Pickpocketing? Ugh who wants to talk about that?!

Well I do.

BlueBelle brushed a strand of hair from her face as she looked around the people among her. Some looked bored. Some looked like they had already heard what she was going to say. And some looked mildly interested so she continued.

As we all have seen there have been an increasing number of attempted shots on people that have been mugging. Now this brings me to a few questions. Were they not trained on how pickpocketing works? And are the tags really all that important. So let's explore this in some more death shall we?

Pickpocketing is a very common thing among this world. It happens whether you want it to or not. People enjoy the rush of gaining a couple extra dollars or just the mere fact that they gain some experience from having their hands where they shouldn't be. So whether we like it or not it's going to happen, right?

Well the same thing goes for mugging. Whether you want it to happen to you or not you do open the door way for it to be a retaliation on you if you are sticking your hands in any pockets to any possible unfriendlies. This is how these things work. Is it a pain to not be able to fly when you want to? Sure. But surely you knew about this before you stuck your hands in anyone's pockets right? Well if not you certainly do now.

This begs to ask the question if whether the tags we wear on our clothing are important. Some of us do not wear tags, but this does not make us pickpocket friendly automatically. Some of us where the unfriendly tag and still find hands in our pockets. And some of us love being felt up by strangers. Nothing wrong with any of these, surely.

However, you hear the complaints of "But you weren't wearing a tag" coming from a few folks. I am here to tell you that do not mistake this for being friendly. Many people have given up wearing a tag because it is thought to be useless. People will do as they want, right?

So when it comes to the shootings... is it because they do not know better about how these things work in our community and need some training? Are the tags important? Or is it just a string of individuals that feel bored among our community  with nothing better to do?

I welcome all thoughts on this matter.

Stepping back Bluebelle opened the way for more speakers to come and share their thoughts and ideas.

Mistake lights a cigar and listens to BlueBelle, the point she has made is quite an interesting one. 

"I can't speak much for the matter of tags, I think this is a personal preference. Maybe people have got so used to seeing most people wearing tags, they assume anyone without a tag is friendly. Now, as for the shootings. It is clear these shots are highly frowned upon in these streets, doing so will more than likely end up with you being six feet under. The city rules have been clear for a while, they will not get involved in disputes over pick pocketing or mugging."

Mistake briefly pauses to take a swig from his flask, all this talking was making his mouth dry. 

"With that being said, are we forgetting the type of people you come across in this lifestyle? We are talking mobsters. From petty criminals to big time drug runners and hit-men. So when someone chases them down and pummels them to the floor, beating them senseless for something they saw as a petty bit of fun... An extreme reaction can definitely happen. They took a risk reaching into someones pockets, then that person took a risk beating the fuck out of them. It is the age old 'you bring a bat, I bring a gun.' Nothing comes free of risk."

Great topic, though it is brought up all the time , It seems with recent events someone needs to address it again. I personally am a firm believer that my profile tag does not matter, and neither does the other persons pocket in witch I am picking. However I know there are some that, deciding to shoot someone over a pickpocket is  a decision they made in regards to how they feel about a certain person doing it or out of frustration for it being done in general. Normally if I ask you not to do something to me and you do, it would be considered disrespectful, well if I am tagged with a "Not PP friendly" tag, and you do it anyway should it not be considered disrespect. In our world disrespect leads to death, why should this be any different? 

N0b0dy listens to BlueBelle's speech thinking he couldn't have said it any better himself. 

Personally, I never got the whole pickpocket tagging business. Who in their right mind would walk down the street wearing a tag that says "please pickpocket me!" That's just silly in my book. I've had this discussion with many around here before, be it not on the streets.

We are mobsters, who steal and live a life of crime. If I leave my pockets open, it is yours to grab. Just make sure I don't see it because I will mug you. As is my right. Everyone makes their own choices. Just make sure you're ready to face any consequences that come with it. It's all part of the game!

N0b0dy takes a sip from his bottle of whisky before he continues.

I do feel people should leave it at that though. If you reach into somebody's pocket and you get mugged, leave it at that. I feel shooting people over a mugging is stupid. One can argue that it can be a reality in life, but even if that's true it comes with the same kind of consequences as I stated before.

Passes the bottle around...

Having heard those who spoke before him, Ravel found his thoughts bubbling up on the matter and cleared his throat as he stepped forward.

