Earlier this morning I was reading the Chicago Tribune, one of their headlines read:

"Crime activity in New York keeps increasing"

Allow me to read you the article;

It looks like the rumors are finally confirmed, New York's crime rate keeps increasing. Families rise like yeast in warm water and building plans are drafted up to host the bodyguards. Was it already known Godfather Deimne himself owned a suburb alone for him and his guards now elsewhere within New York land is claimed to host the ones of his associates.

With such a highly populated city as New York it seems this has serious economic consequences, not just for the civilians but also for the mob. Over the last year maybe civilians have traded the city life for the country life, escaping the New York madness that is going on. Right now the trend is to move to Los Angeles, that is said to be nearly crime free other than a random petty theft. Another popular destination is Detroit, abandoned by the mafia for ages.

Dr. James Cooper Economics professor at the Pennsylvania University says if the crime continues the way it goes in New York the mob will come home from a cold shower soon, there won't be any more people to extort... They can start baking their bread with their own cocaine for the value it will decrease to.

Economics wise, New York is messing up. Marketing specialist Mary Grimolak from Sears says some of the New York mob families should move out of New York, to places like Las Vegas, Detroit, Los Angeles and Delaware city. When you have so many players on one market, no matter what branch it is, it becomes soon an empty well.

What's going on with New York? We asked this question to former Mafioso Luigi 'Dumbo' Bionso. Ever since I took a deal with the cops to get out of the business I have been following the news closely. New York has a heavy history behind it, first it was dominated by ThomasRourke and now by Deimne, the successor Thomas chose. There's one thing both men have in common, their appearance and goals. Is Godfather Deimne slightly more tolerant about what is said, is ThomasRourke less concerned with the amount of families working under him. They've a different strategy to achieve the same goal if you ask me.They want to own the organized crime nationwide, ThomasRourke was master in achieving this by his powerful street appearances, anyone going against his opinions without a button was usually found dead within a few hours. Deimne has a slightly different approach to it all by the looks of it, he's basically building a whole new America within New York, last rumors said there's currently eight families working under Deimne in New York, whilst the average per city is closer to 3. If I look at the figures presented to me I think it's safe to say that even if all other cities combined their powers they would not be able to overtake New York, and they know it. Else we would have been looking at a mob war a long long time ago. Instead the other cities chose to stay friends with New York by aiding in their little wars, most recent example of course the Chicken Rogue (red. Pollo-Cacciatora). The rogue was doing actually pretty well given the circumstances but the idiot suffered from Schizophrenia and the gods had to take him. Anyways what I am trying to say is, Deimne and New York are too strong for any city to be taken at this point, runner up to do actually something about this is Godfather CrazyNine, but why would he? He grew up under the man... He owns everything to him, surely he's loyal enough to not attack over the recent pickpocket disputes we witnessed. Heh. I think we, civilians, should hope for a mob war within New York. Gwarble will surely say something wrong at some point that finally makes someone pull the trigger, in Philadelphia where he can be usually found. SpaceMountain has been ridden for too long, it's getting old and Robert_Guiscard will get drunk once again and call in a favor from the Tyler Durden Gang. And well, ScreamingButterfly probably will get a city at some point, after all she always has been a major player within NY next to Deimne.... Can he let her go? They all have their flaws, question is... How much longer can Deimne control them? These mobsters know there are cities available for them elsewhere, Deimne just isn't letting them go. They'll get fed up with it at some point.


Quite an interesting article uh? That's what I thought too, rumors have been going about people unsatisfied with in and outside New York on how things are arranged there, but who am I to judge. I'm a happy Wise Guy still learning the ropes, observing the way of life of those with their Made Man button...
I like how my city, Chicago, isn't in the media all the time about crime and what not. It makes me run my daily rounds very smoothly.

This is just another demonstration of why every other production is inferior to the Barble.

With the Barble having being in production for nearly five months, I feel suggestion that I will 'surely say something wrong at some point' to be extremely wide of the mark. If I was going to, I'm sure I would have by now.

This sort of libel shouldn't be tolerated. How dare they print such nonsense about me! I, for one, am offended at this lowering of the tone.

