In my lifetime I have witnessed three generations of the BigSi lineage (each more disappointing than the last) and two generations of the Richard-Harrow lineage die in the street like dogs. Yet the world goes on. Swans came and went, that annoying whale finally shut its blowhole once and for all.

Here we still are. The ‘regime’ persists.

It therefore begs the question, who truly runs this thing of ours? The answer will require some city-by-city digging.

LA

They say that real power doesn’t need a title. Titles are just made up names for lesser men to hide behind. 

Monarch personifies this mentality. Having finally ground his way to 60 units he saw the opportunity to challenge the godfather and you know what he did? Nothing. Just sat there. Still a Don.

The man has a grip on power that no reputation boost could enhance. Could he be our real capo di tutti capo?

LV

Saying I go back with LonelyWolf would be an understatement. As a wolf that makes him my blood ancestor. 

He’s as old school as they come and still speaks the language of the old country. His prowess makes g0d look like he’s slacking.

So is he just Shaggs’ enforcer? Or does he really call the shots?

Detroit

At the heart of every syndicate is a successful cash business. No I’m not talking about the Motor City Casino, but Reggie’s Belle Blue Suite.

This guy is so critical to power that he even has his own karate trained bodyguard in KeepingReggieAlive. Sadly the last time a rogue struck he was too busy oggling milfs at the swimming pool to be of any help. Still, the rogue knew better than to mess with Reggie and murdered Death420 instead.

Still hasn’t appointed a left hand. Apparently he prefers it with his right anyway.

Chicago

There is nothing of note in this barren wasteland. Let’s move on swiftly then.

New York

When I asked people to poke fun at PropertyManager in return for a cash prize my request fell on deaf ears. No one dared.

When Matty’s father asked for a pro wack he ate lead. No one asked again.

And just days before DetroitSimon was murdered in cold blood, PropertyManager was seen viewing new properties in New York.

Does he actually manage more than just properties?

Philly

When I went out on a mission to relieve people of the contents of their pockets there was one man that eluded me. Like trying to catch smoke. They say he wears a shadow for a cloak and his footsteps sound like a gentle spring breeze. I am of course speaking of Freixenet.

He is always one step ahead. When I put out my feelers to find him the answers that came back ranged from Brooklyn to Bulgaria. Could he be our man?

PM is unfortunately very powerful. Many men have unfortunately not tried to kill him and he persists against much effort. I still believe there is some kind of underground group responsible for trying to kill him. I support them.

Chicago? I feel Godfather-King Interlude and forever Don Cavey do their jobs, or lack of, but the real king? Minty. That man is basically the next coming of PropertyManager, but he doesn't accidentally kill people!

Freixenet may be morally bankrupt, but he's funny. Is he the true King of Philadelphia? Maybe, maybe not, but as you said... He's well known and really, that's what it's all about.

LonelyWolf, Reggie and Monarch are all animals in themselves. Reggie deflects terrorists, Monarch sleeps through them and LonelyWolf shoots them. What else can be said?

When one holds absolute power, there is nowhere to move up. Sure, the simply ceremonial title of "Godfather" versus "Don" is some nice icing on the cake, but nothing more.  Why would Monarch want more when he already has everything there is to attain? He pulls the strings and the rest of us dance. It's that simple.

Also, everyone who had DetroitRagnarok outliving DetroitSimon in the dead pool, please see me for payment.

It really is an intriguing question. Thankfully for me it's one I know the answer to and it is indeed Lonelywolf. He's singlehandidly the only reason that ridiculous swan lover/hater Simon lived as long as he did.

God knows where we'd be on the west coast without him. 

You know these speculations are all well and good but I am saddened to see the greatest was left off the list.

This man has lived and died many times over, only to be revived when needed once more. A man of the people, some might say. A man who willingly gives his life and all of his members to keep the masses on these shores entertained. 

A suspect that no one would ever suspect pulled the strings behind the curtain. 

A god amongst men. Or was it more like the walking dead constantly swimming with the fishes? 

May I present another option to you? 

Tyler Durden. 

Far from a barren wasteland, Chicago is inhabited by some of the most FEARFUL mobsters in the country. The city coffee shops and businesses are a hive of activity, the where the planning of frequent, co-ordinated crimes come to fruition before successful execution, chatter about recent sporting events is commonplace, references to television sitcoms, light ribbing of pickpocketing and mugging victims... Bizarre how the best city has been missed off your capo de tutti frutti or whatever the fuck this is about.

Bad dog.

DOWN, Shep. 

Anyway, we are also knotweed and giant-hogweed free ever since our Invasive Species Extermination Programme came to its conclusion, and no-body has started an OC and forgotten about it for over 3 days now... Come here and see for yourself and I'm sure you'll re-evaluate.

If I’d ignored Detroit from the list then so you think Reggie would have come to the streets to ask why? No. Of course not. As Monarch has shown true power lies in the shadows. It’s the noisy young Turks that get popped before they have a chance to do anything worthwhile with their lives.

The mere fact you felt it necessary to come out and say you’d been overlooked epitomises why I overlooked you.

That said, I applaud your efforts to rid the city of these invasive non-native species. While you may not have a boss of bosses among you, the fight against these threats to property and health makes you true pillars of society. All I ask is that you properly dot the i’s and cross the t’s when it comes to reporting on these activities.

Let me just pick you up on this Mint_Royale:

and no-body has started an OC and forgotten about it for over 3 days now

Well I have a theory about that, having spent the past 12 hours or so in this desolate hole, trying to start an OC. You know what I'm looking at right now?

You need 1 more person to do this crime.

That's right. The reason no one has forgotten about an OC for three days isn't because you've finally banished Big 'lock up' Si, it is because no one has even been around to start one. 

As discussed with BuddyBigPaw whilst cursing the security of art galleries these days - I have a business opportunity that you'd all be bonkers to pass up!

Got an old fridge on the pavement outside your safehouse? A busted T.V set you keep tripping over in your hallway? Some toxic waste from a local plant, you said you'd safely dispose of? Or even a few corpses you've grown tired of taking out from under your floorboards and dressing up in your mother's old clothes? Well then, Chicago is the answer to your prayers! We have acres and acres and acres of primo land out here, just itching to become wasteland... Bring your waste, any waste and for a nominal fee, yeet it into oblivion here in Chicago.

Mail for more info.

When life gives you Chicago, make waste.