"Giovanni_Ferrari?"

The name was repeated back to her and Connie nodded bleakly. 

"Who's asking?"

This wasn't who she was looking for. Whoever the heavy was, Mezzo was right to assume he knew the Detroit boss though. Connie was brought to Michigan in the hopes of tracking down the man she was told got a thrill from speed. 'Fast cars and faster women' were the exact words, though that wasn't exactly what she had in mind. She also didn't have much of an idea what the man was like, other than that statement. The visit might well turn out to be a bust. He might even refuse to see her.

Time pacing around 12th Street would not be totally wasted in either case. She had mapped out a suitable route for a future race during her wanderings. Sufficient twists and turns, thrills and threats. Her initial investment would undoubtedly be Philadelphia's Race Street Pier. Rebuilding, construction of the test track and promotion of the first street race. As for after that? What better place to follow up that Motor City.

That was the dream, anyway. First she needed racers, which is what brought her to the mid-west. A city built on motorcars had to spawn some capable drivers and Connie was determined to find them. With a name like Ferrari and the work being done on transportation development, hopes were that motor racing became as popular in the streets as the courses in New Orleans and New York.

She looked back to the suited man before her, hopeful yet weary. 

"Nobody important, though I would greatly appreciate if you could even alert him to my desire to approach him on a matter..."

She fraudulently produced her best charming gaze.

Giovanni still not quite himself after the death of his beloved Kenzi just heard his name in the bar, he raised an eye brow thinking to just ignore it but remembered his Aunt Bella's advice to get better and get back out there. He took a gaze at the person in question it was a young woman who looked kind of familiar, this must be LouisMezzo's sister he had heard a bit about her but had never actually met her. He motioned for the bouncer to bring the woman to the table. 

"Bring a round of drinks for me and the girl when she arrives let's see what she wants with a has been like me." He spoke wearily to the waitress as she passed and tossed her some cash. 

It was a cautious approach, hands plunged deep into her overcoat pocket and an alertness of her new surroundings. A pair of wary eyes darted back and forth between the frame of black curls her hair presented. The uncomfortable entrance had soon been forgotten as Connie now looked down at a man she would also have not considered to be Giovanni. Expectations should not lead a person though and she spoke, confidently and directly.

"Mr. Ferrari, my name is Constanza, I am from Philadelphia."

She remained motionless as the waitress brought a round of... something to the table. The man appeared to wait patiently for her to continue.

"Would I be correct in understanding you are capable behind the wheel of an automobile?"

She spoke English with fluent ease though it was clearly not her first language. A soft Italian accent caressed the words undoubtedly gifted by a good education, wherever she was raised. The young woman now waited with a questioning brow raised.

It had been a while since Giovanni had seen someone act like this around him, of course being the son of Rebecca_Ferrari and Joe_Ligambi he knew the culture well and figured she thought he was more like his parents than he actually was. He definitely still didn't look like himself but was better than the night Bella found him holding on by a thread, he raised an eyebrow as she asked about his skill at driving. 

"You're Louis Mezzo's sister aren't you? Bikes, cars you name it I drive it, and I'll drive it better than anyone else. Why do you ask?"

He took a sip of his drink and tilted his head for the lady in front of her to have a drink, before getting another one for himself. 

Noticeably startled she took a moment to process how rapidly Ferrari had identified her. Certainly not a trait to be deterred by, though for someone like Connie it was a little intimidating. She shrugged her shoulders, though hands remained in her pockets.

"That was not... My intention was not to bring my family name to your door. Currently I find focus in supporting my brother in his role, my place is not center stage as his is though."

She allowed for a moment of silence, if Giovanni needed that, she didn't know. Soon taking a step forwards, her heels tapped on the floor indicating her approach.

"The reason enquire is that I might have an opportunity for you to be a part of something,... something exciting and different, to distract the people from their mundane lives. Right here in the city.

"And..." She allowed another pause, a teasing, tempting moment. "...if you are as proficient as you claim, it could line those pockets of yours you're pouring into the bottle."

"Don't worry your family name has no consequence here just nice to know who's inquiring about me and my skills, that is all what your place in Philly is yours and your brothers business, Louis is a good man and I will always trust his judgement."

This girl seemed to have a bit of a flair for the dramatic he took note of her pauses and emphasis, she either knew how to pitch something to anyone or was just very lucky with how she spoke either way this person intrigued Joey enough to bite.

"My pockets are more than fine for what I pour into the bottle, though you've peaked my interest what did you have in mind? Is this some kind of job or something else entirely? Most importantly of all, I know Louis has more than a few capable drivers of his own, so what made you decide to approach me little one?" 

Joey ignored his drink and got a glass of water instead to sober up and study the girl and the situation she presented him with. 

A small nod to acknowledge that she was still being rather vague on the exact purpose of her visit. She removed one hand from her coat and motioned towards the chair opposite. There was no protest from Giovanni so she sat, both hands now folded on her lap.

"I prefer to work outside of Philadelphia when I can. Despite the duration of which Race Street has operated for, I still find great value in making connections beyond our little bubble. Besides, what I plan to deliver into the streets requires more diverse endorsement than that of our own people.

"Signore Ferrari, I intend on hosting a street racing ring within our seven cities. Such a venture requires competent drivers like yourself to sufficiently test and promote the events."

A brief smile broke. A vivid anticipation behind her eyes.

"As for the Philadelphia drivers... let us just say I have not attended unaccompanied today. It was my intention to offer you an opportunity that would see in yourself and our three racers take to 12th Street as a slight taste of our arrangement."

She studied Giovanni a second longer.

"...Though I have time to detail the specifics while you sober up..."

Giovanni raised an eyebrow when she said confirmed this was indeed something very a different than a job, and raised higher at the mention of racing.

"Is that so?"

A grin spread on his face, he was not a man limited to just driving motorcycles, he was one of the best drivers in the city and he knew it. Modesty was not one of Joey's strong suits and he loved proving that he was the best at whatever venture he undertook.

"And you said this little shindig pays too? What about tonight? Is it a paid race or is it my "tryout"? Regardless I promised Don Bella I'd get out into the world again and this is just my......speed for lack a of a better word, tell your people I'm ready whenever they are. Oh and make sure they're not too angry when I win"

Joey said with a wink before getting up to arrange his car to be brought to him.

Pleased with her progress, Connie couldn't help but grin as Joey stood and began making preparations. She unfurled a piece of paper from her jacket pocket and spread it out flat on the table. The course she had walked while searching the Detroit district was clearly marked. A few sporadic notes indicated particular features however it wasn't difficult to identify the streets.

"This route isn't particularly forgiving, Mr Ferrari."

She looked over her shoulder toward the man as she spoke, then brought attention back to the sketch. 

"In fact I'm not exactly certain any of my drivers are up to this..."

She studied it until Giovanni returned, then pointed at points on it.

"We start here, just across from this location. It will be a drag race up to the end of 12th Street and then we return back again. There is a right turn, a requirement to avoid a stationary bakers van, then we turn left back toward the street. We chicane through a parking lot before reaching the start once more."

He finger trailed off and she stood, looking back toward the young man.

"How does that sound?"