The streets were dark at this time of night, and it was certainly not a time for a young woman of seventeen to be gallivanting around alone. Yet Katniss Everdeen was not your typical teenager, and indeed felt more secure among the dark and seedy underbelly of the streets past dusk. With a soft smile to herself she shoved her hands into her trouser pockets as she walked along the cold, concrete sidewalk toward her apartment.

Just a block or two away she came across a small group of men and women standing outside of a 'connected' restaurant. A face or two jumped out at her; a few men in particular she pegged as members of the Chicago syndicate directly. Taking a glance at them she nodded her head politely as she passed, before stopping short at what she heard. A man with a cigar hanging freely, almost dangerously from his lips, was gesturing as he finished up what looked like a very promising and fulfilling rant. "I don't care, that twenty mill is what I earned doing MY work, I'm not passing it over to him in an unmarked envelope with a smile on my face. It's my money."

"Whoaaaaaa," She said stopping short, placing her hand on the man's shoulder and looking him full in the face. "You have twenty million just... just... SITTING around? And you're not- not tributing it?"

The man shrugged out of her grasp and snarled at her. "Get outta here, kid, this doesn't pertain to you."

A few of the crowd got visibly uncomfortable, one woman hissing, "Leo, that's Katniss Everdeen." Leo, his name was apparently, blanched almost immediately and turned toward the teenager with a smile on his face. "Miss Everdeen, no disrespect was meant with my story, of course, you see I was just-"

"Just tell me yes or no: you are keeping twenty million to yourself at this moment in time," Katniss said point blank. She didn't like beating around the bush. Perhaps she should have a bit more etiquette and decorum in these situations, but who had time for such a thing, really?

"Er... yes," said Leo, averting his eyes and quickly grabbing his cigar from his mouth, tossing it onto the sidewalk and stubbing it out with his expensive Italian shoes. "Everyone has money laying around," he continued.

The girl merely blinked a few times before looking up at the entire group.

"Not me."

"What?!" a woman asked in surprise.

"I said, 'not me'. I don't have that much cash on me."

Glances of worry, shock and horror passed through the group before they all turned back to Katniss, their eyebrows raised and mouths drawn into tight lines. They thought she was strange. Of course.

"Well let me ask you something," she continued on, "... Is that... is that normal?"

"What do you mean?" asked Leo, warily.

"Is it normal to have so much cash on you? And to not donate to your leader?" she continued.

The group merely stared at one another: wide-eyed, shuffling their weight from foot to foot uncomfortably before one man spoke up meekly. "W-what do you mean, normal?" he asked, almost apologetically.

With a raise of her eyebrow and a quirk of her lips to the side in disapproval, Katniss shook her head quickly to clear her thoughts.

"You know, like, is this the new 'normal'? This isn't the first time I've seen a reaction like this. Just the other night I was sitting in the family coffee-shop and was approached by one of the city's young associates. He wanted to ask me a favor, something he didn't think out of the ordinary for someone in my position. This kid, he wanted a loan, ten million. Easily done for a Consigliere, right? Well, not me."

"I looked the kid in the eye and told him, 'unfortunately that isn't something I can help with. Every last cent I have goes to Sammy,'."

"He went silent for a moment. '...You keep nothing for yourself?' he asked me slowly. 'Enough for drug runs, but that's about it,' was my reply."

"Of course he stared at me for a few moments, completely astonished and taken aback before he could even continue on with the conversation. 'To be honest I respect that. That's a very honorable thing,' is where we left our chat."

"In doing what I do, with earning money for the family... I never stopped to consider if what I was doing was honorable or not, or noteworthy, or any flouncy or fancy sounding adjective out there. When I talk to my accountant and tell him to wire over cash, I just always thought I was doing what was... well, normal."

"That conversation with the young associate though, it has had me thinking for a few days now. What I do, passing up all of my money, is what my ancestors were taught to do, therefore taught every generation of my bloodline to do. You were, in those days, supposed to send the cash where it could be used or distributed best: to your leader. So I do what my bloodline has always done and send up every last hard-earned dollar."

Katniss paused, looking Leo in the eye dead on.

"I have read in my great-great-great grandfather and grandmother's journals that there was once a time when holding a large sum of cash to yourself was considered abnormal, greedy, deceitful. What could any run-of-the-mill mobster need that kind of cash for? Of course that was then, and this is now, but it was always a big question mark for some make or break type of situations. Like promotions, or being awarded certain perks and positions. Sending up money was always a factor involved, was it not?"

