After spending better part of the day ensuring officials in Seattle were up-to-date with the changes in the city, Dar had one of the more promising associates drive him to the speak-easy near the docks. At this hour of the day the rough sailor types came to spend their days wages and mixed with the up-and-coming from downtown, who let their civilised masks fall off by evading prohibition. Expecting to find an engaged, high-spirited bunch as usual, it came as a surprise to Dar that any chatter subdued as soon as he stepped in. Heads turned towards him, and lifted glasses were slowly settled on tables.

“What?” Dar said out loud, before walking up to the bar and asking the tender to pour him a sturdy rum. He walked around the spacious room, slowly swirling the deep-amber coloured liquor in his glass. The following gazes, carried on utter silence, were both slightly amusing as somewhat unnerving.

“Isn’t it somewhat strange what’s happening here? I am assuming with this, but all of you shook off the chains of civvy responsibilities and came here to have blast. Yet now I see little open engagement, while the times surely invite for that. We just witnessed a crippling war that shook the foundations of what we all had grown accustomed too.”

While taking another sip, Dar kept calmly pacing around, circling groups of tables.

“That what happened must invoke all kinds of sentiments, but perhaps what demands more attention is the incredible void in front of us. With everything that has been destroyed, new things have to be built again. Fresh relations need to grow. Ideas and solutions have to be tested. While leadership is responsible to manage all that, why are so many of us only in silence looking to them, while it is our collective future at stake?”

Dar put a hand on the shoulder of a man and took his drink with the other, emptying it in one swift gulp. After that he got the drink of a bulky sailor and handed it to his neighbour, before turning that last man’s cap around.

“Just because leadership can, doesn’t mean you should just let them. This is your life, so be opinionated about it. Dream and challenge. Play a part in a shaping a future, instead of just silently sitting around hoping not to die. The leaders left in the wake of war and those who found them propelled into such positions are working together to stabilise your country. It wouldn’t at all hurt if you as a country did your part and gave hints about where you hope this would go.”

Having arrived at the bar once more, Dar placed some money on the counter and instructed the bartender to make up for those whose drinks he had wasted as an example.

“Now I am sure that many of you are already hinting towards your leaders and gossiping in dark-alleys about desires and suggestions. Go ahead and do that, for that is also this life. But please also consider taking to the streets and share your concerns and ideas beyond just the telling of tales. With so many ways this can go, you must have opinions and thoughts. When brought to a greater audience many can learn from that. Ideas shared with many can be improved upon by the many.  When more people listen, the chance that your words inspire is greater. The streets are opportunity. Grab it!”

An old man at the bar nods to the empty stool next to him and Dar takes place upon the invitation. The bartender pours two glasses of rum for them and Dar asks the elder about his hopes for direction in times to come.

Lucifer walked into the bar silently, and made his way to the bar. He asked the tender for a cup, then filled it with absinthe from a small flask.

Lucifer would listen to the man, as he spoke of things such as open engagement and civic duty.

He stood for a moment speaking loud and clear.

"Discussion is important. Taking control of your destiny, and not simply being a pawn is important."

He paused momentarily, taking a large gulp from his glass.

"However, Many of us just lost our parents, grandparents, siblings, and other relatives. We just lost our businesses, our homes, our fortunes.  While the time for dialog is absolutely coming, and for some is already happening in the quite circles of their crews, many of us are using this time to gather our thoughts, and to regain what we just lost. A foundation is needed, I completely agree, however a foundation on unstable ground is worthless."

Lucifer retreated to the back wall, and observed the gathering crowd.

BlueBelle had been listening with a great interest. There were things that she was thinking as she continued to listen more.

I think we look to leadership more because leadership has the ability to shoot those that speak openly. I find that in many times there were not a lot of times that speaking openly was a good thing. In fact many people had been shunned or quieted with threats given to them. Now you want us to open up further? Perhaps you need to show that it is once again okay. Or perhaps time is needed for people to feel comfortable with their voices once again.

We could be opinionated but can we really challenge leadership? Can we challenge who they auth? Can we challenge whether or not they are mute or openly chatty? Where does the line go that we are no longer able to challenge those above us? These are all things I would like to know before I go around trying to challenge anyone.

I do want to see life sparked. Discussions and the like have always been a favourite of mine but to see them people need to know where the line is drawn. And the line is drawn by the leadership, not the people.

BlueBelle paused. Realizing she had said everything that came to mind she stepped back and allowed others to speak their minds on the subject as well.

Jamal was walking on the streets still going to a destination even he didn't know yet but as he was en route to that unknown place he stumbled on another street in which there was another in depth discussion going on. He even spotted the woman who was just on the other street starting her own conversation over here. He decided to listen in and contemplate on his own thoughts on what the man who was starting this conversation said before he voiced his own thoughts. This time while he was thinking though he was paying attention to the responses coming in. He actually found himself nodding in agreement with a lot of what they were saying. He looked around and made sure nobody else was gonna step forward to contribute before he did so himself.