This is only going to give honest journalists like myself and Bob Liar a bad name, which is extremely unfair and undeserved.

Furthermore, the suggestion that I have flaws - outrageous.

I agree with this Shampoo refill guy....while I am a new comer...I can totally see what he's saying abot the economy happening.....And I dont think that the Tensions Beween the GodFather and the Other Leaders of NY will result in anything bad....Their loyalty runs too deep I think.......

Walking up to ShampooRefill Tyrion takes the paper from his hand an inspects it carefully.

Ok first off. This is clearly your own words pasted into a feeble production to try and deflect responsibility for opinion away from yourself. That much is blatantly obvious. That said, lets move on and address this for what it is, your opinion.

Dr. James Cooper Economics professor at the Pennsylvania University says if the crime continues the way it goes in New York the mob will come home from a cold shower soon, there won't be any more people to extort... They can start baking their bread with their own cocaine for the value it will decrease to.

If you had listened to the speech I made just yesterday about extortion you would know we have a very balanced and long term set up in our city. The extortion is all monitored and never taken to an extreme that would damage the general flow of commerce and subsequent revenue. We could happily sustain double the families we currently have in the city because of shrewd planning and careful monitoring of all activities.

Marketing specialist Mary Grimolak from Sears says some of the New York mob families should move out of New York, to places like Las Vegas, Detroit, Los Angeles and Delaware city. When you have so many players on one market, no matter what branch it is, it becomes soon an empty well.

If you had been around a little longer or maybe opened your eyes during the time you have been here, you may have noticed that a large amount of existing leaders in various cities, originated in New York. As a city we have consistently populated and provided opportunity for many leaders in many cities. We will continue to do this as time goes on. Currently there are vacant cities and a burgeoning amount of talent in our city. There are plans for the near future. As to what they are and who they involve, well, that's simply non of your business. You will find out in good time.

If I look at the figures presented to me I think it's safe to say that even if all other cities combined their powers they would not be able to overtake New York, and they know it. Else we would have been looking at a mob war a long long time ago.

This implies that the various other cities are not happy with New York. As far as I am aware from my regular conversations with various other cities, they could not be happier with the current arrangement. But then, I am not them and would not take the liberty to speak for them. Perhaps you should ask Iota, Serotonin, CrazyNine, Richard_Kuklinski and Jim-Levenstein yourself.

I think we, civilians, should hope for a mob war within New York.

I must say I find that an alarmingly provocative thing to say. Are you sure you want to lose your head over it?

They all have their flaws, question is... How much longer can Deimne control them? These mobsters know there are cities available for them elsewhere, Deimne just isn't letting them go. They'll get fed up with it at some point.

Really now? Again I'd have to ask the upstanding leaders you are casting such wild aspersions about to come forward and answer for themselves. You know these people? Do they share with you their inner feelings and hopes for the future?

If you have an opinion, at least have the balls to own it as your own instead of trying to fob it off as some legitimate work of journalism. Cretin.

Deimne just isn't letting them go.

Let go?! I don't want him to...

Diablos thinks for a second...

I don't want him to let go that bad I'm about to go buy some Super Super glue and glue myself to his side. Atleast then I can go EVERYWHERE with him and yes I mean EVERYWHERE

Diablos smiles and chuckles under his breath

SpaceMountain has been ridden for too long, it's getting old

Getting old, eh?  I like to refer to that as an increased amount of stamina.

Mrs Mountain has noted no such increase.

Tyrion, I'm afraid I'm no journalist nor at the appropriate position to pass on judgements.
Having said that, naturally I've a particular interest and view up-on the happenings of New York, but many shall dismiss that opinion as just the opinion of a Wise Guy who has no business with a topic like this whatsoever.
I chose to make a topic public that is discussed behind closed doors over and over again without taking a stand, see my reasons above.
This is the streets, this is where topics are discussed and if this is done so with respect that's acceptable, well last time I checked.

The article you're reading above isn't a good or a bad reflection on New York thus far, at least not in my eyes. I think roughly half the people alive would make serious sacrifices to become the next Deimne.
The article is about taking a look at the current crew totals and their locations, it's about people shouting "Wow, New York has many families", it's about a matter we all see but we don't discuss (publicly). Not that I am here to do everyone a favour by going public with it, I am feeding my own curiosity. Intrigued perhaps.

