18.30 - Waiting outside

The setting sun threw an eerie glow over Coney Island Avenue in Brooklyn. Rob and Christian leaned against the car outside the printshop. Tired, but relaxed eyes were set deep in the rough futures of their unshaved faces.

“You’d want to clean that off.” Rob said while pointing at Christian’s italian leather shoes, splattered with blood. Christian just sighed in return.

“Our lives will be different now, my friend. What we started brings responsibilities as well, which we should probably address.” Rob continued more serious.

“Yes, the meeting with the other leaders in the country will be good.” Christian responded. “As well as sending out these letters to our contacts in the country. I hope they aren’t too rough on the poor man.”

19.00 - Inside the printshop

Despite the fresh atmosphere, sweat was clearly visible on the shop owners bald forehead. The man was in his mid forties and should’ve been at home with his wife and 2 kids. Instead he was working late, being watched by Tomas and his baseball bat. The bat had probably hit more kneecaps then balls though. Well, some balls as well, but not the kind the bat was made for. Tomas bosses had been clear about getting the letter copied and sent out fast across the country. When the first copies rolled of the printing plates Tomas read what it said.

 

“To our contacts, supporters and individuals we have met during our business ventures across America,

As you will have heard, organised crime took a huge blow across the country, topped by the murder of Godfather DoctorBoom and the chaotic war that followed. Here is a brief explanation of what happened for what reasons and what the future holds for people who operate on the shady side of the law.

Having closely worked together with DoctorBoom and his trusted people, Mr. Gato and Mr. Oakheart realised two things. First, they didn’t believe that the community created by DoctorBoom was good for business. It lacked opportunities, healthy competition and didn’t invite for participation. Second, they knew that at one point DoctorBoom, influenced by his trustees would decide that the fresh New York organisation would be a threat to the Chicago operation. Instead of taking their chances, Mr. Gato and Mr. Oakheart launched an attack on DoctorBoom and his allies.

Although the operation was just initiated by two men, a lot of raised support from criminals across the country and crime families of Chicago helped in completely removing a lot of influential mobsters. Removing people from power is just a part of the solution to the considered problems. In the coming days the new leadership will introduce practical plans for rebuilding organised crime across the country. With those plans we hope to create a community in which efforts today are rewarded over friendships of yesterday. New businesses will emerge for people to join. New opportunities will be given. Also events will be hosted at speakeasy’s across the country where people can debate about the more thoroughly explained reasoning for recent events and the ideas behind the plans that will be announced.

We are hoping for your understanding that reshaping society takes time and you allow us the time we need. We promise to make haste with getting our plans up and running.

Kind regards,
Godfather Christian Gato and Don Rob Oakheart”

 

19.30 - To the postoffice

Once Tomas stepped out of the printshop, Rob and Christian took place in the car. Tomas got into the driver seat and put a box with printed letters on the seat next to him. Before he revved the engine Tomas exchanged looks with the print shop owner one last time, making sure the man understood what “Don’t talk to the pigs.” meant.

Catharina leaned against a lamppost, reading the missives that had been spreading through the city. Every bartender, barber, and bellhop was abuzz was rumors and theories about what had been happening across New York- and the country. A recent acquaintance of hers had provided her the letter and they leaned over Catharina's shoulder, starting to talk about reasons. She stopped them with a raised hand and she spoke.

"The reasons are what they are. They wanted to run things differently and they felt threatened; that's all the justification you need in this line of business. That's all the explanation that's needed."

She shifted against the lamppost, handing the letter back to her acquaintance and crossing her arms. She continued speaking, her voice cold, but reflective.

"I just like that they sent this letter out in the first place. There's got to be some sort of news when the churches are booked with funerals, especially when it's the rank and file who wind up going to the graveyards. When something this big happens, the relatives of those who died deserve more than silence, since their kin paid for this news in blood."

She uncrossed her arms and started walking.

"I mean, sure. Anyone is entitled to wipe out a city and say nothing in the streets. There's nothing forcing them. But it's respect, ya know?

Her acquaintance quietly nodded.

