Crazy Innocence quickly jumps up from the pavement, grabbing her gun in the same instant. Swinging from left to right she looks for the masked man that just stole her casino winnings she was taking to the bank. She sees nothing, but she does hear what sounds like a small crowd mulling around in the street ahead. Holstering her gun since the punk got away, she heads to the crowd in the streets to vent her frustrations.

She walks down the alley and into the street smack dab in the middle of everyone

Excuse me, I shall only take a moment of your time. I have something I would like to get off of my chest.

I find myself wandering the streets these days not being able to keep any pocket change on me for fear of all the grubby thieves salivating at the thought of getting their hands on it. I have been attacked numerous times, even worse, sometimes they wear a ski mask so there is just simply no way of identifying them. You are left in the street feeling violated and angry.

It made me think back to stories my mother told about when sticking your hands in someone's else's pockets could bring about consequences, at times they could be severe. It makes me wonder, when did it happened that it was ok to pick pocket someone with out even as much as having the respect to ask first, let alone giving any of the money back? Is it because so many people have chosen to practice the art that we can't possibly punish them all? Maybe because at times they wear ski masks and you are unable to identify them?

Because we are criminals and that is what we do. We take from others. Its 5k you can make that in what 15 minutes or less. Now if you were losing more than 5k then sure I could see a point of getting revenge and someone handing out punishment. That isn't the case anymore it once was but now its a limit on what a person manages to grab out of your pocket.

From what I've noticed a lot of the city leaders already acknowledge the fact that they do not want to hear about a measly dispute of 5k. They have bigger fish to fry and to be honest so should you. Forget about the 5k or take it back from someone else. Don't whine about it.

OK I understand that 5k isn't much to you, but who says it isn't alot to me? Also, I never "whined" about how much money was being taken, it isn't the money that I have a problem with. I have a problem with people thinking they don't have to work for their money like I do. They think they can just go and stick their hands in everyone else's pockets and take their hard earned money. That is what I was "whining" about.

They do work for their money then they take a little more from others. I don't hear to many complaints from the local post office when I steal from them or the little old lady who's purse I stole.

In most cities they can just go and stick their hands in someone's pockets and steal their 5k. Because its 5k and its pretty much meaningless. Tis why its widely accepted now. We are criminals stealing,hustling,robbing is what we do. So go do it. Steal from whoever you think you can. Its the criminal thing to do.

Although, it is not the mafia thing to do to steal from other mobsters.  In fact, you would think it would get you killed.  That being said, many mobsters these days ignore the inherent disrespect involved and treat it like a sport.

My only problem with Crazy's speech is the part where she says "...when did it happened that it was ok to pick pocket someone with out
even as much as having the respect to ask first, let alone giving any
of the money back?"

What kind of thief in his right mind is going to ask permission from their victim, and then return their ill-gotten gains?

Mr. Torro, you're never going to hear a complaint from the post office, or the old lady, so don't even use that as an example.

It's not about the money. It's about the respect. "It's the criminal thing to do"? Yeah, we steal, but we don't steal from each other. There's supposed to be SOME respect there. We extort post offices, but do you walk around holding a gun to a fellow mafioso's head, asking them for money? No. You don't. Even though it's the "criminal thing to do".

We're businessmen, not criminals. In all honesty, I don't see why the God Squishious taught us how to pick a pocket. For you people who need something to mess with while your boss won't let you use your gun? Sure, no one cares about the 5 grand, but if more people are bothered by it than benefiting from it, why do it?

Actually you do get somewhat of a complaint...like not getting anything from them or even getting thrown in jail which is a small happening but it does and has happened. So yes I can use it as an example.

Really we don't steal from each other? Seems like it happens often since this topic was brought to the streets again.

I'm a gangster not a businessman. So yes I am a criminal.

Also I think more people like benefiting from it than are bothered by it. So why not do it?

I grow tired of seeing people come to the streets and whine about being pick pocketed. We do anything within our power to get ahead in this life. In extreme cases, we kill to advance our careers. If I see the chance to make a few extra dollars, I'm going to seize the moment. Walk by me with your wallet even briefly visible and I shall take a swipe at it. The only pockets that are safe are those who hold a higher rank and stance than myself. You give respect to the Godfathers and Godmothers, to the Crewleaders when they walk down the streets. Everyone else is far game, regardless of their petty threats to kill me for doing so!

I love being pickpocketed. It makes perfect sense to me that in our line of work, where honour and respect are more than just words given lip service but an actual way of life, someone taking five grand from me makes total sense.

Someone stole a little over $1,000 from me this very morning. Oh, how I smiled. It fills my heart with gladness to know that someone, ranked at least Wise Guy, so someone who should know all about honour and respect, has taken a grand of my hard earned cash. I hope he has a wonderful time spending it.

I will just go out and roll some other poor soul and make it back, maybe even more. Because that's how I roll. Screw respect. Screw honour. Screw making your own way in this world. If you can get away with it, may as well do it, right?

I agree 100% with Falcon. If you are a Made member of this thing of ours I'm not going to take from you unless I out rank you. The Godmother of Philly has the best pickpocket rules in this world of ours. From gangster to wise guy fair game anything after that you have to be ranked above that person to take from them. Its the way it should be. That way respect is brought into it.