"Things are different these days, I get that. Bodyguard upkeep, paying bankroll on secret drug running operations, greasing the palms of cops in the various crime cities... it takes a lot of green to keep things running smoothly for the average mafiosi. I had one fellow remark to me a few weeks back something along the lines of, 'I always keep ten million on me, for myself, just in case'. He looked at me like I had three heads when I told him I sent up all my cash too."

The girl shrugged, addressing the group as a whole with her closing remarks.

"I'm tired of being treated like I'm strange, so I want to get a consensus. I guess what I really want to know from all of you, or hell, even ANY of you: is this the new normal? Is holding money for yourself really how things are done around here nowadays? Is tributing all of your money a thing of the past? Does anyone out there still do it besides me? Are we transitioning from old La Cosa Nostra tenets, and into a new generation where cash, tributing, greasing palms with the big guys in the city not as important?"

"Or, in short, is it weird to be selfless?"

Lurking in the shadows, Neville listened to the conversation as it unfolded. It appeared to him that Mafioso in general were becoming more self motivated, or as he thought of it, greed driven. Similar to Katniss, his ancestors had always taught him that kicking up tribute to his leaders was important and he decided to interject into the conversation and offer his own view on the matter

Miss Everdeen, I must say I agree with you wholeheartedly. It has long been the tradition on these shores to tribute as much as you humanly can to your boss. It's a sign of respect and also pay back for the protection the offer you as this is the protection that enables you to earn. I personally, feel it necessary, as instilled in me by my ancestors, to tribute as much as possible. However I do feel this is perhaps differing with our ever changing world.

Another point I feel may be important as to a person's wealth, is their rank. For example, I would fully expect an Earner to tribute a higher percentage of their earnings than a Don, however this will level itself out as most Don's earn significantly more than Earners. However the wealth within our thing should be and should remain, in my opinion, hierarchical.

I think what people need to consider, as we have for a many great number of years, is the money you tribute goes towards bettering your family and city which in turn will benefit them. You can have all the money in the world, but it's of no use to you if you and your family are gunned down in the street, think about it.

Neville lights a cigarette before disappearing once more into the shadows.

I will openly admit I'm one of these people, I do not send up every spare penny I have to my boss. There are a number of reasons for doing this... my bodyguards, the expenditure on gun training and the fact that I cannot spend as much time I'd like to here anymore. My boss has been running tax free since I re-joined him and it has made life that little bit easier. With no taxes I am able to keep up with most of my bills.

I do not send money up to him, but nor do I ask for any help with bodyguard re-training or for cash to train my gun. I think considering the time I have available here that what DeadlySin and I have works. He knows (or should know) by now that in me he has a member that will stand by him if he gives the word. No matter what situation, or whether we have a chance of living.

Since when did this place become all about sharing spoils anyway? Are we not mobsters? Did we not get into this life for gains of our own? Or did we come here to give everything we worked hard for away? I get that families give you shelter, but when crew member are regarded as cash cows, how in the hell is that a FAMILY? No doubt I'm going to get the age-old retort of 'families work together and make money together so it can be put to best use'... the best use for whoever is in charge. I've seen people BG'd up for who they WERE rather than who they ARE. That is NOT for the benefit of the family, that is for the benefit of the decision makers who's next of kin will no doubt also receive a helping hand when their pappy passes away.

Oh.. I also forgot to mention my addiction to gambling, which... thinking about it just lately. I have contributed millions to my boss as I have taken millions out of other casino's and put it in his :)

Lilac had just emerged from a back alley when she overheard a familiar voice addressing someone. She cast her eyes towards the sound and saw Katniss Everdeen surrounded by a group of individuals who seemed...well, perplexed.

Lighting a cigarette, she sidled closer to listen more intently, leaning her back against the wall of a pizzeria. Not the wisest of ideas; she was starving and hadn't eaten a bite all day due to lack of time. 'Still, that can wait. This sounds interesting,' she thought to herself.

As the subject of conversation became apparent, Lilac chuckled to herself and approached the crowd as she took one final puff of her cigarette and flicked it deftly over her shoulder.

Katniss, my dear. How do you do? I couldn't help but overhear the commotion and, well, you know me - I can't resist a topical debate.

Lilac stood beside Katniss, eyeing the group one by one, one eyebrow raised. She recognised a few faces herself, one or two actually being from Detroit. She gave a short but sharp 'Hm' before speaking.

