Kirsty steps out of the Opium Den which has been her residence of choice for a period of time.  She is glad to have had this experience, but pleased to be returning to a form of normality near friends, old and new...

"I take my responsibilities as a leader in this society seriously.  I don't throw my weight around, but I do pick the pockets of those I see around me.  A mere associate beat me up and stole my gun in response the other day.  Simply put, I wanted to execute this miscreant.  But out of fierce sense of what is right and what is wrong, and in deference to the rules and regulations of this thing of ours, I simply laughed and went about my business.

But surely this injustice cannot continue.  Dare an associate mug a CL?  Surely, it should be clearly understood, by the leading and guiding lights of this thing of ours, that such aggression will not stand and that the CL, or indeed the inducted member, can punish the associate in whatever way they see fit?

Discussion has been had around this, but let us decide, finally, what is the protocol.  

Perhaps different cities be allowed latitude? "

In Chicago, we are strong advocates for respecting the position someone holds. An extension of this is respecting the power and influence an individual carries which allows them to operate within our business. As a Captain in the Grin Gang running a 5 man operation, you've made your bones and that should earn you respect. If you feel an associate has disrespected you, then it is up to you to handle that how you see fit. I would expect someone in your position to recognise the relationships we have with other families in other Cities, which is probably why you chose not to take it further. 

I do not believe in hard and fast rules and treat everything on a case by case basis. If someone justifies latitude, they will get it and conversely, if they should do as they are told...they should definitely do as they are told.

Thank you, Grin-07, that clarifies things to an extent.  Now, I quite like being mugged, but sometimes people are rude afterwards.

And I am a stickler for manners.  I think I might shoot rude people, post mugging, in futur

Well looking at the city rules, there is in general little guidance on pping or mugging consequences, just a lack of desire to actually get involved because it's a ridiculous thing to get het up over.

PP at your own risk. If you get mugged, don't be a bitch.

If you're in 12th Street you're authorised to pickpocket and mug at will providing it meets other 12th Street rule criteria  

PP and MUG as you wish and at your own risk.  

Respect others Pick Pocket stance. I won't be getting involved in any disputes unless guns are drawn.

You can Pickpocket or Mug anyone you like except Koyuki.

I'm not getting involved in pp disputes. If you choose to involve me, I'm taxing both parties 50% of the dispute so think long and hard about your next move.

Respect PP stances. We will not get involved in disputes.

I'm not saying that you are getting upset but given there isn't a consensus among the cities, I don't think you'll get one from the streets.  I tend to just stick with "if you have something in your profile, I'll respect it or not.  If I don't I'm happy to say I'll run the risk of whatever consequence you think is appropriate."  In that case I'm not fussed about getting mugged, I've already said I might mug you if I see you.  I don't think anything other than that is good for business.

Well, that's all well and good, Charles_Barkley, but what of the man who isn't content simply to mug a CL?  What of the man who wants to be rude about it?

I mean, part of me wants to SHOUT FROM THE FUCKING ROOFTOPS "of course he should be killed."  And not only that, his CL should pay the assailant for ridding the world of someone so oafish and puerile.

But we don't live in a sane world, Charles.

What do you say?

My view on Pick pocketing has always been the same. Its not really the actions of a made man. I do not envision that a Capo or Boss or Consigliere in a powerful family would be running around picking people's wallets. People often say, its only 15k so what's the harm. Well you do not know your victims circumstances. Sure if they are Rich you can hazard a guess that 15k isn't going to affect them much, but what if they had saved up a million over the space of several weeks to buy BGs or a DFP and had only just withdrawn the money from the bank to complete the purchase? The only reason for picking a pocket is to prove you can, or to prove that someone isn't as well protected as they declare, so from that point of view I can understand why some folks would be upset.

As Grin-07 says, Chicago's rules are deliberately lax on this regard, so that you can throw your own slant on this, but as he also said, we expect you to respect your targets position. Take me for example, any one who has any sense will realise that if they pick my pocket, they will get mugged. I make my stance quite clear. My father had a more relaxed view than my hard line, but on occasion he still mugged people. He always respected peoples wishes though. He picked pockets in this order:

1. Elodin
2. FBN
3. Pick Pocket Friendly People
4. People with no stance
5. People who are pick pocket unfriendly

My Father always paid back what he took, plus interest, and he knew that if he got mugged by people in group 4 or 5 then it was the risk he took. You seem to want your cake and eat it. You want to be able to victimise whomever you want with no come back. Unfortunately, most CLs disagree with you. Since shortly after the Gods allowed us to mug, it has been an accepted risk of picking pockets, and its easily avoidable. Simply, don't pick pockets, or limit yourself to FBN agents or people who are Pick Pocket friendly.

Kirsty

what of the man who isn't content simply to mug a CL?  What of the man who wants to be rude about it?

Honestly, this isn't going anywhere else is it?  It's just between you and me? 

Well, that to me is the perfect opportunity to pick their pockets again (and again).  I get what Master_Splinter is saying about it being beneath the likes of thee and me but in this slightly rarefied existence it is good to have a hobby...a pastime that gives one enjoyment. 

I do like this particular bit of cat and mouse as my little hobby sometimes...when I 'm not busy with churros and custard.

Pretty simple one for me. Respect rank and positions in society.

If you think you can get away with it, then crack on and give it a go. If however you are caught, you take your punishment. If you are so brazen to know you'll get caught but do it anyway then again, take your punishment. Whatever that may be.

If your CL decides to PP you, I think that's acceptable and shouldn't be mugged back. You should be willing to take a bullet if/when the time comes so what harm is a little pick pocket.

You're fucking Rick_Dalton.  Don't you ever forget that. 

I think everything in our way of life is a case of action, and reaction.

Whenever you decide to do anything to anybody, there's a risk of getting a reaction that is not beneficial to you.

For example, you pick someone's pocket, send the money back, and they send you a mail saying thank you. Pleasant all around. However if that person doesn't like you being in their pockets, they will probably mug you if they get the chance. Not so pleasant.

I always make a point to send the money money back that I take, out of politeness. However, if somebody picked my pockets, I'd probably mug them, depending on who they are, and I would not be sending the money back. It's my right to have that reaction.

The same way, whoever I have mugged, has the right to have whatever reaction they want to have. If that is executing me, as you wanted to do to the associate, then so be it. I took that risk when mugging them.

They must then be aware though, that by executing me, they could be asking for a further reaction, maybe from a crew leader or city head, displeased that one of their family members has been gunned down over a mugging. This could then end with the shooter joining me in the morgue, or it couldn't.

It comes down to what you think you could get away with, and whether the reaction you think would come from your actions, is worth carrying the action out.

The pianist strumming some notes in A minor sings slowly:

....I will choose your pockets and forget to return it to you....

Oh, i need to make a rhyme for this...