With all the recent bloodshed Rain had lost some valuable people in the operation. The operation was running so smoothly she had to branch out and establish more trusted contacts.  She read about Katerina in her family journals and decided to reach out to her.  Rain knew that she lead an organization in Corktown. When a good friend of hers Spiels told her Katerina owned the Smokey Row Coffee Shop light bulbs went off in her head. 

When Rain phoned Katerina and told her who was kin to she was pleased to hear from her.  Rain had to a little vague on the phone Katerina but she understood very well.  They made an appointment to meet the next day at the Coffee Shop around 3pm for it would be less crowded.  Rain told her she would be bringing two friends and that was fine.

The next day Rain, Big Moe and Nighttrid arrive at the coffee shop and sat down at a booth.  Rain recognized Katerina’s voice as soon as she heard it.  She was standing by the counter talking to one of the waitress.  When she was free Rain made eye contact with her and gave her a slight wave. She came over to the booth and said “You must be Rain” Rain told her indeed she was and Katerina told them to follow her to the office.

As they sat down in office Rain introduced Katerina to Big Moe and Nighttrid. Night residing in Detroit knew of Katerina but never met her.  He explained his new airline and cargo business to her them after some small talk Rain got down to business.

Rain explained with the dependency of Colombia in the U.S for the purchasing of coffee, when a beautiful woman from the States invests in the import of coffee, she is very accommodating. Being a very valuable investor she explained made it easy to for the cocaine to be concealed in coffee containers without questions. Big Moe then explained a little about the operation in Colombia but didn’t go into a lot of detail.

Rain continued stating if Katerina or someone she trusted was interested she could add Colombian coffee to her menu.  Rain could have shipments delivery and once someone was in place she would already be receiving them and nothing would look out of the ordinary.  Once set up the product would be concealed in the coffee containers when delivered.  From the conversation they had on the phone,   Katerina expressions while Rain and Big Moe were talking and how she listened attentively made  Rain felt she was very  interested.

There wasn't enough coffee in the world to keep Sisyphus awake right now who had been spending most of his time on the road in his new city of Philadelphia. They kept forcing him on long drives in an attempt to generate more revenue from truck-stop drug dealing, a new invention he had come up with that had yet to pay proper dividends; which is why he was taking a quick stop here to meet up with a few people to discuss a better transaction method to his newly created madness and to grab a quick cappuccino or two.

"Hello, hello."

Going up towards the counter, he pressed a few dollar bills onto it. With a short sigh, he read what was available and decided to order just normal coffee, but a few of them. One for each hour he'd be spending on the road today, so nine. It was quite a bit of caffeine, but nothing he hadn't dealt with before.

"Have any of you happened to see a man here in all bright purple?"

Unable to find the person he was looking for, Sisyphus sighed and waited for his coffee instead. Maybe his new business venture wasn't taking off without a couple of hitches, but the coffee would at least make him a little bit happier.

Jericho walks in with a newspaper under his arm, he finds a table and sits down. Picking up the menu and giving it a glance before waiving the waitress over.

"I'd like a cup of coffee with a little extra kick in it and a chocolate chip cookie if that's possible?"

He smiles and starts reading the newspaper as he waits for his order, he figured this was a nice pitstop during his business trip.

She sat back in her office chair listening to the three explain their operation.  It seemed quite simple, and apparently all Kat had to do was add this Colombian coffee to her menu.  She nodded as they continued to talk, giving the details if she choose to partake in their business deal.  She was never one to be on the good side of the law, so something like this was nothing to her.  There seemed to be very little risk, and she could help out a fellow friend. 

She peers out the door which is slightly ajar, making sure the shop is running smoothly.  Splashing a little whiskey in the rest of her coffee, she takes a drink.

So Rain, I think I could be of help.  All that I have to do is add this to my menu? 

She saw a couple familiar faces come through the front door.  Normally she would have the help take orders, but certain people she made an effort to personally serve them.  She held a hand up to say just a moment to the mobsters in her office, and made her way out to the shop. 

Sisyphus, how are you?

She slid two large cups of coffee towards him, free of charge of course. 

She smiled at his odd question. 

Uh, haven't seen anyone in purple today. 

Jericho had walked in right behind him, she flashed a big smile. 

Hey you, how are ya?

She gave him a cup of her special coffee and two cookies.  She chatted for a bit and headed back to the office. 

Jericho smiles and takes a bite of a cookie, before taking a sip of his coffee.

"I'm good, how are you Katerina?"

He continues snacking on the cookies, enjoying the company.

I'm doing pretty good.  Between here and all those crazy gangsters back at the HQ, it keeps me busy.  Really glad to see you here, always nice when a friend stops by.

