Jack stepped out of the pub, and found a large crowd of people gathering together. Jack went over to them, and began listening to what they were talking about. It would seem that a debate had begun regarding how a family head should pick who their hands were. Being that Jack's bloodline had needed to make a decision like this before in the past, he decided to weigh in his two cents on the matter.

"My dear people. How a family head chooses their hands is no business of anyone's but their own. Why have we gathered to discuss this publicly?"

"However with that being said, I have a few things to say on the matter. The right hand man of a family head should be the person that they trust the most. They are giving them second say on all matters, when there is the need for it, and they are trusted to read every letter that the family head receives."

"If you don't trust this person more than anyone else in your crew, then why are you letting them in charge in reading every letter that you get from potential business dealings? Trust this person, and appoint the one who you feel will do the best thing for the family, in the event that you are not around."

While I can respect your stance on the RHM. I do think there comes a time where people need to be willing to teach people. Otherwise we are just going to have the same lines constantly.

Again a sentiment that I kinda' agree with, but with all the will in the world, picking a linage that you already know is something that we will never, ever get away from. Like I've said, in an ideal world, it would be a great practice in promotion through internal training, but its not something that a lot of people are willing to do and to be honest, its not something I can blame them on. You only have to look at each city and district now, its the same faces, the same people, such is the cycle of this world.

"Friend pools" aren't necessarily the way to go. Especially if said friend isn't doing jack. I really think people need to look more at work ethics rather than just handing things to their friends.

The problem is the nature of the role of a Crew Leader though, you're on such a high pedestal, I wouldn't risk such an honour on somebody I know couldn't do the role, id only know that they cold because of our past histories, their prowess. Yes its a vicious cycle, but its a necessity. For example, if your RHM does something wrong, you're both punishable by the gods of this world, a risk worth taking on someone that you don't wholeheartedly know?  not for me, not a risk id want to nor would I need to take, if you see my point?

I think the main issue I see with the "friends pool" is that they ultimately do not have to work for it. I really hate a lack of work ethic.

I don't want to be disrespectful to you but has your lineage ever held a Crew Leader position in this world? I think maybe if they had you might be more persuaded to my logic. That linage has worked hard in their past life's to build up relationships with other linages to make sure that their kin gets a good start in life, there is nothing wrong with this process, nothing at all. Especially when you become a prominent figure in this world, its not just as easy as picking anyone, you're judged by everyone else, such is the nature of the role.

(Cough cough cough) Please excuse me as I am experiencing one of the common colds. Rosie graciously accepts the tissue, and cough drop from a kind man who vanishes into darkness. With raised eyebrows, Rosie derides to stick to the subject at hand and speak on what she knows from her experiences. While the lyrics "I thought love was only true in fairy tales" plays from Rosie's stereo, she reads the thoughts of our great Mafioso on how and why hands are the chosen ones. 

Great input was given. Diversity is what makes this world a great place to live in. However, I got to ask. "Whatever happened to giving one enough rope to hang themselves? Surely with all the great talent up in here of old, who went down with the same hands a change cannot hurt. 

Frank finishes pissing over in the alley and readjusts his pants.  He zips up his pants, has a drink of his milk of the gods and staggers out into the gathering crowd.  He whispers with an associate and then gets an idea of the conversation which he had missed.

"How would I pick my hand?  Well - it's interesting and it made me think.  I think the first thing you have to do is look at your entire crew, not just who you think might make a good hand.  From there, I think the 3 key components are trust, activity and the ability to compliment what your strengths are as a crew leader.  Trust is a no brainer.  No trust leads to no respect - and without respect it's dysfunctional.  Activity is something that I see as more of a presence within the crew.  Through this the respect of the crew is maintained and it keeps them out on the streets working hard for the family.  Lack of activity is going to lead to lots of members going and having prolonged naps.  The complimenting of a leader's strengths is a little more difficult to decipher and may vary from mafioso to mafioso.  I would need someone who pays attention to the finer details of things.  I'm pretty sure that means that staying sober the majority of the time would be a good start there."

Frank chuckles and then drinks a little more of his milk of the gods.

"So - I guess that;s about it.  I won't waste much more of your time, nor mine.  I got drinking to do!!"

Frank walks off back into the streets to get back to earning.