PoisonousJelly was sitting in a bar. He loved the smokey atmosphere at the fact that he no longer had to pay for a drink in Los Angeles. It had been a busy and long day so far so he was keeping to himself. Listening as all those around him made him smile and remember how much idiots there are around this place these days. The massive amount of testosterone flying around these young gangsters veins and ridiculous arguements. However, there was a booth over in the right corner. As PJ focused on this one particular booth of mobsters, their words became more clear and their heckles becoming more and more. "How can a man of Boss rank be authed to run a city?", "WHAT? A Boss rank has a Don running a family in his city?" and "How fucking idiotic that a Don follows a Boss!" They were shouting.

After spending a good while listening and watching the mafiosi at the table pay their tab and leave to the street. PJ follows them in to an alley way and gives off a loud whistle. Catching their attention he smirks and stays silent while they threatened him with their guns drawn. "Who the fuck are you?" They say.

Alright boys, I am Boss PoisonousJelly. Nice conversation you guys were having in there. Hell... I don't blame your wondering of who, what, where and why. I'd be doing it myself. Just so happens that you guys were unlucky today and I happened to be listening in. So i'm going to enlighten you a little bit.

Morgan, Oh dearest Morgan. What an asset she is.

Yes, Morgan is running a family in my city. Also, yes, she is a Don. However, I was promoted to Underboss of Philadelphia under ScipitaRourke when I was but a Made Man. I ran and led many of Don's under ScipitaRourke. Three of them being Bosses and 2 of them being CapoDecina's. Where there any questions then about my rank and my ability to lead them? No. I had Godmother ScipitaRourke's full support and the respect of those I was to lead. Not a damned problem.

However, I guess now i'm in the public eye a lot more. I don't just need the respect of those I lead. I need the respect of my peers. The only way to get that is through this little talk i'm having with you guys, I know you'll spread the word. Through my future public appearances and through my private dealings with anyone I should need to come in to contact with. That all takes time. Something I'm hoping to have plenty of. You'll all see.

Considering i'm such a low rank compared to others that could have been in my position though, I consider myself a target in the eyes of many. Many of people who would love nothing more than to solidify my feet in cement and send me to the bottom of the river. I need protection while I strengthen the City Of Angels. What better protection can a guy in my position have than a well established Don and her family? Exactly.

From the look on these mobsters faces it was clear PJ had made his point. Smiling and nodding he turned his back on them and exited the alley way to the street. Disappearing back in to the bar he'd just come from

How many times have we seen someone authed in a city, to only straight after receive the rank of Godfather without truly earning it. This way PoisonousJelly first has to get the city running, see what it takes to run a city before he can even consider becoming the next Godfather.

I must say I prefer it this way, now we can watch as he either succeeds in this task and becomes the next Godfather of LA which I honestly hope he does or watch as he crash and burns with the rest of his city with him. You have a challenging task ahead of you PoisonousJelly, I wish you all the best in it and already you are making good decisions by having a Don covering your back.

Sorry I saw Straight in the subject and PJ as the author.. thought it must be some kind of oxymoron.

Thanks for that Raptor. Next time please keep your friendly jokes to my mail box when i'm talking about something serious.

Merry Christmas

Heh, please excuse my minor indescretion on the regailing of your story earlier, the night was dark and my cup was by then well emptied, having subsequently read beyond the title I might attempt to add greater value by my next statement.

Our bloodlines have known each other for a very long time, always as friends and on occasions in the same family. I have no doubt in your abilities to lead which are a credit to your lineage and have been demonstrated by your families holding of senior positions time and time again. I also look forward to seeing you return the until recently derelict city of LA back too, and beyond it's former glories. With Morgan working under you I am greatly excited by what the future brings for this long uninhabited city.

