Hound takes a deep breath to smell the natural odour of the city. But was disappointed when all he could smell was dying sweat, the smell of cheap alcohol and the puff of cigarettes being smoked by the local prostitutes. Times were changing and he remembers back as a kid when he worked on his Uncles farm, the wonderful scent of the trees and flowers and animals and... nature. Now. Now all of that has completely gone. Automated cars had now taken reign, polluting the sky and clouds. Cigarettes polluting the lungs. Guns polluting.. well life, I guess.

But anyways, that isn't why i'm here. I'm here to pose another question. One that'll benefit not just me. But those of the younger generation who want to make a name for themselves. A name for their blood-line who most likely worked their ass off but died before they got their time to shine. For those who want to make it big. But are afraid to. Those who want to make it successful in this thing of ours but don't know how to. Those wise-guys who want to make it to made, have got the units. But are thinking.. why? Why haven't I been made yet? Those Consiglieres who have worked their asses off for their family and city but not authed yet. What should one do.. to get notices for their efforts. Aside from the usual tributes and units. How should one get recognition for their work I mean.. people will eventually get bored of doing the same shit over and over and over again for their family. Being loyal, trust-worthy friends with the crew-leaders and possibly GF. But not know what to do to make it big.

So.. WHAT'S.. THE.. BIG.. QUESTION.. MR. HOUND?

Children shout in unison. 

Hound, takes another deep breath and looks to the sky.. enjoying the shapes of the clouds and taking appreciation of how they form in one another.

Never take anything for granted. Ever. Anyways, the question is. How can one make it big? How can one get recognised? How can one be a mafioso that sticks out from the rest? Thank you. 

Hound looks up to the sky once more and watches as a black eagle swoops down and nabs a rabbit from it's hole and gracefully flys off again in the opposite direction it came from. 

SKADOOSH is walking by when he sees Hound talking to a few people, he stops and listens to his friend speak of a question, one that all newcomers wonder and dream of, "HOW TO MAKE IT BIG!" SKADOOSH sits next to hound and ponders for a moment and thinks to himself, he pulls out a small black flask from his coat pocket and takes a drink placing it safely back, Well Hound, To me personally I think it is taken into different view by different people but me personally what makes me look at someone with higher respect, and remember their name for a long time to come, Is to see them out working hard, trying to make a difference for the better of their city, and even our way of life. Some one who doesn't give up when things get tough, and will speak honestly, and show un-wavering loyalty to not just their family and not just their city, but to The Costra Nostra. Regardless of what their position is our their rank I would hold some one in a higher regard being a wise guy showing these qualities over a GodFather/Mother who shows non of these

Lola listens, patiently, absorbing all that Hound has to say. She had come to enjoy crossing his path in the Streets, and always had a moment to spare to lend an ear. On this occasion, she feels the need to speak up.

Well, Hound. Again, you pose an interesting question.

Now, I am one of the younger generation. I have no bloodline preceding me; I am the first of my kin to come to these shores. In many ways, I fit into the category you just described - hell, even a matter of weeks ago, you'd have got me down hook, line and sinker. I didn't come here to sit around on my hands. I came here to work, to establish myself, to succeed, and to remove myself from an existence which was, in many ways, much more perilous than this one. Of course, that is subjective, but for now I'll stand by my word.

But here's the thing.

Even if there were a clear cut answer to this question, I wouldn't want to know it. If everyone knew how to make it, then these achievements would be severely undermined. Meaningless, almost - because every soul that touches soil in This Thing Of Ours would have it all mapped out for them, their only obligation being to read and follow the instructions.

Ambition is a powerful thing; sometimes, it can be too powerful. Let's call to mind Shakespeare's Macbeth, for example. Ambition can turn ugly in the blink of an eye, and while in the short term it may appear condusive to all those accolades an individual may desire, it will, in the end, cause their undoing. In this world, that undoing is very public and is unlikely to be forgotten for some time. It will trail your descendants' footsteps, bite at their hopes of an honourable legacy and ultimately undermine them. Not only that - such an ending to one's career can also prove extremely detrimental to those involved in the makings of your empire.

Right now, I'm ten-a-penny. There are many others roaming these streets in my shoes, with my thoughts and with my hopes. But I'm all about balance, and I'm all about respect. Achievement, in this world, is not something you spend every waking hour seeking out. Achievement is something that is bestowed upon you by those who see fit to do so; if acquired by any other means, then to me, that achievement means absolutely nothing. Wherever I am in the social hierarchy of This Thing when I die, I'll at least do so knowing that I got there because its what I earned, not by my own judgement, but by the judgement of those who are richer in wisdom and experience than I will ever be.

