Betsy exits her limousine as Fozzy places an ornately decorated soapbox in front of her.  Surrounded by bodyguards smoking cigars and drinking shots she stands upon the sturdy box while Fozzy disappears into the nearest café only to return in moments clutching an open can of Irn Bru.  Betsy takes a drink and hands the can back to Fozzy.

In amongst the recent pre-event euphoria and post-event comedown a street urchin swung by my office in Vegas with a message from a made guy from one of our other cities.  This guy was writing to me (and the other Vegas leaders) wondering if we would mind awfully having a chat about whether we could fit him into our grand plans for Vegas.  He was hoping to shortly fly out west and try out a different lifestyle because "I know that I can handle my own family."

It was with a certain amount of shock that as I scanned through the Las Vegas Sun this morning I saw the young man's name in the obituaries; the newspaper just mentioning as a footnote that he had retired.  Now, I'm not privy to what other pressures he may have been put under from elsewhere but to go from a state of being ready to handle a family to retiring in 24 hours is a turnaround of rather epic proportions.

So this brings me round to a rather sobering thought.  Is there now such a divide between the moustached Petes of this world; the grizzly, wizened old potatoes whose bloodlines have seen it all and understand that patience is both a virtue and a pre-requisite to success and the young impetuous Mafioso of today; the be bright, be brief, be gone mobsters.

The mortuary often littered by mobsters who choose to suicide.  Some are the sons and daughters of war casualties who look for quick answers before leaving another relative to carry the family name.  In days gone by, it was most often disaffected wise guys feeling stifled by a lack of promotion where once the hand of the shadowy stranger was no longer there to guide them, their own wits and talent did not appear sufficient to make the step up.  Now, charges were laid at the door of the relatively recently deceased Batman, where it was claimed he was encouraging members of other families to suicide so their sons and daughters could join his Detroit enterprise.  In the last 48 hours, we have seen capos, made men and assorted other ranks take their own life.

To me, it's just a waste of a lot of hard work and effort.  The amount of under-utilised talent among these cities is mind boggling.  Have things just become too easy that at the merest hint of choppier waters, harder times ahead or a better offer elsewhere, it is now just the easy way out?

Perspeverence is always key in the mafia, never give up, your turn will come eventually, it's something i tell myself all the time, taking the easy way out has never been an option, the point i am making is that a positive mindset is always key, hard work will get you good results eventually.

hard work will get you good results eventually.

That sadly is what many around these parts fail to realise. Nothing happens over night. Those that are too eager for their chance will only ever fall at the first hurdle. Take your time, its a long hard road and theres no sense rushing things and running out of steam before your even half way down the road.

Its not all doom and gloom, though. For the many that are too eager, there are the few that understand whats required. These few are known by most of us as their names time and time again reach the top of This Thing of Ours, its not luck that gets them there, its not because of their name itself, its because of the work they put in, the time they take to get there.

I've always felt that for a long time people are focused on so much things that don't matter in the grand scheme; Protection levels, money, rank. Yes, all of these things are important in their own way, but none of them matter more than your life itself. Stop taking the easy way out and passing the buck to your next of kin to take over and start again; start digging in and putting in some effort and making your own life better, work for your goals.

If else fails though and you do wish to end your life; let your family lay you to rest properly, don't just sneak off in the night and toss yourself off a bridge, there is no honour in that way out.

Dante listens intently to his boss, waiting for him to finish he steps forward.

Sadly ending ones life is as simple as turning off a light switch. Personally for me I'd find it very hard to make that choice. If i ever was going to consider it, it would be the very last option. To hear of someone who the day before was asking for permission to set up, take this route. Astounded is the best way I can describe my reaction. To be a leader patience is key.

takes out a smoke and lights up

There are those among us who have no respect for life, they get off the boat try to make some sort of impression and then are found a few days later. Usually in a back alley chewing on the barrel of their gun.

takes a long draw from his smoke, the exhales slowly

Then low and behold, the dead guys kid shows up looking for work, if it were me they came to. I wouldn't be thinking yeah sure give them a chance, I'd be thinking how much like the parent is the child? Is it woeth my time investing in this guy?

takes another draw from his smoke

So for this guy to have requested to join the leaders of LV and then sucide. Well if their kid comes knocking asking the samething? Each of us have defining traits to who we are. Traits passed down from generation to generation. Lack of patience, can be one. Is that really something that you want to be known for?

