Things were finally calming down for Johnny in Detroit, it had been a bit of an exhausting week... moving to Detroit and then into his new place all in between business trips to Seattle and Philadelphia. Earlier that day once he was finally finished unpacking all of his things he had headed to the St Clabberts HQ lobby and sprawled out on the couch to rant to Talia that he really needed a drink. 

She immediatly mentioned that Ood owned a pool hall and she had been meaning to go check it out anyways, so they agreed to meet there a little later on. 

When Johnny arrived at the Pool Hall he was impressed. It was a classy place but it was the bar that interested him first and foremost and he didn't see Talia anywhere yet anyways. He headed over and had a seat at the bar and waved over the bartender.

"Umm can I get a gin rickey?" He asked

She nodded and brought him his drink a few moments later. Johnny found himself watching a nearby game of pool while he worked on his drink. The pool did look fun, hopefully Talia was down for some pool... he assumed that was why she mentioned the pool hall but who knows with that one...

Talia had just finishing running a couple of errands, nothing too big just a couple little things she needed to do for herself. She had just recently taken on a new job with FatherJack, no nothing church related, something she was thankful for. In her mind if she had to step inside a church she may just spontaneously catch aflame, it was a thought that made her chuckle a bit but was something she thought really would happen. 

Anyways, this new job had been keeping her busy. It was a constant runaround, doing this and doing that but somehow she managed to have a free evening. Well it wasn’t necessarily free, she had promised JohnnyCage they’d spend the evening at the pool hall. 

Why a pool hall? Why not? They had booze and that’s all that mattered. The billiards aspect wasn’t something she was too keen on, was a game she had only played once and it didn’t end well, so the booze was the true allure.

Once her day was over she promptly made her way to Ood’s No Foul Play. Walking through the door, she gave the place a quick scan. She wasn’t looking at the place but for the person. For Johnny...

She quickly spotted him sitting at the bar, drink already in front of him. With a bit of pep in her step, Talia made her way over to him.

”Thanks for starting without me.”

Talia spoke as she took the seat next to him.

”Whats that you’re drinking? Eh never mind it doesn’t matter...”

Turning to the bartender, Talia ordered a glass of red wine and then directed her attentions back to Johnny. 

”I see you are still toting those sunglasses, you realize it’s night. Right?” She said with a smile.

Johnny had kind of forgotten he was still wearing his super awesome totally cool not at all lame sunglasses, so he pushed them up onto his head before responding.

"Oh hey you made it! Of course I started, who sits at a bar without a drink? Speaking of...

Johnny called the bartender back over and she brought him another full glass. He took a sip and turned his attention back to Talia.

"Oh and uh, this? It's just gin and carbonated water... nothing special. Well the lime is a bit special I guess?" He poked the lime slice in his glass with his straw as he spoke.

"Wine huh? Would have figured you for more of a beer lady..."

He ignored the expression on her face and kept talking, mainly because he was unsure if it was confusion or a glare.

"So pool, you in the mood to get your ass kicked?" He said as he smiled and nodded at an empty table.

If looks could kill, Johnny would have dropped dead on the spot with the beer comment. Beer was not something she liked, in fact she loathed it. It was vile, it was gross, she just didn’t understand why people liked it. 

”Beer... seriously beer?” 

Talia shook her head in disbelief as she reached for the glass of wine. 

”Pool? Last time I played pool, people or should I say person got hurt and no it wasn’t me. Though it may have been my doing. Oops.” 

Talia chuckled as she brought the glass of wine to her lips. It was funny to think of now but when it happened she felt terrible, that poor guy didn’t even see it coming. 

Johnny nodded along and took mental notes. No beer, no pool, got it. At least if he wanted to avoid having a pool cue inserted from behind. Didn't sound pleasant... poor guy. 

"So I guess its safe to say you're just here for the wine then. Got it."

Johnny turned to the bartender again and ordered two more drinks, these things weren't lasting all that long... just as he was going to take a sip he heard a commotion from accross the room that distracted him. He looked up to see a middle aged woman yelling profanities at the man she had been playing pool with and smacking him over the shoulder with her pool cue over and over again. The man just silently fell to the ground and assumed the fetal position, obviously shocked and seemingly unsure of how he should react. 

