Dynamite, in front of the Paramount Resort and Shops in Los Angeles, set up a podium and invited news crews who would televise the speech to the nation. He stood up, a crowd of onlookers, reporters and cameramen. Various law enforcement officials stood among the crowd, waiting for Dynamite to incriminate himself. He straightened up his tie and cleared his throat, with his classic stern look in his face.

"There have been many dead bodies in the streets as all of you may have seen. From low-level gangsters to high-ranking godfathers and everywhere in between, it is a shame to see so much death in the mafioso world."

Dynamite looked at a group of FBN agents in the crowd.

"I know law enforcement does not agree with some of the alleged crimes that various mafiosos commit, but they still hold a code. Katerina recently went on a murdering rampage with the help of various associates she recruited which lasted three days. Three days of no sleep, three days of watching close family get murdered. A shame that someone so depraved would commit such an atrocity. Attempts to disable the mass shooter were futile until finally one fateful shot landed in the chest of the shooter."

Dynamite paused for a second.

"Once disabled, we were out of the wood and celebrated. That celebration was cut short when Bollix decided to attempt a shot on Spike around midnight, which ultimately missed and sent Spike's bodyguards in quickly to get him into hiding. Bollix seemed to try to get the element of surprise on Spike. A few hours later, Bollix hopped on a flight here to Los Angeles, and successfully put a bullet into the head of my boss, Rain, God bless her soul."

He became red in the face, anger growing.

"Why should this continue to drag on? We are still in danger to this day, hell, I am in danger standing up here to give this speech."

The crowd started to grow with panic but still continued to listen.

"Clearly Spike had a few enemies. Thankfully Katerina is dead but our current and active threat, Bollix, is still making his way around. I hereby start a call for Bollix and Spike to duel each other, to end this madness. If Bollix wins, let him shoot himself in suicide, knowing that he successfully bested Spike. If Spike wins, let him know that he reigns supreme, and stood by his word as he once said, 'I want to fight'. Either way, the winning party would earn the respect of our fellow mafioso. Let's stop this senseless collateral damage. To the winner, goes the spoils."

Dynamite steps off the podium, knowing he just painted himself as a big target. He sits down at a nearby bench and lights his cigar.

I think "a few enemies" might be the understatement of the year. You see Spike and his fellow buddies slaughtered religiously for years. It did not matter to them whether the person was loyal to their family or not. People of other families, as well as their own, were merely cannon fodder for them. You didn't actually have to do anything against them for them to shoot you. 

So is it really a wonder that we are in the state we are in? Perhaps stop trying to defend their actions while pretending others are the cause. The real cause was Spike and this regime's actions that have spanned quite some time. A little personal responsibility I am sure would go a long way, perhaps as the line of space-pole keeps saying, they should just apologize and all will be forgiven? 

Just an observation from someone with no bone in this fight. 

 

A welcome reprieve from the chaos of the ensuing conflict. Even Swan hunters need time to step back and surveil the scene, admire the poultry-free environment and focus on other things. Like this. A duel. A duel for all the marbles. 

Kinda. 

Simon scratches his head.

Actually, wait. I'm not sure that the satisfaction of besting Spike is quite the reward Bollix is after. I don't want to speak for him, but it is hard to understand the appeal of agreeing to a duel where, if victorious, he subsequently just kills himself in triumph. Why not just do what is he doing already, maybe win and then...not kill himself? Where's the upside for him in this? And for Spike, giving up all the advantage to permit Bollix to shoot at him is hardly the type of move one would expect from a self-declared Chess Grandmaster, is it? I think this one needs a little work before I can proudly offer my services as Spike's second. 

We'd love to hear directly from Spike and Bollix while the crowd and cameras are still here.

Spike would never duel cause Spike's not a builder anymore. He's a string puller and not the cannon you need for such feats. Someone should have taught Bollix how to move their HQ before the attempted murder if he wanted to have a chance at the pointless kill. 

