Most situations threw up opportunities. Some unexpected conflicts presented previously unforeseen scenarios. So it was in this case. Curtis sat in one of the casino's on the Strip, in conversation with the Reverend. The staff and service were all still in attendance and working with the same smile as ever but everyone wondered what would happen next. A waitress brought over a drink and Curtis raised it to Al, knowing public appearances prohibited him from joining him as he'd like. Curtis chuckled at the lusty look the Reverend gave his glass of fine liquor. 

The removal of Zeitgeist's family had left the Strip leaderless and the slowly growing Las Vegas, a step back in it's development. Decisions had to be made. The city needed more mobsters on the job. He ran over various options and scenarios with Al and enjoyed a couple more drinks before the floor manager walked the long cable phone over to their booth. Curtis took the call, smiled and hung up with barely a word. Once the floor manager had gone Curtis explained what had happened in LA and that this move would determine what would play out next. The two men made the appropriate plans before Al saw Curtis off at the airport.

...

A day or two later and everything was set and Curtis was back in sin city. The customary announcement stage was set up on the Strip, a few dancing girls and tigers for extra showbiz pop and all the free drink anyone could handle. Curtis walked out onto the stage and addressed the crowd.

"Ladies and Gentlemen. Recent events saw the removal of Zeitgeist's crew here in this district. It was unfortunate but necessary. This left the city with a problem. A family needs to control the central district here and hold all future operations together. The Strip is the heart of this city and it must be alive for the city to live. Because of this, the only sensible course of action is for the Reverend_Al_Sharpton to move his family to The Strip and take control. I would like to be the first to congratulate him on this advancement and wish him all the best for the future."

Applause sounded around the pleased gathering and Al stepped forward to wave and accept it with his usual, stage-perfect humility. Curtis went on.

"Next is something that requires a little more explanation. Recently, Templar took considerable action against crews in his own city to help prevent issues arising that would have upset business for the rest of the country. He risked his own life and his family's lives to do so. This was a brave act on his part. Though undoubtedly the most notable, this is far from the only move of this type that he has made during his time in the LA project and his consistent selfless action and thoughtfulness could go unrewarded no longer. 

The situation in LA has become a peaceful one in recent times under his self appointed stewardship, some might say too peaceful. Regardless of personal feeling about the city, the man has done a stellar job and the mob community is in need of solid mobsters to build as we move forward. The opportunity has been presented to us and it became ridiculous to ignore the obvious any longer. A decision has been made to reward Templar for his outstanding performance and service to the community."

Raised eyebrows and murmurs of anticipation rippled through the crowd. 

"Templar and The Knights of the Round Table family will hereby move to the Paradise district of Las Vegas and assume full auth as a legitimate family. He will be free to expand his operation to a full sized headquarters and in time, take on the role of Godfather. He will be free to assume the role of acting Godfather immediately and work alongside the Reverend to continue the development of Las Vegas. I would ask you all to join me in a huge congratulation to Templar!"

Curtis and the crowd all ripped up in applause. Templar stepped forward and waved to accept the adulation before Curtis quietened the crowd one last time.

"Before I hand the floor to these men to have their say, I would just like to add a quick note on Los Angeles. The city and the LA project will remain as it has been. The same rules stand and the doors are, as always, open to anyone who accepts the conditions and wishes to participate. Hopefully, now that I've removed Old Father Time here, some new blood will fancy their chances at going in there and making their mark. I wish anyone and everyone going into that city, the best of luck on your adventures. Now, that's quite enough out of me, lets hear from the men of the hour!"

He waved at the crowd and stepped aside to allow the Reverend and Templar to speak.

Rev. Al set back with Godfather Curtis enjoying their drinks. It was a good day for Rev., but sadly it was at the expense of Zeitgeist, a fellow that Rev. Al had just recently formed a relationship with, but Rev. new decisions had to be made and the world had to keep turning regardless of circumstance.

GF Curtis and Rev. Al sat and sipped wine as they reminisced on days of ole in New York City, how far they've come and just what needed to be done going forward. Rev. Al had so much respect for GF Curtis. Partly because he was a God fearing man, secondly because he was a man of good faith, but most importantly a gracious tither! Rev. Al was a sucker for tithers and was usually easily persuaded with gifts of offerings to the church. After all, The Church was seeking profits in every form of the word.

As the two spoke, Rev. Al informed GF Curtis that he had mentioned to Templar, some time ago, that The Church needed to be reunited with the Protectors of The Christian Faith. This union goes back centuries and was a bond that Rev. Al felt needed to be restored. Taking the reigns as leader of the great city of Las Vegas was no small feat and being able to align itself with someone as trustworthy and experienced as Templar was a plus for all parties involved.

Curtis continued to run a few ideas pass Rev. Al...the conversation had become long and fruitful as they laughed, joked and drank merrily. It was a day that both GF Curtis and the Rev. wanted to enjoy, because these days of relaxation were always far and few in between.

