Mad World

[ArtKing1239]

First, I'd like to outline a few things, and lay down some groundwork. As always, observe the rules that Death_Penalty and I so lovingly wrote, taking our time and effort to try and inject some order into this forum's bloodstream. And, from what I've seen since I've been absent, it has worked. Obviously, the nature of this RPG requires creative writing, and time spent checking grammar, spelling, etc. It doesn't take very long, and it really improves the feel of an RPG. Minor errors here and there don't matter, of course, but major errors do.

 

Secondly (this is the part you've been waiting for), I need to place our characters in a setting worthy of their interest. So, here goes:

 

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Ocean City is a major metropolis, roughly the size of New York City. The city is divided into four quadrants - North, South, East, and West. Gangs from each part of the city are constantly at war, and, consequently, the crime-rate is a little high. Not astronomical; it's a safe city, as long as you aren't part of a gang. The gangs in the North tend to be white, Italian or Russian groups. These gangs do some loan-sharking, and take hitman jobs from various influential people around the city. If someone needs someone else silenced, they'll do it. They fight between each other frequently, but tend to forge thin alliances when the East, West, or South come into their territory. The gangs from the East are mostly Asian, Triad-style groups with lots of money and fast cars, but tension among group members, and little brotherhood, unlike the other quadrants' gangs. The gangs in the south are Latino, and most have been incarcerated a number of times for various crimes. They mostly commit petty thievery and assault, but can quickly turn to drawing serious blood if a gang member is injured by another gang. There is a lot of drug-running done by these gangs, and they sometimes do short-term deals with the Italians and Russians for Cocaine. The gangs in the West are mostly African. These groups are tightly knit, like the Latinos, but have even shorter tempers. These gangs do a lot of vandalism, and are disorganized, but what they lack in infrastructure the make up for in sheer numbers.

 

The downtown area is in the North, and this is also where the Strip is located. There are some dance clubs, strip bars, plain bars, punk clubs, and metal clubs in this area. Bands can usually be seen playing these clubs, or in The Dead End Bar, which became so successful that it added a nicely sized concert area on to its main bar-floor. There are some coffehouses around, but most are locally owned. The Mafia doesn't like big businesses squelching out small-time shop owners, so it usually gives them good incentive to find another place to go. Little Italy and Little Russia are locted here.

 

The parks are located in the nicer areas of the East part of town. There's always something to see in the parks, whether it's an art show, or some kind of dance competition, or a circus. At night, there are fireworks over the largest park, Jefferson Memorial Park. China Town is located here. The Japanese mostly live in nice apartment complexes near the Northern border.

 

The stadium is located in the South, as are some of the museums, near the Northern border. Much beyond these, and the South goes from nicer business areas to slums and shanty-towns. The police station in the South is under-funded, and crime is highest here, at the South-West border, where the Latino and African gangs frequently violate each others' territory.

 

The industrial district is located in the West, near the East-North border. There is a decent business district located here, but otherwise the area is much like the South. Poor families struggle to make their way in these areas. Poor whites, poor blacks, and poor Latinos mix here too often, and violence is fueled by alcohol and drugs frequently.

 

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Alright, there's your setting. It's pretty good, I think. I'm going to post first - wait for me before posting yourself. I want to wait for a few more sign-ups.

[ArtKing1239]

Also, I have to post a list of key characters in Ocean City (i.e. Mayor, Chief of Police, crime bosses, influential people). I'll make one as soon as possible.

[OddGuy]

When we gonna start? I'm bored, and I have nothing better to do, Damn it, why does it have to be a weekend? Weekends SUCK!

[ArtKing1239]

Alright, here are the key characters. Again, don't post until I've gotten character intros from a couple more people. Theta, thanateros, and possibly others have yet to post character intro sheets, if they are going to RP.

 

 

Mayor: Giovanni Marcielago

Chief of Police: Michael O'Dooley

Police Department Heads: North - James Brooks

South - Frank Quinn

East - Andrew Penney

West - Jay Miller

Coach of the Ocean City: Sharks (Football Team): Harry Dunlofski

Greenbacks (Baseball Team): Red Mitchell

Lumberjacks (Hockey Team): Dimitri Zelinsky

Angels (Basketball Team): Antoine Needermeyer

Wealthiest Man: Jean DuPre

Wealthiest Woman: Cathrine McDurmont

Crime Bosses: North - Giuseppi Sarconni (Italian Mob)

Mikhail Miagkobrukhoi (Russian Mob)

South - Jesus Miguel Trejo - (Mexican Liberation Front, or MLF)

Immanuel Cortez - Los Hermanos de la Sangra (The

Brothers of the Blood)

East - Takeo Takipooa (Yakuza)

Teng Da Ning (Triad)

West - James Jefferson (Bloods)

Romeo DeAngelo (Crips)

 

*Note - There are many other gangs; these are the most prevalent.

