Cosmo sits down on a wall, mulls over a few things and shuffles a couple of bits of paper.  Clearing his throat he takes a swig from a can of Irn-Bru and stands up

Many times over the years, the general population at the time decry the lack of communication from crew leaders.  Given the amount of crew leaders around just now, the  streets would be fairly busy and Furor would struggle to get the space to vent his obvious frustrations or the newspapers would be trampled underfoot.

I think however that these figureheads should at least say something once in a while.  We see the likes of Roman and TheDean explaining the rationale behind various recent events and we see other CLs standing in the streets announcing new authorisations or debating the merits required to be made in this thing of ours.

Usually though, the first and only time we hear a CL is when someone else has stood up on their behalf, announced their elevation to high office at which point it is generally customary to thank whoever is granting this “authorisation” and you know…say “Give me a short period of time and I’ll be back to properly announce things”.

So it was with unexpected surprise to see Caveman being announced as the new man in St Louis.  The only man in St Louis.  Charged with rebuilding this fine city I saw such adjectives as “exciting”, “interesting” and as previously mentioned “unexpected”.  I also saw “charismatic” in there.  So being a man of simple upbringing I took myself to the library and found me one of those big books of words and looked up charismatic:

of, having, or characteristic of charisma.

Not being sure of this charisma, I looked that up too and it mentioned charm, magnetism and presence.

Great, I thought.  This could be good.  Let’s see what he says.

So….24 hours later.  Nothing.  I take a look around, maybe he’s been busy setting up his HQ.  Now, not having access to the building I managed to catch a wee peek as furniture removers brought things in and out….nothing on the walls written by Caveman.  In fact it is rumoured that there has been nothing written down or signed or posted anywhere, apart from in private correspondence, from such a charismatic person.  Charm and presence all over the place.

The telling quote of the day and there is a maybe a hint of misinterpretation about it:

“does suprise me with your work ethic you've made it to a leadership position.”

So how much should we hear from these guys?  Is it all about the crime today and nothing about the ability to inspire people publicly?  We don’t need a crewleader’s individual thoughts about each and every little thing and indeed not everyone has the eloquence to stand on a street corner and proclaim occasionally that black is indeed white or certainly verging towards a very pale grey however is this the way forward?  And if it is, is it healthy?

Well done Cosmo, you have certainly been a busy man to take the time out of your day to try and publicly offend the new figurehead in St Louis. We are a new family, so it is understandable that every little thing can't be done in a day. I wasn't aware that upon setting up you had a time scale to complete certain jobs. Making a street presence after becoming a leader is a common thing, it is something that Cave has been working on. Regarding there being nothing in the building, nothing being written down or signed, again you seem to have taken a great deal of time to try and learn such information, whether it be true or not I will not say for I feel the contents of a HQ should remain secret to all those who do not reside within our walls. It's possible that my choice not to divulge whether there is anything in the HQ may give the impression that Cosmo is correct in his statement, but again i will stand by my principles.

You ask how much we should hear from these guys? It is a question that has been brought up many times, should a crew leader have a street presence? It is usually preferred, but does this mean they should come out here and speak for the sake of speaking? I don't think so. It is hard to come out to the street to make an original sort of statement in this day and age, pretty much everything that can be said, has been said at some point so perhaps it is this reason that you do not see many leaders coming out here, but who knows, eh?

Excellent point good sir, one I totally agree with, one question though, has it all been said before. What I mean is, what new speeches can we come out here with that the generations of fathers and mothers before us have already spoken of?

I would like to agree with you on the whole Furor fiasco. For me I would rather have the state of things stay the way they are before promoting such “episodes” as Furor’s incredibly interesting life.

However I do think it’s slightly harsh of you to pick out on CL amongst the many that exist today. It is definitely a thing of the past; When a CL would be the leading voice you would hear when walking up and down these here streets. To answer your question, I think it’s bad for business when we don’t see a leading figure like a CL in the streets and we get plagued with less than half arsed speeches.

Were do we go from here, Well that’s an impossible question. Bring back all the old leaders of past generations, well that’s not very viable either. At the risk of a backlash I would say the leaders of this thing of ours should grab this by the balls and take control, do I think that will happen? Maybe not. I think this the time and place that we live in.

McFly walks down the street and see's a young man setting up to make a speech, intrigued by what he might have to say he lights a cigarette and listens to the young man, halfway through the speech a sudden feeling of Deja vu sweeps over McFly, does he know this man from somewhere or perhaps what he has to say has hit memory cell, Mcfly's mind drifts back to some of his fathers journals he read and then it clicks.

A very good point here Cosmo and one that was put across not too long ago by the late Tyrion GRHS, and i agree with what you are saying as recently i have been asked myself who the new auth's are because no one has really heard much from them so you then get a situation where people say "hey who the hell is this guy?", and to be honest some of the time you end up saying "I have no idea". The point is you cannot love, fear or respect someone you do not know of.

