The fact that there is such confusion over the ceremony (LCN's most important, most historical, most Italian aspect) shows us how assimilation has arrived earlier in Chicago than anywhere else in the North East.
I don't even consider Chicago LCN anymore. You have a mix of Italian, Polish, German and Irish guys who do business together. Let's call it Caucasian Mob.
P. LEOTARDO: Listen to me. They make anybody and everybody over there. And the way that they do it, it's all fucked up. Guys don't get their finger pricked. There's no sword and gun on the table...
A. CIANFLONE: Phil...
P. LEOTARDO: No, Albie, either it has meaning or no meaning.
Actually, the Outfit has become
more Italian with time. It was back in the earlier years that they didn't use the ceremony and non-Italians could rise up high in the hierarchy. Not anymore. They may no longer use the ceremony but that could be because they're not making anybody period. And you won't find any non-Italians high up in the Outfit. It's a lot more like the other LCN families than people think.
