Brendan walks down the Streets. Something obviously on his mind. He is smoking one of his special herbal cigarettes and looking shiftily from side to side. There is obviously something on his mind. Nervous. Nervous because last time he came to these street he was largely ignored. But he knows he must stand again. Knows he must try. He jumps on a wall and begins to speak

Hello my fellow people. It is I. Brendan. I know how you all have missed me. But I am back to ask you of your opinions on a matter that relates to the recent bloodshed.

Who has the right to remove a person in a position of power and why. You see theres always a reason given. They can be invented and they can be truthful. None can be called a lie though.

Usually in this world we now see people taken out because they a complete bastard in those coffeeshops. Dangerous place those coffeeshops. You'd be surprised the number of people that listen to your every word and hold a grudge against you because of them. Theres not a lot you can do when they copy down everything flippant comment you make. Bang to rights. But what about other situations?

What about if you have a leader you have given permission to set up? Hes a nice guy, a wonderful member and was absolutely outstanding under you. But he flat out fails as a leader. I mean hes appalling. Couldn't organise a piss up in a brewery, his crew are running amok and the complaints are rolling in. But you like him and don't really want the lad dead. He ont set down though. Can you blame him? But you've been given the ultimatum by a more powerful crew. You either remove him or they will and they will take the rest of your district with you. Are they right? Can they give you that option?

What about if you have given your Best Girlfriend Forever And Ever. She is amazing. She walks down the street and gives out advice you could only ever dream of, she deals with matters you cannot even comprehend and her members love her. Frankly, she is making you look bad and people are noticing. Not only are people noticing but they are starting to get a bit pissed off at how she is making them look bad. They are going to shoot her. You know it. They have no other choice but you do. Do you wipe her out before they do and thus survive with a knowing wink or do you let her live and see you all taken out together because theres no other way but her death?

The final one I will bring up is the silent cannon. The most dangerous one of all. You gave him permission to set up as an insurance policy. One of your best hitters and now with a nice little army behind him. Sadly, you fell out and now he is looking your way with blood in his eyes. How were you meant to know his missus was a virgin? You only took her for a drink and you are brothers, brothers share after all? Apparently not. Hes fuming from what you have heard and your face is getting ventilated. But have you heard right? Or is it all a big misunderstanding? You cannot risk meeting him cos if he is after killing you then he'll do it. The problem is that others know he has a cannon and are getting worried. So worried in fact they are going to jump on this fact and pop you both if he isn't taken out soon. So what do you do?

I think what is evident is that perhaps we don't talk to each other enough and settle disputes with guns and not words. Which is fine because we are mobsters but perhaps damage limitation may take place but selecting the right targets.

I'd be interested to hear what others have to say on the matter or do you have another example of a rock and a hard place?

Stepping down from the wall Brendan sparks up to 'herbals' draws heavily on them and retires nervously to the shadows to see if anyone was listening.