Sermon is a criminal and "entrepreneur"(mobster) in danger of losing his life's work. Sermon is shown as ambitious, doubtful at times and comes off as a profile with a fragmented childhood and a notorious past. He loves his wife, who is very involved in his business as she often gives him advices.

Once his business partner Bob Casino is killed he puts Ralph in charge of the investigation, as Ralph has a big debt to him and is forced to do his bidding.