Given that nobody has immediately updated me on the whereabouts of my man servant, I can only conclude that he is lost forever. In troubling times like these, I like to unwind with a relaxing game of Mafia Golf and fortunately for everyone, I have created a paradise of clubs hitting tiny balls into holes over in Seattle. Unlike an EvilClown organised crime, Grinble Beach does deliver and you can even win some fantastic prizes just for playing. There isn't even a charge to play the course, which seems to be a bit of a theme with Grin-07 and likely why Cogburn can't afford a world class suit from Dominic. I might start charging for things.

Until then though, be sure to swing on by to the Seattle business district and caddy up. The current course record is held by harison at -3 and I expect that will fall before too long. Could you be the one to record a -6 or -7? Well, you're here scrounging for handouts so probably not. But please, tell your friends.

Werewolves are on the streets and I for one am terrified. When I got into a life of crime my biggest fear was maybe being wacked by some no-good greaseball, as happened to Grins 1 through 6, but now I need to have lycanthropy to worry about too? Not fucking fair. Perhaps worst still is that these fictional canines are now trying to force their thieving little snouts into my credit pool. Outrageous I say. Robin Hood is meant to take from the rich and give to the poor, not in turn be eaten by a werewolf.

That is too fucking dark for me to even stomach and I can usually eat anything (humans aside). Instead, I've come forward with further delicious apples and a reminder to anyone who has claimed previous morsels, *Jessie* for example, that the rules require you to make an offering to the Left Hand of VIP Credit God showing your thanks for you unjust desserts.

And here's another to keep you ticking over in these troubled times. And and, there is another already offered which is yet to be claimed. Can you find it? 

A little worse for wear, Zoro managed to make his way back to HQ. The horrid task that was bestowed upon him the previous day by PaulyD will definitely stay fresh in his memory for the coming months. Never had he encountered a worse stench than a pile of unwashed towels that were stinking up the gym for the past week. He was only there for coordination, but that was strong enough for the stench to bury in his nostrils. 
He only managed to take a seat and release a sigh of relief when a well-dressed man approached him. He had a VIP pin attached to his fine suit, and without much words handed a #13 VIP badge to Zoro. Scratching his head, he looked at the pin and back up to the strange man, only for him to have made halfway across the hall towards the exit, and gone from his sight not long after. Zoro could only shrug and stored the pin in his breast pocket.

Zoro reached for the closest paper when a credit dropped out of it. Attached was a note from a certain RoGrin Hood. For the second time in a matter of minutes, weird stuff seems to be happening around him. Not only did he chuckle at the name, but was just perplexed that he’s been finding free credits in the weirdest places. Zoro thought of writing to this RoGrin hood to thank him, but only laughed it off. He was quite sure no one would call themselves by that name, even as to give out free credits. He focused again on the paper, and started reading the article from a certain BudKnight. 

Having recently attended an inspection of the newly-built gallows at Chateau Capone, Al set off to investigate the reappearance of RobGrin Hood in high spirits. His mood soured quickly, however, when he spotted two large wolves humping by a chestnut tree on the outskirts of his grounds. Foul animals, like the poors who lingered in the seedy slums of The Streets, clawing at each other like rabid beasts to add a precious VIP credit to their collection. Capone's credits were delivered in locked boxes, counted by Medici clerks, and hidden away in cavernous vaults, while these philistines spent their paltry gains on bone meal to thicken their porridge. Life as a #10 or, God forbid, a #15 was simply unimaginable to him. 

If this ungovernable credit siphon had his way, Capone would be here too, living in squalor. He would have to take great care in preventing him from bridging the (sizeable) gap between #2 and #3, knowing that with his #1 badge already lost, one more slip down the ladder could spell the end for Big Al's standing amongst VIP high society. He shuddered at the thought of PhilipMarleauJr's tragic story, once a #8 himself, gobbling his way through shrimp cocktails and caviar, only to have found himself unlisted in the blink of an eye and removed from the social calendar altogether. Nobody had heard from Marleau Jr for weeks. It was the kind of sudden spiral that kept a man of Al's stature up at night. 

"But how do I 'Marleau Jr' this guy?", Al wondered to himself, as he gazed out upon the VIP shanty town. 

Grin-07 looked out over his VIP shanty town with delight. This array of scavenged lean-to structures and threadbare blankets were the creations of his citizens, the art of his band of merry men. Their devotion to getting free things which they didn't have to work for was truly sustaining; even in times of crisis, never underestimate the greed of the not-so-needy.