I did listen to your speech, you've a nice way presenting yourself in public by the way. Did it cover the whole article? No it did not.
That New York is a highly organized city is no secret, even whilst not working under Godfather Deimne it is quite obvious that things are ran within a well thought out organisation.
Keeping in mind that currently our world is created the way it is, even a 100 crews would survive in New York. That's just how the technical details are at this time being.
A nice example is the Drug Front Property availability that increases with the population. It never stops growing as long as the mobsters keep coming and coming.
Are there more civilians and stores to extort when crime rates grow usually? No. People will leave, sell their business, work for the mob if needed. Not start a happy family to live around gangsters knowing they'll get robbed at least 8 times day and their daughters being kidnapped the second they turn 18 because red light suits their skin colour so well.

And of course New York will make a move within time, we also know Godfather Deimne does auth people in other cities, Lucretia, DLS, Iota.
But it raises another question, is it save to move out of New York? We've all seen what happened to Lucretia and we witnessed the screams of DirtyLittleSekrits relative on how things went.
Currently Iota and CrazyNine are proving us of course that it is save. Though again, as mentioned in the article tension was noticed between the Godfather of Philadelphia and the Godfather of New York. Probably not significant enough, but nevertheless.

If you want I can give you the name of the journalist, something Smith if I remember correctly. For I shall not take a stance that article was written by my own opinion, simply because... it was not.

I think Iota's survival has to be taken with a pinch of salt.

Is what he is doing really living?

Heh, some say food is a way of life!

Increase in heart palpitations with every breath :(

"And of course New York will make a move within time, we also know Godfather Deimne does auth people in other cities, Lucretia, DLS, Iota." I feel left out. :(

Oh, by the way, stop calling this an "article". You've been outed already. As Tyrion says, this is not an article in a paper. This is your own thoughts.

"But it raises another question, is it save to move out of New York? We've all seen what happened to Lucretia and we witnessed the screams of DirtyLittleSekrits relative on how things went." Lucretia died because she started a war against an *extremely* lucky oponent. DLS died because her RHM attacked a NYer and tried to get away with it.

Tension between Deimne and me? Please, the fact that we are having one disagreement in another corner is not enough to create tension. The fact that I can feel insulted if I'm called a less than two dollar slut and that he shares his true feelings and opinions about what was said is not enough to bring two powerful cities against each other. (Yeah, yeah, NY is more powerful than PH. That doesn't mean PH is not powerful at all.)

Yes this is the streets. Almost all topics can be discussed here if done respectfully. That is certainly true. However, using the flimsy guise of a paper to express your more provocative opinions doesn't show respect as far as I can see. Say it ain't so all you like. You wrote that and we all know it so cut the shit.

The article you're reading above isn't a good or a bad reflection on New York thus far

Are you fucking kidding me? Its pretty bloody opinionated as far as I can see.

The article is about taking a look at the current crew totals and their locations, it's about people shouting "Wow, New York has many families", it's about a matter we all see but we don't discuss (publicly).

The article makes mention of that but that was never the issue now was it. The issue was the tone. The insinuation that many crew leaders in New York are unhappy. The insinuation that everyone would love to see an internal war in New York. The insinuation that every other city in the country would take down New York if they felt capable. That is what the problem was. And you know god damn well it was!

But it raises another question, is it save to move out of New York? We've all seen what happened to Lucretia and we witnessed the screams of DirtyLittleSekrits relative on how things went.

If you look back you'll see that Lucretia was killed by Cryptic, the entire event had nothing to do with New York what so ever. DLS was taken down because of a terrible roll of the dice made by her RHM. A entirely avoidable and tragic scenario. It is perfectly safe to be anywhere, for anyone, so long as our commonly accepted codes are respected.

I am too old and long in the tooth to listen to you try and pass off your opinion as the work of someone else and I am not going to stand here all day playing games with you.

I travelled from New York to Las Vegas.  I'm still alive.  New York is a strong and busy city.  It clearly does fantastic business - but that's not to say other cities don't do well.  There are economies of scale.  I think NY might well have the largest number of affiliated members since the begining of this thing of ours.  I don't see this as a problem.  Tyrion is right, where our accepted codes are followed, generally, people are left to their own devices.

