Seeing as an auth announcement and a story are all that anyone has bothered to speak about in the last 5 days, I can't help but think these streets are lacking a certain Chuckle that they really need. Fear not, I am here and I've come with plenty of questions tucked under my arms, hoping that you'll all sink your teeth into them.

Luckily, I'm not going to harp on about the glory days of this thing of ours. There are several reasons for this and you can take your pick from such winning logic as: they are dead and gone and it's fucking boring to rehash again; then and now are not a fair comparison given the prosperity of business and increased population at that time; the far more favourable light with which people paint the events, relative to how it actually was at the time or simply because I'm a contrary bastard and that's how I roll. Regardless of your choice, I'm going to ask something which has stemmed from the regular mutterings in the coffeeshops and the quiet corners of MafiaReturns.

My question, or rather questions now that I've lured you in, are regarding several major aspects of our world and I would welcome opinion from a vast cross-section of this community as a result. What old Chuckle is interested in and looking to address, are these continually bitter whispers that circulate and I will cite some examples for you below:

This world is going down the pan, the bosses don't even speak in the Streets anymore!

It is so dull, nothing ever happens!

The bosses are so stupid, only idiots get auth!

There are so many anonymous Bosses now, it wasn't like that when [YourPersonalFavourite] ran things!

You can't even speak in the Streets anymore, you'll die!

And so on.

I don't need to list them all, you know what I'm talking about - the jibber jabber here is about as predictable as a certain boxing match was this evening. Yet despite these grumblings, we are all still here, still plugging away, still winding up in families and still adopting this way of life. This makes me consider what in the fuck is wrong with us? Why do we join people so clearly stupid? Why do we speak when we will so clearly die for our opinion? Why do we bother to commit ourselves when each day is the same as the one before?

Or, just maybe there is something more to it. Maybe things aren't as bad as the naysayers would have you believe. I'm not pretending that things are perfect (and I'll get to this shortly) but the evidence suggests that some people must be doing something right, else why not run with the first person who mails you? Why continue in our way of life at all?

I'm interested in exploring these issues that we believe to be running rampant in our world. I would like for you to consider the following questions:

1) What motivated you to join the crew you joined?
2) What made you want to run with them instead of the others?
3) What specific qualities did you see within your leader or Godfather that encouraged you to join that city?

The reasons I ask these questions are to establish the admirable traits of our current bosses. I don't believe them all to be bad, just as I believe it naive to regard them all as great. As with any period in MafiaReturns, you have some good leaders and some not so good. This is inevitable and has always been the way of things. I'm looking to shine a spotlight on those people who are doing it right and demonstrate that it isn't slit your wrists time.

With that answered; having established why you ended up where you have, lets considered where you believe you should be below:

4) What would you do to improve your crew?
5) What would you do to improve your city?
6) What would you do to improve MafiaReturns?

It is extremely easy to say that things are shit and the people doing them even shitter. These grievances are so regularly bandied about that they practically never leave, just opting for a little hiatus for a week or two after a big war. However, I'm willing to hypothetically believe that we are in a terrible rut at the moment, so let us consider how we can get ourselves out of it. I'm spinning that same spotlight we just put on the bosses, families and captains and putting you under it; if they are so bad, demonstrate how things can be done better.

I am intrigued to witness if anyone is capable of thinking outside of the box, or whether they would just do the exact same things that everyone else is already doing - those things that people believe to be ruining our world.

~C~

When I first started this life, there were not many choices of city to join.  Roman and TheDean were the only options.  For reasons that are long since in the past, my mother died fighting against Roman.  Additionally, New York had many notable Mafioso that I was interested in getting to know , so I joined New York. 

When I joined RoRoG, he had been a crew leader only a short amount of time, but he had been a member of several families.  While his leaders kept dieing, over and over he survived.  I saw him working as a hand to a few different leaders before he was finally authed himself.  It spoke well of him that he was able to gain the trust of so many of the people in power so quickly. 

RoRoG’s bloodline had been my longtime mentor and friend.  I know him to be a good man, who will tell me what he really thinks, and will listen to me when I need him to do so.  As long as I have worked for him now, I have had free reign to take care of things that I believed needed to be done to keep our family alive and well.  I trust him, but also I know that he completely trusts me.  I have also seen him time and again give those with limited experience the opportunity to step up and prove themselves to be a leader.

