I lit a Chesterfield and thought about why I do, what I do. Mostly, I was raised this way. My father was in a "family", as weak as it was, and me and my sister were, reluctantly,  brought along for the ride until the end, but I learned. In school, I was the kid who could get you what you wanted, somewhat ... drugs, girls, jobs. My life has always been one of business. I would make money wherever.

The crash of the market in 29 almost ruined us, but then World war 1 came along and I did my bit and made a shit load of cash along the way. The crippled president Roosevelt did a "New Deal" and made life easier for those who knew how to abuse it. In '33 saw the end of Prohibition so there went that gig for most, but shine was still a commodity most wanted, less pay but still lucrative. Then in the spring of 1935, Roosevelt, launched a second, more aggressive set of federal programs, sometimes called the "Second New Deal."

As I sat at the family bar and ordered another drink, I tipped the barmaid a fifty, as always, and asked those I knew that came in, who said "Hello" ... "Why do you do this?" ........ What they said was, shall I say, interesting ........

Waving off the stench of a Chesterfield irritating my eyes, I decided it was best  to change my seat at the bar.  I took a long hard look of the man who appeared to be troubled. I took another hard look around at the people who were in ear shot of this mans question and thoughts on documented history. Not surprised, the bar fell silent. I'm thinking some have no knowledge of the history this mans speaks of and there are those who do understand what troubles this man yet they are so caught up in being self serving to themselves and special friends and fuck all else.

I take the bold road and approach this man named jonnythecon and give my 2 cents. 

"Hey jonny, I could not help but to overhear you and I got to say we do what we do in the name of money. Money equates power. Not the deaths we read about all too often. Self serving radicals and their special needs buddies kill the market."

Cheers

Walking by, Tyrant smells the Chesterfield smoke filling the area. This prompts Tyrant to light a stoogie of his own. As he grabs for his case of cigars in his coat pocket, Tyrant notices something distinctly missing... His lighter. Seeing jonnythecon  with the lit approaches him to ask if he has a light, while over hearing his question and responses. Tyrant politely asks for a light from jonnythecon and Jonny simply replies by striking up a match. Tyrant draws off the match and puffs out smoke.

"Thank you sir! I would like to chime in on your question, if I may? Even as a kid, all I wanted to be was a gangster. Sounds cliche but it's true. Unknowingly at the time, my father was one and his father before him. So I was raised in the life style. Growing up around friends of family and seeing how they were treated like celebrities always caught my interest. Knowing what I know now... Beloved had a point... it really is about the money but it's also about the respect. I quickly learned one comes with the other. Once you've obtained both, you will be treated like a King (or Queen). Of course it goes without saying, that killing is apart of our life style and even a everyday thing for some but I don't think that is the driving motivation for most. Although, I hear their are some Tyrant's out there that get off on the idea of killing and make it their priority.

I for one just enjoy being respected. I can walk into a jazzy night club and get front of the line VIP service or order a burger from a diner and get it before someone else who placed in the order before me. It's the respect that I thrive off of..."

A stranger approached me, Dearly_Beloved_ was his name, said he heard my question and wanted to put in his two cents. His point was quick and precise "...we do what we do in the name of money. Money equates power." I thanked him for his comment and thought about the words, Money equates power. In our line of work, that is a very true statement.

A short time later, Tyrant stopped by asking for a light, I struck a match for him. I know he overheard the conversation I had with Dearly_Beloved_, he took a drag off his smoke before he replied. Tyrant talked about family and how he was brought up and raised in this live style. Then he stated, "... Beloved had a point... it really is about the money but it's also about the respect. I quickly learned one comes with the other. Once you've obtained both, you will be treated like a King (or Queen)." He finished with saying how killing is part of it. I thanked him for talking to me and thought about his words as well.

I ordered another drink. Two different people both talking about money. Power and respect were mentioned also, but money was in the forefront of both statements. Was this how most felt? I took a swallow of my drink, lit another cigarette and asked again "Why do we do this?"........

