Joey Pavanno sat down at the bar that had been his go-to location since his encounter with the woman known as Mei Nguyen, she was mysterious to him, she worked in a brothel, yet did not sell her body and that in itself was something of an accomplishment, she was a woman who knew what she wanted and knew other ways to get what she wanted, that was something he could not help but admire, he knew that many women had turned to 'the life' or even becoming one of the prized escorts in this very brothel. 

He could not help but ponder, what made her different from all the other women, why was she the one destined to do better than people twice her age, maybe she was not, maybe she had a skeleton inside that closet of hers, he did not know her and that made him worried, he knew everyone and if not, he could get the information within weeks and know more about the person than they knew themselves. Only he could not bring himself to do that with her. He would not want to break her trust, he would never want to break her trust. 

"Something tells me that you're not here for a drink again, you looking for Mei?"

Not even noticing that he was looking a bit alone, he had no paperwork with him, nor did he have a glass in his hand, so that must have gave him away, plus he was wearing a three-piece, looking a bit different today. Did he want to impress? Yes, why? He had no clue, actually, he did, he just didn't want to admit to himself because he knew that a person like her could never handle or be involved with this life.

"What gave me away?"

The current bartender looked at him with a grin so wide that one would think he looked a bit smug, yet Joe did not, he simply waited for the man that was dressed a bit different than one would have for normal everyday wear, yet he remembered where he was and knew that this must have been some tactic for the brothel to entice more women.

"Well I saw you here last week talking with her, she's serving tonight, you'll catch her here and there, good luck by the way."

Before he could even ask what the bartender meant by that, he heard that voice once again, turning in his chair, he noticed the woman that made him question a lot and now he could not stop staring before he noticed a couple men eying her up like she was a piece of meat, that just wouldn't do, he ordered a bourbon, watching the situation and just wondering when he should step in.

"You just going to drink? You might as well order the whole bar, she's not off that shift until we close up here. You might want to talk to the owner. she's not exactly the best when it comes to employee management, I could get her over here if you like."

Joey was barely paying attention as he made sure to address the man that had spoken with him with clear intent to help him out with this woman, he turned his head with a small smile in place, his eyes bulging that they looked like grey tennis balls, he was clearly excited at the prospect of getting to know the woman, Mei, yet it did seem like this owner, or better known as a Madame in this particular brothel was not someone of the caring type. 

"Hm, I'll speak with this madame first, if what you've told me is true, then this place could use some new management. Go on, go get her."

Joe motioned his head to the side, to which the bartender grumbled about not being ready, he went on his way anyway and made sure to notify Mei on the man that seemed to need her for a moment.

Mei had turned around with a small smile when she heard who had visited her workplace for a second time, she walked towards the bar with a natural sway to her hips, something that was clearly enticing the men around her. 

"So, you had to visit me here, Mr. Pavanno?"

"You're a very special woman, Mei, I hear certain things about this place, a co-worker of yours just may make me invest or perhaps, buy it outright. It could bring in some good revenue for me and my business, yet certain things will have to change, none of this money for sexual favors. It will be different if I am to be involved with it, now though, what can you tell me about this Madame? Just who is she?"

Joe motioned for Mei to sit at the bar, actually, he did not really give her that much of a choice, he had already started to pour a glass for her as she sat down next to him, clearly wanting to talk and get away from the hungry eyes of the more brutish customers. She took a sip of the drink that he had poured before turning her head to face him with a somber smile on her plump lips as her eyes conveyed the happiness that was most definitely within right now. 

"Well, the Madame Mordane is someone that came from a rich family, she bought this place for her eldest sibling, Trisha, it didn't work out and some things turn bad, well, it turns out that Trisha had started to sell her body. Not for the sick perverse joy in it, but because her father did not want to pay for her to get through law school, she could not pay for herself and turned to the only profession she knew that made her a lot of money. Her sister didn't like that, so she invested in this place and made her sister the prime star, selling her out for the cash that she brought in. It was a sick move, one that did not have Trisha's best interests in mind."

Joe had heard many stories, yet this one, well, it was not one that he could connect with. It seemed that at first glance, the Madame Mordane wanted to help her sister out, wanting to give her the best by giving her a job like management, only to have her whoring herself, only in a controlled environment. He knew that he would need to change this, possibly with the assistance of Mei, he could see her helping out, he needed to know more though. 

