Prologue - Scene 1 (of 7)

Maisie Brokovitz is helping her father Hiram in his office at his garment factory when he notices a large shipment of silk due from Hong Kong is several days overdue. Knowing she is a girl who can take care of herself and enjoys traveling in the seedier parts of town, he asks her to head down to the docks and see if she can sort out where the silk shipment is.

Maisie agrees and heads down to her 1923 LaFayette 134 sport touring car and speeds down the ship yards, far in excess of the posted 10 mph speed limit. When she arrives, she heads straight over to the harbormaster's office.

The harbormaster looks through his books and identifies her shipment as coming on The Irish Rose, due out of Hong Kong. He explains to Maisie the ship is still overdue by a week and suggests she contact the owner, Ned Flynn.

After unsuccessfully trying to convince the harbormaster to make a call to Flynn for her, Maisie decides to head over to Flynn's office herself. First, though, she stops in at a nearby café, The Big Drink Café, for lunch.

The clientele of the Big Drink are mostly a working class lot, and Maisie's fancy dress causes more than a few stares as she sits down at the counter. Everyone keeps their distance and avoids talking to her as she finishes her soup and lemonade.

Prologue - Scene 2 (of 7)

After lunch, Maisie heads over to the nearby office building where the Waterfront Improvement Association is housed and where Flynn, who is head of the association, keeps his office. Stepping inside the office suite, Maisie sees no secretary to greet her at the waiting room desk. Back down the hallway, she can hear several men talking inside one of the offices.

Assuming the secretary is at lunch, Maisie takes it on herself to walk down the hallway and into the office. As she announces herself, she can see the office is occupied by three men. Two of the men stand back near the desk, one appears to be a businessman in his early forties while the other looks to be a working class man of the same age. Nearer the door stands a taller, younger man with a muscular build.

The working class man is holding some kind of small bag. When he sees Maisie he quickly closes it, but she gets a glimpse – it appears to be filled with cash. Before she can say anything, the taller man steps in front of her and grabs her arm, asking what she is doing.

As Maisie explains she is there to see Ned Flynn about a shipment, the businessman tells the taller man to let her go, calling him "Sean" and speaking with an Irish accent. He then tells Sean to take the other man, who he calls "Rory" down to the car.

After the two leave, the businessman introduces himself as Ned Flynn and asks what he can do for her. Maisie explains about her shipment and Flynn explains the ship has been held up in New York because of some "Chinaman" who insisted on traveling back with it.  He tells her it will likely be another week or two before the ship comes in.

As they talk, Maisie notices a telegram on Flynn's desk from New York. It appears to confirm what he has said, and names the Chinaman as "Fung Xian". She recognizes the name as a man who she found on the streets of Hong Kong many years ago. After helping him out, he taught her a little of his secret martial art style he called the Wu Shen.

Maisie says nothing to Flynn about her coincidental connection to Fung Xian. Instead, she insists that her father needs his silk and cannot wait. Flynn seems wearied by her insistence, muttering something about how he is already being hassled about the ship by "those damn brothers" that work for "O'Conner" as well as "Antonelli's men"; he also complains about already having enough trouble with "Ulnovsky" and "his damn revolutionaries". Maisie doesn't get any of the references but elects not to ask.

Just then, Flynn seems to get inspired. He carefully looks over Maisie and notes she is rather tough looking and recalls some stories he heard about a Jewish girl who likes to start bar fights in seedy locations. Outwardly, he tells her he believes the two of them may have some mutual acquaintances; in particular, a specific family of three brothers.

Understanding he is referring to the Levin brothers of the Magenta Gang, and likely wants help arranging a murder for hire, Maisie nods in agreement. Flynn explains to her that he could have the silk shipped over in a truck in just two or three days, but it would be expensive. However, he tells Maisie he will do it as a favor for her if she will do him a favor.