The strong scent of the man's Chesterfield was what first prompted Aquila to approach from across the bar, reckoning the scent and matching it with a sense of genuine familiarity. She propped herself on a chair a few seats away and ordered her own beverage on the tap. A question imposed upon her was what sent her brain into motion, and posed the girl to cross one leg over the other and take a small sip of her drink.

"Would love be an appropriate answer? Perhaps i'm thinking too much into it, but if it hadn't been for my sister and mother, and the faith I have in my relations, I would have never found myself in this position. As I used to be a housewife money doesn't have as much as a desired effect on me than it may have to say other companions in the business, but it is an added bonus."

Tugging on her skirt Aquila's eyes gazed around the family bar with compassion and tenderness, as if caught in a memory. Her gaze maneuvered back to Jonny and a smile worked it's way upon her features. Perhaps the overall attitude she held was based on her and her sisters relationship, yes, but without the family she'd built up in the business she wouldn't have found the desire to stay. 

"It's simple, really, isn't it? The people here i've grown close connections to, and that's why we do this, we don't want to let them down or upset them, because we love them all and want to see them happy and prospering."

I noticed Aquila when she came in, who wouldn't. She sat a few chairs away, but I heard her reply, "Love." Now there was a twist, someone not too interested in money, but in family and helping them prosper. This simple question was harvesting great fruit. I ordered a drink and one for Aquila. I tipped my drink to her in a salute.

Love of family. I get that in a way, maybe not my personal mother and father, but in family, yes. Money, power, respect and now love. For me, love is something foreign, something odd. I know the meaning, but not the feeling ... still, I can understand it. It is a double edge sword. You can love money or power or love the respect you get, but none of those will get you love.

With a smile I took a sip of my drink and said into the cup, "Damn her hide for making me think." This is someone to watch.

Everyone’s attention at the family bar seemed to be focused on Jonny, who posed a very thought provoking question. It tickled the insides of Vela’s mind, as she thought to herself, why do you do this? She twisted her mouth and rolled her eyes upwards to stare at the ceiling’s lights. Hmm, she thought. Well, she was doing no good by talking to herself so she rose from her seat and made her way to Jonny, who was occupied in a conversation with her younger sister, Aquila. Vela tried to catch her sisters attention as she wiggled her eyebrows behind Jonny, facing her. At this moment, Vela was now face to face with Jonny and she smiled as she sat down on the stool beside him. “Interesting question.” She commented, as she rested her elbow on the bar counter and put her head against her clenched fist. Vela tilted her head and smiled gently. “Well, I gotta say, I’m on the same page as my sister.” She pinched the bridge of her nose and cleared her throat before she continued with what she was going to say. “You know,” Vela paused, as she took in the sight of Jonny who seemed to be delighted to have her come over and speak her thoughts. She appreciated those who would ask questions like these because it would act as a constant reminder for Vela of what mattered the most. To her, family was everything. Her family was the rock to all her successes, which could have only been achieved through her supportive brothers and sisters. Even though they weren’t all blood related, Vela eventually developed a close connection with everyone there and even a closer one with Jonny as she already knew him before Skinwalkers. Vela rubbed her eyes, suddenly feeling the tiredness kick in. She smiled lazily and let out a grunt afterwards, as she thought about her comfortable bed back at home. Vela wasn’t finished though, as she rambled some more.

“You know, I could be the richest person in the world but nothing beats the warmth of friendship and love.” Vela contributed. And that was all, really. That was the reason why she does, what she does. 

As I was talking with Aquila, Vela came in. She ordered her drink and walked over to us, she took the seat next to me. Having overheard the question she replied "Love" as well. With family and friendship thrown in. Being in the same crew as Aquila and Vela, and knowing Vela before the Skinwalkers, friendship makes sense to me.

SO, two men all about money, respect and power. Now two women talking about love, family and friends. I wonder, is this a gender issue? Do the fellas go for material things and the womenfolk are emotion based? A very interesting thought. I thanked both women for their input, bought us a round and chatted with them, waiting for the next answer.