I can only aggree with you Fozzy. I think many careers in this thing of ours are going too fast until a certain point. Those people are used to getting what they want real quick. They might going up in ranks in no time but to take the next step in this life like having a leading role just takes it's time. Maybe takes time over many generations. But if a family keeps working, making a name for themselves and most important be patient your turn will come for sure, not eventually.

Seeing many familiar faces joining in, Betsy takes another swig from the can of Bru

I suppose the question that I should also be looking to ask is, are we the leaders driving this behaviour?  We certainly don't start out looking to alienate individuals, I'm sure we all try our best to be approachable at all times of the day and address as many internal concerns as possible but at the end of the day we aren't counsellors.  In general, we plot our own course and hope as many of you buy into our approach as possible.

Don't worry, I haven't been dabbling in my loyal family's private stash, this isn't some touchy-feely pinko attempt at hand-holding liberalism.  I'm as keen as the next man or woman to use the stick as often as the carrot.

Isn't that right Fozzy?

Betsy pats Fozzy on the head with a condescending pat

I know only too well how much you like to use the stick , Betsy.

I don't think that the leaders are driving this behaviour. I think some mafiosi are impatient because of the good chances to become a leader of a family nowadays. Right at the moment for example we have empty cities and the occupied cities aren't full. With more space and more theoretical families in the different cities the chances for getting a bold suit are pretty good. People gain rank in no time and too many think that this is the most important.

"focused on so much things that don't matter in the grand scheme; Protection levels, money, rank."

To quote Fozzy here.

In my personal opinion this life got pretty hasty. And patience is, more than ever, important. As a leader you can guide the people a little and maybe preach to them but in the long run they have to learn it on their own.

Salvatore i think you have hit the nail on the head there, Though most of these people dont realise just how hard it is for most Crew leaders as you are no longer only responsible for your own life anymore you are responsible for every persons life in your crew. Being impatiant will never get you anything then what you already are only fools rush in where angels fear to tread. If somebody is not prepered to work hard and tick all of the boxes that need to be ticked they wont get the position. This thing of ours has and never will be about the individual its about working together for a commen goal and that goal is what is best for the community.

Sneaker listens attentively to Betsy_Poke. Upon completion, she has an opinion she would like to share.

It is my firm belief that not everyone is meant to be a leader. We all play an intricate role as part of our family, whether we are leading or not. While I have only been here a short time, I have seen many leaders come and go. Each will have it's own legacy. It si not for me to judge from them but one can always learn from them whether they were good or bad.

In my opinion, it takes certain life skills to lead. The ability to problem solve and make tough decisions is the most difficult. One must have good communication skills and the willingness to listen. They must be open to criticism, ideas, and have the ability to adapt to this ever changing thing of ours. Honesty also plays a vital role. Honesty is easy when times are good. It is the ability to be honest during those hard times with our family. Running away from reality is the quick road to failure. It takes a certain kind of person to navigate the rough roads.

Putting the time in here to learn this thing of ours and forge business realtionships with individuals is important but if one does not have basic leadership skills attempting to lead can be detrimental not only to them but to their family. Is it worth jeopardizing others lives because you "think" you can lead? I would say it is not. I also believe taking the easy way out because others believe you are not ready is a cop out. One should keep putting the work in and being an asset to their family.

Sneaker cuts this short as she could ramble on about effective leaders and leadership skill requirements forever. Sneaker respectuflly nods and prepares to listen to what others have to say.

Listens intently to _Sneaker before speaking once more

You very right in what you say, many in the past believe that because they have reached a certain rank. They are automatically ready to lead a family, this however is not the case. The ability to lead is one that many can touch on but few actually master.

turns back to Betsy

I don't think the leaders are driving this, if they were then we would have possibly seen a handful of rash auths just to placate people. What I think is the problem is the value of life today. As Fozzy stated, many peoples focus are no longer on the family but on the self.

takes another draw from his smoke

To the crew leaders I suggest this, have a look around your HQ, your coffeshops. How many of your family take the time to ingrate themselves with the rest of your family and how many sit there mute just making their money and hoarding it away. Now think back to days gone past, where crew bars were the place to be seen, subcrew halls were bustling with activity.

pulls out a flask and takes a quick swig

Nowadays, there is an emphasis on the physical defense, the bank balance, the gun. While there are still many who are devoted to the family, there are also many who are devoted to the self. If they can't find it under one family, it is far to simple for them to take the easy way out, send their son or daughter to our shores and then have them continue on the path for personal greatness.

