Louie_Bruno was walking down the street looking for a suitable place to stand and share a little information that his uncle shared with him when he was but a young lad growing up with the influence of the Mafia defining what his future would hold. He finds a nice spot with a soap box strangely already sitting there on the corner. He positions the box in the best spot and takes a step up.

Hello everyone, I have come out here today to share a little insight that my uncle once shared with me.

My Uncle Luigi was straight from the Old Country, Sicily. When I was a young boy, old enough to understand, he explained to me the meaning of a TRUE Mafioso, as had been explained to him when he was my age. He sat me down and said...


"Little Louie, the Mafia is neither a sect nor an association, and has neither rules nor statutes. The Mafioso is not a robber or a brigand. The Mafioso is simply a brave man, someone who will put up with no provocation; and in that sense, every man needs to be, indeed HAS to be, a mafioso. The Mafia is a certain consciousness of one's own being, an exaggerated notion of individual force and strength as the one and only means of settling any conflict, any clash of interests or ideas, which means that it is impossible to tolerate the superiority or, worse still, the dominance of others."


"It took me awhile to understand the gist of what Uncle Luigi's profound words meant, but I basically boiled it down to this: a man of honor and respect does not bow to the "pezzonovante"; he is not given this honor and respect through entitlement, he has to earn it by his actions; he defends the honor of others that cannot defend themselves and exacts justice by whatever means necessary for those who cannot; and finally, he must live and breath it in every aspect of his life to the point that it becomes second nature to him and does not hesitate to do what must be done. Of course, I realize this explanation may mean different things to different people, which is why I have come here today in front of your Social Club to hopefully inspire and inform the crew members, and to make everyone understand what it means to be in "this thing of ours." I will now step back and let someone else take the floor..."

Louie then steps down off the box and takes a step back and awaits to hear the crowds response

Willi stands amongst the people listening to this speech and realizes it is not the same thing that most people are saying.

Your uncle's words are wise and above all, they are different. I have heard so many descriptions and opinions of what a "true" mafioso is and this to me seems to be the best. Indeed, a mafioso in the old country was something totally different. Today, these kids run around shooting guns and running scams a real mafia man would not do. In the old days it was really about protecting your own, and standing up to bullshit. Somewhere it got screwed up and the meaning changed but you are one of the few that are fortunate enough to hear the words of a man, your uncle, that understood the meaning of mafioso. Thank you for letting the people out here know what your uncle had said. It sheds great light on the subject of being a mafioso.

The words of our elders are to be cherished.  Though you were too young at the time to comprehend your uncle's words, I commend you for having remembered them long engough to discern their meaning.

This thing of ours is certainly a special one.  Its essence is a difficult one to put in to words, and your uncle's attempt was certainly enthralling.  His words make me proud of my profession.  This memory was a gift, and for sharing it, I thank you.

"Thank you, gentlemen, for your kind words. I am pleased that the knowledge I passed down from dear uncle, may he rest in peace, has not fallen on deaf ears. Does anyone else care to share their views on this description?"