Seraph did his daily rounds. He'd mainly stick to the heavy crowds of civilians as they beat their feet on the streets. All out to get involved in the culture of the world as they knew it, to mingle, to share a thought or some gossip or to just tick off some of the daily chores on their to-do lists.

He also noticed others who were in amongst the bevy of civilized locals. Some were in uniform patrolling the districts to keep these everyday submissives feeling safe. And of these government agents, some were seen to be mixed up with another type entirely.

This other type were the men and women who dressed a little different. Some who were out in bold suits, hand made and styled to fit each ones personal tastes. They were woven to reflect such lavish and unique personalities; characters. And with minute attention to detail, to the extent they even gave a hint of which city they called home and which groups they had strong ties to.

These profiles, silhouttes, you could see from a distance and couldn't help but remember as the rest of the mundane crowd blended together to register nothing more than a blur on ones psyche.

As Seraph got closer to the meeting place, he noticed others also approaching. Like shark fins, their stylized and personalized fedoras poked out above the mass sea of generics.

Seraph arrived first and kicked off the discussion on a corner in front of a tavern, as a shoeshiner got to earning his penny.

"We have a good system here, with our hierarchy. Every part of society has a top and a bottom. There are those at the top and the rungs that lead there. We, we're no different. We have order. We have rules and ways of dealing with those who break these rules, and these rules are clear to us early on."

"But what exactly are the rungs? The top is obvious, although to me still out of reach. And the bottom, well everyone who works with us a short while knows the bottom. We've all been there. The first steps we take as mere thugs. But we know it, because we experienced it. We sweat and we bled, and we grew beyond it."

"What I want to ask those of you who have come here today is this. As we grow in this world, do our roles change when we step higher and higher up the hierarchy?"

"I've moved up enough to see more. To feel heavier pockets and to have more business contacts. Does this mean I have a greater responsibility to those around me? And should I change my approach as I grow older in this life? And if so, in what way?"

"I believe in growth and change. I believe as I become more, I am more able to give more. I can help more people and influence more, and be the middle man a little ways up the ladder reaching a hand back to those just getting involved."

"But of course, I have a lot to learn. Which is why I am out here and asked you to join me. Maybe you can add some insight here."

"So what say you? What are your thoughts on your role and responsibility as you climb the ladder? What do you value now, opposed to when you first started? And has it been for the better, or for the worse?"

That’s an intriguing question, Seraph.

From the stories my father and grandfather told, I know that my family came to America to find that which a very old ancestor before them had written about. And they did find what they were hoping for; a world of action and intriguement. The challenges of working up the ranks and creating relationships with influential people, all the while enjoying a wealthy and social lifestyle.

As time passes by, generations come and go and dependent on your approach and arguably some luck, you keep discovering more as you dive into the depths that this world has to offer. Looking back, I know that I changed, but in that sense it’s difficult to say whether this place changed as well. I think it did however.

Over time I saw a lot of people who wanted more out of their careers, but couldn’t reach that. I enjoyed motivating them to reach further and helping them where I could. Most of all I liked offering people a place they could truly call a family, something which is not at all guaranteed by sharing the same headquarters.

By now, I think my part is to try and motivate people to chase a more rewarding experience, because I think that our common behaviour in this place means we are missing out on a lot. That’s in part wishing the best for everyone, but it is self-centered as well, because without that change of culture this place doesn’t offer a rewarding experience to me personally.

Anyway, like I said, this is a good question.
I wonder what others will see as their role within this place as it would show what drives them.

Seraph nodded at Jack. He flipped up the collar on his long woolen jacket then slid his hands into his pockets.

"Thanks for joining me on this corner. It's good to see your mug about. It seems you like to help people, regardless of where they reside in the country. I think that's noble.

And I also think that families can extend beyond the HQ. I think it's hard to not meet and connect with others in this thing and build strong relationships, no matter where we reside.

It seems you've gone from having a role of helping those within your crew, and it's gradually become a value of yours to help impact the community as a whole. Your influence has expanded, and so too your reach and circle of influence. 

I think naturally it may be the case, to want to do better for a larger group as we eventually realize that although we are individuals, we impact and can make changes on the collective through our own actions. Maybe that's a natural progression? Or maybe it's just how some personalities work? Interesting to ponder.

I wonder what other people value more, their own rise to power and renown, or the people around them? And can they go hand in hand? I think they can, but for me the latter is more rewarding. Much, much more."