912. The Italian Club
620 S French Hill Street
The sign painted on the front window of this café reads, “Unione Italiano” (Italian Union). On entering, the smell of strong coffee and cigarette smoke fills the air, as well as the sounds of men loudly playing card games of Briscola and Tressette. The patrons don’t mind non-Italians coming in for a cup of coffee, just as long as the newcomers don’t sit in the “regulars” booths—if you don’t take the hint, expect four large Italian men to stand at the foot of your booth and stare motionlessly at you until you beg their pardon and move to another table.
While the management serves wine to regular patrons, newcomers are told that the establishment does not sell alcohol (even when there’s clearly people drinking wine in view). Any strangers who spend “too long” here will raise suspicions of being police, federal agents, or some other troublesome bunch. Thus, the general level of conversation dies down and the patrons quickly find reasons to leave.
Virgilio “Big Red” Scavo, 49, is the manager; a portly fellow with a stare that could kill.
Isabetta Scavo, 46, is Virgilio’s wife who does all the cooking while her husband chats and serves coffee.
Giuseppe “Joe” Potrello, 42, the former criminal “boss” of Arkham.
Lou Benito, 29, Potrello’s henchman and bodyguard.
Vincenzo Ciambella, 25, Joe's nephew and right-hand man.
What’s Going On?
The café is the base of operations for what’s left of Joe Potrello’s criminal enterprise. He drinks coffee and wine while plotting impossible revenges against Danny O'Bannion and his gang (Lucky Clover Cartage Co. {412}). From here, he runs numbers and race-betting operations and deals in stolen items (though not items stolen from Italians), which select patrons may purchase here. Rumor has it that Potrello must now funnel a significant share of his profits to O’Bannion.Rumor:
The only sure bet I’ll wager is that old Joe Potrello is cooking up revenge on that O’Bannion.Notable Folk
Hours: 8:00 am to 7:00 pm,
Monday to Saturday.
Monday to Saturday.
Type
Cafe / Tearoom
Owning Organization
Characters in Location