Come on, we've got work to do. There's going to be a lot of people looking for work, I think."

Regardless of reason or outcome really, the decision that was made to remove DrBoom was a bloody hard one to make. My father knew of the fold and the hierarchy that went on in ch, he was once a major part of it too before he met his demise. So, reading those journals i know that RobOakheart would not have taken the decision to kill his long standing partner and probable friend lightly. He also would have known the mammoth task that stood in front of him and you know what, for that you have to applaud his bravery. It could have been a potential banana skin for those who went along for the ride with Rob. 

At the end of the day, when all is said and done, there wont be a single person here that would be more qualified to applaud Rob's move than the dear departed Mr Boom, god knows he made some devilish decisions during his reign. He knew what this world is, he would have lived and died by the sword and that my friends is what winners do. No matter if you agree with the actions of anyone over the last couple of months, this is the nature of the beast and the winners are the ones who come out on top, no matter of method or right or wrongs and thats the blunt reality of it.

Was this the right decision? absofuckinglutley it was! it was time for this world to have a new and fresh thinking, we needed new blood stepping out from the shadows and we have been given the opportunity to do this. We know that this world lives in a viscous circle or irony and death but thats why we love what we do. The reality is, that there is every chance those who sit at the top will become like the dictators we have seen come and go but thats the prerogative of those who fought and won and for those who dont like the regime to do something about, like we have seen these last few days, there is no simpler way to put it. 

All i know is this; there is no a time ahead of us that should allow for progression, it should be a time that if somebody really wants something and they work for it, then there is every right to claim it. There is no greater time to lay the foundations to how you want to map your career. 

anywho, awesome job to all those involved, well done. 

Eh, I wish leaders who made power grabs would be honest about their motives. You and your kind wanted to rule the world and DoctorBoom was standing in the way of that. Eventually when you have all your people in place, another group will come along and make the same claims about needing a change but in the end, nothing ever changes. "All this has happened before, and all of it will happen again."

Although the operation was just initiated by two men, a lot of raised support from criminals across the country and crime families of Chicago helped in completely removing a lot of influential mobsters.

You forgot to give credit to the fence sitters who kindly stayed out of the fight until they were sure you'd win. Gravy raises his cup of gravy in a toast to said oh so loyal fence sitters

Who were the fence sitters, Gravy?

No use in throwing mud around unless you want to name names.

That would be because there where none Slash.

MyNameIs; it doesn't matter what plans that anyone tell the masses. Actions speak far louder than words.

Why dont you hold your breath for a second and wait to see what the future holds instead of just impatiently jumping around hoping to make a nuisance of yourself?

"Every time we see a new power rise, they all promise new things, will they be held? Will they be the same as the previous power? Sit back, have a drink or two and be patient. I am sure in time you'll see a difference... Or not, then you'll know.

Any speculation at this current time would not be wise, just have patience."

Eh, I wish leaders who made power grabs would be honest about their motives. You and your kind wanted to rule the world and DoctorBoom was standing in the way of that. Eventually when you have all your people in place, another group will come along and make the same claims about needing a change but in the end, nothing ever changes.

Gravy, i fail to see where this speech is anything but that, there where no bus crashes here or outbreaks of a viral infection. This was put forward for what it it was- a change in hierarchy. You cant paint a hippo black and white and call it a zebra, people will see through that. It was a power play, everybody knows and this speech offers nothing but that. How you can say things dont change is beyond me, look at the landscape, its desolate and over the next coming days and weeks, this place will change, dramatically. 

You forgot to give credit to the fence sitters who kindly stayed out of the fight until they were sure you'd win.

For me, most wars will always have these "fence sitters" wars are run on them. We need people to sit and wait, its all part of the process. As much as this world needs the "go getters" it also needs your average joes, your run of the mill mobsters who plod along. Fence sitters, as you so affectionately put it, make wars interesting, they change the dynamics of a war, also, where would all the salt be aimed at if we had no people plying the middle of the field? 

Hey, if I'm going to throw anything, Mr. Slash...it's going to be gravy!

