Johnny had woken up a few hours before sunrise, called in for coffee, and settled into the seat near the desk in his and Barbara's hotel room. Pain killers were taken, and the carafe of coffee was on the cart next to the desk. Flipping quietly through the paper, Johnny smiled as he peered over its edge at the sleeping Barbara in the bed across the room. He was certain the smell of coffee would stir her soon enough. If not, the bacon he'd ordered to the room would when it was delivered. At least the staff was discreet enough to only slip a card under the door when the food was delivered. He'd hate for a knock at the door to wake her. That wasn't nearly as satisfying as the warm smell of coffee and bacon.

Today was the day. The next step in their long con. Issei Hyoudou would be flying into the city before noon and making his way to Jerry's Gym. It was time for Johnny to don the name 'Jerry Wence Junior' yet again, and make the sell. He still wasn't sure if Barbara would come or not, but he knew she'd been up far longer than he'd been the night before working on the finishing touches to their little escapade. Planning the round trip for Wence Jr., as well as setting everything else up so it would all look air-tight when the not-so-deceased Jerry Wence Senior made his debut in the living world again was a long and arduous task, and Johnny was more than aware of that. Letting her sleep a few extra hours was the least he could do before barraging her with questions about her wants and plans for the day. Hell, maybe she'd just want to go and pick up their new car from Quinn's Automotive and make a day of driving around in the machine? Maybe not... But that was up to her.

Returning his gaze to the paper in his hands, Johnny crossed his legs and leaned back carefully. Flipping a few pages, his eyes glanced over the obituaries. In the clear so far. That was good. A few more pages, he noted an article about the arrest and prosecution of Hector Jimenez. Unfortunately, there had been nothing anyone could do to keep him from being incarcerated short of a pardon from City Hall. Shaking his head, Johnny flipped on. He had no need to read the article.

Many business adds, sales adds, and small columns later, he came to the classifieds. Thumbing through, he took note of a few job opportunities that he would discuss with Barbara at a later date. Art brokers, antique dealers, the list went on, and Johnny had plans to make quick work on all of them. Or, maybe offer them a storefront in their newly acquired market district? That was always a plus.

Closing the paper, Johnny set it off to the side of the desk and picked up his coffee cup. Wandering to the balcony, he stared out of their fourth story window to the city streets below. Even though the sun was just peeking over the horizon, the sidewalks were already packed with people heading to work or otherwise. Taking a sip of coffee, he shook his head. How did they do it? Get up every day like that and repeat the same monotonous job?

Hearing the soft noises of someone down the hallway drew Johnny out of his own mind. He turned for the door and opened it just as the young lady was knelt down and sliding the card beneath the door. Pausing and looking up, her face turned a dark, plum purple. Johnny's robe did little to conceal from her angle, and he might have known. Smirking, he stepped back. "My apologies," he whispered and offered her a hand. "Didn't expect to open the door right on you. Thanks for the bacon."

The woman nodded and stood, offering him the card. "Uh huh..."

They stood there in awkward silence for a moment before Johnny smiled. "Right then... Give my compliments to the chef."

"Uh huh," she repeated, still red as could be. Johnny chuckled softly and grabbed the cart.

"Have a great day now," he whispered, half expecting an 'uh huh' again.

"Ohhhh I will," the woman giggled out quietly and turned for the elevator. "Just wait till I tell Irene!" she exclaimed softly before quickly making her way back down the hallway.

Johnny blinked and shook his head before dragging the cart inside and shutting the door. Looking at the bed, he was lucky Barb hadn't been jarred awake from the interaction. At least the bacon should be a nice waking aroma... So he thought!

Truth be told, Barb gave ‘the princess and the pea’ a new meaning. Being incredibly light sleeper, bordering on insomnia, she’d simply gotten so used to only sleeping in between bought of noise and commotion during her time in America, that she’d become very adept at ‘seeming’ asleep long enough to actually fall back asleep. It was, along with her frequent hyperfixation, one of the many reasons her sleep patterns were so commonly askew. 

