Dick emerges from his bakery to grace the streets with his presence once again.... and for those sighing right now.... Sigh a bit louder, Dick loves his fan base

"You know it brings my eyes great pleasure to see all the activity the streets bring these days. When I came to these shores, things were, well shall I say mute? Yep, streets were so quiet you could be standing in Chicago and hear Whateverherfreakingnameis getting it on with Francie. Yes such things happen, but that's for leadership to know. You have heard people say that things go on behind the curtain that most don't know about right?"

Dick pulls a blunt out of his pocket and lights up

"Needless to say, the streets are rather intriguing to view and listen in on."

Dick smiles

"With that being sad, let's move on to why I'm really here shall we?"

Dick grabs a Bulletin board and holds it up

"That's right gentlemen in ladies! It's discussion time!"

Discussion Subject: Bloodline Importance - What does it mean to you?

"As I was decorating my strudels and humming a tune the other day, I began to drift into thought as I often do. You know trying to think of hot topics, shit to cover that may spark some kind of interest."

Dick inhales off the blunt again

"This is what I came up with."

Pause

"Bloodlines. What we originate from, who we are, what our DNA reads, and what kind of experience our family tree may have. The question is, what does that mean to you? If you are confused as to what I'm getting at then please let me explain. Now we all are quick to judge one another based off what we know from their ancestors past actions. If it's repetitive actions, then all the worse because then it becomes a pattern and it's only expected that patterns shall continue or will be followed. Just another reason as to why we express the importance of being responsible of the actions you take."

"Throughout years of journals my ancestors spoke of bloodline hunting, killing siblings of the fallen to prevent the offspring from blooming, planning massive take downs and even civil wars just over history."

"Of course as a leader it is impossible to ignore such signs, but where is the line drawn? Everyone eventually learns that it's a small world out there. Somehow, sometime down the road, rival bloodlines end up having to work on the same side, but when this occurs, should one allow history to interfere with present loyalties and city goals? I would say no, however, I see it over and over again. History starting wars, causing random attacks, preventing mafioso's from advancing in ranks so on so forth. Now I'm the first person to give someone the benefit of the doubt, and yes it has came back to bite me in the ass. So maybe I should be more judgmental. Maybe stereotype and discriminate a bit more because after all, history is what created what we now have today. It is what created you and I and god dammit.... I love being me!"

Dick Smiles

"So what do you think? Think maybe at time's we are a bit harsh to jump to conclusion of someone's intentions based off their ancestors lives? Or are we just watching our own backs the way we should be?"

Datsik arrives at the bakery inbetween crimes to relax and have a bun.

This is a very interesting topic and open to much debate. In my view, what should happen after someone dies and a relative starts is that the slate should be wiped clean. Whatever that person did died with them. Theoretically the new relative has a completly new mind and its up to him/her what to do in their life. However so many ancestors are writing diaries these days that everyone in their bloodline carries the same thought or beliefs as their predecessors.

In a perfect world it would be nice to see the son/daughter ignore the diary and live their own life and to go with this everyone who knew the bloodline would accept that the realtive is new and not influenced by their predecessors.

Datsik chuckles to himself.

This will never happen, and understandably, sons and daughters have too much respect for their fathers and mothers to ignore the truths about their lives. It would take a strong character to ignore the fact that somebody, and they probably know who, shot their parents. Also it is difficult to spot a relative out for revenge, for they will not seek it straight away. Leaders can have the wool pulled over their eyes by a relative that comes back, not bitter and works hard for the family. When really they are just biding the time until they take revenge.

In my view, history teaches us alot, if i didnt trust somones parents I would find it very difficult to trust them. I wouldnt find it harsh to jump on the conclusion of someones intentions based on their ancestors lives, i call that sensible leadership. We are right to be cautious!

Well thats just my two cents, i'm off to play poker if anyone cares.

Datsik strolls off to his poker room flipping a chip in the air.

Betty steps up beside Dick and grabs his....blunt, taking a large toke before handing it back.  Exhaling slowly she smiles.

Dick you always bring forth subjects that are open to much debate.  This one in particular is what I like to call a "50/50" debate.  Half of them will go one way, the other half the other way.  But I'll throw my two cents in anyways.

Personally, I think it all depends on the bloodline itself.  It is well known that certain bloodlines will always react to situations in the same manner.  It is well known that some bloodlines pride themselves in being trouble makers.  And for some, they do what is expected of them.  They are expected to act crazy and rogue and take crazy shots, and so they do! It is also well known that bloodlines are never wiped clean.  Unless of course, your lines attempt to come back under cover.  In the long run my friend, it all comes down to the bloodline themselves.

My bloodline goes way back, and the actions of my great great ancestors are not remembered, nor do they have an influence on my actions today.  I can honestly say we have matured as a blood line.  All in all, this is what it comes down to.  Can your bloodline ever mature? Or is it destined to live the same adolecent life over and over again? 

