Chapter 17: The Commission

"Lucky!" Tommy Gaglino walked over to Lucky as time seemed to stand still as Ricky gazed at him.

Tommy Gaglino, leader of Gaglio Family.

Activities: Racketeering, robbery, illegal gambling, drug trafficking, truck hijacking, bribery, loan sharking, fraud, assault, fencing, money laundering, extortion, murder, arms trafficking, and theft.

Main source of income: Alcohol and Racketeering

Influence: 

New Jersey

Brooklyn

Manhattan

Bronx (Based)

"Tommy!" Lucky let out a genuine smile as he hugged the man while patting his back.

"And you must be his boy, Slick right?" Tommy pointed at Ricky who smiled while holding out his hand.

"The one and only." Ricky flashed a toothy smile as Tommy started hollering in laughter.

"THIS GUY!" Tommy patted Ricky's shoulder before realizing something.

"I'm sure you know me but this is my underboss, Lucchese." Tommy suddenly remembered, introducing his protege as Lucchese smiled as his profile surfaced in Ricky's mind.

Tommy 'Three Fingers' Lucchese, he's a man who Lucky derives as a pacifist.

No one calls him Tommy or Three fingers since he gave up his first name out of respect for his mentor and to all those who call him three finger, he'll literally cut off one of your fingers. 

Before he was a mobster, Lucchese worked in the factories before a freak accident caused him two fingers and his job which ultimately turned him to the streets.

"It's nice to meet ya Slick." Lucchese nodded to Ricky before backing behind Tommy.

"So you brought your boy instead of Genovese, huh?" A voice came from the side as Ricky turned to see Vincent 'Vinny' Mangano.

Vincent 'Vinny' Mangano, leader of the Mangano family.

Activities: Racketeering, extortion, fraud, illegal gambling, money laundering, murder, robbery, drug trafficking, fencing, truck hijacking, loan sharking, prostitution and pornography

Main Source of Income: Alcohol and Loan Sharking

Influences: 

Long Island

Staten Island

Manhattan (Based)

Queens

Brooklyn

"What can I say Vinny, he's special." Lucky propped up Ricky as the man behind him raised an eyebrow.

Carlo Gambino, underboss of Vincent 'Vinny' Mangano, and given the nickname 'Don' as a symbol of respect he earned by his family as although he was an underboss, he was respected as a Don.

"Don Carlo." Carlo's introduction was cut and dry though that's the type of person he was.

"Slick." Ricky shook Carlo's hand as he squeezed it before Ricky raised a smile and clamped down on his grip, making Carlo wince.

"What are you a gorilla?" Carlo joked before prying his hand free as Ricky raised a smile.

"What are you a midget?" Ricky joked back, making Carlo's eyebrow twitched as although he was thirty, a mere fourteen year old was taller than him.

*Smack*

"What did I say about you being a smartass, huh!" Lucky smacked Ricky on the back of the head though everyone had bursted into laughter at this point as Carlo's face was red in anger.

"Whoa slow down their speed racer, come on." Vinny, seeing Carlo about to blow his top, guided him away as someone patted Ricky's shoulder.

"I swear that Carlo gets redder than a balloon when he's angry." Joe Bonanno shook his head while leaning on him.

Joe 'Joe Bananas' Bonanno, leader of the Bonanno family.

Activities: Racketeering, loansharking, money laundering, murder, drug trafficking, extortion and illegal gambling

Main source of income: Loansharking and Alcohol

Influences: 

Long Island 

Staten Island (Based)

Queens

Brooklyn

Joe Bananas got his nickname after going crazy one day and beating the actual flesh off of a man.

Some say it was because he tried to do something to the man's wife, while others swear on their souls that he is a psychopath.

But what the stories shared in common was that they claim that throughout the entire ordeal, he was smiling.

"Slick." Ricky held out his hand and Joe shook it with a firm grip.

"Joe." Joe smiled warmly, his expression so convincing it could fool even the devil himself.

Joe had recently been named the boss of the Bonanno family and had not yet chosen an underboss.

However, it wouldn't be hard to decide, as despite his recent rise to power, he remained a respected figure within his family.

