[color=f7941d][u][b]Ambassador Benjamin “Benny” Watts - Gomorrah - Mid-Morning, October 17th [/b][/u][/color]

Benny had been shocked to see the Gomorrah as busy as it was so early in the morning. In New Reno casinos weren’t bustling till the sun had begun to set. Hell, some of them didn’t even open till nightfall. It was even a stark contrast from the other casinos on the Strip. The Ultra Luxe had been quiet and unnerving when he entered searching for the bakery. The place smelled delicious but the mannerisms of the staff and those masks and gloves. They were polite and prompt and professional but the whole package of the casino had creeped him out. He was happy to not be having a meeting there this early into his assignment. When that time came he would definitely be bringing security with him. 

He was greeted by Lucy when he arrived at the Gomorrah and he was pleased to see her. Her clothing was pressed and fitted and her platinum blonde hair was clean and well combed. She had so much potential and Benny thought it a shame he was an ambassador and not a stylist. The wonders he could work in this city if only he was able to follow his heart's desire. But then afterall it was following his desires that landed him in his current predicament. Perhaps he had better keep his mind focused on the task at hand. 

All eyes were on him as he followed Lucy across the floor of the casino. Perfumed dancers led patrons away to private rooms and gangsters nodded with respect at his passing. One scantily clad woman even touched his shoulders and offered her services for free. It was a show that much he was certain of, but a little flattery never went unappreciated. Benny enjoyed the company of beautiful women but he knew in places like Vegas such company always came at a price, even if it wasn’t in caps.

They moved further into the Gomorrah and Benny was treated to an idea of just how large some of these casinos must be. A vast sprawling area packed with gamblers and lecherous drunks who hooped and hollered at a stage where entertainers twirled and contorted to the rhythms of the music. Benny realized Lucy was taking him on a scenic tour of the facilities offering a preview of all that could be found and enjoyed behind the leather padded doors of the casino. He would be lying if he said it was an ineffective strategy. And yet he couldn’t shake a growing sense of unease as he was led further and further into the Gomorrah. There were no windows and every door seemed to only open to a new artery of sin and vice. Benny looked carefully at a few of the patrons who lingered about the edges of the room. Their eyes were sunken and glossy, their movements soft and languid. They looked like they had been trapped in the casino for days and Benny considered the very real possibility that they had been. How many others met that same fate? Lured in through those large black doors like flies to honey only to get lost in the rush of ecstasy and thrill of danger and sex until they could no longer find their way out.

Lucy brought Benny through another side hallway and down a corridor lined with Omerta thugs to a singular dark door. It was blocked by an incredibly large man with the demeanor of a guard dog and the build of a wild bull. Yet as Benny approached the man slipped aside and left the door open. Next to the door, emblazoned on a black and gold plaque, were the words ‘Zoara Club - VIPs ONLY.’ Inside Benny could hear laughter, curses and the clinking of silverware and crystal glasses. 

	“Dominic is inside,” Lucy said with a wink, “He’s the loud mouth you can hear from a mile away. I hope you enjoy your time here in Gomorrah…” 

Benny smiled and nodded his thanks. “Always a pleasure Lucy.” He thought her charming and it was good considering her role within the Omerta family. This Dominic surely chose his employees carefully. Once he was inside he was greeted with the sight of a well dressed fat man lounging about with a few others at a large table in the center of the Zoara club room. 

	“...and so then I told him, I told him ‘Johnny...now you know that ain’t chocolate....that’s molerat shit! HA!”

	The men burst into a peel of laughter and the large man continued, “Ahh sometimes I miss the old neighborhood. Good times, oh now look what the cat just dragged in! Heyo its the new NCR Ambassador himself!” the man said, turning to Benny as he stepped forward. Benny assumed correctly this was the infamous Don Dominic he had heard so much about. Dominic rose to his feet and walked over to him, extended his hand and greeting Benny warmly with a jovial grin, “Welcome Mr. Watts welcome. Please…sit down and take a load off. Oh, what’s that?” He looked down at the dessert Benny was holding, “Black Forest Cake? Ah you sir are a gentleman. Hey fellas look at this guy bringing cake to a meeting. Now why the hell don’t youse guys ever bring me anything? Huh?” He laughed followed by more boisterous guffaws from the seated Captains. “Now I hope you’re planning on helping me out with eating that,” Dominic chuckled as he pointed to the cake, “What, you didn’t think I could eat that all by myself did you?” He patted his large stomach for a moment and then laughed again, “Or maybe you did. HA!”

