Character guide

Rico

major

Also known as VI Rico, IV Rico, Seeing Rico, VII Rico, Señor Rico, Mr. Rico, All Rico

Rico is Sam Vettori's lieutenant, a man so taut with ambition that he can't sit still or sleep past five hours, seeing the present only as a dingy way-station toward a promised land. He despises Joe Massara's dancing and softness, fears women who might slacken him, and bristles when Chicago Red bullies him — yet he holds his tongue and waits. His refusal to stay small, and the envy and discipline that fuel it, is the engine that will either lift him or break the gang apart.

Sam Vettori

supporting

Also known as Machiavelli Little Caesar Part I I Sam Vettori, Vettori, Sam, the old Sam Vettori, old Sam

Vettori is the old-school chief of the Vettori gang, sullen and bad-tempered under a mask of good-nature, dependent on Gentleman Joe's front and increasingly wary of Rico's hunger. He warns Rico, "You are getting too big for us," and the informer Scabby predicts it will be Rico or Sam, one or the other. His refusal to see that the world has outgrown him makes him the fixed point against which Rico's rise — and the gang's fracture — will be measured.

Joe Sansone

supporting

Also known as Joe, V Joe, little Joe, Mechanically Joe

Joe Sansone is Rico's loyal henchman and self-appointed valet, sweating over studs and buttoned shoes while insisting that a man getting up in the world has to look presentable. Where Rico swears and balks, Joe perseveres with tact, tipping the mirror so Rico can see himself as one of the rich clubmen in the magazines. His fussy devotion gives the outfit its only tenderness, and his pride in Rico's ascent makes him a barometer of how far — and how fast — his boss is climbing.

Ramón Otero

supporting

Also known as Otero, III Otero, V Otero

Otero is a fellow gambler in Vettori's circle, a man of few words whose stillness reads as either patience or menace. He matches no one's stakes, offers no opinions on Joe or Rico, and when Montana leaves he pronounces simply, "He ain't so much" — a judgment Rico laughs over. His silence and his winnings make him a quiet counterweight in the room, a reminder that in this world the man who says least may be watching closest.

Tony Passa

minor

Also known as Tony, V, V Tony, III Tony, The same Tony, III

Gang member involved in the criminal operations.

Joe Massara

supporting

Also known as Joe, Gentleman, Gentleman Joe, Gentleman Joe Massara

Joe Massara is the gang's polished front man, able to walk into swell hotels and ask for a suite, vain of his resemblance to the late Mr. Rudolph Valentino. Vettori insists they can't do without him, Tony Passa calls the dancing a smart cover, but Rico hates him and predicts he'll go soft. That split — between the outfit's need for a gentleman and Rico's contempt for one — plants the rivalry that will test every loyalty in the gang.

Little Arnie

minor

Also known as Arnie

Small-time crook and informant within the gang.

Blondy Belle

minor

Also known as Blondy, II Blondy Belle

Gangster's moll and love interest in the underworld.

Jim Flaherty

supporting

Also known as Jimmy, Flaherty, Mr. Flaherty

Flaherty is the flatfoot who turns up at the wrong moments, needling Blondy Belle and reminding Rico that he's got his eyes on him. He plays the friendly Irish cop, but his interest is a leash, and Rico knows it. As the one lawful gaze fixed on Rico's ascent, Flaherty shadows the story's early arc with the quiet threat that someone, somewhere, is keeping score.

Sicily Pete

minor

Also known as Pete, Pete Montana, Montana, the robust Montana, the great Pete Montana, the big Pete Montana

Powerful gangster from Sicily with a fearsome reputation.

Killer Pepi

minor

Also known as Pepi, But Pepi, Killer

Enforcer and hitman for the criminal organization.

Scabby

minor

Low-level gang member with a rough appearance.

Chiggi

minor

Also known as Young Chiggi, old Chiggi, Old Chiggi

Aging gangster who provides counsel to younger members.

