A Deal With The Mafia?

[Kowani]

Also, I'm a tad bit confused by the 'We're going to be extinct' rant. I'm a CEO of an oil company. I don't think I've seen a CEO from the fossil fuel industry care about global warming and the environment.

Also, businessmen generally don't make good leaders. Running a corporation is not the same as running a nation at all and I'm kinda glad the Texans know this and doubt my competence. It'd be even worse if they knew I was in cahoots with this Mafia Queen!

you're probably right considering I pulled the "That's the problem nowadays! No one cares; NO ONE THAT WE FACT EXTINCTION!" from a 2 part direct to TV so-bad-its-good Hitler drama movie

I figured it could be a general and hyperbolic phrase that could represent just about any politics (ex maybe its a statement about global warming, the immigration crisis, or oncoming economic collapse)

but you're probably right

If I’m ranting about immigration causing extinction, I really shouldn’t be governor.

[Bloodshade]

you're probably right considering I pulled the "That's the problem nowadays! No one cares; NO ONE THAT WE FACT EXTINCTION!" from a 2 part direct to TV so-bad-its-good Hitler drama movie

I figured it could be a general and hyperbolic phrase that could represent just about any politics (ex maybe its a statement about global warming, the immigration crisis, or oncoming economic collapse)

but you're probably right

Still, it's possible that I, the businessman with daddy issues, would do the right thing and forget about my company if I really do have a serious 'daddy issue' and as a result, I'd want to prove everyone that I'm a man who gets the bigger picture regardless of what happens to my livelihood.

You've written the businessman as a very unstable person so honestly, I have no idea what the businessman would do if he/she was the governor of Texas.

Most importantly, how does the public view me? Am I the equivalent of Bill Gates or Elon Musk in their eyes?

[Victorious Decepticons]

I wouldn't deal with her. I don't agree to open-ended contracts. The reason people don't give details in that kind of situation is because if they did, they'd surely get a "no." With that in mind, I don't need the details to know that I need to say "no" to that.

It's not like my character has a terminal disease and absolutely must win this particular election (though I'd say "no" even if he did - an attempt to bind a person to a contract with no details is THAT SURE to have bad results). Still, he can just wait 8 or so years until the scandals are hazy memories in the people's minds, and then run again - this time with the help of the shadiest PR firm (one that accepts its payments in money, not unspecified "favors"). With the new campaign being powered by the underhanded PR company, which should manufacture scandals against the other guy (and distract from the opposition's attempts to revive my old ones) victory should come.

If all else fails - he never specified in his rant that he'd be the governor of Texas. Trying somewhere else is an option.

"No one that we face extinction" also doesn't make grammatical sense. Like I have no idea what he's saying here.

Try it with this punctuation:

"No one cares - NO ONE - that we face extinction!" And think of that famous clip of Hitler ranting that people like to rewrite for lulz as you read it...

[Infected Mushroom]

I wouldn't deal with her. I don't agree to open-ended contracts. The reason people don't give details in that kind of situation is because if they did, they'd surely get a "no." With that in mind, I don't need the details to know that I need to say "no" to that.

It's not like my character has a terminal disease and absolutely must win this particular election (though I'd say "no" even if he did - an attempt to bind a person to a contract with no details is THAT SURE to have bad results). Still, he can just wait 8 or so years until the scandals are hazy memories in the people's minds, and then run again - this time with the help of the shadiest PR firm (one that accepts its payments in money, not unspecified "favors"). With the new campaign being powered by the underhanded PR company, which should manufacture scandals against the other guy (and distract from the opposition's attempts to revive my old ones) victory should come.

If all else fails - he never specified in his rant that he'd be the governor of Texas. Trying somewhere else is an option.

"No one that we face extinction" also doesn't make grammatical sense. Like I have no idea what he's saying here.

Try it with this punctuation:

"No one cares - NO ONE - that we face extinction!" And think of that famous clip of Hitler ranting that people like to rewrite for lulz as you read it...

You’ve also seen it?

It’s the one where Hitler has a slight English accent

[Infected Mushroom]

you're probably right considering I pulled the "That's the problem nowadays! No one cares; NO ONE THAT WE FACT EXTINCTION!" from a 2 part direct to TV so-bad-its-good Hitler drama movie

I figured it could be a general and hyperbolic phrase that could represent just about any politics (ex maybe its a statement about global warming, the immigration crisis, or oncoming economic collapse)

but you're probably right

If I’m ranting about immigration causing extinction, I really shouldn’t be governor.

Yet Trump “should” be President because he had the people’s mandate and democracy “never fails”

[Infected Mushroom]

"No one that we face extinction" also doesn't make grammatical sense. Like I have no idea what he's saying here.

“No one cares. No one (cares) that we face extinction.”

The care was omitted because that’s how it was said in the speech

I would link the speech but I can’t because it’s too politically incorrect (even though it’s just a movie)

[Ethel mermania]

Hence the importance of your election, think about it

HISTORY... IN THE MAKING!