Your father was greatly respected by Godmother Scipita and was rightly given his chance to lead his own family, alas the opportunity was cut cruelly short by actions which at the time rendered your good city of LA empty. Happily though you have risen to fill your fathers footsteps in Philly and now a similar... rather greater, opportunity has be granted to you to lead this city. I wish you all the best with it of course my old freind.

The issue of ranks of leaders and RHM/LHM's has often been debated with arguments such as "how could a gangster be a RHM to a Don" and such like, I feel this situation is a very similar one in many ways. I don't intend to rehash these earlier discussions, merely to summise that for the most part the conclusions drawn in those speeches point to certain features that the Gods define to us contrasting with unquantifiable qualities like trust and respect. To be honest, whilst educating a few mafiosi in your tale, I believe firmly that actions speak louder than words and that any doubters as to the heirachy of LA would have their minds/doubts put at ease when they see the city being rebuilt under your stewardship.

The main area that is of interest to myself is the simple fact that..Morgan holds a higher rank than you (in the ranking system of the Gods) what happens when she inevitably gains the chance to become Godfather of LA and thus take control of the city from your own hands? Surely no self respecting mafiosi would step aside from such an opportunity and at which point the control of the city would be flipped?

Surely no self respecting mafiosi would step aside from such an opportunity and at which point the control of the city would be flipped

I know what you're saying there. I completely agree too. How tempting would that promotion be. The pinnacle of what we all should hope to achieve. It's different for different people though. Some people don't hope to achieve the rank of Godfather but really just prefer to serve and do what they do best. Morgan I know for a fact has had this chance already and declined it. Not just because the city was given to me but because she too, like the people who have given me this chance already, would like to see what I can do for this city and for me to achieve the rewards that come with it. I thank them for this. All though a lot might not agree with it. I could care less. The chance was given to me and I intend to prove Godmother Scipita and all those that are backing me are correct for their decision and opinion.

With all that said, I don't think you can say someone who turns down such an opportunity has no self respect. I think you can say this person has a lot of self respect through their morals and willingness to let someone else hop above them where rank is concerned which also shows a lot of respect for me and my old Godmothers decision.

Well, my goodness. Such a lot of thoughts concerning this discussion and deciding which to put into words and how to express it. First let me tell you about my feelings concerning PoisonousJelly being given this city. My family has known this man's family for multi generations, and I am aware of some of the background that occured in his bloodline prior to my ancestors arrival on these shores. I have the utmost respect and care deeply for him and his sacrifices and hard work for Philadelphia. I cried at his father's death as it meant one more postponement in his dream and GodMother Scipita's plan for his bloodline to run L.A. I was thrilled to see his bloodline back in Philadelphia and eventually as UnderBoss again. We discussed this move a long time ago, all of course dependent on our leaders approval. Obviously Jono's death and subsequently PoisonousJelly's arrival put all that on hold.

But, it remained everyone's dream and how could I not help fulfill it? That would have caused me to disrespect my own values and standards concerning my own behavior and the keeping of my word etc. Yes, of course a position as the GodMother of a city is tempting but it is not my time to shine, it is his and everything I can do in my power to make it so I will, and have done so including turning down the "God's" announcement that I was ready for that high honor. To do this, actually adds to my self-respect as a person and a leader in this world as in addition to keeping my word, I am able to look at it all objectively enough to know that with so much more experience and knowledge due to his longer bloodline, PoisonousJelly is much more the person for the "ultimate" leadership position in our city then I.

I hope this explains to people what does I am sure, seem odd to them and that it will lay to rest this issue.

Yes, of course a position as the GodMother of a city is tempting but it is not my time to shine, it is his and everything I can do in my power to make it so I will, and have done so including turning down the "God's" announcement that I was ready for that high honor. To do this, actually adds to my self-respect as a person and a leader in this world as in addition to keeping my word, I am able to look at it all objectively enough to know that with so much more experience and knowledge due to his longer bloodline, PoisonousJelly is much more the person for the "ultimate" leadership position in our city then I.

