I have walked these streets for a fair number of weeks now and I feel that there is a little bit of self indulgence going on. Let me explain..

We drag our little soap boxes up and flip them over. We stand atop them, clear our throats and we deliver whatever is on our minds. It could be a story, it could be the excellent Newspaper being read aloud or it could be some lovely propaganda for whichever side.

In most instances however there appears to be a lot of, for want of a better word, fluff. 

Look, I totally get it. You want to let everyone know that was YOUR car that has just driven off. Yes, you are smoking $20 cigars lit with $100 bills. Yep, those two wonderful looking people there are for your personal desires and you better believe you're drinking your sixth bottle of scotch just this morning. 

Obviously there is a place for that amongst mobsters. We are, after all, incredibly vain and love to show off. Best suit, best shot, best drug route, most money, most impressive HQ and the master of the soggy biscuit to name but a few things we brag about. 

My issue surrounding this is that the quality is a little bit lacking when we get to the nitty gritty of it all. You describe yourself, the weather, the scene and then twenty words are spoken and you exit stage left. Really? Is that the best we can do? Is that the standard..?

Not 30 minutes ago I have just stood upon a different box and offered musing from my ancestors words. Within those words are of a bustling street full of conversation, debate and story telling. It is looking like that could be the case again but for me the words that are spoken must surely hold meaning and give relevance to what you are trying to say? With the gifts from the Gods it is surely noticed by our fair cleaners of these streets when that is not the case? 

I must say that I hope nobody takes this the wrong way. In the near past it was literally days of silence out here and right now there is even, just about, a constant low hum. 

Maybe it is just me, maybe it is because I pine for the old times that have been described and seem so wonderful but I would much rather listen to 200 words of substance than 1200 to say the very same. I would just hope that I am not alone in understanding a need for the scene to be set but that the important bit comes when you actually open your mouth..

Now, I must go and get into my Rolls Royce and...

Only joking!

I have lived a long time, and for much of that time, the streets have felt empty, with only a few exceptions. Days would pass without anyone saying much of anything, and I think that is a real shame. I will admit, I was as guilty of that silence as anyone else. I could have started a conversation, shared my story, or made an effort to spark something, but I did not. Neither did many others. Why was that? For me, it was lethargy. I felt uninspired, directionless, and unsure of what I even wanted to share. Nothing was happening around me for me to draw inspiration from and my interest diminished.

Then everything changed. The big war happened, and my life was upended. In a short span of time, I moved crews three times. First, my Godfather retired. Then my next boss was killed. Finally, I landed in Los Angeles. That whirlwind of events reminded me why I am here and gave me a real urge to tell my story. I wanted to share those moments in a way that might interest others and maybe even draw them into the conversation.

I understand if it might seem like I am just sharing fluff to you or others. But that is not my intention at all. I cannot speak for the other storytellers, but I doubt it is theirs either. I have always thought the streets were meant for sharing, whether it is stories, experiences, or even small moments that might resonate. In my case, I was quietly hoping that someone else involved in the events I was recounting might chime in. Maybe they would share their perspective, or maybe they would just add to the story with their own memories or actions.

I am not out here standing on a soapbox reading aloud to an empty crowd. As you said, I am setting a scene. Is that fluff? I do not think so. To me, it is more like building a sandbox, inviting anyone who is interested to come and play. Some might not like the style, and that is fine. Nobody has to join in. But for those who do, the box is there, open and waiting.

For now, I will just keep building it up at my own pace and enjoying the process of being out here again. It feels good to try. To be part of something. To share. I hope, even if just a little, it brings something meaningful to the streets.

You did make it very sexual, but I suppose there is some food for thought in among your words and thank you for taking the time to share them. I haven't got involved with many debates and I have to say I've quite enjoyed it. I think I could probably be a bit more direct sometimes in the way I speak and I think that could be quite engaging to some people. I will keep that in mind, for a place when it is appropriate like here, although I always think it is important to set the scene, particularly for a story so I won't be compromising on that.