After she asks what favor he wants in return, Flynn explains it will be rather simple. He takes a piece of paper and writes down some quick notes then seals it in an envelope. He then explains to Maisie that all he wants her to do is to deliver the envelope to their "mutual friends" and then deliver her whatever they give her in response. She agrees and takes the envelope.

Prologue - Scene 3 (of 7)

After leaving the offices of the WIA, Maisie decides to go back to her father's factory first. When she arrives, she goes into his office and explains that the ship will be delayed a week or more. Hiram is not pleased and gets very agitated, noting that they need the silk for the upcoming wedding for the daughter of "Mrs. Shivas".

Once he's worked himself up, Maisie tells him the shipping owner is open to getting them the silk in a couple of days, but is looking for a payment of $50. Hiram decides the deal is fair and takes the money out of his wall safe and gives it to her. He reminds her to be home in time for dinner as her mother is making brisket.

As she leaves, Maisie pockets her father's money with a sly smile. She then heads to the south side of town to the dive where some of Levin's men hang out. Once inside, she quickly spots her friend Eddie Keywell and his associate, Abe Fletcher.

Eddie gives Maisie a friendly greeting and she explains she's there on business, delivering something. Eddie takes the envelope and opens it. He steps over to Abe and the two briefly discuss the contents of Flynn's note in hushed whispers.

After the two men appear to come to some kind of agreement, Eddie steps back over. He takes one of the matchbooks from a table and writes something inside then hands Maisie the closed matchbook, telling her to take it back to whoever sent the envelope.

Before leaving, Maisie unsuccessfully tries to get a "courier fee" out of Eddie. He does toss her a couple of bucks, telling her to get a couple of drinks on him.

Once in the car, Maisie opens the matchbook and takes out a match to light a cigarette. The writing inside simply says "Malloy $300 A14". It means nothing to her.

Prologue - Scene 4 (of 7)

When she arrives back at Flynn's WIA office, Maisie finds the secretary seated at the desk in the main suite lobby. When the secretary asks what her business is, Maisie briskly tells her she was there earlier and wants to see Flynn.

Upset by the young woman's uncouth nature, the secretary stomps back to the office. A moment later she returns, icily telling Maisie that Mr. Flynn will see her now.

In contrast, Flynn greets her gregariously when she comes in, while the silent Sean stands next to him. She attempts to hand him the matchbook but he steps back, instructing her to give it to Sean. The tall man looks it over, exchanges nods with Flynn, then leaves.

Flynn then invites her to sit down, smiling. He tells her that she is the kind of woman who could be of use to him. When she asks what he means, Flynn coyly mentions all he wants to do is hire her to cozy up to a "new friend".

Maisie asks for $200 a month, but Flynn won't go nearly so high. Instead, he offers $25 a week. Maisie gets him to agree to $30.

Once they arrive at a deal, Flynn explains that he is having trouble with some Trotskyite anarchists, led by a man named Ulnovsky, who have infiltrated the local dockworker's union. One of the Trotskyites has a Jewish girlfriend named Karina Krasnik. Flynn wants Maisie to befriend the woman and report back to him anything that she hears.

The name "Krasnik" doesn't sound very Jewish to Maisie until Flynn explains that Karina is a Russian Jew, not a German Jew like herself. Maisie isn't very familiar with the part of town where the Russian Jews tend to live, and asks Flynn where Karina might be found. He points her to the local speakeasy frequented by the dock workers, the Blue Parrot.

Prologue - Scene 5 (of 7)

It is only early afternoon when Maisie arrives at the Blue Parrot and the place is dead. She heads over to the bar to order a gin and tonic.

The bartender eyes Maisie and her fine clothes suspiciously, telling her he hasn't seen her around before. Without going into details, she simply says she's there to meet up with Karina Krasnik. He tells her that Karina doesn't usually come in until later.

Maisie drinks her first drink quickly, noting the alcohol quality isn't great. She makes her next drink a neat gin and sips it slowly.

After some time, Karina shows up and Maisie cozies over. She starts off making small talk about the local horse races, but Karina isn't biting. Maisie tries to play up their shared religious heritage, but the Russian sees her as a rich princess type. She asks Maisie why she is hanging out here, to which Maisie simply states she needed a new place to drink.

