"There, he sat, no bigger than his name
Could have initially alluded,
Yet here I am to join in his gang
To them, a mere scamp, they concluded.
Why feel ashamed and deluded, now?

Despite the mooks' condescending glares
That lined the dimly lit lair's shadows,
I've a lot to prove and am not scared.
I'm not to decorate their gallows,
But serve their side and below The Don.

Mock all they might, I've fought for my keep
And I've got reasons and stakes to serve.
What more prerequisites must I meet?
From here, Mr. Big pitched the ball curved,
"Kiss the ring," he said, swerved, and kicked back.

Shock and awe, it was not a diamond,
Nor was it his iron fist's knuckle.
His cheeky grin beamed from rubicund,
Almost cute-looking paws. He chuckled,
"You want funds? You best buckle those lips!"

He saw I hesitated and thought
I'm not serious nor look the part.
I can tell by the glimpses I caught
As I knelt obscured by taller guards.
"Think I'm not for real? I'll start right here!"

Maybe I seemed too eager at first
For one reason or another. Guess.
I heeded him, for better and worse,
As I closed in and finished my quest.
With lips pursed, this false test had been passed.

None said a word, Mr. Big silenced,
And it seemed I missed as my cheeks flushed.
My face had met with, both, padded flesh
And most of the rock, but still, I blushed.
Naught commenced. I broke hush, "Did I win?"

"Jeez, this guy is serious," he scowled,
The Don's eyebrows rest in confusion.
"Yer good enough, but do tell me how
bad you want in. This is amusin'."
"I've got howlin' cousins who need food."

"I'm all they've got, so what can I do?"
I asked. Diamond switched with the red gem.
"You're a good listener, so for you,
I'll hear it out. Common struggles, thems.
Thought it through," he dusts his hems, "... you're in."

With surprise and pride, my lips lay claim
To the rock. My trial's concluded!
"You've got muscle and a steady aim
To back up jobs I've got for you, kid."
In this game, it's stupid to have doubts.

Conviction to stand against what dares
To challenge your beliefs. You follow?
When push comes to shove for whom you care,
You do what you must for tomorrow.
Strife is there, so you know, to be won."

Here's somethin' I had in the backburner for a bit. Just Mr. Big giving his command with a ring that's probably worth more than the clothes on the recruit's back! It's not even his good ring, damn! Jeez, I made enough quintets to roll through the entire alphabet for the rhyme scheme! Creative exercises all around, I did this pic to dust some cobwebs off and, after, I got to flex my moderately atrophying rhyming prose muscles! Hope you boys 'n girls enjoy!