He’d not seemed to notice, but she’d stirred when Johnny got up, reaching for his pillow as he ruffled about the room. Not even cracking an eye, she listened carefully to the sounds of him adjusting to the morning - bathroom, room service, newspaper - until she was satisfied enough that he was ‘okay’ to actually lull herself back to sleep. It was to little avail, however, as each rustle of the newspaper tickled her exhausted awareness with a prickling wakefulness. Then came the balcony which - unbeknownst to him, she was sure - Johnny left ever so slightly ajar behind him. 

The brisk breeze of an early winter morning waltzed through the thin ape rapture like some classically orchestrated fantasia, fluttering the light sheets at the foot of the bed with a snake-lite bite that slithered its way up the duvet with just as much unfathomable cunning... feeling as if it somehow penetrated into every crease and crevice of Barb’s tightly-tucked blankets. Trying her best to fend off the frigid attack long enough to once again relax into blissful rest while the room was quiet, Barb tossed and turned and tucked her feet until she was warm again and very nearly drifted off into sweet release... right as Johnny rushed his way back to the door. 

To his credit, Johnny was amazingly considerate and soft as he shared an awkward chuckle with the service girl. Which, honestly brought an affectionate smile to Barb’s otherwise salty expression. And that, mixed with the aroma of coffee and bacon managed to melt whatever lingering frustration or resentment might’ve settled into her sleep-deprived bones. ‘Fuck it’ she thought silently. It seemed that, much like a new mother with an infant, she would simply have to learn to sleep when Johnny did... or else not sleep at all. 

Rolling to face the door, Barb smirked groggily at her newfound companion... a sleepy, medusoid mess of frizz and curls and half-buttoned boyfriend shirts. “Hey now,” she chirped teasingly, “Dontachyas be givin’ away tha goods. I got dibs, damnit.” Giggling playfully she sat up and stretched, the hem of his button down rising just a one the waist of her undies before settling back below the mound of blankets that lay stretched across her lap like a loyal Doberman. 

Sniffing the air, she shot him excited grabby hands as her grin widened, “You got me bacon!”

Johnny chuckled, "You bitch! You've been awake, haven't you? I'm sorry, I tried to be quiet enough to let you sleep..." He wheeled the cart over toward the bed and lifted the food covering, holding a piece of bacon out to her. As she reached for the tray, he pulled it and the piece he had away. "Uhn uh. Open up." He smiled and sat on her edge of the bed, lazing across her lap and holding the bacon to her lips. Grinning as she slowly opened her mouth, he stuck the tip of the bacon in and let her bite down.

"It's the good shit, too." He chuckled as he raised himself from her lap and tugged the cart back over, getting up and letting her have at the absolute MOUND of bacon he'd ordered.

"Eat up. Long day. Whatcha got planned? You wanna go get the car from James? Or do you wanna go do this damn thing with me and Mr. Hyoudou?"

He shuffled off to the bathroom, the sound of water dropping into a basin echoing out of the room for a moment before the loud flush of the toilet rang out. Remerging from the bathroom, he dropped the robe and walked to his suitcase, completely naked. Was he just purposely teasing her now?

With his back to her, Johnny started getting dressed. "Whatever you wanna do today, doll, I don't mind. I just need to know your game plan so I can get my game plan in order." He winked over his shoulder before buttoning a shirt and tucking it into his trousers.

"I gotta tell ya. Aside from making this sell? I'm not looking forward to being Jerry Junior today." He sighed. "Oh well. Business is business, yeah?" Chuckling, Johnny spun around as he synched his belt around his waist. "Ya know, my body doesn't hurt as bad today. So that's a bonus. I give myself a week before I'm feelin' right as rain."

Walking over to the bed, he sat down again, stealing a piece of bacon and popping it into his mouth.

