It's wrong to be involved in organized crime.
John is in his usual Brooklyn hangout when some known Mafioso come in and ask John if he's willing to help them out with a task.
John wants to respond to the mafioso.
John tells the mafioso that he respects him, but he cannot involve himself in such activities.
John tells the mafioso that he'd be glad to do a task as he's sure the mafia will repay him bigtime later.
John is allowed to continue his day and continues his crime free life  living happily.
john slowly becomes a criminal over crime doing worse and worse crimes until he goes to prison.