Johnny watched for a few minutes as the staff went over and tossed the two of them out of the bar.

"Well then, that bring back memories for you?" 

“Me?” Talia shook her head. 

”I have never beat someone with a pool cue, not yet at least.”

Talia downed the wine in the first glass in one gulp, apparently there was no enjoying it tonight as Johnny kept ordering new rounds before the previous ones were done. 

Placing the empty glass onto the bar and grabbing the new one, Talia with glass in hand turned towards him. 

”So, let me tell you about what happened. Alright so I was on a date with this guy, he took me to a billiards hall. I had never played so he was trying to teach me the ropes. Me being me, I was like I got this. So he went to the other side of the table, I got in the stance and lined up my shot. He thought it would be funny to yell as I took my shot. Needless to say it scared the shit out of me, cause me to miss hit the ball but I miss hit it hard and downward. The ball flew off the table, was a million dollar shot. I’ve never seen someone drop so fast. I felt soooo bad but it was rather funny. Needless to say that was the last date we ever had.” 

Talia laughed a bit before taking a sip.

”If you wanna play, let’s play but I’m not responsible for any injuries that may happen.”

Johnny stopped to think if a game of pool was good idea considering Talia's history of injuring people. 

"Ah, you said it yourself... was a million dollar shot... fuck it lets play! We can't really visit a pool hall and NOT play pool."

Johnny didn't wait for a response, he asked the bartender to turn the lights on over one of the nearby tables and grabbed a rack of balls before heading over and grabbing a cue from the rack on the wall.

"Well come on then. I am not gonna play by myself!" He yelled over to Talia who was still sipping her wine at the bar.

Johnny chalked up his cue and set up the table before turning his attention back to Talia once more.

She pretended not to hear him the first time he called out to her, which just made him yell even louder. It caused a couple patrons to give him a bit of a funny look and caused the man sitting at the bar to give her a look.

”I think you’re being summoned.”

”Really? You put that together all yourself?” 

Before the man was able to mutter anything else, Talia pushed herself off the chair. Grabbing her wine, she gave a look towards Johnny whom was giving her a rather impatient stare. 

”I’m coming, relax yourself.”

She made sure to slowly make her way over to the table, just to test his patients a bit more. 

Johnny leaned on his cue and watched as Talia moved across the room to the table at the blazing speed of a half-dead sloth.

”Oh no worries, I am relaxed. Not annoyed at all. That’s why I made sure to bring a few of these with me!” He said motioning to the now empty glass in his hand and the three full glasses on the table behind him.

”Well you made it.” 

He pointed out as Talia grabbed cue after cue from the rack, doing some sort of odd test where she would hold it out in front of her for a second, shake her head, then put it back and try the next one. This continued for a few minutes until finally the sixth cue passed her test.

”So, I’ll break then? Perfect thanks.” Talia said as she lined up her shot; without actually waiting for a response.

”Yeah sure, go for it...” He replied as he worked on his next drink. 

The drinks were tasting really good and Johnny was only really half paying attention as Talia began the game of pool, she had taken so long that his focus was mainly on his drinks at the moment. He even managed to signal to the bartender to bring over a few more before the crack of the pool balls being struck reminded him that he had some winning to take care of.

”Alright Johnny time to focus...” He said out loud to himself as he chalked up his cue one more time. Johnny was a tad competitive and even if it was meant to be a friendly game of pool, he hated losing more than anything.

With the rebuild of the Mafia underworld in full effect, Ood had found himself up to his eyes in paperwork and recruits. He'd been spending most of his time in Vegas recently, attempting to ward off the laughable gang known only as "NPC". Fortunately, Ood had moved quick enough in his retaliation and with a humble crew of three - himself, the very foxy RampagingFox and up-and-coming mafioso Winno, they had done it! The Strip was safe for the time being and backup from other cities would soon arrive. Until that time, Ood was left in a life of servitude, his heroism protecting all known mobsters from the annoyance of the NPC gang.