McFly stubs out his cigarette gives Cosmo an agreeable nod and makes his way down the street mauling over what has just been said.

To Cosmo give the man some time he has just set his HQ up and is talking to me and assessing the task ahead of him. There is no written rule that says you have to make a statement within 35 mins of setting up. I am sure we will see something over the next few days from Caveman. I also think it is rather insulting to pick Caveman out quite so soon with this criticism when others probably haven't been given the same treatment. I have a feeling I know why you have done this and if that feeling is correct it is bang out of order.


Space_Pole why is it bad for business if a CL isn't spending their time wandering the streets muttering? Does your earnings fall when you commit a crime? Is the price of drugs linked to how often a crew leader speaks? I don't think so, so I am baffled why it is bad for business.

Biff walks down the street with one of his associates named shank close behind him. he snaps his fingers as a cigar is handed to him and turns around and allows Shank to lites it.

Cosmo, with all due respects, I myself belive calling out a Crewleader by name is very disrespectful. in the measure you bring these things up against Mr. Caveman. is it stalking or envy I see?

No disrespect ment to you sir. But people tend to blame Crewleader's for the mess in the streets ,or lack of pressence amongst us. Do you not realize what a Crewleaders day is like?  What is it you want to see from them, do you want them to break Omerta, and have them in danger for revealing their dealings? as for Street Pressence I belive its good that The Crew Leaders should know each other, but family is always first.

To underdog, ok for me business is a wide word, and one that many sides of this world falls under. I was not going down the money or earnings route with this, i was going down the whole respect, and the demand of the streets attention. Back in the day whenever a CL spoke in the streets crowd's would flock from all over to listen and they would take notice. They would take notice because a Cl would have something very good or some kind of competion that they were announcing, it would be correct language and extremely well spoken so i wouldnt say they would be wondering around muttering.

As i said i didnt agree with Cosmo as a whole and thought it was wrong that he picked out just the one CL because at times i feel most CL's are guilty of this but as i also said i recognise how hard it is to restart this kind of activity. I was not attacking anybody here. Just putting in how i see the state of play.

I generally don't care if a leader says nothing at all, as long as he had full control of himself and his family.  Looking out on the streets at stages is often matters that can offend or create controversy and samples of drivel that make me wish i was deaf and blind at stages.

I believe when important matters take place that is when i care to hear from the relevant leader or city head, rather then hear plenty about nothing just to show their face on the street.  It is often i notice that those who speak the most are those trying to establish themselves as they gain rank rather then those who have achieved the ranks due to the addtional duties they have.  As someone who has worked with Caveman's lineage before i am used to his approach previously being a case where if he had nothing important to say was no point stepping to the streets and i think thats what keeps things interesting.

We can all come to the steets and comment, or talk about whats going on however too much or too little both end in the same result, people complaining leaders don't talk enough or talk too much.  The best thing to do is let the gentleman get down to business, draw up his plan for his city and wait to hear them.  Patience is a virtue after all

You have pissed me off now.

There is a huge difference between coming to the streets and talking to all you...things and coming to the streets and sparking debate, wonder and intrigue. I try to come to the streets when and if a topic requires a reply that a normal member cannot supply. I also come to the streets when I feel the need to voice my opinion on a matter. However I will not come to the streets for the sheer hell of it and I will definitely not come to the streets because you all think I should.

My family has always, and always will, come first. The streets offer me nothing. Not a thing. I gain nothing from them other than criticism and argument. There are currently 18 people that matter to me. The rest of you can go and down whatever you wish. You should be thankful when we do come and talk to you. It is no long a requirement for leaders to be street active. It just isn't. Like I said, I do my best because I understand the masses must be led in the right direction and be thrown a bone every now and again. My bloodline has been critical in the past. But only in regards to annoucements that matter. Like war reasons. Not a story or a debate.

To the point you made on Caveman. He hasn't given you a speech on how he will run his family (he has now). So? Neither have I. I think it's a waste of time. Actions speak far louder than words and it's none of your business how I run my family.

Anyway. I'll go back and sit on my arse writing speech after speech so you can all be entertained while my family suffer. pfft.