"While my thoughts are simply my own, I find that the tags we wear give a good indication of the degree to which we take the matter seriously if nothing else. Wearing a tag that you are friendly to pick pocketing is not asking for it to happen per-say, but rather saying that one sees it more as a game we play amongst ourselves than as a disrespect. It can also be used to help our less skilled family members train in order to better succeed in more real circumstances. In the end though, it is the prerogative of each person to decide whether to wear a tag. If they do not choose to do so then they leave the matter ambiguous and I would argue that those who make attempts to relieve them of their earnings should realize that they may or may not take the matter more seriously than one who has stated a willingness to participate in such japes."

Lighting a cigarette to calm his nerves from speaking in front of a crowd, Ravel turns and gestures to N0b0dy who had just finished speaking.

"I tend to agree with N0b0dy for the most part that if a thief should succeed in their task without being noticed then well done to them regardless of the tags involved. If they should be caught, then they are aware what consequence they face. Escalating beyond the point of their mugging feels more to me like shirking the personal responsibility for the risk they took."

Surprised by the people that came out she smiled her best smile and began to welcome them all.

Thank you all for your input.

I do agree that the shooting is a very extreme reaction to something that they ultimately began when they first placed their hands into someone's pocket Mistake.

Turning her head towards Killer she smiles.

So you believe the shooting has already been pre-decided beforehand. They were just waiting on the opportunity to use their gun against a certain person and the mugging gave them that? You raise a good point in the disrespect angle and I will address that in the end.

N0b0dy, you have hit my thoughts spot on. I couldn't agree more with you. 

Raveli, you raise some good points. I do have a question for you though, just an extra thought when I hear you speak. Do you think perhaps the tags could be a catch 22 situation? Those that tend to wear the not pickpocket friendly tags tend to get targeted by people more than other people. Do you think this could be why there are so many with no tags?

Taking a sip of the tea BlueBelle brought with her so that she could pause before she opened up another factor. Another thought that had come through a recent discussion.

Let me pose to everyone the question of respect. When it comes to the blanket statement "we're family" should this be used as an argument to why you should not mug a person? I mean after all shouldn't family be held to higher standard then allowing people to walk all over a non pickpocket friendly person? If you are family with someone who is not friendly to your hand grabbing them, wouldn't you be more inclined to respect then rather than to add to the problem?

I'd surely like to hear any thoughts regarding this statement when it comes to pickpocketing and whether it can be viewed as disrespectful at times.

I pick up my bottle from a table nearby, it still has a few gulps of whiskey in it...
Taking a big gulp before speaking to the crowd.

I want to address the point of pickpocketing family. Personally, I don't like to pickpocket "friendly" people. There's no fun in it for me at all.
But I can understand people might want an easy target and do that. The same goes for family. It's fine if you have an understanding among some people that you won't mug them and vice versa, but let's not make it the rule. In my book, no matter how you spin it; If you pickpocket, prepare to be mugged!

Washing some peanuts down that I grabbed from the bar with a big gulp from the bottle, I continue.

On the matter of respecting people, I feel that's up to yourself. Is that $7,500 really worth the possibility of a mugging and/or a fallout with one of your family members? If unsure, ask them first?

As I try to take another sip, I notice the bottle is empty by now. I thank the crowd for listening and BlueBelle for her thoughts.

Time to grab me a new bottle! 

Jamal took a look around at the gathering on the streets. He was wandering from one destination to the next and as he did he stumbled upon a conversation about pickpocketing. His interest was piqued so he stopped to listen to the original speech giver say their piece before he actually begun thinking on the topic. Good thing for him it seemed some other people had already spoken up which gave him more time to think. Noticing the group of people around who were speaking he felt like he was not quite at their level in the world, but this didn't discourage him too much as there really wasn't much that stopped him from speaking his mind once he decided on something.

With that in mind he stepped forward to offer his own opinion.

"Well I know I don't got as much experience with the matter as some of these other people do around here seein' as I just got involved with this stuff, but the people I talked to and who've been here before me told me a lot about this type of thing. Pickpocketing is apart of the life, mugging is as well and anybody who does one I guess they just kinda gotta be okay with the other. I mean we have different kinds of pick pocketers, those who do it to see who's payin' attention, those who do it for fun and those who do it to be a nuisance. Then you have the usual who do it just to test their abilities and all that's cool in it's own way I guess. In my personal opinion I guess it's all good as long as the money that was taken is put back I see no real reason for a mugging to be given but that's just my opinion. I know a few people who got mugged real bad, so bad that they couldn't move around for a bit or do anything for a little while. That can be frustrating so I can see why some people might wanna whip their gun out and pop the person who messed them up. With that being said I guess the reasoning for that differs as well." 

