I was sitting at a diner booth, over on Melrose Avenue, waiting for my coffee to arrive when I overheard a passerby celebrating their lottery winnings. It got me thinking about what I could do with that kind of money and how might it advance my footing in this line of work?

As a low rank affiliate, who has yet to make his bones within the family, we’re told often that the money should be kicked upstream as a gesture of gratitude for their protection. By doing so, hitters are given funding towards their bodyguards, headquarters are fortified and sponsors are compensated to keep it all moving along.

Of course, that all seems appropriate but what other benefits can I expect to gain? Let's say you’re a leader and you have your #1 donor sitting nicely at a whopping $500m. Your #2 donor is doing alright at $20m and lastly your #3 donor at a measly $500k. Each of them are the same age and joined your crew at the same time. As you can see there’s a very huge drop off between your #1’s and your #2’s earnings and an even greater gap to #3.

Are there behavioral exceptions that could be afforded to your #1 donor that would otherwise get #2 and #3 killed or is everyone judged the same in your book? Now I know what you must be thinking: there is a clear lack of effect on #3’s part and you’re wrong. #3 is your largest gun and puts all of their finances into building their firepower. Nevertheless, how would you answer the question?

A word of caution, to actual leaders, it is known throughout the nation who wins the lotto and how much they win. Nothing is anonymous which, I can only assume, makes it hard in deciding how much is appropriate enough to contribute. Your thoughts on the subject could make that decision even harder and impact contributions negatively. Or the complete opposite. Either way, I would like to hear from all!

And no, I didn’t mug the lucky winner from the diner mentioned earlier and instead opted to bother you all with a hypothetical scenario.

UR heard a man talking to himself in a diner on Melrose avenue where he had stopped for lunch. The food left a lot to be desired but UR was hungry and stuck around to eaves drop on this fellow. The man was talking about lottery winnings and compensations. He had several other questions on his  mind as well. Basically, it boiled down to where the money would go.

UR pondered this man's ramblings. After hearing him out, UR leaned over and gave the man his input.

Hey there fella. It seems like you have quite a lot of thoughts. What would I do with lottery winnings? I'd kick up 50% to the family for operational use. What my Boss did with it would be his business. The rest I'd squirrel away in case the family needed it. What do I need with lottery winnings? I make a darn good living without it.

As far as I am concerned, our family has a level playing field. Everyone is afforded the same opportunities and the ability to advance within the family. Those that are more helpful do get a little more than the others. It's the way of things. You must understand this.

We must have trust in our leadership. When we donate, they know what needs our family has for sustainability and production. Our jobs are to do as we are told, collect and earn for the family, and to kick up as much as we can for the betterment of the family. We often have jobs for the family as well. It all blends together and if we all pull our weight and make contributions the family will thrive.

Hello Unique_Rabbit and thank you for your feedback. While I appreciate the time you put into your comment, I think I might’ve lost you a bit in translation. That’s partly my fault, I don’t normally do these things. Let's reel it back to what led to my curiosity, my father’s journal.

He wrote of a certain someone who had ran into a massive windfall of money. That person became an antagonizer to any and everyone through personal mails, soapbox speeches and on IRC avenue. Provoking and baiting folks to duel them, threatening the record-breaking Harty participants to obtain more wealth, etc. It was a real shit show those days and if it is as you say then those days could potentially come back.

They got away with a lot of disrespect because their leader, at the time, was the most powerful person in the land. It really puts into perspective the role of hitlisting and how utterly useless it is when you can foster a strong relationship with the singular power instead. Although you have to admire the effectiveness of it all compared to a $100 million hit that looms over a target’s head for weeks on end until reduced to a payable figure because, let's face it, rarely is a hit ever truly carried out.

The individuals in that story were later found to be using counterfeit money and karma hit them in the worst way. But that is irrelevant, the point to consider were the implications of when money ruled the world. So, as you say, those who are more helpful get more than others. I think you meant opportunities but does that include exceptions? And if so, then does that make money the real ultimate power?

I’m feeling pretty lucky about tonight’s drawing. But don't worry, money won’t change me!

My apologies. I have no interest in carrying on this conversation as it has completely changed.

I'm not sure I understand the point of the conversation, but I'll answer the question with my opinion.

Money is sure nice - but it's not as nice as a cannon and a lot of friends. As we've all seen in the past - that can cause a lot more damage than money ever could.  

Responsible crew leaders will do good things with money.  Spread it around to the crews and make sure it goes towards the protection of the crew and the city.

Bad crew leaders will blow it all in 5 minutes on dice.  Yes, it happens.

Anyway, RIP.