There is in this day and age an over riding outlook of look after ones self above the family. This however tends to be what I would call "The Plague of the Coffee shop".

Coffee shop pal goes bold or says they have the opportunity, said person then speaks to the CL about going with them. Nine times out of ten a CL will give it some thought, if they are going to be RHM or LHM then the chances are they will let them go depending on the effort put into them. When these roles aren't available then the CL will normally say no. This results in what is known as EMO rage and said person either shoots at some poor unsuspecting individual or suicides/retires and their offspring end up a fresh in the new HQ.

I personally think the plague mentioned above is rather sad you swore an oath to be in the family and should do this and stick with them to death us do part. However there have been many instances where till death us do part is not the two way street you would expect.


Shame but such is the evolution of mafia life.

I see a lot of bloodlines speaking here that either ARE leaders or were at one point. Myself, I've had a string of bad luck and I'd like to believe I'd be given the chance when I do what's necessary, but leaders seemingly can't understand the frustration of seeing another bloodline go bold after getting to know the leader and putting in a lot of work.

I've seen the decisions leaders make and understand why they promote these people, but you can't say there aren't leaders who aren't just looking to take care of their coffee shop friends. I've held responsibilities in cities that a CL (not my own) was receiving important information from me on a regular basis and he couldn't be assed to even say thank you for your work, get to know me at all, or (worst of all) listen to my request on how the information I need is to be delivered when I'm trying to keep need to know information as need to know. These leaders are the same ones expecting you to lay down your life for them, so I do understand why people suicide when it feels like your supporting a system that's supposed to be supporting you and gives nothing but the bare minimum back. Leaders aren't responsible for suicides most of the time, but there is no denying when a member makes an effort to reach their leader and gets an insincere response it's just as much the leader's fault as the member committing suicide.

Drake listens to the speech made by Betsy

There are many different reasons that mafiosos suicide and retire. I'm not saying that it is right, and that everyone should do it, but I am saying that many have their reasons. If someone puts in a lot of work, and see their mafia life going no where, and they feel like they have no more use in their life, then they tend to end it. 

I've had numerous fathers and uncles in the past end their lives, and retire, because they felt they needed to get out of the life. Some did it because they saw a lack of opportunity. After being in the mafia for a while, you tend to seek opportunities in this thing of ours. It doesn't have to be a bold suit or anything like that, but having some sort of an importance in a family shows that you have opporunity. If one feels they don't have opportunity, then they will end their life, get it ended for them, or go out in a more violent way.

At least, these are things I've witnessed in the past.

Zombie was minding her own business, slinked back againt a dark corner in a back alley munching on a dove when her surroundings burst into a light show. She peered out of the alley and whatever was making her darkness go away caught her attention. Shiny. The box that was being stood upon on the sidewalk caught the sun and glittered. The shadows around her were broken into a million pieces. Zombie had three favorite things in life, brains, loud noises alerting her where the brains were and shiny, glittery, pretty things.

Zombie dropped the half eaten dove into a pile of blood and feathers and staggered towards the distraction. The soap box would be hers. She was quickly snapped out of her daze and filled with disappointment when she gained knowledge that the box was being occupied by Betsy_Poke, crewleader of Las Vegas. There was no way she was getting her desire today with this crowd of nen and women and their concealed weapons. With a sigh Zombie decided to stick around for the discussion while she was already out her. Plus she was full and if she went back to her snack she'd finish it and that would counteract her diet. She was watching her figure, brains are full of fat.

In a general sense there is a divide between the experienced bloodlines and the new bloods. If things aren't prejudged and looked at specifically case by case one would see that there are old generations that have never learned that patience and hard work bring you to the places you want to go. On the opposite side of that coin we see new blood fly past our expectations by automatically understanding the tricks and trades of our world. But, lets go back to the general view as I'm a zombie, not a psychic.

This world has always had people taking their own lives. Curiously, quite some time ago one only had the choice of nuzzling a pistol to the side of their head and blowing out their brains to escape this world. Now you can retire to Florida and enjoy the sun and fun aswell. My point is with time comes change. We all could sit here and debate all day as to if our world is easier to navigate compared to several years ago.

More and more we see brand new blood make crew leader on their first generation. I like to call these types The Greens and by green I dont mean decomposing. New bloods are getting the high rank, the pockets full of cash, an army of bodyguards following them around and arguably the most competed over: crew leader. Personally I believe getting all these things as a new blood right off the bat they are missing important lessons of our world. Lessons such as patiencw, effort, hard work and life knowledge. If they ask for the chance for the chance to be a crew leader - right there tells you they aren't ready for the position. When they pitch a fit when you tell them no it's no surprise they suicide when they arent given what they want. If you never learned patience or given it the time of day by assuming you are the best, why start doing it in the heat of the moment?

