"Shh! KNEAD to keep it down. Doughn't want the feds to CRUST our operation, capisce?
they noticed another blast from outside
They look at each other with wide eyes. They quickly look over at the door. Suddenly, they hear footsteps rapidly approaching the door
Damn- Looks like we have some visitors.
Grabs a large pizza peel and hides behind the counter. Crouches down and whispers We gotta be careful. They could be armed.
So... Why do we have armed guards now?
Whispers There’s more than just a pizza shop down here… there’s a whole casino! And someone doesn’t want anyone to find out.
The door opens. Two guards enter, scanning the area. They move towards the blast site. Vinny slowly peeks over the counter to get a better look at the guards. One of the guards notices Vinny and points them out. The other guard pulls out a gun.
Well damn, that escalated quickly.
Vinny stays frozen. He slowly raises his hands in surrender. The guard orders Vinny to get on the ground. Vinny hesitates for a moment but eventually gets on the ground. The guard approaches Vinny cautiously and puts the gun to his head.
Whoopsies daisy, Now what?
join their organization or else they’ll turn you in. Vinny thinks for a moment before accepting their offer. The guard gives Vinny a new uniform and tells him that he’ll be working in the kitchen of the casino. Vinny puts on the uniform and follows the guard to the kitchen.)
Ahhh so your working in the casino thingy..!
The guard nods and says Yeah. You’re gonna work in the kitchen. It’s not the worst job in the casino. You make pizzas for the customers.
After a few hours of cooking pizzas, Vinny finally works up the courage to ask the guard why the casino exists in secret. “Excuse me sir, but why does this casino exist in secret? Is there something wrong with the people who run it?” The guard sighs, seemingly annoyed by Vinny’s question. “Listen, Vinny. This casino isn’t like anything you’ve ever seen. It’s not run by any ordinary people. It’s run by criminals.”
The guard looks around to make sure no one is listening. He leans in closer to Vinny and speaks softly. “It’s true, Vinny. The people running this place are criminals. They do things… things that most people can’t even imagine.”
How does working at a pizza place ties into running illegal stuff?!
The guard looks around to make sure no one is listening. He leans in closer to Vinny and speaks softly. “This pizza place… it’s not what it seems. It’s just a front. Behind these walls, there’s a whole criminal operation happening. They use the kitchen as a way to launder money and hide their illegal activities.”
...so... We're being unknowingly part of an illegal organization...
The guard grabs Vinny’s arm and stares at him intensely. “Listen, Vinny. If you want to survive in this place, you need to do exactly as I say. Keep your head down, work hard, and don’t ask any more questions. If you’re lucky, maybe one day you’ll be able to escape this place.”
Guess that's all we got left
Vinny looks up at the guard, taking in everything he just said. Vinny nods solemnly, determined to stay alive and escape the pizza tower.
But then again... What if that wasn't real? Was it all just to hide that there was bombs causing us to be down here.
Vinny pauses for a moment, considering the guard’s words. He looks around the kitchen, taking in his surroundings. The guard seems serious and genuine. Maybe he really is telling the truth about the casino being a front for a criminal operation. But maybe, just maybe, it’s all just a cover story for the real reason that Vinny and Blaze are trapped down here. Whatever the case may be, Vinny knows that staying quiet and keeping a low profile is the best way to survive in this strange and dangerous place.
Either way I guess we'll keep our hopes up
Vinny nods to the guard, signaling that he understands. The guard gives Vinny a small nod in return before returning to his post. Vinny looks around the kitchen, taking in his new surroundings. He feels a mixture of fear and excitement as he realizes that his life has forever changed. From now on, Vinny will be a part of something much bigger than himself. Something mysterious, dangerous, and full of surprises.
Wait a sec...- If the front is so dangerous why aren't you guys getting bombs!?
Vinny looks at the guard with a confused expression. “Uhm… excuse me sir, but why aren’t the guards downstairs getting bombed too? If this place is really a front for something illegal, wouldn’t they be targets too?”
The guard pauses, seeming unsure of how to answer Vinny’s question. He glances around nervously, as if checking to see if anyone is listening. “Well… you see, Vinny. The bombs you heard were just a distraction. A way to keep the guards busy while they try to figure out what’s going on. It’s all part of the cover-up.”
I wonder what else is part of the cover-up...
Suddenly, Vinny remembers a conversation he overheard between two guards earlier in the day. “Hey boss! Look at this!” One of the guards points at a piece of paper they found tucked under one of the kitchen doors. The boss walks over to take a look. Vinny sneaks closer to get a better look at what it says.