Eepster took a drag from her cigarette and stared dauntingly at the church across the street. The large building towered over her and many of the other structures in this part of town. It was grand, it's steeple reaching towards the heavens. It definitely was not a one stop shop for an eloping couple Vegas was somewhat famous for. Her shoulders slumped as she brought the cigarette back to her pink lips. Eepster wasn't looking forward to this little adventure. 

She flicked the cigarette into the gutter and crossed the street. A dry breeze swirled her brunette hair behind her as she charged forward. Eepster had...she had been up to no good the last couple of days. It was a good idea for her to repent her sins. Not that she was really a true believer, but in case she caught a bullet...well, just in case. 

Here goes nothin'.

She said to herself as she approached the doors. However, a homeless man tucked into a nook outside the church squawked quite loudly at her.

"Change! Got any change?!"

Eepster promptly ignored the fella and flew open one of the large wooden doors, stepping into the church. After she stepped through the door slammed shut behind her. Echoing loudly in the great room. This obviously disturbed a few folks sitting in the pews. There wasn't a service any time soon...or even today. Eepster really didn't know about this religious...stuff or how it worked. However, it was a church and there seemed to be people always at this one. 

After the door's intrusion seemed to settle everyone down again, she made her way towards the confessionals. Eepster had a lot to confess, but just as she was about to grab the handle and open up the door a gentleman clambered out. He almost knocked her over. Rude. She stood there for a moment, scoffing at the man, until a lady turned to her and shushed her loudly. Did everyone in this damn church have a stick straight up their...

"Child, tell me your sins."

Eepster could hear the priest on the other side of the confessional booth getting started. Still holding the door handle, she continued in and took a seat. Eepster proceeded to get down to business with the priest. 

Forgive me, Father, for I have sinned. She paused, trying to remember what she was suppose to say next. My last confession was....ahhh....It's been a minute. 

The priest fell silent for a few moments. Eepster was just about to get up and walk out assuming the priest had already given up on her when he spoke again. He encouraged her to tell him of her sins and she proceeded. After the deed was done, she took a seat in one of the pews. Far, far from the angry woman who shushed her earlier. She had some time to kill before her flight.

After getting all of her dirty deeds off her chest she felt much more relaxed in this holy space. That was until one of the civilians that were bumbling around looked as if he were having a heart attack as he lit a candle at the front. He gasped out in what sounded like pain...maybe? His back arched, gasp turning into a banshee scream. Oh Jesus, did she interrupt an exorcism or something. The man switched postures abnormally quick and proceeded to proclaim he was a speaking vessel for the God's above. Eepster was very curious about this as she thought that was the priest's job. She shrugged and continued to let the madness play out in front of her. What the fuck ever. 

God: so now i give the power to the criminals of this thing of ours to decide on the requirements for hands. If the criminals of this world want only people over 120 days of crime life old, then that's what they can do. If they want the requirement to be 3 minutes old crime life then that's what they can do. The power is 100% yours. The canvas is blank, and you can paint on it with as much as you care

The man who had just spoken for god collapsed on the ground after he made his...announcement? Eepster wasn't clear on what just happened. Just that something had happened. A change to her world. To the entire world. The whole situation had been really fucking weird and she needed a cigarette. As she was leaving the pew she had sat in she almost took out the old woman who had shushed her. The woman kicked her in the leg. This was the last time Eepster was ever coming to church. Damn.

Back on the street, she lit up another cigarette and took a huge inhale in. That was quite the trip. However, the words the man had said...that God had said...were starting to sink in. As she walked down the street, puffing on her cig, she noticed posters stapled to the lamp poles. 

God says:

"Left Hand Men now have the rank of Left Hand Man

Right Hand Men now have the rank of Right Hand Man

You can use deductive reasoning to figure out their rank."

Eepster thought about this. As she thought about it she became increasingly more curious what others thought about this new news. This new change to their world. Eepster found an old ass dusty soap box and took a stand.

Leaders! Crew members! Criminals of our world!! I invite you all in for a discussion.

Eepster smiled to her growing audience.

Now that God himself has washed his hands of how we treat right and left hands in this thing of ours, how do you feel about it?

