I stand here today because I know there are many people who have questions concerning both the current state of affairs, the recent past and my involvement in events up to now.

I suppose I’ll start from the beginning and address the rumours and speculation surrounding the destruction of the Roman Empire. It was an interesting day for me personally, because I was just carrying out my daily routine with the family when things initially began and we were all caught a bit off guard.

I got a phone call from Roman telling me to fire shots at Detroit, Las Vegas and St Louis because we were about to be attacked. So, upon attempting to gather the troops, it was pretty obvious pretty quickly that something was wrong and when I talked to a few people, it became evident from eye witness reports that our own city attacking us.

I can’t really say that I was shocked with what happened, I was actually kind of anticipating the whole thing. Whilst I have decided to address these events on the whole, I don’t want to disrespect Roman’s memory any further, so I won’t voice my opinion on those specific matters that had caused unrest in our city. Let us just say that I, and the majority of Roman’s upper structure were aware of the discontent that had been in danger of boiling over into something concrete, even if Roman himself chose to ignore it.

Approximately 3 hours into the war I made it pretty clear I was not going to be able to participate fully. This wasn’t me turning tail or ducking out of the battle, this was the reality of life in this thing of ours. Sometimes, when events here go off, we have other appointments that we just can’t postpone, especially as I didn’t plan this and was very much on the defensive.

(OOC: I had RL obligations to my girlfriend we had planned months in advance and I couldn’t get out of, meaning I would have to leave)

Upon arriving home having placated Lady James, I jumped right back into the action and was ready to defend my Godfather to the last. Unfortunately, word hadn’t managed to reach me of the dreadful news that I was then confronted with; Katarina announced that Roman had been killed. I would be lying if I said I wasn’t saddened to find my Godfather dead, a man I had served faithfully for my entire life and the most significant period of his tenure.

At this point I was lost and I didn’t quite know what to do. This is when I was approached by the late, great SexyBeast (whom many might not know was an extremely close friend of mine) and he informed me as to what was going on. He broke down why he had chosen to install a new head of Chicago and why he and Chuckle had marshalled the Barbarian Horde.

It was a lot to take in as you can imagine and there were many things going through my head. I no longer knew where my loyalties lied, because my Godfather was dead. Should my loyalty be to Premeir, the Godfather of a completely separate city or to the rest of my city, including my very close friend SexyBeast? It was a tough decision but ultimately I chose the side of SexyBeast and the remainder of Chicago.

What it came down to was the fact that my loyalty was to Chicago and not New York or Premeir. At this point many were sceptical of me joining SexyBeast, believing that I would defect at the nearest opportunity or “level shit to the ground”. Whilst an understandable first reaction, this was inaccurate and fortunately SexyBeast knew me well enough to know that this would never be my intention. Despite the wondrous SexyBeast’s assurances, many people pressured him to HQ me and take my gun, which again is understandable, but one of the primary players in the Horde was vouching for me and this should have been enough.

This brings me to phase of the war that is Premeir. During my time as RHM for the great Roman, I made many new friendships, but none more important to me than that one with Godfather Premeir. Despite decades of hate between our bloodlines, we became close to one another and that complicated my decision. When I declared my loyalty to SexyBeast there I knew there was absolutely no turning back and in a bid to placate our allies, SexyBeast asked me to take the shot on Premeir. I took the final step into the Barbarian Horde and killed Premeir.

Many will judge me in their own biased ways, but the fact of the matter is I stuck with the people who I considered family and not my friend Premeir. I can honestly say that never in all my time have I felt as bad as when I killed Premeir. It goes without saying that sometimes you’re forced to make decisions that will haunt you more than you’d like. This was one clearly one of those times, but I did what I thought was the right thing for my family in Chicago.

That’s my side of the Roman story and you all can take it for what it’s worth. I’m sure some of you will come out here kicking and screaming, calling me a liar and cursing my bloodline for all eternity. Do your worst, because despite what people would have you believe I have very broad shoulders and in addition to making me popular with Dominus’ woman, it also means I’m capable of standing up to any criticism that you care to throw my way.

Given that this was somewhat ancient history now, I suppose what interests people the most is the recent war that culminated in the loss of our Godfather and three others. I’ll take the time to address this, not because of clamouring fools desperate to hear an account of what happened to satisfy their own underhanded motives, but for my fallen family and our fallen allies who deserve a public record of their contribution.

