After reading the paper and finishing a fine lunch, Nipper got up from the cafe table, left a handsome tip and walked into the local square. He took a few steps up toward the central monument and turned to face the people going about their day. 

"Hello.

I wanted to make mention of something that happened yesterday. I was going about my morning routine. Drinking coffee and reading the news, when out of the blue I felt a hand try for my pocket. I turned to look, expecting to see some grubby little urchin with no idea of how things work and I was ready to give the little scallywag a clip round the ear. You can only imagine my surprise when instead of some sack-cloth gutter snipe, I was left staring at a Consigliere from Philadelphia. Right there, arm out, trying to get into my jacket. Well, I don't mind telling you, I was shocked.

I responded by insisting doing that again wouldn't end well for them. You can only imagine my surprise when I was met with a rebuttal and even an ultimatum. Not quite knowing what to do and assuming it would be bad form to shoot a Consig from a close friend's family, especially before breakfast, I decided to just inform their leader and left it at that. I carried on with my day but the situation played over in my mind so I thought I'd better come here to help clear up whatever misunderstanding there may be about this."

He looked around at the various faces as they braced themselves for a patronizing lecture. 

"There are written rules and there are unwritten ones. An etiquette that must be observed. With pickpockets for example, it's one thing to dive in and out of each other's pockets based on a person's displayed PP stance. But not with a CL or upper structure. If you want to PP a leader who has no displayed PP position in their profile, you'd better fucking ask first! 

If this person had come and asked me and said they wanted to try and do it for a bit of sport, things would have been different. I may still have said no but at least there would have been some politeness to the exchange. Manners. Respect. Normal things that are expected to be shown to leaders and uppers. Especially from another city. That's just common sense. You dive in to my pockets without warning, I will get annoyed at the lack of respect and you'll be fortunate not to catch a bullet.

In future I'd recommend taking a moment to think before making assumptions. There are certain levels of common sense and respect that are expected. If you do not engage your brain before making decisions, you will likely as not have a very bad day. It's not hard, just think. It all falls under the age-old umbrella of 'don't be a dick'."

Seeing everyone's attention was waning, he brought things to a close.

"It's not hard, and it's not just pickpockets. It is all things. A little common sense and forethought goes a long way."

Manners! Respect!

Right heard Nipper speak as he wondered if he should step forward to tell what had just happened in Seattle

'Do not pickpocket a Crew Leader'..

The words echoed in Right's head and Right looked up and Down, Left and Right. When he didn't immediately spot Evening, he turned around and backed off, hoping some things that happened over the past half an hour would never get out to the public..

JackHenryAbbot listens intently, pauses, thinks, then begins to speak...

"Having perused the obituaries just this very moment, Don Nipper, I noticed that nobody from Philly with the standing you mentioned is listed, and I can therefore only conclude that it remained his lucky day.

This opens up a discussion that historically has taken up a bit of time on these streets: the right to respond to a pickpocket, or a mugger, as one sees fit.

For a time, a while back, any Made member of this thing of ours could shoot an associate guilty of mugging them.  There was no such dispensation given to executing pickpockets.

Personally, I think, terminating, with extreme prejudice, an associate who has mugged a made man should not only be allowed, it should be encouraged.

At the very least, the options should be discussed."

JackhenryAbbot heads back to do what he does best...

"I couldn't disagree more. Some blanket law like that just opens the world up to exploitative cowards who seek to compensate for their own insecurities by exerting some kind of cruelty over people based on nothing but rank. You applaud an adult for beating a child, there is no honor or victory there. I remember a man who was hell-bent on such activity but he was a loathsome wretch who no one respected. Rightly so. Fucking vermin. 

No, I am talking about respect for a person in an upper structure position. If that person has a displayed PP status, fine. They've made their position perfectly clear, have at it. If they haven't, the very least you can do is send them a mail asking if they mind you trying to steal their money. Just a token show of good manners and respect is all I ask, nothing more."

Nipper shook his head at being reminded of the unwanted memory.

"God that guy was so pathetic. It takes real cowardice to be so cruel to the defenseless. A more pathetic display of sniveling insecurity will rarely be seen." 

"That man sounds like the absolute worst.  But what of the men who assailed him, knowing that he had the explicit right to shoot them?

Surely, by their mugging action, they were themselves guilty of grave disrespect.  And how defenceless are we talking about here?  If it's the man that I'm thinking of, her shot some very experienced marksmen, some of whom were very well protected, indeed.  