Looking over Maisie a bit closer, Karina notices Maisie is not a delicate rich girl but built like a longshoreman. She calls over to the bartender by name, calling him Marco, ordering another round of drinks. Maisie adds they will need some snacks as well.

Calling her "rich girl", Karina asks Maisie about her family business. When Maisie discusses her family garment factory, Karina boldly attacks it as nothing but a sweatshop for slaves. Maisie doesn't disagree.

Karina goes on to talk about the rights of workers and their struggle over their "rich masters". She mentions she is part of a group helping the local dock workers in order to overthrow the ship owners making money off of their backs; she mentions Ned Flynn by name as one they find particularly odious.

Maisie doesn't flinch at the mention of Flynn and is unfazed by the revolutionary rhetoric, sardonically calling Karina "crazy girl". She then rudely calls over the bartender for more snacks and drinks. Karina cautions her not to disrespect Marco, who is clearly getting more upset.

With reckless abandon, Maisie throws out a $5 bill on the floor to Marco for "inconveniencing him". Having reached his limit of patience, he begins yelling at her about her condescending attitude. When she yells back, he slaps her across the face, hard.

Maisie responds to the slap by slugging Marco hard in the gut. He staggers back then turns to head back towards the bar. As he leaves, Maisie throws a glass at him, hitting him in the head, as Karina yells out for her to stop.

Completely enraged, Marco reaches behind the bar for something. Karina tries to grab Maisie, but the larger woman shrugs her off. Maisie then hurls a knife at Marco, missing him but smashing some bottles. In response, he pulls out a shotgun and aims it at her; warning her to leave immediately.

Nonchalantly, Maisie grabs a bowl of peanuts off of the table and leaves. As she exits, she asks Karina, "See you tomorrow?" The Russian woman's mouth is still open in disbelief as she leaves.

Prologue - Scene 6 (of 7)

While Maisie starts up her car, Karina runs over quickly to catch her. She hands Maisie back her knife, telling her she may need to practice her throwing. Maisie offers her a lift and Karina accepts.

In the car, Karina explains that although Maisie is clearly crazy, she likes her style. She also has thought of way that Maisie could help out her and her friends on the docks.

When Maisie asks about payment, Karina balks and says she should do it for the good of "the people". Maisie insists, however, that she should at least get some free meals out of the deal; noting that she enjoys the delicacies of the Italian immigrants, particularly something called pizza. Karina dryly responds that she'll see what she can do.

As Karina is dropped off, she tells Maisie to meet her on the docks at midnight; instructing her to wear something dark.

Maisie then heads straight back to Flynn's office. She explains about the midnight rendezvous. He encourages her to go, wanting her to pay attention for any mention of activities involving his ships. Maisie notes that Karina and her friends don't appear to like Flynn much, which causes Flynn to snort derisively.

Before agreeing to continue on to the docks, Maisie insists Flynn provide her with a gun. He has his man, Sean, give her a small .25 ACP pistol. She immediately conceals it in her cleavage.

The tall man expresses his concern that she won't know how to fire a gun, but she assures him she's had hunting lessons. He flatly states that firing it at another person is not quite the same thing. Flynn politely mentions that if she should need to use the gun, she should drop it in the harbor afterwards.

Prologue - Scene 7 (of 7)

Midnight arrives and Maisie makes her way back down to the docks, grabbing a cookie for a snack first. She is dressed in her brother's old newspaper boy outfit.

When she arrives, she finds Karina and another man already there. Karina is visibly shocked by Maisie's bizarre choice of clothing but does not say anything. Instead, she introduces her fellow companion to her, calling him "Yulian".

Maisie tries to ask Yulian where he is from, but he tells her it is none of her business. Karina intercedes by changing the subject to the matter at hand. She explains that dockworkers loyal to their cause have been disappearing during the night shift. They suspect "Flynn's Goons" of kidnapping them as part of an effort to destabilize the union.