I am constantly working to improve New Orleans.  I take the time to provide individual training to new associates of the city.  I make myself available to speak to everyone about whatever they need.  There isn’t much that I wouldn’t do to improve my family.  I don’t frequently engage in public speaking.  I know this is an area where I can improve and set a good example for the members of my city, therefore I am here today. 

If I were capable of changing the mindset and the patterns of behavior of the MafiaReturns community, I would have people new to our world strive to meet and attempt to work for someone that their ancestors haven’t worked with for generations.   I so often see newcomers flock to the people they know, the names they recognize from their parents.  They join the “names”.  If more people would take the initiative to try a new leader, or a new upper structure, a few things could occur.  They may create bonds that will last for generations to come, and even better they may help to spread the knowledge and experience gained over lifetimes and help someone new become a “name”.     

When i was still new to the mafia world, i was looking for something that i could identify with. So, i started looking for interesting men and women and came across LoveGun's Crew - The Corsair Collective. When i went through all the existing crews i felt the people around LoveGun were the most interesting and also a place where i could be a part of. As the crew was pretty new at that time i felt i could help to build this crew up. I turned down about three offers to join a different family. That's because i was already focused on that one family but i got to say i also saw Gaius and Kurtz and some other people to be a nice place to work under. I hope you see what i mean, i am not saying the other crews were worse.

What i would do to improve a crew. I would make everyone do a daily report. Resulting in me getting to know who i am working with and be able to see who deserves the most to be payed back for all the hard work. I would also do everything to make them understand that respect is earned and is of high importance in this thing of ours. Having a board in the HQ to show who got promoted and for people to express their congratulations and gratefulness would be the first step.

As for now, i am trying to talk to some of my crewmates and tell them it's a great deal to do something for the family and then get promoted. I am also glad to see that all of them are always respectful to the higher ranks.

What i would do to improve a city. I really can't think of anything now as i believe that's in the hands of the crews themselfs but something like what Roman did looks like a really good idea. http://mafiareturns.com/comm/thread/104880/tpass/88570ebe3dc29d9cea04cf0fe08ef22a

If i could change/improve Mafiareturns i would try to get rid of the 'Demotion/BG thing' and implement something like a fixed price for BGs or implement a system where you can only demote for 1 rank once a week. Basically make it a hard earned goal to have a lot of BGs. Furthermore i believe we need a lot more mafiosos and while achieving that get rid of the NPM's. Though i would agree to let new Crews have NPM's for about two months or so.

Michael hears Chuckle's rant and must agree. The only real street presence anymore is limited to auth announcements and a few stories. What ever happened to debates and such? Has freedom of speech been blown or has the tact of using respect and speaking your mind respectfully no longer practiced? Where has this all gone...

I really enjoy the rant Mister Chuckle. Its something we don't see enough, personality in the streets. Everything is dull like you said. Why has this changed only more recently? Those questions run thru my mind like a stripper with luscious curves. Over and over again, repetitve like...

To your questions though, the crew I joined was new in my eyes. My sponsor came to me I guess because he saw new fresh talent. I was racking in millions from drugs and the local casino's, when they were open. He wasn't the only one to approach me. The others who approached me, I won't name names, were repetitve with they're "hey you new? you need money? come work for so n so!" When asked why, they all gave the same dumb dull answer, "because he's the best. they're better. look at how many people we do have already." I'll just say this, quantity does not beat quality. So what motivated me was the uniqueness my sponsor approached me and was fresh compared to the other same hooligans. 

What I said before pretty much sums up your following question.

Your last one is something I never really thought about until now. Its not really what I saw in my Godfather or Crewleader because I did not know them at the time. As an associate I work for my sponsor, hoping one day I become I full member of the New York Syndicate. Anyways, I see loyalty in my Godfather. He fights for his members as if they were his own offspring. 

Nothing right off the top of my head comes to mind when wanting to improve the crew or city I work for. A few things I would change as Vino has already put it, is the Bodyguard situation. In my eyes its ridiculous. A little excessive if you will. The credit system and so on. Sky is the limit for anyone who has the friend in the higher end of the hierarchy. Or even the creditials to purchase them by other means. I'll keep it short as others have the same feelings it seems.