'The new normal, eh? Well. It's no secret that our world has gone through some changes over the years, but personally, I like to ensure that certain values remain adhered to. You believe Ms Everdeen strange for her financial habits? Let me tell you all something: throughout my career, boys and girls, I have done exactly the same thing.

As a young gangster, I never kept more than I needed for basic travel costs and drug runs, much like Ms Everdeen. I could have taken out shares in the Post Office, I used so many envelopes sending cash up to my superiors. Why? Because while under their employ, that cash was theirs, not mine. When I became a Mafioso, I vowed complete loyalty to my leader and that very much included every last penny that I earned.

I have never understood those who consider it acceptable to leave multiple millions laying dormant in a bank account, 'just in case.' In my book, you leave the 'just in case' scenarios to the man - or woman - that leads and protects you. You got costs, you say? Sure. Tell your leader. He or she won't withold from you what you need in order to fulfil your duties, if they deem it appropriate; that is why we are here, the job we perform. However, we cannot help if you don't communicate with us and instead maintain a personal stash that could be going towards the benefit of your family and city.

The needs of the individual, in our thing, never ever come before the needs of the collective. Under my flag, if I discover that you've been pilfering cash of your own without my express permission, only for you to then approach me with a request for paid protection or some such...you won't receive a warm response. On the flip side, for those who honour our codes of conduct, the rewards will be great.'

Turning to Katniss, Lilac winks before sparking up another smoke, pulling her hood over her head and marching purposefully into the pizzeria.

The roots of this debate, in my opinion ca be traced to what a person's motivation is for joining this Thing Of Ours. I remember hearing someone say that almost every act that we perform on here can be traced to one of the two: Loyalty and Power and that everything we do can be broken down to those two.

Those who joined this life motivated, almost purely by loyalty will definitely be those who tribute every single penny they posses up to their leaders. They will always put the life of their leader first and are those who subscribe to the school of thought which states that the leaders life is the only thing that matters in this Thing Of Ours.

Those who are motivated by an unquenchable thirst for power, however will be those who do not tribute up even a single dollar to their CLs. The CLs are, at least in the view of those people, just a tool to avoid being gunned down like a dog by the trigger happy hitmen that prowl our Streets and just a way to get ahead in life and possibly, if it comes to that, a person to screw over for their own shot at glory.

I'd like to thing most of us aren't motivated by Loyalty or Power alone but rather a mix of the two. Loyalty to your leader while also yearning a sense of power over your peers is the best recipe for success here, in my opinion. Most of us do not donate every cent they have to the upper structure nor do we hold back all our money. We kick up a certain amount of our daily income and we keep the rest, possibly squirreling away some money for maybe one contract, that one extra BG or even as a slush fund to help our progeny get ahead in life.

Personally, I belong to the third type of person. I do not send up all I have but nor am I a tight-fisted bastard who pretends not to have any money. My Boss seems to be content with what I send up and I am sure if he wasn't, I would know. So, then why should anyone care if I send up all I have?

Elijah, you raise a valid point. Provided the boss is happy, then all is well and as you say, we would certainly vocalise any dissatisfaction.

I believe Katniss' point was directed more so at those who knowingly deceive their leaders by placing their own need for riches above that of the family.

Well, in that case I would like to ask a question myself. Isn't it the Boss's responsibility to ensure that people tribute up and that those who do are rewarded? Also, shouldn't aforementioned Boss at least have a rudimentary knowledge of how much money a member has? The number of BGs, MIA kills and jails afforded by that person are usually a good indicator. Maybe if leaders took steps to stop these kinds of people, they would actually stop and maybe contribute to the Family.

Furthermore, as I reflected on this topic a bit more, I realized something. Can you blame the members solely for this kind of behavior? In my opinion, I think not. If a leader was someone whom they genuinely looked up to. If it was someone who served as an inspiration to all of his/her members, I honestly don't think anyone would hold money back. Personally, if my leader was someone I had grown to despise in the time I have worked in the Family, the size of my tributes would slowly shrink and soon become non-existent.

Is it just that you tribute up your money irrespective of your feelings for how the Boss is running the Family or do your personal feelings come into play?

Another valid point.

I couldn't agree more on the subject in terms of the dynamics between a boss and their member; and yes, I absolutely agree that there is an onus on the part of the leader - as much as the member - to establish the best possible relationship. This is precisely why I could never condone silent leadership, because truthfully, who wants to fully support a leader whom they don't really know?

