"Yeah, yeah, Jerry. I know you're tryin' ta sell the place, apartment and all, but I need a little more time ta find another place to live and to make the money I need to get outta here. Hey... HEY! Wouldya hold on a minute now! I mean, c'mon Jerry, Jerry! Have I ever let ya down? I ain't ever missed a payment yet. Fifty bucks a week. That's what we agreed on a month ago. Now four weeks into this three-month agreement and you're tryin' to kick me out! That's not right! Jerry, now Jerry wait a minute! HEY! HEY YOU FU-" Johnny frowned as he stared at the phone in frustration.

"That God damned, mother fucking, geriatric assed, shit stain bastard!" He slammed the phone down and slumped down on his bed in the one-room apartment above 'Jerry's Gym'. Jerry had been trying to sell the building which housed an old, run-down boxing arena for about five months before Johnny had come along and talked the old man into a three-month deal where he'd help the man sell the place. Now a month in, Jerry wanted out of the deal so he could sell the place immediately. Not that there had been any new offers.

Frustrated and angry, Johnny grabbed up his coat and shrugged it on over his shoulders. Sitting there in the cold apartment, he exhaled in annoyance, his breath visible in the room. "Fuck this mother fucker," he yelled before grabbing the lamp and throwing it into the wall, shattering the bulb and knocking a hole into the sheetrock. "I'll fuckin' burn this shithole to the ground. See if he can sell it then!" Johnny grumped before shaking his head in the dark room, the only light seeping through the covered window.

With a final huff, Johnny raised from the bed and snagged his pack of smokes from the end table, headed for the door that led into the gym below. Grabbing his key off the corkboard, he slammed the door and paused as he heard a piece of the sheetrock fall and hit the floor. "This place sucks..."

Making his way through the gym, Johnny kicked a boxing glove across the room. He smiled as he heard the satisfying *THUD* as it hit the wall on the far side of the building. "Good distance," he chuckled out and half-skipped toward the front door, attempting to elevate his mood. Squinting as he neared the front door, he prepared for the bright, day-light sun to blind him.

Exiting onto the streets of Philadelphia, Johnny's nose scrunched up. It certainly didn't smell or sound like Vegas had. The industrial noise and pollution was noticeable in the air and it merely added to Johnny's malcontent. Making his way begrudgingly to the nearby bench, he took a seat and crossed his legs. "Why can't something go right in this fucking city?" he grumbled out loud as his head rolled back against the window to the gym. Eyes closed, Johnny reached into his coat and grabbed his smokes, packing them against his open palm before pulling one out. Opening one eye, he tossed the cigarette up and caught it between his lips. "At least I still got my skills..." he grumbled, then lit the end and inhaled deep.

It wasn't until the shuffle of nearby feet on the often vacant stretch of sidewalk did Johnny even lift his head. "Afternoon..." he offered nonchalantly before minding his own business. Though he noticed the man's gaze take a look at the "For Sale" sign. Really? Of all days someone was possibly looking at the gym? Johnny's eyes looked between the sign and the man, then it was like the wheels started spinning. Johnny had convinced Jerry to change the for sale sign to have the shop's phone number because Johnny was a better salesman...

What if he sold the gym without Jerry's input at all... Or the man's knowledge of it? Smiling, he nodded.

"Interested? I can let ya in to have a look." Johnny fished the key from his pocket and dangled it. "Been trying to sell it for five months now."

Raising a brow to the man, he had come here because he wished to make sure the gym could be used as a good cover for the other purposes he would have for it. 

"And you are? You don't even know if I have the cash necessary to make the purchase? Are you sure you're not looking for a quick buck?"

Issei stepped forward, looking the man in his eyes. There was something that was already telling him to back away, but Philly was a scene he was trying to break into, already this could have been it, the place to be. 

The man continued to fish for the keys, a smile already playing at his lips. It seemed like the predator would have found that delectable prey, displacing his instincts for right now, Issei motioned for the man to move forward with it. 