I'll give this a go, having roamed these streets for far too long, seeing much of the nonsense old Chuckle has discussed here. I'm sure my addition to this discussion will enlighten, and improve all things in this world of ours. In fact, we'll all be much smarter after I divulge these nuggets of knowledge!

1) What motivated you to join the crew you joined?

The legend of PizzaTheHut loomed large, as did the bulge in SexyBeast's pants, and seeing Chuckle shoe him in the junk to calm him down at the idea of me joining The Cheese Syndicate was enough for me to sign on for a life of crime with this group of degenerates. It was the best decision I could have made!

2) What made you want to run with them instead of the others?

I knew The Cheese Syndicate needed help when I stopped seeing Augustus around these parts regularly. I felt a calling to join them, and try and help fill the void of this famous bloodline. I was also assured I'd be allowed to dip in the bin behind The Sweet Life Bakery weekly, which sealed the deal.

3) What specific qualities did you see within your leader or Godfather that encouraged you to join that city?

In SexyBeast, I saw large swollen genitalia. And quite honestly, what is more important than huge junk?

4) What would you do to improve your crew?

Immediately feed Augustus' malnourished bodyguards, sew up BarbaraAmmer's flange, and promote Brent to the position of RHM (because of his dislike for Falcon).

5) What would you do to improve your city?

Immediately ban Alexander. That dingleberry needs to go.

6) What would you do to improve MafiaReturns?

Bring back The Gwarble Barble, or at the very least, Reaper Daily. Mob News needs some competition, as they are currently crushing everyone in the newspaper business.

Simplicity listened to the long speech Chuckle gave to the crowd. She then mowed is over in her head as to what her answers would be to his questions. Before responding she listened to what a few people had said. She nodded in agreement or laughed at the humor some brought.

Now seeing it was her turn she smiled and spoke to those around her.

"Well in response to your first question. I must say I came to these streets not really looking for anything. I had showed my face to say hello to friends. Yet, what motivated me to join was how many old friends had made refuge in the family. So I came along for the ride. Little did I know that I would be working my ass off and be here today."

"To answer your second question. It was the fact that I was unsure of what I was really doing here amongst these shores. I chose them over others because instead of them coming to me I went to them. In my mind that is always how it should be, but I do not find the opposite a negative thing. I knew some faces and to be honest there were one's I wasn't a fan of. Thing is I'm now friends with someone who I disliked for the longest of time and I wouldn't of had that happen unless I joined Kimble."

"Qualities...I don't like those who lead with an iron fist. We have all saw how those leaders end up. I enjoy qualities such as friendliness, firm, but not too strict, and doesn't second guess one's self. That shows a strong leader and that is what I looked for in this city and in my leaders. The ability to grow into what you wanted to be while knowing if you went out of line there would be consequences."

Pausing for a moment she then remembered the next three questions he had asked. Thinking them over once more before she continued she then nodded and began to answer.

"To improve my crew...I would encourage more action in the streets or business districts. People seem terrified of doing so and I want others to no longer feel that way. It's always a lovely feeling to see people excited over how they got over that fear."

"Now as to my city. I know a lot of the higher ups are good friends, but those who are new or lower may not feel as welcomed. I would want for more families to bond and not just crews. We think we know our city when we barely know the other Made Man in the other guy or lady's families. That is what I would like to improve on."

"This is the big leagues here. MafiaReturns...I would like to see more socializing through our way of life rather than on some out of this world thing called IRC. Have you heard of this before? I believe it is only talked about outside of our world. People being more like themselves or who they come back as...this might be called "in character" to some. Yet, this is for everyone to choose and I cannot force it upon people, but I try."

"Now I know I didn't exactly say what I would do, but more so what I want to see happen. Trust me I will be acting upon my words, so don't be surprised if you start getting mails from me. Yet, I wanted to express it in a way that others could join in."

Simplicity then finished her answers and gave Chuckle a nice grin. Turning to the rest she waved goodbye and made her leave.

Sweeney stumbles in the mist of the conversation going on. Seeing Chuckle; Sweeney got a bit excited. Not everyday you get to join in a converstation hearing with Chuckle starting it! Sweeney needed to be in it. Sweeney sits there on a bench with a Mtn Dew can as Chuckle kept on going with questions. After hearing some answers that some people been saying. He decides to put his two cents in.

1) What motivated you to join the crew you joined?

