It was opening day and TheMadHatter was putting all the finishing touches on her displays. She was so excited to finally open her doors and let the customers in. The array of colors that lined the shelves almost looked similar to a rainbow of sorts. Arranged throughout the shop by color, there were hats of all shapes, styles and sizes. She had hats for people of all ages and walks of life and she wanted to share them with anyone and everyone. She felt that the more fun and vibrant the colors, the more people would be attracted to the place.  Even though it was nestled right in the middle of downtown, surely it wouldn't be missed as people walked by but it doesn't hurt to be a bit more flashy.

Taking one more look around she stepped outside to see how the displays looked through the front window. Then glancing up at the sign which wasn't perfectly centered or straight, a tad off actually, just how she liked it. The sign read:

ThE MaD HaTtEr'S HaTs

Confident that everything was in order she placed a sign in the window saying open and walked to the counter grabbing a measuring tape to size whoever needed it. Seeing as how the nights can get cold in Detroit what better way to keep your head warm than to buy one of her hats?

The whole crew was excited to see how the the Boss's hat establishment would look. Manny took the initiative to steal and burn any hats he could find laying around HQ to make sure that no one would have an excuse as to not go buy one.

After burning all he could find, he placed a few adds around the hq so everyone know where to go then set off to The MaD HaTtErS HaTs

He found the shop and liked the colorful layout. Being surprised by the turnout of people he squeezed his way throw the growing crowd and headed straight for the "Want to be a Gangster " section. He lost his own fedora in a blunt smoking accident brought on by HerbalTheLeaf and was in need of a new one.

After finding an assistant working there he informed her of his specific needs.

Hi Miss, I am looking for a very specific fedora. Hopefully you can assist me. I need a fedora with a pinch-front teardrop-shaped crown, the front of the brim snapped down and the back snapped up and very importantly I need it done with a "Cavanagh Edge" . Please make sure the fabric is wool.

The assistant looked confused as she used to work at a butchery before coming to work here and she only recently started learning about fashion.

Manny smiled as he couldn't help but be amused as he remembered starting out at a new job with no experience. He once tried the load the magazine of a gun backwards. All he got back then for his troubles was a slap at the back of the head.

Calm down Miss, please call the owner she knows exactly what I need.

Manny hoped he didn't scare the girl too much. He did after all bring a bad full of velvet cupcakes if things went sideways.

TheMadHatter was sitting in a back office when the shop associate came to the back a little flustered. She explained how she had no idea what the man in the shop was asking for and he wanted her help instead. Maddy got up and placed her hand on her shoulder for reassurance as she walked by. "well let’s go see this mystery man" 

She walked to the front and was pleased to see Manny_Mo looking around. Her face lighting up she walked up to him, giving him a kiss on the cheek. "I am so glad you stopped by but you know your hat wouldn't be on one of these shelves." Maddy walked to the counter and pulled a box from under the counter and placing it on top. Opening it, she pulled out. "Pinch front tear-drop shaped crown, front brim snapped down, back snapped up and a "Cavanagh edge", made of wool. Just how you like it. Special ordered." 

Manny placed a bag of something on the counter and tried the hat on. Perfect fit of course but Maddy being Maddy took the opportunity while he was looking in a mirror to snoop in the bag. Instantly excited she squeals, "Ohhhhh. You brought me cupcakes! You are the best!" Taking one out, she tasted them to be sure they were the right kind. "this is delicious. Thank you. The hat looks great on you. I hope you like it." 
 

Manny couldn't help but be pleasantly surprised with the quality and finish of his new Fedora. Light, quick on the bounce back and a perfect fit to boot.

He puts on his fedora and walks to the biggest mirror in the shop. He takes a puff of his cigar while changing sides and admiring the exquisite craftsmanship. The edges are sexy as sass. The shop can handle this kind of high end merchandise, the crew will be spoiled rotten here. We might even start a fashion trend. Manny keeps admiring his new completed outfit for a while.

He's never looked THIS GOOD before.

Brimming with confidence he turns around and walks back to Maddy. " Really outstanding, thank you for finding it so fast. I really hate looking bad while cleaning up the streets and selling some merchandise. Now I can push up the prices. "

He moved in close and gave Maddy a kiss on the cheek sealed with a Naughty Smile.

