This had been on his mind for some time now, where he went it always nagged him. After leaving the dice hall much poorer than he started, he walked out to every ones favorite street corner. A sleeping bum had taken up resience on his milk crate, with a swift kick to the crate, the bum went flying. Ragnarok drug the the crate to the middle of the street where everyone could see the fat man standing on a crate that was buckling under his massive from. Before this speech was over, the poor milk crate would suffer a horrible demise.

With the recent announcements from the Godfather Council about returning honor to the Made Man status, I started to think about everything that would come with such a return. Making your bones is an honor to be celebrated, and respected. You once where a friend of his, now you're a friend of ours. You've become trusted, you're respected, and those around you recognize your status. We carry ourselves to a higher standard, and we respect the rules and ways of our live.

With this honor, there becomes a separation of sorts from those who haven't made their bones yet. They're still working to earn their place, and their respect without the various crime families. While they're doing that, they need to respect the rank of those above them. This thought process brings me to my point. A made man up to Godfather has earned the right if they so please to steal someones wallet below the rank of made man without repercussions from the victim. You're an associate, you pay your dues, you take your lumps,  and you earn your respects. Upon becoming a made man, you'll gain this right and privilege to remove others wallets below you.

When it comes to those who have made their bones stealing from others of a made status, its fair game. You've risked stealing from an established mafioso, you will accept the punishment of your crime if caught. This all may sound unfair to the little guys, but shit rolls down the hill. Becoming a Made Man brings honor, and prestige. One day if you work hard, impressive the proper people, and prove your worth, you'll find yourself in a position of respect too.

So I pose this question to all of you, from the fresh off the boat thugs trying to figure this world out, to the top of the food chain chairmen Godfathers. How do you feel about this concept? Are you for it, against it, willing to work out some middle ground on it all? I'm positive I'll attract may naysayers and slanders of the idea. Don't be afraid to express your thoughts and concerns. This street corner is your chance to say what you wish to say!

Neph had followed Ragnarok. She was hoping he would be going into some neat restaurant that she could try out but alas he only went to speak in the streets. Nevertheless she listened and as she did so, she instinctively began shaking her head. She had all the respect she could muster when it came to Made Men but doing as they pleased? And in pockets like hers? There wasn't enough dry cleaners around to get rid of that mess.

I'm sorry to disagree. I am strongly against this. Why should we have to suffer because some Made Man wants to get his fingers wet and this is the only way they can do it? I mean if I see them, they ought to be getting their heads slapped around. Perhaps next time they will be more mindful of their surroundings?

I don't think pickpocketing restores honor to Made Men. I am sure it restores the egos that think they can do whatever they please whenever they want without consequences. For that I would gladly object to this.

There is no honor on preying on the lowest. There is no honor in disregarding the others around you or their wishes.

That's just how I see it.

Neph turned and wandered off to a local vendor for some coffee.

At the proposal of such an idea, TwistedFate immediately began to sow his pockets shut. The Gambler couldn't bare the thought of having his precious blackjack money taken from him.

First of all thank you Ragnarok for your concerns on re-stowing honour towards Made Men. While I do see every logic in this, I also do not agree that this may perhaps be the best way to go about restoring their honour. As Nephthys so kindly mentioned... 

There is no honor on preying on the lowest. There is no honor in disregarding the others around you or their wishes.

The lowest are that for a reason, because perhaps they are trying to find their place in this thing of ours and earn their stripes. To pester them by stealing from them regardless of their wishes would just be downright sad, worse than conning that poor schlub 125 times and something I would not want to be apart of. It reminds me of something you'd see in Elementary school/Primary School where the oldest would bully and pick on the youngest because they were just that, and when the upcoming younger ones came of age - the cycle just continued. Not starting the cycle in the first place would be a great idea in my opinion.

Thank you Ragnarok, I too really believe honour must be restowed to MadeMen in someway. Perhaps not this?

TwistedFate lets out a sly grin as if hinting he'd rather not have cash taken from him without consequence. 

Awaiting other mobsters response, TwistedFate Pulls out his deck of cards and begins to deal a game of poker.
 

Scarfo's attention is caught as he goes about his daily streets shuffle. Going from group to group, checking out the latest gossip and taking an ear to the grapevine to keep in touch with the hot topics and hot heads around this thing of ours. His attention is caught by a milk crate taking a punishing, firstly, and secondly by the topic of conversation.

Scarfo smirks as listens to two others put their piece into the mix in response to Ragnarok's efforts at bringing more honour to made men, amongst filling their pockets, it seems. The idea put fourth lit a spark under Scaarfo's ass and propelled him forward into the spotlight, to share his thoughts with the group of Mafioso, also witnessing the poor crates gradual demise on top of adding to the conversation.

