Trawling through the history books the King of the Underscores and undoubtedly the greatest name in mafia history finds the same arguments thrown out again and again. X killed me and now I'm angry, Y betrayed me blah blah and the ol' favourite; what does it mean to be a Made Man? Reading the latest accusations of the regime bloodlining, people being killed unfairly and generally underhand tactics being used (allegedly) , the King of The Underscores took a step back and looked around him. Realising his life was that of a mafioso, in a Headquarters that had seen more than its fair share of blood spilt, money lost, bodies carried out and the like, he pondered where the complaints were coming from. As he wondered to himself he looked around to double check that he wasn't running a flower shop in happy go lucky land, and reassuring himself he wasn't going insane he stepped out of the HQ.

What do people expect of this world? We see leaders come and go, regimes rise and fall, yet the life of crime remains. This is the life we chose. We fight, we rob and we kill. We are the mafia. Do not expect us to trust those we feel cannot be trusted. Don't expect second chances. If you mess up once, you swim with the fishes. If you lie, you swim with the fishes. If you show disrespect, guess what? You swim with the fishes. 

As for the Made rank, if you complain about not being given it, you definitely don't deserve it. 18 years my bloodline has seen this happen. Nothing ever changes apart from the mouths the whinging and accusations come from and the same speeches asking about the rank of Made Man and what it means. If you don't know, you aren't going to get it. 

Taking a textbook and expected swig of whiskey and a drag of the obligatory cigarette he heads back to his car to go back to HQ.

Say there, man with the most difficult name to pronounce in all of the world, you have a point.

But what can we do about it?

After hearing __________I_________ speak of mafia conduct, values and etiquette, Right decides to comment on Eye's last remark

Hypothetically..

Right repeated the first word to put extra emphasis on it

Hypothetically.. A crew leader could be too busy, say..

Right looked to his Left to make sure Charles_Barkley wan't looking, then looked Right to Left, before looking straight at __________I_________.

Let me give a ridiculous example.. Say he, or she, would be organizing a massive basketball event. Again, hypohetically.. It could be that he was too busy doing that, and eating churro's, to actually remember someone..

Right looked Left again, then whispered

Someone important in the organisation, you get what I am saying, Right?

Speaking louder once more, he added

Say, they had become of experience and age to be either handed their button or be promoted, would it hypothetically.. Hypothetically, Right?.. Could it be all Right to remind Charles_Bark.. I mean: said hypothetical Crew Leader of promoting a member? Just be giving Chu.. uhm.. him.. or her.. a hint?

Right stepped back, then stepped forward one more time

Did I mention this was just a possible hypothetical example?

Trust is earned, there is no doubt about that. My question to your question is how does someone earn that trust? Sons and daughters are often placed in the same box as their relatives which leads to either built in trust or distrust. This does not further this thing of ours. I find that when you are honest with your family, you talk to your family and show them respect they will be loyal to the family. Bloodlines should not matter. The way they uphold themselves in the present is what matters.

As for made, what is the threshold for becoming a made member? Each person is different. Each person contributes in different ways. If a family member does the basic minimum I see not point in ranking them. If a member has shown they are loyal, contributed to the family finances, done as they were asked without questions, and made themselves (yes, made themselves) an integral part of the family they have earned the rank of made man.

People who whine about being made are often not the people you want made. On the flip side, people who expect to be leaders or hands often times don't deserve to be leaders either. Can we talk about leaders who are time and time again set up and don't engage with the family members, especially the ones not made? When a leader and their hands don't care, members don't care either. We have recently heard that disloyalty is a big issue these days. If we earn our members respect and engage them this would not be an issue. Yes, earn their respect. When your family respects you they will go to the ends of the earth for the family when it matters. 

Interacting with our members, teaching them this thing of ours properly, and encouraging them be it with competitions/events are ways in which we can keep them engaged and earn their respect. When they respect you, they work harder for you. This also falls on sponsors. If you sponsor someone you must take the time to interact with them, check with them to see if you can help them in any way. If they are new and having a hard time earning, meet them in a city and teach them how to move between districts and earn. Show them how to use tips to fly to other cities and earn. It takes some of your time however you gain a loyal member and form a bond with them. Walk them through the basics, don't just pick up a new player and leave them to swim for themselves.

There are many things we can do to change the direction of things, to stop the rampant disloyalty, and make this more enjoyable for everyone. Sometimes you just have to think outside the box. Sometimes, it's just applying common sense and being kind to each other.

Wandering around the streets with his paintbrush writing his name on every mailbox and light pole, rucK stumbled upon a discussion in the street. The cigarette hanging from his lips stood up at attention as he took a drag, stopping to listen.

I think everyone has their own personal missions. I think the important part is finding an outfit that fits your personal goals and aspirations. Some people want to have the biggest gun on the block, some people want to be seen as a king or queen of the soapbox. Some people are just here going through the motions because it's all they know. It's all they were taught so they stick to their comfort zone.

On the matter of expectations, I think it's best to have none when signing up for this life we've chosen.

Sitting at the side listening intently Underscore Guy hears Mercury speaking of disloyalty, something that has sprung up in terms of importance more so nowadays than in yesteryear 

It is indeed a good point you raise about disloyalty Mercury. Perhaps more does have to be done in terms of not expecting immediate loyalty just for providing sanctuary for people. And indeed, I recognise in myself that also that interaction must be increased. The expectation of immediate loyalty cannot be something to take for granted. 

Also in terms of becoming Made I agree. Everyone is different but there are those fundamentals that are mostly always true. No contributions in terms of communication or indeed tributes is not going to result in people getting far in this world. The value of joining that inner circle of people who you trust enough to hand them their button should be difficult to enter but then should also be rewarding when it happens. As soon as there is moaning, it is clear that the trust and patience is not there. 

I guess in terms of those whose bloodline seem to take on leadership regularly. Perhaps there is a mix, those who are as you describe but others who have a talent for the position and hence are given the chance throughout their family history. There are also the newer leaders who have not held positions before who seize the opportunity with both hands and make an excellent job of it. I think there will always be this blend of experienced leaders sprinkled with the newer leaders here and there which makes this life of ours interesting.

Likewise there will always be things happening behind in the bars of the business districts and in the coffee shops of the land that make this life of ours so intriguing, keeping our ancestors engaged and more than likely our children coming back to earn a living in this life of crime. 

And it is certainly true rucKa, everyone has their own personal mission and goal. Some wish to rise to lead us all and some are happy working hard behind the scenes, we have those openly vocal in the streets and the quieter associates who make large financial contributions to the family but all contribute to making this life of crime what it is. An addiction that we all cannot break, that keeps us coming back to break our fellow mafioso out of jail, robbing those purses, putting people to sleep with the fishes when needed and paying off those corrupt agents to keep us in business.