Mr. Webb takes a sip from his flask before beginning to speak.

Everyone here has extremely high expectations of how the world will change now that the former regime has been overthrown. I, for one, don't expect things to change so quickly. Call me pessimistic but when people act a certain way for a prolonged period of time, it's not so easy to change. Everyone has been walking to the same beat for a long time and now we're talking about a group of people who all have different thoughts and aspirations about the future.

In some ways, things shouldn't change. The same values we held dear before are still what we live by. We'll still adhere to the same code for the most part. The core things we follow each day of our life won't change. Obviously, as with the rest of you, I look forward to the new things that will be put forward by those who stand at our forefront now. They all took action for their beliefs and as such have proven themselves worthy to stand at the top. The change has to be more thorough however, if it's to have any meaning to each individual.

This all begs the question, "What do you feel needs to change?" Each person's answer will probably be full of hope for the future but will their answers be things that couldn't have been enacted before? I am curious to see how each person feels they can change themselves to make their world better, or if they even need to in the first place.

Mr. Webb takes a seat and another drink as he awaits some responses.

I want better health care and 401k

I think, and hope, Street Prescence can return as a valued aspect of our community. It may not have anything to do with Roman or Premeir, but we stopped talking. We became uninvested in our own world, and didn't thrive the way we should have. But now, we have auths going up, Street speeches are surging, and things are looking up. But can we set a new status quo? I'd like to make Street Activity an integral part in being a Mafioso, and a Crew Leader. Sure, it's not for everyone. But with 24 crews and 50+ crew structure, how is it that there is hardly any activity from them? I'd say with more crews comes more activity, or at least that's what I was hoping for.

One of the reasons we sunk into the stagnancy was the lack of desire to speak up about your thoughts. Roman and Premeir's downfall was from SOMEONE speaking up that this wasn't what they wanted, that they were fed up with the chokehold. When you care enough about something to vocalize your opinions, that's when change happens. If you sit back and say nothing, stagnancy will return to these shores and we'll be back where we were before this war.

What would I change? More vocal individuals, like yourself. Less avoiding the Streets to avoid conflict.

Steps into the streets and begins maling rhythmatic noises with his mouth

Your speech has inspired my poetic side.


Clears his throat

I see no changes, I wake up in the morning and I aak myself, is life worth living, should I blast myself..

Steps back and crosses his arms

On a serious note! If there is to be change it is up to the powers that be, not you, not I to decide what they will do with this opportunity. The rest of us shall only follow.

I have to agree with you there, I was even one of the few who kept their mouths sealed. I would walk around the streets listening but not speaking up on any matter.  I am ofcourse ashamed of it now, As you are only half the Mafioso without a street presence.

I think that if now there is a surge of activity in the streets especially with the amount of new blood that will be coming to the shores un the upcoming weeks, The street activity of familys will matter a whole lot more in deciding where people choose to live their lives.

The only way we can inprove this world now is via street activity. I will certainly attempting to make more of an effort,

What would I change? More vocal individuals, like yourself. Less avoiding the Streets to avoid conflict.

That is exactly what needs to change.

Takes a toke of a cigar and continues to listen to the conversation.

Giggs steps out of the shadows and begins to speak

This is a new and exciting age we live in. Hopefully the community will respond in kind and help return these streets to their former glory. 

I would like to see a resurrection of the sanctity of a funeral.  We have seen some blatant disrespect in funerals in recent months.  Even in the late Godfather Premier's funeral, we have pretty disgusting signs of disrespect. Many would blame this man, at least in part, for this problem. However, as better people have said before me:  Be the change you want to see.  It is always disappointing to hear disrespectful comments in funerals, no matter what the deceased may have done.  If you feel you cannot control your anger after someone has passed, just do not attend the ceremony. 

Additionally the previous Godfather of Chicago placed a ban on attending the funerals of people who have rouged from our community.  While I do understand that the ban was placed in part as a way to protect his city, I believe it goes too far.  Rogues abandon everything and put the family who has protected them in danger.  Never should a rogue be congratulated. There is a difference, between murmuring "rest in peace" over a coffin, and leaving a note for a rogue to contact you upon return for assistance. 

Hopefully this is one area where the heads of each city can agree, and police accordingly as needed.

A change I’d like to see is something that use to be common, auth speeches when a new leader starts, not days later or never at all. I’ve heard some people say auth speeches are boring. Maybe they are a little mundane, but they serve a purpose. They let us know John Doe with a new bold suit has authorization and he’s not a rogue. With so many people wearing bold suits and new ones popping up frequently common people don’t know if they are authed or a danger to our thing. I don’t want to figure it out after a few of our loves ones are swimming with the fishes.

One of the things that went downhill fast in the recent past was keeping the OCC and IRC places seperate from our streets.