"Where indeed has the honour gone? Associates walking around like they can rub shoulders with button men. Who the fuck do they think they is? It's time these lowly members of this thing of ours started falling the fuck back in line."

Scarfo had a little underlying aggression to him, to put it mildly, regardless of the topic of conversation. It was just his nature, yet this topic did seem to perk him up a little more than most. He believed in tradition, and some of the yet to be made members responding fuelled that fire even further. Who the fuck were these punks anyways, he thought.

"Before I got my button I knew my place, my role. Nothing more than a shoe shiner for the real movers and shakers. And who the fuck are you two standing here giving your view on things regarding made members having more honour? I should beat you with my fuckin' shoe just for lipping off and thinking your words carry weight around here."

Scarfo eyeballed TwistedFate, as he really had no fucking idea who this Gangster was. He'd seen Nephthys around Philly, and due to her affiliation he felt like directing his pent up aggression toward the unfortunate lowly member distinctly.

"Those of you yet to make your bones, hold no weight in comparison to those that have bled through sheer hard work to earn a spot amongst the respected, and feared. Yet, you fucks walk around here like you can kick up a stink if a made member wants to shake you down? I ought to take your wallet and your pride, right here and now. This aint a fuckin' church group where we all come together to feel better about ourselves. It's this fuckin' thing of ours where those of us ruthless enough take what the fuck we want and stick a fat fuckin' finger in the air to anyone that says otherwise and if need be send him six feet under. And those with the power do what they want, how they want, as they've earned that right."

Scarfo edges forward toward TwistedFate and stands face to face with the Gangster, attempting to stare him down.

"There's a chain of command boy, and these streets are in need of remembering this. Too many forget they are but empty bodies that help move the money along till they move up in the world and their name echoes through the streets from their deeds. Don't think as a non button member you hold weight. The only weight you hold is in that hopefully fat envelope come kick up time."

Scarfo snarls and spits to the side, then gives TwistedFate another hard stare before mixing himself back amongst the group whilst still spewing his thoughts.

"I don't exactly agree with not putting up a fight when being shaken down in all cases, as we're all Mafioso and can do what the fuck we want. Yet if a Don of a family approaches a Gangster and assertively demands a small fee for his presence, who would be stupid enough to do anything but hand over the money without retaliating? Maybe it'll give more of the lower rungs on the ladder something else to strive for. There is a lack of definite power and privilege amongst the members of our society at a button position and above compared to those just starting out. Maybe this would help bring back the honour, and fear, in being seen as a made member."

Scarfo ended up toward the front of the group, and gave Ragnarok an upward nod before standing next to him, showing his support. Scarfo glanced down at the crate, seeming to still be holding the weight, then glanced around the crowd of onlookers.

Nephthys smiles sweetly over at Scarfo. Keeping her tone even as she replied.

If you would like to try for my wallet you had best pray that I don't see you Sir. For surely I will pummel you where you stand if I catch you.

You are right, it is not a church group. However, I am not a door mat either. Who are you to tell me that my work thus far amounts to nothing? That I have not earned the right to keep what I have worked for. Did you hand me money? I believe not. I will defend what is mine. It is my money. It is money that I have worked for so that I can tribute to my own leader. If people want to try to take it, then they should realize the consequences of those actions.

I get it, your Made Man with more clout. However, I have every right to share what I think as well. You don't have to like it, just as I don't have to like being told that I should lay down and take it.

Scarfo smirked as he glanced in the direction of Nephthys who was showing the balls of being a Mafioso he was so ready to speak about. He enjoyed the tussle of power, aggression, and stubbornness; although her response lacking in all but stubbornness in his eyes. Still, he enjoyed those who stood up for their views, and kept to their beliefs. He also enjoyed taking a pretty purse, and made a mental note of Nephthys pockets and what she was or wasn't carrying.

Scarfo nodded and smirked whilst gleaming with pride and arrogance, all the while holding his tongue as he stood and listened.

Chun-Li listened and had to grin..there's just something about the cat and mouse game of PP'ing and mugging that is flat out fun..the piddly amount you get, one could make back with one small drug deal..the way she saw it, if one doesn't like their money stolen, they should learn to bank it..I quake in my boots when i see "I mug in profiles"..what a laugh..Bring it on Bitches..

TonyCapazzo was along the streets puffing away at his cigar. He had just finished up a business meeting regarding his club LUX in South Philly. He firmly adjusted his lime green ribboned fedora on his head when his attention was caught by a small group of people partaking in conversation. Tony hadn't been involved in one of these for some time however this one had sparked his interest.

