It had been a long week, the longest Sereno had experienced since starting work as a Thug. Not that he'd call himself that, in fact he'd consider himself merely a simple businessman within a society that worked hard to provide for one another and the greater community outside their own personal interests and ambitions.

The problem for Sereno was, the society he had become intimately acquainted with was bound by certain things. For one, rules. Rules that constituted a code that kept things running smoothly and allowed this group to police themselves and for the most part do whatever the fuck they liked, as long as they kept in line with this code that they all bought into - the tradition that kept this self-governed society alive and so dominant in this era.

Sereno was fine with this. What he was a little concerned about though was something less rigid. He was aware of public perception and understood that to a degree how well one did in this life came down to how well one was perceived by his or her peers. It was a fact of life in general, yet respect in this society could either make you or literally break you. It was a part of the code that kept business ticking over and allowed these individuals to operate outside the law, and sometimes even instead of it.

What he wasn't fine with was how one might see his activity, or potential lack of, in this thing of theirs. People judged one another and held one another to certain standards - it's just the way things were. On top of that, districts recently had been set alight and bodies disposed of due to a lack of activity, or so the rumours went.

Sereno felt that given his recent formal initiation into this thing as a friend of theirs and with his new position as a part of the upper structure within Evolution and North Side, now would be a good time to address this topic. A topic that had been steadily burning an ever growing migraine in his skull since he took the heightened position under Koehler.

The man known as Antonio Abbracciavento on his birth certificate stepped into the common streets as a crowd of his peers began to gather. He fixed his tie and projected his voice toward the masses.

"My friends and fellow businessman. I've recently taken a position that has me and my business more in the spotlight than before. People can easily see how much time I put into this life if they so choose. The thing is, I feel I've been working as hard as any and spending the same amount of time in my business dealings as many Americans do that hold down a full time job. Yet, when you weigh it up against our standards here it would be seen at a 'low' level compared to many others."

"I am personally comfortable with the hours I have put in, yet as we all should know, how we are perceived and how we perceive ourselves can sometimes be at odds. So, given we as a community set the standards on what we deem worthy and given some funerals that have come to pass recently were maybe because of a lack of activity, what exactly constitutes an appropriate level?"

"Is it strictly a number of hours worked throughout the week - like the average American - or do we hold more emphasis on what is done within those hours that we are attending to our business? Or, is it a combination of both? Or does one outweigh the other? I'd like to hear your thoughts and hopefully get a better understanding of how I may be perceived and the standards we all live by."

"Bueno sera, signore Abbracciavento, I hope you're well, paisano.

"I like your discussion point, however with people in your position, as you have said, your level of activity can be easily monitored. The easiest answer of course would be 'average'. The importance of a persons activity obviously increases the more significant their standing in the organisation. Though if you do the most with what little you have, would that be classed as 'inactive'?

"The discussion doesn't end here, however, as I believe the door swings both ways. How much activity is too much activity? Surely those who throw everything they've got into this world, money, time and even emotion, are people to be wary of? 

"Yes, these people would have very strong personal skills and be of substantial character, however is a person who commits so much to this world viewed as an asset? Or would you have reservations about their personal life, what it contains - or doesn't contain - and how that affects this persons physiological health?

"Sometimes a person who has everything, has nothing." 

There are lots of variables to include before answering this...

*What position does the subject  at hand currently hold? Upper structure? bold? Made+? Below Made+?

*How much time does the person have to give to 'that other world', to their alter ego who works the average day job to cover for their criminal activity?

*One you mentioned... work done per time spent ratio.

There are of course many more variables that I have not listed. 

Those who are forced to devote time to 'that other world' may only be able to be around for a couple of hours per day. However, if they are able to 'stay in contact' (mobile device) with this world throughout other various times of the day then this is what matters most. The communication side is probably the most important variable to consider. If you are able to be instantly reached and told about any goings-on then your activity doesn't particularly need to be that high as you can deal with any problems that may arise in a timely manner. 

Everyone has to be judged differently though. If someone is free to devote as much time to this world as they like and they're still only around for a couple of hours per day, then I would view them as almost 'inactive'. Those are the people you're not particularly looking to for fantastic communication skills... although these aren't a hinderance as being active in the streets can help whichever district that personis from. Those people you expect to be racking up the kills and/or bringing in the coin.

