Certain people are born for greatness. They come into this world imbued with courage, sense, and strength - the values of a great mafioso and a great leader. Where they go, others follow. For many of us, it is our duty and allegiance to these men that keep us invested; our belief in their leadership is why we work hard, knowing that in doing so all will prosper. 

I come to you today on behalf of a man not born into that group of people: a man discovered in the bins behind Buddha Belly Noodles on Clark Street, licking teriyaki sauce off a shoelace. That is where we found Elodin 122 days ago. That is where our journey began.

It was the late @Grin-07 who saw the potential in having a raccoon around the HQ, cleaning up the young rodent (as much as possible) and bringing him into The Grin Gang as a lowly Goomba. He soon found a niche joining the Wise Guys and Made Men on collection runs - a hissing, rabid threat amongst the brass knuckles and baseball bats - and began making a quick name for himself, before the untimely death of his leader. To this day, Elodin still visits the fat gargoyle built in Grin-07's image, laying a wreath and saying a prayer in tribute and gratitude, surrounded by cruel mothers using the fanged sculpture to terrify their weeping, unruly children. 

It was Zapata who was next burdened with the furball, recognizing the use of the small animal and trusting him to serve as Right-Hand to the family. Elodin flourished. A 30-man family generated enough trash for an entire pack of raccoons and, with TrashPanda away in Philadelphia, it was all his. There was no stopping him now: the raccoon boy grew into a raccoon man. The sheer stench of him sent his enemies cowering and begging for forgiveness. He was like a hedgehog in a condom factory, sowing ruin at every turn. In the dark alleyways of the city, men with torment and persecution in their eyes whispered of the one they called Smellodin, a Consigliere rising quickly on the ascending waft of his odorous notoriety. 

It was not long before he had a crew of his own; The Raccoon's Den of the North Side. What Elodin has proved since is that there is no barrier to the hard work and willpower of a determined individual; he has run the North Side with good sense and conviction, is beloved by his crewmembers, friends and allies, and is respected by the most important people across the leadership of our business today. He took his opportunity and made the most of it. In a time of great need for Chicago, following the deaths of several prominent figures, Elodin stepped into a position of authority and never looked back. 

Today Elodin becomes a Godfather because it is a rank of which he is unquestionably deserving, and I am overjoyed to congratulate him on his achievement. Every last bit of praise that will come your way today is well-deserved, my friend. Though we may chastise you for essentially being a sentient cloud of mustard gas, that we continue to work and exist in such close proximity is an even stronger testament to the respect, friendship and loyalty that has developed between yourself and those closest to you.

I am greatly looking forward to your long and prosperous run as the Godfather of the North Side.

Congratulations, Godfather Elodin!

As Zipline listened to the words of a scrawny looking old dude with a fascination for beauty sleeps and dramatic speeches he laughed. For he was young and impatient to shake the hand of his newly found shelter owner.

Congratulations o smelly one, from this day onwards i'll kiss your ring and pledge my loyalty to you!! For my kin has been searching long and wide to be able to serve a respectable godfather but has seen ill-luck in finding such a purpose in life for too many generations!!!

Huzzah!

Congratulations, Godfather.

Honesty walked up to Elodin wearing a thick black glove on his right hand. He knew the Godfather of the raccoons was celebrating in trashville the night before, so Honesty had to protect his hand.

Congratulations, my friend. I know North Side is in very capable hands and that Chicago will thrive with your leadership. I wish you prosperity and all of the maple syrup jars you could ever desire.

From the trash bins, to the penthouse bins, what an epic rise. Congrats Elodin, you deserve this moment in the spot light.

Congratulations Kingcoon! You have worked hard to get there and can now sit back and relax while watching Cornwell do some heavy lifting. 

I'm also hoping that this will inspire my Boss Hush to go even further.

Congratulations Elodin. It is deserved, despite the smell, and the mess you leave in your wake. I’m proud to have accompanied you on this journey. My father had good things to say about you, and I echo the sentiment. Despite all the trash talking, I’m glad we’re here. 
 

Also, AidenPearce...I certainly can’t smell any worse...greatness for all of us!

TwoKnuckles pulls a tissue from his pocket and uses it to clean off his fingers as best as he can. He reaches out to shake the new Godfather's hand...

Godfather Elodin, great job! I cannot imagine the amount of work needed to reach such heights. It has been a privilege to work with you in Chicago, and I know that with your guidance, North Side will prosper well into the future.

Congratulations to Godfather Elodin, you deserve to position for all your hard work over the past 122 days

That'll do pig, that'll do.

top work sir!