"So you're the boy I've heard so much about." 

Ricky turned to the side to see a man already sitting at the table as he had a golden picky ring flashing in the light.

Giuseppe "Joe" Profaci, leader of the Profaci Family.

Activities: Arms trafficking, arson, assault, battery, bribery, burglary, cigarette smuggling, chop shop, conspiracy, contract killing, counterfeiting, drug trafficking, extortion, fencing, fraud, illegal gambling, larceny, loansharking, money laundering, murder, racketeering, robbery, skimming, theft, truck hijacking, tax evasion, and protection rackets.

Main source of income: Smuggling, protection rackets, counterfeiting, drug trafficking, and bootlegging.

Influences: 

Long Island (Based)

Queens 

Brooklyn

Other than the Luciano family, the Profaci family at this very moment, were the strongest mafia family with them basically controlling the long island ports.

It was to the point that nothing crossed through the port without them approving it first which led to their smuggling ring to be one of their strongest sources of income.

Joseph 'Joe Evil Eye' Magliocco was Joe Profaci's underboss as well as his brother-in-law.

Joe Profaci was a staunch believer in traditional values, placing immense importance on family and familial ties. 

For him, forging connections with others was often done through marriage. In contrast, Magliocco, who preferred to go by his last name, was a quiet and reserved man. He kept to himself, acknowledging Ricky with nothing more than a simple nod.

"How old are you son?" Profaci asked while leaning back in his chair.

"Never old enough." Ricky commented as Profaci started laughing at his joke with amused eyes.

"Ain't that the truth." A man downing a flask commented from the side.

Stefano "The Undertaker" Magaddino.

Activities: Extortion, bookmaking, drug trafficking, loan-sharking, gambling, racketeering, labor racketeering, conspiracy and murder.

Main Source of income: Extortion, bookmaking, drug trafficking, and bootlegging.

Influences:

Buffalo(Based)

New Jersey

Brooklyn

Manhattan

Despite his drunken facade, Stefano was ruthlessly efficient and wouldn't hesitate to put a bullet in anyone who questioned his authority. 

His underboss, Joseph "Lead Pipe" Todaro, was Stefano's right-hand man, known for handling all the dirty work with a lead pipe, earning him his menacing nickname.

"Really Stefano, we have children here!" Profaci gestured his hands towards Stefano who rolled his eyes and took a spiteful filled sip from his flask.

"Apologize for being late folks." The door opened to reveal not Al Capone, a man known throughout history as the best gangster, but his sidekick.

Frank Ralph Nitto or Frank Nitti

Activities: Gambling, prostitution, bootlegging, bribery, narcotics trafficking, robbery, "protection" rackets, and murder.

Main source of income: Gambling, prostitution, and bootlegging.

Chicago(Based)

Brooklyn (Based)

Manhattan 

Bronx

Queens

Staten Island

Long Island

"Then let's begin the meeting."

Seated around the round table, the bosses had their underbosses standing behind them, for those who had brought one along.

"First things first, how is Al Capone's case going?" Lucky asked Frank who nodded his head since in this universe, the case was still being drawn out.

"He'll do it like he always does, but he sent me to hear everything." Frank informed the rest as they nodded in compliance.

"Very well, let's move onto the main reason I called this emergency meeting today." Lucky became serious as the other boss sensed the mood slowly change.

"The prohibition is going to end." Lucky spoke the words that had activity cut their profits in half in that second as the ones who didn't know reacted the loudest.

*BAM*

"WHAT DO YOU MEAN IT'S ENDING!" Vinny slammed the table while standing up before a hand was placed on his shoulder which revealed itself to be his underboss.

*Cough*

"Pardon me but explain, Lucky." Vinny sat back down calmly as Carlo patted him a couple more times as the air seemed to become suffocating.

"That Roosevelt wasn't joshing us when he said that his main goal was ending the prohibition and it looks like he's going to win." Lucky broke the news as the other bosses became deep in thought.

"Then I guess that Hoover guy has secured my vote." Ricky joked as the bosses looked at each other before bursting out in laughter, immediately breaking the tense atmosphere.

