BigBlackMan climbs up to the soap box and turns to the crowd, he notices there is already a large number of people already out in the streets worrying and interested about the commotion in Las Vegas...

People of these dear streets, lend me your ears. I am here today to discuss a certain subject with you that we all know of.

Earning your dues.

Many of us 'think' we earn our dues and have 'earned' certain rights or gifts from up above. I would like to debate this point with all of you. I know we have gone through, in the past, time and time again certain aspects of this thing of ours. I think in reality we all discuss these things as we progress as a society as a whole. We get knocked down time and time again, it's the way of the mafia and we all know and love it.

Many people complete the same type of hard work their ancestors may have put towards their family at that time. However, when being reborn into a new family or even the same family again, sometimes things change, sometimes things don't go as planned for yourself or your boss, and you don't receive the same 'rights' or 'rewards' that your ancestors did.

BigBlackMan takes out his mirror and comb from his back pocket. He reaches in his coat pocket and pulls out some grease, he slicks back a cow lick that was beginning to stick out. Smiling, he looks back up at the crowd and proceeds with his speech...

Personally I stay as loyal as possible which is ultimately key. You show your boss that you're willing to give your life for him/her and the family.

But, I see people who have worked countless hours and countless months with nothing to show for it and they stay at Wise Guy. Now, I believe leaders do hold their members back and sometimes not for any achievement reasons. So keep certain things in mind when thinking about approaching a Crew Leader about a promotion. Try and look at it from their perspective. They want their family to strive and be as great as possible, if they are holding you back it is most likely for good reason. If they aren't, then put that gun to your head and have your next of kin choose a better person to work for.

I have recently sat in on a couple conversations in regards to this matter, I would like to open the floor for anyone who would like to give their 2 cents that may help some newer people to these streets or perhaps refresh people's memories around here that have been around the block once or twice. Even the most expierenced of kin need some guidance from time to time. It's always important to be reminded of the most essential aspect of this thing of ours. I think if we all take our fundamentals to heart then this thing of ours would flourish just that much more.

Some things are put into such a black and white tone here, maybe we all need to start getting together as a whole for the things that matter individually.

BigBlackMan steps down waiting for someone else to step up and give his or her word on the subject.

That Sounds about right.

At first I agreed with Sgt_Slaughter, this indeed sounds about right, but after actually reading it my mind changed; I feel that promotions are the most sacred of things to this thing that we have here and should always be taken with some form of regard. I'm not talking about holding people back that you don't know just for appearances, that you're not that guy or girl that promotes everyone and everything that moves the second in which they are able, but I believe in getting to know who you are about to promote.

The biggest key to promotion should be a mutual respect between the Crew Head and whoever is about to be promoted and once that is gained, I believe it doesn't matter who you are or what you've done, but that you should now be allowed to move up in the ranks with ease.

Dusting off his shoulder and staightening his tie, doogle winks at a nearby female Mafiaso before he speaks.

Hard work and loyalty get you to the top in this thing of ours, period. What disgusts me is seeing those who feel like they deserve the world because of something their father did, or even something their grandfather did. Guess what my friends, we are not who our parents were. Very different in fact. Me for example? Why, I'm much more beautiful than my father - seriously, just look at me.

From reading my forefather's journals, it seems that regardless of whether one of my ancestors was a simple Captain or Right Hand Man to a Godfather, one theme was similar. Rank is not a right, it is not to be expected, it is a privilege. Countless examples in these diaries note of idiots who had the temerity to ask, or even demand of their CL/RHM 'Promote me' 'Where's my promotion?' et cetera.

The stance my bloodline took, and one I too would personally take given the opportunity, is that such individuals cared more about themselves than the good of the family. Such folks are not good for the organisation and are not good for business. In such instances, my father notes, these people left the meetings a rank lower than they entered on a good day; and in a bodybag on the next day.

Me? I'm a Wise Guy. I suppose I'm satisfied with that rank. I can't really say I'm happy though, to me (perhaps I'm a little old school) made man is the big deal. Consig? Sure that's great. Getting a crew? Amazing. But Made Guy? Sheesh, that's what defines you. Would I ever have the audacity to ask my Crewleader where this promotion was? Would I fuck, and even if I did, I wouldn't expect to ever get it!

I would have to agree with this thread 100%.

Things do change when your father dies and you have to live in his shoes. You don't get the same rights, the family goes in a different direction. But it's all a part of loyalty, you can't be in this thing of ours to gain a position, or to think that anything is going to be given to you because of how hard you work. There are 100 other mobsters just like you, who work as hard, if not harder, as you. You have to be doing it for the right reasons or you won't go very far in this thing of ours. You need to have love for your city and your family no matter who has positions. You have to remain loyal when things change even if they aren't to your liking. Everything that a CL does in for the better of their city and their family.

I've learned this from personal experience and it has made me a better mafioso, it has made my loyalty go through the roof.

Omni pulls his pants up and walks away

Most people will say you need to show you're loyal and trustworthy and blah blah blah. The question is though, how can you prove these things to your leader? Unless they openly challenge you to do something you can't, all you can do really is put your head down and work as hard as you can and bring in a decent tribute.

I know my father was big on getting to know his family, from the little guy upwards. It's something that kept him on his toes to make sure he got round to everyone and also brought him down to earth to remember where he came from, where he started out. It was also a great oppurtunity to get a first hand account of what his members were like, now sometimes before he messaged them, they would come to him with queries or concerns or even just to make polite conversation and these are the ones that would always stick out in his mind when their name popped up about making their bones.

So, perhaps as well as bringing in a good tribute you can make sure you're actively getting to know the members of your family and especially getting noticed by the upper hierarchy of the family, get about and offer assistance, if they give you a job to do around the HQ then do it well.

People talk about not being given your ranks because of who your parents are but generally if your father or mother were well educated in how this thing worked then it stands a chance that you come from good stock and know your way about too, this doesn't mean you do less than your parent did, it just means that you probably won't have to do much to catch the eye of the upper echelon of the family.

In a nutshell for me, in order to make those bones, to earn those dues and rights, we need to be keen when it comes to the family and the tasks set out for you, make sure you show initiative when these jobs do prop up, work hard when it comes to tribute as that will keep every leader smiling, communicate with the others around the HQ so they recognise your name and carry yourself well in the streets, as it's impressive if you can show a good display in public.

If you tend to do these things, I believe you stand in good stead to finally earn those things you desire.

I totaly agree with Sprozz, When Stan The Man Smith set out on his life of crime he had only one goal and that was to become made, He had no dreams other then that Stan put his head down and worked hard and before he knew it he had acheived that dream and more, He had caught the eye of the right Hand man who started grooming him to become LHM a dream i never even contemplated, None of my bloodline had ever been a hand let alone made. The Hard work that Stan had done for the crew paid off Now i find myself folling my father Stan Snrs foot steps and being a RHM for Cadoras now. It shows if you want somthing it is acheivable but to me I agree with Sprozz nothing beats becoming a Made Man