Well it started with my great great great.....I don't how many great grandads. But, anyways. It's when the Sweeney the 40th or so meet the crew leader FOX's great grandmother in accident. Started from a simple pickpocket that my something great grandad did to the new blood person. Never meet her or anything. But, FOX's great grandmother started. And, they just hit it off like old friends. So for a long time. The kids and kids knew each other. And, now today I know FOX since I was like 3! And, then I got to be in her crew when she got placed. But, at the time I was in InspectorGadget's crew. From my dad of course. But, only there for a brief time. My home is in tHe FrEaKs.

2) What made you want to run with them instead of the others?

Well I think I answered that with the first question. I knew FOX since I was like three. Why, wouldn't I take the oppurtunity to join her? But, if we are going back to the point with Inspector. It's because my father retired. And, I came up and took over his spot.

3) What specific qualities did you see within your leader or Godfather that encouraged you to join that city?

My ancestors have always been in either Detroit or Philly. No where else. Releatives been born on both cities. Don't ask me why. Just have been. But, I was born in Detroit and of course FOX did too. So, just add the peices together with the other two I just answered.

4) What would you do to improve your crew?

Well. After hearing Simplicity talk before me. I have to agree what she had stated. I do wish more people can take time to go to the Business district or in the streets. People are now a days are scared to say anything because of getting shot. Which the only way to be shot now a days in reality is because of how they say it. Wanting someone dead or arguing with someone is just plain stupid. They deserve to be shotten. Just my two cents.

5) What would you do to improve your city?

Giving people a chance to be in the mafia. Some newbies or first timers in the ancestors way in life should be given a shot and an oppurtunity to prove themselves. How else will our cities form!? Have to give people chances in life.

6) What would you do to improve MafiaReturns?

First of all. I agree with Marionette. I am destorying the paper business. Smiles. But, I would like more people in the business districs. And, for some competition in my paper. Laughs

Sweeney takes a drink of his Mtn Dew and sits down back to his bench and just watches the birds and the clouds.

LoveGun had been out of town visiting her grandmother, delivering cookies, sleeping with wolves. It was a vacation she needed, it was a vacation she had chosen after Crawford tried to send her to rehab. Fortunately, LoveGun had brought her wire cutters with her when Crawford had sent her away on a "relaxing beach" weekend. What sort of beach weekend was it when no one would serve you rum. A few days into her own vacation, Crawford had tracked her down, but she was overly unwilling to see him. He, on the other hand, had come with a secret weapon. A fresh speech from Chuckles!

LoveGun swooned at the name, yes, she may have had a tiny crush on the man. But honestly, who didn't? So, she packed up her one outfit, stole a few bottles of booze from the hotel and headed home. Making only one, very important stop.

As she watched Chuckles lips move it was beautiful. If she had tears to cry, she would have been crying them. Crawford on the other hand wasn't holding back at all. His face was buried in a tissue, Mr. Barkston loyally at his side. When Chuckles finished LoveGun found herself craving more of his speech, but, for now, she knew what she had to do. She took the bottle of rum out of her bag, placed it to her lips and then handed it off to Crawford.

This man right here be inspirin' me t' join the life of crime and t' join the crew he had been in at th' time. I didn't really be havin' a choice on th' matter. Th' man had brought me back from th' dead, along with the pup at his side. So ya can be seein' how our relationship bloomed and why I be havin' them at me own side now.

One question down, five more to go. LoveGun was pumped.

Really? Is that even a question I be havin' t' answer. Look at Crawford and his dashin' good looks? How was I even suppose t' be resistin?

She grinned.

But in all honesty, it was me mum's journals. She described -Premeir as a very honerable fellow. For him t' be wantin' me, little ol' no body at th' time, there jus' wasn' any option t' be goin' and runnin' with any body else.

The next question slid in perfectly with her last answer.

Th' members be makin' a crew just as much as a crew leader be makin' it. Now, like I be sayin' Premeir, then only underboss of Chicago, you could be tellin' that th' man had talent. I could see the knowledge in his eyes, the passion in his tone. Even then, he did everythin' skillfully, like he had been born t' be an important part of any crime city. It was easy for me t' fall in line with him, to grow an attatchment t' his family, t' become just as passionate as he was.

A smooth and innocent smile crosses LoveGun's lips for a moment before she continues on.