He listened to the man Ragnarok and agreed with each and every word he said. Yes it was true made men had paid their dues, they had clawed, scratched and 'made' it so of course they should be held on a higher plateau. Tony didn't feel this would be pissing on new associates but rather push them and inspire them to work hard so they too could be of that prominence one day as well.

One after the other spoke when suddenly he heard a familiar voice. It was Scarfo, Scriba's kid and Tony's new business partner in the drug game. Tony took a step closer as he took another puff of his cigar. He heard Scarfo speak with vigor and aggression. Tony sat there and smirked.

Scarfo was a good kid but was definitely rough around the edges, one could even say perhaps too overly aggressive. He had went through alot in his life Tony thought, losing his father amongst other things. Tony continued to smile with each and every word spewed from the mouth of Scarfo. Once Scarfo was done Tony looked in his direction and made eye contact. He waved his hand in the air and signaled Scarfo.

Tony threw away the cigar and came up toward Scarfo.

"Scarfo, how the hell are you?"

Tony said with his usual charming smile.

"Very interesting choice of words you used there, a little passionate about the subject I see."

Tony laughed as he continued. Tony wanted to talk to Scarfo, in addition to being Scriba's, who was like a brother to Tony, kid Tony also had built a connection with him as well. He wanted to look out for the kid and teach him the way of these shores and the workings of this life. Tony had basically came from nothing and was now sitting as the #3 guy for Don Latin, he was his Left Hand and knew what it took to rise the ranks.

"Passionate is good but just try and tone it down a little. This life is a very crazy one and there are certain ways of being. I absolutely agree with you, made men should be held to the utmost of respect as they've earned it but at the same time keep in mind these are mafioso just like you and I. There is a certain boundary you can't cross. Remember there is alot of shit that goes on behind closed doors that you may not see, hell even I may not see. Bridges are built everyday and sometimes it takes one fuckup to make it collapse."

Tony smiled once again.

"Don't get me wrong though, never ever hold back your opinions, always express yourself but think about how you go about it. I like you and you show a lot of promise. I like your hustle, you remind me alot of your pop. All we need to do is find a way to let out all your aggression."

Just then a gorgeous blonde was walking by, she saw the congregation of people but didn't bother to stop. She was tall and all legs and indiscreetly looked over toward Scarfo and Tony's direction. Tony noticed this and smiled.

"Soooo yeah about working out that aggression...."

Archy was on home late from a business meeting, him and Astro were walking down the street drinking booze and chanting when they saw a group of people gathered around a man that he recognized as Rangarok when he approached the scene. Archy decided to stick around and listen, Ragnarok finished his speech and everyone exchanged their opinions, Archy waited till he could get a chance to make words into his mind, he was too drunk to stand straight, so with the help of Astro, he stopped below a lam post and leaned his back to it. He then lit a cigarette and hoped that might help. He coughs trying to clear his throat before speaking.

"Good evening gents and Neph, once again you start another spiky debate Ragnarok, kudos for that. The honor and respect in this thing of ours seemed to general fade to be honest. Talking about honor and prestige, reminds me of some incidents I have seen lately, where as an associate mug a Don or whatever man of honor, and beat the fuck out of him before taking all his money. In days that passed, he should've been swimming in a pool of his own blood before even getting to counting the money but we try not be some tight assholes like others were, so we let things like that slide."

Archy turns to Astro who was probably worried that Archy might lose balance and fall, but Archy nodded and reached for one of Astro's pocket to bring his bottle of Gin, he took a gulp then a deep drag off his cigarette before turning back to the crowd.

"I have to agree that those who earned that prestige and made their bones deserve the respect but then what's that so called respect, prestige, honor? Is there an honor stealing from an associate who's barely making his living and working hard for his own crew leader? Being an active thief, I'd like to say that's something I don't really do, and if I did, then I find it a bit shameful that I had to step off my high horse and get to that level that I'd steal from an a lowly associate, but then I knew about the consequences to my actions and I should take their reactions -whether they chosed to react or not-. Anyway, being a man of honor doesn't deprive others from getting a little respect themselves too. After all, we all were once associates. If I had been treated like the way Scarfo claimed "it's the way they shouldbe treated" since my first days in Bronx with the late Godmother Whatsername and Godfather Tetley, I assure I would have never worked my ass off for someone who looks down and disdains me just because I haven't earned my button, which has nothing to do with me, but the gods around these shores sat rules that an associate, needs to spend a definite amount of time to gain enough experience for their button. I am not a man"

Archy takes another deep drag from his cigarette before he continues.

