Having walked the shadows for many weeks, and having overheard many, many conversations held between leaders, crew members and civilians who's ancestors had recently died for various reasons, the quiet man in the trench coat had learned several things.  Mostly he learned to keep his mouth shut and take care of business.  Many a mobster had been killed for drawing too much attention to himself or his business.  But that very idea has him compelled to speak.

"Ladies and gentlemen.  Many speeches have been made.  Many ideas tabled and even more criticisms have been thrown in the direction of leaders or individuals who have made decisions that some seem to have moral issues with. But one thing seems to be getting lost.  The very nature of what we are is not pure.  This is not a traditional business."

Peeling back the front of his coat, revealing a small collection of weapons, various packets of drugs, phone numbers for brothels and prostitutes, plans for upcoming crimes being organized by his associates, the man looks up at the crowd and smiles.

"WE ARE MOBSTERS."

"Why is this lost on so many?  Why are the actions of one individual or one group or one organization considered "distasteful"?  Where is this rule book stating what is and is not acceptable behavior?  If in fact this book exists, why have our gods allowed these actions to continue for generations?  Why have so many of your own ancestors used the tools at our disposal in order to initiate change, only to become angry when these same tools are used against you years later?"

"We all read the papers.  We all hear the news streaming from our radios.  We have all heard of a crew leader who was shot in the back of the head while having dinner.  Killed by one of his trusted crew members who decided it was time for new leadership.  We have all seen the pictures of massacres, streets covered in blood and bodies piled up on one another.  Actions that cannot possibly be the result of a single gunman.  And we have all heard the quiet pop of a .22 down the dark alley and arrived in time to find a friend dead and not a single person standing next to his body."

Pulling a flask from his coat pocket, the man enjoys a few sips before continuing.

"When it comes to this life.  There are a hundred reasons to kill a man.  Perhaps he was instrumental in the death of your father and you vowed vengeance.  A story that has been written many times in history.  Or perhaps you feel your life is in danger due to his leadership style.  Or maybe, just maybe, you want the ring.  The respect.  The power."

"My point is simple, whatever your reasons, however you choose to set forth in this life and whatever tools you deem to be the most effective in your quest.  Remember the old adage, Never bring a knife to a gun fight.  We ALL have access to the SAME tools and these tools can change the landscape if used to your advantage.  If you decide to use only one tool, your job will be a long and difficult one so don't be surprised if while you are slowly putting your plan in motion, you are surpassed by someone who is willing to use four tools.  Or if that man is killed by someone willing to use them all."

"Don't be angry if this happens to you, for you have only yourself to blame.  Waiting for someone else to change the world so you can benefit is the least respectable, least honorable, and most cowardly option.  The key to being in this line of work is not simply to commit crime, it is to embrace ORGANIZED CRIME.  Get organized and anything is possible."

With that the man raises his collar and steps back, slowly blending into the crowd and the shadows.

"I understand and appreciate your words, friend, though would like to dig a bit deeper into your thoughts.

"I think there exists an expectation, be it moral or otherwise, ta' be treated in a certain way. An unwritten code which we have grown accustomed to and expect ta' be treated by. The challenges we see arise do so when someone feels that they have unjustly lost a parent, relative or friend in conflict with this code. 

I'm talkin' about the code which is currently supportin' so many smaller operations in a world overseen by a few powerful individuals. Why don't we see one person, one operation? Why don't we see a single gigantic city? Why don't we see absolute control, complete wit' hard written rules restrictin' growth and age and regular cullings of everyone within a certain age or skill? 

"The unwritten code is one of respect, respecting each others desires to work as they see fit. When the inevitable happens, tensions rise, mistakes are made or the situation breaks down through manipulation or paranoia, people will die. At this point, we have reached the very situation you have brought up. A person knows what they're getting into, they've reached a point where they're disrespectful, clumsy or threatenin', then it's game over. It's at that point, people will feel that they have been wronged in line with the very code that they were allowed to operate under in the first place. 

"Should they have that right to complain? That is probably the open question."

Tupac strolling down the street immediately begins throwing up the west sign to all the corrupted police officers he had seen. The west side sign was a symbol for war and for one to perform such a hand gesture is to cross your two middle fingers while tucking the thumb inside the palm. Thus presenting the shape of a W to all present. His reasoning for putting up the sign against the police officers was to inform them he had declared war upon them. 

As he continued to move forward down his west coast visit he caught a glimpse of some extravagant looking individuals. Moving closer he tried to get ear as to what they were saying.

"WE ARE MOBSTERS."

The voice rang out into the streets. The point was that all that was to be done in this underworld of crime had to be accepted as it was only leading to the eventual demise of ones morality and ones life. As Pac continued to listen to the words of the ambassador for the underworld creating a train of thought that would inevitably sweep through a nation of thieves, murderers, and all around bad guys he questioned the validity of the words himself. 

In speaking about why many things are considered distasteful in a hopeless world that is plagued with murder Tupac came to the conclusion that we were living in a time that was unquestionably horrific. On one hand it felt as though time would never go on and on the other it felt as if nothing would move forward. The two hands shared the same body, nothing would change. 

Well...

Before he was able to interject a young tabithagato made a wonderful point about an unwritten code. Perhaps it was that of morality or perhaps it was the golden rule alive and well within the hearts and minds of each mobster out there. With that truth it is easy for one to recognize that respect is the most fundamental aspect of who we are. Tupac nodded listening to the two speak and joined the Las Vegas leadership in their conversation about morals and ethics in the world of murder and extortion. 

Kharon and TabithaGato its like this. People always screaming around, "we be Mobsters, we be Mobsters" but the fact is we aint mobsters but we are Monsters. What other kinda person you know can run around snatchin' purses from a lady who has mouths to feed? What other kind of person you know can run a prostitution racket knowing full well that most the girls that are in that were kidnapped from some small town so we could turn a profit. Ain't no other person can sit here and say we are a respectful group of individuals when we are involved with sellin crack to the kids and watching our friends gettin' murdered and not trying to provide a way for safety for them.

Tupac immediately knew the way he came off in the minds of any listeners was going to be considered ignorant. The missing consonants at the end of his sentences and the quickness of his voice carried emotion that would be argued hot-headed over passionate. Knowing this to be the case he tried his best to reexplain himself while getting the recognition he felt he deserved. 

I dont mean no disrespect to any of y'all but i just wanna be real. If this is the sort of crime we are in you could call yourself what you want in the presence of others but the reality of this and every situation is that we are monsters. SO in other words i want to agree with you Kharon if one was to express his frustration because his daddy got shot on the corner after he been killin' people for so long, than what the hell he expect? It was bound to happen. You live by the gun you die by the gun. You cant come out here thinking you're gonna be excluded from all that is this life because at the end of the day every person you know wants to be ahead of you. Thats why you gotta look out for you. Ain't nobody else gonna look out for you or care for you when the time comes for war except your truest homies. 

So yeah if people wanna say we are mobsters imma be the first to say we aint mobsters but monsters. If people say we should have respect than you'll watch them be the first to defect when times get dangerous. All you got is you and your own. Put that time of complainin into action and watch your frustrations turn to success.

Tupac took a moment to look at Kharon in her eyes and smiled.

On a side note, I also want to congratulate you on your leadership. I am confident you are leading a fine regime sister.