Along th' way I must have been doin' somethin' right because now I be standin' in front of ya all with me own crew. A crew that is excellent and hardly gives me any trouble, but there always be room for improvement. But I don' be feelin' terrible comfortible givin' out all of Crawford's secrets of how t' run and continue t' be runnin' a fantastic crew that I find me self apart of. This also falls under the question tha' be comin' after this here on.

LoveGun paused for a quick moment. Reaching for the bottle of rum that Crawford still held in his hand. Her mouth was parched and the grand finale was right around the corner.

I'd force everyone t' be drinkin' more rum. Really, it makes the world go round.

With that, LoveGun turned back to Crawford and Barkston and started to head home. There was much to be done.

Finally finishing his 4 month paperwork binge BTA headed outside. A blinding light impaired him for what felt like an hour before a familiar voice brought him out of his daze. Rubbing his watering eyes he headed towards the voice. After hearing the questions he stared in Chuckles general direction "Holy Shit! It's fucking bright out here. Is it always like this?" Focusing in he began his response...

I suppose I'm one of these slightly stupid mutes people are in tears about. Well first of all, I don't feel it necessary to come out here and announce whether I'm the head of something or not. Irrelevant but fact. If something is happening with me that the world needs to know about..I'll be sure to announce it to you.

Now to these questions you posed.


1.) My fathers reasons for originally joining Chicago all stemmed from a war in which ended my grandfather and the city he was in. There were certain reasons for him not wanting to join New York or anyone in association. Bitter? Eh, in a way but not so much. Another major factor was hearing what he heard about the city itself and how it was ran. The few people he knew in the city had extremely good things to say...and even the bad wasn't so bad. Limited choices and strong praise of the city are what led him here.

After he was killed in a war my reasons were simple once I truly learned about the city and my CL. The leadership was stellar and the communication was far from lacking. People actually gave a fuck about what happened to one another. I literally felt like I'd be a fool to land anywhere else.

I wound up going to the same CL my father was under...The_JesTer. Now unlike most fucks I didn't go back to try and claim anything my father had. I went to him because he was a damn good CL. He made you wanna work and do a little more than you thought you wanted too. The pieces he built around him were truly strong..I believe it was fairly obvious to see. A leader plain and simple.

2.) I grew up with some of them while my father was working under Jester. Quality people who did what they had to do. A crew who would help you beyond what they should. Shit, you can't pass up working with a group like that.

3.) I've expressed my feelings towards my old CL. Now, the fact that Roman not only wanted but expected Chicago to be the best is a major factor as well. Always trying to go further to separate from the pack..some see it as trying..in reality though..it's needed. Magnanimity?

I could go on and on answering these questions but I'm sure it would seem like I couldn't get my nose further up some peoples asses. This is far from what I'm going for, everyone has/had their own faults as well...not what this is about though.

Now, in all honesty..I'm in no position to come out here and say what I think should be done to any of the next three questions (one would mean admitting fault...that's a no go.). So, I gotta go ahead and decline to comment on them.

1) What motivated you to join the crew you joined?

SpuffWaffle approached me in my early days of joining these shores offering help and advise. Was more then willing to answers questions. At the same time, I was getting many 'join my leader' flyers down by the docks. SpuffWaqffle was the only one we seemingly wanted the best for me, rather then just wanted a number. When it came to deciding who to join, I felt compelled to repay the help.

2) What made you want to run with them instead of the others?

See above!

3) What specific qualities did you see within your leader or Godfather that encouraged you to join that city?

He was helpful and friendly, without trying to be OTT

4) What would you do to improve your crew?

Free pizza in a Thursday.

5) What would you do to improve your city?

More pizzeria's

6) What would you do to improve MafiaReturns?

Im a nosey bugger so I would love to be able to rob the postman and read peoples unopened post. Although I would be worried if someone spotted me and the people who's post I stole realised they had post missing!

To answer your first three questions...

1) What motivated me to join the crew I joined? I was looking to join a stable city and what city is better than Chicago when it comes to stability? After that, all it took was me seeing that Panda had just set up for me to want to join his crew. I felt I could offer the more to a newer crew than an already well established crew. There's a bit more to it than that but I rather not bore you to tears with all the little details.

