Boydy had contemplated whether or not to make a public appearance, after pacing to and fro for a short period of time he mustered up the nuts to do it and decided to have a chin wag with anyone who would listen, which would most likely be nobody.

Given the recent takedown and the tarnishing of the current crop of leaders currently in power... Said Boydy to nobody in particular

...I did wonder what it is people expect from this place. Do people believe that we can co-exist without there ever being any issues? Do people expect opposite cities to live harmoniously together while their neighbour controls large amounts of people, who are slowly building guns and resources?

A few people turned their heads to look at the youngster, some appeared to be annoyed by the random outburst, others looked a little curious as to what the young whipper snapper had to say.

I think people misunderstand what this place is about sometimes and what you're a part of. There is only ever room for one regime, one group of people to run the game. I say group as it's usually a group that takes the power as opposed to individuals, due to the volume of mobsters that currently live throughout our cities. It would be impossible for one person to fend off everybody and so it's important to build relationships with the right people.

A few in the crowd nodded their heads to what was being said, while others looked at Boydy with confusion, not understanding a word he said. Boydy began getting a bit braver and saw a nearby soap box, which just happened to be perfectly placed near to where he had been talking. Boydy stepped up and continued.

Are we all just slowly preparing for war in peace, until that moment comes to execute the perfect takedown? OR can we truly co-exist, peacefully as neighbours?

By this point a few more people had gathered and Boydy had grown in confidence, although he had needed to dodge a lettuce wedge and two tomatoes that had been thrown at him by some disapproving onlookers, overall he felt it was going well.

My own views since you asked (nobody had), are that I'd like to think that sometimes you can come together to work towards a common goal, but that massively depends on whether those in power across the country can make an agreement in the outcome they want. When there is little in common between cities, you'll often see one of them fall fairly soon and this highlights that in order to co-exist you need to be part of a "regime". If you live separate lives, with separate ideals, separate principles and morals compared to your neighbours, naturally friction will occur. So while people paint everyone with the "regime" brush, actually what you need to understand is that these people are co-existing because they share a common goal, whereas those who often fall are the outsiders, ones who most likely haven't done as much to be a part of what any particular group is attempting to put in place. 

Sometimes I believe people are under the illusion that you can set up, do your own thing and keep your head buried in the sand while making it to the top. It just doesn't work that way and it's often those people who we see out here in the streets complaining about what's gone on.

Boydy stepped down and wondered if any one else would offer their own opinion on it.

Close by, Alessandra could hear of someone speaking about something important however she couldn't really catch exactly what he was saying. Her eyes took in a small crowd on the side street, one young gentleman who seemed to have caused a reaction from his surrounding neighbours. Curious as to what this was all about, she walked closer to them and listened very carefully. The man then posed a question, a little controversial, but it would for sure could lead into a great discussion. Back in her hometown she was usually not one to be so outspoken with her opinions, but since moving to Philadelphia she had noticed within herself that she was becoming more bold and confident. 

She acknowledged Boydy's presence with a nod of the head and smiled. "Forgive me for being quite blunt sir, but I think you are asking for too much. In this day and age, you're asking for people 'in this thing of ours' to co-exist? There is already enough issues with the racial segregation of this Great Depression era that is happening. I've only been around these streets for a few days, but I can confidently tell you that the mobsters that lurk around these parts are not wanting to be friendly with people. Seems to be a desire to want to come out on top and defeat all other families, as dramatic as that sounds." The heads that had turned her way were quite surprised with what she was saying but a few nodded. 

Then she looked around at the people who seemed to disagree, let out a sigh and continued. "However.... that's not to say that there isn't room for change and growth. With all the new auths that are happening as well as new connections being made, I feel... a little more hopeful that us as a community will band closer together. For a better future for our kins, perhaps. Just like you said Boydy, to basically share a common goal is what I think a mafia is really about. Why can't we both rise to the top and get money? Why only you? But I guess some people can't help feeling greedy. That's just life and I've come to accept that." 

As Alessandra brushed off something from her coat sleeve, she raised her chin slowly and scanned the bright and hopeful faces in the crowd. "If anyone out there ever wants to set up, do take Boydy's advice. It's just impossible to be a lone wolf and also rise up the ranks. Establish a street presence, talk with your fellow members and show your respect so it can be returned. I know I myself will take this advice for the future. If I do ever get the chance!" With the sun just about to set and her eyes starting to grow tired, she waved farewell and smiled before taking a few steps away from the crowd. Just before that, she had thanked Boydy. 

"Thank you Boydy for providing some food for thought. I truly won't forget about this discussion and I hope to see you around more!"

The simple answer is no we can not.

Jester listened intently as Boydy asked a very poignant and pertinent question.  Simple on its surface, it definitely required a lot of thinking to come to some sort of a conclusion.

Jester listened a little as he sat on the park bench.  He dragged on a cigarette and leaned back to one side on a street bench as he juggled a couple of rubber balls in one hand...

"Can we co-exist?"  Jester replied thoughtfully.  His voice trailed off as he said it.

"Simply - We - as group I do not think can co exist.  This life is surrounded around building guns and earning money for bodyguards.  If not doing those things - we're simply just a hangout and a blog.  The fact of the matter is that all of us are silently working on our marksmanship - and I can assure you that it's not to shoot at targets.  Those of us not practicing a whole lot - well, guess what??  We're still expected to use our guns for the purpose of protecting those who have been working."

Jester coughs as he seems to have become sick with OOCitis or something.

"Personally - I think the question each and every individual here has to ask themselves is 

"Who can I co-exist with??"

