Rob walks towards the filled streets and he passes others giving speeches on spanking, and something about a date on Valentine's Day. Rob is carrying an old soapbox with him. Something that hasn't been seen in what seems a decade.

Shame on you. Who am I talking about? 

Everyone. Shame on everyone. This world has came a VERY long way since it's own existence and the biggest thing we all have lost, is respect. How the hell are you supposed to recruit new comers when you don't give a rats ass? 

"yo yo playa, ju's need protecton fom da peeps dat wanna killz yos ass. come b underneth me bro..,.,., i hav ur back."

I cannot make this shit up. 

How is anyone supposed to follow someone's lead when that someone clearly doesn't have any respect for themselves? Sure, most of those "newcomers" may be from bloodlines that have seen these shores many times, but how are you ever to really know? Some of them may be fresh faces that have never seen this world before. Is the way you are approaching really the first thing you think they should experience if you're not going to put any effort into it? So what if their bloodline has been here before? Doesn't their son or daughter deserve the same respect as new blood? Don't you have more respect for yourself, your family, your way of life than how you're presenting yourself when recruiting?? 

If you're already taking the time to approach some fresh face on the street, don't you think it's worth just the tiny bit more to put some effort and creativity into your approach. You would think by the way some of you approach people that you could give a rats ass whether they join your family and you're only standing on the street corner passing out your card because your boss said you had to. I've seen more enthusiasm from the 80 year old man selling newspapers on the street corner.

Take pride in yourself and what you and your family have to offer. Take pride in your business, in this way of life you've chosen. Take pride in the fact that your leader has designated you to take in new recruits and help teach them the ways of this thing of ours. Stop treating them like numbers and start treating them like the human beings that they are. Worthy of your attention, time and teachings. 

Rob takes a deep breath as he finishes his rant. He steps off the soapbox and leaves it. He walks away from it hoping that someone else has the urge to use it for their own rant or speech.

Althea stops as she hears the handsome young man speaking to the crowd. She stands silently waiting for his point to be made, and she hears it loud and clear. She watches as he steps down and leaves the soapbox open for anyone to come and use. Nervously, she steps up.

I know many of you don't know me. It is an extremely rare occasion in which I actually come to these streets of ours to speak out. Some of you may think poorly of me because of that, but that's another speech for another time.

This time, I want to address the issue placed before us here and now. Respect has been put to question. My respect for myself, and subsequently my family and my city. For let's face it, if one does not respect themselves, then no, they can't respect their family or their city.

In the way that this was brought to our attention here today, I feel I must speak. Recruiting is hard, yes, especially with so many families about to recruit new members, but I for one have NEVER dawdled or taken the easy way out. I know there are some people here who slack, and there are even some who send out recruitment letters, all the same format, all the same words to try and bolster their numbers. This is not the case with all of us though, and I'll be damned if anyone is allowed to make the accusation that EVERY SINGLE one of us has decided to give up.

Those of us who haven't, for I am sure I'm not the only one, I applaud you. There are days where sticking to the old ways is harder, and seems less productive than the easy route, but it's worth more in the end I promise you.

She clears her throat and takes a sip of water that was offered to her by someone in the crowd.

I know I've gone off on a bit of a rant here, and I apologize for that, but surely you can understand that the people who don't take the time to get to know you, simply don't deserve to. This lack of respect stops when you stop giving them the time of day and either force them to try to gain your trust, or wither and die while those of us who are worth your time, and more importantly will take the time to make sure you are worth it too, will grow and prosper. Again, sorry for ranting.

She steps down and slowly makes her way back into the crowd listening quietly to the next speaker.

Another relatively unknown face steps forward from the throng of gathered mobsters.

This is a theme that is coming up again and again on the streets. The general idea seems to be the newer generation lacks the respect and reverence to the old ways. In my opinion it's a self-correcting problem. If a recruiter isn't putting in any effort they likely aren't getting many quality recruits. In the same vein, if a family is handing out the Made title with no effort from the member in question then those Made members are not going to be reflecting the family in a positive light.

Taking somebody into your family is more than boosting your member totals. You are pinning your reputation to that person. You are taking them into your inner circle and showing them how you run things. Essentially you are putting them in a privileged position. It doesn't make any sense to want to fill your ranks with as many unknown people as possible. Each one could be a potential PR nightmare, or worse. Quality over quantity.

It works the other way too. If you take your time and really vet your potential candidates and get to know them you will be building a real family bond. You are building trust. As was already mentioned, you are also showing younger mafiosi the ways of our world.

