With a sizzling sound the liquid iron is being poured into the blast furnace.  Sparks shoot into the air as oxygen is blown into the mix of scrap and molten iron. A dense layer of smoke struggles to find it's way outside. A truck just entered through the large factory doors and several people jump out as soon as it's headlights turned off. More silhouettes are emerging from amidst the machinery. After a while Rossi nods towards Tycho once everyone is gathered at the open area in front of the overseers office. Tycho begins to address the men and women in front of him.


"By now, each of you have heard that the underworld across the country took a huge blow. Respected families vanished and strong syndicates fell. Although no violence was directly pointed towards our operation, some of you have been sent out to help stabilize the situation in America. I thank you for your willingness and efforts herein. May god rest the soul of those who lost their lives during past days tragic events."

"With all that has transpired we saw that more people moved to the West Coast looking for a chance at new beginnings. It is time to be more transparent about how we plan to cope with this influx of possible employees. As you know we are very thorough in how we operate. When we started our business, Rossi and I decided on an approach that puts quality above quantity. We have shown no haste in appearing more successful then we are, nor do we give out promotions until people absolutely earned it."

"Our goal is to build a stable city, in contrast to what Los Angeles has been for the bigger part of previous year. We need a strong foundation on which we can further build and grow our city. Instead of rushing things ahead of schedule and allowing more businesses to setup, we will be putting a halt to recruitment efforts. Our focus will be on growing in quality, instead of numbers. Once our final vacancies have been fulfilled we will cease with all recruitment activities."

LA's temperatures have always been high, but inside the steel factory the heat could be unforgiving. Tycho drank from the bottle of water he held in his hand before continuing to address the crowd.

"We are however aware that in these dark times we have a responsibility to restore what we've grown accustomed too. Only by working together with parties elsewhere in the country we can continuously stay ahead of the FBN dogs. New trafficking routes will need to be established to offload the cocaine we are importing. To be able to work better with any new relations, we have decided to move a big part of our operation closer to the cities airport."

The men and women on the factory floor cheered loudly. Pasadena had been wonderful, but the central district would offer more opportunities to further grow their influence in the city. A loud bang revered through the plant as Rossi hit an empty ore container with a sledgehammer. The crowd immediately grew silent.

"I know you are enthusiastic about this news." Tycho said. "But let me continue for a brief moment, please."

"The issue remains that a lot of men and women out there are looking for a place to call home. We are preparing an expansion of our operations here in Los Angeles. But we will do that when the time is right. We are running a solid operation here and we will only expand when the continuity of our high business values can be guaranteed."

Watching silently, Rossi felt the corner of his mouth curl upwards at the thought of moving the operation across town. The reaction from the workforce was equally as pleasing, he was glad that they were on board. The Don soon finished speaking and took his leave, no doubt to meet the bureaucratic necessities associated with the move. The landscape had changed, it was time to start extending pleasantries across the remaining cities.  Rossi shook his mentors hand firmly as he passed, and with a nod of the head, he was gone. The gathered men and women soon became restless again, chattering excitedly among themselves. 

The future was uncertain, but enticing. Over the next few weeks he would be working with the Don Tycho and the soldatos to develop the workforce one by one, without having to concern themselves with over populating the operation. 

On his flank, Rossi turned to deliver instructions to SB and Tomassino, it was time to start winding things down. The two men moved swiftly into the crowd. Rossi raised the sledgehammer and called the meeting to order once more.

"Come on then girls and boys let's move, you want to see the bright lights of Downtown and I want to see some graft! It's time to start switching on that lump at the top of your necks!"

The crowd dispersed around him. He remained motionless, watching.

Much like I am sure that many of you out there in Los Angeles are big RazorRamon fans, I am a fan of anything that deviates from the norm. I would classify this strategy as something different.

Clearly this is a business decision your operation has given some thought to.  I am anxious to see how it works out for you.  Many times you will see upstart outfits claiming they are going to do the very same thing yours is proposing, but in time as things in the criminal underworld change crews get a little more lax on who they allow in as business sometimes necessitates greater numbers or there is an influx of unemployed criminals much like we have now.  I look forward to seeing if this play is successful and I applaud your outfit for giving it a try

Furthermore, I applaud that not only are you trying this out, but that you came to the streets to announce it.  I wish more leaders would do this, however over time many have used the old inaccurate "Omerta" excuse for why they do not come to the streets to announce such things.  It is refreshing to see, and the next time I am in LA I will give you and Rossi ringside seats.  Salut, Don Tycho and good luck

After listening to Don Tycho speak about his plans for the future of Los Angeles, Anna smiled.

Don Tycho, if I might be so bold as to say, I have to congratulate you strongly. You have quietly built up a solid family in Los Angeles and I'm delighted to see you move your operations to Downtown in order to further the future prosperity of the city of Angels. I hope your move has been pleasant and that you are settling down into your new buildings well. 

There is, I feel, much wisdom in the plan that yourself and Rossi have to build up the city slowly, to put quality before quantity and to create a truly stable foundation and I hope to see that patience pay off for you gentlemen. I wish you well with your future expansion.

Please look me up the next time business brings you gents to Philadelphia; it would be a pleasure to share a drink with you.