"Some people here have displayed by their actions that their anger has gotten the best of them.  Those people - can definitively not co-exist with anyone it seems.  That, in itself is unfortunate.  There's not much here for them."

Jester juggles in one hand as he chomps on his potato and awaits someone else to speak their opinion.

LittleRed, listened to the man and shook her head in agreement with the most part of what he said..

Gonna throw my story and 2 cents in on this subject.  I grew up in LA had my sister as my leader and my boyfriend and best friend all in one crew I loved it there and one day it was all taken down because of some speculation of another person who had it in for certain people and because of that I lost my family.. So then I moved in with Zoom and even tho he had part of the take down on my family I chose to move on and be a better person I didn't seek revenge or set out to destroy. I could have easily but I didn't..  Then he was taken out for whatever reason still to this day have no idea why. So once again I moved and to this day I have moved in with 7 different Crews and died twice..  

I have lived in Seattle twice now first time during the major take down then again after LV was taken down..  If people want things to work smoothly then maybe they need to listen to their crews all of them not just the uppers. We all have ideas to bring to the table and make life worth living in our cities and to get along with our neighbors..

Not hard to do if you don't let greed run the way you operate things which is what its all about lately It amazes me how when someone gets a little power it goes to their heads.. Now if I ever become a leader of a crew its not about money or power for me. I don't like killing I don't have to be rich. I want to have respect from the people under me and I want them to give me advice when I need it or don't. 

I wanna them to come to me with any issue they have and me say ok lets deal with this together and just have fun... This game is losing that fun.. WHY?  Because people ruin that fun for every one else because they want control over everything.  We need to bring the fun back..

We need to have some cool competitions and things to earn credits or cash or something. But you get mass mails for this and does anything ever come from it sometimes but then it fizzles..  

I talk a lot I know and I get side tracked a lot to so forgive me but I try to make a statement I am not good with speeches.. But I think you get my point.. 

LittleRed turns and walks off.. 

Unfortunate in this world is it way too hard to co-exist, that has soon all learned guess, its a shitty hard life and its just to understand and taking in this and live by it and have fun as long as it goes.

Certain things happen that always sometimes make this impossible but often it can be done so don't give up hope, soon perhaps it can be so that all co-works tofether....or not.  Time will tell.

You could remove every gun in America and there would still be wars and people killing each other. 

This isn't the place for happy families.

"Ruff, ruff," Tony barked at the fellow whipper snapper. He liked a good debate.

"I think it's hypothetically possible that we could all co-exist. And there have been real attempts at it."

"To be honest, probably even the regimes wanted peace. Peace lets them keep their throne. They will war though, if they are threatened."

"Squishy, the GodFather, himself said that this thing of ours is a blank sheet. We can make our own laws and culture."

"So, it is hypothetically possible for it to happen. Some people would have to give up their ambitions of taking the throne and be perhaps satisfied with becoming a Don. People would have to focus on going to the streets and businesses. And there would be a different type of competition, one that isn't related to position or power. Perhaps money or perhaps stories."

Tony cleared his throat.

"Like many of us though, I think it's unlikely to happen. This thing of ours is set up such that aggression is part of it. There can be moments of peace, especially when people just wanted to reach a specific age."

"However, people can and do pickpocket and mug. And people have threatened others with their gun or challenged people to a duel because of such conflicts. Not to mention that pickpocketing and mugging are just the minor forms of aggression built into this thing of ours. There is still our guns and the possibility of war."

"Many of us also want our turn on the throne. We can be loyal followers, but eventually, we want to make the seats warm with our owns behinds."

"We also landed on these shores knowing we would become mafioso. And conflict is part of being mafioso."

"So, I guess, to make it possible for us to co-exist peacefully, this thing of ours has to change fundamentally."

"I'd like to compare this thing of ours to baseball. Currently, this thing of ours is a baseball game. It is set up such that there is competition, and there are winners and losers. There are rankings. To co-exist peacefully, the pitcher has to stop throwing the ball. People may train their guns, but they have to stop shooting. The batters have to stop hitting the thrown ball. People will just have to take the bullet if someone does shoot them and continue about their business."

"When they've had their fill, perhaps the city leaders would just have to step down if they want their loyal followers to take their turn."

"I know it my seem ludicrous, but I guess I'm just outlining an ideal. In a bit, I'll talk about a more realistic idea."

Tony smoked a cigarette, and smoke came out from his ears.

"I'm thinking too much," he said. "My head is overheating."

"Anyways, a more realistic idea is to perhaps look at the current or recent actions to keep the peace. My kin have only been on these shores for three months though. That's why I can only talk about the recent actions."

"At one point, in this year, there was a huge alliance. And they wanted peace. They advocated for it. In fact, my kin heard that there was even two months when there were no wars because of it."

"When my kin arrived on these shores, he actually believed that this thing of ours was peaceful."

"The alliance eventually fell apart. However, despite a lot of people having big guns and the ages for it, there was, in fact, longer than usual period of peace."

"There were many people on the streets and the business districts. Perhaps, this is the more realistic vision of peace."

"Let's go back to baseball. In this case, the baseball teams would be practicing a lot, and maybe playing friendly matches. In this thing of ours, people may be building their guns, pickpocketing (and mugging), going to the streets, etc. Perhaps the official competition will eventually come. Perhaps war may inevitably come. However, it may be possible that the opposing teams can be sportsmanlike about it, not totally, of course, since everyone has worked hard. However, they may be a longer period of "practicing" or "peace". Cities will thrive. And after a war comes, our new kin will come, and the cycle begins anew."