She pours herself another cup of coffee.  Its a wonder how she could sit still after all the coffee she drank every day.  One of the perks of the job, and yet probably a bad idea starting a business where one of her addictions is constantly in reach. 

Tired and only planning to stay in Detroit for the evening for a last minute drug deal he couldn't pass up, Alex thought a fresh black cup of hot coffee would turn the night around for him.

The bus wasn't running at this hour and he wasn't going to shell out the cash for a taxi cab either so, he walked out of the airport and began walking the streets to find a coffee shop that was open and nearby.

Alex spotted a brick building coming up on his right after spending about 15 minutes walking down Business Lane. He noticed through the windows the lights were still on and headed inside.

The smell of coffee and the warm air from the fireplace made him feel like he was home. No one else was in the shop but him and the employees cleaning up for the night. He went to the self-serve area and poured his self a coffee with nothing in it. He put money with a generous tip on the counter by the cash register and left.

Meliodass is tired and sleepy but needs to attend an important meeting in less than an hour. She is lucky enough to find a coffee shop on her way.

"One Espresso, please." She orders.

The caffeine makes her feel much more awake than before.

Taking all of the coffees into his hands, he attempted to juggle all of them while nodding at Katerina. With a small sip out of one a small jolt was felt running up his spine, was this the alertness he needed? Yes. Was it the alertness he wanted? No. Too much at one time, almost as if there was so much power packed into this drink. Caffeine. Now he would be able to find exactly what he needed, after downing one or two more cups, of course.

Shaking profusely, Sisyphus jolted out of the coffee shop with his senses all renewed. It was time for him to find what he had come here for, and the stop at Smokey Row Coffee Shop was exactly what he had needed. Rushing back inside for a moment, he dropped a few more extra dollars onto the counter.

"Th-th-thhhaaaaaaaank you!!!"

That was all that he could bring himself to say before again leaving. Off to his goal.

Yes that’s correct.  Once you place the Colombian Coffee on the menu not only will you be selling the hot cups but we will set up a display area where customer can purchase containers to take home.  So the delivery of coffee containers would be business as usual.   Then once we set up a clientele for the product it will be delivered here for pick up.   My men will handle all the deliveries and transactions unless you have someone in mind. No product will enter your establishment. Rain assured Katerina.

For this business endeavor the coffee will be delivered free of charge and you will receive 50% of the coffee sold.   We anticipate that would generate an enormous increase of profit from sales for you.

Katerina agreed to the proposal. The coffee will start being delivered next Wednesday and in the mean time she would advertise that Colombian coffee would now to be available at Smokey Row Coffee Shop and set up a area for the display case of the different coffee containers to be sold.

From their conversation on the phone Rain had a gut feeling that Katerina would come on board.  The meeting couldn’t have been more successful.  Rain would have Gail prepare all the paper work regarding the shipments drawn up for Katerina and drop it off tomorrow of her approval.

The next thing on Rains agenda was to meet with her good friend Talia and JohnnyCage.

The night quickly turned into day by the time all was said and done. Apparently they were a lot farther out on the lake then she thought and just getting back into the area from Hudson's house was a task in itself. 

Sure it would have made more sense just to go home and pass out but coffee was on the way. Seemed only fitting... She knew Johnny would be down for anything and Samantha had no choice but to follow suit. The girl was able to sleep a bit on the boat ride, actually she was out a couple hours. 

Talia and Johnny on the other hand, have been up for... a while now. A bump of cocaine would have worked wonders but they had none on them. Coffee would have to do. 

Like usual, when Talia walked in she made her way to the table in the front by the window. Politely removing the young couple that was seated there. Samantha followed her to the table as Johnny made his way to the counter. Looking back over her should, Talia spoke from across the room.

"Don't forget about this one." Motioning to Samantha.

Johnny approached the counter and ordered two coffees and then paused...

"Is that everything?" The lady behind the counter asked.

"Umm, no..."

He wasnt sure exactly what to get for a 14 year old girl at a cafe. Did she like coffee? Cappuccino? Was fourteen old enough for caffine? Seemed like it should be, with his luck though protective Talia would scold him for it...

"Shit, I should have asked... not asking her now though she'll probably take forever deciding..." He muttered to himself

"Excuse me?" The counter lady asked, cupping her hand over her ear to tell him to speak up.

"Oh nothing, ahhh two coffee's and... milk? Yeah a glass of milk. Oh and two of those cookies."

He paid for the food and carefully picked up the first coffee and tucked it under his arm, then the two cookies tucking them under the other arm, and finally grabbed the last two cups, one in each hand. He made his way slowly and carefully over to the table they were at and just stood there for a few seconds until Talia finally looked up.

"Little help here?" He nodded to the cup and cookies wedged under his arms, indicating he couldn't really sit down or place them down. 