Morgan, It takes a strong person to admit that someone else it more ready for the position then yourself. You have been faced with that option of just taking over but you put it to one side and ignored it and like you said you will get self-respect from it. Well I have to say for that aswell you will gain a ton of respect from many other people.

It shows that you're pure to your word and you are a very trustworthy woman and are not in this world just for power, money and the usual human being action which is known as greed. You have shown tremendous amounts of respect to Godmother Scipita and PJ by sitting tightly with PJ in LA and working alongside him and not only helping him build a fantastic city but also aiding him in getting to the ulitmate rank of Godfather.

I will tip my hat of for you Morgan, your a very nice woman and you have a pure heart. You did wonders for Philly and you will do wonders for LA alongside PJ as his head Don. Many respects to you from my part and majority if not all of Philly for showing your true to your word and you are truly an angel.

Mikhail walks upto Morgan and gives her a big hug

While not everyone throughout the eight cities has the aspiration to be a Godfather, when the opportunity comes up to you directly it shouldn't be considered wise to turn it down. To turn down the offer to take on the current Godfather would be like spitting in his face by saying 'Thanks but no thanks, i'm too good for this'. If a current Godfather is coming to you to take over his city, obviously he feels you are qualified enough to do it. By turning it down it's showing a great deal of disrespect to that Godfather.

Sure, there was a plan. But how often does the plan go exactly how it's intended. Most of the time a glitch will occur, a bump in the path will arise, and you just have to deal with it how it comes. Sure the intention was to see PoisonousJelly obtain Godfather of Los Angeles, but it looks like the current Godfather of the city felt Morgan was more fitting to take over the role at this point in time. I'm not saying that PoisonousJelly wouldn't fit the role well, i'm just saying that turning down the offer to take over the position would probably offend the Godfather.

I agree with you Godmother Aurora. However in this case the previous Godfather is no more. He is 6ft under or swimming with some fishes somewhere.

So she disrespected no one in this case.

The whole idea of how LA is being run however is quite off kilter in my opinion. I'm a man who thinks rank means something and by rank I mean the rank you hold not the rank you are given. If you are a Boss then you are a Boss if you are a Don then you are a Don. Which is above a Boss not below it period.

A Don is above a underboss not below it. That is why they call the Don the Don and not Underdon.

However not everyone sees rank this way which is kinda sad to me but oh well nothing I can do about it. So I'll just live my life the way I do and if I ever lead a family I'll run it the way I want.

Everyone has their own ways and not everyone will agree with how they are done.

Damn I rambled a lot and loss myself in that ramble. Damn late nights and drinking!

My point, Uncle Pennybags was that the Godfather did approach her and she rejected him. If he approached Morgan, maybe he faked his own death and was hiding out somewhere waiting for the right time to hand over his title. There are all types of 'what if' scenarios about where he's been, but the point is that the Godfather was around and approached someone to take over the position.

Leo steps forward and coughs so that he gains attention.

My father was a prolific speaker, I prefer to stand back and listen mainly. Although this subject has drawn me to speaking.

When the choice of leadership of Los Angeles was made, I am sure that much was taken into consideration. It was seen that PoisonusJelly had the right qualities to take the reigns of the city and was given the position of "Acting Head of L.A", as acting head of L.A he chose to enable Don Morgan to work under him. Had he made this choice as Godfather, noone would have questioned it. As Acting Head of the city, the chosen position until he aquired Godfather, he would have every right to do what he sees fit with the city he is leading. I see the benefits of allowing Don Morgan to set up a family in L.A, what is effectivly "PosionusJelly's City", and I applaud his decision.

We see Dons with higher positions of power than other Dons, just because they have achived the recognition to be called a Don, does not mean they only take commands from a Godfather. That's just not how it works. PJ is acting head of L.A and his choices should not be questioned by anyone other than those that reside in his city, and even then, he's in charge, what he says goes.