"I feel the need to add this, through my time here I learned that respect gains you respect. When you insult someone they will insult you back, they will disrespect you and others too might just do the same."

Archy chuckles remembering the church's comment

"This really isn't a fucking church Scarfo, but then it's the streets, everyone's streets where they come and speak their mind and then get spat in the face for it."

Archy looks around making sure that he was out in the streets, yes he was right, he smiled with relief and continued.

"In the streets everyone has the right to talk, that's what we always fought for, that's what the Godfather Council is trying to achieve, that's what we have been trying to achieve in our time in Philadelphia -more street presence-. I'm pretty sure if Ragnarok had intended to keep this conversation on the level of Men honor or upper structures only, he would have sent mails to those he needed their opinions, but that isn't the case here."

Archy tries to remember one more thing he heard and wanted to talk about, but for the life of him he couldn't remember shit. He took the bottle again and drunk another gulp, then Astro poked him and whispered something in his ears.

"oh I see, Thank you Astro."

Archy pets Astro on the head before moving on with his words.

"As for the last part, I see no right for a Don to walk around demanding money from people just because he earned his button and not them. I wouldn't walk into a wise guy from any crew or city, make him feel the cold steel of my piece on the back of his neck and tell him to give me everything they got. This action is un-acceptable, you can't demand what you don't own, it's his money and his crew leader's if he chooses so. I have no right to deprive him of it, but of course I can steal couple thousands as I distract him with such a lovely conversation."

Archy tips his hat at the crowd then at Don Tony.

"Well said sir, indeed."

TwistedFate Smiles at Scarfo.

Do what you like matey. I'll still find your pockets.

As TonyCapazzo mentioned, tone down your aggresion. You deffinately do not know me - stop acting like you do. Ragnarok mentioned he wanted opinions from mobsters ranging from the Top Dogs to the lowest. I  gave mine.

I find it low that you have to act this way towards such lower ranking members to make yourself feel more up top.

TwistedFate flicks a joker card Scarfo's way.

Lighten up pal.

The only honor I seek is the love of Ted.

Scarfo enjoyed Tony's company and appreciated his words, and although he tried to keep a calm poise it ended up through his facial expression as a look of disdain and his body language as agitation. His arms crossed as he listened to Archy, then TwistedFate add their remarks and stood silent as the Joker card flicked by the ballsy gangster hit him in the chest.

Scarfo thought to himself, they may as well be in an actual church wearing nuns uniforms, as these Mafioso seemed to have lost their cajonas. Yet, due to the respect he had for Tony, and of course Don Archy, he bit his tongue. His aggressive nature and tendency seemed to be somewhat of an alien personality in this day and age, he thought. Who the fuck replaced all the men with women.

Scarfo couldn't hold all this emotion brewing inside him for much longer, and although he wanted nothing more than to stand about watching others kiss ass and brown nose, he felt the need to get away before he found himself in a situation he would most likely later regret.

"With this hold hands bullshit we may as well let women into this thing of ours and run shit for us. Hell, why not, they may just be voting soon enough. And fuck it, they may even compete in pool tournaments. And god dammit, they may even just start earning as much as us. So why not let them in, they may even have more balls then some of us in this thing of ours."

Scarfo spat to the side, aiming for the ground. He picked up the Joker card before making his way abruptly through the crowd. He stopped at TwistedFate, giving him a deathly stare, his anger rising within him. Scarfo stuffed the card into the collar of the gangster's shirt with a rough touch, gave him a wink, then made his way through the rest of the crowd and walked away from the group.

Scarfo was in a foul mood, to say the least, and upon seeing the blonde bombshell that walked past himself and Tony earlier he rushed after her, snatched her purse and legged it down the street.

I'm sorry scarfo, but changes have been made to this world of ours. Like we now see retards from allover the world reach positions of trust, although they don't have the slightest bit of a Sicilian blood. As for women running around our world, you can never ignore the roles payed by many women through our time here, that Dillinger fella for example has been getting help from his women doing many jobs, they helped break him out of jail, they helped with more than one bank robbery too. Nowadays women seem to have a vital role in this thing of ours, I'm quite sure you knew that the late Godmother of South Philly was a she, your bloodline worked for her. I can name so many successful women who ran their respected families in our syndicate, but that is not the case anyway.

Archy waves to Scarfo as he leaves and pets Astro on the head to follow him.