Betty brushes the bangs out of her face and smiles at Dick before struting down the street to her next appointment. 

See ya Dick! Thanks again for a lovely conversation! Perhaps I'll stop back by and see how it's shaping up later.

There are probably two trains of thoughts on this debate:

1) People can argue that those that do not learn from history are doomed to repeat its mistakes.   This means that while it is certainly feasible to believe that bloodlines can differ from one generation to another  they don't believe this is likely and therefore pre-emptive actions are necessary to protect your interest.

2) That the sins of the father/mother/test tube do not hold weight on to the offspring.  Everyone is born with a clean slate, and it is there actions, not the actions of the parents, who determine how far they go in this world.

Personally, I like to lean more towards the first train of thought.  While its possible that bloodlines change and that just because you father/mother/ test tube? acted irrationally that you are going to act completely normal and not be a douche at all, I beleive in acting on the side of caution.  Maybe bloodline hunting and such is a little harsh, but certainly limiting the damage people can cause based on their bloodlines previous actions is definitely justifiable in my books.

Man Dick!  When you Thrust yourself out into the world and ejaculate such interesting topics, you are definitely hard to ignore.  ;) 

GTL is probably right.  There probably are two MAIN trains of thought.  There are probably a few other minor thoughts on the subject, but those are probably the main two.  I, on the other hand, fall into the second cattegory. 

Everybody should start this world fresh.  A clean slate.  No burdens to have to try to overcome, because I just think everybody deserves that chance.  Just because so and so's father did something, does not mean so and so will do the same.  Certainly there is a great possibility, and certainly we've all been burned, but that's just the way I think. 

I think many would agree - some of our great leaders (present and past) had some ancestors that did some serious harm.  If we wouldn't have given them the opportunity, where would we be today? 

So swallow that.  ;)

Naenia sneaks up behind Andrew and gives him a little push, giggling.

You be good Andrew! Innuendo is not your forte.

Turning the Don who brought up the conversation, Naenia nods respectfully and walks into the circle of speakers.

This is, as some of the other fine fellows here have already said, one of those topics that most people can pick one side or another on. Moreover, it is a topic that even the lowliest gangster can relate to so you should have no absence of people willing to say something. Naenia grins Such as me!

However, I'd like to start off with my own opinion. Bloodline knowledge of a potential associated young man or woman is of the utmost value to a Crewleader. Every person who steps off the boat carries a different set of skills and has been brought up in a certain way. Taught to think a certain way. Act a certain way. To ignore that under the guise of giving everyone a “clean slate” is certainly naive.

Naenia frowns I am sorry Mr. Paxton, to be disagreeing with you slightly.

But yes...where was I...ah, clean slates. Right. Now this doesn’t mean you can’t give the new kids a chance at work. While their slate is clean, the actions of their father or mother are still remembered. The child is always influenced by the parent or whatever person filled that role. This is where the Crewleader, who has an interest in the young one, has a choice. More on that to follow...

Naenia grabs a flask from the inside of her coat and takes a quick sip. Seeing the looks, she shakes the flask. Just water!

Now...not everyone in said Crewleader’s organization is going to have the same views, opinions, or skill levels. That has always been the main job of a leader, to organize and bring out the full potential of everyone associated. Knowing the background of someone does make that job easier.

My father once told me, “Nae, half the fellows I’ve met in my time have had the worst type of parent. Scum, through and through. However, sometimes a line bucks tradition and turns into a golden example of what I want.” I asked him how they changed from their parents, which he said “Easy. They have the entire world ahead of them. I can grant many boons, if they do their work well. But behind them is my gun. Most decided to go ahead and work for something.”

Naenia’s eyes grow distant for a moment...

Yes...great man. Blushing, she clears her throat

As for bloodline hunting, I don’t normally agree with doing such actions. Unless the person in question is a fanatic who was raised by a fanatic...who was raised by a fanatic...ect.

Now, as for me...Consigliere Gaius took a “chance”, if you will, considering the actions of my great-grandfather. He, as some of you may have learned from you own parents, one evening murdered the grandfather of this fine fellow here. Naenia nudges Andrew However, keeping that in mind, he employed me. Because I'm my own person and just like many Guiscards, we change things up at every chance!

That’s about all I really have to say, but I’ll stick around just in case.

Stepping away from the center of everyone, she tips her hat and resumes quietly watching things.

Jin listens in, after Dick finishes up, he tosses his cigarette to the side and begins to mutter some garbage that probably wont make any sense.

Well, as GTL has said, some people learn from their mistakes, some dont. If they fuck up, does it mean that they will do it again? Maybe. But if nobody gives them the chance to learn, how will they know how to take what their family line has done and make a change?