A small update, lazy scuzzers who have no shame in taking my handouts. I have further presents to give to you because I, VIPG's LHM, have been blessed with further offerings. However, I am concerned about the lack of feedback on the location of PhilipMarleauJr and why you let VIP #2 Al_Capone penetrate your ranks and speak his heathen words in this hallowed space. He is a liar and he is a taker. His chateau is constructed of deceit with misappropriated funds. His position as VIPG's #2 is in serious threat and he will resort to whatever devious means he can conjure to stay there. You should pay him no further mind.

Grin's ears catch a faint howl on the wind and before long Grinwood Forest is alive with the sound of it.

City Hall have declared the wolf problem as one we can resolve ourselves and I would beseech all of you to claim a pelt for yourselves. 

Friends, there has been some despicable rule breaking going on. I suppose I shouldn't be surprised that wretches prepared to claim rewards they don't deserve will also break the laws associated with claiming them, but nevertheless, here I am, a little surprised although still stunningly handsome.

The first rulebreaker was Jessie who took one of my lovely credit apples without offering thanks. However, she subsequently returned the apple uneaten rather than publicly pay tribute to Lord Wise Guy. That is fine and I respect her decision; she is excused from punishment. However, there is another snake in the grass, a certain Infexious, who neither thanked me privately nor in public. This is an outlandish abuse of the Credit Garden of Eden's Goodwill.

Infexious, you have an undetermined amount of time to place yourself at the feet of the Credit Tree of Life, prostrate yourself and offer your undying gratitude. It is especially important that you perform this atonement as a 0/0 mute, truly raising the bar even among the unwashed credit hoard I call my Merry Men.

And by credit hoard I wasn't referring to my credit hoard, which is large, I was referring to my credit horde, i.e. all of you hand out wanting motherfuckers. Just so we are clear. 

Anyway, Infexious, show yourself.

East nods as he looks at another one of @Grin_07's impressive talks. He couldn't help but applaud.

I've just benefited from Grin-07 generosity, and I must admit, it felt great. I thank the wisest of wise guys for this gift.

Having also been recently explained the ridiculous economics behind werewolves and other activities having appeared recently in our streets, I shall too shamelessly take all and any donations that the gods are wishing to send my way and put it to good use.

Al watched from afar, contemptuously, having been run out of the shanty town by some stump-legged leper, likely a #15 type, perhaps even unranked. It seemed the infamous RobGrin Hood was addressing his ragtag group of beggars and thieves again. Capone's eyes drifted to the outskirts of the small crowd, where men crouched beside mouse holes, waiting to catch their dinner. He was thrilled to learn that some of these bottom-feeders had been taking credits and not even offering their thanks for them. It was a marvelous development, one that proved this hand-out economy was built less on camaraderie and more on the desperation of the various mutes and hermits known to lurk in the dark outskirts of The Streets.

That there was some strange werewolf problem now dominating public discourse did worry him though. He had already caught two of these rancid beasts fornicating under a tree near his chateau in the woods. With his credit suppliers traversing the Grinwood forest roads daily, it seemed inevitable this new inconvenience would cause further disruptions in his deliveries. It was an abominable development to his building plans for a guest mansion at Chateau Capone. Perhaps just a guest house now. Maybe just a guest wing, if things got really bad. 

The young steps from steps out to the street after hearing Grin-07 says his name.

Ah yes, I did swipe a credit from you. This is very very true and I could say thank you or continue being a mute as you state. Rules? You never stated any rules. You merely said " have my first apple from the Credit Garden of Eden to offer around. All I ask in return for this harvest is that you come out here and offer your thanks. It needn't be a long message, just a small nod, from one not-so-Wise Guy to another." I think this is far from being a rule more of simple curiosity gesture for reaping from your tree as you so called it. Now, you want acknowledgment from me reaping the reward of stumbling upon a credit. I could give it to you but I thank you. Instead,  you said I mute,a snake,etc. If you are still wanting this thank you then feel free to kiss my ass since I'm a free loading motherfucker.

The lad tips his hat to Grin-07 and continues down to the next block

There was a murmur of discontent among the Merry Men at Infexious' volatile response to being given a freebie. Grinwood Forest was alive with the chatter of heavily stained teeth and the grumbling of heavily chapped lips. The Right Honorable Grin-07, foremost Wise Guy in the land, merely raised his hands for silence and his followers settled back into their decrepit credit-hovels. 

