Just over a week ago, Sublime asked if we could have a sitdown to limit the amount of bloodshed plaguing business. Fortunately for all of us, that bloodshed has retreated to a minimum in recent days and I, along with all of you (hopefully) have enjoyed a period of success. I've recently been given the nod by dirty FBN agent Jim Howe to push 34 units around whenever I please, I got a jazzy new suit and I've nearly trained one of my bodyguards all the way to full fitness.  

Despite this meteoric rise to near 90% prowess for FatGrin, I have found my mind drawn back to that discussion of Sublime's. During it, tongue-in-cheek, Champ announced that Detroit and Chicago should be vacated allowing NPCs to settle in to provide a physical buffer between the competing factions. This was met with derision in most quarters, as you would expect, as there are no positives of NPC ownership, although I personally queried whether there would be any true loss if that was to occur either, given the few positives to draw from the offerings of the incumbent leaders taking up that real estate. A week on, and unfortunately not a whole lot has changed in those cities that would convince me that I was wrong, however and perhaps more pertinently, a district has remained entirely vacant for nearly the same amount of time.

I know it is hard to believe that organised crime has ceased entirely somewhere, but Hollywood is, at the time of speaking, 5 hours and change away from an NPC invasion. In response to recent criticism BillyMastrosimone has adorned himself with a delightful traffic cone outfit, which really brings out his eyes, otherwise though the Los Angeles hierarchy remain tightlipped upon what the future holds for this district. Downtown bigwigs, Jimmy and Wise Guy patriarch of the family, Joe_Ligambi, with their low and extremely low presence respectively, may even be unaware of the situation about to unfold in the north of the city. Who knows?

I don't really blame them if they are unaware. Has anyone else really noticed that this district is vacant? Are we expecting anything to come out of there when it is filled? Who looks like the most promising candidate from LA to fill the void? Has anyone stood out as either chomping at the bit to be given the opportunity or seemingly deserving of it? I personally have not seen any cream rising to the top, I could be wrong though, so please do share the name of any would-be leaders lurking in the shadows who have impressed you. 

Perhaps there is a plan already in place to take Hollywood to new heights of "relative prosperity for those in power" and this fat Wise Guy is pondering things unnecessarily. An NPCs invasion would tell us a lot about somewhere and the leadership in charge if it was to happen. It would be quite embarrassing if after a whole week nobody could be found to get a handle on the district after all.

Whatever the outcome, I think that HollywoodCL will have big shoes to fill should he step up. He will have to resist speaking in the Streets entirely to avoid surpassing the non-mandatory appearances of the other leaders of the city. He will have to flout a hierarchical structure and accept that someone who hasn't made their bones is in charge, as with all "realistic mafia experiences", and he will have to go nearly 72 whole hours without swirlying a New York Capo before blowing his both of their brains out to outlast his predecessor.

A tall order. Is our man HollywoodCL up to the challenge or will one of LA's own lift their head from out of the toilet bowl, stand up and be counted? 5 hours and change until we get our answer. 

Now, now, now FatGrin, don't let this crazy world of ours get you down. It's always nice to see your happy face, especially in this mafioso life we all share. The NPCs are going to have to go back to where they came from because, as I'm sure you have already seen, Joseph-Clemente is overseeing our Hollywood operations, a great guy in fact and sports his new suit well. I am definitely looking forward to see him be successful.

By the way, I love your new suit. If you ever find yourself in LA, stop by my hotel and we can have a drink there. Please don't turn that frown upside-down. I genuinely do love speaking with you.

Dynamite nods at FatGrin and gives a friendly pat on the shoulder.

Apologies, correction, meant to say: "Please don't turn that grin upside-down." 

Keep that contagious smile going.

Dynamite smiles and heads back to the bar.

I'm not down, Dynamite-, far from it. Did you not hear me say I can push 34 units and I have a near 90% prowess? How can I be down with relative prosperity like that? Even less so now that I've heard of your admiration for my suit; I'm positively beaming. So please, spare no more thoughts for the status of my face, unless there is an LA crewleader with their hand on the back of it forcing it towards the murky depths of a low level W.C. Let us instead focus upon the bright future of Hollywood. What tales will be told about the Ligambi Crime Family: Clemente Crew in years to come I wonder? 

The NPCs should have taken Hollywood. I have yet to see a decent leader go up these days. Perhaps one day.

The future is bright and optimism is high. Though it looks like our new unsponsored acquaintance Zoyechka doesn't seem to share that outlook. With that kind of mindset, you expect no change. Take after FatGrin. He has generally been open and fairly neutral. I know two days old isn't a long time, so I hope you find a crew to build a relationship with in any city you like.

I prefer not to take after anyone Dynamite. i guess I am just not a follower. I actually have a brain that works and I prefer a better standard than what I currently see. Perhaps I am picky.
 

Given the current list of leaders, I will wait until someone worth the time steps up. Might be a year from now, might be a week, might be a day. I'll wait.

Absolutely your choice! The mafia life isn't for the faint of heart. Hopefully if you find you mesh well with one of our current mafia leaders anywhere here in the States, you'll get a good bite of the Mafioso life. Civilians and lower-ranked unsponsored members usually find a crew because the Great Depression really sucks the bank accounts of the everyday person from the measly pay of legal jobs and crew work is pretty lucrative.  

Dynamite-, I appreciate your concern. My mother set me up fairly well though so I am not struggling just as my daughter won't struggle should I meet my fate. Whatever that fate may be.