Yeah, yeah, The Rock, returned to the streets and all that monkey crap. You see the Rock isn't really in the mood to be electrifying tonight, because Ragnarok has touched on something that means a lot to The Rock. Lots of people come out and say stuff like 'Woe is me, our lives aren't as good as the good ole days.' and quite frankly that is a big glass of monkey piss right there. Things have never been so good. I was going to quote from my ancestor's diary's, but the Rock will be brutishly honest here. The Rock's family doesn't keep diaries. Oh sure they used to, but then it was all just thrown away one day. The past is where it belongs, in the past. Sure we  pass down stories, from one generation to the next, but who cares that The Equalizer was the greatest hitter my family ever produced, or who he killed, or that Saint Carlo was the first man to make it to Earner unsponsored in mafia history, or that Ragnarok is ten pounds of monkey crap in a five pound bag? Well the Rock is here to say that phrase that he always says... it doesn't matter.

Now The Rock accepts that he has gone a little of topic here, so allow the great one to bring things back on topic. The one thing that we did have in the past, the long ago before most of you jabronis were born past, was honour. No, no, no jabroni, the Rock doesn't mean honour in the sense of chivalry and stuff. The Rock means honour as in getting your button meant something. Crew leaders didn't hand out buttons like they were throwing candy to children, and if they did, they didn't stay as leaders for long. Getting your button was a genuine achievement. You had to work your ass off to get made. Public speaking, 3 million in donations, interaction with the family, stuff like that. This was back in the day when the average jabroni only lived 2 weeks if he was lucky. Back in the day when drug dealing and petty crimes were the only ways to make money. Back in the day when the Rock's very first ancestor to walk these streets was shot dead by his CL for not having any honour.

Back in the old country, honour was everything. If you were an associate, your word was pretty worthless. Now before all you jabronis start getting bent out of shit and shouting down the Rock for saying this, the Rock accepts that this isn't exactly true, many an associate has very valid points, however it depends how you put these points forward. Many hundreds if not thousands of corpses stand beneath us, because they insulted a button man in the streets. Similarly, I have to believe that if a button man picked the pocket of an associate, a person who is not a member of a mafia family, a person who is basically a hired thug for the ruling class, and that associate mugged said button man, then that associate would be shot dead, end of story.

You see you can argue this is that, or black is white, or that if you pick my pockets I'd lay the smack down on your candy ass, but truth of the matter is this, if there was any honour, or meaning or respect for the rank of made man, you'd die for your actions. So was there a golden bygone age? No. But we have lost our way with regards to the Button and what it symbolizes. The Gods have tried their best to restore some of this meaning, but it is only us that can complete this. It is only us that can restore the value of opening the books. As an associate your life is without value, this doesn't mean that you are without value, but simply as I said, your life. If an associate dies, there are 50 willing to take his place. There will always be thugs willing to try and make their mark, but the loss of a made man should be a major incident. Families should be prepared to go to war for a issult to a made man that isn't remedied. Families should be willing to kill associates who step out of line and try to speak or act above their station.

 

A great way that I feel to bring some honor back to the esteemed rank of Made Man is to do something similar to what the mighty Batiatus does when recruiting. A vouching system.

Reading through journals of my ancestors I see that the vouching system used to be quite the common thing when looking to elevate your rank from a lowly Wise Guy to an esteemed Made Man. When a family has a Wise Guy who looks ready to be knocked up to become a Made member of the family, maybe the CL should message all other family members who have been Made. Depending on the amount of members above said rank, the amount of vouches could fluctuate. For example if a family had 5 members who were a rank of importance then maybe you should be hoping the person has the vote of at least 3 before they gain their button. Unless of course the upper structure feel that they can decide amongst themselves.

Utilizing this system also allows families get to know one another a little better than they may have if this system was not in place. Someone who has just joined the crew and knows that they must gain the trust of their family members aswell as the uppers in the family thus motivating them even more to mailing other members rather than staying quiter than a mouse and rarely talking. Personally I think it's a great way to bring back honor to Made Man and also have a tight knit family. But don't mind me, just my opinion.

Barqs, I've heard these sentiments before, often times from those of relation to you. Not to say that promotions are not obtained fairly  easily in some families, but I don't see it as rampant as you claim it to be, and most certainly not in New York where I hail from. If left to your own devices, what hoops would you suggest people be required to jump through to achieve a Made Man rank?

As to good Ragnarok's original point, while I stand in agreement with him, regardless of what side of the argument you find yourself standing on, it has been decided by the magistrates in City Hall that underworld policies forbidding associates from mugging men of any rank are forbidden.  So while it makes for good conversation, it has already been decided by powers higher than even the mightiest Godfather... The GODS