Katerina reads the speaker, far away, her usual bright smile replaced by a furrowed brow of contemplation. This was not some minor turf war; this was a head-on attack, at the top level. The idea of "empty streets" and "stagnation" rang true, but the strategy? A "peaceful protest" in their world? It raised more questions than it answered.

"Hmm, that's. certainly a message. And it's causing waves, I'll give you that."

"To the speaker of this 'Stand' – you've got guts to say that. Calling for a mass walkout, a 72-hour suspension of all activity. That's a big risk. Especially when you're calling out names like that."

"But here's the thing: in our world, 'peaceful protest' isn't always in the playbook. You're discussing shutting down the machine, but who's going to sweep up the pieces if it does so? And what happens when those 'ivory towers' don't care to be reminded of anything?"

"I'm trying to visualize the real endgame here. You talk about change, of merit, of not burning it all down. but if the streets get dark, if the earnings stop, that's a damn big message. What then happens after the 72 hours? What is the true cost, and to whom?"

"It sounds like you're tired of it, and to be honest, many people feel that way. But 'resistance' without bloodshed usually still draws blood in this game. So, what is the real play? What is the real strategy behind this 'Stand'?"

As the chatter continued in the streets about next Friday and the possible walkout of mobsters, StripheCorelli leaned back in his chair and looked out the window. It was hot now as they were deep into June and the days were long with the sun burning the common mans back as he worked hard in the streets. He sat at his desk looking over documents as he flipped through the pages one at a time scanning them carefully nodding his head in agreement at times. 

You know its never perfect and it will never be... this life of crime we lead. You work hard to get power with people that you trust working with you and then you want to make them strong and watch them flourish with every breath you have and when is enough? Every mobster who walks our streets has a different goal and their eye on some sort of prize.

Its not easy - there are snakes, fakes and people your father shot 20 years ago who are plotting in some alley with the anger of 1000 armies just waiting to strike so care must be taken at all times in our business.

I like to think I am an approachable Godfather for my city and always open to ideas even when outside of what a lot consider the norm. I enjoy watching a new mobster make their bones, get crew leader and watch them flourish even when I know tactically its not my best choice. You bring up statements like "Because we deserve a world where everyone matters, Where ideas thrive and Where families rise and fall on merit, not monopoly". I am not blind to the problems in our world just like you cant be blind to the fact that its not all that bad, 24/7 365 all across the nation. 

I wonder - When was everything so perfect since its so bad now like you say?

I can't say when everything was perfect, but I'm pretty sure that somewhere between Spike pleading for his enemies to stay to make it interesting for him, the Burgerhousings, and Uncle Joe admitting he didn't want to lead, maintaining obscenely low activity subsequently and nobody in power even caring about it, is when it got "so bad". Who knew the Monella swirly would be a high point? 

I'm not going to say I feel so sorry because things aren't like they "used to be" since like I said a billion times already, I wasn't around when it was like that. However, I don't believe things are as bad as some make it.

Sure I don't always agree with the decisions some higher ups make but that comes with the life, doesn't it? We do our best to make money and be in a respectable position. At least that's my goal.

So that being said, I am sad to see one of my associates joining this protest (At least one I don't know if more have messaged the organizers privately), and that is mainly because there haven't been any complaints brought up to me.

I know I cannot stop anyone but I'll at least give it a shot. I want to know why they chose to do this. If I find out, maybe I can help.

So, Ryusui , I've reached out to you privately. Like I said in the mail, I don't mind whether you reply here or via mail. Once again, I just want to help.

I THINK IT WOULD STRENGTHEN THE MESSAGE IF WE WERE ALL WEARING COWBOY HATS WITH "WALKOUT" EMBROIDERED ON IT DURING THE PEACEFUL PROTEST OF THE COMING WEEKEND.

IT WOULD REALLY SHOW THAT WE'RE A COLLECTIVE OF INDIVIDUALISTS.

I EAGERLY AWAIT BOTH MY ENVELOPE WITH 2 MIL OF MISSED PAYCHECK MONEY AND WALKOUT-COWBOY HAT.

I'M SORRY FOR YELLING I'M JUST TRYING TO MAKE MY VOICE HEARD OVER DETRACTORS PEOPLE LIKE KATERINA AND LUCY WITH THEIR UNNATURALLY LOUD VOICES.

Tumbleweed drifts in unabated.  Theee wasn’t many people to tumble into.

”The walkout has already mostly taken place over the last year or so. I don’t think there’s much here to see.”

Tumbleweed catches a strong gust and tumbles off into the distance. 

Dynamite walks up with a picket sign.

"Protest the protest!" the sign reads.

He had beefed up security at his Los Angeles hotel and sent a security envoy to Detroit to ensure the Paramount Detroit's safety as well. Walking the streets of LA, he kept an eye out, but business in the Main streets was alive and booming and the dice rooms were busy. He stood ready to defend his city if things got out of hand.

Ready to defend? Main streets alive and booming? 
 

You didn’t need to worry about defending. You might have missed the point. I don’t think anyone had any intent of attacking. 

Also, a quick review suggests we have 1-2 communications in the Main Street per day, and they’re all just little anecdotes like this one. I don’t know how that’s alive and booming? It looks more like dead and barren. But - that’s just me. 
 

Tumbleweed blows off into the barren lands.