So sometimes I RP actual canon characters...
(This might be the only one of these things that I write, but this was writing itself in my head as I was trying to fall asleep- twice, two separate times- so I figured I should write it down if I ever wanted to sleep again.)
It would be easy to dismiss Spot Conlon as another mindless thug, powerful but not especially bright, apt to say things that might sound a bit daft or unintelligent. This was, however, an image he had carefully constructed, and painstakingly maintained. It was simply easier to control his crew that way, to be seen as one of them, like them, although they all knew he was a bit more than that. It meant that the average planner of a coup or overthrow would have very little idea the disaster they were potentially walking into, beyond what was obvious- Brooklyn was tough, but they were also crafty, and very well-informed.
Spot was, admittedly, not well-read, but he had innately understood, from early on, the importance of information, and intelligence gathering. His network of “birdies” extended as far as New Jersey, and they brought him every scrap of intel they could, often at risk of life or limb. These “birdies” kept him aware of any change in their assigned areas, the movements of potential enemies, their weaknesses, and threat levels. They were loyal to him, because while they knew he couldn’t be overtly loyal to them, if they were burned, there was always a home for them, in Brooklyn, and there was always an escape plan in place to provide them safe, and usually secure passage to the borough. Once there, they were guaranteed protection- it would take a damn ninja to get to them.
He didn’t just have a spy network most adult politicians and would-be crime lords would envy, he had real strength. While he himself was scrappy, and tended to rely on his slingshot and cane, and eventually, his revolver, he was smart enough to have secured the absolute loyalty of more than enough muscle to deter even the most determined attackers. Brooklyn had a reputation for violence, and physical strength- it was well-earned, and well-controlled. His boys didn’t rampage until he gave them the order, they were almost as disciplined as proper soldiers when he needed them to be, because he gave them generally free reign otherwise, or at least, they felt like he did.
Spot was, by nature, an excellent reader of people, and observer of the psychology of their behavior. His snap judgements were usually correct, and he was very good at using the right arguments for the right people to get to what he needed to get done. It could be seen as manipulation, and it was, but it was subtle manipulation, an art he was especially skilled at. It made him seem a bit cold, to some, but anyone who knew him well just knew he was a master at winning arguments. It was how he controlled such a large territory without ruling by fear.
Fear was, however, a valid emotion to induce in others, and he did it better than most. His occasional need to use brutal force kept his own crew safe- people tended not to attack those they knew would violently put them down. He wasn’t casual about his use of force, of course. He only used aggression when the situation couldn’t be handled any other way. He didn’t just wander into fights for no reason- he weighed his options first.
It was that careful planning that had put him in power, and kept him there, the King of Brooklyn, lord of his domain. Spot Conlon, the most powerful newsie in all of New York, well on his way to turning his crew into something more than just newsies.
(Please note, I didn’t address his fanon status as a ladies man- my Spot doesn’t think all that much about girls, outside of what they can do for the greater good- they’re lovely and warm and soft, and a nice diversion if he needs one, as well, but he’s actually kind of a one-lady guy, if he can just find that one lady. And manage not to piss her off by accidentally ignoring her.)
It would be easy to dismiss Spot Conlon as another mindless thug, powerful but not especially bright, apt to say things that might sound a bit daft or unintelligent. This was, however, an image he had carefully constructed, and painstakingly maintained. It was simply easier to control his crew that way, to be seen as one of them, like them, although they all knew he was a bit more than that. It meant that the average planner of a coup or overthrow would have very little idea the disaster they were potentially walking into, beyond what was obvious- Brooklyn was tough, but they were also crafty, and very well-informed.
Spot was, admittedly, not well-read, but he had innately understood, from early on, the importance of information, and intelligence gathering. His network of “birdies” extended as far as New Jersey, and they brought him every scrap of intel they could, often at risk of life or limb. These “birdies” kept him aware of any change in their assigned areas, the movements of potential enemies, their weaknesses, and threat levels. They were loyal to him, because while they knew he couldn’t be overtly loyal to them, if they were burned, there was always a home for them, in Brooklyn, and there was always an escape plan in place to provide them safe, and usually secure passage to the borough. Once there, they were guaranteed protection- it would take a damn ninja to get to them.
He didn’t just have a spy network most adult politicians and would-be crime lords would envy, he had real strength. While he himself was scrappy, and tended to rely on his slingshot and cane, and eventually, his revolver, he was smart enough to have secured the absolute loyalty of more than enough muscle to deter even the most determined attackers. Brooklyn had a reputation for violence, and physical strength- it was well-earned, and well-controlled. His boys didn’t rampage until he gave them the order, they were almost as disciplined as proper soldiers when he needed them to be, because he gave them generally free reign otherwise, or at least, they felt like he did.
Spot was, by nature, an excellent reader of people, and observer of the psychology of their behavior. His snap judgements were usually correct, and he was very good at using the right arguments for the right people to get to what he needed to get done. It could be seen as manipulation, and it was, but it was subtle manipulation, an art he was especially skilled at. It made him seem a bit cold, to some, but anyone who knew him well just knew he was a master at winning arguments. It was how he controlled such a large territory without ruling by fear.
Fear was, however, a valid emotion to induce in others, and he did it better than most. His occasional need to use brutal force kept his own crew safe- people tended not to attack those they knew would violently put them down. He wasn’t casual about his use of force, of course. He only used aggression when the situation couldn’t be handled any other way. He didn’t just wander into fights for no reason- he weighed his options first.
It was that careful planning that had put him in power, and kept him there, the King of Brooklyn, lord of his domain. Spot Conlon, the most powerful newsie in all of New York, well on his way to turning his crew into something more than just newsies.
(Please note, I didn’t address his fanon status as a ladies man- my Spot doesn’t think all that much about girls, outside of what they can do for the greater good- they’re lovely and warm and soft, and a nice diversion if he needs one, as well, but he’s actually kind of a one-lady guy, if he can just find that one lady. And manage not to piss her off by accidentally ignoring her.)