Los Angeles.

She's seen better days. Damn skippy.

The lights look a little dimmer now, the streets as empty as any ersatz ghost town. All up and down Wilshire you can see hopeful eyes peering from behind storefront glass, waiting for a customer to come a' calling. Any mook will do. Just someone to shove some money across the counter and make the cash register sing its happy jingly-jangly little tune. When you talk about a woman, a certain state of dishevelment can be an enticing prospect. The sun silhouettes through a dress and it's magic. Tangled hair all across her face, clothes in a ragged dishabille; there's beauty where none could be expected.

Talk about a city in those same terms and all you're talking about is ruin and decay. There's nothing glamorous about boarded up windows and sheet metal screwed across once busy business entrances. There's no lure in broken and cracked pavement. No love for noxious piles of refuse strewn in alleyways, ever growing because there is simply no one to empty the bins. You know underneath the grit and the grime she's still waiting to shine though. Waiting for some attention. Waiting for someone to come along and make her right. Someone who will reach down, set her back on her feet, and dust her off.

"Do not let the oppressed retreat in disgrace; may the poor and needy praise your name." Psalm 74:21

I once spent the night outside of Yellowknife in the Northwest Territories right under the Aurora Oval. End of January, flat on my back, freezing balls cold, drunk on a particularly good single malt. Trying to forget I ever met her knowing it was too late to make things right and wondering why there was no shame left in my heart. The Aurora Borealis in all of God's great majesty seemed so close that I could just reach out and grab me a handful of swirling twisting corona and string it around my neck. There were a few teepees scattered around a coupla hundred yards away but I never felt so alone in all my days. Lying there reckless and numb..that was probably the first time I became cognizant of just how much time I had wasted in my life. I crushed that empty pack of Marlboros in my hand, and reflected on how it was somewhat akin to my situation at that point. All the cigarettes were gone and I had nothin' but a pile of ashes to show for it. A hell of a metaphor I guess. I didn't sleep at all that night, and when the sun came up I scattered the traces of my camp to the winds and before long found myself 40 eastbound. Everything had changed. Life can teach you a few good lessons when you're down and out. The best one being that you have to get back up and can't be afraid to try.

Me, I'm a lot like Los Angeles. I wasn't at my best by any stretch of the imagination once upon a time. I had to have someone pick me up and set me right. Because of the faith that people had in me and a lot of hard work I got better. Godfather Premier never gave up on me, and most importantly never let me quit on myself. For that, I owe my life to him. I have been blessed with an opportunity to help him turn another life around. That of the city of Los Angeles. She's down but not out. Deep down inside still beats a heart of purest gold. She's waiting for us to make it shine anew. No one expects it to be easy but there ain't no quit in a single one of us. Together, all of us, we will make Los Angeles a thriving community again. We will clean up the streets and help the business district throw open its doors once more. The studios will be rolling film again, the clubs will be filled to capacity every night watching legends sing and play their hearts out, and the unions will be back stronger than ever with good jobs for good pay for anyone willing to put in an honest days work. Little by little we can affect a change. We can, and we will. GodFather Premier didn't pick me to help him because I can wax eloquent and bullshit anyone, he didn't pick me because I look good in a shantung silk suit and my dancing can put the best to shame, and he didn't pick me because I'm somebodies cousin on his mothers side twice removed. He picked me simply because we share a unique vision of what it will take to accomplish his goals and how to go about doing it. No, I'm no Hollywood handsome hero all romanticized and packaged for mass consumption. I'm just a guy who's not afraid to bust his ass and can get things done. Godfather Premier will transform this city into a mecca of modern industry. It will regain it's former glory. It will sparkle and shine like a star. It will be the city that is on every lip. It will be yours and ours, jobs, entertainment, good housing at affordable prices, neighborhoods where your children can grow up safe, and schools that are second to none and can give them the education they will need to lead in the future. All of this and more. Dreams are made of this, and dreams do come true. I am here to help The GodFather achieve all of this. We will succeed because we care.

Watch and see.

Los Angeles has certainly seen better days. It thrived under its former leadership and I was anxious to see what would become of the city after the last war. Now that I know its future, I feel at ease. Knowing that a man of your character, Mr Holden, will be representing LA for Godfather Premier is a delight. Any nitwit can see that you have an incredible amount of passion and dedication and that you genuinely care about bringing Los Angeles into a new age.

Congratulations to you, and congratulations to Godfather Premier for such an excellent decision.

The sun shown brightly that day. The light sparkled it's way through the trees and buildings, spilling out onto the streets. It was a perfect day for such an awakening and renewal. Also for a speech like that.

These days an excellent, maybe even a good speech was hard to come by, but the Judge played his words like a musical instrument. Her heart filled with warmth and hope while listening. Red knew they had a lot of work to do and yes, she already had hope, but the Judge's words soothed this hope and made it seem easier in reach. Her smile beamed. Red was excited and felt as if she could even jump out of her skin. Besides the fact that the Judge had just given the best speech in years she was smiling from ear to ear at just the fact that he had his own spotlight. Red was very, very happy to see him in that bold suit. Red looked over at Mr Matt Haas, a mobster she knew loosely, but respected his words - which also brought on more smiles. Well Judge, I think Haas over has been reading my mind. I couldn't have said it any better.

Were those teepees inside a type of longhouse or under the ground?  Cuz... yeah, they should have been if they were that far north.  Yellowknife is right in the arctic tundra, no?  Either way... sounds like you have a plan for the City of Angels, I'm right there with you.