Back in Detroit, Ood had begrudgingly left behind his responsibility of FatherJack's protection as well as his own 'legitimate' business, No Foul Play. Fortunately, he had trusted associates all around the country so his business was in very safe hands. JohnnyCage had been spending lots of time at NFP learning the ropes, taking interest in the daily operation of the business. He'd started frequenting the joint soon after his arrival in Detroit and had fallen in love with the place. Talia had sent word to Ood that Johnny had been so gripped by the place that he would sleep in the office most nights - without even a wage to tempt him. Johnny wasn't a man led by money, but passion and love - and Johnny was head-over-heels. 

The lineage of Ood and Johnny had not properly crossed paths until recently but the mutual friend they had in Talia very quickly brought them together. Ood built NFP out of passion, he wanted it to remain open for the same reason. With his schedule far too busy for the daily running of his business, he decided it was time to take a step back and allow someone else the opportunity.

"JOHNNYBOY!" Ood throws his arms around JohnnyCage, holding him firm in his embrace. He hadn't seen the man for what had felt like an eternity.

"You're looking well, Johnny. Detroit has been good to you." Ood frowned at the thought of having to go back to Vegas. Even if it was temporary, he missed the family. "I can't wait to get back here with you guys." He pauses for a moment before continuing.

"Anyway, we'll catch up soon, I got an offer for ya." Ood chucks Johnny a wink. "I know it's been you who's been keeping this place straight in my absence. Sure, we got bodyguards all over the place turfing out the like of trey and his shitty mouth but you sir, you're the brain that's been keeping this place afloat. I've been hearing lots while away and every time it's your name that pops up. Talia said you were someone I could rely on and she was right, you've done amazing. So how about we make this arrangement a bit more permanent?"

Ood pauses, leaning over the bar to grab one of his jars, popping the lid and pouring it into a glass. He waves at a bartender, gesturing for Johnny's glass to be topped up.

"I want you to run this place, Johnny. This place is my baby, my pride and joy, but I'm being pulled in so many different directions, I need someone I can trust to keep it the beautiful establishment it is. You've got it in you, man. I know it's been you keeping this place going, so let's make it official. Come into the business, earn your share and leave your mark, man - what do you say?"
 

Johnny didn't have to think about it for long when Ood asked him to take over the daily operations of No Foul Play. It had become like a second home to him since he got to Detroit. Ood was far to busy to be here on a daily bases and Johnny would have hated to see the place run down, or even worse closed. He didn't have much experience running a business... well none actually; but the fact that Ood seemed to have so much confidence in him was surprisingly reassuring. What was the worst thing that could happen? If anything major came up Odd was only a plane ride away anyways...

"I would be happy to!" He finally replied.

Johnny glanced over at Talia as he responded. She was somehow still making shot after shot over at the table. He hadn't even had a turn yet and she had almost won.

"Me having never played she says... might injure you she says.... fuck sakes..." He muttered to himself before turning his attention back to Ood.

"Ood I am honored that you would trust me with your pride and joy and I'll make sure that it is well taken care of you can count on me. Besides if things get too hectic I'll just make Talia pitch in. Judging by this display she knows her way around a pool hall..."

Talia glanced up at Johnny before taking another shot. 

"Beginners luck."

She shot him a wink before focusing back onto the 3 ball. Figuring out her angle, Talia drew back the pool cue and with ease sank another shot then stood upright to take another sip of her wine. Yeah, maybe she wasn't completely truthful in the whole never played this game before but it was well worth the shock value. 

Placing her glass back down onto the table, Talia gave him another look before glancing back over to the table. 

"Looks like you have a lot of balls left on that table, I thought you knew how to play? Should I just finish running the table or would it be nice of me to let you have a run at it. Hmmm..." 

She picked up her glass once again and mulled it over while finishing the contents. 

"How about I finish this game now and the next game we play for those fancy sunglasses of yours?" 

An overjoyed Ood grins at JohnnyCage, grabbing his hand and shaking it before rising to his feet. He lifts his half-empty jar and slams it against the bar loudly.

"LISTEN UP!!" The room fell silent.