SexyBeast had spoken of the possibility of moving on Las Vegas, and together with my Godfather and his Underboss Chuckle, we set about planning how to bring down the regime. People will ask for my motivation behind the conflict, but that isn’t important. I was there to provide counsel and advice to my Godfather and even if Las Vegas had looked at him in the wrong way, I would have gone to war for this man. That is what a RHM does. That is what I did.

Fortunately, SexyBeast penned memoirs of his time as the Godfather of Chicago and offered these sentiments in his more recent entries:

This world we live in his not one happy community, it is filled with corrupt intricacies none of which involve innocence. I’ve never heard of a mafia takedown that was innocent in nature on either the victim or the attacker. This is a corrupt business we live in, and in the end whether it be paranoia or a gut feeling you’re going to do what is best for your city. I have decided to take down Las Vegas, not because I want more bloodshed, but more so because I feed I need to protect my city.

There are times in life when you have to make tough decisions; in this case I have to risk my family to protect my family. I have made the decision to war Las Vegas knowing all the risks involved, but I’d rather die being proactive as opposed to being a sitting duck. Call it what you will, but I feel it is necessary. Tonight, we will execute a series of cold blooded murders to protect our future.

When we decided to attack LV we planned for this to be isolated to LV and only LV. Little did we know that a tidbit of information would lead to the take down of two more Godfathers. It was only a few hours into the war when we received this hot off the wire information that LA and NO had plotted to kill Chicago together. As Godfather of Chicago SexyBeast would not stand for such threats and ordered the deaths of both Godfather Kimble and Godfather Jade.

It was then that I took the shot that ended the life of Kimble. I cannot say that I took any satisfaction in killing Kimble, as I consider him near and dear to my heart. Without his bloodline I wouldn’t be here speaking before you today. Despite this, you cannot fault SexyBeast’s decision as he did what was in the best interests of his family and city, removing a threat as soon as it became apparent.

I can't say I respect Jade nearly as much, as she made some decisions that baffled me. In short I believe she put herself before her very city, choosing to delight in the thrill of killing people, rather than actually choosing sensible shots. I measure a leader by how devoutly their city stands behind them; Jade’s largely turned their back on her.

The casualties suffered in this war were great; SexyBeast was shot and killed and it is to him I owe my life. Sadly Chuckle too was killed, and who couldn't respect a mafioso of his calibre? Raptor, also gave his life for the city and these sacrifices will never be forgotten. Many people gave their lives for the city and words cannot justify the gratitude I owe them. Each associate and every member pulled together and aided us in achieving our goal and we did succeed. The price was high and the victory was hard fought, but it was won.

I had absolutely no intention to come out of this as Godfather, but sometimes fate has a different plan. With the fall of the Beast, Grin approached me and asked me to take on the mantle for the good of the Syndicate. I didn’t take on this role lightly and it was a difficult decision for me to answer that call, but I have and I am the Godfather of Chicago.

In no way can I fill SexyBeast’s shoes, so I’m not even going to try. I’m not SexyBeast. I’m not Roman. I’m JesseJames. I won’t be trying to emulate others or to follow in anyone’s footsteps. Whilst this is still the Cheese Syndicate, it is a new chapter for it and another new (hopefully longer) era for Chicago. Things have changed other than the immortal and unflinching PizzaTheHut who stands as proudly in Chicago as the Statue of Bearderus watching over us. We have a new Boss in Monet and a forthcoming leader to accompany her in the limelight.

I was going to leave it there, but since more or less immediately people have begun predicting what my actions will be as Godfather of Chicago, I suppose I should set the record straight. I’m not a nuclear weapon waiting to detonate and rest assured that my intentions clearly are not to obliterate any city. I don’t want to turn things to dust; I want to turn them into gold. I want to return to business, improve in areas that I think we can and develop aspects that have previously been neglected. We will become a prosperous place once again, but I believe we can do so in a significantly different and reinvigorated manner.

That’s my goal and now I have to start making it a reality.

SaintAnthony over hearing JesseJames finish his speech, approaches him and shakes his hand

JesseJames, your bloodline and mine have been close since it seema dinosaur roamed the earth. I have never known a family member of mine to turn a cold shoulder to a member of yours.

With that being said, I am extremely proud to see you standing here in this position today. And while I never feel a leader should have to fully explain himself the way you have before all this land today I must say I respect what you've had to say and in no suprise what great presence you've exhibited by doing so.

In closing I have never been so proud to share a history with your bloodline as I am now, congratulations and I wish the best from the bottom of my heart.