Yeah no, I already committed a few sins (insulting my father, doing scandals), I'm committing another sin by gett8ng involved with a magician.

Involved? It's not like you are dating her.
....

Although that is not a bad idea.

[Infected Mushroom]

Yeah no, I already committed a few sins (insulting my father, doing scandals), I'm committing another sin by gett8ng involved with a magician.

Involved? It's not like you are dating her.
....

Although that is not a bad idea.

the Mafia Queen is clearly interested in forming an alliance of convenience (could lead to a long term thing), she's the leader of a nationwide crime empire but most of her operations are based in the north. She needs allies in the south too and Texas is "the heart of the south."

She obviously does not entirely trust you (hence the use of the Relic) but if you prove to be a useful ally, then you could definitely be involved in other plans and joint ventures.

[Ifreann]

A nationwide crime syndicate with no presence in Texas that can exercise complete control over Texan elections.

[Ethel mermania]

A nationwide crime syndicate with no presence in Texas that can exercise complete control over Texan elections.

Different union.

[Kowani]

If I’m ranting about immigration causing extinction, I really shouldn’t be governor.

Yet Trump “should” be President because he had the people’s mandate and democracy “never fails”

Blame the Electoral College.

[Infected Mushroom]

A nationwide crime syndicate with no presence in Texas that can exercise complete control over Texan elections.

it isn't "complete control" but she has certain associates/corrupt officials in the right places to be confident of being able to make a decisive play here

if she intervenes, it would be carried out in such a way so that it looks completely like a legitimate election from the outside

[Gun Manufacturers]

Please consider the following hypothetical:

You come from nothing and your father said you’d never amount to anything. Yet here you stand, the CEO of a large powerful oil company and a major candidate in the electoral run for governorship of Texas.

One day your father dies of a heart attack (but not before seeing you become “successful”). You attend the funeral with a somber expression but once everyone is gone you stand alone by the grave, you bend over the tombstone, and with a completely demonic expression on your face you shout out profanities and curses at your dead father.

“YOU THOUGHT I’D AMOUNT TO NOTHING?! WELL F_____ YOU! I WILL BE GOVERNOR… I… WILL… BE … GOVERNOR!”

You are pragmatic and ambitious but also idealistic and motivated; you are committed to your political ideals.

In the weeks leading up to the election, a series of very unfortunate events and political scandals happen. Your analysts bring the bad news; they predict there is now a 90 percent chance that you will lose the election. This prediction is in line with all of the major political analysts nationwide.

You despair; HOW COULD THESE VOTERS BE SO IDIOTIC????

“This is the problem with this country!” you cry out as you fling some wine glasses across the counter.

“No one cares! NO ONE THAT WE FACE EXTINCTION!”

…

In your darkest hour, you are approached by a young woman. She reveals herself to be the Mafia Queen, the leader of the United States’ most powerful crime syndicate.

(Image)

You are invited to one of her mansions in the upstate of New York. You quietly and nervously travel there, making sure that you are not followed.

Once there, the Mafia Queen has tea with you and makes you a proposal: she has people in place and can make a few plays to ensure that you win the election and become governor of Texas. You ask her how but she says “you don’t want to know.”

She says in exchange, you have to promise her Three Favors in the future. This bargain will be sealed by dark magic using the Relic of Unbreakable Promises (one of the magical relics of the Witch Queen that somehow ended up in Mafia possession). The magic of the relic will ensure that you are bound to her and have to fulfill three “favors” when she asks for them in the future (if you refuse to carry out a favor, you and your entire family will die of a very painful incurable magical illness).

You demand to know what these favors are in advance but she refuses to tell you. She says you can be reasonably certain that she won’t ask for anything in the first few months. She assures you that these favors won’t be “unduly burdensome” to your career and that they will strictly relate to her “business.” She has no desire to interfere with politics in Texas, she finds politics “tiresome” and on the whole, she has supported the interests of the United States (she reminds you that the Mafia helped the United States in both WWII and the Cold War).

As she sips her tea, she tells you that it’s in the interest of everyone involved to keep this all a secret. She makes you a general promise that she won’t use the magical promises in a malicious way against you… well… UNLESS you deliberately cause her or her organization trouble. She says on the whole, she has no interest in upsetting the status quo.

You consider her offer:

Pros:
You really want to be the Governor. You’ve spent not only years but DECADES working for this political goal. It is completely unprecedented that someone of your social class could be a major player in politics; your successful election could signal a new era in the politics of not just Texas but of the entire United Sates. This is a once in a lifetime opportunity; if you do not take the deal, you might become a footnote in someone else’s history book. Being a powerful oil CEO is one thing but the governorship could easily lead to a future presidency.

Once you are in office, you have very ambitious plans to transform Texas into a model US state and improve the lives of the people. All of this is contingent on your election.

Also, the you in this scenario clearly suffers from some daddy issues. Becoming governor would in a way signal a “final victory” over your dead father. You believe (rightly or wrongly) that this would bring closure to some seriously deep wounds.