"Our very good friend Johnny here will be looking after the place while I'm not around. Consider his voice the echo of mine. If he speaks, you listen." Raising his glass in the air, he looks at Johnny before continuing. "Let's all raise a toast to the new Manager of No Foul Play, Johnny Cage!"

Ood chucks the remaining contents of his glass down his throat.

Before Johnny had a chance to respond to Talia's taunting and her challenge of a game for his sunglasses Ood had announced to the entire place that he would be taking over in his absence. He thanked Ood once again and everyone else who had toasted him before sitting down and finishing his drink with Ood.

They discussed some of the finer details that he wanted to make sure Johnny took care of, some of the things he might not have noticed during the regular day to day. Ood made sure he knew the names and faces of some of the more important guests that may stop by so that he could ensure they were well taken care of. He also made sure to point out some people that were not welcome in his establishment.... Johnny didn't need to know why just needed to be able to identify them. Once they were both satisfied that they had covered everything he returned to the pool table where Talia was just sitting there gleefully sipping on her wine.

"I'm gonna assume by that smile there that you won?"  

He was so convinced she didn't know what she was doing that he had to try and keep a straight face as he asked the question. He was so sure it was going to be an easy win and then he didn't even get a turn to shoot... it was pretty amusing. 

"So a game for my glasses eh? Alright but I do feel like I should warn you... I am just as irresistible without them and I have quiet a few pairs at home anyways. Lets play!"

"Winning was a bit of an understatement, it was more of an ass kicking. I believe is what they call it around these parts." Talia said with a smile as she waved down the bartender. 

Her glass was a bit on the low side and that was a bit problematic. 

"Can you just bring me an entire bottle, thanks!"

The barkeep nodded and went to fetch her order. 

"So a game for my glasses eh?" Johnny chimed in once again, also mentioning how irresistible he was without them and the fact that he had numerous pairs. 

It wasn't much of a shock to her when he commented about having more then one pair, he seemed like the guy that had an entire room dedicated to just sunglasses. Well sunglasses and perhaps tight shirts, with a giant mirror on one of the walls. She could picture it all, him just trying on different outfits while checking himself out in that mirror. Flaunt what you have, right?

She completely understood the sediment, there were numerous she herself had used her looks to get something she wanted. It was actually probably something she used more then once daily. Regardless the thought still made her chuckle. 

"Oh, I'm sure you have more then one pair of those but... you only have that one pair on you right now and that's the one that I want. Plus I think they'd look spectacular on me, even inside. Don't you think?"

Before Johnny was able to respond the barkeep walked up with a bottle or red in his hand. He showed Talia the label, causing her to nod in approval. Uncorking the bottle, he handed her the cork and poured a bit in her glass. She already knew how it tasted and it was fine. So she motioned for him to just give it a pour then directed her attentions back to Johnny. 

"I'll tell you what, to be fair. I will let you break, ok?" 

Johnny was slowly working his way through his table of drinks and grabbed a new one as Talia explained how she wanted to play again, for his sunglasses. He was feeling pretty damn good by this point and wasn't overly worried about losing his sunglasses... though he did feel a bit naked without them. If she was getting something out of winning though he figured he should have something to play for as well. He thought about what to ask for a little bit but nothing came to him.

"I don't doubt at all they would look great on you, but this seems like a bit of a one sided wager don't you think? What's in it for me when I win? It's gotta be something better than keeping my own glasses if I am gonna put them up. You know these are five-hundred dollar sunglasses?"

Johnny tried to hide his smirk as he asked the question. He wanted Talia to think he was completely serious. He couldn't think of exactly what to ask for, and in the process of thinking it over he had become curious what exactly she would offer. He was kind of alright with whatever to be honest but she didn't know that.

He brought up a good point, it was only fair that she'd have to offer something if he were win. Which in her eyes was absolutely not going to happen, especially with how distracted he had been and how much he had already drank. On top of it his pool skills didn't seem up to her level, so for her it was a mere technicality. What to offer though, that was the true question at hand. 

Sure she had pearls around her neck but what would he do with peals, clearly he wasn't going to wear them. Well then again maybe he would have... giving it a quick thought and a chuckle picturing him with her pearls around his neck, she dismissed it. 