And, of course, the upper structure is itself a set of ranks - with written and unwritten rights and responsibilities.

A Made man, one who has made his bones, is surely entitled to exact a price upon an associate who beats him up.  After all, is it not a fundamental tenent of this thing of ours that rank does indeed mean something?  And that a Made man has the right, on pain of death, not to be attached by someone who hasn't been inducted into his family.

Do I, Don Nipper, have the right as Leader of Men (and women) to pick your pocket based solely on my rank?"

JackHenryAbbot scratches his head and wonders if someone has put Ouza in his coffee, as he meant to say "he" not her, "tenet" not tenent, and "attacked" not attached, and the closing question was as "a" Leader of Men... 

Do I, Don Nipper, have the right as Leader of Men (and women) to pick your pocket based solely on my rank?

"No, you absolutely do not. You need to ask, same as anyone. You would know the answer to that question if you'd bothered to listen. The entire speech has been about etiquette. Basic manners. If I find anyone trying to steal from me, even under the flag of friendly sport, they'd better have had the decency to ask permission first.

The person that tried yesterday morning outranked you considerably, the original point made about their behavior, will certainly stand for you a number of ranks below them."

"You have raised a number of interesting points, Don Nipper, points which merit further discussion.  You speak of the cowardice involved in killing the defenceless.  Do you mean to say that anyone powerful enough to kill someone less powerful is a loathsome, insecure coward, of their reasons for doing so are selfish reasons?

Do not the powerful kill the less powerful so that they, the powerful, may remain in power?"

"At this stage you are doing your level best to twist what has been said to perpetuate your bizarre agenda. I said no such thing. I certainly do not feel it is always an act of cowardice to kill someone of lower rank. In fact there are many occasions where it is entirely necessary.

I stated that a person, such as the spineless wretch mentioned, spending most of their day walking the streets trying to bait lower ranks into an incident that would provide him with an excuse to shoot them. I'm saying that was cowardice. That was cruelty. That was the action of a loathsome worm and such a man had no right to consider himself anything more than vermin.

You understand or should I send someone over with a sketchbook?"

Listening carefully, Starlight nodded in agreement and thought to himself - this is absolutely true. CL's and hands should not be exempt from filthy pickpockets, but there should definitely be dialogue before any attempts are made. The foundations of our practice are based upon loyalty, honour and respect! 

* While thinking this to himself, Starlight had already began putting his dirty pick pocketing gloves on and tentatively started to back away from the already formed gathering * 

"Don Nipper, I have no agenda, save that of growing my family, honouring my city and encouraging and enabling debate.  You took issue with a suggestion of mine, and that is fine.

But let us turn to the "spineless wretch" that you mentioned.  Perhaps he *did* have an agenda, and perhaps he had very valid reasons for prosecuting that agenda, against a named city.  Perhaps the killings that you mention were done for reasons that you were not privy to.  If you are thinking of the man I am thinking of, the vast majority of the killings committed were done for a reason, and two of them were killings against enemies that put the man's life firmly on the line.  Others were against a city headed up by man who, simply put, epitomised the meaning of the word wretched.

Now, Don Nipper, you have spoken of cowardice.  If you cast your mind back a few years, there was a man accused not of five or six killings, but of scores.  The reasons for these killings, it was alleged, was simply that those killed posed a theoretical threat to the killer.  That is, they could, potentially, be a threat to him.  The wags on the streets called these killings "the purges."

Was that killer a coward?  I

Now, regarding the allegations of purging, that is not really my opinion, and consulting my family journals, it was not my ancestors either.  I assume that there was much happening behind the scenes that I am not privy to.

What is a great pity is that you don't extend the same latitude to others as is extended to you.  Or, perhaps it's just me."

But let us turn to the "spineless wretch" that you mentioned.  Perhaps he *did* have an agenda, and perhaps he had very valid reasons for prosecuting that agenda, against a named city.  Perhaps the killings that you mention were done for reasons that you were not privy to.  If you are thinking of the man I am thinking of, the vast majority of the killings committed were done for a reason, and two of them were killings against enemies that put the man's life firmly on the line.  Others were against a city headed up by man who, simply put, epitomised the meaning of the word wretched.

"Fact of the matter was he got off on what he was doing and it was nothing but bullying. There was no hidden reason or agenda. Nothing but vanity and an absence of spine. Don't pretend otherwise, it was as pathetic as it looked. If it was to some hidden aim, then it failed conclusively as absolutely nothing came of it other than a widespread and entirely merited hatred of that individual."