Karina goes on to explain that the three of them are there to patrol the docks and look for any of Flynn's men or whoever else might be abducting the dock workers. She asks Maisie if she needs a gun, but Maisie pats her cleavage, noting it is not necessary.

The three then split up to patrol different areas. Very little work goes on at night but some dockworkers are around to re-organize the goods to make sure everything is clear for the ships unloading the next day.

After a short while, Maisie hears a noise up ahead; a grunt followed by sounds of a struggle. She stays in the shadows and sneaks over to investigate.

What she finds is a dock worker with his head being crushed by two long, scaled arms with webbed fingers and claws at the end. She looks over to see that they are attached to a strange, scaled created with a round body and pale yellow eyes.

Managing to keep her cool despite seeing the strange and alien creature, she decides to try and help the dock worker. She immediately runs up to it, tearing off her shirt and pulling out her gun.

The shot goes wide and misses the creature. It immediately drops the worker and starts towards her. She makes a run for it but the beast is too fast; it grabs her and pulls her to the ground.

Claws rake across Maisie's face, causing blood to go everywhere. Badly injured, she responds by firing her gun twice into the creature's thorax. It howls in pain and steps away.

Taking advantage of the creature's injuries, Maisie gets up and sprints away. It doesn't take long before she runs into Karina and Yulian, who heard her shots. They are shocked by her appearance of undress and injuries, and ask her what happened.

Maisie rambles on about seeing a monster and having to shoot it, noting that it forced her to expose herself. Karina bandages Maisie up and leads her back to the car while Yulian goes to investigate.

Karina takes her straight to the hospital. On the way, Maisie states in no certain terms that Yulian is going to die, but Karina assures her the man can take care of himself. When she drops Maisie off, the attending doctor asks what happened but Karina ignores him, telling Maisie she needs to leave but will be in touch.

As she gets back into the car, she notes Maisie is certainly a unique individual as Maisie calls out to her that she really hopes they can be friends, still ignoring the doctor's questions about her horrific injuries.

Prologue - Session Notes

This session went reasonably well considering my gf never actually played before. BRP is a great system for newbies as there's almost nothing to do except describe what you are doing and once in a while roll dice.

The scenario was something I thought up after we did character creation. The docks area is more or less the same as described in the TSR Gangbusters 3rd edition book: Flynn, the WIA, Flynn's man Sean, Ulnovsky and the Trotskyites, the Blue Parrot, the Big Drink Cafe, etc. Krasnik is also there though I note I inadvertently changed the name from Katrina to Karina in the write-up. Even the Malloy hit that Maisie helped set up comes from the prologue information about the docks in the book.

I did add in a couple of characters of my own that will come up again - Yulian the Trotskyite has some plot threads associated with him, as does Rory the bag man. And the monster plot is all mine.

Basically, my goal was to do a test run that: a) introduced some concepts for later, and b) allowed me to try out the mix of gangster activities and Chthulian horrors.

I thought it was a great success. The pacing and mix of mob stuff to Chthulu stuff is pretty much exactly how I plan to run the full campaign.

As for my girlfriend, this is probably her only forray into RPGs. She enjoyed the parts where she got to say and do crazy stuff, but overall it moves a bit slow for her and she didn't think she could play in a larger group setting.

Another New Character

So, the last regularly-scheduled gaming session was on 9/14 and we had originally planned to have two new characters ready by then and start the adventure.

In addition to the one player we planned on who couldn't make it, we added in another player. Actually, he's one of the guys from my old group who we originally excluded because both (a) he was originally planning to be moved across the country by now, and (b) he was actually friends with the people we are purposely excluding and we weren't sure if he'd be OK with it. But, since the selling of his house keeps getting delayed and he specifically asked us about a game excluding the others, we went ahead and included him.

Anyhow, he was originally supposed to create a character prior to the session but that didn't happen. So, instead, he created a character at the session and instead of diving into the game we spent most of the time playing the card game "Crimes Against Humanity", which nearly caused people to pass out from the resulting humor.

