# VI explained — Little Caesar

> Chapter companion for Little Caesar by W. R. Burnett.

## What happens

Rico visits The Bronze Peacock to see Joe Massara, encountering manager DeVoss, Joe's girlfriend Olga Stassoff, and millionaire Willoughby. He pressures Joe to stay in the racket and threatens Detective Flaherty, who is surveilling him.

## Themes in this chapter

### Power and Ambition

Rico asserts his authority over Joe and challenges Detective Flaherty, demonstrating his rising power.

### Fear and Paranoia

Joe fears Rico's influence and the police presence; Rico is paranoid about Flaherty's surveillance.

## Character check-ins

### Rico

Visits The Bronze Peacock to recruit Joe Massara; confronts Detective Flaherty.

### Joe Massara

Dancer at The Bronze Peacock; pressured by Rico to remain in the criminal racket.

### Olga Stassoff

Joe's girlfriend; present in dressing room; repulsed by Rico.

### Mr. Willoughby

Millionaire backing Olga's show; invites Rico to supper.

### Jim Flaherty

Detective surveilling Rico; threatened by Rico.

## Key lines

> Rico drinks milk

Rico does not drink alcohol.

_Joe tries to make a joke about Rico's abstemiousness._

> There's one Irishman that ain't long for this world.

Rico threatens to kill Detective Flaherty.

_Rico's response to Flaherty's surveillance._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/little_caesar_se/chapters/part-iv-vi
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/little_caesar_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/little_caesar_se/chapters