Do you like seeing a right handed thug? Do they deserve it? Does lineage matter? 

By making this change are we only continuing the cycle of same people in power? Or is this a fresh start for us?

Leaders! I am very curious how you feel about this change. Is it something you will embrace? Have you already?

Those that are right hand thugs, are you tired of people bagging on you for being a right hand thug?

Eepster was happy with the questions she asked and hoped it would bring replies. 

As JohnMytton was walking about, wondering on how it would be to be elected into the US Senate and how many people he should bribe for it, he noticed a pink-lipped lady climb on top of a soapbox. John was pretty well known to find reasons in everything to stop thinking about any useful thing, but here he found a proper reason.. He approached Eepster- and listened from a small distance to what she said, what she questioned.. And he looked at her lips.. Her lips were very pink

Jack he liked it.

He looked over his shoulder to see if any higher-ranked criminal.. basically meaning anyone.. that wanted to beat him towards reacting first.
But as he noticed some people hesitated, he made a small step towards Eepster-

Firstly, I love the colour of your lips.

He had to dig deep into his mind to become less superficial, but in the end he did line up his thoughts..

Ah yes.. Sorry for that pause.. It were the lips that caused that.. but I do have an opinion on this matter.
I am perfectly fine with the freedom that has been given to us, people, but for me personally, I dislike the idea of unexperienced people given massive responsibilities in a family, no matter whose kin they are. Of course, it is helpful to have an idea of the character of someone's ancestors, but I feel someone in our world needs to earn the responsibility of a handjob.

Sorry.. a hand.. Mad Jack deliberately paused..

Job...
It shouldn't be the father of mother, brother or niece that earned that for them.

Maybe with the exception of a very young crew, surely any crew leader should be able to have someone in their mids that they trust enough to do the job? Also in case of an untimely and unexpected omittance of one of the Hands, there should be someone that has earned the trust close to them that should pick up that role.

JohnMytton looked around him, then looked at Eepster-

I really do love that colour!

As Spiels_Jr was wondering thru town his attention became focused on an elaborate old church.  Spiels loved old architecture and this one was certainly unique.  However, it wasn't exactly the building that caught his eye first.  He wasn't sure what it was that caught his eye first, but as he got closer he realized it was a young lady with beautiful pink lips.  Being a man that loved his women, whiskey and dice (in that order), he made his way a little closer to see what the young lady was talking about on the soap box.

As Spiels listened he could feel his heart begin to beat a little harder.  Eepster- had touched a nerve with her topic.  He sat back and tried to compose himself as she finished her line of questioning.  Before he could step up a man by the name of John stepped to the front. Spiels didn't know him but he immediately liked the man.  He obviously has good standards in women......its not everyone that is soooo enamored by the color of one's lips.  But he also spoke some common sense on the topic.

Spiels allowed John to finish and then made his way to the soap box.  He took one last swig from his flask and cleared his voice.

Friends!!  I would first like to thank the lovely Eepster for bringing to the surface such an important topic.  I will be EXTREMELY brief, as my opinion is very clear cut.  Simply put, I am disgraced when I look around and see people with "the title" of Right Hand man after spending a mere days, or even just hours in this world of ours.  I say "title" because it is just that.  They haven't earned that spot.  They haven't earned anything.

My dear pops, may God rest his soul, was the RH of the esteemed Miss_Niki in LV.  He was brutally gunned down by a cowardly rogue that had the balls of a gnat.  I had grown up with Miss_Niki.  Pops had me in the HQ since i was knee high to a grasshopper. If anyone could have stepped in immediately to be a hand it would have been me.  I was in meetings of some of the top mobsters around when i wasn't old enough to even drive a car.  

But Miss_Niki has standards.  She understands tradition.  She made me wait.  She went without a trusted RH until i was of age.  Until I had earned it.  Earned it on MY merits, not my old man's.  It didn't make her any less of a leader.  If anything, it made her stronger, having to do things knowing she didn't have that shadow that would take a bullet for her and allow her to confide in him with anything.  

Spiels paused, realizing he had already said too much.  He took a deep breath before uttering something under his breath....