"Man these streets are alive with some conversations these are good!" He exclaimed with excitement. "Honestly I gotta agree with the lady who spoke before me, and the man before that as well. One, it is a time in which damn near everybody just lost their family and their friends, their businesses and a lot of other things that are important to them. At the same time I look around and I see this place filled with the sons and daughters and family and friends of those same people who just passed and they're eagerly trying to fill their recently deceased's shoes as quickly as possible. So with people jockeying for positions and power and what not and trying to find or pick back up the connections their predecessors had they might not be able to fully focus on speaking out on these street corners so much or that may not be the highest priority for them. I don't know that's just my opinion." Jamal said. 

"For the little people though or the ones who don't hold rank or anythin' like that I have to agree with the previous statement made where they may be unsure due to the fact that bodies have been dropped for expressin' their opinion in the past. I mean I know nobody really wants to die, especially for sharin' their opinion or havin' a different one than some of the other power players around. So maybe some assurances or somethin' that these streets are a free place where people can RESPECTFULLY give their opinions or ask hard questions or take hard stances on things and not have to look over their shoulder because their opinion might have offended somebody with the means to do them harm and get away with it then that might go a long way to bringin' more people out to these corners to voice their opinions."

Jamal took a contemplative look for a minute like he was thinking about something else. Before shrugging and nodding like he was satisfied with what he said. With that he stepped back into the crowd and waited to see if anybody else had something to say or add.

Fair points, Lucifer. I agree that it's fair to have a reserved approached at time. Whatever a person needs is okay. Keep in mind though that by the time a direction is already set upon, it might be more difficult to alter it. Now change is always an option, but the sooner the desired outcome is clear, the easier it will be to adapt in that direction.

BlueBelle, thank you for joining us here today and sharing your thoughts on the matter. I think your observations about how more exciting public dialogue was handled by leaders in various times are correct.  While that makes a reserved approach reasonable, it's also the issue preventing us from moving forward. You can't value opportunity without trying it. That said, when trying to speak in public on relevant matters tact and respect are the tools to use. Barging into a subject liked a crazy bull most likely does not serve a purpose. There are also different podia for different topics. The auth example you mentioned is really a concern for within city walls, but if an auth of certain character follows a trend seen across the country... then it's fair to bring the trend to discussion in public. Vocal activity of leadership can be a fine and honest discussion on our streets.

For both examples, and everything, I'd like to advise a humble approach. Do not judge Mr. X, for that's not your place most likely. Do question the behaviour that concerns you and state what you think on the topic. The goal of street speaking is not to put people in boxes, but to collectively improve what we share in this world. The tone of voice of a debate plays a key-role in the outcome. On top of that, consider that you do not know all the facts. Feel free to talk about what is visible, but don't consider that the only ingredients that make a topic or person. So again, discuss that visible part, but don't place a verdict on the full topic because of a single thing.

Can I promise that no one will ever be shot for speaking their mind on these streets in times to come? No. I can promise that I won't shoot anyone that challenges me in public in a respectful way. I happily engage anyone on whatever topic. When someone questions me, I don't see it as an attack on my image. If I would kill someone for doing, that I would consider an attack on my image, by myself. I'm convinced I can give clear explanation for whatever I do and stand for. Killing someone would for me be an indication that I don't have counter arguments for their case. As I said, the streets are opportunity. That's not just for you. It's also for me so I can show what I stand for. 

Keep in mind, that any challenge to leaders, comes with a challenge for yourself as well.
You can't do the first, without ensuring you start a fair and respectful dialogue.

Thank you DarGabrielson for getting back to me. I am sure that your reply should make people feel more comfortable with voicing their opinions at least with you. I believe that is the start to being able to come to the streets is knowing that there is someone whom you can be sure that if you are speaking to them that they not only wish to take the time to understand and listen but that they are not sitting there thinking that they might have to kill you if you are crossing the line.

I still think there will be times that the line may be hard to see but as you said respect is the key when approaching anything. However, if you are a more blunt person people tend to view you as disrespectful when you don't sugar coat your points. How would you suggest managing that?

That is fair question, BlueBelle. Keep in mind that this is not maths we are doing here. There is no exact solution to the problem.

A person never has just one sharp observation. They came to conclusions over time and with understanding of operating on this side of the law. Whatever observation might trigger blunt statements, it'll be paired with knowledge of who they are targeted at. Different recipients require differently styled communication, while the message might be the same. Whatever the topic and regardless of how someone is regarderd, it never hurts to challenge yourself to not offer reason for interpreted disrespect. That's the difference between identity and communication. What you discuss is what you care about, closely tied to your identity. How you discuss it is technical skill, self-control and creativity. That's communication. Being milder, or more aggresive, than usual is no lack of character. It's show of skill. One people are held accountable for.

Being blunt offers opportunity to avoid the content of your statements. Being smart with the same message doesn't give that opportunity, while it allows everyone to hear what you have to say.