Big Boy

minor

Also known as Boy, The Big Boy, the Big Boy

Overweight gangster known for his brute strength.

Chicago Red

minor

Also known as Red, old Red

Gangster from Chicago with a fiery temper.

Mr. Willoughby

minor

Also known as Willoughby, Say Mr. Willoughby

Respectable businessman entangled with the gang.

Olga Stassoff

minor

Also known as Olga, II Olga

Dancer and romantic interest of a gang member.

Bat Carillo

minor

Also known as Carillo, Bat

Gangster known for his quick fists and loyalty.

Mr. DeVoss

minor

Also known as DeVoss, VI DeVoss

Wealthy figure involved in criminal financing.

Seal Skin

minor

Also known as VI Seal Skin, Seal

Smooth-talking gangster with a flashy style.

Sansotta

minor

Italian gangster with ties to the old neighborhood.

Blackie Avezzano

minor

Also known as Blackie

Gang member known for his dark hair and temper.

Joe Peeper

minor

Also known as Joe

Nervous lookout and informant for the gang.

Ma Magdalena

minor

Also known as Ma, VII Ma Magdalena

Elderly matriarch who runs a boarding house for criminals.

Ottavio Vettori

minor

Also known as Ottavio

Son of Sam Vettori, caught between family and crime.

Spike Rieger

minor

Also known as Rieger, Spike

German-American gangster with a violent streak.

Mrs. Passalacqua

minor

Wife of Antonio, caught in the criminal crossfire.

Kid Bean

minor

Also known as The Kid, the Kid, Kid

Young upstart gangster eager to prove himself.

The Sheeny

minor

Also known as Sheeny

Jewish gangster involved in racketeering.

Ritz Colonna

minor

Also known as Colonna, Ritz

Fashionable gangster with connections to high society.

Crabby Louis

minor

Also known as Crabby, Louis

Irritable gangster who runs a speakeasy.

Father McConagha

minor

Also known as Father

Priest who ministers to the criminal community.

Cesare Bandello

minor

Also known as Cesare

Italian immigrant drawn into the gang life.

Steve Gollancz

minor

Also known as Steve

Bookie and gambling operator for the syndicate.

Jastrow

minor

Jewish lawyer who represents gang interests.

Courtney

minor

Also known as Police Captain Courtney, The Courtney

Police captain leading the investigation into the gang.

Joseph Pavlovsky

minor

Also known as Pavlovsky

Russian immigrant involved in the underworld.

Bugs Liska

minor

Also known as Liska, Bugs

Nervous gangster prone to paranoia.

The Greek

minor

Mysterious foreign gangster with shadowy connections.

Paul

minor

Young gang member and driver for the outfit.

Antonio Passalacqua

minor

Also known as Antonio

Italian grocer who fronts for illegal operations.

Red Hackett

minor

Also known as Red

Red-haired gangster with a quick trigger finger.

Chesty

minor

Bouncer and strong-arm for the gang.

Louis De Angelo

minor

Also known as Louis

Italian gangster with a flair for violence.

Arrigo

minor

Sicilian immigrant and loyal soldier.

Jesus McConagha

minor

Also known as Jesus

Mexican-American gangster with a religious streak.

Red Gus

minor

Also known as old Gus

Aging gangster with a fondness for whiskey.

James Michael O'Doul

minor

Also known as James O'Doul, Mickey

Irish gangster and rival to the Italian mob.

Reilley

minor

Irish cop on the take from the syndicate.

Mike

minor

Also known as Jew Mike, Jew

Jewish gangster known as Jew Mike.

Eschelman

minor

German-American gangster with a quiet demeanor.

Midge

minor

Small-time crook and errand boy.

Handsome

minor

Good-looking gangster who charms the ladies.

Mr. Arnold Worch

minor

Businessman who launders money for the mob.

Nell

minor

Waitress who witnesses gang activity.

Mr. McClure

minor

Newspaper editor covering the crime beat.