Walking down the street you happen upon a small group of people. They are all surrounding a strange looking man dressed in bright yellow. His skin is pale and his red hair frames his face in tight ringlets. He seems to be telling a story so you stop to listen for a bit.

We are originally from New York. My grandfather made a pretty nice living off the stock market. He taught my father, MookMcGee, everything he knew about capitalism and the world of business. Of course the Guilded Age couldn't last forever and the bottom dropped out of the market and suddenly we found ourselves with no means to support ourselves. With a heavy heart my father decided to turn back to the only way of life my family knew before playing the numbers; my great-grandfather was a notorious mobster back in the old country.

Despite having values and skills that were slightly outdated my Father was semi-successful. He credited a lot of his success to his dual training in crime and legitimate business. They have a lot more in common than people realize.

Ronald takes a break from speaking and lights a small cigar. He puffs on it until it is burning evenly, sending silver tufts of smoke into the air.

So I was basically raised on cold, calculating capitalism. I was always that kid in the neighborhood scheming up ways to make a little coin. Eventually I became known as the Go To Guy: the guy you go to when you need something. There were rumors at school that my Dad was in the mafia but I don't think many kids really believed it. My Father was a master at keeping a low profile.

His death was a shock to me. This was amplified by my Mother re-marrying some asshole from Queens and making me into the literal red-headed stepchild. I was working at a factory up in Yonkers and daydreaming about breaking out like my Father, but I didn't have any connections. Sure, I sold a bag of weed here and there and thought I was hot shit but I'd come back home to my Mom's house every night and drink myself to sleep. Something had to give.

A few months passed. One day after work I was approached by a large man in an expensive suit. He handed me an envelope without saying a single word. My heart was going a million miles a minute but I took it and slipped it into my jacket pocket.

When I got home and opened it there was about twenty grand in cash and a letter from my father. I won't read you the whole thing but he laid down a set of guidelines that have helped me tremendously. I'm sharing it with you all in hopes it will help at least one of you.

• It's fine to have pride but remember you're basically nobody. You're not somebody until people tell you you're somebody. If you have to ask, you aint.
• Find a family you truly respect. Find a leader you will follow to the ends of the Earth. Eventually, you are going to die. Make sure you are dying for someone who deserves it.
• Spend less energy on yourself and more time on your family. The more work and dedication you put in the more you will get back. The people at the top got there by impressing their bosses first. Find a way to make yourself indispensable.
• Remember that you are a direct representative of your sponsor until you're Made, and a representative of your crew leader after that. Conduct yourself with respect or expect to be dealt with. Likewise if you become a sponsor or leader, hold your members accountable for their words and actions.
• Stay humble. It's better to have people underestimate you than to perceive you as a threat. Cordiality is a tool, not a sign of weakness.
• Don't expect anything. If you've put the proper amount of time and effort in you will see results. If you don't see results try harder.
• Everyone has a skill to contribute. The trick is to figure out how to market it.
• Always base your decision off of logic and reason. You will make stupid and hasty decision if you get caught up in emotions.

Ronald stares off in the distance after reading from the letter for a moment with glassy eyes before snapping back to his speech.

There were a few addresses listed as well. I decided "this is it" and moved to Chicago to look into a few different families. After finding a good home with the Timbits I started working my ass off and trying to get my name out there. Eventually I started investing in several local businesses and even started buying up some prime real estate around town. New world capitalism mixed with old school mafia traditions makes for one ruthlessly efficient strategy. 

I think I've found my calling... The family business.

He smiles, lifts his flask over his head and pours a shot of bourbon onto the cobblestone.

Here's to you Dad. Hope I make you proud.

Smart words from your father there. I think something that most of us would benefit from reading and remembering, when things in this world start to get a little heated, particularly the points on everybody having a skill, basing decisions by logic and reasoning, and spending more time on our families. I think that by being a little more level headed and a little more family orientated, there's a lot of room for growth in this world.

Ronald I believe your father was a smart man. Very wise words and words you have shown you have taken to heart. I know your father would be so very proud of you right now. 

I agree that everyone has a skill to contribute. Marketing that skill is important for sure. I know emphasis is probably put on one or two skills more than others. But there are many skills required in this thing of ours and marketing them to the right people is very important. 

Scorpion hears his buddy talk and give his speech and waits until he was finished

Hey man I couldn't agree more with the views you had on life. It's a tough life out there and these guidelines does indeed help even experienced individuals such as myself.

Scorpion lights a blunt and slowly inhales, he holds it out for McDonals

Want a hit?

I appreciate all of your kind words. I knew my Father's advice was sound because adhering to it has made me the respectable titan of industry you see before you.

Ronald throws up his hands in a display of facetious genuflection. He looks at Maple.

Thank you Don Maple. Your words obviously hold a special significance. I know he would be proud of my choice in family.

He looks at Scorpion hesitantly... he liked to keep a clear mind while out conducting business. What the hell, he rationalizes, this was a time for celebration! He takes the blunt from Scorpion and took a deep drag. A surge of nostalgia resonates in his skull as the thick smoke expands in his lungs. For a moment his eyes tear up from the sudden stream of memory fragments but his train of thought is interrupted by sudden and violent coughing. Hearing his friend laughing at him over the sound of his own spasming diaphragm, Ronald hands the blunt back to Scorpion. His eyes are almost as red as his hair.

Oh man, either I'm a lightweight or the stuff is getting more potent.