Before he left the shop he heard some irate customer and saw Maddy's assistant having a BAD TIME.

Looking at Maddy he spoke gently " Don't worry too much about her, I also struggle with new employees. In my gun shop Alyssa was trying to Show Customers how to use one of our new shotguns. It really didn't go well, the 1 client luckily only lost 2 fingers. So it could have been worse. Keep well I will be back for a few more hats and I'll bring some of the family along. God knows Lionheart needs a new hat to take attention away from his teeth. "

Manny exited the shop and went on to complete his daily hustle.

Dog knew that if he wanted to be taken seriously as a mafioso, he would need the correct hat. I mean, baring his teeth did the job for snatching purses, but most people just thought he was rabid. He wasn't getting the respect that he deserved. The buzz around these mad hats had grown lately, so Dog made sure to visit the shop the next time he was in Detroit.

Dog wanders the aisles, gently nudging garments with his nose when they caught his eye. A good hat accentuated the natural character of its wearer, he knew. Finally, he seems to take a shine to a new-age stetson fedora. The dark brown would bring out his eyes, and his nose. Gingerly, he takes the brim in his teeth and flips it back on top of his head.

Satisfied, Dog stops to leave payment in the form of a lifted leg at the counter on his way out the door.

Manny was back in Chicago on business and while there he thought about visiting all the old spots to see if any of the shops he used to frequent were still open or run by the kin of the people he knew.

A place he fondly remembers was the shop where he bought his first Cavanagh Edge Fedora, he still wears it proudly today even if it has a bitter sweet memory.

Finally stopping in front MaD HaTtErS HaTs he was shocked to hear movement inside, could it be family of the Hatter. Looking closely he saw a stray dog biting at some of the garments and stealing a hat. What a weird sight, but what happened next provoked him the most. The dog started urinating on the counter, what a shameful act. No respect for the dead? Manny didn't have time for rabid wild animals and believed it would be more merciful to put it down than expose it to other innocent civilians. Who knows who this dog might bite, an innocent child? a Single mother?

Unacceptable.

As the dog exits he spots Manny and makes a run for it knowing he fucked up, Manny flicks open 1 of his .45 colts and gets a few shots off unfortunately missing the rabid animal.

" Next time you won't be so lucky Mutt "

Manny walks onward to visit some of the other old hangout spots.
 

The dog returns. Nose to the ground, then the floor, he traces a trail to the base of the counter. He sniffs for a few moments, and only then looks up to take in the place. It's time to get a new hat.

Not that he was unsatisfied with his first. Contrarily, Dog was quite satisfied with it and thought that it fit him quite nicely. He knew that it would. The fact was that he wanted more. He yearned to horde in his den.

Dog browses the aisles, peering at the low shelves that he can see. At first, nothing seems to strike his fancy.  Eventually, he comes across a short black top hat. It has straps on the sides which tie around each of his ears.

This time he gently drops a stack of bills on the clerk's foot before trotting out the door.

BlackAtom had about twenty minutes to spare as he roamed the business district of Detroit. He came across a peculiar hat storeBlackAtom had been needing a hat for some time now and a little money to blow.

He walked in to the Mad Hatter's Hats. The selection was immense, possessing all varieties from the old school mob hats to the flamboyant new stuff people wear nowadays. "May get basic fedora...all black please," BlackAtom says as he approaches the clerk with a roll of money.

The clerk hands him a hat and takes a few huindreds from BlackAtom's hand.

BlackAtom puts the hat on and observes himself in the mirror. He is overcome by a feeling of self love, thinking that no matter what hat he wears, 'he's still got it'. BlackAtom leaves the hat store and makes his way to a Durden hideout where some unemployed bodyguards are playing with their thumbs.

As he strolled down the streets of Detroit Ramires noticed this cool store that sold hats. He decided to enter and look around, he tried on a few until he settled for a simple straw hat. "I'll take this one."

He paid the cashier and walked out wearing the hat.

Maddy stopped in for a quick moment to grab some of her mother's old stock collection. She had some rare styles that her own hat business could use. She had a few of her men load up everything into a truck that was left there. "unload it in the back room at my store. Thanks guys. Maddy waved to them as she got in her car and told the driver to head home.

Runs down the street and finally stands right ahead of the store......and see its closed, damn, really need new underwear since my old ones are dirty.