Does fault rest on the shoulders of the leaders? Possible, but not entirely their fault and I'm sure not done on purpose. The relationship between a leader and its members goes both ways. The leader is there to give members a place to grow with protection, not to gobble up money and power for themselves. It's the member's responsibility to help the leader achieve this goal to make the crew not just a crew but a family as well. One should join a family not because of their friends, but how well they fit with the goals of the leader.

This could stem from crew leaders not being active enough with their members. Not laying out the expectations they have for each of their members clearly. It could also stem from members not having a strong enough grasp on what they are choosing to get themselves into because they only plan on using the crew as a stepping stone to the things they want. I dont believe that those who live their lives fast and furious - if something does not go their way they end their life, passing knowledge and monet to the next kin - are responsible for all the blame. This situation is a product if how all parties conduct themselves.

Now, I love some food for thought, well brain for food, but while we're on the subject if this. Is it possible to have honorable reasons of retirement or suicide?

Turns to WhereWasI

It's interesting what you say about the same bloodlines receiving auth time after time, while there are others that go overlooked. I've had two generations who were allowed to attempt running a family. The first could be best described as a clusterfuck. I make no excuse for my long dead family member. He had no clue as to what he was getting himself in for and that was plain to see for those around him. However I will tell you this, my line has been involved in this life and the one before it for a very long time before his time in the hotseat.

takes another swing from his flask and offers it around

What I will say on the subject of new blood being over looked, or anyone in that matter being over looked. This is not a new thing to our world and the one before this. I can think of a number of lines who got several attempts over newer lines even back in the dark ages.

pulls out another smoke, lights it up and turns to -Drake-

I do hate to talk about the old days, but this I feel is relevant and is something that has been lost. Back in the day and actually not too long ago within families there were subcrews. This gave a select few people the opportunity to lead their own merry little band. Which helped to deal with the feelings of being held back, it also was a good indication to the family heads of who could be a potential candidate for their own family.

taking another pull from his smoke he turns to Zombie-

Honorable reasons for suicide or retirement do exist. However as our culture has been infected with the need for blood and better guns no matter how honorable the intention there will always be those who cry that it was a waste of a kill. Allow me to give a little example from my lines past, there was a man named TomCollins, he was quite high ranked within Chicago during the time of Roman. As he advanced in his age and saw the way somethings were going he grew more and more dissatisfied with the life he had lead and the way the city was acting.

takes another draw from his smoke

Old Tom knew that he did not have the ability to make a change, he also was not one to show disrespect to his family or his godfather by attempting to go rogue. He took the decision to end his life after great consideration. Now I know there are those who would say that he was selfish, denying them of that ever precious kill. While he could have done that, there were only a few he would have allowed to take that shot. And no matter how slim the chance he did not want to risk the dreaded wackback. That was the reason he chose to end his own life.

Marston sees yet another mobster hanging from the rafters and shakes his head in disappointment…

It appears to me there are two main categories of suicide victims… there are young mobsters who opt out of this way of life early because they think they have made a big mistake or chosen the wrong path in life. I can sympathise with these young men, as they have not experienced a great deal in our way of life, and probably have nothing to lose…

It is the other group I have identified that concern me, these are the seemingly experienced mobsters who are often found in the upper structure of our families. I cannot be sure as to what drives these people to take their own lives, but I do have theories and have heard details of their lives which have led me to these conclusions.

A good few of these mobsters fail to get what they are after… Yes, I'm talking about permission to start their own family. I really hate to see this, they've often badgered their crew leader several times beforehand to try and get this blessing rather than actually proving their true worth. In fact they usually spend a week making an obvious attempt for attention, usually in the form of several speeches in the street to get their voice heard, a few large donations to their crew leader and so on… It doesn't last long though, usually after about a week their dedication fades and they feel hard done by. This is usually the time that they slip a noose around their neck and go for a little swing… Good riddance I say!

If you're from a bloodline that regular behaves in this manner, take some advice… A wise man once said "If you are going through hell, keep going." Show some damn dedication! Respect your leader's decisions and remain consistent! If you choose to take your own life instead, you're taking the cowards option, the easy way out… Take your head out of that noose, and man the fuck up!

Marston realises the dead body is paying no attention to him, and walks off…