Above ambition comes loyalty. Without loyalty, your ambition will never amount to a single thing, not so much as a spark. So, for me, whether I serve my time out as a permanent Wise Guy or die a Godmother, my priority will always lie with knowing that I am loyal, that I have value and that I have meaning within my family, wherever that takes me. Even rank cannot outweigh principle.

Dunn was walking around with his blonde hair messed up and a lit cigeratte in his mouth as he wonders around the streets. As a joking man he seem to never take things seriously except for a debate or discussion. After listening to Mr. Hound he begins to think of his ancestor of a Congs and why never got the chance. He takes a last drag of the cig and straightens up his, "I'm a Cool Kid" shirt.

Well, my ancestors always find a way to make friends of this thing of ours. Can be from the coffee shops, business district, or just a random meet up. But, a way to find regonition into be a Made or a crewleader needs to take two simple things in my mind. Hold that thought.

He takes out another ciggeratte and lights it up. Takes a quick drag and starts talking with the smoke following his words.

One, is the ability to talk in the streets in a manner which is effective on people. Just take Roman for example. Great leader and a great talker. The way he swayed his words were great. His stories were great. It's a useful way to make yourself known and knowledge toward this thing of ours.

Second, is what I began to say when I got here. Making friends and making the right choices of friends. Knowing the more people is like a refrence list towards a job. It's a great way to get access into your higher goals. Such as Made or Crewleader. Now, look at the time. I need to stick a car up my butt.

Dunn goes take a walk towards the nearest hospital to meet up with HighSociety.

T-Man running through the city of Chicago, Hes sees Hound and his great questions.


Well what I think the answer is to know someone in power. For example

Knowing a crewleader or Godfather

My second and final answer is, time, hard work and dedication


I highlighted Dedication because I think it is the main point

But my matter is not needed because I am not recognized or big. (Well not yet)

Thank you for listening to my opinion.


T-Man runs into the forests of Chicago to hunt for his food.

I disagree that knowing, or being friends with rather, a Crewleader or Godfather should have an impact on whether you 'make it big'. You should be assessed on what you do for the family, how much money you are bringing in, the amount you're willing to do for the family, how loyal you are to your particular Crewleader, and overall Godfather. Sure, if you make friends with them along the way, through your hard work, then that's a different story, as it's through what you've done you've became friends, rather than sitting on your arse and thinking you have a free run because of who you know.

I for one would hate to be put in a position of power, just for being friends with someone, because in the end, you've done nothing to deserve it, nothing to prompt your superiors putting you in the position. Instead, I would want to show my Crewleader what I can do for them, when an asset I am to the family, and how far I'm willing to go to benefit us.

At the end of the day, you will be rewarded for the amount of effort and hard work you put in. Put in zero, get zero in return. Work your arse off day and night, and you'll be rewarded duly. That's how I'd like it to work anyway, we can't all have what we want.

You know this talk of being auth'd because of who you know and hating it makes me chuckle, the only people that have auth without getting the nod from someone or a helping hand here and there are those who have taken the bull by the horns and gone for it without consent. So to anybody currently in bold, previously in bold or in the future in bold if you think it hasn't happened because of the friendships you've made think again, there have been very few auth's in history that could actually be merited on what the person has achieved. The over whelming majority have always been because of who they knew.

I'll disagree there with you Althalus. To a point.

In times of peace only the most trusted members of families leave. Certainly not hitters and certainly not hot heads who will cause your city issues. To auth those would be suicide. Everybody knows it and you cannot really argue. Why would you auth anyone but your most trusted?

But when war arrives. We get war auths. This is when hitters become CL's. Now usually when you accept the role of a hitter in a family thats it. Auth chances have been thrown out of the window for you. You are used as the crews defence so why would you be allowed to go anywhere else? But during a war you will be allowed to go bold because it will increase the chances of your city winning the war. Now hitters are volatile. Hell, they will stand there and give their lives for the good of the crew. No question. But they will also shoot the Goomba from LV in the face because they called him a wanker.

In quiet times this is why hitters are noth authed. But during times of war. You don't need to be seen to be in the streets. Nor do you need to have donated $100 million. You just need a cannon and have the bollocks to paint a massive target on your chest.

I guarantee you this. If you do that and set up, win the war and come home for beers then you stay bold. Some of the very best leaders have come from that exact scenario along with some absolute c-nuts as well. But that is literally the ONLY time that you will find yourself with the option to stand up and be counted. Many wither under the responsibility but it is possible to do. You can force your way to the head of the group without being your CL's most trusted best mate. But it takes time of sacrifice for your chance to arrive and if it does, make sure your balls are screwed on tight because it ain't no smooth ride.

Gene i have to say you put that all beautifully.

I will also say that with the retirement of the robots there is a lot less chance for auth as Godfathers will not use high rankers as veritable cash cows. So know even more than before who you know over what you have done will come into play, to anyone who wants auth if ya ain't got the ties then chances are it ain't gonna happen.