Kneeling down KatieMurdock pushed a pile of garbage off the soap box she had eyed from the street. She picked it up and carried it out of the back alley and placed it on the corner of the nearest intersection. A few cars passed her on the street as she looked down the road to a busier intersection. Eventually she shrugged her shoulders and stepped up on the soap box. The streets ahead would probably attract more people, but there was more of a chance that her voice be drowned out from the traffic.

By the time she collected her thoughts a few persons had already clustered around her speaking area. Katie smiled at them and then got down to business.

Yesterday, while having coffee with a friend, a thought dawned on me. We had been discussing a business venture that will be set up soon in Chicago and one thing led to another and before we knew it we were talking about the good old days. We laughed at the reality of the situation, that we were the people we always looked up to as kids. That we were the kids that we now thought of as nuisances to our society.

When Katana, the friend I was sharing coffee with, went to fill up her mug again, I sat at the table thinking of lessons I've learned through the years. These teachings of crime life have brought me from an inexperienced kid to an experienced mobster. My mind played through a few of the lessons that jutted out obnoxiously in my head. The majority of them were embarrassing, but I thought I was a tough kid, the world was my oyster. When Katana came back I asked her about the thought I had.

"Keep your mouth shut to avoid getting shot."

If you've ever talked with Katana you'd know she's one to get to the point. I laughed at her reply, I could relate with her on that one. There were plenty of times when I was inexperienced and said the wrong thing to a higher ranked member of our society who was deemed only to show respect to. My face was met with a swift bullet.

After taking a sip of her coffee Katana spoke again.

"Don't drink and shoot."

She smiled wickedly, while I grinned. The conversation fell into a fit of giggles. The advice was serious and one to hold close, but the time Katana was referring to was a bit funny. It involved drinks, a cow and a pistol. Eventually we got back on track and she asked me the same. I told her about two lessons. One I have experienced for myself and another that I see happen daily and watched happen from afar, learning from others mistakes.

The first would be betraying family for friends. Once upon a very long time ago, a very young generation of mine betrayed their family for a group of friends to topple the current power and successfully did not. This road can only lead you to a quick death and labeled as an outcast. You not only lose your family, but sometimes lose your friends. Not a good decision to make.

The second, leaving the family joined. Even if things aren't going as you'd like it's better to build your reputation from within the family and never leave.

Now I haven't come downtown to just talk about tea time with the girls. I'd like to hear other peoples lessons learned while growing into the experienced mobster they have become. Maybe we'll be able to shed some light onto the new, inexperienced gangsters that breach our shores daily. Maybe a few of us experienced criminals will learn from others mistakes.

So tell me, what's one of the most valuable lessons you've learned sense you've joined the life of crime?

Seeing the crowd gathered round, LondonJohn listens to what is being said and nods in agreement at some of the points that are being made.
At the end of the speech he elbows his way through the gathering and steps up onto the box.

"The most important lesson I have learned in my time here is respect. This came to my notice in the first instance in my ancestors journals, and later on by my sponsor. Whether you disrespect someone to their face,in the streets, or even at their funeral, retribution will follow as sure as night follows day"

LondonJohn steps down to hear what others have to say

Praeceps wanders onto the crowd and listens to what has been said. Most important lesson, eh?

Well there was that time that...no, that wasn't really a lesson. How about when...but, no, I'm sure I know one more important than that. I guess this one will have to do.

Learn From Others' Mistakes

All too often I see new members, and sometimes even older members, of this thing of ours making the same old mistakes time aftre time. They don't stop to watch what their elders are doing. Just by observing how those who have been around for a while act, you can gain a sense of the appropriate way to inteact with the people around you in a manner that won't get you or your family shot. You can learn what are intelligent courses of action and what aren't. Mostly you can stay alive by not doing what those who have died have done.

Taking a break from the toils of the day Pablo is taking a leisurely stroll through the streets when notices KatieMurdock stepping up to the soap box. Lighting up a cigar and taking a quip nip from his hip-flask he stops to listen.

"Being the first of my line to live out there life on these shores I do not have the experience of past generations to call upon. So I am always learning something new in this thing of ours.

Recently the question of loyalty has been at the forefront of my mind. Too many time's do I see young mafioso pledge allegiance to a family, only to decide later for one reason or another that the family they choose is not for them. To a young mafioso looking for a home I would say this. Decide what you want from a family before joining. And remember all family's have problems, and all problems can be overcome.

If they is a problem within your family or something is not to your liking, then earn the trust and respect of your fellow members and work to resolve problems or contribute to change things for the better. Having a lasting effect on a family is perhaps a greater reward then any rank or promotion you could be given."

Katana giggles to herself a bit recalling the conversation yesterday. Then walks up to Katie and pokes her in the side and listens to what everyone is left speaking about.

You know I have to chime in and say through out all of life's lessons I must say any of them that you learn from are the most important. Katana turns to Katie and smiles.

You spoke of my most important and well I live by them now. That and am so scared of those damned cows. God please lets not ever go there again. She shakes her head and laughs.

Everyone will have their own experiences and sharing them like this is important who knows maybe it will save someone oneday. You never really know. Live and Learn right?

melien walks over to the people talking about what they know.

"watch your mouth. i don't give a damn if you are talking to your twin sibling. never say anything about family buisness. that got my ancestor killed and it never should have."