The day was just winding down. The hands at Race Street Automotive were working as quickly as they could to finish their tasks before the winter night fell. The tell-tale sounds of machinic labour and lively banter echoed out into the night, bringing a wide smile to Theo's lips as she strode into the bay nearest the office. As she stooped under the half-lowered bay door, all the noise and racket in the shop stopped for the span of a single heartbeat. The silence hung heavily on the air, like the stillness that comes after a fresh snow.

Theo's tell-tale melodic laughter danced through the office as several of the stopped working entirely. The whole scene struck her as both somewhat hilarious and insufferably pathetic. Men of a certain stature could be so boringly predictable. Smirking, leaned against the Model A she'd worked on the night before, running a hand through her long blonde waves. Lighting a cigarette, she perked a brow at one of the workers who continued to stare. 

"Jiiiimmyy..." she called teasingly, her distinctly feminine voice bouncing off the bare concrete floor with a flirtatious lilt... cajoling him out of the office as a wave of speculative whispers washed over the bay.

James turned and saw Theo as she waved at him, almost cat-calling him by his own name... With a smile and a wave of his own, Jimmy removed his glasses, set them on his desk, and made his way out to the garage. He was in his slacks from earlier, suspenders and a belt holding them up, with a white, sleeveless undershirt tucked neatly into them.

"'Ey 'ey 'ey, is that anyway ta talk about a lady, fellas? I taught ya skum-fucks betta than that." He looked at Theo with a smirk. "This is tha dame could put you's blokes out'a job if ya ain't careful."

Looking back out over the crew of six, he chuckled. "Get yaselves cleaned up. We got work ta do. Oh, an fellas... Meet Theo. Theo?" He turned back to her for a split second, "Tha fellas."

James pointed out a husky, black haired Italian. "That's Dominique, most us just call 'em Dom, account it's quicker. Tha shorter fucker there?" He pointed at a younger looking, thin, brown haired man near Dom. "That's Ignacio. We all call 'em Curls." He pointed to his own hair, indicating the reason for the name as the two men waved to Theo.

"That fella and the big guy next to him?" He pointed out an average sized man and a mountain of a man next to him. "That's Oliver an' Cecil. Brothers. Bigs an' Shorty. We're real original 'round 'ere, yeah?" He chuckled. Bigs called out a hearty, "HELLO!" and Shorty echoed him. "And lastly, those two knuckle-heads?" He pointed off to the last two who were still huddled over an engine and practically paying no attention to anyone else.

"That's Wheels an' Tick. They don't really like anyone else knowin' their real names, but they'll tell ya on their own soon enough." One of the two looked up like a deer in headlights for a moment, making eye contact with Theo, then Jimmy, before returning to the engine and speaking to his counterpart. "If they likes ya, that is. Anyway, let's go take a look at the shoppin' list an' see whatcha think."

He waved Theo through the crowd of testosterone and hormone driven men as they stared and whistled, Jimmy flipping them off as he lead her into his den. "Don't pay them no attention, doll. They mean well." He placed his foot on the seat of the chair in front of his desk and shoved it back for Theo before sliding around and sitting in his own seat. After-hours Jimmy was a little different than business day Jimmy. Less schmoozy 'I wanna sell you a car!' and more business 'Let's get down to it.' Slipping his glasses on, he turned a few pages before sliding a list of vehicles her direction. "The top ones are the more common vehicles. Ones we need parts for in the shop. Ones people keep bringing to us for repairs. Always willing to pay amateur boosters good money for these machines. But if we do it ourselves? Well, we get our cut when we see the profits. Everyone makes a nice bonus on payday. Sometimes we only take certain parts, sometimes we just take the whole car. Whatever's easiest."

James sat back and looked at Theo. "Other shops buy parts from us, they know they can get it cheaper than wholesale from the manufacturer, and still charge wholesale prices. I am working on contacts in Chicago and in Detroit that we can funnel parts through when we aren't turning our own profits on them."

Leaning forward again, he put his finger on the bottom of the list. "The further down the list we get, the more we're getting to orders that need to be filled. These won't get us the steady flow the others will, but they turn one helluva profit when we can get them to a buyer. Generally, the bottom of the list is not for chop. It's for the three 'R's'... Repaint, Rebrand, Resale." Leaning back again he brought his fingers together, interlaced, as his thumbs spun slowly round and round.

"Gotta tell ya, tha best profits, are when I need to get cars over tha pond... Either bringing here or taking there. Big risk when the operation is international." He grinned and grabbed a paper, placing tobacco in it and rolling it before lighting it. Repeating, he offered her the second one. "So... What's that pretty little head'a your's sayin' right now?" James smirked, his glasses raising on his cheek ever so slightly.

Theo chuckled as James came to her "rescue"... again. "I rather thought they were talking about YOU," she teased, elbowing his ribs as he ushered her into the office. Smiling over her shoulder, she waved at the men as she slipped one arm around Jimmy's waist with a goading wink. It was just too easy. 