Benny smiled. He was uncomfortable with how forward the Don was. Benny knew gangsters and he thought he read them well but the absolute jovial greeting of Dominic had thrown him off balance. This man was the king of sin city and yet he acted like a kindly father. The Don ordered his men to leave the room and with but a word of confirmation the other Omertas were gone. He hadn’t needed to raise his voice or threaten them. Whether it was respect or fear that kept them so utterly subservient Benny was afraid to find out. 

Dominic then sat down next to Benny and leaned back in his chair, “What can I get you eh? Got a breakfast buffet over there,” He pointed to a long skinny table at the other end of the room where a huge spread of breakfast food had been placed in warmers along with coffee and a variety of other beverages. No need to get up, Sally will get you anything you want. Yo, Sally!” 

A topless redheaded waitress approached the table with her hands clasped together in front of her. Benny was unable to contain the astonishment that showed on his face. He hadn’t noticed her when he entered the room, had she been there the whole time? Benny looked around trying to see if there were any exits he might have missed. Avenues of escape maybe but escape would be nigh impossible this far in the labyrinth of the casino.  

“Get Mr. Watts here whatever he wants. Or just a helping of everything if he can’t decide HA! Grab him whatever drink he wants too. OH, and slice me off a piece of that cake, will ya?” Dominic said with a snap of his fingers and the waitress bowed before asking Benny what he liked. 

“Just some coffee please ma’m. Thank you.” He smiled and returned his focus on Dominic. Benny knew better than to deny hospitality from a host like the Don but he also didn’t trust the man and he needed to be alert and focused not immersed in a plate of grits and beans and bacon. 

“So Mr. Watts, mind if I call you Benny? You're welcome to call me Dom if you like. I get tired of stuffy formalities sometimes. First things first, is Vegas everything you hoped it would be? Anything not meeting your expectations? Hey if Sin City ain’t up to snuff, you let ol’ Dom know and I’ll make sure you get the full experience.”

Benny placed his large felt hat on the seat next to him and crossed his legs. He produced a cigarette from a pocket in his jacket and lit it. 

“Pleasures all mine Mr. Dominic. I truly appreciate you opening up the Gomorrah to me so early in the day. It was a spectacular experience I was greeted with upon my arrival this morning. Likewise,” he took a drag and exhaled to the side away from the Don. “I want to thank you sincerely for the greeting my escort and I were given upon our arrival to the Strip last night. As I’m sure you are aware we were not so kindly received on our entrance to Freeside.” Benny grimaced at the thought of the mercenary’s death. It had been so needless and violent it sickened him. Returning a smile to his face, “Especially your employee the lady Lucrezia. She is quite the woman, you should be proud to have her in your staff. She represents your business and your interests well.”   

Benny allowed himself a moment to fully take in the Don as the man dug into his slice of cake. He was fat but wore a tailored pinstripe suit that held his girth in an elegant manner. His hair was thinning on his head and he wore a thick black mustache that was a contrast to Benny’s own thin line of a mustache. Dominic wouldn’t look out of place seated beside Mr. Bishop back in New Reno and that thought brought fear to Benny’s mind. He had to be careful, he had to keep a close eye on this Dominic lest the Don find out about Benny’s own connections to that small city of sin to the North. If the Omertas were as unscrupulous as their reputation then Benny knew he could at best expect to be black mailed and at worst…well it was best he didn’t dwell on that, especially now. 

“I hope the cake is to your liking sir. The barista at the Ultra Luxe refused to let me pay for it when I informed him who it was for. I’m assuming you have a connection with that casino as well? In any case I hope we can be candid with each other and open up an easy line of dialogue. You’re the first family representative to invite me to a parlay upon my arrival. I’m sure you’re curious about annexation, taxation and what all the NCR has planned for New Vegas. I will answer these questions to the best of my knowledge and as far as my professional discretion allows. However,” Benny leaned in close. “I want to assure you that the president has no intention of dismantling the authority held by the families of the Strip. It is only with mutual respect between our organizations that we can make this annexation a painless process.” 

It was a lie and an egregious one at that. But given the fact that Benny lied for a living and had only just met the Don he hoped the gangster would believe it.