Ah, the liberating joy of becoming Godfather. We have shallow celebrations where a handful of people throw pathetic amounts of confetti in the air because we like to pretend something unique has been achieved. Or we have those people who are insightful enough to realise that this is the finish line. Some embrace that knowing they are now presumed strong and therefor a real problem for competitors. Some are ignorant and believe they now overcame all the challenges that this world offers and that they achieved greatness.
 

Well. Whatever each Godfather’s personal story is, chances are high you suck just as much as the average associate wandering our streets stealing purses from ladies about the same age as you. It’s pretty easy to say this because we only have two Godfathers in our country at this moment. I assume FitzChivalry pretty much knows what I think of him to realise I’m not insulting him. I’ve had no interaction with Mr. Bonkers so he might be wary here. But I’ve seen him out here on our streets, making some sense. I’ve seen him in action and can confirm he delivers. I realise the latter sounds like some kissing ass to smooth things over, but since I never invested in a relation with Mr. Bonkers this just has to do. We’ve recently seen how fragile our world is, so interpret my words how you like them, but I can wake up tomorrow, looking in the mirror without being ashamed of myself.

But the topic, Godfathers, bottomline, this is your final station. You need to get off the train and allow for new passengers to take a ride. You’re time is up. Get off already!

...

Well, it doesn’t have to be. You can, or really are now promoted to train-driver, captain, pilot, president - whatever the word is for someone leading the masses of this world. You drive the ship. If you decide to stay just the average passenger of this life, you’re going to die as one, despite your rank. But you can decide to make the most of your position and not just try to ride out, but to actively choose direction.  As a Godfather the future is yours to shape. If you aren’t motivated to shape the future… don’t call yourself a Godfather. If you feel you don’t command the respect and loyalty of the people… don’t call yourself a Godfather. If you suck at half of the areas that are needed for a Godfather to rule their district… don’t call yourself a fucking Godfather!

In the last two weeks we saw numerous Godfathers being introduced to our streets. Heep-heep-fucking-hooray. Now most of those and all of the known-ones before are all dead. As it appeared their relations across the country where shitty. A damned Turtle comes along, kills Godfather Kurgan and like a domino-game organised crime across America falls over. Or bends over to chaos and mediocrity. If you’ve lived this long and proclaim yourself a Godfather you should be able to be independent of any other party in the country. This stuff shouldn’t cripple you. If one rogue kills one person somewhere in the country and you collectively allow multiple Godfathers and hundreds of members to die… you suck.

The ugly truth is that the Godfather rank in general is joke. Majority of the Godfathers, button-men and associates know that it’s a fancy suit these days, but little content. Being a Godfather gives you a massive responsibility. To have strong relations across the country, to not rely on others, to have your people prepared for whatever incident you can imagine, to participate actively in this world instead of letting it drift by. And above all, don’t be ignorant and stupid. People are relying on you. So you shouldn’t rely on others. You should own this shit. On all fronts. Because if you don’t… you don’t deserve to be a Godfather.

JaryllJicchai its nice to make your acquaintance, my father left a note to say that you two had a brief yet a very understanding relationship. You both had a mutual respect for how each other held themselves out here in the streets, a relationship that id like to extend in this life. 

As for the topic in hand; I think its easy looking outside in to judge and criticize those who sit on top, and to certain levels i must agree. My father always campaigned for an open, honest and a translucent regime. He rallied for those who may not have had the prowess in the streets to express their view point. He opened up the crew leader meeting forums and would happily be that spokesman. He had no issue in coming out here to put people to task, he had a way of doing it respectfully a trait i hope has been passed on to me. 

Your points are valid, those who sit on the top do need to lead, they do have to be accountable. This is their time to shine and make a dent, of course it is. And we, the people, will look up to them for guidance of how this world will be shaped. They have to be ready for that. The thing with this world is that no matter if people think you have earned to right to take the godfather role or not, it will become very apparent, very quickly that the person in question will go on to do great things, or they will sit and be happy with a mediocre lifestyle. That is the nature of the beast sadly. 

I do however think though, that different periods of time require a different type of God Father. what i mean by this is; We have basically seen 80% of our world decimated over the last few days. during the period before that there was a a specific way of thinking, a certain behavioral pattern that we all accepted. Like there would have been previously to all those that were in power before, its the cycle of this world. What might be seen as an easy route to godfather before this, might not all together mean it will be the same logistics this time. I mean dont get me wrong, it more than likely will. We will have those Godfathers that are mute, we will have those that shine bright. No matter who you are or what rank you hold within an organisation everyone has a place and will fulfill a role.  Rightly or wrongly, this is just the way things work. 

