Will it work yes. Will it look silly, that depends on the final design. What I think everyone here would suggest is go and have a chat to a reputable tattooist. How to find a reputable tattooist, have a look around the local shops, they should be clean, organised and friendly staff. Have a chat to them about your ideas and ask to look at their portfolio. They most probably wont have previous work of what you are after but they may have a chess board for example, or something that demonstrates a similar concept of what you are after. Take some money so you can put a deposit down and make a booking.
There is nothing to be worried about, the bikie gangs that guard the front door are long gone.