It was a gray day, and the rain was pouring down the swamps. Just perfect for Shrek thought, since he hadn’t taken a shower in a few months. He walked outside and covered himself in mud, making sure the brown substance seeped through his skin to accomplish its cleaning capabilities. Once done with his shower, he walked back inside his wooden house ( which resembled a hollow tree trunk more than anything ) and sat down at his table. He had some thinking to do. 
 

Shrek was a simple ogre. All he wanted was peace, quiet and a steaming hot ogresse by his side. Unfortunately, he had none of those things. The life of crime had clawed its way even to his swamps, and even thought he hadn’t committed a single crime, his life was still at risk. He needed protection from a well established crime syndicate. He was happily under Novacane’s wing at the moment, but he knew it couldn’t last. It was just a temporary family to keep moving influence near his swamps.

So back to square one, he needed protection from a well established crime syndicate. Luckily, there were a ton scattered among the country, all occupying different cities. However, Shrek had no information on them whatsoever. Only a single crime family had sent a representative to his door in order to explain to him the values, terms and opportunities within that family. Out of the 17 active families, only a single one had sent a representative. What in the fuck. 
 

How was he supposed to make a decision on where to go? How was any of his crew mates and other temporary crew mates supposed to make an informed decision on where to go? 
 

He poured himself a drink ( onion and fermented grapes ) and sipped on it lightly, hoping the leaders from these 16 other families would step up and advertise their families in order to help rebuild this broken world.

Evelina walked out into the swamps and nailed a poster up on a tree neighboring Shrek's house. 

Thinking that maybe he could be looking out a hidden window, she then pointed to the poster, and said, "This poster will tell you important information about crime syndicates around the country, in case you are the kind of person who sits inside your tree house wondering to themselves about how they are meant to do the thing that people fresh off the boat have done for years and years."

Once again, Evelina pointed to the poster before heading off.  She sure hoped someone inside had been listening.  

vshrek, why is it down to the people you may join to send representatives to you?

Why are you unable to approach these men and women and ask them if you are able to join them once your container crew is disbanded?

YOU have to prove yourself to THEM, not the other way around. You approaching them may even put you in a good light straight away!

"I think, Chalk, it was city hall who said that the duty to recruit fell upon the leader of this thing of ours and their sponsors.  You might be able to find the discussion a few streets over."  Isadora pointed over to the area where the discussion was still ongoing.

"That being said, it never hurts to do some footwork on your own as a man or woman looking for work in these streets." 

She looked back to vShrek, "Also, just a heads up.  There is a movement on these streets to eliminate anyone who doesn't look a certain way or come from a very specific background.  I'm not sure but something tells me ogres probably won't be something they much care for.  Wishing you the best of luck on these mean streets!"

The sun had now shown it’s warm face and roast a nice little crust over the muddy terrain surrounding Shrek's house. As he was walking over his onion plantation, before noticing a poster on his tree. Wondering who put it up there, he picked it up and read over it. It a description list of the established families. Most of those descriptions were absolutely horrendous and if that all anyone had to lead them to a decision, the future for this world was grim.

He headed inside, where he saw two letters had been carried in by his pigeon. One was from Chalk and the other from Isadora. He decided to start by answering Isadora.

Dear senorita Isadora,

Thank you for your answer. You do bring some fair points to the table, and I do some legwork on my own may help. I’ll put that to use. 
And thank you for your advice, I will stay alert! Hopefully my friends Donkey and Dragon will help me guard my swamps. Stay safe yourself and hopefully our paths will cross again.

Your friendly Orge,

~ V.

Satisfied with his letter, he started the next one.

Dear senior Chalks,

I thank you for your response. I do understand your point of view and your arguments are totally valid, however I must say I do not share the same vision as you do. I don’t see why I would have work and reach out so I can contribute money, I can put my gun to their service and I can bring my skill set to them. As good leaders, they should want to rebuild this country as fast as possible, thus clearing these temporary families of members looking around. So far, I have seen absolutely nothing in that aspect. ( except for Mr. Godfather Grin )

Also, during regular times, it’s the leaders responsibility to recruit, why would it be different in these times? As well as the points raised of Isadora. 
 

Let’s call it, agree to disagree? 
 

Your friendly Ogre,

~ V.

Isadora, I was under the impression that City Hall didn't dictate how we decide to do things, and that leaders run this thing how they see fit, within reason.

If a crew leader or sponsor would like to take this opportunity to reach out to people and enquire as to whether they would like to join their crew, then they can definitely do that. However, I believe the old method of a recruit having to prove themselves to a leader before getting an invite has always been the best method of ensuring the people you take on are right for you. My point still stands, if the members took it upon themselves and made the effort to find a crew leader, this would definitely put them in a good light in the crew leaders eyes.

You could also argue that Grin-07 has actually taken the time to reach out to the members of these container crews, however not many members seem too bothered about replying, to let the crew leaders know where they are at. Yes this is a difficult time and they may not want to move crews, but unless that becomes a possibility, then a compromise at least needs to be found.

vshrek, you should reach out, because these crews give you protection. If you do not find a crew at all, you will die. Hitters flood this land and they are always looking for an easy target to train their skills on. That is why it is in your best interests to seek out a family that may interest you.

I don't agree that it is the leaders responsibility to recruit during 'regular times'. It is maybe the sponsor who will send the first message, but it is almost always the recruit that undertakes some kind of job or work for the crew, therefore showing themselves to be interested in that particular crew.

Enjoying the sun and his onion drink, Shrek decided to sit and read Chalk’s latest letter. A fine one, for sure, but he still wasn’t on the same page as the Detroit mobster. Perhaps it was the difference of culture or values installed by their parents, who knew. He pondered for while, uncertain whether he should answer or not, and finally decided on one last letter. 
 

Dear Senior Chalk,

I do agree with you saying that people seeking protection and a family, like me, should maybe reach out to family heads to question them. However, don’t you think leaders should be doing the same? Granted, I was saying that leaders should do all the work at first, my position now stands revised, but I don’t think all the responsibility should be on the small mafiosos shoulders. In my eyes, leaders should want to rebuild this world and what better way than making sure these temporary shelters are not needed anymore by helping their members find a good home? Alas, I am repeating myself here.

Also, I will not argue with you that Godfather Grin has taken the time to reach out to us undecided people, I will agree with you. Along with his street letters, he has also sent a representative in our temporary crew to explain to us the vision his family has and I entertained a nice chat with this representative in question, to see if the fit was right. He, in my eyes, is the example of what the whole country should be doing.

And lastly, for the last point. My mistake, I fumbled in my words and I said leader, when it could actually be any sponsor in the family. My point remains the same thought, if the leaders are busy doing other things, then can’t they delegate to one sponsor inside their family to reach out to these temporary shelters? ( just like Grin did ) I would think that joining a temporary shelter would send the same message across as doing jobs, a.k.a. I am looking for a established family to join. I am actually saving them money by doing it this way thought. 
 

It obvious that we won’t see eye to eye on this matter, but I have deeply enjoyed this conversation and you have made me realize some things that I wouldn’t have without you pointing them out, so thank you and a good day to you senior Chalk.

~ V.