Perhaps many leaders don't come to the streets anymore.... as much as some would like but with anything someone comes to these streets there is almost a guarantee of someone twisting words creating controversy over it. As someone who is a leader that should be looking to protect their family should they be drawing unnecessary attention to themselves? After all would this be good for business drawing unwanted attention? Certainly lots of stories have been told or things repeated on these streets just as surely as the lack of CL's stepping out to the street. My personal opinion is that leaders know they will be auth'd plenty of time before hand to start preparing a street speech about their new family unless untimely demises during a war and a so called battlefield promotion. I think Cosmo is trying to point out that it is just lazyiness to say I will be back when things have settled or I am busy setting up. I think its just a cover to avoid having to write a long eloquent piece that people will sit there and read every 5th sentence unless they are truly bored or happen to know you or associate with you. So for that matter it is always nice to see a CL step up and make an effort to put forth an acceptance speech. But I feel if we are going to blast a CL for not coming out with a great Auth Acceptance. What about an Auth speech that is 5 lines? Blah blah blah is getting to setup I know they will do well. (Oh wait even once sentece I amaze myself.) I do not wish this statement to be construed as an attack on any recent events but it is something that I have noticed over the years and in recent history. Leaders of this thing of ours shouldn't be afraid to come out to the streets but sadly many feel it will lead to no good. Competitions, city activities things to increase activity and business in your cities is what is lacking. It is a big undertaking to organize and have a competition with multiple events not just we are "Launching jails for 5 hours" setting up an HQ is not really all that hard if you planned ahead from when you were told you would get a crew. Put up some info in the HQ and get to recruiting without whoring right? Most CL's have an RHM within minutes of going bold that must have taken some planning. In all of this I think the bigger shame for a CL is making people think him or her is too busy for their own family members. How far would it go if each CL picked a few people per day to send a personal message to a crew member? I know I have heard of the unkown CL some sponsor recruited me and now I am in a crew and don't know my CL. Whose fault is that the CL or the new thug? But if every CL mailed 5 members a day even at full capacity they would get a personal note from their CL once every 10 days. Or how bout only to the ones they don't know well? After all you never know where you may find talent for your family. This is all food for thought each leader will live or die by their actions and are only as strong as the people they surround themselves in. I for one think that a revitalization of the streets would be good. Perhaps those who are preaching the rebuilding of this thing and trying to make it better will make improving the streets their priority. After all one thing seems to be true nobody has been happy with the streets for generations. It is quite obvious if you look at the responses to most threads that many never even come to the street. I took the first 3 pages of the streets which go back to about the beginning of this month it totalled about 685 posts lets just say an avg of 50 people are online usually that amounts to roughly 13 posts per person. But if you assume that each thread has the same person posting twice that takes it down to 6 posts per person roughly. In the first 3 pages the thread with the most participation was 70 posts the next 49 then 38 roughly then it drops to about 10. Do I claim to know the answers .....no but perhaps this is the bigger tragedy the lack of people participating in the streets. I am sure that not all 50 I used ever walk these streets.

Again this is no way intended to be an attack on anyone in particular and just an observation. I for one hope that Caveman will be one to rise up to help combat the dying streets and revitalize it. I know we will all see what happens here in the streets and/or coffee shop. Leaders please get your people to the streets even if their English isn't so good. At least help them to try after all the people coming off the boats probably don't know English well anyhow.

Jeez, Jude. Take a breath between sentences.

Ancalagon frowns

My ears hurt.

Now as for what Cosmo has been speaking on! I wouldn't go so far as to put Caveman in the "Silent Leaders" column quite yet. Not knowing his bloodline, I have no idea what type of speaker he is and it is quite unfair to assume such a mere day and a half after he moves into St. Louis.

However, Cosmo, there will always be a Silent Leader or two in this Thing of Ours. There will also people mobsters that if not support, agree with that way. Such as Il_Postino.

So Comso, rather then come out attacking, even if you didn't think you were, Caveman why not do a bit more speaking yourself? I haven't see much of you on the streets, save this particular moment. I'm sure you can bring some more life to our Streets.

A final thought...it's really not smart as to inquire about the inner doings of a crew, aka what's written in the HQ.

Cosmo stands up again, his every trusty Irn-Bru in his hand.

If this has touched a nerve then I can’t apologise for that.  If there are sweeping generalisations that don’t quite fit individuals then yes I apologise for that

Biff, the ambitions of men (or women) are varied and extensive.   Some feel satiated by being a cog in a machine, one of many parts that ensure things are running smoothly.  Others lust after the power and glamour.  If you feel that my comments are motivated by envy then I hate to say you’re barking up entirely the wrong tree.

Stalking…well not quite.  When you observe something you can sort of pick out little things that interest you and 99% of my working day is spent working hard but just occasionally my eyes can be brought to tiny, seemingly insignificant details that catch my attention.  Like when a woman’s skirt rises just that little bit too much or the white of a rabbit’s tail in the headlights of your car can catch someone’s attention.  For those of an inquisitive persuasion, you might then look to investigate these observances a little more which is all I’m admitting to have done.

There has been a lot of talk recently about positive and negative bloodlining.  Rightly or wrongly people are judged by the population at large by how they appear in the streets and not by bloodline influence.

In days gone by promotion was dependent on how one carried oneself in the streets and we will never see those halcyon days again however to have such honour bestowed and not expect public scrutiny is surely naïve.

