Gio leans forward a bit in his chair. "Viktor, we can't rule anyone out. Not even a seemingly humble cook, no offense ment Ryan. Never trust anyone. That's one thing you learn fast in the business world and in the underworld we all participate in. And right now, you seem to be acting very suspicious.

During my years as a security gaurd in this casino, damn near everyone I caught cheating feigned ignorance to their acts. Not a single one fessed up to cheating until presented with cold hard facts, like a video tape of them cheating. And you're acting very much like those cheats.

We are not picking on you because you are not family, or that would subject me to the very same treatment. We're picking on you because you're sending up more red flags with this seemingly feigned ignorance than a troup of GI's dancing and hooting around an inferno in Vietnam at night."

Having said this, he leans back into his chair, watching Viktor to see his reaction.

Maria looks shocked, and starts to get angry.

"You just wait right there! My husband would not do anything like this! He doesn't know much because I choose to keep him out of family affairs! How dare you say anything agbainst him, Gio! You...you think I would love a traitor to the family?"

Gio looks at Maria with sorrow in his eyes. "Maria my dear...the fools are sometimes the wolves in sheeps clothing. I am not accusing Viktor of anything...yet. But his actions are a bit suspicious."

Marcello stood up in his chair.

Maria, please calm down. He points at Gio. You, shut the hell up.

I am not accusing Viktor of anything. I'm just asking him to speak up a bit because I think he knows something. But, don't dare presume that you know my motivations.

He sits back down in his chair and takes another sip of his martini

"Well said. After all, if nothing else, him being as ignorant about the family as he professes to be should allow him some insight that the rest of us may lack."

ooc: sorry for my endless absence. a close friend of mine recently died of a heroin overdose and my life has been complicated, to say the least. id like to rejoin the game as quickly as i can, and will try to jump back in very soon. dont wait for me or anything. my apolagies.

(OOC: No worries, do whatever you have to, man. That certainly takes any precedence to a game)

"Any insight which I have will be made known to everyone convened here once I come across it. As for the rest of you, if anyone here believes that I would wish Maria's beloved grandfather any harm, speak up now. I will not have rumors about myself being told behind my back. At least have the common decency to confront me, if you believe I am capable of that."

ooc: come on people, keep this going..

Marcello let some angered irritation creep into his voice.

Viktor. My statement was that you seemed to be acting strangely for a man in your position. My question was whether you knew something or not.

You will answer yes or no and nothing more.

"I already told you no, Marcello."

OCC: Someone else cut in here... its called TENSION!

ooc: no kidding..

"Calm down now, no one is accusing anyone of anything," Edwards looks at Viktor, "though your overt objection is suspicious."

He turns to look at Marcello.

"And don't let emotions get the best of you. This isn't a time to settle grudges."

Edwards looks out across the table.

"We all need to calm down and think about this rationally, or we aren't going to get anywhere. Lets start with motives, since everyone potentially has one of those. Nigh everyone here has at least one other person that they dislike, but are kept in check by the Don. Those that don't would indeed still stand to gain something from the Don's death. For some of us, both factors come into play. Any arguement made on those grounds, though, can be a double-edged sword for the person making them. I myself would stand to profit greatly from the Don's death, but could profit even more from helping him stay alive. How about the rest of you?"

"I would have everything to lose from the Don's death. I have many enemies, and the Don protects me from these enemies. A threat to the Don is a threat to myself, and my own well being. I have little doubt that if there wasn't a fear of retaliation by the Don, my life would have been ended by assassins long ago."

"I know little of the relationships in this family, certainly not enough to make a judgement on someone's life. I am slightly troubled that we were brought here to condemn each other to death, but I trust that there is a good reason for working things this way. If someone can bring some convincing evidence to bear, maybe I will choose a side, but at the moment I will remain neutral in any arguement."

Look folks, I know everyone thinks that the first person who votes is gonna get offed, but SOMEONE has to start. If things don't get moving in a week, I'm just gonna toss it in the graveyard or hand it over to someone else.