About: Discussion on the reasons about why someone will stay in a crew.

Booze was being consumed in abnormal amounts and lit cigarettes filled the room with smoke. Nene sat around a bar table, the surrounding chatter starting to fade as she drifted into her own thoughts:

Over the past few days, Nene had meditated on some thoughts until now when she decided she would finally speak on them. Not wanting to steal the spotlight away from the current competitions being held in the streets, she amassed just a small group of mobsters which comprised of people she knew, and others she had not been in contact with before. She didn’t mind. The more the merrier. 

“I remember how… scared... I was when I first made an appearance in these streets. 18 days ago I was crewless, not a penny to my name and lived without certainty for my future. Then I completed a few jobs for my now boss Skorpeon and the rest is history. But the reason I joined up with him is truthfully because I had recognized his name in my mother’s journals, and I felt like I’d be a bit more comfortable with someone who had already established some kind of relationship with luna.”

She raised her chin and smiled softly.

“Time and time again we see fresh faces come to these shores as well as old ones. It is understandable that everyone has their own set of ‘standards’ or personal reasons when it comes to deciding who their loyalty should go to. My reason was based on the connection Skorpeon already made with a particular ancestor of mine. What is your reason(s)?” 

A pause in her speech allowed her to quickly clear a frog from her throat. She took a quick sip of her water, hoping that no one noticed her weird throat sounds.

“Now that we’ve cleared that part. I’d like to pose another question, if you don’t mind. I’m very curious and would love to hear the responses.” 

“So you signed an agreement to follow the rules of your family, made yourself known to your fellow crew members and contributed greatly to crew taxes and donations. Few weeks pass by and now maybe you’re in the talks with your crew leader about getting promoted. Or maybe you’re still a wise guy, robbing the graves of unfortunate mobsters. Whatever the case may be, I would like to ask you this: what makes you stay in your respective crew? What stops you from leaving? What are the reasons that influence your decision to stay?” 

Nene shrugged. 

“In all honesty, one of the reasons is that I can’t afford to leave. I don’t want to start from the bottom again especially after all the efforts I’ve made as a wise guy seeking to climb the ranks. I’m starting to build my reputation in New York. Why stop now? Not only that, but I like my family. YES! There’s truly nowhere I’d rather be. I appreciate the friendships I’ve made because I’m a sucker for communication. And for me personally, without that key element, there’s no reason to continue. I’m also pleased to be in the crew I’m in now because New York is very active in the streets and business districts, which is something I want to be a part of. And maybe, just maybe, I stay because I’m Skorpeon’s personal caretaker. Such a big baby, he is.” 

People started talking over themselves but Nene urged for people to go one at a time so everyone’s opinions could be acknowledged. This was a safe space for all.

“I have no doubt that there will be a lot of different answers to this. And I’m not trying to determine whose reasons are right or wrong, I want to listen to new perspectives. If anyone in leadership want to join in the discussion, feel free! I would love to hear your thoughts. Anyways, here is some examples of what I’ve heard for why people ‘stay’. 

I stay because:

•    I’m a respected Godfather for my city and leaving will be like I’m letting down the people who believe in me.

•    I’ve already reached a level of commitment to my family by serving as RHM/LHM.

•    I’m not prepared to leave the friendships I’ve made.

•    I don’t know any other CL well enough.

•    I want to help rebuild the city.

I’m not implying that these are the current thoughts of people. These are just my observations. 

Perhaps next time I’ll bring up a discussion about what are the red flags to observe that might justify someone leaving? In past times I’ve heard about people getting abused whether it is verbal or emotional to the point where retiring is the only way out. That discussion shall be for another day though, whenever that day is. 

My final thought on the whole matter of what makes people stay is that there are some very real differences between why one individual will stay and why another person will. I definitely say though that it’s not rare to find that someone will stay because they’re forced to. I do find that dissatisfied people still stay. And I’m sure the question pops into people’s heads, “why are they working for someone who can’t even be active enough to greet their own crew members?”

In the corner of her eyes, she could see that someone was itching to speak. She folded her hands in her lap and sat back to listen. 