Historians of This Thing of Ours are watching New York, not with wariness but with interest.  It's unprecedented - and I think it demonstrates what hard work and organisation can achieve.  And I think Shampoo's writings are a bit mischievious.

I chose to make a topic public that is discussed behind closed doors over and over again without taking a stand, see my reasons above.
This is the streets, this is where topics are discussed and if this is done so with respect that's acceptable, well last time I checked.

upon hearing this comment, sureshot shakes his head and pulls Shampoo aside for a moment.

"The problem with this type of speech is that it's pretty much doomed to failure.  If anyone is plotting against New York, or griping "behind closed doors" as you say, then they are pretty god damn sure not to come out here in the open and support your claims.  So you wind up left with only the people who think you're an idiot or at the very least, think your "article" is obscenely off the mark."

"The high point of the speech, in my humble opinion, was when you called SpaceMountain old, and I think you'd see more support had you left it at that."

Felicity skips up, taking her turn to read the article in question. As she reads on, one question weighs heavy on her mind, making her feel the teeniest bit fearful. When done, she clutches the article in one hand, letting her arm drop to her side. Knitting her eyebrows together in worry and looks at the man who brought the paper to the Streets.

"Aside from people questioning my Godfather's will, and how he chooses to run his city- which is none of their business I assure you, one thing seems really... well, strange to me. Does it not seem strange to you?"

Looking around at a few people, she gestures toward the article with her free hand.

"An Economics Professor from Penn State... a marketing specialist from Sears? All of these secrets of our business revealed... spoken about by common civilians. Why the hell haven't the cops cracked down and thrown us all in the slammer yet?"

Pausing for a moment she puts a finger to her lips thoughtfully.

"I better go hide my money. And my kitty. I don't want anything to happen to Snickers if I get caught."

Dropping the article into a puddle on the streets, Felicity takes care to step on it as she rushes off back home. Hopefully the ink would be so smeared that no one else would be able to read it. Imagine! A mobster from Chicago bandying about an article that could put an entire city's syndicate behind bars. This day was certainly shaping up to be a strange one. What would happen next- SpaceMountain closing for renovations?!

I wouldn't worry about it too much, Felicity.  This article seems to be written in crayon by the speaker himself.  Although it never hurts to be too careful.

CrazyNine: Oh, by the way, stop calling this an "article". You've been outed already. As Tyrion says, this is not an article in a paper. This is your own thoughts.
Tyrion: You wrote that and we all know it so cut the shit.

Really? This again? Dear lord. Of course I delivered the topic, it's black on white in front of you. Yet, since we're in the streets I still prefer to refer to it as presenting the article by speech, but hey let's go with written why not…. Is the article written by my own personal opinion? No. As stated earlier. Is it written to start a discussion, again one of the purposes of the streets? Yes. As stated earlier.

It is fairly easy to go on and on about the way or reasoning why this was brought to you but I seriously will not say it is written in a disguise to hide my true feelings or opinion. And as a matter of fact only I, and really only I, can be the judge of that. Since right now I am the only one knowing my opinion about the matter, since, I repeat, I didn't state my opinion yet.

With that said, I don't think this "speech" as sureshot refers to it was a failure, far from it. I for one can appreciate a lividly discussion going on right now, even if everybody disagrees with the article, perhaps that's why I actually chose an article with this content to begin with… after all where's the fun in stating the obvious and then all nodding in silence.

Felicity, you raise an interesting question though one you answer yourself daily. Bribes and power. Not getting caught and laying low when needed, think about the time you give yourself between petty and felony crimes or even when breaking out a fellow mobster from the local jail… Yes, that's right that jail… The place where you end up when the feds actually do get lucky, it does happen. Even powerful Godfathers still end up there on rare occasion.

Your opinion or not, you are the one responsible for presenting the view that everyone would love to see an internal war in New York, that all other cities would take down New York if they could and various other insults. It matters not if you have the balls to own it as your opinion or not. The basic fact is, you presented it. You are therefore responsible for it. Period.

Now. I really have had enough of your pathetic quibbling.