Her blonde curls bounced with laughter as she settled into the seat. But stilled abruptly as he slipped on his glasses. Mostly because it was business time, but also because it was a look that worked surprisingly well for him. As he slid the list forward, she blinked gawkingly for a few long moments before her brain reengaged. Business goddamnit, she reminded herself scoldingly. Shaking her head as she turned her attention to his explaination. 

Leaning back, she held the sheet as she mused; silent for a long while before finally cracking a wide smile. "Well, right now it's sayin' those glasses do ya good. And I definitely prefer Mr. Business to whatever the fuck that was last night." She grinned wickedly, the pure joy that teasing him gave her seeping through her bright eyes. "But in all seriousness," she continued, snapping back to business mode, "If international bids get you the most... in terms of cash and reputation... then why not go big? I'm sure you've got peons that can pull off these petty jobs Right?" 

She didn't wait for his answer as her glance darted down the list, landing on an Isotta Fraschini a few rows from the bottom. Her lips twitched as her eyes sparkled to life. It'd be WAY more than a one night job. But... if it was proving grounds he was looking for, that would do the job. For sure. 

"What about this one?" she asked with a mischevious grin to rival the Cheshire cat.

James smirked. "That one, huh? You wanna try and hit one of tha big ones?" He shook his head and chuckled. "Me and tha boys been watchin' one here in Philly, but I was hopin' ta get one outta Detroit. Contact fell through though. Was gonna watch that one tonight anyway. Maybe take it if there was opportunity. I promised a week for that car instead of ordering it new from tha manufacturer. I'm cuttin' it close, and still need ta make some changes on this one in town."

He leaned back again and puffed on his cigarette.

"It's located in one of the northern Philly suburbs. Not even kept in a garage which makes my life easier. However, he's connected with the mayor and the city hall cronies. Men and dogs on the property. Makes it almost untouchable. Unless someone crazy enough were to try it." He drug from his cigarette again, and wicked smile creeping over his face.

"And I think maybe the both of us together might just be that crazy... Whatta you think? Up for burnin' off with a city council car? They'll probably come here first, so, we'll need to be done with it and move it before morning..."

Theo finally took the cigarette he'd offered, lighting it as she stood and stretched. Shooting a sly smirk over her shoulder, she leaned out the office door and barked out into the bay, "Ey! Gearheads...Tweaker and Steals... Thing One and Thing Two over there," she chuckled as 'Wheels' and 'Tick' purposely ignored her.  "I know you hear me, you fuckin' cocksuckers. And we both know I can outwork both of yas. So getcher asses over here before I putcha out of a JOB!" 

Already, she sounded like she could hold her own. That was good. Upsetting the workers, maybe not so much. But antagonizing was obviously her way of proving the field. So, one way or the other, she'd work her way into the pecking order. That's just how it worked. And the grin on her face said she KNEW IT. Taking a long drag, she shot a glance back at Jimmy as she waited for the men to wrap it up and get a move on... fully expecting him to back her up if necessary. 

Sauntering back toward the desk, she moved her chair off to one side... strategically placing herself closer to Jimmy's side and distancing herself from the 'client' end of the desk. With a soft grunt, she slid two more chairs over from the minuscule waiting area by the door (which was really just the two chairs wedged into a corner) and placed them neatly in front of the desk. 

Tick and Wheels entered the office just as she was settling into her seat, a plume of smoke barreling from her lips like a steam engine at full speed. The expressions on their faces, nearly priceless as they eyed Theo and then Jimmy with equally incredulous expressions. Was he really going to let this bitch materialize and start bossing them around? Jimmy, cool as always, simply shrugged and allowed them to work it out under his quiet supervision. 

Theo, smirking triumphantly at his silence, nodded as she reclined. Quietly, she glanced at Jimmy for reassurance that she could speak freely. With a gentle nod of encouragement, he assured her she could. Putting her cigarette out, she leaned forward as she levelled her gaze at the men. "How do you boys feel about overtime," she asked with a knowing grin. "Tonight," she continued, finding a surprising amount of glee and satisfaction at barking orders, "Full rebrand, in and out by morning." 

The men exchanged glances, and then turned to Jimmy in tandem, matching quizzical expressions on their faces. "I'm going after the Fraschini," she levied. Her intense, serious expression ripping their gaze from Jimmy as they gawked. Crossing her arms, Theo leaned back in her chair, surrendering the floor to the boss-man as she eyed the three men haughtily. "So, Tickles and Willy," she purred confidently, "Whaddaya say?" 

Tickles and Willy... er... Tick and Wheels looked at each other, then at Jimmy who finally spoke.

"Alright, alright. Don't poke too much fun at 'em, ey?" Jimmy looked at Theo, his smirk let her know he wasn't mad, but there was a seriousness in his gaze that said 'enough was enough'.

"Anyway, boys. She means what she says about the Fraschini. We're goin' after it tonight... But you both know tha deal with this one."