Clarity came to the streets when she overheard the speech that was just given. She listened to it and took in the words of others. She agreed with many of the things said and nodded to show her agreement. There were a few things she felt should change, but at the moment she was only a pure Goomba. She knew that she would make her way up the ladder and she knew that her words right now may not reach the ears of those she wished would hear them or even care to listen to her.

Waiting to see if anyone else was going to speak she then realized it was her turn to respond. Smiling she took a small step forward.

"I must agree that I want to see more activity in the streets. I would love to see everyone coming out here and not fearing what they have to say. Yet, to be quite honest you still have to watch how you say things. If what you're going to say is going to be disrespectful you still cannot just come out here and speak the words. You still have to show respect for those around you even with our so called "dictators" gone. Granted I do believe people will fear death or harsh reactions from their words a bit less, but to be honest I don't think much here has changed. You can and have always been allowed to say what you think. You just had to do so in a mature, respectful, and hopefully friendly manner."

"Yet, the one place I do feel was destroyed was the point Eve made. There should never be any disrespect shown in funerals. You know the saying, "If you don't have anything nice to say, don't say it at all. Well, I think everyone should have to abide by that when visiting a funeral. I don't think you would appreciate someone spitting on your dead body so don't do it to others. Even if you think you wouldn't care, we are the mafia. Learn to show respect or get out."

Clarity then paused as she reached the part of her speech that she felt was her own idea that others may share, but had yet to say.

"The one thing that has bothered my bloodline for a bit now was how easy it is for people to rank. Leaders see that their member is ready to be promoted and just do so with only glancing at their donations. Since when has this really shown that your member deserves to get promoted in this life? If all they care to do is earn money then all they deserve is to sit at Made Man. You want to earn your rank then you have to do things that may make you uncomfortable. You may have to do things that aren't exactly your cup of tea. You want your rank then earn it. Stop just thinking you can sit on your ass, pardon my french, and do nothing, but rob banks and send cash up. Step up and do something with your life. Stop living in the shadows and let your face be seen. Then, only then do I think people really have earned the right to be promoted."

"That is the one thing I would like to see changed. Things have become to easy, too complacent, in my opinion around here. Step it up. Take your crew into hard mode. You end up just making them lazy if things are too easy around here."

Clarity ended her little rant and smiled to show she was finished. She wondered how many others felt the same way, but she knew there would be some who would disagree. Everyone had their own opinion and that just made things more fun for her.

Mr. Webb takes another sip of his flask and begins to respond to those who have already spoken.

I really appreciate seeing so many people coming out with what they would like to see changed. Street presence is certainly something that was lacking and separated the men from the boys (or women from the girls in some cases) and has been lacking compared to the past. Also, I suppose I see the truth in saying that things like funeral respect and gaining status have diminished meaning compared to the past.

While I don't encourage funeral disrespect, on the other subjects that have come up so far I would suggest that we shouldn't rely in any way on the past. Some people read diaries about the "glory days" and believe that those times were far greater than the present. While you can learn from your past, if all you do is talk about your past you can't enact any change at all. In fact, the diary passages I read seem to indicate that our past was often less civilized than our current times. Each person will have to step forward and change it on their own. As Ms. Valon mentioned, being the change you want to see is the only way.

The changes that I was referring to when I began speaking were the changes that each person can make to make their world better. Regardless of what the world around me becomes I believe I can make things better on my own. In my case, I wanted to be a better example to my family than my father was before me. I think I could do better in that respect even if I never become an infamous member of this society. That's the type of change that would be the most meaningful to me in this world of ours.

The most meaningful change will be the type of change that you can enact for yourself and not something that a leader has to enact for you... but thats just one mans opinion

After his words, Mr. Webb felt a bit nostalgic and began thinking about the things his father told him before his demise.

Joey walks up to the street hearing all the thoughts and talk about change.

Such an odd word, very simple yet its roots run deep and complex.

"I personally feel that change happens, whether we make it or it makes us,  it has its ways of creeping into our lives. As far as what needs to change ... well who can know that. All I can tell you is that our world went through one hell of a proverbial earthquake, and we are going to have to deal with some after shocks for awile. My plan is to just keep on doing what I know best and make what I can as time goes on changing around me. So no I don't feel like we need to interfere with changes, especially not during a time of rebuilding."

Sweeney was skipping along the local coffee and hangouts at New Orleans. He knew that SexyBeast hates the fact that I skip. "Mobsters don't skip," SexyBeast once quoted to his dad one time. He pulled out his Mtn Dew and takes a drink of it. Then, pulling out the wounded Mr. Albert and gives him a sip of it. Sweeney and Mr. Albert skipped along the streets until he was dumbfounded at the speech of Mr. Webb. "Changes, eh?" Sweeney thinks to himself while he picks up Mr. Albert and putting him in his coat pocket.

