Shedding a Light on (Crowley)

[Leonardo]

The New York Cafe was the poshest joint in the area. So posh, in fact, that they had a fancy little dog area for humans to drop off their pets. It sounded like fun, but the pets were often just as posh or posher than their owners, and they certainly weren't good for conversation. Shepard Diggs was here on very important business. He was going to interview local mob boss, Mr. ___ Crowley. It was both exciting and terrifying. He knew however that these fancy pedigrees weren't Crowley's crowd. He had to be working this area though, so where was his operation situated?

"Excuse me? Excuse me little weiner man." Shep walked up to a dachsund.

The pedigree raised an eyebrow and looked up to him. "...I'm a dachsund....and I'm a woman."

There was a dead silence for a minute, broken by the shriek of a falcon as it snatched a pidgeon out of the air somewhere. How appropriate. Because this was hawkward. "Ooooohhh I'm sorry. I couldn't tell-you know, between this mesh fence and your shortness, I couldn't see your--"

The dachsund coughed, uncomfortable with this. "How can I help you, sir?"

"I'm looking for illegal activity."

"In New York? What a difficult task."

That was actually funny for a sarcastic and spoiled little bitch. "That was actually funny for a sarcastic and spoiled little bitch."

"What?""

"I said--Crap, was actually hunting for some plastic for my...spoiled little bitch..."

The dachsund stared at him in disbelief. "That didn't sound like what you said."

"It's probably my jewish accent. Aghgghhgh" He shrugged. "Oy vey." Suddenly he saw an area where some dogs were working in the back. Bingo. "That's where I need to be. You pets have fun in this cage. Thanks...Ms....?"

"Peach."

"Beetch. Right." He got up and strolled into the alley way, looking for the one called Crowley.

[Fen]

The white bulldog wasn't too keen on doing business so close to the church, but he had his boys moving large amounts of meat from the New York Cafe. He'd made a friend of the owner's dog shortly after arriving in Bensonhurst. Crowley was thankful for that friendship now as he patted the other male on the back. "You're good to your word, mate. I respect that."

"Please, I knew I'd get whacked if I didn't cooperate." The pit bull teased the white bulldog and they both began laughing hysterically. Both stopped short as they heard pawsteps behind them and Crowley turned to see Shepard Diggs behind him. He grinned and instructed Alfonso to oversee the rest of the exchange as Crowley stepped over to Shep.

"Was wondering when you'd find me, Mister Diggs. The most recent issue was lovely, mate. Best yet!" Of course it was. It had Crowley's name in it. He loved being the center of attention, even if that attention was bad. "So, what can I do for you?" He knew what Shep was here for. He wasn't about to act like he didn't. Crowley was a smart guy. He knew the reporters would be eating up a story like someone stepping up to oppose Leonardo Mancini. He knew it would only be a matter of time.

"Think you can walk and talk?" He stepped forward, padding toward the front of the alley and sending a goodbye bark to the pit bull behind them. He wasn't going to lead him to the church. If Shep saw Crowley's family he'd probably shit himself, and that was one mess Crowley refused to clean up from the carpet. 

[Leonardo]

Upon seeing Crowley, Shep wagged his tail twice and nodded in greeting. "Hey, how are ya. Thanks, it means a lot." So Crowley didn't want to kill him for what he wrote in the Chronicle. Awesome. That was one thing was on his chest that he could set aside for now. He wouldn't be whacked.

"Sure sure, we can walk and talk." He didn't want to walk and talk, as he preferred having a face to face conversation, but he wasn't about to tell Crowley know, lest he get that scary doberman to come up and tear a piece out of Shep's ass. "So anyway, Mr. Crowley, I know you're a busy man. I just wanted to ask you a few questions for this week's issue of the Chronicle. I hope you don't mind." Shep didn't wait a moment longer. Question number one.

"Okay Mr. Crowley, I think we all want to know your stand on violence in the world of business. Now, mind you, we've heard every answer in the book. People have denied their involvement with any kind of violence or anything illegal. But there are several events where violence can be traced back to your grassroots organization....and even though most of that is in theory, you cannot deny the fact that local murderer and sociopath Tony Valentine is an associate of yours. Sheltering or working with someone like that could only suggest that you advocate violence as a means of intimidation, right? I mean just as I walked up, I heard you and you're friend joke about it as if it was a normal thing."

[Fen]

Crowley shook his head, indicating that he didn't mind. Crowley listened to his question and he laughed. "So, you're asking if I kill people?" Crowley shook his head, finding a nice spot in the grass to sit down and answer Shep's question. He thought for a long time, and smiled. "Toni...Yeah. He's a fine fellow. Little rough around the edges, but so are most of the other dogs in this city." He shifted his position to a more formal one to engage Shep and sent him a smirk. "I will say, I am an English Gentleman, but I don't appreciate people who double cross me. Like children, they need to be taught a lesson. If that means roughing them up a bit..." Crowley shrugged. "All part of the big picture. I think this city would be a very dull place without violence, don't you agree? Everyone loves a good crime drama. And really, do I look like the type of person to get my paws dirty?"

Crowley chuckled a bit. "Look, I intend to do this the way I want. I'm not bending the knee to anyone in order to make me seem like I'm this friendly, approachable person. I'm not gonna smile and pretend to be your mate. I'm the most buggered son in all of Bensonhurst and I know it. It just doesn't bother me." He waved a paw dismissively. "Anyway, I'm assuming you have more pressing questions than my stance on violence."

[Leonardo]

Shep was pretty shocked at that answer. The Mancinis would have a field day with that one. Oh well.

"Okay, just a couple more questions. Like literally two more." Shep thought carefully about this next one. "What was your inspiration to begin your business? If there were guys out there right now in other neighborhoods, in other boroughs, in other cities, that wanted to start their own chain of business, what kind of advice would you give them? What kind of connections would you advise them to acquire?"

[Fen]

Crowley shrugged. "Well, it's all about focus. That's what my mentor taught me. And to be perfectly honest, I had no inspiration other than the fact that my ego will never allow me to be second best." He laughed at this, and shook his head. "Granted, I had a bit more help along the way than half the blokes in this city. Quick and easy money? Security. Most of the time nothing happens, and you can rake in enough to get your foot in the door to the big games. I came from nothing. I was nearly killed my first night in Bensonhurst, and now I'm here, being interviewed by the Chronicle's own Shep Diggs." He smirked. "My piece of solid advice?" He thought for a moment. "Well, vote Crowley, of course."

[Leonardo]

This was pretty good stuff.

"Last question Mr. Crowley. Leonardo Mancini is a legendary tycoon. I know you said you don't like to be anything less than number one, but only a fool would pass up an opportunity to join his investment skills with another business genius and tycoon. Many of my colleagues agree that you would have had it made if you would have become a partner of the Mancini Corporation. A man with your knack for authority would have no doubt becoming a high ranking businessman. So I suppose the question is this, why not join the winning team? Why work hard, when you could have worked smart? What do you have against Leonardo Mancini?"

[Fen]

Crowley looked to Shep as if he had just offered him a stack of cash. "Leonardo Mancini? I don't have anything against him." He stood, shaking the dust from his fur as he did. He was quiet for a long time. "So, why didn't I join up with Leonardo Mancini and live a comfortable life." He looked to Shep, a devilish grin on his face as he chuckled. "Well, I simply want to be on top. And I will be. I assure you."

Crowley yawned and looked to the sky. "If we're done here, I'll be on my way. Pleasure speaking with you, truly." He dipped his head. "Good day, Mister Diggs." With that and a flick of his tail, Crowley headed back to the Church, eager to tell the others about what had just happened.