Jamal took a moment to clear his throat before going on fighting the urge to nervously look around to see if anyone was even listening to him,

"Some people shoot or want to shoot because they got messed up badly from the muggin' and some people shoot because the fact they just lost a lot or all of their shit. I know I'd be mad if I was just pickin' a pocket of someone who didn't have one of those mug or unfriendly tags on em and they mugged me and took a lot of my money. I'd ask for at least the money back and if that little matter could be settled then I'd just have to live with the muggin' but I feel like sometimes it's a thing of respect. As far as tags go their important because I think it let's the little guys out there like me know just who is okay or will be cool with a youngster practicin' their skills and who isn't okay with it so it lets them know the true level of danger. If someone picks or takes from someone who clearly isn't welcome to that kinda thing, they really can't say anythin' when that person decided to retaliate or defend themselves I think."

Jamal gave a small shrug to go along with that.

"Well that's all I had to say I don't know if that made sense or if I just talked in circles but that's my two cents on the matter." Jamail finished and stepped back into the crowd and catching a breath.

Ravel was a bit surprised when BlueBelle addressed him directly, but also flattered. He grinned and nodded as she spoke, acknowledging the wisdom of her words.

I would completely agree with that assessment. There will always be some ruffians who cross those which make it clear they are not to be trifled with. Thus, not wearing a tag can be a way to try to avoid their prodding by way of ambiguity. There are several reasons to choose not to wear a tag, and I do not begrudge anyone who chooses that path. I merely wished to express that in many ways the tag is more about setting the expectations of others than making a statement about oneself.

Ravel pondered her second question a bit before continuing. Respect is a tricky thing at the best of times as each person carries a slightly different belief about what it IS let alone how it is applied.

"My belief is that the fact that two people are family is a reason you would respect their wishes regarding pick pocketing in the first place before it even reaches the point of a mugging. First and foremost we should be cognizant of who our family are and what we expect of one another. We should be following a code of conduct as set by those who lead us and place our own foremost in our concerns. If we are disregarding the wishes of our family then we are doing a disservice to the whole. I have engaged with pickpocketing in my family in the past, however I have done so while discussing it with them out of personal respect for what we share. We make arrangements of how we will handle the endeavor and then follow through with them. I tend to defer to the wishes of the one I am fishing around with as I am the initiator and am aware that they may differ from my own views. If they do not wish to participate, then I simply do not touch them."

N0b0dy, I do agree that if you pickpocket anyone you should be prepared for being mugged. You raise a good question though, is it worth a fall out with a family member to pickpocket them? For me the answer would be no. But then again I am not going around pickpocketing people either. 

Welcome Jamal to the conversation. I am glad that you could join us here. I had never really thought about the different types of pickpocketers we do have among us. That is a great point to bring up. I suppose the ones being nuisances wouldn't really care who they are annoying, right?

I appreciate your input. I can see that the tag holds some merit for the younger population in our world to you, but with the nuisance pickpocketers would that be worth it? Or would it be more of a catch 22 situation where they are opening themselves up to be targeted by these people?

Ravel, what would you say to someone who uses the blanket of "oh but we're family so you should allow me to pickpocket you"? Just out of curiousity if you were pickpocket unfriendly and that line was used on you by a family member.

Jamal listened to the woman respond to him before he thought up his own response. He gave a courtesy look around again to make sure nobody wanted to speak before him. Once he seen nobody step forward he decided to himself.

"That's a good point. To the nuisances yes you probably do seem like a more appealing target as it's their goal to get under people's skin. It seems in everything we do or in every field there will always be a group or a type of people that you just can't please or account for because in life you can't please and account for everyone. I think that lessons should be learned and that things should be taken on a case by case basis. The ones who deserve the benefit or protection of knowing should be the younger ones seeing as they may be told to work on their skills by their betters or they might be trying to improve their craft. I'm not saying that they shouldn't be mugged too because it's a lesson that they need to learn, if you're gonna do something it always comes with a risk. So in a sense if it was me I'd wear my tag for them more so than for the people who just do it to get under your skin. Those people will from time to time get what's coming to them."

Jamal takes on another contemplative look before continuing.

