You should take time to read this once or twice. You'll have a better time in the game if you understand who's running around and what they probably want.
The world of A House Divided is a slightly darker version of our own. The great organized crime families of the 1920's still stalk the streets of America. In most cases, the actual families have been replaced by newcomers, but the crime lords of today are the spiritual descendents of Al Capone and John Dillinger. Building their empires on prostitution, gambling, and smuggling, the top crime lords live the good life. Despite being almost openly known, they are careful to never allow their own hands to become dirty. Hampered by the courts or not, the Law is always waiting for a slip that can bring one of the masters down.
Unlike the East Coast which has been long dominated by the same groups, the American Midwest has been in a state of flux. The strongest presence in Texas is the Romano family. Its founders, the brothers Lorenzo and Emilio, immigrated from Italy in the wake of WWII, and after drifting westward for several years, they finally settled in Dallas in the 1950's. Although the source of their backing was never discovered, the Romanos exploded into prominence with unheard of speed. Speculation abounded as to who was bankrolling their rise, but the Romanos have never shown any special relationship with the established families back East.
During their rise, the Romanos naturally came into conflict with the other regional syndicates. An alliance with the Hispanic family operating out of San Antonio was cemented when Lorenzo married Maria Abarra in 1965. Over the next fifteen years, the Romanos would absorb most of the Abarra family's operations. The other major power was the Hornton family in Houston. In 1974, Maria Romano was found dead in a hotel room with Abraham Hornton. The press offered stories ranging from Lorenzo murdering an adulterous spouse to the Horntons having kidnapped and executed her. After the frenzy, though, no solid evidence was ever found, and no charges were brought against Lorenzo. Whatever the truth, over the course of three bloody months, the Hornton family virtually ceased to exist. Again, no blame was ever solidly laid at Lorenzo's feet.
Now free of major competitors, Lorenzo went on to expand the Romanos' prominence. Whatever behind-the-scenes business the family engaged in, their legitimate investments - especially in the high-tech industries - bore fruit. With prosperity came respectability, and the Romanos became well known as part of upper-crust Dallas society. They sponsored the arts, funded a scholarship foundation, and lobbied for civic improvements. In time, the Romanos came to be thought of as having more in common with the Robber Barons like Rockefeller than the crime lords of Prohibition days. In the eighties, Lorenzo became a well-known confidant of city councilman - then mayor - Henry Cox.
Despite their obvious rehabilitation, rumors that the Romanos were far from retired continue to make the rounds. Allegations have been made by everyone from the local police to the FBI, DEA, and Interpol. Charges are rarely filed, however, and never seem to stick. Lorenzo tends to shrug off questions with a smile and a wink.
Lorenzo is starting to get a bit long in the tooth, and many wonder what will become of his family and his fortune once the inevitable happens. Before Maria's death, Lorenzo and she had three children: Lorenzo Jr., Vittoria, and Daniel. All three have remained close to the family business, and any of them might stand to inherit part or all of Lorenzo's empire. Danny alone has ever seen the inside of a jail cell where he spent 1994-1997 on charges of dealing in stolen goods. If Lorenzo has registered a will, its contents have never been made public.
Over the past few years, rumors have abounded that Lorenzo is finally losing control. It is an open secret that his longtime rivals, the Las Vegas based mob led by Antonin Cormyr, have made inroads into markets traditionally controlled by the Romanos. Several upstarts have even founded rival organizations within Dallas. The Gustavo twins' underground casino ended in a police raid in early 1997, but survivors went on to found an almost openly violent gang under the leadership of twice-jailbird Carlos Estanza. The Family's only public reaction has been to urge an increased police presence and to deplore the shoddy morals of the modern age.
Many suspect the Romanos of a more hands-on approach to the growing crop of rivals. Recent street buzz alleges that a European crime lord known only as the Ghost has been making quiet inroads into Dallas. Aside from the obvious nonsense of supernatural powers and government backing, the Ghost is described as totally ruthless and openly bloodthirsty in his methods. Many believe his entire existence is a fabrication to cover up Romano enforcement squads wiping out the competition.
The government has had little comment on these affairs. Quite aside from the Mayor's long-time friendship with Lorenzo, the city has been plagued by cost overruns and budget shortfalls. Since further hikes to the local taxes were deemed intolerable, a new strategy is being considered. Under the charismatic leadership of state senator Thomas Rye, a bill legalizing casino gambling has just passed the state legislature. Despite protests by "concerned citizens" that such casinos will lead to increased crime rates and moral turpitude, the city leaders have openly embraced the idea.
Welcome to a city dominated by back-room politics and bloody turf battles. Welcome to a landscape strewn with shadowy assassins and their victims. Welcome to A House Divided.
Back to the main Spy
pageLast modified: Mon Apr 20 03:55:26 CDT 1998