Made Man is a rank that is often talked about as being important. I've seen a lot of air wasted on the topic and I'm not looking to add too much more of my own to the discussion, especially when I'm such a believer in actions speaking louder than words. With this in mind, as of right now, anyone who has the books opened for them by their Don, anywhere within the country, has my permission to establish a 5 man operation in The Loop, Chicago.

This new operation will gain the protection of The Grin Gang, meaning the other families will not shoot you, unless you give them cause to do so. This protection is not free. In addition to the initial building costs which you will be responsible for, you will pay an upfront fee of $5,000,000 and a weekly tribute of $5,000,000 thereafter. This applies whether you have 1 member or 5 members. Most weeks, this will be painless and you'll barely notice it, occasionally maybe a little hardship, but the tribute is the tribute and it is not negotiable. If you don't think you're capable of raising less than $145,000 per day, per member, then you're probably not cut out for this anyway.

The reason I have decided to do this is to add additional weight to the rank of Made Man. Once the books are open for you, you're welcome to start handling your own shit and you don't need to sit within the HQ walls of anyone else to do that. Recruitment, promotions, earnings, discipline etc. will all fall to the you. 

This opportunity is available to anyone who is Made Man or above. 

You will not be interviewed by me, interrogated about your bloodline, ancestry or any of that boring stuff. This is not conditional on anything other than you having achieved the rank of at least Made Man. You've made your bones and now you have the chance to prove you're capable of more than just hiding in someone's shadow. Run a crew, be an earner, build something of your own and do so with the benefit of my protection. This isn't an experiment city and you aren't being thrown to the wolves. 

If you choose not to obtain the blessing of your crewleader first, they will probably kill you, but that isn't my business. That is between you and them and I won't be double checking anything like that with them on your behalf - this is very much a 'you' issue. When you approach us, we'll give you the nod, nothing more, nothing less.

Here are some bonuses to this whole thing rather than just lining my pockets:

• This is not an experiment city where you are authorised to be wiped out
• Your operation will fall under the umbrella of my organisation and you will be considered a captain
• You gain the benefit of my standing with the other Dons and their families in exchange for your weekly tribute 
• You will be free to purchase as many bodyguards as you like
• You can buy whatever fortifications you like
• You will be free to recruit whomever you like
• Your earnings will be your own (aside from my tribute)
• You can select whomever you like to serve as your RHM and LHM, or have none whatsoever
• You can train a gun, you can not train a gun, you can throw your gun in the lake, again, whatever you like

The only rules governing this are as follows:

• You must mail me and wait for the blessing of myself or Zapata prior to establishing this HQ
• You must confirm your intentions here that you have established an operation in The Loop, so that the wider populous know
• You must pay your upfront fee before or immediately after you buy your 5 man HQ
• You cannot upgrade your 5 man HQ without the express permission of myself or my RHM and all upgrades will be made at our discretion
• You must pay your tribute within 7 days of establishing your HQ

Other than that, if you've made your bones and you fancy your own crew. Chicago's waiting to hear from you. If you don't, no skin off my nose, just don't complain about 'the same old people getting auth', 'there being no opportunity to progress', 'stifling', 'made man not meaning anything', or any of the other usual diatribe I see thrown around here because it no longer applies. 

I should also have said, anyone given their button in Chicago is exempt from the upfront costs. All of my own crew are eligible and some may be branching out themselves. Any member of mine who is Made hereafter will be given the opportunity to purchase a HQ immediately after their ceremony is concluded. 

Fidd is also considered to be The Grin Gang street boss and his family does not fall within this criteria. 

I thinks this is a wonderful opportunity. For quiet some time, I have always imagined what this thing of ours would be like if things operated very similarly to what you are constructing, boss. 
My only thought here is that the 5 person limitation could use with some sort of potential roadmap to a 10 person crew.
I think 10 is that nice round number, that shows you have the ability to handle business when it's needed. I understand the security benefits of limiting the crew to such a handful, but I think what you envision would operate at a much more exciting scale if those who more forth with this operation do so knowing the potential to upgrade to a 10 man operation is something feasible and not like winning the lotto/numbers. 

The reason it is initially capped at 5 is due to the limited supply of mobsters within organised crime. If someone can demonstrate an ability to fill their 5 man HQ and has a viable strategy for filling a larger HQ, I will certainly consider allowing them the opportunity to do so.

GRin-07 - I believe that this is a wonderful initiative, and, if I may, I would like to be the first to set up a 5 man, or woman, HQ in The Loop.

Kirsty has been given authority to establish a 5 man operation in The Loop, Chicago. Her crew is known as The Prison Poet's Society.

Billie has been given authority to establish a 5 man operation in The Loop, Chicago. Her crew is known as The Psycho Circus.

Good luck to both, I look forward to seeing how these develop. 

Intrigued to see how this new idea pans out. If ever you wanted to to run your own family and have no past bloodline history, this is a great way to learn the ropes and see what it's all about!

Kudos Grin-07. Nice to see some innovation on these shores.

Come drive your stake into the ground and claim a little piece of land for your own, Chicago is bountiful and generous country. Best of luck to our first two settlers. 

We have a local Del boy....

smart

This time next year Rodney we will me millionaires

Yes the point wasn't that hard to decipher.

"Smart" 

Does that quite spell it out for you?

Thank you for your compliment, Left. I'll be sure to send some knick-knacks to you for your next Goomba car-boot sale too. 

Now, let us not derail this happy occasion any further. I'm pleased to have two early takers on this project, eager to demonstrate they are capable of being Made Men and look forward to welcoming more in the future. 

Right, Right says

Interesting.. For me personally, of course, it would never be an option, as I prefer doing nothing and have Charles_Barkley pay for any expenses.. The only thing I wonder about, Grin-07.. What if a Made Man's CL doesn't know of, or agree with the move? Hypothetically, that could mean war.. If you are protection the new leader, Right?

Or am I thinking in conspiracies too much now?

Or is there only protection when there is a nod given by the then former leader..?

Why would that be on Grin Right? He said if you don't have your crew leaders blessing you will probably die. It falls between the CL and that person who left the family without permission. 

I misinterpret, I guess, although I am still Right..

It misunderstood the protection disclosure..

My bad! Sorry

Right walks off, still feeling Right

You are Right 

There is still plenty of space available for anyone wishing to start a 5 man operation of their own. Kirsty and Billie have both been given the greenlight to expand to 10 themselves. If you want an opportunity, we are offering it to you. Chicago is open to all.