Yes, Joe, we actually DO steal from each other. That was not my point. We do alot of things that make absolutely no sense. Mainly because the vast majority of you are idiots. Realistically, however, mobsters do not rob from each other unless they are looking to buy a pair of cement shoes.

Falcon, while it may be immediately intuitive for you to think that stealing from someone of a lower rank is completely ok, think about who you are really stealing from. If you are a Capo, and you steal from a Mademan, that should still get you in a heap of shit. When you take from that Mademan, you are stealing food off his Boss' table. Not only that, but a made guy is supposed to be untouchable. Period. It does not matter if you are higher on the food chain than he is, you still have to go through the proper channels before putting your hands on him for any reason.

Of course, these things are the way things work in the mafia, not in this happy fucking fairy land.

*mickey overhears the conversation going on*

Its not the point taking money from people. Its the fact that you are willing to go into another mans pockets. Thats just disrespect. Its noted on those of us who dont mind as long as you let us know ahead of time. In any other case this shit is considered n attact and will be treated as such. For those of you who digree with opion. Ask yourself, How would you fell if someone just took what you have worked hard in these streets to get?  

*mickey sits back and lights his cigar and listen to rest of the conversation* 

BloodyFaster decides to join in

Okay, a couple of points.

First, I agree 100% with Brutus (in memoriam) when he points out that no thief ask before hand if he can take off your wallet. If someone asked me: "Sir may I take you wallet. I promise to pick up only the money and leave your documents!" I would take out my gun and make the thug run as fast as he could.

Though, since I understand our people must make a living I do not care when I get at home and find out that someone stole my cash. Specially because if I wanted to avoid that, I would leave it under my pillow, or at the bank. It seems so easy to make withdraws nowadays with bank agencies every corner in our streets!

Now, if even getting people's hand in your empty pockets upsets you, I would suggest using a shirt stating your politica position against that kind of attitude. So if someone do it despite all of that, it will be characterized evidently as a transgression of the rules of conduct and you will be able to request justice.

At last, I just would like to state my opinion about the spread of this activity among our community. Have you ever seen that magic trick that the performer makes your wallet, coin, etc appear on his hands? And you accept it because it's a harmless act... That's the same. It's a way to interact with other members, like my friends that keep stealing my wallet and giving it back to me 5k lighter.

Now, if even getting people's hand in your empty pockets upsets you, I would suggest using a shirt stating your politica position against that kind of attitude. So if someone do it despite all of that, it will be characterized evidently as a transgression of the rules of conduct and you will be able to request justice.

Why should I have to wear something stating I don't want you to pick pocket me? Shouldn't it be the other way around? Shouldn't the ones that are pick pocket "friendly" wear the tag. I don't see you wearing a tag that says "Don't shoot me" but I assume you don't want a bullet in your head. Now, if on the other hand you were wearing a shirt saying "Bullet friendly" I shall gladly take you up on the offer.

I'm sorry? Does it hurt your feelings when one sticks their hand in your pocket and removes your cash? I've made it quite clear to the entire underworld that I will NEVER ask permission. What the hell is the point of trying to steal shit from someone if you ask permission? And, fuck, why would I want to give back the money I just STOLE from them? But I am not without compassion. If you catch me in your pocket, and you come to me and request it returned, be you a lowly thug, or the utmost respected Godfather/mother I shall return your money to you.

My reason? I got caught. Pickpocketing is a stealthy art form. If I cannot do it without being stealthy, then I do not deserve the fruit of the crime. It is that simple.

Also, I will never kill someone for stealing from me, as long as they do it properly. If you take what is mine, and I catch you, you will return it. If you do not return it, that is a slap to the face and you do not deserve life. If you are stealthy enough for me to not notice a $5000 weight lifted off my wallet, then you deserve the money.

And onto the subject of the "I do not want to be pick pocketed" tags.

I have always, and I will always, pick pocket these people first.

Why should I have to wear something stating I don't want you to pick pocket me? Shouldn't it be the other way around? Shouldn't the ones that are pick pocket "friendly" wear the tag. I don't see you wearing a tag that says "Don't shoot me" but I assume you don't want a bullet in your head. Now, if on the other hand you were wearing a shirt saying "Bullet friendly" I shall gladly take you up on the offer.

Simply because if you shot me I don't need anymore evidence to get you punished, since it is an habit people do not accept in our community, while pickpocketing, for the reasons I already mentioned, is...

A few thoughts. If you have the chance to bank all your money, therefor being "safe" from any attacks, then anybody that gets money actually stolen was for not taking the proper precautions.

Then there's the matter of the pocket change we are actually talking about. Because speaking of reality, I don't think many thugs, gangsters or goomba would really be waling around with millions on hand. And if you really think 5k is a lot, then you are doing something wrong. Then again, if it IS a lot, then put it away in a safe place, right?

I attempted to Pickpocket a Godmother not too long ago. I know people are saying there is no way to ask somebody to be robbed. Well, that's not what I asked her. I asked her to turn around and pretend to be distracted and allow me to see if I was swift enough to reach her pockets without her being able to stop me. That didn't seem like a ridiculous question or favor to ask.

It is indeed treated as a sport, because otherwise, a skill that we find we are given incentives from the Gods (OOC: achievements) we would not be able to practice at all because it is disrespectful.