Julius sat in his apartment reading through the obits from a war not long since passed. When he reviewed the profile card for said individuals he became amused, then angry, and finally, decided he needed to address a few concerns. After storming out into the streets he kicked over a few garbage cans and stepped up onto a wooden crate. After spreading his arms wide to garner attention, he began to speak in a loud, angry voice.



I cannot believe that anyone is dying Extremely Rich. Where does any individual, barring Crew Leaders or a Godfather, get off holding onto that much money?

Do you enjoy merely going to the bank and reviewing your balance? Here's an idea, SEND IT UP. Tribute your earnings instead of holding onto them like a constipated cash cow.

Your family head is here for two reasons ONLY.

1) To protect, and guide you on through this way of life.

2) To Protect YOU!


Now tell me something, how the fuck can they protect you if you're not sending up a tribute? If you die in a war sitting on 20 million in hard cash what good does that do you, your kin or your crew?

Another thing. What's the deal with people that can't be bothered to use the shooting range? Why is it every time I go to shoot at a bodyguard, They are always fucking protected?! Are your guns so bad you can't even take out some pill popping, donut eating, beer bellied chump of a bodyguard?

Julius stops and thinks... wait, that's a different rant. He always gets worked up when talking about something he felt strongly about...

Julius inhaled another stream of smoke and exhaled through his nostrils while carefully contemplating his next choice of words. Making a point to get back to the subject at hand

I admit, there are a lot of things in this way of life that I don't understand. However, the one thing myself and my blood line have prided ourselves on is hard work, dedication and loyalty. How can you say you're loyal to your family, while you're sitting there staring at an Extremely Rich bank account?

It doesn't make sense to me. Maybe that's because I was raised playing patty cake on a Godfather's knee. I understand that many weren't raised like this but my single life ambition is to make MY Godfather proud of me. How can I do that if I get killed in line at the bank, holding on to a deposit slip no one will ever see?

Julius looked up for a moment, inhaled another drag and continued.

Many of you are not to blame. You work hard and pay your vig. However, a select few of you Scrooges are setting a shitty example. You might think, "Well, my Crew Leader has a tax, that's their tribute." WRONG FUCKING ANSWER! A tax is pennies compared to what an individual that sets his mind to perform to his fullest potential can do. Instead of buying that ONE bodyguard that isn't going to do shit for you anyway, help buy your crew leader one. Because if you and the other 49 individuals in your family work together, you can make your leader all powerful. Trust me, I've done it.

What can you do to change? Look at the amount of cash you have on hand. I personally, keep 1-1.5million for two reasons. Drugs, and flights. At times I'm required to travel across country, which can be quite expensive. Therefore, I keep a bit extra. Everything else gets sent up, which is the way IT SHOULD BE.

To top it all off, some individuals are wondering, "Well I'm doing that, but I'm not getting my 'button' why?" How often do you join in a street discussion? How often, do you enjoy a nice cup of coffee with your family in the coffeeshops?

What makes a crew thrive is two things:

Active participation and communication. Period.

Now do your fucking part!

Julius flicked the cigarette into the street and stepped down off of the box, walking into the crowd and then disappearing.

Well sir, I can sit here and think about my bank balance and worry about your opinion of my success or I can sleep soundly at night knowing I am the top earner in Will's family and still send him the majority of my earnings weekly. In fact, I do believe that after living long and prosperous lives we should be able to splurge a little now and then. Sometimes, that takes some saving up... You know like that 20 million dollar plus casino I've had my eye on, which of course all of the profits would go to my beloved Will.

She smiles and turns to continue about her activities..

Oh and do be sure to have a nice day Julius, I cannot wait until we all gather for the sharing of our earnings report.

"I agree 100 percent with this. I never understood what people did with all that money. Buy one BG who does nothing but suck up your money? You should be helping your CL buy the BG's he or she needs, then if need be, HE/SHE will send you money to buy your BG's."