Gian walks into the circle and catches everyones attention before he speaks

A very interesting subject you bring up here Mr. Wad, I think most has been covered but one point I would like to expand on is bloodlines coming back incognito.

Ultimately if a bloodline has caused so much death and destruction constantly in their history if they decide to come back and not let anyone know who their ancestors were. How is it possible to stop them repeating what their ancestors have done previously? Ultimately whoever we put our name to in terms of sponsoring or inviting to the family we put our own reputations at risk as you can never be a hundred percent sure who how someone is going to act.

I think it is right to give the majority of people the chance to prove themselves as each person in the bloodline might decide to take a complete different path that of their parents, but I would think that their actions would be monitored a little more closely than most.

It is a subject that you would have to change to each bloodline you deal with.

Stapled listens carefully to the well spoken man on his soapbox

Excellent speech Dick. Unfortunatly, as the saying goes.....'The apple doesn't fall far from the tree'

Granted, in some cases the bloodline tree may be massive and it may take a while for the apple to fall from it, but fall from it it eventually does.

What I'm trying to say really is that, albeit we should be given a clean start and a chance to live our own lives, the actions of our forefathers will always be looming over us.

If my great, great, great, great, great grandfather was brutally murdered in a blotched bank robbery, I for one would not be able to look at the relative of his murderer in the eye.

Leaves the area, feeling the filthy looks burning holes in his back as he walks away

Bloodlines are either remembered with great respect, great hate or not remembered at all.

Depending on which of these situations it happens to be, each situation is handled differently. As such, having a long bloodline can be benefitial aswell as harmful to that generations chances on success. These are factors that sons/daughters have to take into consideration when joining this thing of ours.

Although Bloodlines, regardless of whether or not people wish to agree with me... Are influential. I personally believe that every man, whether from royalty or the poorest background makes their own mark and achievements in their life.

Although i know the more successful bloodlines are such because they raise their youngers to understand the higher ups way of things better. However, belonging to a blood-line should NOT be considered 'good enough' to allow that individual to have a position of respect from their first moments alive.

Melis finally steps out from the shadows. Listening to people speak she had a frown and decided it was time to speak up.

I know some of this may or may not have been said already. Some opinions vary and some match others so please forgive me if I am repeating what's been said.

Looking around for a minute as she gathers her thoughts once more.

Let me start off by saying that I know my bloodline has been hated for quite some time. Maybe with reason, maybe without but that's all debatable. To me all that doesn't affect me because I am me, not them. My point is that not every ancestor was the same. Circumstances may have made them slightly crazy, who knows?

Taking a deep breath before she continues she looks at each and every person standing there.

Does bloodline hunting really accomplish anything? I mean, sure you get to kill them which is all fun for about two minutes until the next kill comes along. The bloodlines that are being hunted don't usually go away. Either they stay upfront and take the beating like a champ and eventually find somewhere that will give them chance to show another side or they go incognito. Yes some lines may not change for a long period of time but some do and aren't given the chance.

It's true that there is probably no such thing as a "clean" slate when it comes to people's bloodline that has been around for a little while but does that mean they shouldn't be given the chance to at least prove they have changed? I know if it wasn't for Godfather CharlieCroker my bloodline may never have been able to show their true colours or what they were really capable of. I'm sure my grandmother, Stranger would thank him for such an opportunity.

Now you may ask yourselves how you would know that a bloodline really has changed if you do not work with them? Well that's my point. Unless you give them a chance you may never know for sure.

Personally, I believe it comes down whether or not the bloodline is capable of maturing. I, for one, still feel some resentment towards the the man that shot my great-grandfather down for little or no reason. Will I ever like the descendants of that person? Only if I manage to mature more than I have. Will I be able to work with him without problems? Yes, I can and will. I am not my Great Grandfather, and he is not his ancestor. To keep up a feud based on something that happened years ago to people that are barely remembered is ridiculous in the extreme.

Hunting down the bloodlines of those who've wronged us hurts us just as much as it hurts them. We may not be the ones dying over and over again, but if we make no progress in who we are, what we are capable of, and in bettering ourselves, are we really living in the first place? When we let ourselves be ruled by hatred such as that, then the person being targeted has killed us as surely as putting a bullet in our brains, themselves.

I think when you find that a certain bloodline has performed similar actions repeatedly, you have to take a long look at whether or not said bloodline will be able to get themself together and do something useful. If we killed everyone based on what their ancestors did, how many of us would be alive today?

Keeping to the shadows as always, Stallion heads to the bakery. Arriving Stallion sees a small crowd has formed. Hanging back he first listens to what is being said. Nodding at some of the finer points while shaking his head at other foolish notions Stallion clears his throat, nice and loud, so people start to turn towards his direction.