It's the classic conundrum of short-term vs long-term gains. I have distant ancestors that left journals from the Old Country and my values are probably influenced by them.

 Frankenstein listens to the man speak his thoughts aabstained the world could use a little bit more respect but Frankenstein understands people come from all walks of life and backgrounds, Frank is mesmerized by the word R-E-S-P-E-C-T and he can't help to sing and dance to an old tune he heard before.

 

(oo) What you want

(oo) Baby, I got

(oo) What you need

(oo) Do you know I got it?

(oo) All I'm askin'

(oo) Is for a little respect when you come home (just a little bit)

Hey baby (just a little bit) when you get home

(just a little bit) mister (just a little bit)

 

I ain't gonna do you wrong while you're gone

Ain't gonna do you wrong (oo) 'cause I don't wanna (oo)

All I'm askin' (oo)

Is for a little respect when you come home (just a little bit)

Baby (just a little bit) when you get home (just a little bit)

Yeah (just a little bit)

 

I'm about to give you all of my money

And all I'm askin' in return, honey

Is to give me my profits

When you get home (just a, just a, just a, just a)

Yeah baby (just a, just a, just a, just a)

When you get home (just a little bit)

Yeah (just a little bit)

 

Ooo, your kisses (oo)

Sweeter than honey (oo)

And guess what? (oo)

So is my money (oo)

All I want you to do (oo) for me

Is give it to me when you get home (re, re, re ,re)

Yeah baby (re, re, re ,re)

Whip it to me (respect, just a little bit)

When you get home, now (just a little bit)

 

R-E-S-P-E-C-T

Find out what it means to me

R-E-S-P-E-C-T

Take care, TCB

 

Oh (sock it to me, sock it to me,

sock it to me, sock it to me)

A little respect (sock it to me, sock it to me,

sock it to me, sock it to me)

Whoa, babe (just a little bit)

A little respect (just a little bit)

I get tired (just a little bit)

Keep on tryin' (just a little bit)

You're runnin' out of foolin' (just a little bit)

And I ain't lyin' (just a little bit)

(re, re, re, re) 'spect

When you come home (re, re, re ,re)

Or you might walk in (respect, just a little bit)

And find out I'm gone (just a little bit)

I got to have (just a little bit)

A little respect (just a little bit)

 

 

Hayley just shakes her head, unable to believe that someone sent that out.  Sure, she has gotten messages from new mafioso like that, who were looking for a family.  And even a few when she joined that basically said "Will you join me", maybe not so well written though.  She makes her way to the front.

I honestly can't believe someone would send that.  I think the issue was brought up recently, but apparently we need to be working with our sponsors a little bit better.  Or even be a little more particular when choosing who is a sponsor.  Even when doing those things, it can be difficult to know exactly what your sponsors are sending out though.  But it makes me want to keep a closer eye on my sponsors anyways. 

But why would anyone even think something like that is okay to send?  While not everyone has the greatest writing skills, they still need to remember that they are representing their families.  And that they need to send something that a new mafioso can at least read, as they don't have more than a basic understanding of our world.  You are also competing with so many other sponsors, wouldn't you want to send something decent to catch someone's attention? 

This is a great issue, thank you for bringing it to the streets. 

She heads back to the HQ, still amazed that a message like that is being sent out to people.

Rob takes a long at his soapbox. It was as worn out as a young asian masseuse working in the slumps. As he sees Althea step off the soapbox, someone else immediately took the spotlight to give their own opinion.

Miss Althea, I applaud you for the fortitude it took to come out and step on my soapbox. I applaud that you find this topic disheartening to the point you feel insulted. Why? Because I can tell you take this "honor" thing important unlike countless others who are just eager to fill their own headquarters. You may have applauded others to recognize their own efforts, but I assure you my own towards you should be taken with great respect. 

Rob turns toward Mook_McGee.

Mook, may I call you Mook? 

We both share the same background; the old country. You mention of this coming up again and again on our streets, why is that? Are you stipulating that our overall lack of respect and honor is being questioned as a whole from the old country to this new one? I understand the whole concept of pinning a reputation to someone. Since we all wear badges of our criminal organizations, you would think one would hold up the honor the concept of family. Anyway, I find the conundrum you mention to be spot on. 

Why recruit someone into your organization if you know this person may turn into either cannon fodder or a public embarrassment down the road. 

Rob starts to tap his feet as he sees FrankensteinX sing the lyrics to R-E-S-P-E-C-T.

Franklin, you know just how to make things a little bit better buddy.

Miss Hayley I didn't even see you there behind the tall monstrosity of Frankie Poo.