SaintAnthony hugs JesseJames and pats him upon the back

It was inevitable that there would be a fallout from the demise of Roman, and by association Premeir, because Roman had his hands on the reins for over a year and they had forcefully benn wrenched away from him. When you all have a common goal, it is considerably easier to work together and bond in friendship. However, when you've actually achieved it, things settle back down and people start to re-evaluate. They consider their own power, their own options and their own desires; something that many people had seemingly forgotten they even possessed beforehand.

Any doubt that anyone may have held over your loyalty to the cause or your desire to effect change was resoundingly dispelled the moment you claimed the big job for yourself. Even in the short time that I have been working with you, the energy and excitement I've had for the future has never once dwindled and it is time for us to attack the task before us with the same commitment.

This is just the start.

~G~rin.

Thor listens intensely to Godfather JesseJames and nods in agreement at what has been said.

It is very good of you to come out here and share with everyone exactly how you come to be in the position you have now. I have to admit when i saw you were kept alive by SexyBeast, and then taking Godfather my immediate reaction was as you pointed out. I believed you were going to just be another Roman, and would end up being a hand grenade waiting to blow. Though having sat in meetings at heard your piece, as well as spoken in the coffeeshops personally and now reading this i feel a lot more comfortable with your position.

It is clear to see that you have put your city before anything else at all times. Any honourable mafioso would do the exact same thing. We strive to protect our city at all costs and the decision you took proved to be successful and just. I sense a bright future for Chicago with you at the helm and i wish you all the best on you adventure.

Clarity smiled as she listened to her good friend give his speech. She had respected his actions and choices from the day he made them and understood them very well. She knew that him coming forth and explaining things from his perspective would help others see him the way she saw him.

JesseJames had always looked out for her. He made sure to keep her safe and always took care of her, even if they weren't in the same city. She owed him a thousand thanks, but all he would say he needed was one. 

When he finished his speech, Clarity went up to the man and gave him a big bear hug. She smiled after letting go of him and then patted him on the back.

"You will do amazing, my friend. I'm honored that you would take the time to quiet the voices that speak ill of you and show them that you aren't what they believe you to be. I hope that a great future lies ahead for Chicago and you. I, for one, know you deserve a happy ending after all the pain you have recently felt over the loss of our friends."

"Thank you for everything."

Clarity didn't say much, but what she did say came from the heart. Waving goodbye to her friend she then wondered off to go grab a cup of hot chocolate. The cold air was really starting to get to her.

T-Man listening to story of the great Chicago and what happen to it in the last few weeks told by JesseJames

"I never read much stories on the war in these passing weeks"

I am glad that someone with an excellent talent in telling stories


T-Man runs away after a few brief words

JesseJames, in the short time I have known you, it's been a pleasure.  A lot of people will be pleased with you taking the time to come out to these Streets and let them know the thinking behind the actions.

I salute you as a brave and courageous man.  It was a pleasure to work with you.

Thank you for taking the time to come out to address the reasons behind the recent bloodshed.  I won't lie I am one of I'm not sure how many, that wondered how you survived after being RHM to Roman. In my opinion you made a lot of tough decisions, but in the end you were loyal to your city and protected it at all cost, and that is clearly what matters. 

I do have one question though.  I don't really know Jade, but you speak of the little respect you have for her because she did not put her city before her.  But then you talk about how NO and LA plotted against CHI for some time.  However, you have the utmost respect for Kimble.  This is a part of your speech that I do not understand.  If they were in this together how could you respect one and not the other, just because one of them was a long time friend?  Perhaps there is a piece of the puzzle that I am missing. 

First off, I'd love to take this moment to thank everyone who has taken their time to listen to my speech. 

Kriminal,

Without going into specifics out of respect for the dead.  I will say that Jade was given the opportunity to save her city.  I discussed the possibility with her RHM of her staying out of the war (looking past the fact that there is evidence of her plotting against CHI).  Jades RHM approached her only to fall on deaf ears.  Jade, without thinking too much of her city refused to discuss any possibility of a cease fire (not that much blood had been shed at that point).  All we asked is that Jade stay out of the war that was already underway.  For whatever reason she refused to listen.  As fas as im concerned she put herself before her city and i think the people directly invovled can agree.

Fair enough.

At this point I was lost and I didn’t quite know what to do. This is when I was approached by the late, great SexyBeast (whom many might not know was an extremely close friend of mine) and he informed me as to what was going on. He broke down why he had chosen to install a new head of Chicago and why he and Chuckle had marshalled the Barbarian Horde.