 

 

 

That's about it. This RPG isn't meant to move at a fast pace... Please keep your posts down to 1-3 a day (at least, during the weekdays; weekends, the pace can pick up a bit, but not too much), so that everyone (including myself) can post without worrying about slowing the RPG down. The school year is in, and some of us have jobs and quite demanding social responsibilities; let's make it so everyone can enjoy this RPG.

[ArtKing1239]

(OOC: Let's start)

 

 

Zac was walking along Main street, in the North part of the city, looking for something to do.

 

So far, nothing had piqued his interest.

 

He was wearing some old, washed out jeans, with combat boots and a grey t-shirt, with a jean-jacket over it that was adorned with many patches and metal pins. He had sewn a pink boa into the jacket, running from the bottom of the left button side of the jacket, around the collar, and down to the bottom of the right button side of the jacket. He had on black leather gloves, and a black wool beret.

 

He was ready to party, listen to loud bands, and drink some loud drinks. But, at 3:00 a.m. in the North sector, most places were on their last call.

 

Except for The Dead End Bar, which was open 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 360 days a year. He headed in its direction, smoking a Doral. He had never been afraid of the streets of Ocean City at night, and this was no exception. The streets were safe at night, as long as you weren't a gang member in the wrong territory. Alone.

 

A limo pulled up to the opposite curb, and a few men stepped out. They looked at Zac, and then looked away. They weren't looking for someone like him, part of no gang, part of no opposing organization. Plus, he hadn't pissed any of the gangs off lately.

 

The Dead End Bar was only a few feet away. As he walked up to the door-man, he was given a quick once over. The door-man's eyes looked him up and down, looking for any sign of major trouble. There was none. He was let in, and he gave a tip to the door-man, a customary practice at The Dead End Bar. The door-man was also one of the bouncers, and if you got too drunk, a tip made the difference between going out the back door, or the front.

 

The band was playing some good indie-rock, and Zac immediately knew this was a good night. He moved to the bar, and ordered a couple shots of Vodka, straight. He downed them quickly, and made his way to the dance floor, looking for a good-looking woman to slide up next to.

[HeLLL]

Gomer had just finished flame grilling some cockroaches in some rundown appartment in Little Russia. It was like any other $hit infested hole. Junkys high on crack and god nows what else. Sometimes he wondered whether he was killing the wrong pests <although there was that instance a few years back when a hole block in Little Italy was burnt down because someone pointed out he was a hick>.

 

He was suppose to meet Mikhail Miagkobrukhoi in some crappy bar a couple of blocks north of where he was now. Never trust the russians. Bloody slimly communist pigs. Well at least the gave him heavily discounted weapons. A large shipment was coming in in a couple of days. Just the usual A-47 and a few RPGs, not to mention the nice stockpile of C4 <about 10kg> and some new naplam <run out of "ingredints" so needed to buy some in.

 

Gomer was now outside the rundown bar where Mikhail Miagkobrukhoi was. Gomer got out of his van and went around the back. "Hey what you want hick?" said one of the russian douche bags. "I here to see Mikhail. He in?" gomer ignored the comment passed by the russian. He would find out where he lived in due time. "Hes in side hick." The russian opened the door and Gomer walked in. There sitting down at a table surronded by some commy bastards was Mikhail Miagkobrukhoi. "When is the shipment coming in russian?" Gomer wasn't here to exchange pleasintries. With the russians you get in you get out. And what ever you do do not drink there vodka. "Ah Mr Hick how are you? Good. Well thats nice to hear. Well there seems to be a problem. It seems that you think we want to sell you some weapons. We do. And how do you return the thanks? You sell it to our enemys!" Mikhail Miagkobrukhoi nodded his head and before Gomer new it he was jumped y 4 guys. The pulled out some chains and started to throttle him. "Knock the redneck back to the hick hole he climed out of." And with that a savage beating followed. The russians threw his body into the van and left him there.

 

Gomer had been stabbed in the chest and was slightly bleeding. His face however was bloodied. Gomer started the van and with the little eye sight he did have left drove to the Dead End Bar. On the way there Gomer was contiplating on how to get the russians ack. Since there main income was weapons sinking one of there ships would be a good way to send them a message. Only problem was getting the equipment. $hit.

 

Gomer finally arrived at the Dead End BAr. The bouncers new Gomer and no matter what state he was in all ways let him in. He walked over to the bar and said to the bartender "A bottle of whiskey and a towel." He didn't even look at him. The and there was playing some wierd music. Nothing like the tunes of the country. From the bar Gomer could see some guy busting a move on the dancefloor. He looked russian and wore glasses. Gomer had an idea. He stood up from the bar and wiped the lood off his face and walked over to teh guy. Placing a hand on his shoulder Gomer said "Come with me. Lets talk."