I'm glad to be back on the left coast, it's been my home more times than not.  We'll make her shine.  Well... at least one of the circle will.

--Ell

Judge Holden, I'm truly thrilled to see you seize this opportunity. Best of luck in the city of angels.

I must say what a great decision by the new Godfather Premier.

Congratulations on your family and I wish you the best of luck.

Im pretty sure we shall be seeing some nice new rules being layed down in Los Angeles very soon. I look forward to those rules. Congratulations again to you both.

Godfather Premeir has certainly picked the right person to fill these shoes. I've said to you privately and i'll say it again here, I'm very delighted to see you take the reigns and aid in the rebuilding of Los Angeles. You will be a valued neighbor and I can't wait to see what you add to the city of angels.

Congratulations once again Mr. Holden.

congratulations Mr Holden, best of luck with your new family, and all the best for your future endeavours

Well saidJudge we can and will get LA up and running.

Marietta nods towards the young man as he finished his speech, feeling extremely impressed by the way he had handled himself. After the crowd had dwindled down the older woman made her way slowly over towards the new Los Angles Captain, holding her hand out politely for a handshake. The man hesitated briefly before accepting it; the entire exchange did not last long, but the older woman turned towards the one they called 'Judge Holden' and smiled at him, tilting her head to survey him.

"I don't often say things like this," she said, a twinkle in her eye as she watched the youthful businessman, "But that was just about the best speech I have heard in all my years in This Thing."

She paused, wondering what to say next but settled quickly upon her carefully measured words.

"I run Detroit, so it's not a good thing for me to show favoritism towards other cities, but I do have to say that Los Angeles, or Godfather Premier rather, was blessed the day you landed in his path. From your speech I can tell you are a very loyal and trusting man. Any leader would kill to have you. From your speech I can also tell you are very passionate about our world; about this place, about your business and your new city."

Leaning against the brick building of the man's new headquarters she gazed down the road where slowly businesses had begun to open up once more. The Los Angeles reconstruction was already underway; the Inquisition certainly wasn't wasting any time.

"Anyone who is lucky enough to hang their hat at your headquarters will certainly be in for a journey of a lifetime. I can tell. You're the type of man that people hitch their hopes to, because you're a rising star. And by you succeeding, they too in turn will succeed."

"Work hard, Judge Holden. I have a feeling that this world is your oyster, and that someday you will crack it open for pearls. Even though you may only hold a small section of Los Angeles, I have a feeling that the entire world will benefit from you being in it."

Pushing off against the wall she turned and nodded her head towards the man once more before giving a casual wave goodbye.

"Congratulations Sir, to you and your entire organization. Take this opportunity and run with it, young man. You have a lot to offer."

After waiting what felt to be a particularly handsome eternity, RonMexico (very respectfully, of course) shoved Marianna aside.

You know, certain events--certain feelings can leave a man in such a state of overwhelming joy and pride that mere words cannot even begin to express the thoughts that ache to escape him, and there's simply nothing to be said.

Thankfully, though, this is not one of those times.

There are other events, however, which... pride, joy, overwhelming, so forth... feelings that can only be expressed a week late. This, my friends, is what we are now witnessing.

He paused, reflectively, making sure that all the stragglers were at very least eying him and noticing the sleek lines of his newly pressed $200 suit. He knew instinctively that, while his words mattered not a lot, as long as he kept talking someone was sure to gaze at him flatly, pretending to understand him. This was the important part.

Yes, Mr. Haas, it is mohair. Now please, I'm trying to speak.

When I first came to these shores, I had nothing but a full set of luggage, four pairs of socks, and thirty-seven cent in mixed change to my name. Not that I was terribly poor or anything, they just limit the amount of cargo one can carry on transatlantic tugboats full of Asian child slaves and black market glass eyes. So I was forced into a bit of a tough decision-- ego or underwear.

So of course I toiled as a nobody thug, with the breeze blowing pleasantly up one pant leg and down the other, pitching my pennies in back alley craps games, turning my thirty-seven cent into forty-three, then sixty-eight, then a buck seventeen, and then a mild concussion when the street toughs discovered my loaded dice. But that's unimportant.

What is important is who was there for me when I finally regained consciousness and my vision returned--a particularly weathered and fairly priced hooker. But after I dragged myself from behind the abandoned rendering plant, I found a very genuine and enduring friend in a man named Rein (Judge Holden to you, he only allows me to call him by his middle name).

Anyhow, long story short, I guess what I'm trying to say is that this occasion is magnificent, indeed, and there's no one that I'd rather have as front man/patsy for all of my incredible ideas than this man. I look forward to many a year of him passing my wisdom off as his own, and scrubbing crayon from the HQ walls.

Oh sweet Jesus, I'm so excited I may break down in a depressive fit of uncontrolled weeping and suicide attempts.

So here's to Forever. Ass, grass or cash-- nobody rides for free.

After hearing the speech of the new crewleader, a young woman steps forward to congratulate him once more.

I am not sure I am entitled to voice my opinion in here as there seem to be only great personalities or crew members congratulating you, but my intentions are pure and I feel like I need to do so.

Your speech was excellent. It's been a long time I've been waiting for someone to impress me that way, and I am more than delighted it was you who did it.

Los Angeles is very dear to my heart, and there will be no better man than you to rebuild it, and make it shine like it desserves to. You already had the expected tremendous start, and I am confident you will keep on working until finally reaching the top. Also, I hope Chicago and Los Angeles will work hand in hand like they used to.

She kisses both his cheeks, the only way for her to express her sincere congratulations and her respect, and soon disappears through the crowd.