With the clouds overhead and the raindrenched streets it's a typical autumn day. It's good for business as people try to avoid the streets. Diners
are packed, there's a waiting line at the local cinema and coffee bars are filled with people escaping the dull atmosphere outside. Eager to follow
the example set by the citizen of this fine city, you are in search for the right venue. Suddenly your eyes read the rude text on the sign outside a shabby social venue. Making a gamble, you look around whether you see no familiar faces and than quickly walk into the venue, not sure what to expect.

After a short hall-way and hanging away your coat, you enter a poorly lit area where about hundred people are gathered. At the back is a table with an empty chair where you sit down, just as a man holding a microphone walks up on the stage.

"I have had a busy week and didn't find the time to attend many public gatherings like these. I've read the papers though. I've listened to reports of my captains. In private I spoke with a diverse bunch of people on a wide range of topics. And based on all that, I have to say, I am a happy man! I learned that this community is in excellent form. In just three weeks we saw 3 Godfathers rise to power, we saw over a 100 people become a Man or Woman of Honour and we saw 20 new families emerge in our cities."

"That's 3 Godfathers who don't have to be busy looking after their family anymore. Their families are in capable hands now after all. But these Godfathers currently have time to be an inspiration to us all! Hoo-fucking-rah! That's also 100 extra people who don't have to impress their leaders anymore, but now have the time to show all their talent in the community. They can teach, they can debate and they can compete. They have all the opportunity to shine and show why they are made and the rest isn't. And that's also 20 families who will show this community why they deserved these opportunities. The time that is upon us will be amazing with all these obviously capable people who will surely show they are in their spot for a reason."

While taking some water Rob observed the crowd, which doesn't cheer, which doesn't applaud.

"Unless...

Unless this has all been a dick measuring contest and this is the final result. But let's hope not, because it's not about you standing there with a big package in your hand. You should do something with what you've got. Make her moan with pleasure. Make her scream for more. Show her how fucking good you are. Forgive me for the non-unisex metaphor."

"But this point where many of us suddenly find ourselves isn't a result. It is not the end of the line. This is the fucking start. Whether you are a Godfather, a family head or a man of honour - it's not the end of your story. It's not a reward for hard work. It's not a retirement. The hard work only starts now. The bar just got raised for you. People expect more of you now. You gotta show how fucking good you really are."

Pausing for a moment, observing the crowd, Rob faintly smiles.

"Because, if not... you are just a big dick."

She smiles as she listens to Rob speak. Holding a flask filled with rum close to her hip wondering if anyone would notice if she took a sip or not. Yes, she was becoming an alcoholic just like those who came before her. Who could blame her? So many new leaders and so few new bloods arriving on the shores to help her build her hubcap factory.

Very well said sir, however, I don't have a "dick" that can measure up to yours.

She pulls a long English cucumber and two apples from a paper bag she's holding on her hip.

I'm sure I can fashion something impressive out these though? 

green sits silently in the audience. The speaker was familiar to him and although the rain had long since stopped outside, as a sign of respect, he wouldn't leave his seat until the Don had said his piece. He drank his doubtlessly watered-down liquor and listened until Mr Oakheart was finished. 

"Interesting" he muttered to himself.

Standing, he raises his glass to his lips and downs the remainder of it's contents with only a slight grimace. Water or no, it still had an undeniable tang. Seeing their boss was finished, his associates started to clear a path for him to exit, but green gives a slight shake of his head, signalling he isn't in fact done and he raises his voice instead.

"I think, Don, that unless someone is determining what does or does not amount to proving oneself to the community, with genuine consequences for failing to do so, then silence will become the norm for the vast majority of bosses across the cities. The majority of friends of ours too will fall into this category, as history has already proven to us many times over."

"It will likely be dressed up as rebuilding, but we all know it for what it really is. Take even the most cursory of glances towards the bloated obituaries in this week's Tribune and you'll know that this community places the emphasis on the number of bodies a man can claim responsibility for and not for the quality of his contribution to other endeavours."

green sighs.