"Besides, why do you need bodyguards in peace times? To keep an eye on the kids? Make sure no one tries to pick your pocket? Come on..."

Rebecca listens to the man's rant with raised eyebrows, stroking her fur coat thoughtfully.

"Well, Mr. Julius, I completely agree with the fact that you should send up as much as you can to your crewleader--their prosperity and protection means more of the same for you.  But you claim that anyone that has over X amount of dollars isn't doing enough for their family.  I have to disagree with this.  While, yes, your crewleader comes first, there are some people who work hard or are lucky enough to make plenty of money for themselves as well as their family head.  I don't think that having extra cash in the bank is a bad thing--after all, we're in this to make money for ourselves as well as our family heads.

She gives a small smile.

"Besides, I would like to think that any crewleader who doesn't think that one of their members is kicking up as much as they should based on their income would find another way to, uh. 'take care' of it."

Caught up in the moment of ranting, Hades jumps on top of a car hood and begins to rant

"I agree with you here julius, it is quite annoying to see all that money go to waste. I understand if you are saving for something in particular but those that just hold on to their money for the sake of having it are fools in my eyes. Give some of the money to your crew leader which will help make your family stronger instead of holding on to it til you fuck up or die in a war."

"Another issue that bothers me,is if my family goes to war, I am expected to keep fighting until my family proves to be victorious OR I am gun down. So am I the only one out there who thinks it's disgusting to see high rankers abandon their family during war the moment their crew leader dies, and not just abandon but join the enemy themselves. I dont even know what kind of crew leader would want such traitorous scum in their family."

Hades turns to julius

"Apologies for ranting about something different to your own rant, but the heat of it was on me"

Hades with the feeling for ranting subsiding gets off the car hood and walks away to get some alcohol and strippers

Of course, you can argue that having money spread out in many different pockets is a better overall strategy. - You won't loose everything if the boss dies, or if one of the other stashes gets hit. Plus, your family can have round the clock access to large amounts of cash if you plan it right.

To Torin, you say "why do you need bodyguards in peace times?", well any well planned war should be a total surprise against the enemy, and therefor buying BG's in  so called 'peacetime' is the only way to help protect against a surprise hit, no?

Ok, I'm not going to lie and say i read every reply, but I'm going to voice my opinion on one thing you touched on this rant.

Another thing. What's the deal with people that can't be bothered to use the shooting range? Why is it every time I go to shoot at a bodyguard, They are always fucking protected?! Are your guns so bad you can't even take out some pill popping, donut eating, beer bellied chump of a bodyguard?

You can still hit one of these "Chumps" and have them survive, protected. Even godfather's don't always kill their target, sometimes thay can just wound them.

I'm not going to talk about your main topic here. As i've nothing to add or subtract, I pretty much agree.

Gotta share my thoughts on what you and Mr No Name there have picked up on. Bitching and moaning about protected bodyguards is all good and well. But I believe you are wrong. Just because you've gotten yourself to the point of successfully killing bodyguards in one shot, doesn't mean others have. I can also guarantee you that just because you completed ranges and were shooting bodyguards in one go means that someone else who has completed ranges can shoot bodyguards in one go. Might be the difference between a complete miss or a bullet to the bodyguards leg, but in some cases, no more.

We all have to enhance our range training somewhere. Bodyguards are the best way to do this.

I agrre with you completely there are some people who think that i spare what i can to tribute up to my crew leader not just hold on to a crap load of cash for no apparent reason either use it ot train or tribute it up

Firstly let's start with this right here:

1) To protect, and guide you on through this way of life.

2) To Protect YOU!

I feel as if you might have stuttered but I feel like being condescending isn't the right route to go if you're trying to get a point across.

Look's around and then notices Julius is Obscenely Well Protected.

I must say sir, why do you have all the bodyguards that you do? I thought the whole point of this was to prove that the leader needs the money more than anyone else in the family. Also might I point out this statement...

Instead of buying that ONE bodyguard that isn't going to do shit for you anyway, help buy your crew leader one.