"Pick pocketing is apart of our life and as we've come to understand or at least I did, people do it for many reasons and pick targets for different reasons. Some pick their friends, their family, some pick people who are okay with it and some pick people who aren't. Some pick people because there's no one else around and some pick others because their tired of cops and wanna try their hand at taking from criminals. I think that people wearing a tag are a last resort for some people, but at the end of the day if they have a tag and should it get ignored the person who ignored it has nobody to blame but themself should they get beaten and robbed in retaliation. But this is a life of crime and people are gonna do what they want regardless, within certain parameters of course, so I feel like people should just do what's comfortable for them. Speaking as someone who doesn't pick pocket others who aren't okay with it I can say from my personal experience I appreciate knowing whether that person is okay with it or not but then again I'm the respectful type but I'm also a realist and prepare myself for the worst either way."

Carbon stands next to a newspaper stand, smelling like cigarettes and loose women, sipping a watered down mai tai and listening to the conversation taking place among different business people. He smiles as he always does, clearing his throat to say something,

"I don't know what people are thinking but I know how they think. What better way to see if one can slip through another's bodyguards than to attempt a pickpocket every now and then?"

He looks around for his moonshine plug, who should be arriving at any minute,

"Having given the idea of pickpocketing much thought and practice, I have come to the most resolute conclusion that it is far more useful and exciting to mug others rather than pickpocket. The strength of my skill is a story that only Corrupted Officers and Targets can tell."

Seeing his plug walk into a hat shop with a moment of eye contact for acknowledgement, Carbon walks away sipping his mai tai.

"I bid you all farewell good friends."

Ravel was fully aware that family was at the core of all matters undertaken by those in this business. He even knew there were some that would try to use those connections as BlueBelle had suggested, but the response was a delicate matter. He considered long and hard before replying.

"As I am I tend to allow for such out of practice, but it is an interesting matter to consider from the other side of the coin. Firstly, I would at least be heartened by the fact that they reached out to me to discuss it rather than silently undermining my choice. I suppose, though, were I to be approached in such a manner I would inquire if they had sought other targets before reaching out to me. The world we live in is rich with opportunities among law enforcement officers amenable to our work and those who have expressed willingness to be a part of things. If they had not or were not familiar with ways to find such persons I would try to educate or assist in the process. If there are no other available targets I might consider negotiating terms wherein we both may benefit from the exchange, perhaps asking a fee for the training."

Ravel's face finally shifts from a placid expression of thought to a dissatisfied frown. He taps his foot thoughtfully as he speaks on, considering another possibility which he is not pleased to admit is all too likely.

"If a family member were to approach with such a line in spite of other more amenable targets and with no willingness to seek them out, I would be somewhat disappointed and most likely tell them that I do not see how my acquiescence would benefit the family. I would agree that family should be willing to help one another as they are able, but it would be better for them to do their own work with the opportunities available to them rather than expecting a family member to do it for them. After all, give a man a fish and you feed him for a day but teach him to fish and he'll never go hungry again. Some people just need encouragement to actually cast their line."

Another thread seemed to be playing at the edge of this conversation and interweaving itself through the answers from both himself and those who had been speaking alongside. Perhaps it was time to address it.

"I have a point of discussion as well that may or may not be suitable for the current moment, but it seems so tangled as to be inseparable. Should we rather be addressing what those of us in this world consider to be 'respect'? It seems there are a great many subtle differences in each person's definition and I feel it cuts to the heart of this and other matters before us in our day and age. It is certainly something both I and my fellows in this discussion have used in our reasoning. What are your thoughts on this matter BlueBelle?"

I left the bar to head home. I noticed a group of people talking. As I passed I heard mention of pickpocket ... that got my attention. I listened to what others were saying. Good points made by all. With my brain swimming in rum, I stepped forward ...

"Being new here I will say the tags do make a difference to ... well, to me at least. Looking through profiles I saw the "not pp friendly" or "pp friendly" the first PP I chose said "pick my pocket, I will mug you" or close to that. So I did. And got mugged shortly there after. Like I said, I'm new. I wanted to see what both sides of the coin were like."

I paused to light a smoke ....

"I play many of the MAFIA style games and there are certain types in all of them. Those who play to have fun, those who join - play a day or two then stop, those who play but take the game to seriously (I try to avoid them) and finally the worst. Those who have played so long they are bored or tired of the game a decide to be a dick, trying to cause chaos. They don't care anymore, they lost their fun in the game and want others to also. As far as a solution goes for those type ... I have no idea, mostly I just try to ignore them. People. It's a game. PP is part of the game. Don't what to have your pocket picked? Then deposit your money, take it out when you need it. Just my opinion. Thank you"

I hear the discussion going on. Pickpocketing. A subject we all know. My thoughts? I consider that one a minute before making sure no one was about to speak then say,

"Obviously one solution seems to be keeping it all in banks. Of course not had chance to deposit a take yet, at a casino, such things do happen when pickpocketed so that only works sometimes. But I can't see a reason to carry all your cash - except of course having no money to bank before a job."