"Really, a few months? Huh, that's rather interesting. You are the owner of this gym, you seem a bit, what's the word, otherworldly, to be in these parts is all."

Issei actually wanted to see the man's reaction, he was comfortable in how he presented himself. Confidence, there was such ease in how he did his own business, almost like he owned the joint. The almost ringing out in his thoughts, once more, Issei wished to be shown what he 'might' have been purchasing. 

"I can say that I am interested in this gym if it could prove to provide what I am looking for here. Once again, I'd like to know who I might be doing business if you would be so kind."

Rolling his neck ever so slightly, Issei gave the man the softest of grins, knowing that he had not given his name. Reaching out with his hand,  he kept up the grin. 

"My name is Issei Hyoudou, nice to meet you....?"

He let it linger, wondering if his instincts about the man were right. Something...something really wasn't right about this, not at all...

Johnny chuckled, "I mean, who ain't lookin' for a quick buck in these times, huh? But I only asked if you were interested and wanted to see it. I'd imagine there would be talks, and brokerage, and all that jazz before a purchase was even thought of." Johnny tossed his cigarette down and crushed it beneath his boot as he listened to the other man jabber about his search.

"Otherworldly eh? I dunno if that should be a complement or what, fella, but thanks all the same I suppose?" he chuckled, unlocking the door and opening it. "Name's Jerry Wence. Pop's left me the gym after he kicked the bucket. Yeah, I'm a junior. Sucks. Don't even know why he left me the place. We hated each other." He shrugged. "But, it gave me a place to keep my head low while I try to work out my move back to Philly."

He turned and shook Issei's hand with a nod. "Anyway," he started as he flipped a breaker switch in the corner and the lights flooded the old boxing ring and training grounds. "Feel free to take a look around. The upstairs is an apartment. It's where I've been stayin'. Kind of a shithole, honestly, but it at least keeps me dry and off the street until I'm on my feet. Which will be once I sell this place."

Waving his arm around, he smiled. "Welcome to Jerry's Gym. A great and wonderful street corner gym and, best of all, it comes with a state of the art ring. Held a few pro matches here when my pops ran it." He pointed to the old posters on the wall that highlighted a few of the big-name fighters that had come through the gym.

"Great for someone looking to get into the business... But not for me. I'm a magician by trade. Yeah, I know, it's frowned on. BUT, it's always what I liked. I guess pops hoped leaving me the place would change me from being an artist, but nah." He shrugged again. Best cons were always layered with truths, right? At least he hadn't lied about his trade. The worst part? He was smooth as butter, no tells. Johnny's poker face was beyond exceptional. Then again, he'd learned from the best poker faces of all in Vegas itself. Bluffing was second nature to him.

"So, whattaya think about the place, Mr. Hyoudou?"

"I think it's pretty nice, how much is the asking price?"

Issei studied the place, looking around as he noticed what this place was seriously lacking in a few things but he could fix that if he wished to buy the place. He disregarded the feelings within him, for now, he was ready to just buy this place outright. The man known as Jerry continued to speak, he was also a magician? 

Odd, he had never heard of Jerry Wence anywhere, besides this gym and from what he heard of Jerry, the man was a coach, a badass one at that. He shrugged it off as getting the tales about the man mixed up, at the very least, the man had that business-like face. It was not something that rung out to him yet, he was clearly not trying to bite down too hard. 

"I'm not looking to just get into the business, I'm looking to establish something more. To give other fighters a platform like no other, it wouldn't be exclusive, it would be for them, all for them, to give them that shine that many others in their position were denied."

issei's eyes narrowed ever so slightly, thinking about his past and what he had to go through to get to the level of his career. All for the sake of others, it hadn't been for him, his skill, people denied him for who he knew. What he had tried to accomplish, being the first in his town to achieve the decoration of being the best in his country. 