Wheels looked at Tick, then back at his boss. "We ain't ready for that one boss. Ain't no way we ca-"

Tick elbowed Wheels and interrupted. "We'll have exactly forty-five seconds between guard rotations at eleven twenty-three tonight. It's actually the perfect time... Too cold. Dogs will be inside. We will have a ten minute window to get inside the gate from eleven to eleven-ten. There is a flower garden you can wait beside that the patrol does not pass until the time to get the car. We can gain about ten extra seconds if we move -QUIETLY- behind the guard as he passes. We just need to not alert them, and not catch their light sweep as they make the corner. Which should be easy enough if we've made it to the car already. Then, Jimmy, you get us in the car, and it's gone in less than sixty seconds."

Wheels looked at Tick blinking. "Ye-yeah... But can we trust tha dame?"

James shrugged and looked at Theo. "She's a wild card. But. If she fucks it up on purpose..." James looked at Wheels. "You can kill 'er."

Looking at Theo he chuckled. "Is that agreeable?"

Theo chuckled wryly, shooting James a haughty look that clearly said she was entirely unafraid to gamble with her blood. " 'The Dame' has a name," she quipped cooly, glaring at Wheels, "unlike you two."  Turning to Tick, she continued, "She also has atomized ether and a menagerie of other lovely contraptions that may prove most useful if you can tell me more." 

Giving them both a moment to converse, she turned to Jimmy. "As it stands, I fuck up and I pay in blood... which is far more valuable than money. So... if I get it out, do you plan to equalize that little discrepancy? Or should I expect this to set a precedent in our future relations?" 

She perked a brow as she glanced between the men. Either way, she was onboard. She needed an in. And, given that her contract was currently on standby, she'd need funds to bridge the gap until that changed... IF that changed. Guards or no guards, this boost couldn't possibly be more difficult than her previous jobs. The only difficulty would be cementing her position in Philly. 

Glancing at the clock above James' desk, she stretched and stood. Sauntering around the desk, she dipped her thin fingers into his open tobacco tin, quickly rolling four cigarettes. Lighting one, she set the other three between the men. "We're pushing 8:00, loves. So choose quickly and let's get on with it. If you're in, I'm in. Blood for blood." 

James chuckled and shook his head. "Nah, nah... Fuck it up on purpose. That's different than a mistake. If ya fuck up, ya fuck up. If ya do it on purpose, then it's blood. However... These fellas know tha same for them. If they do anything that crosses me, It's blood."

He turned and looked at Wheels and Tick, who both nodded in agreement.

"But, if ya don't, then you're in. Good as that. You'll start small, and need to gain their trust of course... But you'll be in."

Taking on of the cigarettes, he tossed his current one into a tray and lit the new one. "Wheels, go talk with Dom an' tha boys. Get'em ready. I'll need all hands for this one. Have them preppin' tha shop."

He turned to Tick, "And you, make the itinerary, yea? I'm gonna go nap. We leave at nine forty-five sharp."

Wheels and Tick both grabbed a cigarette, nodding to Theo, then James, and vanished to do what they were told. James, on the other hand, headed for the front door and stepped outside. Whistling, he called to Woofus.

"C'mere boy... C'mon! You get to sleep inside tonight." He scratched under the dog's chin and smiled. Clicking his tongue, he snapped and pointed. The dog quickly ran through the office and straight to the door beyond the restrooms. James followed, tugging on the cigarette and exhaling a plume of smoke above head, and opened the door. Woofus quickly rushed through and hopped onto the couch, curling up.

"Sleep good, bud." He turned and looked at Theo. "I'm gonna take a rest. I suggest you do the same. Then some coffee, and we roll. Aye? There's an extra cot in here if you're interested."

Theo smirked and shrugged, following him inside. It was about to be a very long night. So catching a few Z's before kickoff couldn't hurt. The room beyond the hall was surprisingly well outfitted. Couch, cots, tables, even a fridge and a small prep area with a coffee pot. Arching a brow, Theo took silent note; remaining well-aware of the implications even while choosing to remain silent about her observation. 

Nodding quietly, she settled on to an open cot nearest James, strategically keeping him between herself and the door so that she could sleep soundly... or at least a little more so. Unlacing her boots, she slid them neatly under the cot... more as a show of trust than for actual comfort... before settling in for a nap. 

James nodded at Theo and shut the door behind them, sliding a heavy metal locking bolt closed with a loud clack as it slipped into place. No one was coming through that door without an explosive, or something to literally cut through it. Kicking off his own shoes, he slid them under his cot and sat on it.

"Rest easy Theo... Gonna be a long night. I'll make some coffee when we wake up."

Rolling and laying on his back, he kicked his feet up and relaxed. He rolled his shoulders out of his suspenders and sighed with relief, then rolled his neck. Popping could be heard from his skull to almost half-way down his back, if not further. With a grin, he looked over at Theo and nodded.

"G'night."

With that, he rolled over and turned his back to her, snoring softly within the minute.