Everyone tries to shoot Spike. It's the dumbest shot you could take of any. He's waving his arms to try to get you to attack him because shooting him does nothing to crumble the empire. You gotta take out the soldiers first. That's how it goes. Shoot his first wavers and guns. Don't shoot him. Gotta play these things smarter than that. 

Jul 08, 15:42:07 You have issued a challenge to duel to Dynamite-.

Remember folks, there are men who talk about other men duelling, and there are men who duel. Don’t be a Dynamite-.

Henry, I don't even know you. If you would use your critical thinking, you would recognize that your requested duel and the requested duel between Spike and Bollix are completely different.

Dynamite-, I don't think it's very smart to just dive into a battle with the stakes that you're proposing. In fact, I think it's reckless, it's foolish and it's dangerous. Nobody would know what was happening or when to tune in. Perhaps if your duel with Henry could take place beforehand, as a preliminary bout, we could ease the public into the 'main card', and buy time to craft some sort of tacky keepsake for the winner, like a large gold belt? What do you think?

… Easy for you to say…

I have no interest in dueling. A coinflip is not a fight… 50/50. I’d rather continue to play the current stupid .3% Russian Roulette we played already with Katerina.

I do not respect duels in wars, never have. Always told people not to. This has been a war. I have fought for five days averaging about 16 or more hours a day. I skipped an American holiday. I skipped out on a lot of other things to make sure that I stood by my friends, and fought.

Bollix took a shot at me. That was his chance. He failed. I owe him nothing. I owe you nothing, as entitled as you may sound. I owe only my allies my life, and I don’t think they wish for me to do the dumb move of dueling after these five days to risk throwing myself away after all their efforts to keep me alive, despite the inconvenience that Bollix has caused. I live out of Spite to my enemies, and dedication to allies. 

Bollix spied on our entire camp for like four days or so. Bollix shot Rain for god knows why (Supposedly a friend of his?)… Bollix shot at me unprovoked. (Do I get a free shot at him?...) Good on him I guess, all is fair in love and war… but why would I give him a second shot at me with much better odds? He has pissed off a lot of people, and it’s not just about Him vs. Me. What warped narrow world does your logic come from? 

Grow up and duel Henry. You literally have nothing to lose. 

Okay, let's give the crowd a good ole' fashioned duel. Henry, send your invite.

You accepted the challenge to duel Henry. The fight will begin at Jul 08, '25 16:37. Click here to view the duel as it happens or join #duel on IRC.

Good luck, may the best man win. 

How courageous to duel protected by a mountain of bodyguards. You're the real MVP here Dynamite-

In the true spirit of a Dynamite duel and on account of him being dead, I think we can declare Henry as the winner. Well done, Henry. You're dead.

I fought it closer to your turf and my BGs would have taken effect IF you would have been able to shoot at me. But I put a headshot right in between the eyes, man. Chosen by coin flip and you sent the invite. We ended the duel as your requested, albeit not to your expected outcome. Let it be.

MSRain pulled  Dynamite- to the side, speaking softly but loud enough for others to hear.

Dynamite Rain loved and admired you, but she wouldn’t want this.

Let’s place things in their proper perspective.

Bollix is nothing but a fucking rogue.

After all we went through, he betrayed his family.

He took an illegal shot, missed, jeopardizing all of us.

Spike didn’t make him do that.

We know you are upset.

Bollix is a dead man walking.

Don’t let this drag out, kill the son of a bitch.

With all due respect MsRain, Your kins hours were numbered by the powers at hand the moment you set up. Bollix beat them to the punch is all. And some are not convinced this was all Bollix's doings to have your kin killed. I advocated in your behalf how fucked up it was and why it was messed up. But they want to keep a tight rope on muppets, puppets, strings ect. and you are none of the above.  Now you can keep running back to the current people in position who are remnants of the toxicity running around here for three years. Which is the equivalency of banging your head on the wall and expecting different results. In other words it is insane! 

You should have been praising Katerna for cleaning up the toxicity because you are not in on the in crowd to be authed.

Thank you  TDT2 but this isn't about me.