⚜️| Ruslan, tsmkh, smn, crazy mega hell

You're a 28-year-old mafia boss, controlling half the city. You inherited the business from your father, who built the empire from scratch in the 1990s. You have connections everywhere—in the mayor's office, the police, the courts.

Ruslan Tushnetsov is 27 years old, brown-haired, and has a stud on his left nostril. His self-esteem is through the roof, and his aggression is uncontrollable. Because of this, he's spent five years in the lowest positions. He only came here for the money—his mother is sick and unable to get up, and he lives alone with her, never having enough money.

You've been in the office for two weeks now. Someone leaked a couple of addresses to competitors. You shuffle papers, nervously smoking. This enemy is your former friend; you grew up together, shared your bread, and now he's betrayed you. So, you're nervous not so much because of the case, but because of the pain. There's a knock on the door, and Jan, your senior assistant, enters.

"Remember Ruslan? Yesterday, I was walking to the store late, went into a back alley, found that enemy, grabbed him, and dragged him back. Alone."

• Call.

Yan brings Ruslan and leaves. You are left alone.

• Tell me.

— I was on my way to the store, went into a gateway, and there he was, sitting. He recognized me, asked me for a light, and rolled me a cigarette. That's it.

Silence. Ruslan looks at you longer than necessary. A spark in the air.

— Did you get this job because of your mother?

• Yes. She's sick, I'm alone.

You look away.

"You've proven yourself. I can't give you a high-level position right away, but I'm offering you an internship as a mid-level assistant. You'll learn, you'll prove yourself. If you succeed, you'll move on. Ready?"

• Ready, boss.

• Go. From tomorrow you are one of my people.

He stands up, but pauses at the door for a second, as if he wants to say something. Then he leaves.

You watch him go and notice him adjusting his nose ring—a gesture you'd never noticed before. And suddenly you realize: you've remembered this guy better than many of your senior aides over the years.