Thank you for your thanks, Infexious, that is all you needed to do. Anything else you may have said was disregarded, as the words of any being prepared to sink low enough to take shelter in my wood and steal that which is beyond their means of achieving for themselves. You're one of my Merry Men now and I am glad of it. You didn't take the high road like Jessie, instead you took the time to extract yourself from beneath your rock and graced us with your presence and showered me with praise. Fine work. The Credit Garden of Eden remains open to you, in fact it remains open to all who would seek to gain their riches in the lowest way imaginable. I exonerate your gaping flaws in exchange for your veneration. 

Now, I'm sure some of you are concerned that since VIP God relegated me from my vaunted position at his left hand and in his wisdom flung me dangerously close to the iocaste type fodder of the VIP Rankings, that my little bag of treats would dry up. Fear not. I remain a benevolent Hood and my dedication to rewarding the unjust has not wavered. 

Remember though, accepting the tokens of my affections form part of a contract. The offer is that you must deliver your praise to me. The acceptance of this offer is your attending this gathering of the uncouth and undeserving and the consideration is the credit you claim. Failure to comply with these terms will result in much slinging of mud and childish name-calling. 

wirly smirked as he watched the kerfuffle unfold between Infexious and Grin-07. A clear line had been drawn in the sand and one that he didn't wish to cross, perhaps just a few..toes. He cleared his voice and watched as the rapturous applause for Grin's words quietened and the slow murmur began as his followers turned around to see who had interrupted their fanboying. 

Grin-07. Thank you most dearly for your gift - it is one I will surely treasure for the rest of my life. I wrote you a rhyme to express my gratitude. Clears throat. 

He talks too much and says too little.

Think most would agree we should reduce his... transmittal.

But from his mouth, he provides gifts as victual.

A throne then for Grin-07, I shall use his forest trees to whittle.

The end.

Grin-07 claps his hands in time with wirly's magnificent rhyme; clearly the man knew him well.

Bravo, wirly. Bravo! That was a fine performance and you've certainly raised the bar for what should constitute thanks for claiming one of my bonuses. I remember a long time ago, back when I was a lowly #5 on the list, I thought about giving up my charitable works. However, now that I am a step closer to standing astride the list like a VIP colossus, I am rejuvenated. I stand ready to rise higher and reward my faithful with further gifts.

Even in these troubled times you can rely on Grin-07, Merry Men. 

Like many others WAAAAAAAAAAAAR had received one of Grin-07's gifts and so had come forward to thank the fella.

Thank you for your generous gift Grin-07 it shall be put to good use. I have no skills in poetry, instead i have created this painting in your honour.

WAAAAAAAAAAetc.AAAAR that is a magnificent effort. I am pleased to enjoy such fine gifts like those provided by wirly and your good self; perhaps if the late Infexious had your appreciation he would still be with us, alas, he did not. Anyway, never mind, he is remembered for his thanks regardless as one of the many who have been inundated by my copious rewards. My generosity is truly boundless and Grinwood Forest rustles appreciatively. 

In these troubled times, I feel it is my job to keep spirits up and the treat tree still shedding leaves. A helping hand from me to those less fortunate and completely less deserving. With this in mind, I am going to increase my output and provide two lovely credit blossoms for you all to chow down upon. My Merry Men will not starve, I will see their appetite for goodies sated. 

Never let it be said that I stood within my ivory chateau looking down upon you heathens like certain other 'VIP', if that even applies to people lower than position #4 in VIPG's estimation, you may have seen walking among my woods. Enjoy. 

Pancrazio had nearly tripped over the generous gift left for him by Grin-07. Being a lowly thug such as himself, he was half-convinced that it might be some sort of trap. Nevertheless, MirellaSabbatini did have expensive tastes. The man figured he could take his wife out on a little shopping trip with the score.

"Grazi, signor RobinHood. I'll see to it that it's put to good use," he said before slipping away in the crowd. The streets were a scary place for someone without a home. 

Can we expect this philanthropic operation of yours Grin-07 to keep going after the troubled times we are currently experiencing come to an end ? There will be plenty of credit-starving newcomers in need of your generosity ! 

Yes, when will the #1 VIP fat cat Grin-07 feed us wretches with scraps from his credit-mounted throne? I have seen his leprous peasant army raiding the infamous Chateau Capone credit vaults. Some say he took as much as 73% of their rich bounty. Will he show generosity to us poxed and filthy poors? 

I have been told that all the credits that were previously sent to Capone estate are now sent to Grin-07 himself directly. If the rumours are true, even more credits than that are being redirected to him. The war surely takes its toll, but after that, it should not take long for him to sit on a pile of gold.

We just have to wait and hope that he will share some of his wealth with us, lowly gangsters and goombas, who can only hope one day to get entry to the Wiseatorium.