After taking a breath and looking to see if anyone is actually paying attention, I continue,

"What it comes to is respect really. Respect needs to go both ways. So pick pockets without being an ass...and if you reach for your wallet and find only lint...realize that happens and you almost surely do the same to others at times. Like I said respect goes both ways, and getting mad enough to plug someone over such a simple thing doesn't fit that last I checked."

Picking up my flask I wonder about saying this last part. Emptying it tells me to, so I add,

"As for respect - while learning the politics here it can be taken too far. For example my father did just that. And died only attempting only a single pickpocket according to his records. It had nothing to do with the war he died in but that said, he had plenty of other chances it seems - chances he bypassed because of taking respect too far while learning. So respect matters of course but if we overdo it and respect our targets so much they never know they were targets, then it can kill this fine art. Says to me we shouldn't pick the pockets of someone with thin pockets and just keep a stash in the bank and remember to respect on both sides. Now ideas on those trying to cause trouble?"

Then before stepping back finish,

"Just my thoughts. Thanks for letting me say them. Who's speaking next?"

BlueBelle was quite interested in what Jamal was saying. So interested it led her to ask a question that she had only thought of as she listened to him speak.

Jamal, would you say that perhaps the new lot to our way of life should be better trained in the area of pickpocketing and mugging then? Perhaps then people wouldn't rush off to throw their lives away over being mugged.

Next she turned her attention to a new face.

Welcome Carbon and thank you for sharing your thoughts with us. I appreciate everyone's input and I am glad that you found an aspect of it that you do enjoy.

Belle tilted her head so she could listen to Ravel next.

I could see how mentioning other targets would be very proactive. Some people may not know about those or how to go about searching for officers that are okay with their training.

I think much like you do when it comes to family. My acceptance of their blatent disrespect for my stance would make me extremely disappointed in them. The use of the term "We're family" should never be used to bully someone into accepting something they do not already accept in their life.

Pausing Belle considers the question and takes a few moments putting together her thoughts.

I think you are quite right to bring up the discussion of respect. Although it is not entirely to do with Pickpocketing you can easily put it into it and think it through more thoroughly. Respect does differ from person to person, thank you for reminding me of that. You bring up some good extra points and I do hope others choose to address them.

Belle turned next to jonnythecon.

Thank you for adding to our discussion jonny. So the tags do mean something to you. Are you someone who happens to follow the wishes of the tags or just curious about them?

Lastly, but not least Belle addressed the next speaker, Cathair.

Welcome to the discussion. It is always a pleasure to get another voice to chime into the discussion at hand.

So if I am understanding you that you seem to think that people who are mugging need to respect those pickpocketing? When you are mugged it is because you initiated a pickpocket with someone who did not wish to have their pockets touched and happened to see you before you could get away.

Sorry about not being clear - mugging is fine - we all know it can happen. Annoying some days but if it's really not a good time to be mugged don't pickpocket at the second. Normal reaction and since the pick pocket is done then there are two options - stealth or get better at it. I see mugging as someone saying "You need to improve here so let me mess with your timers to give you time to work on other skills now so you remember to get better at this later." But unless you want to have a nice conversation afterward, that should also be where it ends in my opinion.

As I was walking away, BlueBelle ask me "Are you someone who happens to follow the wishes of the tags or just curious about them?" Without much ponder I replied.

"I look at people's profiles, if they ask not to be PP'd that's fine or PP friendly even better, so to answer your question... Yes. I do respect others wishes until such time as they prove otherwise. I have enough drama in my RL, don't need it in my game time."

N0b0dy, I do agree that if you pickpocket anyone you should be prepared for being mugged. You raise a good question though, is it worth a fall out with a family member to pickpocket them? For me the answer would be no. But then again I am not going around pick-pocketing people either.

Thievery is only one perspective on pick-pocketing, I have yet to see the mention of pick-pocketing to see how well said persons security is. If you are in a family with someone who is building there skill at getting by security, it should not be an issue to help them out by allowing to pick your pocket. My father taught me family did all they could to help support each other, disagreements are bound to happen but when all is said and done family is who stands by you. Mugging them leaves for chance of a gun being taken, I don't understand why someone would want that for another family member. Perhaps this is just my understanding of things.