After graduating from military academy, instead of going on to pursue a career in the military, at his father's urging John Junior takes a year off. That's when his troubles begin. He gets in a barroom brawl during which a young man is stabbed and bleeds to death. John's father "punishes" him by forcing him to spend his days hanging out at the Bergin Hunt and Fish Social Club, his father's mob headquarters. By the time John is in his twenties, he is asked and chooses to become a made member of the Gambino Crime Family.