A change I like to see here, eh? I could think a couple. But, my two main concerns are the disrespect at funerals as Eve stated. Which I tottaly agree in. The comments I heard in the funeral of former rulers of the Mafia underground were just terriable. Once, Roman and -Premeir feets were kissed and now you just take the chance to get a shot at them? No. That's not what my father wanted me to do. And, that's not what anyone should of done.

Sweeney takes a sip of his Mtn Dew and continues.

Second is been a big problem in the mafia world for some time now. The business district! The stocks were a great use for business for a while until the depression came and crashed it! One day, I hope it be fixed and the business can be booming. These coffee shops and etc should be welcomed by everyone! Why, shouldn't we go to our cities and take a chat and visit some lovely ladies or uh..... or men? Sounds wierd when saying out loud! But, that's not the point! I hope the city heads take notice of the Business District and makes some competitons or something to bring them back.

Sweeney takes a sip of his Mtn Dew and sits it down on the ground. He takes a bow and skips of to the distance to go annoy Hulk_Hogan. It's a great day to be a Sweeney.

I will be honest i only dont think much has to change or much will.  I honestly see new blood working up as old blood attempts to re-establish their place.  I see more wars as some cities faired better out of the war then others and in some cases will still be a sense of lack of trust.    I also see problems with as vengeful souls who never knew what was going on in the war and sons and daughters of those coming back and in some cases reacting with the same action that was reigned upon them.

The truth is with all of society nearly fighting still things took a lot of time, and those remaining the same change will take time again.  What i noticed so much was how many people had not worked for their employers since may/june and still took up HQ space.  So maybe will see less crews or more smaller ones

Mikey's head fills with frustration as Sweeney beat him to bringing up the business district. Mikey continues to give his opinion regardless.

I have to agree with Sweeney here as he brings up the topic of the business district. Not only has the fall of the stock market affected us but overall the business district has been dead. It's almost as like it was killed during this past war along with many of the mafiosi from both sides. It needs a reboot, it needs to be brought back to life. It's almost as if someone has signed a DNR, Do Not Resuscitate clause. Its always seemed to be a ship sinking and has never really been sailing as it should be.

Is it our fault? Hell fucking yes.

And to bring up what ILoveJynx has recently pointed out. I do share the same feelings towards less HQs and/or smaller crews being ran. This "thing of ours" is ran by Captains. As you may remember Chicago and New York had several HQs, not only because of whom they were but because they understood this concept. Captains run the show. They run their soldiers as they work for them. The smaller HQ concept is something I personally admire.

Mikey stops rambling about changes because after all, its our actions that are going to speak louder than our words here...

I would like to see the frequency of Mob News increase now that the war is over.

These streets are lacking a newspaper man willing to deliver the news on a frequent basis, not just when he feels like it, or in between violating his NPMs (like Chuckle).

Hedo_Rick: Challenge Accepted.

This is a very interesting conversation and one that I am extremely keen to hear people's thoughts on.

We have removed the regime, but now it is about shaping what we want the future to be. Nothing will happen overnight and as my associate Mr Webb has pointed out, many of the people who are in the pole positions now are the same ones as last week. Whilst we understand their reasons for doing what they did then, this is an opportunity for a new era and it will take time and effort in order to embrace that.

As to some of the suggestions made here, I can tell you that Chicago has plans in the works to encourage greater Business District activity. It won't be too glamorous, because to me it is pretty difficult to see how to make the Business District too glamorous. However, it might encourage more people to venture into them and that is probably a good thing all round.

Street speaking has always been one of the most important activities in our world. When the Streets are good, our thing is usually good as a result. It should all be cyclical, that Street activity breeds more enjoyment, excitement and entertainment within MafiaReturns, which in turn generates more Street activity. Unfortunately, we appear to have broken the mould and we've lost the Street activity. I will do my utmost with my family to make it a priority again.

I also will never be one who hands out ranks cheaply. My promotions are a good indication of who am I and should tell you who I trust to represent me and this family. If I can't trust these people with what the ranks actually mean, then how can I expect you to respect them? I can't and you shouldn't. However, I have strict criteria in place that my family will conform to and they will become better for it.

I would like to see changes come out of this, because this is the opportunity for them to arise. If we don't embrace this opportunity, then we shouldn't have changed the regime in the first place.

~C~

As usual I am late to this party and a lot of stuff has already been covered, however I will throw in my insignificant musing.


Funeral's I fully support the "No blatant disrespect" movement regarding attending a funeral. It isn't needed and really isn't necessary at all. I would like though there to be some kind of guidelines from the powers that now be regarding what is and isn't acceptable at the funeral of a rogue. The no attendance policy worked well because it totally took away the risk of something being mistook as support of their actions.

The return of the stock exchange would certainly kick start the business districts some which can only be a good thing for our world.


The next few weeks will be an interesting time for a lot of people me thinks.