“I look forward to what you have to say.” 

I stay with my crew for three reasons:

• My crew is family and you don't betray family
• There are many opportunities to grow and be promoted
• I respect my CL and hands and want to help them rebuild our city and increase our reputation

Nene nodded and turned to @D0m3n1c with a fixed gaze as she heard what he had to say. She appreciated the fact that he put a blunt statement in the first reason he stated. 

"You're especially right with that first one. It's simple and to the point, but it's also just straight facts! Before joining Arachnida I made sure to ask myself whether REALLY I wanted to go through with it, because... I vowed to myself that once I join I would give my full loyalty and dedication to Skorpeon. Mob betrayal is very common in the mafia though and we never know what situation we might end up in when push comes to shove. What we CAN do though is prevent the events that would lead to that. And it's what you said. Don't betray family, and also might I add - don't bite the hand that feeds you." 

A soft smile surfaced on Nene's lips. 

"I see that it's only been almost two weeks that you've been working for Bounty Law and your willingness to contribute to the already growing success of Chicago is apparent, which is something I admire. Good luck on all your future endeavours Signor D0m3n1c and hope to see you more on these streets." 

Thank you for your honest response. I respect that. I hope to show my FULL loyalty as time goes on. As you said, its only been two weeks but everyday, my goal is to be better than the day before. 

quite simply, not getting killed.

I can't speak for any other members of my bloodline however.

Well said Cash.

"True, Ron_Swanson. Apparently even if you try to leave, you'll be given a warning that you could get hunted down since you are seen as a 'rogue' - something along those lines. And yeah, like, if it was me that was leaving, I might as well just leave the life of crime entirely rather than be swimming with the fishes the next day. Thank you for your contribution to this matter Signor Ron. I hope for you and I that we can live with prosperity till we reach old age, but some may say that can be too much to ask for in this life." 

Nene noticed a very familiar face in the distance. It was Cash, one of the very respected members of Arachnida. She smiled and gave a nod to acknowledge his presence. She was happy to see one of her family members and she also hoped that more people from the family could join as well.

"When you said that the decisions you make during your time here would resonate even after death, it provoked some thought in me. From the journals I've read of other people, I can recall instances where an ancestor's actions has greatly impacted the relationships they develop and the opportunities that are offered to them. Without pin pointing anyone, an example would be that someone's past ancestor was a known rogue who sought out enemies in a violent rage, and unfortunately any future kin would take the heat since suspicions may gather about them committing the same murderous acts. I guess the domino effect applies to the mafia, too. Ha." 

She made a final comment before thanking Cash for his participation in the discussion. 

"I think... it would be very hard for me to continue staying in the family if I had a terrible leader. That's probably where I draw the line. I believe that the crew leader should be held accountable, if not more, if one of their members commit misconduct. I say this because they acted on their behalf. The members reflect the leader. I don't know, that's just how I see it. Thank you nonetheless for your say on the matter. I've definitely gained a new perspective."

Vintage listened to these people talk. She pulled her joint from her lips and exhaled a white cloud of smoke framing her face. 

See the problem I see with going with people who know your bloodline is this plain fact. You are banking on your bloodlines connection, instead of the work you do.  I chose New York because that is where my  mother came from and although my ancestor died the city still stood, so loyalty rules say that is where you go.  Vin paused and took a long draw of her joint and held it for a moment as she gathered her thoughts.

Now my mother's father was from Las Vegas, here is where loyalty goes both ways. She exhales her hit and continues. 

When my mother's father died even though he was loyal to the city of Las Vegas, they snubbed my mother didn't want anything to do with her. Basically told my bloodline that our loyalty wasn't worth a pot to piss in.  So New York got her and her loyalty.  New York got my loyalty simply because after my mother died they took her homeless and orphaned child in. Offered a home before the viewing of  her mothers corpse. That was showing loyalty back to my bloodline and therefore deserves reciprocating. 

Your second question what makes me stay  the plain and simple fact of  how loyalty works. They took an orphaned child in that belonged to one of theirs. That shows they have loyalty. Reciprocation is what it is all about. Loyalty goes both ways. 

