On walk around his territory, Shotta Kaz thinks to himself while rolling a blunt filled with High-Grade, "Ambition is the possession of motivation for power. Being motivated to want power breeds a love/hate relationship with the bosses, I hope Marley knows where I stand...." That though dissipates as he lights the blunt and takes his first puff.
::coughs::
::coughs::

"Some once said 'Of all the impulses in humanity's behavioral portfolio, ambition--that need to grab an ever bigger piece of the resource pie before someone else gets it--ought to be one of the most democratically distributed.' I don't agree." Kaz takes a another puff some Jamaica's finest herb that his boss(Marley) gave him "Because if every one had my ambition, who'd flip my burgers? Who'd wash my car?" Kaz chuckles, "sorry I got a little carried away. Anyways, this has been running through my mind because I've made an observation. The Bosses love to see that spark and zeal in a young gangster, that yearning for progress and power; working the streets all night, robbing banks all day and selling every drug know to man in-between...."

Kaz leans against a fairly new bullet-riddled Ford Model T, symbolically it represented to him  the new greedy breed of gangsters who needed to be slowed down permanently. He scratches his beard as he exhales a thick puff of smoke...

"That sounds great to me, so why are so many sporting the short leash? This question bothered me for a while then it hit me. LOYALTY! Ambition without a sense of loyalty and a sense of family will breed unhealthy greed and get you killed." " I'm as overzealous as the next guy and more ambitious than some, but what sets me apart is that fact that Marley knows that I see his growth as my own. You contribute to your family help build the boss and when he moves up, he'll lend you a helping hand to the next level on your pedestal.."

He outs the spliff on the hood of car, and puts the clip in his pocket.

"Basically, youngins need to stay in their lanes, pay their dues and grow with their family instead of trying to out grow their family. Ambition can get you o the top, but It can also get you six feet under. Gauge your ambition and don't get put on ice.

*Mickey listens to his older brother talking about young gangsters and smiles.*

You are right there Kaz. A certain amount of ambition is needed, but there is such a thing as too much also. Not long ago I was merely a gangster myself with big dreams. Hell, I still have big dreams, but my loyaltly to my family will remain the same. Never do I expect to outgrow, as you say, this family. Every day for me is a new door open for opportunities. A chance to impress the elders of the family, and the boss of course, with money and support. A chance to help the other young ones find their way as I have. I like to think of a family as one, not a group of individuals.

*He stands back looking into the clouds in the sky.*

Sidge grins at Kaz, what he says means something, but what if the family doesn't support you? Would he see his friends aimin' at him if he went away from the family? He left it at that. Marley is fair enough, the family needs me now, so no worries as long as I do what I'm told. Besides, there's enough money as it is for my needs.

Kaz pats his cousin Sidge on the shoulder.

"As long  as you follow suit and listen to Marley, the family will support you. Don't stress it"

Sidge looks up at Kaz, sort of surprised, as he pats his shoulder.

"I know, just not always easy to remember when you're in the moment, eh?"

Sidge takes out a joint and lights it.

"Well, things will come in time. I just have to earn it."

Hes right......dont get to cocky or your a gonner

Marley steps over to the street corner after leaving another

pats Kaz on the back and leans up against the shot up Ford Model T parked outside the HQ

hair clotted, nottied and nappy, Marley stratches it

You've seemed to learn how things work around here quickly mon!  I see great things from you.

Now I'll wait and watch.

Being part of a family essentially is self explanatory. You are there for each other, to help each other prosper, to further the growth of all. It's easy enough to tell for the most part when someone puts their own needs above those of their family. Easy enough to pick out those that are just in it for themselves. It's funny to me because the ones who get noticed are those that take the time to help their brothers and sisters. They invest their time teaching the young ones how to carry themselves. They give freely of their advice and will go the extra yard when trouble comes down the pike. They donate not only to their Leader but to the ones just starting out as well. We all know how much easier it is when you get that extra little bit of cash in your pocket when you don't have two nickels to rub together. Not only that,  but the added confidence knowing someone within the organization is looking out for you makes them realize that it truly is a family and that they belong regardless of their rank.

There is nothing wrong with ambition. But with it should come a recognition of the responsibility that goes with becoming prominent in this thing of ours. I once had an old proverb related to me during my travels in South America that sums it up: 'The higher the monkey climbs up the tree, the more he exposes".