Many of you have got it wrong.

Day in and day out I hear people boast about different accomplishments and various character traits. Some boast about how long their ancestors have walked these shores, as if that sole fact is or should be of any significance. Others proudly report their ability to send wayward mobsters to meet the great maker, and still others boast their skills at organizing crimes. There is nothing wrong with this, per se, except a misplacement of priorities. For those of you who are solely interested in how much money you make in this world, or how accurate your gun is -- you're one of the ones that has it wrong.

Several of you fine ladies and gentlemen out there have it absolutely right, and my hats off to you. Unfortunately, we seem to be doing a bad job of teaching younger generations of the ways of the Mafia. That, or the majority are unwilling to learn as they are more focused on the simple parts of life, like stealing purses. Either way, it is our duty to teach those under us, to craft the new generations.

For those of you that don't get it already, I'm going to let you in on a secret. I'm going to share with you the time honored formula for success in cosa nostra. This recipe is very simple -- there are only three parts. Blood, brains, and balls.

The 'blood' I speak of here is the blood of the family that is coursing through your very heart. Family. Above all else, family. There is nothing more important in this life than the bonds you will forge through all of the times that you spend with your fellow family members. More importantly, nothing should transcend that bond. Never should you fail to stand tall for your family members, or be there in their time of need. Actions that forward your own personal goals ought be cast aside in favor of those that serve the family. Blood.

Brains is where, admittedly, many mobsters are lacking. Some decide to go off and "do their own thing," outright defying the powers that be, ultimately sacrificing themselves and their friends. I could rant on and on about the stupid things we see, day to day, on these shores. I don't need to, though, you all see it every day. Brains. Intelligence is key. The smart moves, the right actions at the right time are what will continually forward your own family and set you above the rest. Life is a poker game, friends. Know when to call someones bluff, know when to fold, and know when to run away. Brains.

Blood and brains are no good to you if you lack the balls to do what is necessary. Time and time again I have seen leaders stumble and empires fall because someone didn't have the balls to do what was necessary when it was necessary. Once your blood has told you it is time to act for the family, and your intelligence deems the action wise -- then never, ever hesitate. Balls.

Keep these in mind above all else as you walk these streets day to day, and think about where your own priorities lie. Are you more interested in making money for yourself than you are in providing for your family?

Blood, brains, balls.

Maria nods to herself.

Dexter, in another world, in another time, I'm pretty sure that your ancestors explained, in rather a different context, to my ancestors, thoughts that you have just shared with the world today. And I'm pretty sure that they are as relevant today as they were back then on those far distant shores. 

Family first, family always. I would say that few out there know better the strength of the bonds of family, my brother. You could say that that has always been somewhat a motto for us in the time we've known one another. Blood. Blood is what keeps us alive - in both a literal and a figurative sense. In our world, somebody watching our backs, that can be the difference between life and death. Just something so simple as somebody watching our backs. What we can achieve alone compared to what can be achieved through the power of family are two vastly different things. What we have the potential for ourselves, combined with what others have the potential for, is enormous. And that right there, is the beauty of family. 

Brains... well, there's not much more I can say on that. You've said all that I think needs to be said, there's little that I myself can add.

Balls. Ah, balls.

Jokingly, Maria pretends to hunt for her balls, painting a look of mock sadness on her face.

Well, I seem to be somewhat physically lacking in that department. But, I'd like to think that what I physically lack, I more than make up for figuratively. Probably sometimes to my detriment. But if you don't have the balls, you don't have the power to push yourself, to further yourself, to stand up for yourself and for your family, for the people you love. 

Blood, brains, balls. 

Yes, there are other traits that a mobster can and probably should have. But keep those three words in mind, consider what all exactly is meant by them, live by them, and the rest will surely fall into place.

Money is one of the two most powerful things in this world. It's the foundation to success for a long term reign, or supporting role in this world. With that being said, if you're more interested in lining your own pockets than taking care of your boss, you don't deserve your button. Nor do you deserve to be breathing any more. Family first, family always in my eyes.

Somewhere along the lines of time, people started focusing more on themselves than their crews. Stocking piling funds in the offshore banks, hiring muscle without running it by the boss, or just pissing it away at a local dice table(yes, i'm guilty of this). I don't know where the shift occurred at, but I would like to see things get back on tract a little better.

Start busting your balls a little harder. Be it by the way of the gun, the stacks of cash, and the influence of a golden tongue, use your brains a bit more to become more successfull. And always remember, the blood of your family is more important than anything else. Don't disrespect it, and be willing to die for it at any point in time.

Fist-O makes clapping noises for Ragnarok without actually clapping.

Great points Ragnarok!  I completely agree with every thing you just said.  It shouldn't be about you.  It should be about family, your friends in your family and then you...but hopefully all of your family is your friend.  I would hope.  If not I feel for your situation.

Anyway, what I came here to do (besides sniff Ragnarok's butt a little) is say no that the key to success is a number of thing that you need to be doing.  You need to act right and more importantly be legit.  Be a fucking mafioso because that's the world you live in.  You see me?  You seems robot right?  Right but the people I'm close to the people I hang around they know I'm legit.  They know I'm straight foreword and they know the crimes I do.  I don't know how far I'll make it in this world and I don't care.  I would die everyday if it means my family will live 100 years.  I don't care about my success, not any more.  I only care how long my family lives.  Spunky, you can tare up that letter I sent you the other day.  I just had a realization as I was just talking right now.  I don't care about my own success, just the success of the district I call home. 

Thank you all for allowing me to ramble.