Cons:
You would owe the Mafia Queen three favors, enforced by dark magic. You have no idea what these are but once you make the deal, she could make you do anything.

You would very obviously be unable to move against her because she could just keep a single “favor” as insurance against you. Furthermore, you have very little doubt that whatever way she chooses to use to “rig”/”influence” the election it will be highly illegal/unethical and it will be done in such a way as to implicate you if its revealed. Blackmail has always been part of the Mafia’s playbook.

Also, you would have to “trust” her not to abuse these favors. She assures you that she’s only focused on “business” and that she has no intention of messing with the reputation of your administration. However… that’s not exactly comforting because the Mafia is involved in all sorts of crimes. You have a feeling these “favors” are going to trouble your conscience.

Would you take this deal? Yes or no? Why not?

If you refuse the deal, you can choose to play for the 10% chance of getting the governorship without her help.

Please discuss whether or not you would take this Dark Bargain and justify your answer with your personal reasoning.

I would take the deal. If I were in the situation, I would be too fascinated to see what would happen next to back out now.

How many get to be inside the corrupt edifice of the United States government? I want to see if its every bit as bad as they say it is.

This may well lead to my self-destruction but how can I resist…

Why the fuck would I? Even if I didn't end up becoming Governor, I'd still be the CEO of an oil company, more successful than my hypothetical father ever thought I could be.

[Ifreann]

A nationwide crime syndicate with no presence in Texas that can exercise complete control over Texan elections.

it isn't "complete control" but she has certain associates/corrupt officials in the right places to be confident of being able to make a decisive play here

if she intervenes, it would be carried out in such a way so that it looks completely like a legitimate election from the outside

A crime syndicate that has no presence in Texas but has contacts in the Texas government that can swing an election.

No presence in Texas.

And also has a presence in Texas.

[Hammer Britannia]

Nah, fuck the Mafia.

I refuse to support any kind of organized crime.

[Cetacea]

isnt that a picture of Aurora from Sleeping Beauty? you're telling me now that the Witch Queen and the Mafia Queen both share the same Disneyfied universe?

Sorry that just breaks my suspension of disbelief, I refuse to accept that Magic works in a Mafia Queen scenario as such her ability to magically enforce demands is non-existence, though she could still blackmail me or use threats of violence to my family.

I am going to treat the Mafia Queen as a regular wealthy lobbyist however and will do what I can to facilitate her legal business interest in return for her support

[Esheaun Stroakuss]

No deals with the Mafia. Let 'em rot.

[Frachen]

Disney runs the mafia, look at the picture! It's a Disney princess! I knew something like this would befall mankind! For the reasons stated above I do not accept the deal, I don't want Disney owning my soul.

[Infected Mushroom]

Disney runs the mafia, look at the picture! It's a Disney princess! I knew something like this would befall mankind! For the reasons stated above I do not accept the deal, I don't want Disney owning my soul.

What’s wrong with Disney?

You don’t like Disney princesses?

[Frachen]

Disney runs the mafia, look at the picture! It's a Disney princess! I knew something like this would befall mankind! For the reasons stated above I do not accept the deal, I don't want Disney owning my soul.

What’s wrong with Disney?

You don’t like Disney princesses?

They steal your souls! Disney buys Star Wars, disney buys marvel! Who's to say your soul isn't next! Ok seriously tho, i would never work for a disney princess......they would end up killing me for my sarcasm....and i dont trust those little favors of hers...who's to say that they won't be bad?

[Jebslund]

Damn, Sleeping Beauty took over the Mafia? That explains a lot.

[New haven america]

A nationwide crime syndicate with no presence in Texas that can exercise complete control over Texan elections.

it isn't "complete control" but she has certain associates/corrupt officials in the right places to be confident of being able to make a decisive play here

if she intervenes, it would be carried out in such a way so that it looks completely like a legitimate election from the outside

So she has basically no presence in Texas yet somehow knows people important enough to fix the elections in your favor.

Yeah, sure, ok.

[Xmara]

Nah. Seems to risky to me.

On the other hand, I was out browsing writing prompts one day when I came across this. I think I found where you got your inspiration for the Mafia Queen, IM...

[Bezkoshtovnya]

You really need to come up with a different name for this fictional criminal organisation of yours, because they are nothing like the Mafia.

Secret organization, cult, ect... are more akin to what they're talking about.

NXIVM?

[Infected Mushroom]

it isn't "complete control" but she has certain associates/corrupt officials in the right places to be confident of being able to make a decisive play here

if she intervenes, it would be carried out in such a way so that it looks completely like a legitimate election from the outside

A crime syndicate that has no presence in Texas but has contacts in the Texas government that can swing an election.

No presence in Texas.

And also has a presence in Texas.

I think what I meant to say, but didn’t say well, was that she currently has associates in aTexas (corrupt people in high places) but not really any sizable deployment of street level soldiers

If that makes sense