2) Honestly pretty much what I've already said, the major factor was that Panda was just starting out. I feel there's more room to grow joining a newer crew leader than an older crew leader. Sure, there might've been other crews just starting out but he was among the newest and in the city I knew I wanted to be a part of, it was perfect!

3) I'll be honest here, I didn't know much about Panda as a crew leader since like I've said, he was just starting out at the time. However, I did know a little about the Godfather of Chicago, Roman. From what I had gathered at the time I knew he was a great leader and more. I mean just look at how long he's been Godfather, that alone should speak good of him. He knows what he's doing and he runs the city of Chicago well.

Now, as to your last three questions...actually I'll just leave it at answering your first three, I'd rather not get into the second set of questions at this time.

Castelli takes a puff of his cigar and listens to all the other mobsters as they speak of their leaders and their city. He decides he'll take a shot at those questions proposed by Chuckle.

1) What motivated you to join the crew you joined?

Well my crewleader Batman's bloodline and my own bloodline have known each other for quite some time now. So of course that motivated me. But there were other motivations. When looking through my ancestors journals I came across when they first met Batman's bloodline. It was my ancestor who I was named after as well when born here in St. Louis. He was a young man working within an organization led by a man named SINGER. The man he met was one who went by the name of AntiSmurf. The man seem like a good enough guy and they became good friends within that organization. He was the LHM of SINGER and my ancestor could see the potential within him and the seek for greatness that he had within him and what was seen when he put his mind to something and wanted to work towards a goal. He could see that if nothing struck this man down that he would go places. Sadly he was struck down along with my father and the city in a war. But our bloodlines met again and again. Forming a bond that would last even till now. So I wanted to work with this man. I expected that he would have the same great work ethic and strive for greatness that his former ancestors had as well.

2) What made you want to run with them instead of the others?

 Well I sort of answered this with the question before. But there are other points that I will make sure to talk about. Well of course my knowing of the mans bloodline helped in my decision. But also just looking around at other crews of course I saw greatness and very good and qualified leaders that I could learn from and work with. I had nothing really against any other city or crew leader. They are all fine leaders, well most of them of course. There are always a few you know nothing about or don't think are too great. But I don't really feel that is the necesity of answering this question. I just beleived that if I had a hard choice to make and one of the newly authed crew leaders was a good friend of mine. Then why not join him and try to help him with his business venture here in St. Louis.

3) What specific qualities did you see within your leader or Godfather that encouraged you to join that city?

Well I knew that my friend Batman was a very hard worker. He was loyal and a good mobster. He had leadership skills that some just don't have. I knew that if I joined him I would be in a well ran crew. There were lots of factors that i could look at and I just didn't see one that made me not want to join him.

As for the Godfather of St. Louis. Well I don't know him personally. But all I've heard are good things about the man. He has a great group of mobsters working within his city. And the leaders he has picked I have worked with before with some of 'em. They are all qualified and can handle the positions given to them. I know that he runs a well oiled machine here in St. Louis and that he is a great leader from what I can see. So why not join this city?

4) What would you do to improve your crew?

Well I don't see anythin at all wrong with Batman's crew other than maybe some people aren't as talkative or sociable as some. But most are. I don't really have any big ideas to make it better. But I know there is always going to be room for improvement for everybody in this thing of ours.

5) What would you do to improve your city?

Well I don't see much at all wrong with anything going on within this city. The leaders are good and everything is well ran. But I don't see or know everythin that goes on so I can't really say I know where we might need improvement within the city.

6) What would you do to improve MafiaReturns?

Well there is probably some certain things I would do. Kill off all the people who just seem to like to make life hard and annoying for everyone playing and the Gods. The ones who just cause problems and complain. Then say they quit and come back again and bother everyone all over again. 

As for the other things I would do. Well just add some of the little things that get presented in game suggestions and get a lot of support right off the bat, but have yet to be added. I know the Gods are busy so the suggestions could be added soon enough. But also I would have it that people just state their opinion. And if you don't like the suggestion then you can state your opinion. But no need to shit on the person and belittle them because they had an idea and you just didn't like it. You are allowed to have your opinion. Yet there is no need to get somewhat mad and become a bit of an asshole towards those who think they have a good idea even if it is quite dumb or unnecessary. 

Well there are my two cents on all those topics. 

Castelli takes another couple puffs of his cigar and takes a step back into the crowd of people to await others words.