"I have heard many people offer newly arrived gangsters a clean slate in regards to what their previous bloodlines have done. But this is mostly when someones previous bloodline did something negative, for example betraying their own Godfather so they themselves could become Godfather. Sure its a doggish act but we forgive and forget when their next of kin arrives to our shores. Nothing wrong with that, unless you are kin of that Godfather that got betrayed then I think you have every right to hate that person and their kin til as long as you feel is necessary and that's how I see it."

"I will mostly give everyone a clean slate, but if your bloodline has screw me or any of my bloodline in the past then you can forget about a clean slate. But if you fucked over every single mobster in this world of ours except for me or my bloodlines then you my friend get a clean slate here. That's how I am, not matter what you did as long as you didn't do it to me then you get a fresh start. Unfortunately for some this goes the same if your dad was the greatest mobster in the world and you come to me expecting some special treatment, well you can keep on walking cause you won't get any here. If I have never dealt with your bloodline then I don't care how awesome people say your dad/mother was you will be starting from scratch with me. Naturally if your parent was a good friend of mine then of course I'll give you a leg up in the world in honor of your parents memory."

"That's really the problem now when people say they offer clean slate, a fresh start and so on. They normally only mean the bad stuff but then in term of the good stuff they will offer you better then say those who parents did nothing special. You are kind of contradicting yourself by doing this. If you are offering fresh starts for people then it has to be a complete fresh start for everyone no matter if what they did was good or bad."

With that said Stallion, heads into the bakery, licking his lips at the prospect of delicious fresh bread.

The thoughts brought to light here are certainly valid, and often this type of situation occurs in our world.

The real question is, who is at fault here? The hunter, or the hunted? If the so called victim makes their ancestors name known, are their alliances still shown? Perhaps just laying low, and not announcing your connection to your father would solve the problem entirely?

It must be remember that in this world, our children share more than our DNA and eye colour.  They share our thoughts, impulses, and our rationale.  We cannot expect children to be much different from their parents. 

Families like mine, who take pride in their name (and lack any real ability to name their children something new) can generally be expected to behave like their anscestors.  After all, it is a proud family name.  And the best.  Better than "Wad."  But, I digress . . .

It is true that some children can and will learn from their parents mistakes, however, it would be foolish to assume that the offspring are completely different from their parents with fresh outlooks and trainability.  Remember the scorpion and the frog.  Or, for that matter, the gingerbread man and the crocigator.

Steps out tossing a finished cigarette butt, having just lit a new one off of it, in the proper chainsmoking style, he readies himself to speak, only after taking a quick sip from a silver pocket flask which he removes briefly from his inner suit's pocket only to be replaced...

In my experience, in the positive sense, bloodline has always been a good sign of loyalty in a person. However, in many cases, I've seen the exact opposite. So, in my opinion, bloodline isn't a telltale sign of a person's actions except in a few instances; it is those instances that ruin it for all of those with bad histories in their bloodline. As for those few instances, I probably can count them on my hand.

With the other's that just made, let's say, one mistake, I think at one time or another we've done something we shouldn't had. Some things are worse than others, but it could happen to anyone so I wouldn't be concerned. In fact, if a descendant of a singular malefactor, I'd be curious to try to help them build into something that their ancestor had failed to be, an upright citizen, whatever that means here.

When it comes to meeting a new person on the street, I've found myself asking who their parents were. Is this wrong? I don't think so, but no matter what they say, they'll always have a chance to prove themselves, as individuals. Of course, if I notice they're ancestors' tendencies popping up, in that case, I'll have to handle it, as any one would.

Durzo listens to his good friend Stallion speak, agreeing with almost every point expressed

I believe Stallion brought up a good point, if someone has done something stupid in the past to someone else then they will get a clean slate im my book. I might keep watch over them to make sure no hereditary traits emerge but by and large they will find a safe home.

But what about descendants of the great mobsters in history? What if their grandchildren came up to you, wide eyed and teary looking for a home? Now i do not doubt that provided they showed the appropriate amount of respect and manners that you found find a home for them, but how out of your way would you go to honor the memory of their father or mother? If you had a godfathers son or daughter in your family would you provide them with a bodyguard or two? Ive seen it happen frequently in this thing of ours, great leaders have died and all of a sudden their children are right or left hands of a famly. Before they have even earned there button no less! With enough bodyguards to occupy a small pacific island. All while still a lowly gangster of thug.

I think it has almost become the norm to treat people with an esteemed bloodline favorably, which is fine in my opinion. We work hard to make sure our children are provided for, and god forbid if something happened to myself i would hope my child would be taken care of. Just as i would take care of a child of one of my friends if they ever came to me in the night and told me of their fathers demise. I would NOT however equip them to invade a small country and put a high chair at my right or left hand and tell them the seat is theirs. Blood line or no blood line some things will always have to be earned in my book.

Durzo superglues 2cents to the floor this time so Stallion cant take it