dei Lavori Pubblici, though, I'll be blunt here, it was clear as day why the famiglie filled the position with a man as spotless as Carracci instead of installing one of their cronies.

For one simple reason: if the killing continued, the construction of the city would grind to a halt.