Glanging from side to side, I pull on a heavy wooden crate. Sure, an empty one would have been easier, but then where would the multitaslking be? So this crate full of contraband alcohol fresh from over the border would just have to do. Admittedly, huffing and pupping with the heavy box doesn't make the most glamorous entrance onto the scene that anyone has ever had, but you have to start somewhere, right? After couple of passerbys help me position it on the edge of the pavement, I take my place on it, drawing a nervous breath

Hello. My name's Jenifer, and I'm here to make my first speech about motivations.

Again I glance round, then decide to ignore those listening and concentrate on the words

The answers most of us give when asked about our motivations in this way of life would be limited. "To help my family, my godfather, my city." Or possibly "For honour.". But most of these concepts and ideas come to us as part of this life, and very few, if any of us are born directly into the business, brought up with it from the cradle. So what brings us to it in the first place?

A few obvious suggestions spring to mind. The first of which is money. Money motivates everything in the world, to a lesser or greater degree. Whether it is simply money for money's sake, or money to feed your family, or to get that bookie off your back, money is the greatest motivator.

But there are other jobs out there, many of which will pay better as we are constantly sending money up the structure. This isn't a job in which you can get rich quick. And does any crew leader really want anyone with this motivation? A cash-cow is only worthwhile if you can harvest the cash from them.

So what of despiration? I've seen many come to these streets and tell tales of how they had no where else to go, their life was in shambles, when they came to this life. Again, although these people may be in yoru debt for helping them, and they may feel honour-bound to serve your cause, are they here by their own free will? Soldiers are only worth a damn if they're serving you willingly, and fully, not from some sense of debt owed. What if one day they feel their debt ius fulfilled. what way then will their gun be pointing?

The last motivation I'm going to mention here today is the one I feel I was pushed by the most. The motivation of excitement. Although this may not be the job which pays the most, I believe it is the one in which the most happens, the oe you can get the best excitement from.

The issues with this motivation are clear.. What if the reality falls short of the dream? Sure this life is fun, but there is paperwork and peacetime, and things can't always be going on. I've never run into the problem yet, but what will a thrill seeker do to get their next adrenaline hit? The third motivation is perhaps the least predictable.

I finally allow myself to adress the crowd again, looking around from face to face, waiting for a reaction

Thank you for listening.

I step down from the box, and start to drag it back to the waiting truck

I can only speak for myself but in my opinion you missed a very large motivation.

The desire to be the best. To be on top. To call the shots.

As it is so clear to me, man is consumed by greed. The desire to have more then anyone else is a huge motivation in the minds of many, I assume.

With that said, I'd like to say you presented yourself very well. It definatly made me think about what I want and why.

Madara steps up to where Succubus stood whilst speaking

I believe the main motivation for many including myself, is friendship. The frequent communication of friends and family strengthens the bonds over time. Things like 'To be on top.' and 'excitement' are a result. We make money, we train we rank and when required we die in order to the betterment of family.

Mmm.. this is only from what i see.

Madara skips off down the road to mug and old lady

As men put crates of liquor onto the truck, LoveGun has Forest take them off while she distracts them with her assets. After she was happy with the amount of booze they had horded for themselves, she sent Forest home with it, they'd later sell it for a high profit. LoveGun joined the forming crowd around a young woman who spoke of motivation. She had been ease dropping on the conversation the whole time she was doing business.

Excuse me self.

She makes her presense aware as she slithers through the audience.

Ma'am ya' be bringin' up many good points today, but motivation be such a broad subject. Anythin' can be motivatin' a bein'. Just depends what tha' person be after. Let it be some booty or revenge or a city to be callin' their own.

LoveGun pauses, wishing she had some rum on her. It was hot outside with summer quickly approaching the city.

Like I be sayin' just now. It all be dependin' on what ya' be after. So if ya be after justice t' tha' thug that knocked over th' business that ya' be usually knockin' over, then Revenge may be th' triger to your motivation. Like ya be sayin', desperation. If ya' be havin' nothin' t' live for, but then findin' a family t' prance aroun' with may heal and ease th' need t' be desperate.

She turns in place and raises her hand in the direction of Gavin.

Mr. Gambino be bringin' up a very strong point. Desire.

Her lips curled up into a smile after she said the word.

Back t' what I be sayin'. T' each their own t' be wantin' wha' they be wantin', but if they be not havin' desire for nothin' then they won't be wantin' anythin'. Desire be the root of motivation.

LoveGun then looks over to Madara.

Friends? Friends will turn on ya quicker then ya can say fire truck. Family me friend, family is much better motivation then friendship.

With that all said and done, LoveGun was off to find herself some rum.

I look around, a smile tugging at the corner of my lips. I turn first to Mr. Gambino

Thank you for pointing that one out, you're right, it is a major one that I missed out, an oversight on my part, thanks for bringing it up, it makes the whole speech more whole now. Another missed one is perhaps the desire for power over your fellow man, though I guess that one ties in quite nicely with your desire to be "on top".

Next I turn to Madara

Although I agree with you that friendship can be a strong bond at times, only a couple of these strong friendships are generally formed in a lifetime. I was referring to motivations that bring us into the fold of organised crime in the first place. Undoubtedly within our families friendship is a main factor in what we do, but before that..

I shrug

I suppose a friend could bring you into it, but I don't see it being a major one.