"This kid!" Profaci buttered up Ricky who smiled only for Lucky nudged him to shut it.

"Roosevelt is going to win, I've seen the early first polls and even with us funding his rivals, he doubles everyone." Lucky returned the atmosphere to its original murky mood as everyone comptplated.

Bootlegging was a very profitable venture for each of them and the pie always seemed to get bigger and bigger as the years progressed, yet now that pie was about to vanish.

"Why don't we whack him?" Stefano offered, though Lucky and Profaci immediately shook their heads.

"The second we do, then the entire government and the public will chase us back into Sicily and we all know why we can't go back there." Lucky sighed as when he said 'Silicy' some eyes trailed towards Ricky who simply ignored them.

"Then what are you saying, we should just twiddle our thumbs?" Tommy showed a weird expression making Lucky let out a small sigh.

"I'm just telling you in advance since this will affect all of us." Lucky sighed since this would also be a blow for his profits, at least 56% of it stemmed from prohibition.

"Affect us? This will derail at least half of our business including yours." Joe pointed at Lucky then at everyone with a calculative gesture.

He said everyone yet after Lucky, Joe only pointed at Mangano and Gaglino who had an overwhelming majority of their power in the bootlegging sector.

Ricky didn't miss this and Lucky sure as hell didn't either as he did his best to maintain composure.

"And what about those jews? More specifically Bugsy Siegel, Louis "Lepke" Buchalter, Dutch Schultz, and Abner "Longie" Zwillman." Joe suddenly took the floor as Lucky simply leaned back while the other bosses leaned forward.

"I mean we let that jew Meyers join the commision as the mob's accountant, but that was only because Lucky vouched his own life for him." Joe pointed out while leaving out the part about his skills which was able to wash everyone's money so efficiently, that it actually scared the others that Lucky had such a capable person under him.

"Those jews are starting to immigrate here from Germany cause of that wacko Hitler and their starting to occupy our streets, our cities, and our homes." Joe had a mad look in his eyes as Ricky started smiling at this behavior knowing what he was leading up to.

"So what, you want us to kill them?" Ricky suddenly spoke which made Lucky widened his eyes though as being Lucky's 'Underboss' he did have the right to weigh in on this time it's just he couldn't vote.

"No, but we need to send a message, a message that states that this is the mafia territory." Joe continued though Ricky shook his head.

"Then what, they'll just bow down?" Ricky tilted his head as Joe chuckled at him.

"Listen kid, it's not that cut and dry." Joe clarified as Lucky immediately covered his smile.

"Then why are you making it like that?" Ricky pointed at Joe who suddenly flinched causing the other bosses to raise an eyebrow.

"Once we send a message, it won't be just a simple agreement but a war." Ricky spoke from his chest as Lucky proudly looked at him.

"Do we have the funds and manpower to kill the jews especially with the repeal of the prohibition coming up." Ricky's words didn't fall on deaf ears and in fact caused unanimous nods from the rest.

"The kids right, we shouldn't go to war with the jews and especially over something so trivial as them immigrating here." Profaci shook his head as Joe simply nodded but before he could raise his mouth to counter it was already too late.

Ricky had successfully swayed the others into the right state of mind as Joe was going to use this opportunity to weaken the other family's forces.

"And we made that 'jew' our accountant cause he has a brilliant mind and makes it so that we don't go to jail for tax evasion or at least, the ones that use him." Lucky looked over at Frank who immediately frowned but couldn't disagree.

The main thing in this age that put gangsters away wasn't being caught but in fact, tax evasion.

However Meyers Lanky was a wizard with the books and accurately hid the mobs money as well as pay the government their fair share, or at least what they needed to see as fair.

Even Joe, who had just spit on his name, used him in order to hide his family's money which showed how skilled he really was.

"There right Banana's, those jews aren't even on our level and besides those jews aren't that bad." Tommy shrugged since he quite liked the fellas after getting to know them.

"At least they aren't those negro's in harlem." Carlo scoffed as the laughs spiraled out of these mafia gangsters' mouths.