Talia reached over, taking the cookies out from under his one arm and then the coffee from the other. Taking the cookies and tossing them towards the middle of the table but closer to Samantha. Talia wasn’t really interested in the cookies but the coffee, now that was another story. The want to sip it immediately was rather high but thoughts of a scolded mouth from a time ago halted that. 

”Coffee is stupid hot, needs to cool down first. Right Johnny?” He gave her a bit of a smile while sitting down.

”Yeah, hot coffee usually is... hot...” 

Talia shook her head, she sensed the sarcasm. “You’re an ass!”

”I’m not an ass, though I have a nice ass. Thank you for noticing.” Johnny slid his sunglasses down his nose, looked in Samatha’s direction and gave her a playful wink. A playful wink that was reciprocated with a smile. 

”Don’t bring her into this.” 

Johnny ignored the comment, focusing instead on his coffee. He took off the lid, poured in some milk and then nearly spilt it all over himself when he felt a small little fist whack him on the shoulder.

"Ouch. What did I do now? Oh and I guess both cookies are for you Sam, this one doesnt seem to want one..." He said nodding towards Talia.

Samantha slid the two cookies towards her as soon as she heard him say the words and started eating the first of the two as if she hadnt seen food in a month.

"You know I bet they weren't feeding her fuck all... now she's had chips on the boat and cookies here, maybe we should have gotten the girl some real food?"

It was true, poor thing probably hadn’t eaten in a while. Here she’s spent the past half plus day with Talia and Johnny, Talia knew damn well she hadn’t eaten since... well it’s been a while. 

”Probably would have been or would be a good idea.” Talia turned towards Samantha. “You hungry?”

The girl simply nodded her head while shoving the now second cookie in her mouth. 

”They have to have more then cookies here, right? Didn’t you get me that muffin one time?”

Johnny nodded as he took the first sip of his coffee. 

”See they have food here.” Talia pulled her bag out, rummaged through it and pulled a ten from it. She slid it across the table told Samantha. “Go ahead, go get whatever you want.” 

Samantha grabbed the money, “are you sure?” She asked.

”Yeah, of course. Go, we will be here.” 

Johnny was confused and it showed on his face as Samantha made her way over to the counter to fetch some more food. 

"What? Why are you looking at me like that?" Talia asked when she noticed the look on his face. 

"Oh nothing." 

She persisted though, "No, tell me. What's the look for?" 

"You just seem different is all..."

Johnny reached over and put the lid back on his coffee and took a sip, for some reason he was not expecting a follow up question. 

"Different how?" She asked, clearly not satisfied with his vague responses 

"You're just so nice and sweet with her. You usually are ummm..." 

"I usually am what?!" She asked.

"Its not a bad thing or anything. I have just never seen you care for someone so much, especially someone you just met today. Thats all..."

He lifted his cup to take another sip, hoping he hadn't put his foot too far into his mouth.

“Really?”

Johnny’s eyes widened a bit as he slow nodded his head at her.

Was she normally that bitchy? Here she thought she was rather pleasant all the time. 

Talia looked up over to the counter, catching a glimpse of Samantha waiting patiently in line. She directed her attention back to Johnny.

”Couldn’t have just left the poor thing there. It is odd though, I feel like I need to look over her now. She got no family left, I don’t think... I can be responsible though, I had a fish once. It lived a couple weeks...” 

She looked up once more then reached for her coffee. 

”We should go back to my place after this, I’ve got a bit more cocaine. I could really use a line.”

"I mean, you have gradually gotten much nicer to people for a little while now. I like to think that was my influence but Samantha... I don't know it's like your motherly instinct kicked in the minute you met her. Obviously we couldn't leave her there... it was just an observation, didn't mean anything by it."

Johnny took another sip from his coffee and noticed Samantha returning to the table with a sandwhich of some sort, a slice of pie, and a coffee.

"Huh... so you do like coffee. They have sandwiches here?"

Samantha just nodded yes as she took a huge bite from her sandwich and poured some milk and sugar into her coffee.

Johnny turned back to Talia, "Who would have thought? Oh and your place for some fun stuff. Got it!"

She wanted to comment or question it some more but put a halt to it once Samantha got back to the table. 

"Sandwich's... interesting. I knew they had pie but the whole sandwich thing I would have never guessed."

With no more then a shrug, Talia took a sip of her now warm coffee. It was the perfect temperature and one sip turned into two. Before she knew it half the cup was gone. She then watched as Sam made up her coffee, smiling at it. 

"Not afraid to get her hands dirty, likes coffee just like I do... I'm starting to like this kid more and more."

Talia looked Johnny, then back at Samantha. 

"After we are done here, we are gonna head back to my place. If you've got any family anywhere, we can get in contact with them. If you don't or can't get in contact with anyone it's ok, you can stay at my place."