I don't think there is a broad singular answer to your questions Sereno as it all depends on the circumstances surrounding whichever mobster's activity is in question.

Sooo... apologies for rambling on a bit without actually giving you a definitive answer!

rubs his head before wandering off looking for the nearest bar

My thoughts on appropriate activity levels are this. 

If you're a crew leader and you're inability to hold the required drugs for a rank is holding back any member in your family from being promoted to that rank (assuming they've earnt it) - you aren't active enough/doing enough with your time. 

That's a tad unfair on the leader with someone like myself or Melis' bloodline (there's many more I could name) though babo considering how fast we rack up units.

If there is another war like the last huge one we had, then a lot of mobsters start from a 'level playing field' and the aforementioned group of people will end up quite far ahead of the rest. Besides... the one's gaining units slower could very well be training their aim a lot faster, in which case is that really a valid reason to think they're 'not doing enough'.

Considering how little rank means in our world anymore, I'm surprised that judging one's activity on how many units they can hold carries much weight at all.

Variables, variables, my dear babo.

I didn't say units KevinOwens my dear, I said rank. We are all tied by certain age requirements for each rank. Surely for a crew leader, achieving the minimum time for each rank isn't a stretch. I had a similar conversation back when I first joined the lovely Duplicity and she said with confidence "oh I'll easily achieve the minimum times" and she was true to her word. That's the minimum I'd expect from my leader whether I'm right behind them or not. It's never fair to hold them back because of your laziness, just ask Cersei. 

I'm well aware of variables, and I'm well aware of different skill sets but as a crew leader you'd expect them to be around this place and already in the lead pack of drug carrying to get the nod after any huge war so I feel like your comments about that are fairly defunct. If the most active, "hard working" men aren't getting the nod anyway you have to question those authing them and whether they should be getting their own families. Considering we can buy bodyguards easier then we can train our guns I'd put more faith in a leader active enough to pay for their own (and my protection) through carrying more units of drugs then having a gun which still isn't probably better then the best hitters in this place. 

If people act like rank doesn't matter, then it won't. Why did Obstacle die just before Godfather, The_Hitcher, etc etc. Less variables and more common sense Kevin. 

Considering on how tightly stacked all but the last 2 ranks are, I'm still not convinced rank carries much weight still. Not that your way of thinking is incorrect of course, but I hold absolutely zero regards towards ranks apart from Made Man. As long as I am able to achieve this then I am happy in regards to activity and rank as I believe there are much more useful traits for a leader to have. 

A lot of the top hitters of this world simply refuse to do any jailbreaking once they hit the 'magical' number somewhere between 30-35 units and as we've all seen, people are prepared to throw money in from 'that other world' to buy BG's if they can't earn it fast enough. The shortfall mobsters experience in terms of rank/units can easily be made up in other ways... kills cannot.

I would much rather be behind someone who can play the political side of our world and train their gun than be able to reach Capo, Boss, Consigliere or Don. I can make enough money via my own units to cover what is needed for my bodyguard bill.

A lot of the top hitters of this world simply refuse to do any jailbreaking once they hit the 'magical' number somewhere between 30-35 units and as we've all seen, people are prepared to throw money in from 'that other world' to buy BG's if they can't earn it fast enough.

Sorry, what? Looking at the top ~10 guns right now in this place, I only see only one, maybe two that only has this apparently "magical" hitters number between 30 and 35 units. And from recent past experiences as well I don't recall any of the top hitters with very few units and large guns. Feel free to correct with me an example though instead of pulling random numbers out the air and then probably talking about "omerta" when I ask for a name.. 

I would much rather be behind someone who can play the political side of our world and train their gun than be able to reach Capo, Boss, Consigliere or Don. I can make enough money via my own units to cover what is needed for my bodyguard bill.

Ironic. 

How many of those top 10 guns are going to be top 10 in little under a month babo, the real top ones just a couple of weeks away? The pack is catching fast and all of them have around that magical number of units.

I fail to see what's ironic about that statement, maybe you don't get irony? If you mean the fact that I'm 'Well Protected'  (which for all you know are fully trained), that puts me out of reach of everyone bar the top guns here with the addition of my natural skill at avoiding death... and most of the top guns are part of my city or are strongly allied to my city. Where's the irony there? I am as protected as I need to be and maybe I'm saving my hard earned cash for other ventures?