2 hours and they become hands......he shakes his head,steps down from the soap box and tips his hat towards Eepster.  Thanks for the opportunity to speak about such an important topic ma'am.

Strider was on his way to a super secret club meeting. The envelope from god had arrived in the morning mail inviting him to an LHM club and he was intrigued. It's about time there was a club for hands, he thought. On his way he passed by an old church and there seemed to be a small gathering in front of it. He didn't have the time to listen to them speak for he couldn't afford to be late to his club meeting. But one word caught his attention. Handjob.

Turning around he made a beeline towards the crowd and scanned the people, a woman was standing on a box. The men seemed to be drawn to her pink lips. Eh, pink wasn't his color. Now if she had green lip paint on, he would have rushed forward to kiss her. He listened to the other gentlemen speak and he pondered over what they said. Surely things can't be that bad can it. Who knows.

Leaving the crowd behind he strode towards his club meeting. He made his bodyguards wait outside and tapped on the metal door. Three short taps followed by two slow ones and he was let inside. The spacious room contained over a dozen people in it, some of them reading newspapers on the leather sofas in the corner. Beautiful painting decorated the walls and a large golden-red Persian rug carpeted the entire room. It was the bar that caught his eye and he walked towards it and took a seat.

"Scotch on the rocks barkeep" he ordered his drink and turned to his fellow mafioso sitting to his right. Strider hadn't seen this fellow around, perhaps he was from another city and that was why he was unfamiliar. "Hi there, nice place isn't it?" he asked the man and added "Although I can't stay for too long. You know how antsy bodyguards get if we leave their side. Heh".

He smiled at Strider and replied "Oooh yes this place is amazing. I can't believe I got invited to a place like this. I joined this world of ours recently you see" He took a sip from his glass which appeared to be a pineapple smoothie before continuing. "I don't have any bodyguards yet. Who needs em when i have these". He lifted his arms up and flexed his muscles.

Strider was shocked at his words and he had to squint hard to see the small bulge that was his biceps. He faced forward and growled at the barkeep "Hurry up with that drink will you."

A flash of metal to his left caught his attention and his hand instinctively went towards his weapon. A pretty young woman had her gun out and she was waving it around cooing "Look how pretty my gun is." She pointed it at him and he ducked down quickly.

"The fuck is wrong with you lady. You coulda shot me" stated Strider.

"Oh don't worry hun, its not loaded. I'm still learning to shoot, so I left the bullets back home."

He blinked at her and asked "How could someone made not know how to shoot?"

"Made? Made what hun? " she flashed a smile at him. " And I know how to shoot. I hit a beer bottle the other day and it took only three shots" she giggled.

His drink appeared before him but he wasn't about to hang around a place like this. How an exclusive club could allow Not Protected, Not Maxed and Not Made members inside was a mystery to him. He grabbed his coat and made for the exit.

Eepster smiled cheerfully at all who had come out to speak on the subject. She was quite excited at the turn out so far. With any good conversation it was good to reply to those participating instead of just let speak at a wall. 

Don PiusXIII, it's always absolutely fantastic to see leadership active in our streets! I like your first statement and agree, it doesn't really effect my life. As you went on, I don't think it's that black or white. I also don't think it's a bad idea to speak about the subject in the streets. God has decided to give the people the power so why not let the people discuss it? 

I was one that brought it up in the coffee shops, to the general population and I was not complaining. I was honestly simply asking. I have read my lineages journals and this was the way things use to be. Well, besides the obnoxious and blaring tag that they are a hand. I don't like it much that we are unable to see their rank. Again, a small change that doesn't effect me.

At some point in our history God took back his power and gave us new rules. My ancestors were gone from these shores and had recently come back. I inquired about the change in the coffee shops out of curiosity and now I inquire about the change to the masses, asking what we will do with this new power of ours. What the opinions of others are. Healthy and active streets are a good thing, wouldn't you agree, PiusXIII?

Eepster smiled once again at the Don and turned towards Strider. Who had apparently just wanted to stop by for a moment and head off to wherever he had been going in the first place. His opinion on the matter still came to light. Next up Spiels_Jr.

