David Chase, did a great job on the Sopranos in depicting the life of a newly made guy. When Christopher Molitsanti got his button, him and Adriana thought they would be in the fast lane, but as the show goes on, Chase reveals the real struggles of becoming a newly made member. Christopher had to pay for $1000 dinner tabs and was subject to other demoralizing treatment from other members. He had to kick up enough money to take care of his capo, who was Paulie Walnuts and so that his capo can kick up to the Boss. If you're at the bottom, then you're working 100 times harder in trying to earn to keep your capo and boss' pockets fat. Thats how it always was and in ways, the tradition. In the end, its all about the money. The more money you make, the more respect you get.