Ehh, to be honest, you're right. I should have closed the lid to my gravy boat after I said the All of this has happened before bit because I don't really want to through gravy at anyone. What would it accomplish by putting someone's name out there? Even if I did sling some more gravy at any specific people, who would admit to that and who would believe some random bowl of sentient gravy such as myself(and rightly so)? There's enough saltiness in the world without me having to add more to it. Especially when it detracts from my point about the ever repeating cycle of leadership and the hopelessness of anyone ever breaking the cycle. 

That and who wants really salty gravy? NOBODY. 

Is it just me, or is anyone else really hungry now for something involving Gravy?

Gravy, i fail to see where this speech is anything but that, there where no bus crashes here or outbreaks of a viral infection. This was put forward for what it it was- a change in hierarchy. You cant paint a hippo black and white and call it a zebra, people will see through that. It was a power play, everybody knows and this speech offers nothing but that. How you can say things dont change is beyond me, look at the landscape, its desolate and over the next coming days and weeks, this place will change, dramatically. 

Oh come on, insta. I was specifically reacting to what he said about how Boom was bad for business, fewer opportunities, etc which comes across as "we're overthrowing the dictator and trying to reassure everyone that we had righteous reasons for doing so" when the reality was they just wanted their clique to be in power instead of DoctorBoom's. Which I'm fine with, whatever. It would just be refreshing if someone came out and just said "we wanted to be in charge" and left it at that. That's all. I completely understand why they do it that way though(it is tradition, after all)

The whole point I was trying to make was that people continually make this power grab and then come out here to make grandiose claims of how they're going to change how things are done when in the end the only thing that changes are the people in charge. I very much doubt that any significant changes will ever happen in this world. Your clique will end up doing exactly what you claim to hate.

Don't get me wrong, I would absolutely love it if it turned out I was wrong. I'm a very pessimistic gravy though who can't help but think this just continues the cycle. (which I'm also fine with. Same old gravy, different day; as they say)

For me, most wars will always have these "fence sitters" wars are run on them. We need people to sit and wait, its all part of the process. As much as this world needs the "go getters" it also needs your average joes, your run of the mill mobsters who plod along. Fence sitters, as you so affectionately put it, make wars interesting, they change the dynamics of a war, also, where would all the salt be aimed at if we had no people plying the middle of the field? 

You make a good point, actually. My ancestors have been in wars where fence sitters have sided with their side when they perhaps shouldn't have and it definitely made things a little more interesting.  

Is it just me, or is anyone else really hungry now for something involving Gravy?

Hey pal, just don't take any of the gravy from my bowl! I need my gravy. It's my life force. What makes me Gravy.  

Oh come on, insta. I was specifically reacting to what he said about how Boom was bad for business, fewer opportunities, etc which comes across as "we're overthrowing the dictator and trying to reassure everyone that we had righteous reasons for doing so" when the reality was they just wanted their clique to be in power instead of DoctorBoom's. Which I'm fine with, whatever. It would just be refreshing if someone came out and just said "we wanted to be in charge" and left it at that. That's all. I completely understand why they do it that way though(it is tradition, after all)

People who really know me know that for a good number of years i have been an advocate of the victors coming out here and being truthful, im all for it, its what ive always done.  Lets draw comparisons of this speech vs those of the last few months, this is by far the most honest and direct you would have seen for a while. Yes maybe it flirts around the issue but in retrospect its incredibly open and transparent. it doesn't purposely try to hide or deceive. Is it good for business if those who sit on top are too honest? surely there has to remain an air of mystery, especially given the business that we are in.  

The whole point I was trying to make was that people continually make this power grab and then come out here to make grandiose claims of how they're going to change how things are done when in the end the only thing that changes are the people in charge. I very much doubt that any significant changes will ever happen in this world. Your clique will end up doing exactly what you claim to hate.

But thats just it, We live with i circle, one that will repeat. There is no way to get around that, its the life we live, an acceptance that we all die in the end. People will always try to better our thing we have, of course they have ideas of grandeur and so they should given the position that they find themselves in. As a community that are watching and waiting all we can do is sit and wait and if we dont like it, we attempt to change it- such is our way of life.