Do i think that people race to get the Godfather title before they are ready, absolutely they do. Is that a failing on our behalf, yes, yes it is. As a community we have the power to change this, but we chose not too. Well the last couple of years we have anyway. That links into my point about different periods of time allowing for different lines of thinking, and maybe, just maybe this new era will look at your points on a serious note, maybe not. 

All i would say, from my view point anyway, is allow those in power some time to rethink. Its pretty much a blank canvas to work with and yes, there is plenty of opportunity in front of us now. If we choose to use it correctly, well thats the real question, isnt it. I perosnally would like to see the floor opened up, pretty much like my father tried. Open up the floor now, while those in power make the next decisions, while we have opportunity to offer suggestions and insight, going forward. 

If it was me and i was in the position of offering advice, id simply say this; look around, look at the landscape. It hasn't been this vacant for a very long time surely now there will be an appetite for change. At least try to be apart of that process, you will never, ever know until you try. 

Gentlemen, please kiss away!

Bonkers winks at JaryllJicchai.

The ultimate ambition of every mobster, whether or not they care to admit it, is to wear the finest suit that our world has to offer and call themself Godfather. In reality it takes a little more than a few repetitive tasks to hit it - but I agree that when old friendships for example shape decisions it can lead to bad leaders outliving their welcome.

Some people glide into the role through luck and misplaced favour. Some grab the bull by the horns and take the power they feel that they deserve. Others, like my grandfather Godfather Lynchy, have it thrust upon them when it doesn't suit them and put a bullet through their own head to ease the burden on their shoulders.

As for myself, hopefully somewhere in the middle. I worked hard and then seized a situation. That's how I'm here. So what now?

Well so far I've been fighting fires for a day and a half and then trying to get to know some of the new faces keen to do business in the streets of Chicago. But shortly I hope to be announcing some of the grander ideas that I in conjunction with the other city heads will be bringing to the table.

In reality we could go off in any crazy old direction. On this occasion we'll announce some structure as soon as possible because there is an immediate housing crisis. We won't rush the big decisions - but we will communicate them.

Micheal listens in to all the commotion, interested in the conversation at hand and chuckling a bit at the end of Godfather Bonkers statement

"That's not always the most truthful thing, Boss. Being top dog, Godfather, whatever you wanna call it... I don't have any ambition to get to that level. And why would I? You got the power sure. But you know what else it brings?"

The mobster pauses, taking a drag from his cigarette

"It brings a target onto your back, possibly pits you against the very people you worked with since the boatride over, it causes pain and stress for your entire existence and the rest of your legacy. Like all leaders, history will not decide it's thoughts on you until long after you're dead. And no matter how well you think you did running your city, or if that whole 'Godfather Illuminati' bullshit is to be believed, the country. There will always be a group that thinks that you were one, if not the, worst leader in the history of the mafioso."

He pauses again, thinking carefully how to word his next sentence

"The difference between a great leader and a horrible leader in this world, isn't the people who like them or the legacy they think they left behind, it's how big or small the group of those who despise you are."

He smiles, tossing the last bit of his cigarette on the ground

"So why would I want such a job? Sure I got ambition, that's not the question, I wanna be a Crew Leader one day, but I also am comfortable with where I'm at. Ambition needs to be a controlled instinct, for doing so without thinking or controlling is just as dangerous to not only them, but to everyone as the greed that plagues us."
The mobster now turns to the crowd behind him, addressing them in earnest

"Greed, now there's the true killer in the shadows of the mafia. Greed causes men and women to not think straight, to make bad decisions and can cause legacies great and powerful that have been built up over countless generations, to come crumbling down in an instant. We've all watched it hundreds of thousands of times in history, as it always repeats itself."

He turns around, looking over at the Godfather

"This isn't a call against you two that I'm making here, I have no qualms with you nor the way you run things, and as far as I've seen, you've made no moves to increase your own power through plotting others downfalls. But, beware the snake who thinks himself a dragon. Your decisions, especially those who you decide in these next few days to replace the dead. will lead all of us on the path that you choose, I only hope that it is one that leads to prosperity."

With that, the mobster flips up his collar, and heads into the crowd, once again disappearing into the shadows.

Bonkers, you'll be dead soon. No need to plan pal.

If god said you will be dead then I'm afraid it's true. Who can argue with the almighty himself. After all he is the superior being here. I beg of you god, please don't take him before his time. I know you only take the good ones, but he has so much to live for. Take teo instead. 

Hmm.. I'll have to think about this. 

Hmm..

Hmmmmmmm.........

Maybe Bonkers can live... Just maybe.