As for Morgan, the current godfather of L.A is dead (Or presumed so). Even if the choice were to be offered to her, I think it is in any mafioso's own choice if they wish to take up that mantle. Disrespect? I doubt it. Having the courage to admit you are not ready, or unwilling to take that responsibility shows more respect for the good of the city than anything. Just because the option is open, doesn't mean it is the right one.

As for the "Bumps" of Jono's bloodline taking over lead of L.A? I have one thing to say.

"If we wait for the moment when everything, absolutely everything is ready, we shall never begin."

Marley sips from his joint as if he were slurping fine Italian pasta. Marley's taste-buds have become more acquired to this taste, being that he has been dealing with Italian's since his first day of joining the underground world.  Marley thinks to himself, "Those damn Italians sure know a thing or two about respect, loyalty, and honor.  Boy I tell I ya!", Marley snaps back.  The joints usually takes advantage of his thought process causing him to wonder off into dream land at times. Ummmm... I like brownies.

Puffs, cough, speaks

Maybe I can clear things up a little.  I'm Marcellous Marley, Right Hand to LA.  I worked my ass off for the Godmother of Philly my whole life.  I worked my ass off for PJ about half my life.  PJ was the RHM to the Godmother of Philly.  This means he was 2nd in charge to the whole city of Philly.  Morgan, my business partner and trusted friend, ran a crew out of Philly under the Godmother of Philly who had a RHM by the name of PJ.  This young PJ guy also played a major part in Morgan, the Philly crewleader, getting her esteemed position.  At that point PJ was 2nd highest in the Philly crime structure.  Meaning even though Morgan ran a family out the city, she was still to answer to that young guy PJ.

Now!  We've gotten that part out the way and I can get down to this LA business.  The great Godmother ScipitaRourke took note of all the daily accounts, meetings, dinners, business deals and so ons that young PJ had been taking care of swiftly day to day.  Always their when she needed him, always their when it counted.  All that hard work paid off and the Godmother knew PJ would be the right man to take business out west.  She gave him that ok and here we are.

Things still stand the same.  Jelly was in charge of myself and Morgan in Philly and Jelly is in charge of myself and Morgan in LA.  Nothing really changed but the city. Only thing is now I look at him as 1st in charge instead of 2nd.  Honestly, I thought more disagreement would come from those of Don status within the city of Philly, who may have felt they were robbed or cheated of this great opportunity.  No Don's from Philly have whined, cried or bitched about the decisions made by their Godmother and life went on.  Problem is, it's everyone else who seems to not agree with this situation. We've seen some take matters into their own hands, GRHS.

Maybe it will pass over like the Gangster or Earner RHM arguements that once crowded our streets with debates.  All in all, at least the structure was maintained, being the Jelly didn't become Right Hand to Philly until he was MadeMan.  We followed protocal, so to say, if there was any to follow around here anymore these days. That another story in itself.

I said all that to say, LA is in good hands. I know so and so does Morgan.  Hopefully once the noise calms down people will pay more attention to the great changes myself, Jelly, and Morgan have in store for the city and hopefully will come participant.

Marley puffs the reefa, coughs, spits, begins to walk away, only to look back and say

Mon!

"I'm not saying that PoisonousJelly wouldn't fit the role well"

I'm not sure where that got misconstrued as questioning the way Philadelphia runs their business, and i'm not sure where the fact that someone wasn't made Right Hand Man until he was a Made Man comes into play as that was never brought up.

If you listen, I said that PoisonousJelly would do well if the title of Godfather were to be presented to him. My point was that turning down an opportunity to become Godfather of a city would most likely offend the current Godfather. As for the whole 'The current Godfather is dead and so on', regardless if he was pronounced dead, he's somehow made it back to contact someone he felt was ready to take over the position. That is all. No more, no less.

Also, Leo, I wasn't referring to any bumps in bloodlines. I was actually referring to bumps in plans of moving people around to their own cities and having someone other than the one intended approached for the role of Godfather.