Your third question  My answer will be the same reciprocation of loyalty. I can't elaborate anymore on the basic concept of how loyalty works.  Has nothing to do with being comfortable with my boss or the people. Comfort is what you make it. You get along with people or don't get along with them by  your choice. 

 On other thing I would like to speak on. 

You said  you appreciate the friendships you made. Vintage shakes her head and flicks the dead roach into the gutter and pulls fresh one from her square case  she lights it and places the case back into her coat  pocket.

That is what has broken this thing of ours,  many of you bloodlines only support and agree with your friends.

When in reality, the cold hard truth of this thing of ours is you don't have friends, you have family. 

The fact that some of you call people friends and call  these things friendships is  what breaks this long standing rule. That is intended to protect the family. 

Vintage takes another long hit from the joint then exhales it slowly  as she continues. Let me reiterate that last part.

This rule of no friends, only family is what protects the family.  It was set up in the old world  for this very intention, to protect the family.  And since you all regard friendships over family, the family of this thing of ours will always be disrespected, and not amount to a hill of beans. 

Bottom line is loyalty goes both ways. 

You uppers feel like us associates have to show loyalty which is correct but if you are not reciprocating it. Then you don't deserve it regardless if you knew the bloodline previously or not.   

My bloodline does not go to cities or crews because we worked with them before, if the city is standing after one of my relatives is taken we stay with the city. If  they don't have this loyalty (like the LV my grandfather came from) that they expect from us then we move on.  We don't ask people who their family lines are we don't care. 

My bloodline  judges people on their current merit not the merit of their ancestors. I mean it is not really fair to judge a member of a bloodline because they happen to have a  dead relative who had  a misstep, unless it is being a rogue., or intentionally trying to damage this thing of ours.  Also, if you keep going with descendants of old bloodlines, how are you going to meet new people and learn new things. Seems a little xenophobic , counterproductive   and boring to me. 

Anyways no disrespect intended here, if you took any offense to what I said just chock it up to me being stoned. 

Kristal bit her nail nervously, hesitant but encouraged to speak out when she knew this was a safe space. 

"Thank you Vintage for the points you've raised. You're entitled to your opinion. You have your way of making it in the mafia world, and I have my way. I'm sure my mother has no hard feelings at all towards you about anything you've said. But since you've put out your response, I'd like to react to that." 

She said not too much, but just enough to state her points. 

"I don't know what you mean by 'banking' on my bloodlines connection because I still would be doing the hard work I need to do in order to rank up. I'm absolutely aware that I'm not going to earn a place in this life of crime purely based on my ancestors lives nor do I expect anyone to trust me let alone willingly invite me to their family without approaching them first. I do see where you're coming from though, because it's happened before. A lot of times. I've seen day old gangsters become a part of the upper structure, because of their bloodline. About your mother, I'm sorry to hear about the unfortunate circumstances but I'm glad you've found a home. And I would like to offer my sincere condolences to your former leader. Wishing you well in this time of loss." 

Kristal drew out a deep breath, nodding as she agreed with Vintage.

"Perhaps that's where I went wrong. Regarding my fellow family members as friendships. When you put it that way, it all just seems temporary. I've gained some new insights in this discussion. Thanks." 

What makes me stay in my crew?

This is a very interesting topic because not everyone does it. Hard pill to swallow, yes. However, it happens. I stay in my family because before joining anyone, I take my time. I am one to make sure their mission statement, so to speak, aligns itself with how I picture the rest of my life. We strive toward the same goals. This is in the beginning, as time goes on, we build friendships with family members and hopefully a great bond with your bosses. I have been honored to find my family quickly and they have been great to me. I will be staying!!

I watched and listened as everyone took their turn voicing their opinion in the streets, I thought long and hard before I answered truthfully. 

I put all my faith in to my Don’s ability to lead, respectfully I owe him my life to him as I would still be kicking around the gutters had he not picked me up. It’s only right I return the favour by showing nothing but loyalty right to the bitter end!

I have some people on my payroll i am invested in, I simply expect to collect in what i have too  of them, and then when i make my return, i return home.