Scratchy skids around the corner of the street - the tyres screech and bellow out, reverberating throughout, concocting a sound that is very familia to those in the racing scene. The small, elongated car Scratchy sat in, raced forward, going from 0-30mph in a matter of seconds as the smoke from the burnt rubber began to wear the tarmac laid in front of him. 

Following through the road, where most people gather around - Scratchy slams on his breaks with him almost been thrown out of it, taking himself out of the car and taking off his helmet, his face gleams from the cloudied sun, and starts pointing to people recklessly,

"You, and you! and you-and-you-and-you!" Beginning to repeat himself, "While me and the crew were speeding through the streets, we see discontent from some and far less crime from others?!" Scratchy lowers himself, holding his helmet between his armpit and his forearm, "What is there do be done for the future of the streets and the re-introduction of activity and community?" Just as scratchy was on the ground, he jumps up as quickly, "Who are the people we should model ourselves after, and is this thing of ours a figment of other people's wishes or do we really control what we make it to be?" Scratchy starts to point again towards random people in the crowd.

"I have remembered the old-ways, and maybe it is rose-tinted goggles or truth, yet the way things were done before felt more involved, more encapsulating and inspiring-" Scratchy leans against the eggplant looking car behind him as he pauses for a second, "-Do we require more competitions within our streets or more clarification of what is going on behind the scenes? Long winded speeches on the reason for this and that, which could be ones perspective and a out-right lie, or regulated phone-calls to those we trust to give us an explanation one by one," 

Scratchy places his helmet inside the car, looking towards the crowd with his arms crossed and legs crossing with his thin structure being skin-tight with the racing gear on, "Let's speak out on what is wrong or right with our current leadership, those who're scared for being slayed or never seen again, that is off the table if you're cordial and respectful, as we've seen from recent street speakers, it doesn't end well - let your voice be heard so others can listen!"
 

Thanks for this Scratchy.

There's not one answer.  WE are many and many things are what is needed.  

My perspective - we need more mobsters.  There aren't enough to add diversity here.

I feel that the few that are left have their alliances and their opinions formed in utero.  What's happening isn't really as important was what happened.  And - after many years on these shores - a lot has happened.

More discussion about the happenings surrounding the life is helpful too. I see cities wiped and not so much as an explanation.  I don't know why - it's likely a combination of the above and just pure laziness.

I must thank you for your consideration.  It's caused me to land out in the streets, where I have not been for some time.  Cheers, mate.

We want to see activity, and people who actually care about the community in power, rather than sitting idle and doing nothing. 

What's the point of being in power if you're not doing anything? 

It's like, you got this cool fancy sports car but you just kinda have it parked on the street and it's gathering dust and someone writes "Wash Me" in the dust on the windshield with their finger. There are several cars parked on the streets like that at the moment. 

I don't think the Streets will solve this though, but maybe it can get some people interested. 

I’m all for bringing up new ideas and seeing what things can get implemented. I’m pretty confident most people are. Actually going through with things though, if the idea is there and plausible, is where it can get tough. This can be applied to anything.

We’ve also reached a point in my opinion where the majority of goals have been completed; there isn’t much higher one can possibly go. For myself I’ve just focused on maintaining my crew and making note of their success, which has been happening.

People that have maintained a consistent workload around here have certainly been rewarded. I’ve seen that on all sides everywhere. I don’t think that aspect has changed.

In terms of overall activity or motivation, that’s certainly slid, but I think it’s still there, just hidden away behind some locked doors waiting for the right moment. Unlocking those doors can be an issue though, especially with the recent constant influx of invaders we see propping up in cities. Combine that with this time of year being one of the holidays, there’s probably better things to worry about with one’s family than playing with pawns on the chessboard.

We could go and repeat the events of exactly a year ago, which certainly drove some ambition, but it also was just following the same repeated outcome of half the country dying, replaced, and repeat.

When the entire country died four months later, the first thing I noticed was that large scale wars practically ended, replaced by rogues still operating on the same grudges that often beset the previous wars. Nothing really has been done similar to that in terms of damage, instead we’ve just had repeated successful takedowns to push out outlying leadership to slide in newer faces. Which isn’t new by itself, but in the current environment can lead to a lot more peace or lack of activity.

Recently, we’ve also had a godlike influence push out an older generation, combined with other matters and a static but steady environment, some families and lineages may find something else more rewarding.

If there’s one thing I appreciate about it, it is that the regular joe now has probably the easiest chance they’ve ever gotten to work hard and succeed and live long enough to relish it. A chance to be proud of your accomplishments and have time to properly learn some things you’d otherwise have to roll the worlds luckiest dice to get.

All we really need is something fun and the actual motivation to get it started. Nothing really stands in the way of that but one’s own mind and inspiration…or incentive if you will, knowing all of us. That hasn’t much changed though, pretty much a staple of our lives.

What do you think? The Streets can’t solve everything but if all we need is a good idea it’s certainly the perfect place for it. Finding people who bring something new to the table without being peppered to first is tough, and trying to manage it in holiday season certainly makes it no easier challenge.

Isa gave this some thought before she decided to jump into the town hall meeting. 

When you ask what do "we" want there is no one answer that is a one size fits all. There never was nor will be. That would be a total bore. In my opinion, a good question to ask is what changes took place that could be revisited to enhance business. Even if we were to put this question on the table, we could very well once again be back to square one and experience the cat chasing his tail type of scenario as we have often seen over the years. 

Isa opens a book and flips through a few pages before speaking again

Change is inevitable. It cannot be avoided. Change comes in many different forms and reasons. Reading from the many diaries left from my ancestors, there is documented proof times have changed when I compare today too nearly twelve years ago. 

Twelve years ago, business was booming. Perhaps what "we" ought to look at the past and relish in that for a moment. And share the past with the future. 

Well since you’re offering diplomatic immunity, I’ll take on the offer with care. Before I begin I should start by mentioning that most folks who complain are usually those who thirst for controversy. You know the type that shout “stagnancy” during peaceful times or argue “no progress” when the only change they want to see is a change of power. There's no satisfying those guys so it's best to ignore them.

Onto the meat of the matter… I think we, as a society, should think long and hard on whether leaders should work together or not. In the past, you usually had a “stand out” power that dictated as the law of the land. There were orders to live by and expectations to meet. Often you would hear folks crying about being micromanaged but nevertheless things were upkept.

Now I’m still pretty new to these shores, so forgive me if I’m making a large assumption here, but things seem to be the complete opposite nowadays. I don’t see much of a collaborative effort beyond putting away the invaders that try to wreak havoc. That isn’t entirely a bad thing either. The leaders today are more focused on shaping their own cities than to shape the nation.

When things are this way, it isn’t fair to lump all leaders together as the direct cause for things appearing to be dull. If things appear that way to you, then you chose the wrong family. One that isn’t engaging, caring or dedicated. I pity them because that’s what keeps things lively. That’s what keeps families together. That’s the stuff of legends. That’s- 

Anyways, the long and short of it is simply that. We need to decide once and for all.