"Unless that changes, and I hope like hell that your new direction leads us closer towards it, then I think the future may look rather phallic."

Dusty had been standing in the crowd listening to her leader speak. This was one of the occasions that really inspired her and made her believe she had made a good choice when she first arrived. She enjoyed listening to his speeches, even the ones she didn't see eye to eye on, but this time she couldn't agree more.

"Very well said. I couldn't agree more. I grew tired of seeing people coast to their suits and roles and do nothing more with them. Perhaps this is a time where people still feel unsure if they can have a voice but I would most definitely love to see them remembered for more than just being such and such rank. Personally, I feel like it would be silly of me to think there is no more I could offer. I throw myself into this community so fully that there is always so much more to do. A speech to think about, maybe not always speak up at them all but at the very least to think about. A story to hear. A lesson to be learned in whatever interactions I may cross that day. Always so much that I could never just stand idly by waiting on a promotion. I hope others start to feel this way because I would sure like to see more people doing things around our community than merely standing there. "

Bjorn had been sitting in the backcorner of the venue when Don Roboakheart had started to talk. He knew the man for most of his life and will never forget the offer he had made in public earlier. Being very happy his hard work on prepare a business proposal had not been in vain he had been working tirelessly to make the Bronx a more profitable and respected district in NY. He wondered however how many men or women had stepped up and also submitted a proposal to mr RobOakheart before, during or after Bjorn had submitted his. It was a great opportunity to make a good name for one self and share your vision and knowledge with some part of the city.

However no point of going on that train of thought, there were additional people speaking. He turned his attention back to the speech of green who made a valid point in Bjorn's opinion and he decided to wait until the next person was done speaking before walking to the stage

"Hello Rob,

I was happy you sent an associate to warn me about this discussion to be taking place and it has given me some time to collect my thoughts on the subject as well. However mr Green's argument has made me rethinking some part of my opinion. I agree with him that his observations are undoubtedly true. However I wonder if the only explanation for his observation is the need to show of a big gun and be convinced it will give you power and status in this world? Maybe it is driven rather by the need of a family lead and his close associates to protect their own versus any aggressors? I wonder what you both think of that.

Coming back more to my more initial train of thought I do believe a leader needs to be first accepted and respected by his family. The real drive for them comes from leading by example and not by instructions given down by hands or other members of the family. Also their own ideas and future ambitions should drive them to support their family and align their desires with that of their leaders. This should be mutual, how can a leader have a desire that goes against what his whole family wants. We have seen instances in the past where people openly defied their leaders by refusing to relocate. Or other instances where they disagreed with the families external policies or even during war times. 

Personally I think a family leader is the one that can pick his family's associates and sworn ones, but they should have strong characters as well and keep the family lead on edge. The only way they can do it is via open and honest communication to their leader and his hands. Without a direct line of communication how can members and associates feel or even know what their leaders is planning or even envisioning. How can they swear loyalty and trust this man or women to act in their best interests. In my opinion the worst leader is one that is cooped up in their office, off on business travel most of the times and leaves his hands to handle all daily operational communication to his hands or sworn members of his family. A ghost leader cannot be considered a good leader, for he or she does not know what he leads. Without knowledge good leadership is impossible"

She paused as she looked out on the streets, she leant back against the wall as a simple pair of overalls and a bit of grease on her face hid her from many, the tied back hair bunched under a baseball cap made her look like she had joined the family business but maybe as a mechanic not a mobster.

The fact is any plan is a long term idea and all goals are not achieved overnight.   Our operations have spread, new comers to these shores have a choice where to call a home and opportunities have been given out to many and i know one more from mine who is leaving soon to help a district develop.  As much as opportunity can be created to challenge and build others we hope this continues.   The usual bloodshed has not occured with these districts and the cities not fallen into disarray but the world watches how others build, interact and develop.

Pausing, she looked back into the garage, as she looked back to the crowd

the fact is these are the first steps and opportunity is still there for all, lets hope people continue to make the most of it