[ThetaOrionis01]

"Well, I think this should do for tonight," Tanya said. "And thanks for you help, Charlotte, I really appreciate you staying on this late to help sort out the deliveries. Can I give you a lift home, at least?"

"Thanks," Charlottle replied. "And you know I don't mind working late. I don't usually go out until round about now anyway."

"I don't know how you can do it," Tanya remarked with a hint of envy. "You're never late for work, but you still go out just about every night. How do you do it?"

Charlotte shrugged, waiting while Tanya locked up. "I don't need a lot of sleep. Music keeps me going. There's a good band on at the Dead End later on. You should come along some time."

 

It wasn't far to the apartment building where Charlotte lived. When she opened the door, her friend Will was still working on his laptop in the living room.

"Long day," he said, smiling at her. "We've left you some dinner - it's in the microwave. Caribbean, tonight."

"Sounds delicious," she smiled back, one of the rare smiles she reserved for her friends.

"Going out?" he asked when she came through with a plate of food.

"Mm hmm."

 

She didn't take long to get ready - changed from her drab day clothes into the black she wore at night - top with a few small rips in it, long skirt slashed on one side, sewn with ribbons and buckles, boots. Her make-up was quickly and expertly applied. Having spent a few minutes to get her hair just right she pulled on a pair of full length lace gloves to complete her outfit, and was ready to go.

 

A cab dropped her at the door of her favourite punk club - she wasn't altogether comfortable walking alone, at night. The bouncers at the door recognised her.

"Bit later than usual, Charles, eh?"

Charlotte grimaced. She couldn't stand it when people shortened her name like that.

"Had to work late. Anything happening?"

"Usual crowd," one of them shrugged.

 

She walked in, and straight on to the dance floor as one of her favourite songs started up. It wasn't long before her expressive-aggressive dance style was recognised by some of the regulars who had become acquaintances. Together, the group of them took over the dance floor, and there, in the crowd, flinging her body this way and that, Charlotte finally laughed.

"Heading over to the Dead End?" she asked when they vacated the dance floor at length. "Erin's new band is meant to be on tonight."

 

In the end, only Charlotte and two of the guys made their way over to the Dead End bar long after midnight - the others decided that they needed to head home.

The doorman grinned at Charlotte and her friends. "Wondered whether you were going to show up tonight."

"Try and keep me away when there's a good band on," she retorted.

"They don't pay me enough to try that," he laughed, and waved them through.

 

They had just missed one band, arrived in the interval while the stage was being set up for the next band. Charlotte ordered a drink, sipped it slowly, impatient for the music to start again. Her acquaintances were discussing the bands named on the list pinned up behind the bar - it was a decent line-up.

As soon as the band went on stage, they finished their drinks, made their way on to the dance floor. The Dead End Bar usually held a tamer crowd than the punk clubs, and people made way for the trio, let them through to the front.

Charlotte stood in front of the stage, looked up into the singer's black-lined eyes. She could feel the bass through her feet, felt it reverberate through her. She closed her eyes, and let the music take over.

[ArtKing1239]

Zac eyed the guy, who had gotten friendly too quick. He smelled a little... chemical-ly, like he had been working with pool cleaners, or bug-dope. The man looked a little hick-ish, but Zac wouldn't say anything. He had learned to make mental cliffnotes on people, but remain friendly, because there are a lot of people out there who would do anything for a friend. You can't judge a person by the mask society puts on them.

 

They walked over to the back of the bar, in silence. There was no-one around to interact with them, save for a girl and a couple of guys who had just walked in.

 

Zac broke the silence, and spoke to the man, clearly angry, but not blindingly so.

 

"What do you want, stranger?"

[OddGuy]

Daniel had just finished a job. As he walked down the street, He put his .44 back inside his jacket, and checked his watch. Seeing that it was beginning to get late, he decided to head to the Dead End; he had a gig in about a half hour. He walked in, tipped the doorman, and sat down at the bar. He looked at his watch again, ordered a beer, and looked around to see if any of the others in the band had shown up. Seeing that none had, he paid the bartender, and walked out onto the dance floor.

[HeLLL]

Gomer hearing the slight anger in the guys tone replied "Im Mr H. Want to make some large bucks and change your life. Before you ask no Im not a bible salesman." "You see some $hit has gone down Im asking if you want to have a part in an operation that will set you up for life."

 

Normally Gomer wouldn't ask anything of anyone. But something about this guy seemed different. If he didn't accept then he might have to keep tabs on him. Last time he offered something like this to someone they ratted him to the ATF.

 

"If you are interested meet me outside in five minutes. If not walk away now and forget everything. I never talked to you and you don't know me. Got it."

 

Gomer stands up and waves the bartender to come over to where they are. "Get him what ever drink he wants."

 

And with that Gomer leaves the bar and walks to the van. And stands outside it. "Well lets see if he shows."