I'm hoping the thought might have crossed your mind that they purchased that one bodyguard to help in the chance of wackback? Now onto my next point. If you carefully read about how someone pro wacked a bodyguard then you'd know that what.... anyone? Oh, their gun isn't very good. Which in turn is good for your family. Then point two would be that you've now made it clear that you train your gun and would like to pant a red bullseye on your hind quarters.

Anyways what business regarding one's bank account pertains to you? Should I clear all transactions with you from now on? I feel as if you tried to express your emotions but instead have decided to treat us all as if we are clueless.

Julius, my friend I can't agree more with what you said about the money thing and dying with too many money that your Leader may -or to be fair- wants, But I totally disagree with you about the Body Guards killing or missing part sir, Not every hitter has been visiting the shooting range as much as you have done sir, may be they can't afford the cash or the time to do so. I don't think we should blame someone for this, or the Body Guard may have been too strong for his wacking skills to have a one go on him.
Have a nice day sir.
{$}ilvio

Thanks for sharing your views on this topic, Julius. While I don't completely agree with everything you've said here, your point of view reminds me of a quote from one of my favorite novels:

"Thief, thief, thief! Baggins! We hates it, we hates it, we hates it forever!"

May you continue fighting the good fight with the strength of 10 full grown men.

Eileithyia stands there listening intently to the man's speech. She contemplates it for a moment before stepping out to speak.

I will admit, when my bloodline first joined in this thing of ours, I didn't understand this concept of "tribute". I thought I was doing well with my crimes. No one really took the time to explain the points of sending up my money. Fortunately, when my sister showed up here, she joined with a great family, in a wonderful city. She learned so much, most of all the value and importance of contributing. Not only of her time and efforts, but of her money. And the more I grow, the more I see how important it is to contribute to my leaders, for if it weren't for them, I certainly wouldn't be the woman I am today!

Having said her peace, Eileithyia fades back into the crowd, disappearing as quickly as she appeared.

Julius listened intently to every point that was addressed after his initial rant and took each point into consideration before crafting a response in his overly large head

Firstly, the point that DirtyLittleSekrit made, I do not believe it wrong for a Right Hand Man/Women to be Extremely Rich, providing the individual crew leader in question doesn't have a problem with it. The point that I was trying to address is simple, idiots dying Extremely Rich in a war. Would it have been wrong of you to send your CL or Godfather the amount of cash sitting in your bank during the war to protect for you? Absolutely not, I know of several that do it, and it works out well. It stops the individuals that die, which did happen to three that I know of, Extremely Rich in a war with the funds going to waste. After all, money is power, wouldn't you agree?

Torin, unfortunately Arabface had a valid point. Any well planned war should be a total surprise against the enemy. So purchasing them in peace time is the only alternative.

Rebecca, I was not claiming that anyone over X amount of funds is in the wrong. Perhaps an individual with more money then they can actively USE is in the wrong. Lets be frank, what does a Consig in no power position in a family/city need with more then 5 million dollars at most? Please provide me with one valid example?

Hades, no apologies necessary from you my friend. We are of the same city, and therefore the same blood. My thread is yours. Do as you wish. However, I do agree with you. I know that if for some unforeseen reason my beloved Godfather was gunned down, my ass would be firing until death.


________ love the name. You argue a valid point, however what kind of Godfather would said individual be if they weren't even able to hit Bodyguards?

Mr. Jelly, I believe that you are right, and I stand corrected. Perhaps that is the reason you are a city head and I am not?

Julius smiled and begin jotting it Mr. Jelly's response down on a piece of paper to read over later and digest in its entirety, for he was truly learning from a master here

Joey, thank you for your kind words its much appreciated.

Aftershock, a few points.

Indeed a single bodyguard is useful in the chance of wackback, however what about more then a single bodyguard? Do you believe its ok to purchase more then a single bodyguard?