Now, Don Nipper, you have spoken of cowardice.  If you cast your mind back a few years, there was a man accused not of five or six killings, but of scores.  The reasons for these killings, it was alleged, was simply that those killed posed a theoretical threat to the killer.  That is, they could, potentially, be a threat to him.  The wags on the streets called these killings "the purges.

 

Was that killer a coward?  I"

"Eliminating threats to not one or two but several cities of people is just that. Ensuring the safety of many people at the expense of those who could potentially be a threat. The various killers were not cowards, they were defending their position. Don't attempt to draw comparison between an absolute wretch and a large team that presided over one of the most impenetrable regimes in history."

Nipper looks at the young man.

"I would suggest you pack this in now."

"No problem, Jack. Enjoy your evening."

Wasn't there a rule around six months ago that prevented this particular malarkey? Although if i remember correctly it didn't go down a treat truth be told.I do agree what happened here is bad form and your stance should be respected in your current position of power, nothin more to say than it was just plain disrespect! I wonder will this particular incident revive another Pickpocket based rule? Policing these types of scenario's has always been more trouble than its worth, but if anyone is interested in my opinion then you should ask before you grab when dealing with upper structure full stop.

"For me personally it's the unwritten rules which make our thing great. Blanket rules with a clear structure of action & reaction leave very little room for nuance. I am a big fan of nuance."

Kruppe scratches his chin with his large sausage like index finger.

"With most things in this life it's all about what you have the power & contacts to get away with. I have the power to try & pick pocket Nipper for a measly $15k &/or to annoy. I could rely on the crowd to hide my attempt. Would fair Kruppe deploy his power in this way? No. Fair Kruppe is aware Nipper has the power to shoot him in the face for an act of disrespect."

Kruppe needs to be moving on to find some food.

"My parting comment would be that in this thing, as with all things sadly common sense is in fact not that common of a quality"

As Humuhumunukunuku made his way around the lands in his landsuit for a quick order of getting his affairs well sorted before heading back to the ocean for leasure and relaxation some consternation caught his attention. He saw several esteemed members of the shady part of town standing in heated conversation. As he drew nearer he recognized most of them, including an up and about young leader. He was wondering why this young leader was challenging the most powerful man of the city of New York... Does he not understand that respectful debates with more powerful man are not conducted this way? Humu sighed, it seems that the way this family was teaching their kids on how to behave was utterly lost at all points and never did the teachings of father to son include any feedback from the outside world. He shook his head sadly, wondering how on earth people could be so stubborn. As he faced Don Nipper, he collected his thoughts and remembered his own teachings from his great grandfather who had been in Nipper's shoes as leader of NY before.

Don Nipper, i like the idea of bringing some discussion on this topic to the streets. I bet you are not the only person of high position subject to grabbing hands. But somehow your bulky purse might be just too good of a target not to try. Often those of stature have only reached their position by being greedy, risk taking and pushing the limits all the time. Yet as part of the risk, one can expect an iron fist in their face, i would have done so if i had been the victim. Yet one can only hold a man accountable if he is sound of mind, some simply do not have the capabilities to think straight, whether that is due to their nature or after drinking too many whiskey at lunch or even when waking up. Often i would give a man depending on his posture and affiliation the benefit of the doubt and slap em on the wrist. 

Yet i agree with your suggestion, that any man of merit would take to heart the request and suggestion to not approach a man as yourself without proper etiquette and focus on the fact it is not the reward of such an activity, but the sport of pulling such a move off. This would even more so be a great feat if the victim was pre-warned and was unable to detect the actual pickpocket!!!

The ability to consistently follow proper etiquette, apply some self-restraint, and use plain common sense when dealing with any member of this thing of ours, but especially made men and uppers, is a rare and massively undervalued trait.  

Of course anyone worth a damn is going to show the required amount of respect nine days out of ten. The problem arrives on that tenth day, because it only takes a single instance of disrespect, whether it be pick pocketing the wrong person, mugging the wrong person, shooting the wrong person or even just speaking out of turn, to cause a whole world of issues for yourself and more importantly your family or city. 

It feels like not getting involved in this type of issue should be the easiest thing in the world, but it's having the self-discipline and social understanding to avoid these pitfalls daily, without fail, which is the mark of a consummate professional. Those family members who can live active lives and never give anyone cause to complain to their crew leader are worth a hundred times their weight in gold.