If you're talking about my rank, well... I've already explained my feelings on rank so there's no need to go over that again.

If you'd care to enlighten me or where the irony is, that would be of great help.

But you talk like you're so knowledgeable KevinOwens! I presumed you'd have already realised where the irony in my statement was. 

I'd imagine of the top 10 right now, 70% will still be in the top 10 in a months time. With the exception of one bloodline who's name I don't know and so can't see their units (history would suggest they still work very hard on their units). That aside I can't think of a single other name that is missing really from certainly the top 5 that I would absolutely expect to be part of some "magical number" unit holding chasing pack. 

Keep waffling Kevin, quite the story teller. 

I'd say 50% of them will be lucky if they're in the top 10 still then. Only time will prove you wrong, so I'll leave that one there.

Keep snapping babo, quite the bitter person.

So to summarise Kevin. You made an outlandish claim about "magical units" for hitters. I asked you to provide any kind of backing to this claim, your only response was that "time will prove me wrong." Having successfully given no basis to your claims and me calling you out on this crock of shit (most of the time it's more bother then it's worth) you perceive me to be bitter?

Okay Kevin. Thumbs up. If you're going to talk like you know what you're on about at least have some additional preprepared non fiction for when someone asks you to prove it. 

tips hat respectfully and leaves the scene. 

To provide backing is asking me to name names to point out their units, I'm not prepared to do that. The 'magical units' I mentioned is a point where hitters can make enough money to cover their own target practice fee's (MIA's). Jesus, do I have to spell everything out for you?

I perceive you to be bitter from your 'tone of voice'. Did you forget you've spoken elsewhere?

Don't give me all that sarcastic shit then tip your hat at me and pretend that you're being respectful.

A lot of hitters I know ensure they do not meet the requirements for Made Man in their family Dove, so they can stay Wise Guy and stay 'below the radar'. Simpletons? Hardly.

I never said they stuck at 35 Dove, I said they stop jailbreaking, try listening before commenting... remember that before opening your trap.

Zaheer gazed upon the crowd gather in the streets from his perch on the rooftops. He smiled at hearing what Sereno has decided to discuss in the streets. Zaheer definitely had some of his own thoughts to add to this. Zaheer swung over the roof to grab a gutter pipe and slide his way down to the street. As he approached the crowd he saw two mobsters arguing and could hear their argument was getting heated. Zaheer cleared his throat and first addressed Sereno.

"An interesting discussion you have brought to the streets Sereno. I find myself at a similar situation where I put enough time into this world to a point where I feel like I have a second job and yet I am deemed a person with low activity. But even so it doesn't bother me. Because for me it isn't about how much time you spend around here but what you do with your time when you are here and that is something that isn't measurable. I had an ancestor who had spent around an hour to two hours a day running his business here and sorting his family out and yet no one complained saying that he was inactive because when he was around he did in that short time what would take some people hours on end. So I am sure you do more than enough around here Sereno as I am sure your family would testify too and that family's success is really the only thing measurable in regards to your activity."

Turning around Zaheer decided to address the two individuals having their argument. He had caught some of what they were saying and Zaheer felt he should share his opinion on the matter.

"I definitely have to side with Kevin on this one. Though babo I understand what you are saying I believe it is more suited to extreme cases of crew leaders really being IA and extremely slow with ranking. I personally feel rank has lost a lot of it's meaning ever since we now can carry units beyond our rank. If it was still the case then a slow ranking crew leader would be denying his crew members the right to make more money for themselves and for the family. But now you can see a wise guy with the ability to carry the same amount of drugs as a godfather. Just like Kevin said, made man will always be an important rank but that is more because it is a symbol of being welcomed to the inner circle of the family and being truly trusted. That is how I feel anyway. But of course other crew leaders may have that standard different and a lot harder to achieve."

"In regards to your mention of Obstacles death, she was killed because Remus felt that he would be taken out, which he probably would have. So his obvious choice would be shoot the only person who could shoot him. The fact she was about to get GF was just timing."