A bottle of Scotch in his right hand balancing his weight with the other, N0b0dy tries to get home from a whole-night-bender. Comming across a large score, he thought he deserved some time on the other side of the bar for a change. With a heavy head and wobbly feet, he makes his way slowly toward the coffee place around the corner when he sees some friendly faces in the distance. 

Arriving shortly after, he listens to the discussion at hand. The topic at hand wasn't so much about people being right or wrong as it was about trust, N0b0dy thought.

Taking a gulp from the bottle, he looked at BlueBelle.

I think that is a very spot-on question to ask. It's at the center of why I think a lot of people stay silent. I have to agree with DarGabrielson here. We are all different in the way we voice our opinions so it's hard to pinpoint a specific way of approach and claim that is THE way to do things.
I would like to add a way of approach I tend to use; How do I want to be approached if it were the other way around?

N0b0dy scratches his head while bringing the bottle to his lips once more. He feels it's a difficult hurdle to tackle, but a worthy one for sure. 

I think it's probably a fair assessment that for a good while now, this world has been run by various iterations of cliques and groups. I don't think it's a bad thing or a good thing, it's just the thing.

The promotion of friends and fellow "group members" for all manner of reasons not reconciled to that displayed on a day to day basis either here on the streets or any other avenue has completely devalued the skill to worthless. Can't speak? That's fine - there's no speech given in the streets to justify a take down that needs to be defended anyway. Can't communicate? That's fine - your relationships have already been established with all the other cities anyway. Can't run a family? That's fine - your loyalty isn't to your family anyway it's to your friends in the coffee shops.

People will speak more when the value of doing so is rewarded Dar and that's on the leaders to show that's the case. Even looking around now I see some questionable new crew leaders - post war or not are we really that desperate already? Essentially just falling back into the new normal? I don't know but I've seen nothing that would suggest otherwise so far. 

Those are some sharp observations right there, Wispa. Thank you for that. Organised groups have always played a big factor in how an era shapes. And through what seems as buddy-authing and protection the values we deem important can seem to become nothing but hollow shells for the meaning they once held. Of course we can't judge a full group over the efforts, or lack thereof of a few of their members. Regardless of favouring them or not, I've never seen a group were there weren't very skilled or deserving people within it. A group holds a certain responsibility though and I guess it's hard to follow up on that, especially once there is hardly anymore room to grow on a personal level.

But one of those reasons is not necessary the group, but also "the others". If my best buddy was able to wear a title, but a distant acquintance would be actually fit for the job, I'd personally go with the latter. Unless there is nothing to achieve anymore, it doesn't make sense to pick friends over talent. Perhaps it comes with more challenges, but when you are confident in your own dealings, you should be able to work with others just fine. But lack of public appearances might make it hard for leadership to find other people than their friends. I feel much of the talent within this community bet on just one horse. A direct leader they admire, feel close with or feel they can best manouver. But to me talent should be able to show what they've got to offer in public, regardless of necessarily finding respect with a certain individual that might open doors to them. Generously serving the community with great insights and debate might open much more doors than just working one angle.

Your believe that more people will speak in public if they feel it would be appreciated is in line with what others have said. I hope times ahead will bring confidence back for us to engage in public debate over relevant matters. I can't say if we are desperate or if all the right choices have been made that led to the current leaders being up. But I'd say these times allow for more lenience than during more stabile periods.
I myself am also just a face that popped up. I have no significant contributions to this community. There is no one that gave me auth because they thought I would make a fine leader. This is just how it turned out to be due to circumstances.

Now we find ourselves here, we've got to make the best of it. The current state of things is no celebration of success. It's a declaration that people are trying to build. Trying to create something better. The lengths of how far that will go can only be tested by time.

Adding my own two cents, each leader is still ultimately a representation of the greater "community" of organized crime.  When you approach discussions with an us versus them mentality when comparing leaders to members, it skews the dialogue to something more adversarial than it needs to be.

Organized crime is still an organization; to make it work, you need stable relationships and a concerted effort in making sure that people are on the same page. It is not entirely unsurprising, then, that the world becomes run by groups.  Searching through the history books, someone would be hard pressed to find a person who was able to go it alone in running the world without help along the way.  This isn't a positive or negative assessment - as Wispa mentioned, that's just "the thing".

Which brings me to the small point I'd like to make.  With practically every era, the pendulum of the public mood seems to shift from "unstable, fix this" to "the world is stagnant" without much of a discussion on how it got there to begin with.  At what point did it shift? 

Every person still living and breathing here has some responsibility for the state of discussion.  There is a critical need for open dialogue and suggestions as we navigate through these times, but if I can humbly offer my perspective, history is long, and the many horses of past debates have been beaten beyond recognition.  Good ideas have a habit of sticking around - and while the wheels of industry will continue, the changes people seek will require a group effort in mentality that extends far beyond who happens to be in a leadership role.