Additionally, in reference to my current number of body guards. It pays to not burn bridges in this way of life. When I came to these shores I was blessed two fold, in both friendship and money. Instead of purchasing my Leader Will 1 bodyguard, I instead purchased myself 7, or was it 6?

Julius mutters to himself for a moment trying to remember the math behind it, but alas he didn't even pass second grade arithmetic

As far as putting a target on my back, if individuals believe me to be a hitter they are sadly mistaken, however. If I can take a shot and spare my Godfather/Don then by all means. Fire at will. For any second of the day, any day of the week, I will gladly take a bullet for the Godfather I love.

Silvio, my dearest friend, you bring up a valid point. Not everyone has cash to train at the range. What then is stopping an individual from asking for a demotion to save the fee? For whatever reason it would appear more expensive to train the higher ranked an individual is in this thing of ours? Is that not an option? Perhaps the option of telling the individuals crew leader that he is in need of a bit of training cash? Most crew leaders don't mind having another join there hit squad and are more then happy to oblige.

Eileithyia...

Julius blushes and then smiles at the wonderful women before him and pushes the lust in his mind back, and crafts a response, shrugging off the embarrassment he felt for being an idiot when there was business to discuss.

It is difficult for many to understand the act of 'tribute' and it is one of the reasons I came here to discuss this point. Perhaps newer individuals to this 'thing of ours' will come glance at the discussion and learn from mistakes that it appears many are making.

Julius, I don't think a demotion would be a good option as it's a waste of the experience these mobsters have been working hard to gain, as for the other option, asking for money would totally contradict with the tributes sending part you were discussing earlier, I wouldn't personally tribute money to my leader then ask him for some of them to train my gun. To be fair some people can hit and kill a body guard WITHOUT having to even pay one visit to the range.In my humble opinion, it's just a matter of practicing more than training.
{$}ilvio

Silvio my friend, you raise a valid point. One that I had not thought of recently, however at the same time most leaders understand that you arn't going to walk into there crew and be an allstar tributing millions off the bat. It takes time to get one's skills experienced enough, one of those skills is with a gun.

After hearing many people debate on many things Toast decides it is about his turn to talk up and say what he has to say.  He thinks about how he doesn't have a huge speech like everyone else but he still has a few words to say.

"My Bloodline has worked with yours Julius for some time now.  They have taught my family many things, and now I have learnt from them.  One thing you taught me was too donate and always worry about the person who keeps you safe.  I have took this lesson and tried to learn from it.  Of course sometimes I get greedy with my money, but I also send up some tribute."

Toast finishes talking and walks backwards to where he was minutes before.  As he arrives at his spot he waits trying to decide who he thinks will talk next and what they will have to say.

Well i have to agree with this one also... dying extremely rich for me is like holding out on your own family. You want to buy a Casino? Why not inform your Crew Leader? Maybe you can keep donating your cash and maybe some day... your leader will grant you one. If something urgent comes down and you are sleeping... maybe your CL could need all that cash and when you wake-up he will still be there to greet you. My opinion is, give your cash to your family and your family will take care of you. I've always done so and always got what i wanted in the long run. Dont jeoperdize your family by holding out on it. It is a cold place we live in... we must warm it up in order to survive!

Stepping out of the bar Bombay hears the discusion going on in the streets...

I for one agree with the main point of this discusion.  What are any of us without our leaders. NOTHING!!!!

I am more upset by seeing those who have yet to recieve thier button running around here with fat pockets.  I can see why a Made Man or above my be walking around as Rich(not Extremely Rich) as they have put in the time and effort in the streets and most likely are tributing to thier leaders but have got to the point where they can really earn.  I for one have a real problem with those walking around as Wise Guy, complaining about not getting made, yet they are wondering around with cash they really have no use for. 

I also think there are times Mades and above need the money for the reasons Juilius you have stated.  But in the end it really comes down to the CL himself if he is fine with his people walking around with fat pockets then who are we to stop them.

Having said his peace Bombay looks for the nearest bar to grab a cocktail