It is a bright and lovely day. The birds are shining and the sun is singing... or maybe that's backwards. Either way, stuff was going really well. Marietta Rossi, Detroit figurehead, steps out of her headquarters that day to a crowd of people. She smiles at them, nodding her head graciously as she steps up to the golden podium WillieRourke had set up for her. Such a nice boy, that Willie.

"Thank you all for meeting me here," she says, stopping the chatter and nodding hear head at the crowd. "Glad to see my invitations were received. I suppose I will get to the point, and allow you all to continue on with your work for the day."

She clears her throat, finding the note cards that Rourke had prepared for her. Good ol' Rourke. What would she do without him?

"I am utterly honored to be able to make this announcement here today," she begins with a large smile.

Many people turn to one another, eyebrows raised in interest.

"Though this news may take many of you by surprise, this is not something that has slipped under my radar. In fact, I feel confident in saying that I have spent almost a month preparing for this joyous occasion. Days of planning, and weeks of construction it took myself and my associates. Yet we were all fueled by pride and happiness to work in such a fine city."

"With that in mind, I would like to take this opportunity to state that for the city's anniversary, I have given Detroit a mini make-over. Over the past few weeks I have been commissioning businesses to open within the districts of Bricktown, the Eastern Market, Midtown, New Center, Lafayette Park and Belle Isle. Thus far all of the businesses are doing well, and a special thank you to their various proprietors as well as the people who unknowingly helped with this project- Grassboy, Return_Of_Ghost, McKnighter, Kates, Death-Knight, EdwardRossi, HairyBaby, Rourke; without you, this project could not have been completed so many, many 'thank you's for your kind contributions."

"For my part, I spent many a night sitting in my office wondering what I could do. What sort of landmark I could create to commemorate the legacy of this city. I began to think back to the days when Detroit's first 'crews' began to pop up. I was in my early twenties. The place was considered to be a great place for the young mobsters to go, to find their way around. For the civilians and thugs and gangsters to have a place to congregate off the docks. To get their bearings on this World, and to get an education on our way of life and to get that leg up to becoming a true blue Mafioso."

"Keeping all of that in mind, I decided to design and build a welcome center in Detroit. A place that would slowly introduce people into this Thing of Ours, giving them not only information on the city of Detroit, but on the 'business' of our cities as well. As a majority of new blood seems to stop by this part of the country more frequently than others, I have created this center in hopes that many will see it, get the help they need, and hopefully find their way into a crime family across the United States. Retaining new blood, and thus helping all of our business."

Marietta pauses for a smile, switching her note cards and reading up on the next part of her speech.

"We've also got many new businesses that are booming in our district at the moment. While there are many I would love to pass out fliers for, I only have limited time and resources. I can only suggest coming to see them for yourself, as Detroit has truly become a business oriented city."

Holding up a finger she gets a devilish smile.

"And that's not all. There is most definitely more to come in celebration of the Motor City's Underworld Anniversary. Stay tuned, you never know when Detroit will get crazy and make a scene!"

Putting down the cards she looks at the crowd, feeling something stirring in her chest. Picking up one final note card, she stares at the small gathering and sighs heavily.

"Over the years, this place has turned from a small city with one crew, to a large city with several families. I am proud to announce that I was the first to buy an authorized headquarters in Detroit, and have turned my small, fifty-man crew into a thriving empire. Though I was born in Chicago, joined my first syndicate in New Orleans, and made my bones in Philadelphia, Detroit has become my home more than any other place my life has taken me. The city took me in and made me feel as though I belong. I am thankful to the people of Detroit, all of the families, the leaders, the many associates I have had here in Michigan, and to the multitude of memories that have been made in this fine city over the years."

"I found a transcript of a conversation that took place in the Streets about Detroit, many, many years ago. I, as a fresh twenty-five year old woman, made the statement..."

"As I was saying, I think Detroit will start off small, perhaps struggling a bit. Being the newest city it has a lot to prove, and the first person to grace the latest crime city will either make or break the reputation. That being said, if someone had the patience and the know-how, I could see it becoming a very, very effective city for the tutelage of all those wishing to enter this life and start on their way to becoming a true mobster."

"Even then it was almost as if I were prophetic. As if somehow the city and I were destined for one another, and neither of us knew it at that moment in time. But I am glad to see that my ideals as a young woman have come true, for I feel that Detroit has come a long way. From being the city with the most to prove, to becoming one of the biggest in our Country, we have done well here for ourselves."

"So Happy Thirtieth Anniversary, Detroit. Here's to many more decades of family, associates, money, thievery, extortion, murder, back alley dealings... but most importantly success and a thriving business in This Thing of Ours. Without you, my life would not be as nearly as full as it is today."

"Cheers!"

Lifting a wineglass into the air, Marietta lowers it down to her lips and drains the entire contents of white wine. Tipsily she throws the glass at the ground where it shatters into tiny, shimmering shards.

"Mazel tov!" the woman shouts before wandering off to find more alcohol, as well as prepare the rest of the festivities and speeches.

<em>Hands GodMother Marietta a white rose and a kiss on her hand</em>

Congratulations, Hope it will be a great celebration!

You were truely destined to be with detroit Mariettafor the time you have served it and the time you still have to serves.

Congratulations Detroit! and Congratulations Marietta!

Job well done! :D

Harold walks over to Marietta and gives her some flowers

Congratulations mother. Detroit is a awesome city, I served there for a long time. Helping you and the others bring it to glory and peace and here you still stand after so long of leadering this wonderful city. It was a honour working with you and building the hotel for your wonderful city was the last thing that I did before I left for New Orleans so I shall be sure to keep it running for you mother.

Happy Anniversary Detroit, Your a great city and you are always going to be a part of my heart that I shall never lock away.

Well being from an elder city, I can certainly say the start of a new city is always tenuous.  And I have to say with absolute certainty that I have never seen one exist so long with only one person as its leader.  It is quite the accomplishment.  By comparison New York has had many partners and is more like Rourke in that regard.

Godmother,

Fantastic to see this, Detroit hit the ground running and never looked back. 

I need to do some mind exercises, how do you remember this stuff!!

~ tips his hat to the godmother and says " congrats detroit is amazing"

Congratulations Godmother and all of Detroit!

winks at godmother marietta and shouts out a congrats

Congrats!

Well done Godmother Marietta as well as all of Detroit. Congrats to yous guys.