"Man, I miss those days where I saw an nicely dressed italian in the streets of harlem, it's really a shame it became littered with them." Profaci sighed as he got some nods of agreement as Ricky wasn't at all surprised by this anymore.

Coming from a world where he was used to people throwing a hissy fit even at the mention of another race, it was a sort of culture shock to how open and subtly racist people in the 1930s were.

In fact, it wasn't even racist but a way of life for them as they openly discriminated over other groups all the time.

"Maybe Lucky will go and recruit them!" Joe joked as the others screeched out in laughter as Lucky had a habit of including not just Italians into his family.

At this point in time, the other gangs wouldn't even recruit any Italians that weren't from Sicily much less than africa.

"Alright, alright, I get it." Lucky smirked as he wasn't opposed to the idea if he found a talented young man.

"But we need to seriously consider the possibility that if Roosevelt wins, that prohibition will end with him." Lucky informed the other bosses who all nodded in agreement.

"Should we stop funding Hoover's campaign then? It seems like a waste of money." Frank Nitti asked while rubbing his chin.

Everyone in the room was funding at least one politician with them coming together for the first time to decide collectively who they would support, and all their ideas aligned with Hoover's campaign, especially regarding prohibition.

However now that Lucky had seemingly told him that he was going to lose, then why should these gangsters willingly choose to lose money.

"I think it would be best for the commission to continue funding Hoover's campaign." Joe B voiced his reason though it was mostly to drain the funding of the other families of even a dime.

"All in favor?" Lucky suddenly asked however none of the other bosses agreed with Joe who scoffed.

"Now that settled, are there any other matters that the other mafia heads would care to discuss." Lucky gave the floor though surprisingly Joe didn't say anything and leaned back.

"What about that rising fascist in the east, Hitler." Profaci loosened the ring on his finger as the other mafia heads raised their eyebrows.

"That sissy? He might have adopted Mussolini's governing but he doesn't even compare to the threat of him." Vinny scoffed at the very thought that Hitler could be a threat like Mussolini.

"It's all that Nazi or whatever they call themselves that those jews are settling in our cities." Carlo sneered while subtly backing up his boss as the other chuckled.

"Oh come on, he's just another politician who's all talk and no bite." Tommy waved in his hand at Profaci who frowned.

"My birds say otherwise, they say he's gearing up to put some serious laws in place." Profaci shook his head while nervously moving his ring on his pinky finger.

One of the reasons that many mafia escaped Italy was due to Mussolini persecution of the mafia so it was already standard that gangsters didn't inherently condone fascist leaders.

However Profaci in particular, was incredibly on edge compared to the rest since his older brother was skinned alive on the orders of Mussolini.

"I'm with Profaci on this one, that Hitler guy seems like he's wacko enough to actually follow through with his words." Stefano surprisingly agreed with Profaci which even surprised the man himself.

"If I haven't seen it all." Joe joked as a couple of giggles ran out.

"Well, at least they support the lord and savior Jesus christ." Carlo shrugged while kissing the cross necklace around his neck as some nods rang out.

"And so what if a few jews die why should we care, it's not like the U.S can draft us." Frank Nitti spoke the truth since the only naturalized citizens were the bosses due to having to own business.

Most members of their families and even the underbosses were technically immigrants as the only person who needed to be a citizen was the bosses.

"I don't know about that." Joe side-eyed Ricky as the mafia members who were laughing suddenly shut their traps.

"Hey Lucky it's not like that-"

"It's fine." Lucky stopped Vinny who nodded after forgetting Ricky could be drafted in the event of a war.

"If anything we should be supporting a war since they'd be too drained to stop our operations." Stefano voiced as the others nodded in agreement since a lot of profit can be found in blood.

"All in favor of supporting the war effort if there ends up being one." Lucky asked only for every single boss's hands to raise.

"Then it's settled."

The remainder of the meeting was mostly business talks with some of the heads arguing with each other over tedious things such as control on certain blocks, right to move weight in another territory, and mostly arranging deals.

"Then if there is nothing left then the second meeting of the commission will be adjourned." Lucky spoke as the other bosses nodded while standing up with their underbosses.