"Also I disagree with your assessment that crew leaders should be able to maintain the minimum times to achieve ranks. Some people are able to be here hours on end and even when they get busy in the other world they still have easy access to this one so that they can keep working hard. To deny someone the possibility of ever being a crew leader just because they can't spend over 4hrs a day walking these streets and criming hard is not fair. Like I said to Sereno it isn't about time you spend here but what you do with the time you are here. As you can see I am definitely one of those Crew leaders who doesn't achieve the minimum times to get ranks and at the moment I am possibly "holding back" one of my members. But he seems more than content and was greatly appreciative of his promotion to made man. As Kevin said some people like to focus more on other aspects."

"Most of my ancestors have done what Kevin is saying and just aim to get certain units from jailing then just focus all their time on their gun. My great grandfather was a wise guy for months yet had a gun to kill most dons. He stayed low ranked to stay under the radar and it worked perfectly. Near the end of his life he worked hard for a few weeks and had consig units. Rank can always be caught up to. Sure rank can give you that extra bit of confidence to guarantee the shot but once you see lesser ranks taking out Don CL's or Godfathers you kinda get the feeling rank won't save you from a dedicate hitter. Does this all mean I won't rank? God no. Of course I will continue to try too but as it stands I can only do it at my own pace while working on other aspects and seeing to the other world as it stands."

I scanned the work available and I see the activity level ranges from extremely high to low.  I strongly feel with a kick in the ass to who is perceived as the underdog, will have far more then the person who appears to have it all.  The person who has it all really has nothing.

Are you defining someone who has rank as having it all? What is the "have it all" definition in this sense?

This is something I have thought about recently.  How exactly do you measure the work that we do?  Many seem to go by a silly ranking system that tells you nothing.  While this system may say that my work is average, I feel that the amount of work that I do is above par.  I put in a normal 40 hour work week for my boss, but tend to do a massive amount of work during that time.  Because I only put in so many hours, does that make me lazy compared to the one who puts in overtime but does nothing?  How can you compare the amount of hours someone puts in?  Shouldn't it be the amount and competence of work that is done?  Sure, I can sit here for 100 hours a week, but that does not make me an excellent worker if I don't actually work. 

Work should not be measured by how much time you spend here.  I'm not saying that its okay to never be seen.  But if my boss feels that my work is sufficient, that is all that matters to me.  Your family is most important, if they feel you are here enough, you need not worry how the rest of the community views your hours put into our world. 

The summer heat has been dragging her down some, but Rose wiped her brow with a handkerchief then stepped closer to hear the speech a dear friend had started.  She listened as Sereno spoke about the time spent working in this thing of ours.  She never knew why people had to judge others in the first place.  

She sipped her latte as she waited for a chance to speak with him.  Rose walked closer towards Sereno offering the other latte in her hands to him.  She smiled knowing he probably needed a drink after listening to everyone so far.

“Sereno my friend you have a very good discussion regarding the time we spend taking care of business.  After hearing Hayley speak, I agree with her point of view as well.  You know it isn’t for anyone outside of my Don to tell me how I am spending my time working.  No one but Don Oblivion, and various members of my Family know what I do in the time I am working.”

“When others feel they have the right to judge your work without even knowing what you do exactly, well that is just wrong.  So what if I spend one hour taking care of a business deal that would take someone else four hours.  Does this mean my time and efforts put into the job were lacking?  No it just means I am extremely efficient in what I do.”

She paused as she tilted her head to the right wondering about this other world some speak so highly about.

“If this so called ‘outside world’ I have heard people here ramble on about has anything relevant to this thing of ours then I would like to know about this ‘other place’.  What I do outside of my time spent here is no one else’s concerns but my own.  How many hours I actually do spend taking care of business deals is also no one else’s concern but my own, my Don’s and my Family’s.”

“If I am present and noticed in the public’s eye, then that just means I am taking care of various business across the country as needed from me.  Traveling across the lands takes a bit of time, it isn’t like I can close my eyes and suddenly be somewhere else.”

“It seems that people need to focus on their own business more than to point out the time spent by others.  Someone recently approached me the other day with a comment regarding my activity, and I welcomed the challenge that was declared.  I am confident in myself and the way I handle my business to know that the judgment from onlookers matters not to me.”

She stopped her rambling to take a much needed sip of the latte that was almost forgotten.  Rose smiled at her dear friend, and relaxed a bit having expressed her thoughts on this discussion.  She takes a step back to listen to more speakers if any.