Looking in his direction, she gave him a brief stare then shrugged her shoulders. 

"What do you want if you were to magically win somehow?"

He stared at her for a moment, at least she thought he did. Was hard to see what those eyes were truly doing behind the tinted lens on his face. He then gave her a look up and down, it was obvious at that moment he was doing it, the head moving up and down was a key indicator of that. 

"Uh, I don't know..."

"Hmm.." 

Talia gave it a bit more thought, taking her newly pour wine in hand, hoping it would help deciding. That's when it hit her, the only thing she could possibly think of that would be, maybe up his alley. Something that he would totally agree with, hopefully. In her head he wasn't going to win, those sunglasses were already hers. She just needed him to completely agree to the bet. 

"I've got it! You win, you can have me for the night. What do you think?"

"What do you want if you were to magically win somehow?" 

Johnny turned to answer Talia when she asked the question but he got a little bit distracted as he did. It was no secret Talia was easy on the eyes, but this was the first time he had really stopped and admired it. He knew it was safe to do so anyways... that was half the beauty of his awesome glasses, if she couldn't see his eyes she wouldn't know what he was doing.

"Hmmm..."

Johnny 'thought' about it for a few more seconds, but he still hadn't a clue what he wanted to ask for. She clearly didn't have anything as cool as his sunglasses for him to take.

"Uh, I don't know..." He finally responded.

Talia hmm'd and haw'd aloud for a few minutes as she sipped on her glass of wine. Then suddenly she sprung up like a light bulb had gone off in her head. 

"I've got it! You win, you can have me for the night. What do you think?"

Johnny nearly spit out his mouthful of gin when he heard her offer... it was definitely not what he had been expecting. Not that he really knew what to expect. Although he tried he couldn't quite hide his smile as he responded.

"What do I think... well I think that sounds like a win-win for you but I'll take it. It will certainly be a nice reward when I win. You said I can break right?"

Johnny grabbed his so far unused pool cue back up off the rack and headed over to the table where he set everthing up for another game. He then returned to the small side table he had been using for most of the night to chalk his cue and grab another sip from his drink before turning to Talia for an answer. She just nodded to the table indicating he could go ahead and break whenever he was ready.

Johnny lined up his shot carefully and hoped for the best. He was good at pool but the whole breaking thing was a bit of a crap shoot. Sometimes you got lucky, other times you just ended up setting up some nice shots for your opponent... his strategy was usually just to give it real hard whack and hope for the best, and thats what he did...

Talia took a sip on her wine as Johnny broke the balls, she wasn’t much paying attention to the shot but the crashing sound it made echoed through the pool hall. It sounded like a good break, causing her to shift her eyes towards the table. The balls ricocheted off each other, off the wall and poetically moved about the table. 

He pocketed a couple of solids and a stripe, it was a rather good start... for him at least. 

Still though she wasn’t worried as she casually sipped in her wine. Finishing the contents before even commenting.

”Not bad, I think that’s more balls then you sunk all last game.” 

Johnny stood up and pulled his sunglasses down on his nose, directing his eyes right in Talia’s direction.

”I’m feeling good about this game, you’re in trouble.” 

He pushes his glasses up back where they were initially and casually walked around the table, planning out his next shot. 

”Any day now... I have a pair of sunglasses with my name on them and I can’t win them with you walking around the table.”

Johnny was on a roll now and feeling pretty confident. He made shot after shot, making sure to stop and flash Talia a quick smile each time just to rub it in a little bit. When he finally missed a shot there was only stripes left on the table, and the 8-ball. He sighed and flopped down into a chair beside Talia and her wine.

"Well I didn't run the table like you, but can you do it twice in row? I am thinking looking at that table your only going to have the one chance. Who knows though maybe I'll miss again, or even scratch. I wouldn't count on it though."

Johnny reached for one of his drinks and noticed they were all gone, scowling with disapointment he considered going back over to the bar for a moment but eventually decided to just pour himself some of Talia's wine instead. Talia noticed and turned back around to him immediatly, it was like the woman had a wine sensor.

"Ah don't you frown at me... I'll pay don't you worry. We can even get more to celebrate my win if you'd like?"