After Batiatus claimed Manhattan as his own, Curtis decided the time was ripe for a further expansion and so Guevara moved north into The Bronx; where a bloody war of attrition was fought to wrest the district from the hands of the Polish gangs who had historically controlled it. The men sat in the large second floor room of The Union's HQ had undertaken that struggle together following years if not decades or working in unison. The bond between them was strong and there were no airs and graces. The spring day was unseasonably warm and all around the room, sleeves were rolled up or shirts were discarded entirely in favour of vests and ties were considerably loosened; a sharp departure from the the immaculate image the mobsters presented to the outside world. Guevara was, of course, dressed in his usual military fatigues - the unseasonable New York heat didn't affect him in the slightest, not after the years travelling around Latin America on his trusty Poderosa.

The men drank and laughed as they told stories of the old days, munching their way through several hundred dollars of pies and pastries from Rick's Famous Bakery as they did so. Guevara waited for the latest roar of amusement to die down before he decided it was time for business. Finishing one last bite of a beautiful Piroshki before he lit up a cigar and addressed the room.

"Gentleman, we must adapt or die. That is the nature of our thing, no? Now, you will all have noted my relative absence in the past few days I have been spending time in that fucking viper's nest you people call a Capital City. I have been talking with some acquaintances who are...sympathetic to our aims. The truth of it is, this era of prohibition is coming to an end. These idiot capitalist politicians have finally realised what we have long known; banning something only ensures that it spreads. They are aware their policy has had the opposite effect and they are wasting money enforcing and policing it. The tides of the opinion are changing, and I estimate we only have a year left of the Volstead Act."

"And so, we must adapt. We must ensure that we replace the revenue we lose when bootlegging is no longer so profitable, and I believe we are well placed to do so. I am of the opinion, and my Teniente agrees..."

A nod in the direction of Dr_KennethNoisewater is reciprocated with a raised glass

"...that we need to play to our strengths. Thanks to our work as an organisation, The Union controls the vast majority of Labour in the Bronx and indeed the City. It is time to put that to good use. It is apt that the most electrifying man in this thing of ours, Chris_Vaughn, will branch out on his own using the front of 'The Electric Company' to mask the true nature of activities. Chris's organisation will be an extension of this one, and he will work directly under me to control any organised labour relating to electrics - not a single major construction work will be able to go ahead without the assent of the men in this room. That is just the beginning, gentlemen. The extra men we will have at our disposal as a result of this expansion means we can extend our control over everything; the rackets, the dice and numbers games, hell, even the dry cleaners and laundries that turnover so much income!"

"Martiii, SCALE, you have walked very different paths to get to where you are today, but you have earnt my trust and you have earnt Chris' trust. You will go with him to his new HQ and you will be vital cogs there. JonnyBeRed, when the decision was made that Chris would be given the nod, I knew you would be the only man who could replace Chris as the financial point-man of this family and I remain convinced of that belief."

Guevara got to his feet, puffing on his cigar excitedly as he did so. Grabbing a bottle of white rum from a sideboard, he uncorked the bottle with a satisfying pop and moved around the room, pouring out healthy measures as he did so.

"Let's drink. First, to the passing of a good friend. Enjoy your retirement, Prohibition, you have been a good friend to us! Secondly, and more importantly, to Chris_Vaughn - the most electrifying man in New York!. After so long away from the limelight, it gives sheer delight to offer this opportunity to your bloodline but make no mistake; this is an achievement bestowed not because of your name but because of your efforts; efforts which have never been less than incredible and efforts I'm sure will continue as such even when you are in your own HQ. Now, let's go and tell the workers!"

Chris raises his glass and drinks a toast. It had been a tumultuous journey since the death of his father, but coming to New York to continue his father's legacy was the best thing he had ever done. He had done what ever was asked of him, gone where Godfather Curtis had needed him to go, and somehow had ended up as a Hand under Guevara. You couldn't even say that it had been a roller coaster ride as the last 59 days had all been on a high. Both The Smackdown Hotel and Rick's Famous Bakery where going well, and now he was branching out on his own.