Sir Spiels, I very much appreciate you joining our conversation. I've always believed active and opinionated streets to be important. Letting us step away from our normal routine, our normal activity and bump into those we wouldn't normally associate ourselves with. Plus, it's fantastic to have a Right Hand speak on the subject...dealing with Right and Left hands!

It's extremely refreshing to hear of your journey after your father's passing. God rest his soul. With this new power God has given us, leaders can still uphold the values of tradition by letting their members earn an esteemed spot within their family. I believe this is the way to go as it shows to each and every member that you care about them, you give a rats ass. That you know that a right hands actions effect the whole crew just as much as the leader themselves. Letting someone climb through the ranks, literally, lets the crew get to know the person. Lets each member know that hard work pays off. I tip my hat to both you and Godfather Chairwoman @Miss_Niki.

When @JohnMytton first spoke his compliment caused Eepster's cheeks to blush. Which, of course led to another smile. Guilty, she was a smiler. 

I agree with you, Mr. Mytton. Heaven forbid if a right hand is unexpectedly taken out of service I believe that is what the left hand is for. Structure is very important in this thing of ours and successful crews understand this. Who is a leader without their crew and a crew without their leader. The whole thing is a system, a machine that needs to be taken care of to run as efficiently and as long as possible. 

Eepster stepped back again. Letting others speak. She hoped a leader with an extremely young right hand or an extremely young right hand come to voice their opinion. It sure would be interesting to hear from the other side of things. Maybe @I_______I_______I or Tanya_Degurechaff. Possibly the pair from Pioneer Square, SEA Jerry and Korg. Perhaps @ BagpipeBarry and his leader Leanna would greet them. She shrugged her shoulders and lit a cigarette. 

A healthy debate and conversation is all fine and dandy. Though i remember hearing his words, how much life was taken out of him from dealing with the drama among everything else. I just feel like maybe this is too soon. I don't see anyone being smite for annoying him but when it's obvious this process took so much out of him to bring the topic to the streets so fresh..well i can feel for the man. It is just cosmetic but as i said i really dislike it, though if i were to argue for a change i would be fighting to bring back one godfather per a city before tackling this issue.

With that said Eepster- this was great to see when i walked down the street. Most the time i just see a bunch of bottle babies larping with their friends having a circle jerk in the streets. Sometimes i wonder if they just took bad acid as the stories they describe and act out are that of pure fiction and imagination. So to finally have something worth commenting on and reading is a relief and for that i thank you.

Uncle-Buck rolls up in his Mercury and throws it in park. It backfires loudly to announce to the crowd that he's there.  You see, Buck's brother had left it on the list of things to do.  He had to get the kids to church on Sunday.  Buck had no idea what this church thing was.  Honestly, he thought the casino was where all things divine happened. Eh, here he was - and out front was an interesting topic about the world in which he had just chosen to involve himself.  

Buck planted his cigar in his mouth and whisked Miles and Maizy out of the car and chased them into the church.

"Now get in there and pray or something - sing a hymn.  I dunno - whatever it is they do in there.  Do it.  Your parents wanted me to bring you here.  I'll be out here talking to these fine people in the meantime."

Buck pulled 2 juiceboxes out and jammed them in the pockets of the kids as they ran in.  He smiled nervously at the crowd.  

"Uhhh  hands that are young and inexperienced you say??  Well this is a complicated one I suppose, but I don't think that it has to be.  You see - back before we commit ourselves to a family we are always given the option of choosing whom we want to associate ourselves with.  That choice is ours and ours alone.  We can never predict the future in this thing of ours, but we can certainly ask questions and get an idea of what we are getting ourselves into.  If you don't want to be in a family where the hands are young - you can avoid it.  You just join somewhere where you have an upper structure that you enjoy working for.  If the general consensus is that we don't like having handjobs handed out to people who have yet to reach puberty, then us as people can avoid it, right?  I mean, I'm a pretty simple guy - but isn't that what it's all about?"

Buck chomped on his cigar as he thought about the idea of prepubescent handjobs.

"I'm gonna go check out this church thing. I don't feel quite right."