This isn't the first time I've seen garbage of that sent out in a mob mail. And I'm afraid it won't be the last. Sponsors need to be held to a standard as well. I mean we all want the best recruits, so why allow lousy unintelligent people be the ones to get them off the streets? 

I only hope from now on these thoughts of ours echo amongst ears instead of finding themselves lost.

Gypsy stands on the sidewalk, toeing at the grass peeking between the cracks, listening to the man speak. Her head hangs low as she shakes it. She takes a deep breath, unclenches her sweaty hands just long enough to straighten out her dress and steps forward to speak.

I will be the first to admit... I am guilty of not putting enough effort into recruiting. I know I should, and I'm ashamed to say I haven't been. Now, I am not guilty of one liners or even offering a spot in the family outright... that is truly disgusting.. but I do know I have a lot more to offer when it comes to getting people involved in my family.

I think what caused my.. laziness.. was not really lack of respect ..on my part.. but more of I felt it was falling on deaf ears, like I was being disrespected by being outright ignored when it was obvious I put a lot of thought into what I said. When I first was given the task of recruiting I put quite a bit of effort into it, and guess what? They looked at me, and walked off. No response. I got into the attitude of, "Why should I waste my time on these people when they don't even give me a "Piss off"". So I stopped going all out. I continued trying to recruit, but it didn't meet the standards.. of myself or my upper structure. Like I said before, wasn't one liners or just offering a spot.. but not up to standards.

All it took was one person, well more if you include those speaking here today, to change that. Somebody finally took the time to stop and talk to me.. and I felt like shit that I didn't put more effort into it in the beginning, he was definitely worth it. So for now on I will put my whole heart into it, just for the fact you never know when that one out of many will stop and speak to you... and I don't want to miss out on a good associate because I didn't put in effort that I should have, because there will always be somebody else who did.. and that's where the associate will go.

She shrugs and steps back, blending into the crowd, hiding her blushing face.

Mook nods at Rob.

When an old school mafioso sees such short-sighted business strategies it's only natural to bulge at the eyes in disbelief like Don Hayley. The old ways were put in place for a reason. They didn't just spring out of a vacuum. In this world, where you have to watch your back for Johnny law and your rivals, trust is everything. 

I wear my badge with pride. I don't say much and I expect even less. When I do speak I chose my words carefully. I'm ready and willing to die if it will benefit or honor my family. All of this effort can be undone with one disrespectful gangster with delusions of grandeur. To use a cliche, you're only as strong as your weakest link.

I really do think the problem will fix itself. A crew that isn't putting in the proper amount of effort may grow quickly but it will dissolve just as fast. A crew that does everything by the books will grow a little slower but it will be rock solid. Bloodlines will form alliances that will last for generations.

And of course I'm not saying you can't grow fast and still be playing it straight. We have some gifted recruiters among us with devilishly persuasive rhetoric; a unique skill that's extremely valuable in our world. As Gypsy mentioned, competition is fierce. That may be what drives the trend towards the quick and dirty recruitment style. You just have to stay out there and stay at it. You really never know when you're going to find that one extraordinary person that will make all the difference.

Gypsy, what you just said really moved me. The honesty you took in stating about your laziness on why its been an issue is completely understandable. The standards we set for ourselves are not shared throughout the society as a whole like it used to be. The only reason why I bring this up because I feel that most people feel the same way. 

Our day in diplomacy has turned for the worst in recent years. 

Bean, are you a boozer? I didn't ever take you one to be a drinker...

Mook, I share the same honor as you do. The way you express how the problem will fix itself makes me really reflect on our society's past. My bloodline has seen leaders fall for this specific reason. The fall of a leader due to hoarding members and spamming the fresh off the boat gangsters, really set back the city heads. Removal of leaders was common to this problem. 

Another issue I see is that I doubt leaders would be removed if this problem continued today. And as I have mentioned in my original statement, it DOES happen.

Sabrina over hears a conversation about respect. after being jostled around by the gathering throng around the speaker for what seemed like an eternity, she was finally able to make her presence felt.

I think you bring a valid point here today HandsomeRob. To often my Mother and grandparents have seen little to no respect coming from one member or another. Im not to familiar with how the real mafia runs these days but i am pretty sure that disrespect in the real mafia lands you 6 feet under. So i ask, why does the way we Role play our characters in this game have to be any different as far as how its handled is concerned? I have read some threads recently that when my ancestors were around, some of what was said in those threads landed you in the obits.

Is it just me or have the times changed drastically since my ancestors last walked these shores?