"Nice meeting ya kid." Vinny shook Ricky's hand while tapping him on the shoulder as Carlo waddled behind him.

The other bosses said their goodbyes before only four people remained in the meeting room being Lucky, Ricky, Profaci, and Magliocco.

"So Slick, you're entering highschool around this age right?" Profaci asked with a smile while tapping his finger on the table as Lucky eyebrow twitched.

"Yes Mr. Profaci-"

"You can call me Uncle, we are all like family here so why shouldn't we act like one." Profaci smiled as Lucky rolled his eyes as Ricky nodded.

"Yes Uncle, I'm going to Collegiate High School." Ricky answered as Profaci nodded while staring at him deeply.

"Have you ever been to your home before, Sicily I mean." Profaci asked as a flash appeared in his eyes but Ricky shook his head.

"Not yet, but I hope to go soon." Ricky slicked his hand through his hair while informing Profaci.

"Lucky what are you teaching your boy?!" Profaci joked though Lucky frowned at this knowing that he was up to something.

"I ain't letting my son go to that fascist country as long as Mussolini is in power." Lucky crossed his arms as Profaci sighed in regret.

"It is a shame what has happened to Sicily, to Italy!" Profaci shook his head in regret before tapping the table.

"It's why we should be as close as ever, now that the mafia has had its leg cut off, we need to make sure we strengthen ourselves here." Profaci spoke passionately though Lucky scoffed.

"Profaci, tell me why you sent word to me to stay behind earlier before I head back to brooklyn." Lucky gestured to Profaci who frowned but shrugged.

"My little princess is entering Collegiate High School and I want Slick to look after her." Profaci surprised not only Lucky but his underboss behind him.

"Maria is going to Collegiate High School?" Lucky spoke out in surprise as Profaci let out a distressed breath.

"That girl, I swear she's my weakness, I can't ever say no to her." Profaci ran his hand through his hair as Lucky nodded his head.

Maria Profaci was the niece of Joe Profaci and the only daughter of his older brother, the same man that was skinned alive.

Profaci always blamed himself for what happened to his brother since he was supposed to stay in Sicily to continue their overseas business but he wanted to go to America.

It was why when Maria became orphaned, Profaci took her in and treated her like his own daughter.

However Profaci could literally never say no to Maria and ended up spoiling her at every turn which is why Lucky couldn't find him suspicious.

"Of course I'll look after her Uncle." Ricky spoke up before Lucky could which made Profaci light up in a smile.

"Atta boy, you got a real man over here Lucky." Profaci jumped to his feet to shake Ricky's hand as he patted his shoulder.

"I'll see you around Lucky." Profaci then nodded to Lucky who was still looking at him weary as Magliocco walked behind him.

Profaci had a little tune to his step while walking out of the meeting room as Lucky had a weird expression plastered across his face.

"Hey." Lucky looked at Ricky who had now sat back down next to his father.

"Keep it in your pants, no matter how much of a doll Maria is." Lucky pointed his cane at Ricky while tapping his chest.

"Oh come on-"

*Smack*

"I didn't finish." Lucky smacked Ricky with his cane though in a playful way so as not to hurt him.

"That Profaci is a slippery one who is obsessed with blood ties and I'm sure he's trying to intertwine you with his precious niece, which is weird cause she's the most precious thing to him and you're useless." Lucky warned while not forgetting to make fun of his son as Ricky chuckled at this underhanded joke.

"Do you think I don't have any self contr-"

"Yes, I think you have literally zero self control." Lucky stood up while shaking his head.

"You're a dumbass with a good instinct and good adaptability, but for god's sake you cannot for the life of you say no to a bad idea." Lucky limped towards the door as Ricky followed behind him.

"Whatever pops, I think you might be overestimating Profaci."

Meanwhile with Profaci,

"Boss, are you sure about letting the Princess attend a school that isn't all girls?" Magliocco asked weirdly since Profaci was fiercely protective over her and letting around any boys would require them to be personally vetted.

"You think I want hooligans around my precious Princess? Of course not, but that Slick is someone who's gonna be big in the underworld." Profaci rubbed his pinky ring as Magliocco showed a surprised look.

