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[b][center][color=96D2B7]UNITED STATES OF AMERICA[/color][/center][/b]
[/h1][/sup][/color][indent][sub][COLOR=6DC09B][I]July 10th, 1955[/I][/COLOR][/sub][/indent][indent][sup][right][COLOR=6DC09B][b]LOST WAGES[/b][/color][/right][/sup][/indent][hr][indent][indent][sub][COLOR=6DC09B]Venice // Los Angeles[/color][/sub][/indent][/indent][indent][indent][indent][color=BFE4D3]Melvin Merrill unloaded an entire round of his custom Thompson gun into the traitor as his fiancée watched in horror. She went over to her fiancé and tried desperately to stop the bleeding as the Midway transformed into a chaotic scene. He lowered the tommy gun and pulled out two California sunlights, throwing them at the dead body. The fiancée, caught off-guard by the poppies, went to turn around but felt the barrel of a pistol against her head. She sat there, frozen with fear as her husband's killer inhaled before pulling the trigger. Two more shots rang out in quick succession, and Merrill exhaled, relieved that it was over. 

The traumatized crowd watched as the hitman walked past them and headed for the parking lot. None of them interfered because they knew who he worked for. Meanwhile, Merrill tossed his gun in the back seat and entered through the front car door. Without any words, the driver drove away from the scene with enough time to avoid the authorities. It was only when they were on the main road that the driver spoke. [color=5FBA91]"Impressive work. The boss will be delighted when he listens to the evening news."[/color]

[color=5FBA91]"I take it that there's no more work for now?"[/color]

[color=5FBA91]"Actually, there is."[/color] The driver responded as he took a sharp left turn from Lincoln Boulevard. [color=5FBA91]"You are needed for an urgent matter concerning Howard."[/color]

Merrill rolled his eyes when he heard that name. Howard Rowe was the drunken fool who was the proud owner of Kingship, a gentlemen's club in Culver City. It was close enough to The Culver Studios that its workers, and sometimes well-known individuals in the film industry, ended up at the club. For that reason, and how profitable it was, the boss often 'forgot' the late payments. But, what he did this time was inexcusable. [color=5FBA91]"How much?"[/color]

[color=5FBA91]"Fifteen grand. That bastard hid fifteen grand for us for the last few months. The boss wants you to remind him of his commitment to our family."[/color]

[color=5FBA91]"How does he want it done?"[/color]

[color=5FBA91]"Keep it in his office. He doesn't want to lose any clients. Make sure he never fucks with us again."[/color] The driver pulled up at the Kingship and opened the passager door for Merrill. [color=5FBA91]"Almost forgot, tell Howard that the payment has increased ten percent after his betrayal. Don't disappoint."[/color][/color][/indent][/indent]
[hr][/indent][indent][indent][sub][COLOR=6DC09B]The Strip // Las Vegas[/color][/sub][/indent][/indent][indent][indent][indent][color=BFE4D3]The Magician's Menagerie was the twelfth casino and resort to open its door on The Strip. The stretch of road was covered with showrooms, nightclubs, shopping centers, and other resorts and casinos. But, this resort hotel and casino was the biggest one in Las Vegas and the nation. Its theme was based on medieval myths and fairytales, making it more family-friendly than any other place in the city. Naturally, it became an instant tourist spot for parents to gamble and travel around while their children were having fun around the resort. And it played a major role in boosting the city's popularity in recent months.

The mastermind behind Magician's Menagerie was none other than Russell Bradshaw, son of former horseracing and auto racing magnate Clayton Bradshaw. He and his younger brother, George Bradshaw, owned four other resorts and casinos (along with other businesses) in the city. Unlike Galveston or Atlantic City, Las Vegas was a newcomer not held back by anti-gambling laws or Prohibition in its history. As a result, it flourished quicker than expected, which caught some attention from the East Coast. And one person in particular who managed to make a name for themselves.

[i]Mr. House[/i]. It was a nickname used on the mysterious individual who bought up both the Golden Nugget and Binion from their previous owners. It took them a year before acquiring most of Downtown and a massive chunk of the Strip. Nobody knew who they were, but they were treated with respect and dignity by their friends. And as for their enemies, well, they were never seen again or sworn a vow of silence. Much of the local population, and frequented tourists, deemed him the unofficial mayor of Sin City.

But for the Bradshaw Brothers, they weren't fazed by some outsider with trust issues. After all, [i]Mr. House[/i] hardly had any influence with the city council nor city hall. Plus, their father spent his remaining years teaching them the life of a businessman and how to safeguard his business empire. Even if the stress of work ended up killing him, he would've been proud to see his sons preserving his legacy. Experience was something that [i]Mr. House[/i] lacked while the brothers had plenty under their belts. So, they went on their lives until an envelope ended up on the front door. Inside the envelope, there were poker chips and two ace cards addressed to Russell and George Bradshaw with the message:

[indent][color=5FBA91]Golden Nugget. Ten o'clock. 
You [b]won't[/b] want to miss out.
	- [i]Mr. House[/i][/color][/indent]
After reading the message, the brothers already made their minds up and ended up in front of the casino. Russell pulled out one of the poker chips from his suit pocket. But, his attention was on his younger brother, still talking to the driver. He called out George, which clearly annoyed him, but he finished the conversation and made his way towards him. [color=5FBA91]"What was that about?"[/color]

[color=5FBA91]"Nothing much. Just told the driver to enjoy a coffee break."[/color] George was rather dismissive of his older brother's question and made his way inside. [color=5FBA91]"Let's get this over with."[/color][/color][/indent][/indent][/indent]
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