The character he created is Jethro Biggins, a young but lazy Democratic alderman from the 2nd ward. Biggins dabbled in street crime as a youth and is now a corrupt alderman, taking payoffs from Father Mulroney to run his bootlegging operation (being an Episcopalian, Biggins is against the idea of prohibition and is happy to make a little money off of it).

So, now we have three characters ready to go. It looks like the fourth player may miss this Friday's session, so we may begin with just these three; despite the fun from the board/card games, the other guys would really like to get this campaign started.

Session 1 - Cast of Characters

Father Clink Mulroney - Irish priest running a bootlegging operation out of his church

Alderman Jethro Biggins - Corrupt city alderman on the take from Mulroney

Francis "Shoes" McDougal - Young street criminal and former orphan acting as Mulroney's chief lieutenant / muscle

Session 1 - Scene 1 (of 9)

The afternoon began in full swing at the St. Vincent church, where Joseph "Little Joe" DeMotte gave a fine speech to his supporters and promised victory in the fall mayoral election. Most of the speaking, however, fell to Alderman Jethro Biggins, the junior alderman in the 5th Ward, under the watchful eye of his local Democratic political boss, Henry Burns.

The event was designed to get the ward's Irish voters out to vote and was the first of several planned for the next few weeks. Biggins noted the next stop would be the following week at St. Martin's, the Episcopalian church he and Burns regularly attended.

The pastor of the parish, Father Clink Mulroney, was not overly enamored with the proceedings. He had little use for politicians in general, and less use for someone like DeMotte who was running on a crime reform platform. He felt it was bad enough he has to make regular payoffs to Biggins just to keep his bootlegging operation going.

DeMotte's talk of clamping down on crime did not appear to extend to violations of the Volstead Act, however, for Burns had insisted that Father Mulroney break out his best alcohol to serve at the fundraiser.

Mulroney had the drink distribution overseen by his right hand man, the youthful Francis McDougal. McDougal was one of the orphans Mulroney help raise at the St. Vincent's Home for Homeless Boys, and still called him by his childhood nickname of "Shoes".

With the speeches over and everyone mingling, Biggins made his way over towards Father Mulroney. As the two exchanged small talk, Burns came over to congratulate Biggins on a successful engagement. Transitioning quickly from the compliment, Burns then asks Biggins how much he, personally, is giving to DeMotte's campaign fund.

Biggins, anticipating the "request" might come up, relates to the boss he is in for an even grand. Biggins knows that it is a decent amount of money (at least, it would be if it were honest money), but he sees it as an investment.

Burns also makes a point to tell Father Mulroney that DeMotte really liked the alcohol he is serving. The political boss goes on to relate that the daughter of DeMotte's cousin is getting married in a couple of days and in need of some alcohol. He tells Biggins to arrange a deal to have Mulroney furnish the alcohol for the wedding reception.

Mulroney is happy to oblige, even if the order is relatively small; just a few barrels. Burns writes down the address for delivery – listed as a suite at the Lexington Hotel over in the downtown area across the river in the First Ward. The priest instructs him to give the information over to Shoes, which he does; along with a tip of $5.

After Burns leaves, Mulroney tries to feel out Biggins about DeMotte's intentions. The priest is concerned that he seems a rather legitimate person and might cause problems with Mulroney's side business and the way things need to get done. He tells Biggins that an anti-crime platform is all good and well, as long as DeMotte doesn't really mean it. Biggins responds that DeMotte seems forthright in his convictions towards it, but hopes to steer it in the right direction; as a crackdown on Italian crimes.

Session 1 - Scene 2 (of 9)

After the event ends, Father Mulroney discusses the liquor situation with Shoes. Rather than try to truck the alcohol over the main bridge, he'd prefer to have it shipped across the river by boat at night. To do that, they'll have to truck it down to the docks at the Third Ward and have it shipped from there.