His climb to best in the world was something he clawed for, a little dragonling as many had taken to calling him at the time. Shaking his head of the thoughts, he gave Jerry the briefest of glances before bowing his head, the man was certainly looking to sell. Issei wished to buy, thinking it over for a moment. 

"How much are you looking for here Jerry? I'm willing to purchase."

Johnny thought for a minute, looking Issei over. "Well, the asking price is nine thousand for the plot. Eleven if you want it with all the gym equipment. Which you sound like the kind of guy who would want the equipment." He chuckled with a smile.

"But, If you're really interested in it, take a couple of days to talk with your bank's loan office and we can get everything signed over in your name. Land deed and keys in the office in two days time. How's that sound for you, Mr. Hyoudou?"

Johnny eyed Issei, brow raised as he watched the man look around the building once more. Hook. Line. Now he just needed the sinker. Two days was plenty of time to pull the job needed to aquire the land deed.

"Eleven grand? That's certainly quite easy to provide, oh trust me I am, I'd need to get this place outfitted, make it new, spectacular obviously."

Turning his head, the red dragon stepped towards Jerry, giving him the briefest of smiles before placing a hand on his shoulders. It was almost like his eyes turned fiery with that brown like they were a blazing inferno that could not be tamed. 

"Listen, Jerry, I like you bud but if I find that you've played me in some way, I'll make you pay, do you understand that? Not even God himself would stop me from making sure that I collect what is due...heh"

Issei with his free hand scratched the back of his head, smiling. The man had to know, Issei was sure that something didn't exactly feel right, he was going to make that known. If the man was playing him, in any way, he was going to be paying for it, with money or his limbs. 

"Now regarding my stance on really interested I'd say that is partly true, however. I'd love to have this building for myself in a matter of days, so I will indeed be talking to my people, it'll be a smooth process I am sure, you can guarantee me that, right?"

Once again, Issei was letting the man know that he didn't exactly have the surest feeling of him. Issei wasn't cunning, he didn't have the whole playing of the game about him but he did know his observations and his strengths, right now, he knew Jerry was hiding something. 

"If this does come out smoothly, I'd like for you to come out to Vegas, enjoy some of the fightings. Make a nice little bet, I'm sure you'll be able to make more money than you are right now."

Issei gave him a closed-eyes smile before bowing his head.

Vegas. Had he really just said Vegas? Oh, that sweetened the deal. A chance to pull one last con on Micky's reach? Perfect. Too bad for Johnny, it wasn't Micky at all but a much bigger, more influential family. But, he'd learn that the hard way. At least there was no change to his features or cadence with the thoughts that ran through his head.

"Absolutely. A completely smooth process, my friend." Johnny stuck his hand out to shake on it. "And I'd love the chance to come to Vegas and see the fights. Not that fights are my forte, but I do like a good gambling sport!" He bowed his head and made for the door. 

"So like I said, gimme a couple of days to gather all my papers, the deed and such, and we'll come back and sign the building over to you, Mr. Hyoudou. Then it'll be off to the fights with us!"

Johnny smiled as he opened the door. "Hell, I might even take you out for a drink after we close the deal. Could try this new bar down on the pier, The Cat and Phoenix. Strange name, but the best things normally have some kind of oddity to them, hmm?"

Smiling again, Johnny shut the door behind them as they finally exited the building. Turning to Issei, he nodded and waited.

"Heh, I'm glad for that Jerry."

Issei shook his head, giving him a small smile, happy that his dream was ever so slightly coming true. An expansion, one that his people back in Las Vegas needed, maybe, just...maybe Jerry could be used as a business partner again, sometime in the future. He would wait to see if the man was legit at the very least. 

"Good, hey fighting was my thing, gambling wasn't but gambling on fighting turned out to be a...good alternative and I've found myself making a lot of money..."

The seller stepped out, following after him as he gave him a small smile, one that didn't hold back his excitement. Issei really didn't bother sometimes, this was too amazing, it meant many things, one that he could introduce to his partners. 

