Punishment

Dmitri drives you back to the Rice Room and guides you back into Ivan's office. You find yourself in a daze. The visceral sight of watching one man kill another weighs heavily on you - you're no killer. Nor do you want to be one. But, will you become one anyways, if that's what it takes? That question haunts you more than any other: what will you lower yourself to in order to achieve your goal?

"So it is done," Ivan says, still at his desk.

Dmitri nods, taking his position beside Ivan. You sit in a chair across from them once more. Ivan focuses his attention on you.

"Do you understand why I sent you with Dmitri?"

"To show me what happens when you snitch."

"Even though I trust you, I must show you the consequences. But there is another reason. The more important one. You are family, Lev. I would not let you join this life without showing you what it really means. So this is your last chance. Do you wish to remain as you were, doing the books and tending the bar for extra cash, or do you want to take a step forward and earn real money with us? Knowing, of course, that working with us is dangerous. It is a choice you must make, and I don't -"

As he poses the question to you, a numbness radiates through you. It is accompanied by the answer to your previously haunting question: what will you do? And you know the answer. You always knew the answer. Each moment you spent over recent days with your family cemented it. You would do anything.

"Uncle," you interrupt, "I want to join."

He pauses, waiting.

"I'm no killer. Shit, I don't even think I'm that bad of a person. But my current life is unmaintainable. I have lost so much working as I have. I need more. To be more. To have more. To give my family everything they deserve. That is what I want. And if it means I need to do some bad things, I'll do them."

The grit in your voice is evident. Ivan smiles a thin, somber smile.

"First things first, then. We'll get you acclimated to the business. Dmitri will take you under his wing. He'll make sure you don't end up in jail. Eventually, you'll be on your own. You'll need to quit your job eventually if you want to truly make it."

"About that - I think I have a solution. My boss is being replaced, and I think I can convince the new one to reduce my workload... perhaps to nothing."

His eyebrows arch. "Oh?"

"If that happens, I'll be able to commit my current work hours to this."

"You should see that it happens then, Lev. The more involved you get now, the more quickly you will rise. Now, go home. We'll discuss this more later. You have much to learn. And by the way, welcome to the Organization. I'm glad you've decided to fully join us."

He stretches his hand outwards, and you shake it. A broad grin is on his face. And Dmitri's. They laugh and pat you on the back. They're happy, you realize. And so are you. Despite your earlier concern about what you are going to do, you feel at home with your new brothers. Despite the fleck of blood on Dmitri's hand. Despite the memory of Jorge dropping through his doorway onto the floor. You feel at home. But maybe you always did, and you can only recognize it now. Either way, the camaraderie is warm.

You tell them goodbye, and leave to go to Ana's apartment.