So, yes. I do think that personal feelings come into play, in both directions. I believe that a leader cannot possibly expect their member to fulfil their obligations if they are unhappy in some way and that this is something which must be addressed in a reasonable fashion.

Ask around New York, I'm a greedy, self centered bastard. I expect the best, I demand the most, and I tend to get what I want. That's just how I run things, but if you ask any of my crew members, I havent ran taxes in weeks, and Ive only done one tribute drive since I put on this fancy bold suit. Every week, I find handsome sums of cash in my bank, without saying a single word to anyone about needing it. I let my members deciede what they're going to kick up for the week. If its a good week, I get a bit more, things a big slow, not so much. At the end of the day, my people are happy, their pockets are full, and so are mine. As a leader, I cant ask for anything else.

The new normal? I don't think the question so much is people are just hiding bags of money and such. I think there is more to it Ms. Katniss.

This thing of ours has evolved a little bit. Last time my family was involved in the mob, we didn't have wall street...we do now! And on top of that, the currency being traded in the market is used for some rare possessions that yield high bonuses. All it really takes is a look across the market board to see how much money is floating around this thing of ours. Cause lets face it, if it wasn't savings...it wouldn't be on the market!

There is more to it than just that though. Elijah spoke about this a bit, the relation between the crew leader and crew is HUGE!!! But any good leader knows that, hey you wanna lead...act like a leader! And most do, those that don't....well there no longer here or are very short lived. So back to loyalty, loyalty in our part of the world is a must! A given necessity. Its loyalty of the Crew that gives the Crew Leader his real strength. Sometimes the only drive a Crew Leader needs is a booster MM from a member! And your up and running again. But that relation does work both ways. The CL keeps the Crew interested, protected and progressing. And the Crew keeps the Crew leader progressing, protected and interested!!! Not very different! But hold that thought for a sec...

The collectivism that you speak of Katniss is something that has to be seen as a long term process. Most don't look that far. Leaders do. With our new found changes to our world, lets throw examples out there.
The gods have blessed us with the discovery of new lands...and with that discovery weve been able to acquire immense amounts of BG's from these lands. Men built to protect and kill if necessary, and there CHEAP!!! Sooo everyone can afford one! Yay!!! (well depends on who you are, more on this in a sec)

Now we all know there are different aspects to our world. We got our talkers, the hustling and bustling RPer's keeping our streets inhabited! You got the high powered earners, paying for everything that moves...literally! And then you got your hitters that protect the family when necessary. At times some guys are specialists, some are jack of all trades...and then you have the total combos!

So to tie this backup! "Collectivism"..."The CL keeps the crew interested, protected and progressing. And the Crew keeps the Crew leader progressing, protected and interested!!!" and "Wall Street!"

So why do leaders and the crew sometimes differ on distribution of economics???

Now were talking communication!!! A leader believes in collectivism because in his head he knows who his earners are, who his street image guys are and who his hitters are. With that in mind he/she will strategize, prioritize things that require money...lots of money! For example, a great earner is a huge asset to the family no questions asked. But that doesn't mean he's so important that he should be surrounded with a Insane entourage. Because essentially his job is to pay for the hitter that will essentially protect the family. Does that mean the earners don't deserve bg's? Nope...they deserve insane entourages too, they work for it. But thats where you have to walk the fine line. As a member of the family your Loyalty requires you to believe in collectivism. Yes! Were in the mob. Yes! Everyone here has goals in mind they want to achieve. But ask around, history proves...families that grow together, spread together! Its kinda hard to spread without growth first...and that growth is achieved much faster with everyone pulling in one direction as one unit.

Thats where a leaders skills get tested. Can he/she motivate the crew to follow him blindly (if this isn't loyalty idk what is) he's done his job. At that point he/she just has to communicate to the family whats next! Im not saying you go begging your members for money...but if your good enough at communicating, odds are there gonna ask you if 'you need anything'. And I mean I remember families where earners in a family would compete just to out do the others....and those families built empires! And thats just one example of collectivism. I can give more. And I know one of these empires I just spoke of had traces of Ms. Katniss's bloodline involved. So I understand what she means when she speaks of these men and women that have no concept of loyalty and collective progress.

Without collective progress...there is no growth! Just migration!

So has the normal changed? I hope not...for the sake of grander mob civilizations!

I must agree with Signora Everdeen... I have never considered any other other reason for money I earn than to be put towards the betterment of my organisation.

I have some essential purchases I like to reward myself with, but the thought of lessening my own welfare - by keeping funds out of the hands of those who would use it for the better of all - is absurd?