"I am assuming that is not the only little thing that you are forgetting to mention, the Mordane Family, they are not known to me, they cannot be so rich to be big in the political world. There is something that you are not telling me, Mei, I would know what it is if you please."

Joe sipped his drink, enjoying the feeling of his mind slowly succumbing to the numbing, before he noticed that Mei was smiling at him a bit loosely, she leaned forward, deciding that this was for his ears only and no one else. It would not be wise to talk of the Mordane Family with ears around. 

"Trisha Mordane, well, she ran away from home, she ran away from her sister, it's said that she is somewhere in Deleware, perhaps even right here, in Seattle, hiding where her Father or Sister cannot find her, for you see, Madame Mordane was jealous of her sister, she was smarter, less spoiled. This got the attention of her father, who wanted to marry her off. The madame is cruel, yet she is a businesswoman, I would not be getting into bed with her Mr. Pavanno, maybe you can do better with this place."

The classic tale of the sibling-inferiority, he knew that one very well, he knew it deep within his soul, he had wanted to kill his own brother, only he had never gone through with it, he knew what it would do to him. Only it seemed that Miss. Mordane had allowed it to consume her, maybe just maybe he could buy this place, he would have to see though, he noticed that the man had come back and Mei had since left her seat, going back to serving drinks.

"The Madame will see you now, if you would, please follow me upstairs to her office."

"Joseph Pavanno, it's a pleasure to finally meet you, I've heard much of your honored society-"

Joe had since cut her off, lighting a deathstick, inhaling it with want and need, as if the smoke was one of the prized whores and he was one of the many simple men that craved for them. He narrowed his eyes on her, she was a beauty, sure enough, yet her whole posture and her eyes, they were a dead giveaway that she was not able or had talent in running such an organization in Seattle. It was something that he had to look into and he knew that it was more than the story he had heard. 

"Please, Madame, do not speak on what you do not know, for all we know, I could be a part of the police force of Honored Men and Women, yet that wouldn't have the same ring to it, so please do not speak on it. Right now, this is a business meeting, I am looking to buy you out, you're losing your edge Mordane, you don't have the mind for it, or know how to advertise such a thing with the times."

Mordane would not hide it, she knew that he had hit the correct spots, this business was slowly failing due to that of her own failure and incompetence in managing such a service that was provided to many people, she leaned forward, wanting to know what his price would be. She was ready to sell, she would be willing as well, wanting to leave the states and enjoy her remaining time on this earth. 

"How much would you be willing to offer, Mr. Pavanno?"

Joe grabbed a pen and piece of paper, writing down his offer, he knew it would have the knock the woman off her arse and out of the seat so that he could be sat there instead. He had a feeling that this offer would do just that, sliding the paper back over to her, he made sure that he watched her eyes as they widened and all she could do was mutely nod... 

"It seems we have an accord, don't we Madame Mordane?"

"It seems that I'll be seeing more of you, Mr. Pavanno, after all, this place is now yours."

Mei stood by his side, outside the brothel, watching as the car carrying the former Madame Mordane drove off into the distance, it was clear to everyone that there was a new owner in town and he was one that was playing ball, clearly wanting to give them the best that they would receive. Since her removal as the owner of this brothel, Joe had made sure to close it down rather quickly with the assistance of a couple goons of his, making sure that he had removed the touchy gents and clingy ladies from his new base of operations. 

"Indeed, you will be, because I am offering you a role as the manager of this new Club, The High Society. It will be one where women and men can come here the exotic dances, shows, and even dine at. They will be welcome with open arms, I still have to remodel, and trust me, you will be paid quadruple your pay as a bartender. All you have to do is accept and help me build a place where people can enjoy fine music, food, and acts. Will you do that?"

Mei arched her eyebrow, while it would help her and possibly get her parents off her back, she knew that there was more to this and she was wondering what Joe gained from this besides her as a manager at his new potential club, she sighed, shaking her head. Mei had the sinking feeling in her stomach that she would soon regret this, yet she did not want to anger him for giving her this position, instead, she reached out and grasped his hand, shaking it in agreement to what he set out.

"I accept and look forward to the future that we can build for these young men and women, let us see what we can do, aye, Mr. Pavanno?"