Finally... The Rock... has become a Leader in his own right. Let me tell you this Eddie, The Rock thanks you from the bottom of his heart. When you branched out on your own, you took the Rock in and gave him a chance, you trusted a man you had barely any knowledge off to be your hand and help mould and shape your family, to help mould and shape the Union. Then we moved to the Bronx, Curtis gave old Eddie the nod, told you to take the bull by the horns and shape your own destiny, and The Rock and that jabroni Kenneth NoseWater came along with you. Now, you have honoured the Rock once more, you have allowed the Rock to begin the most dangerous time of his life. Leader of his own Family. And it doesn't matter, Eddie, what you call it. Whether it's called a family, a crew, The Electric Company, painus in you anus, the only the thing that matters, is that The Rock is going in this Saturday night, to do exactly what he does best - layeth the smacketh down and continue to help make New York the single greatest city on Gods green earth. And the fact of the matter is this, is that The Rock knows this Saturday night, he has his work cut out for him. The Rock knows, he's got a multitude of other guys he's got to compete with. And even if The Rock has got to beat Kurt Angle, which means, "I'm gonna drink a big glass of milk, eat some chocolate chip cookies and maybe I'll take three viagra". Or maybe The Rock has got to face Rikishi, beat Rikishi. "I did it for The Rock. I did it for the people. I did it for... oh, shut your mouth, you thong wearin' fatty. Or maybe The Rock has got to beat The Undertaker, the American Badass, beat him so bad, that once more he'll raise up... "Rest in peace!" Or maybe The Rock has got to beat Triple H himself, which means-uh, he's got to beat-uh The Game-uh, in the middle of the ring-uh. And he has a two dollar slut for a wife-uh! Or maybe The Rock, has gotta beat... Stone Cold Steve Austin. Which means I gotta get my pick-up truck, drink some Steve-wisers, listen to some Backstreet Boys. Simple fact of the matter is this, it doesn't matter if the Rock has to beat Steve Austin, Jane Austin, Steve Tyler or Tyler fucking Durden to do it, The Rock is going to be the best damn Leader he can be. Not just for Curtis, not just for you Eddie, not just for New York, but for the People, for the Millions, and millions of the Rock's fans.

If you Smell-ell-ell-ah... what the Rock... is... Cookin'?

Chris raises his drink in a toast once more and downs it in one, turning the glass upside down and slamming it on the table.

SCALE raises his glass into the air

Congratulations my friend you have earned this honor to leader your own family. I know you will do both Don Guevara and Godfather Curtis proud in how you make this fine city of ours greater then it already is. 

SCALE downs his whiskey and is about to slam it down on the table as well but decided to have another instead.

Congrats on your own family :)  Best of luck and wishes in this new venture

VladimirVoloshin walks in, a large bottle in his hand. Followed by two of his lowly associates both of whom are carrying 2 crates each.

He walks up to Chris_Vaugh and slams  the bottle on the table in front of Chris

"Ah this is a proud day for New York indeed, my comrade. I had this imported special from the motherland. I have a case for you and 1 for each of your hands, my friend."

Vlad pauses for a moment, noticing a few faces around the room doing math. 4 crates. 3 men listed....

"Da, da, I got 1 crate for myself. It would be silly not to." Vladimir chuckles out loud following by pulling 2 cigars from his pocket.

I know you and I have not had much in the way of communication and we do not know each all that well, yet I assure you, sir. Soon, we will be making much money together. I am happy to hear of the blessings you have received, and do wish you the best."

Vlad hands one cigar to Chris, lights his own and says, "Now on with the party!" raises his glass and speaks in Russian,

"Давайте выпьем за успех нашего дела! Поехали!"

Congratulations Chris_Vaughn. I wish you all the best and looking forward to seeing you grow in New York. 

SCALE downs his whiskey and smiles at the people in the room. 

Don VladimirVoloshin I would like to thank your kindness for the crate's of Russian finest it is a gift I will truly cherish and savor for all time, to me nothing is better then then Russian's finest. 

You sir are a true gentleman. 

SCALE opened the crate and tables a single bottle out, collects two glasses and fill's them, then slides one over to  VladimirVoloshin. 

За здоровье

*walks over to Chris and johnny and hands them a shot of whisky and congratulates chris on his own family and shakes johnny's hand and congratulates him on his new post 

Chris accepts all the congratulations with gracious humility. He'd worked hard for this moment and he was entitled to enjoy it. Time had come for an announcement of his own though. Although this were indeed a celebration, he'd decided to go easy on the freely flowing booze, a clear head was needed to say what he had to say.

Friends and general well wishers, and Barry, today I got my new suit. Interesting word that, new. You see the Rock likes that word. New, its an awesome word, and an awesome concept. You see i intend to carry on this concept of New. The Rock has a New Family, The Electric Company, and I intend to make it as new as possible. I won't be running things the old way. Starting with this announcement. the old way would be that Guevara makes his speech, people would give their platitudes and then I'd wonder off over there and make a speech of my own. So That's the first thing I'm doing the new way, no separate speeches. Guevara gave me a a fantastic send off, and I'm happy to hog the lime light right here right now.

The Electric company will be run by the people, for the people. We've all heard it before, you get out what you put in, but I intend to make this abundantly true. I intend to reward those who work hardest, and shun those who do not. I intend to make Made Man a rank once more that people aspire to be. If you are afraid of socializing, afraid of hard work, afraid to become a member of a real family, then I'm afraid The Electric Company will not be for you. And that's fine. The Rock can live with that. It may take the Rock a lifetime, but I am determined to build a strong, unified, family. Not a crew, a family.