In days gone by promotion was dependent on how one carried oneself in the streets and we will never see those halcyon days again however to have such honour bestowed and not expect public scrutiny is surely naïve.

Teobaldo coughs

Since you mentioned it and it has been discussed a lot before, Don't you think if that was ever the best way it should go, it would have lasted for ever or at least a bit more after those who firstly applied the rule died? But no, it didn't last, because streets isn't an obligatory way to get to know a member neither describe them. Your skills describe you more, Whatever skill you are good at, whether it was wacking, pickpocketing, street speaking or business management etc...

Thing is your point was discussed before by late Godfather Tyrion, but was a bit different and was displayed better. And it lead to nothing but the death of one crew leader and nothing changed.

So….24 hours later. Nothing. I take a look around, maybe he's been busy setting up his HQ. Now, not having access to the building I managed to catch a wee peek as furniture removers brought things in and out….nothing on the walls written by Caveman. In fact it is rumoured that there has been nothing written down or signed or posted anywhere, apart from in private correspondence, from such a charismatic person. Charm and presence all over the place.

What the fuck are you on about there? What happens in someone's head quarters is none of your business, not at all, if he left his walls, desks empty for every, that's something to do with them, not you. You aren't even a member of their family to discuss this nor have authorization to public-ally discuss it.

Sir, you have showed a point, but you failed at respectfully displaying it.

Fact of the matter is, you're questioning the actions of the new figurehead of St Louis, someone who has been given your own God Fathers blessing. You've taken the time to go out of your way to try and exploit his lack of presence in the street from his time of setting up. You've pin pointed him and used the comments from his supporters and friends to have a sly dig at him. You've used sarcasm as a way to try and embarass him. Personally I find this unacceptable and although I am in no direct position to do anything I trust that as the RHM to your God Father has spoken to you directly, you will heed his words and calm your tongue on the actions of my Leader.

In days gone by promotion was dependant on more than how one carried themselves in the street. For there is much more to a man than fancy words and long winded statements. However you are right, not everyone will be an avid Caveman supporter, every leader should expect some kind of scrutiny, however I would expect this to be carried out in a much more respectful fashion than the way you have shown here.

There are currently 18 people that matter to me. The rest of you can go and down whatever you wish.

19 people if you include your immensely talented and well regarded Co-Editor.

Sits at his table.. drinking a hot coffee, watching and listening

I think that a good leader knows 'how to come to the public properly' and does it when needed. Is it a requirement for them to talk a lot in the streets to get a position of power? No, it is not which we have just seen, but for that person to become a efficient leader of a crime family, he will both run his family internally while showing his face to the public at times so that people recognize this major crime boss, and he doesn't get mixed up with some common thug walking down the street and gets shown the proper respect he is due..

I mean people forget, and what people cant see they start to imagine.. maybe the guy can talk in public, maybe he has a personal problem, or just maybe he doesn't care which is always possible.

The power to speak and have people listen is only held by a few people in our world.. Godfathers, Leaders and the specially talented street speakers.. others talk but rarely get the time of the day.

In the end, being talkative in the public is not a requirement to run a family or even control a city, but what a person does after they hold that power will show what kind of leader they are and if anyone will remember their legacy - once you have the power, what did you do with it?

Leave a legacy, no matter how the past got you where you are.. We can only move forward from here and people are watching from every side, just waiting for their chance to criticize you and take your power.

Takes a sip of coffee.. looking around at the new construction around town, he throws his coffee glass on the ground.. it shattering as he stands up and walks down the block

The leader of Detroit goes to say something, but since he is a known mute, his words are not heard by the rest of the eight cities.

I'm confused .. is a Consigliere of New York questioning the ability of the New York Godfather in his attitudes to auth?
Weather or not Caveman makes 100 street appearances or just 1 has nothing to do with the ability to be able to run a good family and city.

Can anyone remember Caveman's grandfather, Hypno? Godfather of Las Vegas last year in February? - he wasn't much different, didn't really make much appearance in our streets, but he ran one hell of a city.

Come to think about it, why should a leader feel the need to constantly get involved with conversations in the streets that have nothing to do with their city or family? is it not a waste of time? - think of it this way, the less we hear from them, the more they are involved with business within there own family, so there's a silver lining right there.

Lets not judge a leader by how much he speaks in public, but by how much he interacts with his own family and city leaders behind trhe scenes.

TheSmilingAssassin, I couldn't agree even more with you're statement, and I might add No Crewleaders have no obligation to any other members of this world, but that  in which is in their very own cities.

Long as they take care of their buisness, and prehaps have sit downs, and talks with the other family leaders, its realy none of our buisness as a whole, if the said Crew Leader comes here or not, as fare as being a mute if the other Crew Leaders have a problem with that Crew Leader doing that, its up to them to act or speak, not from people such as us. Just my view and thats all I have to say on the matter.