McDougal has many contacts with other organized criminals in the city, including the de facto boss of the Third Ward, Ned Flynn. Mulroney suggests Shoes go down to Flynn's office and work out a deal.

Shoes takes the truck used by Mulroney to ship the liquor out of the church basement operations and heads over to Flynn's office at the Waterfront Improvement Association. Flynn's secretary, a pretty young thing named Ruth, immediately shows his back to Flynn's office.

Inside the office, McDougal finds Flynn behind his desk with his bodyguard Sean O'Casey standing by. Flynn greets Shoes warmly, and asks what he can do.

Shoes relates the situation with needing passage across the river for some product in order to get it over to a party at the Lexington Hotel. Flynn immediately becomes cautious, noting the hotel is strictly Tolino family territory. He will agree to move the liquor across, but tells Shoes he will need to find his own way to deliver it to the hotel; Flynn has no intention of dealing with the Tolinos.

Flynn then mentions there is another problem, that he is having difficulties getting the dockworkers to do any night work. He grumbles about having conflicts with the union, caused by "those Russian bastards". He tells Shoes that apparently someone has been kidnapping dock workers at night and that the radical Russian unionists are blaming him for it. At the mention of Russians, Shoes spits on the ground in disgust.

The businessman does, however, believe he can arrange for some special labor. But, he cautions Shoes, it will be double the normal cost – an even $100 instead of the usual $50. He does offer that he could rent one of his boats for $25 if Shoes would pilot the ship himself, but Shoes isn't so sure of his boating skills.

Shoes decides to take the information back to Father Mulroney and let him figure out how to handle it. On his way out, he tries to lay a hand on Flynn's secretary but she stops him and slaps him hard across the face for "getting fresh". As Flynn yells to ask what's going on, Shoes quickly heads out the door.

Session 1 - Scene 3 (of 9)

Back at St. Vincent's, Father Mulroney is beside himself at the news and goes into a long harangue. He is quite upset that Shoes couldn't broker a better deal.

Shoes suggests that if the priest drove the boat the money would be the same, but he is exasperated by the idea, mocking Shoes about how it would look if a priest got caught driving around in a boat full of hooch.

Complaining about his underling being useless, Mulroney calls over to Alderman Biggins for some assistance. The alderman is sympathetic (as he, too, is on the line for the delivery) and agrees to try and arrange some help for the boat and the transportation to the hotel, using his connections.

Biggins' first instinct is to make a call to Saul Gutzmann, the Democratic political boss of the First Ward. But Gutzmann quickly blows him off, noting that his people are all too busy trying to win the mayoral race.

With the Third Ward area under Republican control, Biggins decides trying to arrange a political favor there would be an even bigger waste of time. Instead, he decides to take matters into his own hands and get out amongst the dockworker constituents living in his ward.

Since most of his dockworker constituents are Polish, Biggins heads over to the Kuczborski Café, a speakeasy popular with working class Poles. At first, everyone in the bar stops to look at him when he walks in, looking sorely out of place in his suit and tie.

But someone quickly recognizes the alderman and several appreciative laborers invite him over for a drink. Naturally, they take the time to complain to the alderman as well. Several are unhappy about a Russian man named Ulnovsky, who they claim is a Trotskyite activist trying to take over control of Local 710 of the International Brotherhood of Dockworkers.

Biggins promises the dockworkers he will look into Ulnovsky and see what he can do. In return, he tells the men he is in need of a few strong workers to ship over some alcohol for a wedding reception.

The alderman finds several workers willing to perform the work for some extra pay. They are less excited, however, once they discover they will be using one of Ned Flynn's boats. Biggins can tell there is a lot of resistance between the laborers and the businessman Flynn, with several openly complaining about Flynn getting his Brother-in-Law, Ben Whittier, elected president of Local 710. Again, Biggins offers his sympathies and extolls his commitment for fighting for the rights of organized labor.