It was a lot to take in as you can imagine and there were many things going through my head. I no longer knew where my loyalties lied, because my Godfather was dead. Should my loyalty be to Premeir, the Godfather of a completely separate city or to the rest of my city, including my very close friend SexyBeast? It was a tough decision but ultimately I chose the side of SexyBeast and the remainder of Chicago.

What it came down to was the fact that my loyalty was to Chicago and not New York or Premeir. At this point many were sceptical of me joining SexyBeast, believing that I would defect at the nearest opportunity or “level shit to the ground”. Whilst an understandable first reaction, this was inaccurate and fortunately SexyBeast knew me well enough to know that this would never be my intention. Despite the wondrous SexyBeast’s assurances, many people pressured him to HQ me and take my gun, which again is understandable, but one of the primary players in the Horde was vouching for me and this should have been enough.

I have to say I fully agree with your comments here.  My bloodline has never had the opprotunity to work with yours, and I am afraid, as an outsider, I had some preconceived notions about your character.  However, from the moment SexyBeast vouched for you, I had complete faith that you were here for us, and that you would be loyal to him.  My time with SexyBeast, short as it was, was some of the best my bloodline has experienced on these shores.  He was an excellent leader.  I trusted in him, and I trusted that the decisions he made were of the highest calibre.  Knowing that he trusted you, set any worries I could have had about your motivations at ease.

I feel lucky to say that I was not disappointed.  You have shown up for him, for us in a big way, and I truly appreciate it.  Though I was completely gutted to learn of my godfather's death, I was honored when Grin approached me and offered me a spot in your family.   I am enjoying getting to know you as a leader, and I believe, getting to know you as a friend as well.

Godfather James.

Could you humour me on a couple of issues.


You say the RHM of Jade was approached about peace yet as this was happening Alchemy one of her crewleaders was shot down without as much as undoing his jacket to check to see if his trusty gun was in his waist band.

At this point it is hard for any godfather to stand down in the face of an enemy as one of their crew leaders had been killed. What would you do if in one hand someone was saying stay out of a war with an Ally yet they were at the same time shooting members of your city?

You also claim you have little respect for Jade and measure her leadership based on how devoutly their city stands behind her.

Based on this one can only assume that following the majority of Chicago's living crewleaders turning their back on the late great godfather Roman your measurement of him is quite poor.

Jade had joined a war council with Kimble and Las Vegas. At this point, the fact she was offered anything other than a bullet in the face (which she subsequently received) should have been considered a blessing. What would you assume her, and by association her leaders, plans to be if their Godfather is sitting in a war council with your enemy? Whether Alchemy had undone his jacket, pulled out his gun and fired it at 50 people or danced a flamboyant tribal dance around a fire, at that point, is completely irrelevant because his leader was actively involved in a war council. She was offered a lifeboat and rather than leading her family to safety on it, she decided to enjoy a bout of bloodlust and shot multiple holes into it instead.

I think it is reasonable to consider the measurement of a leader when they are the victim of a coup involving the majority of people they have following them as a result of decisions they have made as a leader.

~G~rin.

Yet even knowing this you offered a way out to her RHM.

To me if you are on one hand trying to arrange peace and in the other you are shooting their members it shows a massive level of insincerity on the actions of those negotiating peace. But its fairly irrelevant now because we are talking about past events.

It would be interesting to see how many of LA turned their back on their leader compared to how many fought for her.

Her RHM saw sense, unfortunately he couldn't convince his leader to do the same.

I don't think that would be particularly interesting to be honest. What I think would be a far more productive use of anyone's time is to study the events and use them as a learning curve to improve future leadership and their decision making. Odds are, if you own RHM thinks what you're doing is stupid and naive, it isn't a good decision. Odds are, if you're leading your entire city to their deaths, it isn't a good decision. Odds are, if you've placed more emphasis on getting names on your gun (like shooting Cassi a neutral family in a neutral city for example) rather than saving the lives of your city, it isn't a good decision.

I could go on, but I think it was obviously a pretty indefensible and selfish act from Jade. Hopefully it will serve as an example that being able to train a gun is not the only component of a leader. There are far more important qualities that have often been overlooked.

~G~rin.

Engineer, tips up his hard hat, a little frown upon his face as he slaps his metal wrench across the palm of his hand, listening into the current debate regarding his father's boss. After while, he manages to speak his piece.