I've learned a great deal in recent months, from my father, from Godfather Curtis, and from my good friend Eddie Guevara. My father taught me the principals by which i live, he taught me my sense of honour and hard work, and maybe a little of my charisma. From Curtis I learned of ethics, and building for the future, and a desire to see New York City flourish and grow like no other city in the United States of America. From Guevara I learned about socialism, about making my family exactly that, a place where people with a common bond and goal can come and break bread together, can enjoy life together, and can strive to over come adversity together. So i intend to be a breath of fresh air for the city I love. I already have many friends here, and I look forward to cementing those bonds and working more closely in the future with Barry, Batiatus, Ragnarok, Chun_Li and IvanRomanov. I look forward to help build a better tomorrow not just for us, but for ALL of us.

So, finally... yes finally, The Electric Company is open for business, and remember, if it didn't before, it certainly does now... New York Rocks!

Martiii sips his drink slowly, taking in the atmosphere and the conversations going on. Its a lovely time, and everyone seems to be relaxed. the congratulations are still pouring in. After Chris finished his speech, he looks around again spotting a young lady walking in. 

"This night may just get even better."

He begins to approach her before he is whisked away by Chris to a corner to discuss some private family issues.

stealthy stands up out of his seat to make a speech 

congratulations Chris on this wonderful evening i have had the great pleasure of having you as a leader and i hope to learn from you and the crew i hope the crew can achieve things in this  beautiful city   

stealthy returns to his seat and smiles as he sees a great future for the crew 

Ivan over heard an auth announcement. Little did he know it would be for his comrade Chris. The Jabroni...

Chris, there isn't anyone who I'd rather have set up in New York along side its current leaders. Congrats comrade. Our friendship only began as we both worked under the big head of Barry, and ever since you left to my communist friend you've been superb. Congratulations again my comrade. Let me know if there is anything the Plant can do for you.

The Rock is the most electrifying man in all of sports entertainment, the pie eating, jabroni beating, eye brow raising, peoples champion! 

A huge congratulations to you Mr.Vaughn, a fine selection by Comrade Guevara and i'm certain that you will do The Bronx and the rest of New York proud. 

I can smelllll, what the rock is cookin'!

Being away in Europe again Curtis had being called by Che about his plans and had approved the idea wholeheartedly. He was disappointed to be away but tried to finalize the deals for various regular shipments from Afghanistan, Morocco and Pakistan, through his eastern European contacts. They had poured over every detail of receiving the regular shipments, installing it into the various ships and sending those ships to the regular circuit of east coast ports. It was a beautiful system that saw the entire east coast heroin and hash supply moved into the system flawlessly each month. Once the deals had been completed Curtis was on the first plane back to New York.

Heading straight over to The Electric Company's new offices in the Bronx, Curtis was very pleased to see the traditions of the city beig upheld and a fine man atthe helm of another New York Family. He approached Chris_Vaughn and handed him a huge brick of compacted smack straight from the Afghan/Pakistan border poppy fields. Chris_Raised the people's eyebrow and Curtis smiled.

"What? ...It a rock, for The Rock! ...Ok so its more of a brick than a rock but, well fuck it, you get the picture."

Chris smirked and handed it to one of his guards who made off into a back room with it. Curtis went on. 

"Congratulations my friend. I'm delighted to see you setting up here and taking the next space in The Bronx. You have worked tirelessly and very well for your entire time here. You have made yourself available for everything that was ever asked of you and taken more initiative than anyone could have hoped for. You sir, have earned this and I am not the only one looking forward to seeing what you can develop in our fine city."

He embraced his old friend.

"Good luck man. I'm always here if you need me."

Fashionably late as always, I know. But I still wanted to come here and say Congratulations.

You've worked your ass off in NY and this is a fully deserved auth, Bronx was looking a little lonely there for old Che so its good to see someone of your calibre step up alongside him. The world has been growing lately with all the new HQs in the West Coast, so it's great to see the East still finding room to expand too.

Best of luck to you fella, should you ever need anything at all you know where to find me!

I know unlike the bills of your company I am a little late...sorry! 

But what can I say man, in the time I have gotten to know ya! I must stay the experience has been larger than life! Your just really the most electrifying guy in the game! I mean who else can run miles and miles every day, watch his diet, run a electric company...while laying that smack down!?!! Just one man...TheRock! 

Its been a lot of fun to see you come this far bud. Its been a honor and a pleasure watching you getting your own HQ. I have no doubt that your reign will be prosperous and you will bring some form of capitalism to the doors of the Bronx. 

Best of luck my friend! And Congratulations once again! 

Congratulations to you Chris_Vaughn, wishing you the best of luck on your new HQ and a long tenure.