Another sticking point is that the job takes place at dusk, and the men aren't too keen on making a run in the dark. Several claim that Flynn has goons kidnapping dockworkers working the night shift in order to put pressure on the union. One of the drunker patrons, however, disagrees; he heard it was a monster from the lake grabbing the men and eating them. Biggins laughs off the preposterous idea.

Session 1 - Scene 4 (of 9)

With a couple of men secured, Biggins heads over to St. Vincent's to work out the final arrangements with Father Mulroney. While there, he notes the stories about the abductions and suggests Mulroney do some "administrating to the flock", since they believe in monsters. Father Mulroney notes that the Polish Catholics in the area tend to belong to the St. Wenceslaus parish.

After Biggins leaves, Mulroney examines all the angles and tries to come up with a plan. He's concerned about the Tolino mob controlling the Lexington and doesn't want to cause any problems there. He asks for Shoes' input on how to handle the situation.

Shoes notes that the Tolinos are currently feuding with the Irish gang in control of the First Ward, Deanie O'Conner's outfit. Mulroney asks who the antagonist is, but Shoes dismisses the concept as irrelevant.

Given the information, Father Mulroney asks if Shoes is advising they try to broker a peace, noting this simple favor for Boss Burns is getting rather expensive. Shoes tells the priest that his actual intention was to suggest they kill one of O'Conner's men as a favor to Tolino, but Mulroney wants to avoid that sort of thing if possible.

Changing the subject, Shoes starts talking about the "monster" Biggins mentioned. Knowing Father Mulroney is not the most knowledgeable theologian, he sardonically asks the priest what the scriptures say about such things. The little joke backfires, however, when he discovers the father is actually knowledgeable about that particular area, and spends the night listening to him preach on about demons and other unclean spirits.

Session 1 - Scene 5 (of 9)

The next morning, Father Mulroney tells Shoes they need to go back over to Flynn's to make the final arrangements. McDougal is surprised to hear that the father is coming, but he responds that last time he let Shoes go alone it nearly caused him an anal fissure.

Mulroney grabs his large knife for protection and conceals it in his robes. He then tells Shoes he'll be driving the truck himself today, deriding Shoes' driving skills as bad as riding a drunken horse.

When they arrive at the Waterfront Improvement Association, the middle-aged priest's eyes light up when he sees the pretty young Ruth. He pays her compliments, but she spends her attention glaring at Shoes. She tells the father he needs to teach his boys better manners, explaining that last time McDougal tried to get fresh with her.

Mulroney calls the youth a naughty boy, but continues to flirt with the young lady himself. He invites her over to the rectory for "bible study", but she laughs it off, reminding the lecherous old priest that she is Seventh-day Adventist. He does get her to admit she's still not married, and she even gives the sly old dog a wink as she takes them back to see Flynn.

Sitting at his desk, Flynn looks up with some surprise at seeing Father Mulroney, telling him he didn't expect to see the priest personally. Mulroney complains he had little choice after the poor deal Shoes brokered the last time, but Flynn protests the deal was as fair as he could make it.

Flynn goes on to complain about the difficulties of getting the dock workers to work at night, with tales of kidnapping. Father Mulroney asks Flynn if he's heard about the stories of monsters being at the docks at night. Flynn laughs it off by making a joke, "You mean Protestants?" but Mulroney can tell he's being evasive and the question made him uncomfortable.

Mulroney then goes on to discuss the plan, telling how he's arranged for his own men to use the boat and transport the liquor. He wants something of a discount from Flynn, but the sly businessman states they can discuss that once Mulroney brings his boat back in one piece.

Shoes then hands the money over to Flynn's stoic bodyguard Sean, who hands him back a key and slip noting where the boat is moored. Mulroney tries to bring up the monster theory again, but Flynn immediately insists it is a plot by "the damn Russians". Behind the priest, Shoes spits on the floor again.

Ned goes on to discuss how a man named Ulnovsky is the problem. According to Flynn, the Russian is a Trotskyite anarchist. Father Mulroney offers to work with Alderman Biggins to see if something can be done about him.