One of the Deacons came over and whispered a few words in Rev. Al's ear. Rev. Al quickly began to rap up the conversation because both he and GF Curtis had both fallen behind on their cities daily business. GF Curtis and Rev. Al said their goodbye, Rev. Al leaned over and kissed the ring of GF Curtis in hopes of one day very soon, he'd also have a ring to put upon his finger to go with the many diamond ones that had already occupied space. 

Rev. Al thought to himself, "Today was a good day for Las Vegas, but the future will be great."

Stepping forward Templar surveys the crowd whilst letting everything that has been said sink in, it had been a very busy and stressful couple of days, turning to both Godfather Curtis and the good Reverend he smiles and shakes both men by the hand before turning to address the now quite substantial crowd.

It's not often I find myself lost for words but I find myself pretty close, Curtis our lines go back as far as I can remember and in all that time you have always been a man of your word and have always been up front with me and gone about things in a manner I have often admired, I can remember coming to you as a young boy homeless and astray with no real sense of direction you took me in and made sure I was safe and afforded me the time to straighten myself out, something that would never be forgotten and at the time was appreciated more than I probably showed.

When the whole LA project first came about I never gave it a second thought until a few people asked me to come over and give it a go at first I was a bit aprehensive to say the least but I soon warmed to the idea, the challenge appealed to me more than anything else and I guess I had some things I needed to prove to myself I needed to test myself in unfamiliar waters, from the begining it was clear that it wasn't a competition there were no prizes only the satisfaction or disappointment of success or failure.

So to hear the kind words said about my stint in LA makes me happy to know that I cant have done too bad a job over here, I wouldn't say I did anything special or even deserve such high praise I just went about my business as best I could whilst trying to keep the city ticking over in a peaceful and constructive way, so to have the honor of running my own district on a proper basis has come out of the blue but I see it as another set of challenges albeit in a slightly different context.

I had the pleasure of meeting the good Reverend quite a few weeks back and from the moment we first spoke I found us both to be on the same level as far as our respective lines of work went, we have conversed a fair bit since that day and our relationship has grown steadily since, the idea of moving over to LV was put to me a while back and given me much food for thought and at the time I didn't feel the move was the right move to make however circumstances change and opportunities arise once more, so it is with some regret that I will be leaving the good city of Los Angeles and transfering my operation to Paradise LV I wish those who I leave behind all the best in your future endeavours keep doing what you are doing guys you stood by my side whenever asked and made me proud to work alongside you all.

Turning back to Curtis and Rev. Al, Templar raises a glass whilst slipping a few sheckles into the Reverends charity box just for good measure.

Well Reverend I am at your service sir I'm thoroughly looking forward to helping you bring success back to sin city it's a challenge I'm sure we will both grasp with both hands, congratulations on your new position as city head I have a feeling you are going to do a grand job in your new position.

Now let the celebrations begin Salute!

I am slightly curious. Is there anything being stated on why Zeitgeist was removed? Like an actual reason? I know that it doesn't need to be but I am curious nonetheless.

Onto other things, Did Versace not reside in LA almost as long as Templar? Did he not play a part in any of the removal of the other leaders? It seems odd to give credit to a stable city to just one person and not the other that also resides there.

Seems a bit like a punishment to Versace to keep him in a project type city where he could be shot at anytime when he probably worked just as hard as Templar at keeping it stable.

I guess last nights events make a lot more sense now, too, clean up before you leave etc. I'm sure it will give some more spark to Los Angeles too, probably destabilizing the city a bit again. Got to keep the project going.

I must say I didn't expect this and I do hope Los Angeles won't suffer because of it. Las Vegas has been too empty since the recent ''necessary'' removal of Don Zeitgeist and his family. And, just like Mara here, I am curious if there will be a statement on Don Zeitgeist's removal.

But: congratulations Templar, I have known you and your line for a bit now and I've always respected your efforts. And congratulations to you you, Reverend. I hope you'll fit the void left by the death of Don Zeitgeist. 

The lure of The Strip always shone brightly from Summerlin. The death of Zeitgeist, a man Capone respected, and the important pieces of his family, left the rackets once again up to the whims of small-time street bosses until a new contender was ready to come in and establish themselves. With The Church outgrowing its position in Summerlin, there was only one reasonable conclusion. Sharpton had clued Al into his interest with an operation in Los Angeles, run by a respected consigliere who went by Templar, weeks ago. The real surprise was their own move to coincide with it.

Al watched the event take place from a distance, as he liked to do, sucking deeply on a cigarette while his associate and driver, Banks, leaned against the hood of their car. Banks was a good earner and would make his bones one day, Capone was sure of it. Now that business ran out of the heart of the city, it was about time Al opened a club and put the fella to work in it. It was the menial jobs and small gestures that earned guys the respect necessary for The Church to even think about opening the books for 'em. And how better are you gonna learn you can trust an associate if he puts in ten hours at the door of your social club, day in, day out, without complaint, until thanking you for being promoted to fetching drinks for the wise guys? 

With all three leaders having put in their word, the consiglieri dropped his cigarette down into a small pile of butts and entered the passenger seat of the car. This fabled Vegas money wasn't going to make itself.