@Marie_Lucania and Isabella walked down the street together and began discussing matters of the day because that's what normal people do... they don't just walk out into the streets and start screaming into a crowd (especially about sensitive mafia shit), but they have discussions and interact with peers.

"Hey Marie, I just had a thought... it seems to me that there are a lot of folks in the streets these days, sharing their life stories and experiences.  They're starting new businesses, hosting gambling events, and so much more - it really is a great time to be a part of this thing of ours, don't you think?"

"I agree Isabella!  For example, the things that Don Mezzo had done and is doing is beyond amazing.  I have never seen so much excitement being stirred in the streets and the business district as what I have seen in the last few weeks.  It is really a testament to what can be achieved by individuals when given some peace and time.  Have you seen how many more people have been coming to these shores of ours?"

Marie looked ahead and appreciated the sunny, warm day.  Life indeed looked bright.

Isabella nodded.  "Yes, quite the influx.  It's good for business to be sure.  And Don Mezzo really is one hell of a guy... but he's not the first of his sort.  I mean there's been a lot of really innovative people who have tried to do great things for this thing of ours over time."

Looking around at the busy streets she smiled.  "Look around us - the streets are filled to the brim with so many people sharing their lives with each other and I love hearing their stories... but I know it's not everyone's cup of tea.  Some folks really enjoy open discussions and debates more than seeing the lives of their friends playing out in the streets and businesses.  I guess that makes sense.  Not everyone has the time or desire to follow the twisting and turning events in other people's lives."

She paused.  "However, I am troubled whenever someone acts as if those stories don't matter at all or are somehow less important to what we do than the debates and discussions that occur.  Do you know what I mean?"

Marie nodded, "Indeed.  Both add color and life to these streets and are equally important even if individuals tend to favor one way over the other.  Those individuals should not be disrespected simply based on personal choices.  After all we live in the United States of America.  We are all free to be the way we choose to be so long as we don't try to tell others how they should be."

Marie turned her head to look at Isabella, "The disrespect is so bad that I recently saw a young man go out of his way to add value to our streets with well thought-out prose and how was his hard work honored?  With a drive-by trolling from someone that could not even put together a complete sentence!"

"I'm thankful that's a rarity these days.  There was a time when it happened a bit more often and there was very little one could do about it outside of responding in kind.  And while I know frequent responses adds to one's fame in the streets... making one something of a VIP... it really degrades the value of what's being shared."

"It's almost funny though - a tried and true way to get such responses is to stand on a street corner and tell people that 'nothing is happening in the streets' when anyone with eyes can see the opposite is true.  Good men and women can't help but object to insanity when they see and hear it, and people know this.  The question is... how, if in any way, can we help support a wide variety of happenings in the streets without tearing anyone else down for what they enjoy?"

"My first thought is that it starts with individuals... if you don't like the lack of discussions, start one.  And not just about the 'lack of discussions' in the streets... start an ACTUAL discussion.  I don't know about you when you were a wise guy, Marie, but I never consider my taxes reimbursement to my crew leader for his/her efforts in entertaining me.  I pay taxes because of what those taxes get my family... protection and the ability to defend themselves in times of war."

"So maybe education is needed in that regard too?  Helping people to better understand what taxes are used for and why they matter?  That' it's not a 'due' or 'fee' you pay in exchange for your crew leader or Godfather helping to entertain you?"

"I suppose that it also stands to reason that maybe helping people to learn how to share their stories in the streets and how to come up with good ideas for discussions and debates might be a good way to go too... what do you think?"

"Of course, those that have a desire to learn should be encouraged and allowed to bloom.  However, you will always have those that lack creativity and ingenuity.  They want to create a resistance, but are two-dimensional in their thought to actually achieve it.  Despite their words they really do not want to better this thing of ours.  They instead relish in chaos. I do not think there is much that can be done with those that lack a desire to grow beyond their present ability level.  I believe it has to be a choice to better oneself and ones community.  You have to have a desire to lift yourself and others around you up and not tear them down."

The two walked a few paces before Marie continued, "That said we should not allow the exception to the rule dominate our actions.  I will re-double my efforts in my city to encourage more activity and will galvanize those around me to do the same.  We are a community and when we work together we can accomplish great things.  Just look around us now.  What we have now, we have because 'we' bought into a belief that things could be better."

Isabella nodded.  "I'm glad to hear that you're going to take a very active hand in encouraging a variety of interactions in the streets.  I think that's good for everyone really.  While I personally prefer seeing the misadventures of others play out in the streets - I know there is a value added to the streets by debates and discussions and if the people who prefer that sort of thing were to make an effort to engage in that... I'd be supportive of it for sure!"

"I sincerely hope that people realize it doesn't have to be one way or the other... we can support all sorts of activity in the streets and when what we like best isn't happening... we can be the change we want to see in the streets by getting out there and starting conversation or interactions.  Gosh, I'm glad we had this chat Marie.  Thanks for coming on this walk with me."

Isabella startled at the sudden appearance of Kurtz, "Oh!  Hello.  What was wrong before?  Honestly, I can only speak to the things I saw since my bloodline arrived a short time ago.  And for the most part, my ancestors haven't ever thought there was anything 'wrong' with the streets aside from the occasional person who put a lot of effort into walking into people's homes and lives and inserting themselves rudely with none sense or insults.  There are quite a few of such instances in the journals of my forefathers which no one was willing to do anything about because the interjections weren't exactly in violation of our laws... and the leadership from the various families was of the opinion that the best way to deal with these trollish people was to simply ignore them rather than call them out."  She shrugged.

"I don't think there is any single person to blame or credit for the past or present state of the streets.  It takes a community to make or break something of this nature.  Right now we've had something of a renaissance of storytellers.  It's my understanding that just before my bloodline arrived on these shores that the storytellers had gone the way of the dodo in large part and the masses were eager to see such return.  Well, here we are."

"Since I know you're one of the people who prefer discussion and debate to the telling of stories - could you perhaps reference some of your favorite discussions and debates from the times of your forefathers?  I'd love to hear the sorts of debates and discussions which you thought were most relevant and added the most to our community."