"Howdy folks, I haven't ever really had cause to come out and talk to you direct, but I saw something today that, well, it made me want to.  Some of you might recognise me - until a little while ago I liked to come out here and tell a few stories.  Some about me, some I heard and others a mix of the two.  Maybe one or two of you liked them.  I hope so.  But one person didn't, and they sent me a note explaining and rationalising why they did't like 'em.  So, I don't want to make nobody unhappy to I stopped.  But heck, this here is different.

PeanutButter-Jam was mouthing off.  Saying this and that, backchatting.  He was sore, because his pops done got killed.  FreddieFastFingers was shot dead, right out in the open, and the man that did it didn't hide why he done it.  Then Freddy's son comes out and, well let's just say he didn't do the family name much good.  Not much good at all.

My own pops was shot dead early in the last war.  He had a good thing going and hadn't made too many enemies but had made some friends.  He was as the old saying goes in the wrong place at the wrong time.  He was killed before getting a shot off, and that would have made him sad.  But otherwise, he lived a good life and looked after his buddies.  He left me a little nest egg, too, which was good of him.  But more importantly than that, he also left me an example.

The man that shot my pops was doing his job.  The man that shot FreddyFiveFingers was doing his.  I'm doing my job but not moaning about my father dying like a man.

What PeanutButter-Jam did was conduct unbecoming of a man and of a member of this thing of ours.  He was an associate but we are all still the same: we chose this life rather than the straight life.

The sons of murdered mobsters should probably not really come out onto the street to complain.

So I guess I have a question, if you've come this far with me.

Is it ever honorable for the son of a murdered man to complain about his death on the streets?"

Seems a bit of a conundrum. On one hand you have a son or daughter experiencing grief, on the other you have the matter of business. Maybe the father or mother of said son or daughter didn't have the best reputation. At the same time getting it out and having your feelings heard is really healthy. Specifically hearing for yourself.

Obligatory lighting of a hand rolled cigarette.

Mercury hears somethign but she isn't quite sure what. She moves a little closer and catches the tail end of it.

Is it ever honorable for the son of a murdered man to complain about his death on the streets?

Mercury thought on this and shouted out a reply.

It depends on the manner in which someone comes to the streets. Sometimes sons and daughters need to vent. I find this acceptable. Their relative has just been murdered and they are upset.

I'm not going to talk about specific sons or daughters. That is wrong. This is not a question about one man or woman, it is a general question about a particular situation. Mercury thinks before speaking further. She wants to find the right words.

If a son or daughter comes to the streets and is disrespectful they are going a bit too far. This accomplishes nothing. Instead of being disrespectful, they should come out here and voice their grievances without the name calling or other verbalization that is discourteous to others.  

To sum it up, the manner in which they come forward determines whether it is honorable. If they have questions or complaints and keep it civil, I believe honor is a non-issue. Sometimes venting alleviates issues further down their lineage.

"Mercury, if we talk, as sons and daughters, remembering love and laughter, tears of sadness had happiness, then yes, we can perhaps be excused for coming to the streets demanding answers, justice, even compensation.  

And when you say "f a son or daughter comes to the streets and is disrespectful they are going a bit too far" what can you actually mean?

I mean coming to the streets and being disrespectful is not the way to approach the situation however coming to the streets and saying your grievance in a respectful manner should not be a problem I don't consider them "crying" like people say. I see them as having an issue and expressieng their grief. Expressing it is a good outlet if done without disrespecting someone,

"The thing is,Mercury, and this is the crux of the matter, what do you mean by disrespect?  Is it subjective?  Or is there an objective measure?  I think Mr Peanut clearly was disrespectful, but could anyone defend it?"

I can't comment. I am not privy to the entire conversation/interaction. PB&J did clearly state what he said in his first comments had a disrespectful element. I didn't see him defend it. Anything else, I don't know anything about and I am not going to make assumptions. I was not involved in the conversation(s).

Let me also add, it is up to the leaders and/or their hands if the leader isn't available to make the decision about what crosses a line. No one else. MY line is likely not to be what anyone else's is. If a member gets abrasive with me I want to know what the root of the problem is. I am not so quick with my gun. I'd rather fix the problem where possible.

"Mercury, if I may, we can discuss the point without discussing individuals.  What I am deeply anxious about is the son or daughter of a murdered mobster returning to these shores and comporting themselves without due recourse to the politesse commonly associated with this thing of ours.  The absence of a common understanding of acceptability perhaps causes some misunderstandings.  What I am basically saying is who can, does and should decide on what constitutes disrespectful behaviour and conduct?"

And here I was secretly hoping the Kuku bloodline would die with Kirsty.

Delicate found the street corner JackHenryAbbot worked. Worked with his words. He was a word master. 

I think the first issue here is that PeanutButter-Jam wasn't a man. He was a jam mixed with peanutbutter. But even jams have fathers I guess. 

Delicate flicked her finished cigarette. 

Crying and moaning about a fallen family member in public is just super lame. I wish people would stop. 

At the same time, I understand. It was your first loss. Which always hurts the worst. Eventually, you become calloused and usually stop. However, if this wasn't his first loss, well, there may be no hope. 

If you want to bring the memory of your father or mother back to these streets - do it with honor or not at all. No one wants to clean up your tears. 

I personally don't have a problem with descendants coming to these Streets and being upset that their father/mother was killed. What I do have a problem with is the way they carry themselves in doing so. 

PB-J was disrespectful and insulting. If he had been more articulate with his frustrations, then maybe he would be held in higher regard. This thing of ours is all about respect. Yes, respect is a two way thing however I also associate position and rank with respect. 

It's not difficult and it's nothing new, yet it seems to reoccur time after time.

Totally agree with Rick_Dalton in his thoughts.

Its just to forget shit and move forwards and not looking so much back all the time, can promise the life is going much betetr then for most of all doing that.