Now let me get this whole thing here figured out. It appears to me that there seems to be some double stories between y'all.

"It was only a few hours into the war when we received this hot off the wire information that LA and NO had plotted to kill Chicago together."

Now, from my father's logs here, as soon as that round started, she hollared at us to hold our guns, not to be shooting anyone from no cities because we were stayin' out of the world. Now, if we plotted to gun down Chicago, wouldn't we have started firing as soon as that war started? Even after Alchemy and a few others bit the bullet, she urged us to hold our sentries. Only after the seveth death from our side or so that we got into the round.

"She was offered a lifeboat and rather than leading her family to safety on it, she decided to enjoy a bout of bloodlust and shot multiple holes into it instead."

Now, lookie here, partner. When your deputy and a handful of those Made boys and up get killed, this ain't no random shots. That appeared to be a direct assault from the other team, and no self-respectin' Godfather would get on their hands and knees to serve some other city after they slapped her around a few times.

So, if it ain't y'all who started shooting at LA first, then it must've been LV, their sly ski-mask boys thought by shootin' us they could get us to fight the only target who had the muscle to take us all on. Either way, when a good part of your team goes down, I'd be bustin' out the level three sentry. Call it stupid, but there's some pride and honor fightin' for your fallen brothers out there on the frontier. My pa stuck it out with her, and that's all that matters to me.

Now, he might be some high servin' boss if he team switched, but that ain't how our blood-line does it. Honor before all of that self-serving horse-crap. That's all I encourage, partner.

Jade joined a war council with Kimble and Las Vegas. If there was no prior motive from her and Kimble to take out Chicago with Las Vegas, how did she manage to find her way there? I mean, it isn't like you just invite anyone to those. For example, Stallion and New York weren't in it, Cassi and Philly weren't in it and SuperX and St Louis weren't in it, so why was Jade specifically in it if she also had no involvement in anything? Did she stumble and accidentally slip conveniently into it? Somehow I doubt it.

Despite that, she was still offered the opportunity to save her family, those families serving her and her organization in Los Angeles. She decided not to and so they went down with some pride and honor fighting for their fallen brothers on the frontier. All very noble, but raises some huge questions as to what idiotic decisions led to that being necessary or those brothers being out there to begin with.

Congratulations on serving faithfully, it is commendable. Unfortunately, the leadership that was faithfully served didn't actually deserve it given their own selfish actions which massacred their family more or less to a man.

~G~rin.

I must admit my dissapointment in Jade if this is true, after telling her city members not to fly or shoot as the city was picked off one by one; to sit on a war council as they die.  She would of had a better chance mobilizing her city instead of saying wait a minute or not replying at all to her concerned citizens and members. 

flicks through his fathers diary

not much can do now though except rebuild

Monet had gone through several cigarettes by the time his Godfather JesseJames had finished his story. He had already known most of it but some of the details had been interesting, and filled in several of the questions the old man had had before. Even more so was the conversation going on afterwards. He felt that it was incredibly gracious of the godfather who had been accused of having at temper and being moody to actually take the time to come out here and answer people's questions. He didn't have to do it, he didn't even need to continue to answer these people's questions after his speech. But he did it anyway because he's JesseJames. He's not his father, or his grandfather, or his great-grandfather.  

JesseJames, our bloodlines go back, and I'm talking way back. I've worked with you the entire time I've been in Chicago and I know your loyalty lies with it and that now, as its leader you will dedicate yourself to see it grow back to its old glory in a better fashion. 

Congratulations. This is for you, it's a new fangled drink from the southern states. I thought you might like it. 

Monet gives the man a bottle of Coca-Cola.

Congratulations!

Godfather.

Lola offers her usual, gentle bow of the head as a mark of respect.

I fully appreciate that you have taken the time to fill in the gaps; as a newcomer to This Thing of Ours, you have provided a context for me and I now have a better understanding of the aftermath that I've come into. Again, I pay my public respects to all the fallen regardless of where their loyalties lay, and to you I pledge my word in fulfilling my part within the Chicago families as we strive to rebuild all that has been destroyed. I do this with pride, pride that has been bolstered further in the knowledge that I serve a Godfather who voluntarily explains his actions and clearly cares about this city. I must add, however, that an explanation from the upper echalons of our society is not something I would ever expect, let alone demand.

As time progresses, I find myself more and more assured that in Chicago, I have found my place. It is an honour and a privilege to be here with all of you at the dawning of a new era.