"Boss he's just a kid-"

"A kid who turned the leaders of the five point gang into mush." Profaci side-eyed Magliocco who scoffed at that.

"Those are just rumors Lucky put out to make-"

"Brother, they're real." Profaci used a familial term which made Magliocco shut up instantly in widened eyes as he only used terms like that when he was serious.

"You're kidding, right boss?" Magliocco still couldn't believe it but Profaci shook his head.

"I got sources who saw the room, god the horror on their faces when they described it." Profaci shivered a little before smirking.

"Those other bosses are fools for underestimating Lucky including that brat Joe, he's the real deal and the smartest man I know." Profaci rubbed the pinky ring with more vigor.

"And for ten years I've been trying to tie him down with a woman from our family, yet time and time again he rejected them all." Profaci grimaced as for him to go to this degree showed how much he valued Lucky.

"That Lucky was so stubborn to let his name die out, until all of sudden he adopts a kid? No shot." Profaci shook his head since he had been constantly doing checks on Ricky.

"There's something about that kid and I want my Princess to have the best." Profaci's words once again shocked Magliocco who subconsciously started paying attention to Ricky at this very moment.

Eventually the car stopped at an enormous mansion and Profaci got out of the car before it got out.

Men in suits were planted all across the mansion as they all paid their respects to the boss of their family.

Profaci stopped at the double doors while adjusting his suit as well as his pinky ring to the perfect spot before grabbing the handle.

"Honey, Princess, I'm home!" Profaci yelled as the first one to greet him wasn't his wife but his darling niece.

"Uncy!" Maria ran out while leaping into Profaci arms as he twirled her around before setting her down.

"Guess what your favorite Uncle just did for you?" Profaci stroked Maria's hair as her eyes lit up.

"You got me a car!" Maria asked but Profaci shook his head with a smile.

"Even better, what is it that you always tell me you want?" Profaci hinted as Maria started jumping up and down.

"I CAN GO TO AN ACTUAL HIGHSCHOOL!" Maria screeched in excitement after seeing Profaci confirming with a smile.

"THANK YOU! THANK YOU! THANK YOU! YOUR THE BEST UNCLE EVER, EVER!" Maria gleefully hugged Profaci whose face brightened up at the praise of his niece as he was puddy in the palm of her hand.

*Knock*

*Knock*

*Knock*

Profaci's mood was immediately interrupted as someone knocked on the door as he turned around to open up with a scowl.

"This better be worth ruining my moment with Princess." Profaci scowled at one of his men who suddenly paled.

"B-B-Boss, it's time for Princess scheduled shopping trip." The guard meekly answered as Profaci's scowl immediately disappeared.

"Oh, is that so?" Profaci turned to the Princess who nodded with a smile.

"Here let me give you a little extra." Profaci reached into his suit and took out a money clip filled to the brim with benjamins.

Licking his thumb, he started counting the bills before taking out twenty big ones and handing it to his darling niece.

"You have a fun time sweetie." Profaci kissed Princess forehead as she squealed in delight at all the things she could buy.

"I'm going to buy tweetie a new bird feeder!" Maria cheerfully exclaimed before kissing Profaci on the cheek.

"Love you Uncy~" Maria happily skipped out of the door as ten bodyguards followed her down the walkway.

"Love you too Princess~" Profaci waved as the doors closed before he turned around to see his wife holding their infant son.

"You're gonna spoil her rotten Joey." Ninfa, Joe Profaci's wife, shook her head while walking down the spiral staircase.

"Oh come on sweetikins~" Profaci walked over to his loving wife before giving her a kiss on the cheek as she sighed.

"Ah, I almost forgot." Profaci reached into his suit before pulling out a fancy box.

"Joey you didn't." Ninfa covered her mouth in surprise as Profaci opened the box to reveal two star studded diamonds.

"Buddy of mine knows a guy who has a cousin in the mining operation in africa." Profaci kissed her cheek while handing them to her as she hugged him.

"Now, is it so bad to be spoiled rotten?" Profaci grinned as Ninfa rolled her eyes but grabbed his tie while leading you upstairs.

"No~"