"I'll be waiting, either way, I'm glad that this has been able to happen, Jerry, seriously you have no idea what you've done to me. This doesn't mean I trust you though, something's up....I know that."

Issei's instincts were never wrong but that smile never left his face. He looked different, almost like two different personalities were clashing. 

A chuckle escaped the Asian man as his head was bowed, shrugging, he made to follow after the man. There was something positively odd about the name but truthfully, he was quite alright with it. 

"You're right, you'd be surprised how many Jade Waters I've seen in my time that turns out to be...better than I thought, either way, lead the way..."

And that he did, though Issei had that gnawing feeling, this would not be the last time. He would see Jerry again, not just to sign some things, the man was certainly something, that was for certain.

Johnny chuckled softly and shook his head. "Mr. Hyoudou, while I would absolutely love to take you for drinks preemptively, I don't have enough money to foot two heavy-drinking bills until after the place sells." He shrugged. "Pops didn't leave me much in the form of cash, just the gym. Everything else was sent to my cousins. I swear it was his last 'Fuck you' to me, knowing how I felt about the place."

He sighed, shaking his head again. "Gotta say though, I do wish he and I had seen better days before his death."

Looking up after a moment of silence, he smiled at Issei. "But, that's none of your worry, sir. Thank you for taking the time to notice this building today though. Your interest gives me a renewed hope for my new life here in Philly." Nodding, Johnny offered Issei his hand once more.

"I'll see you in a few days time, and -then- we'll go for those drinks once you own the building? Somewhat of a toasting to good business and fortune for you?" Johnny smiled then waved to Issei after their agreement and locked the gym door behind him, hustling off in the direction of downtown Philly. Obviously he was excited to get to his bank and discuss the sale! Even as Issei watched him round the corner, it looked as if 'Jerry Wence Jr.' was talking and thinking to himself about everything he needed to do and get in order for the exchange of ownership.

"Well, I would have-"

Actually thinking about, Issei didn't know the guy and there was always something about the guy, he didn't seem right with the way he said it, was almost like he was glad. Was this a fuck you? To his dead father? Issei's eyes grew wide, for a moment he would have thought that this was kind of game. The man wished to send a message to his dad in the form of selling off the gym? Huh, wasn't that something? It didn't affect Issei. 

"Huh, well, let's hope you can settle some things with this sale, eh? At least, that's what you want. It's what matters..."

Issei said calmly, watching the man knowing that this was certainly going to be something. It was ever so odd that Issei could sense a bitterness there, yet it did not seem like a familial regret, from what he saw at the very least. Just how close were Jerry and his dad? Issei would say not very close, he still mourned his parents and their deaths were not natural causes.

"Huh, really? A renewed hope for your new life in Philly? The way you phrased that-"

Once again, he cut himself off. Issei's lips twitched for a moment, the man was definitely running from something else. There was something in the way he said, a new life, a renewed hope. One did not just simply use those words unless it was certainly something, with nothing else, he gave the man a brief nod.

"Alright, not a problem see you in a few days, alright?"

Issei bowed his head watching the man, he saw him round the corner. Looking at the gym, something was gnawing at him. Only he wasn't worried about it right now, because currently, he had to worry about how he would begin promoting this gym....it was going to be glorious, he knew it.

Once he was well out of sight and certain he wasn't being tailed, Johnny hooked it around a corner smiling to himself. First, he needed to get to Barbara_Braganza if this was going to work. Her expertise would be greatly appreciated and neither Issei, or the banks, would be any wiser with her abilities on deck.

Primarily; Establish the mark...

Secondarily; Plan the Con...

Tertiarily; Execute with no margin for error.

And Lastly; reap the benefits.

Poor Jerry had no idea the hell-storm that was headed his direction. And if he were wise, he'd start praying to that OTHER Christ everyone liked to talk about when it was convenient for them.