The curious slant of her head told Johnny Barb was planning something. He just wasn’t quite sure what as she eyed him, nibbling daintily on a pice of bacon... much like she did her pencils when engrossed in sketching. “How long do you think it will take,” she asked, accent-less for a moment in her early-morning musings. 

“Would it make it more enjoyable for yas is I was there?” 

“Would it be safer if I went, too?” 

“Or more complicated?”

”Do I need to stay by the phone just in case?”

The questions tumbled out almost as quickly as the bacon tumbled in. Each new thought sparking another as she tired to fit all the pieces of her plans together. ... and there were many, MANY pieces. That much he could easily tell. 

Johnny paused in thought for a moment, even halting his chewing...

"Well," he mused before chewing and swallowing his bacon. "I don't think it's safer one way or the other if you're there or not. I really don't expect anything to go wrong, but if you come you can easily be the representative from the B.L.L. Group. There to oversee the sell and be a notary if you have the tools for it." He shrugged. "Ya know. That shit. Otherwise, yeah, you can stay behind. Really makes no difference. Just depends solely on you."

He snagged another piece. "Of course, I would have more fun if you were there I think. That would certainly make everything more enjoyable for me. Though an extra story piece does mean more complication to remember." He shrugged. "But I don't care. I kinda like having ya nearby." Johnny offered her a playful smirk.

Barb blinked. Who the fuck did he think she was? ‘If you have the tools’. OF COURSE she had the tools... at her flat. Blinking again, she nearly facepalmed as the thought crashed into her awareness. Why the FUCK hadn’t she packed that?? What was she thinking? Of course they would need a fucking notary to handle the closing. She knew better. 

Sighing softly, she collapsed back onto the pillows with a sigh. “Well,” she mumbled through a mouthful of bacon, “I HAVE the tools. But they’s at tha flat. Now that I think on it, handlin’ all a that in house makes a hella lotta sense an’ cuts down on one less complication. So’s if’s yas think that’s a good way ta go, I’m always happy ta make yas happy.” 

She paused and glanced at him in that ‘don’t read too much into that’ kind of way before continuing, “We’d just gotta stop by an’ grab tha few little things that I didn’t pack... like a dumbass. But, if’s yas ain’t worried about it or if’s yas think we’s ain’t got time we can nix that idea.” 

She popped back up, both with an idea AND for more bacon, “OR, you can head out ta tha meetin’... I can swing by tha flat... and we’s can meet in one a tha vacant buildings at tha market... business like. I’m pretty sure there’s a place by tha park I could have spiffy’d enough ta pass for a notary office by tha time yas get there. You tell me.” She glanced at him, trying NOT to visually devour the silhouette in his crisply creased trousers. 

Johnny chuckled. "Well, we can drive by, but we'll need to make it quick. I think it will be best if I have it notarized there with him, or before we meet. Not having to travel somewhere with him aside from taking him for drinks at the Cat and Phoenix after we seal the deal seems like a better idea to me."

Standing up from the bed, he moved to the chair to put his socks and shoes on. "Regardless, we should probably start getting ready so we can make the stop in time." He really wasn't in that much of a hurry, but he knew she might take a moment to get ready. Plus, if she got up, there was a chance he caught a glimpse of that which he desired. Looking back in her direction, he smiled... Mostly due to his thoughts.

"So, who do you wanna be today, madam notary?" He chuckled. "Obviously I'm Jerry Junior..."

He finished tying his shoes and stood, popping his cigarettes from his shirt pocket and lighting one, then holding the pack to her if she so inclined.

Sliding reluctantly from the plush warmth of the covers, Barb unbuttoned the long dress shirt she’d stolen from him to sleep in and let it hang loose as she slinked past him to her suitcase. Tying her hair up with a striped burgundy scarf, she expertly sculpted her curls into the sleek semblance of classic beauty and adorned it with an artistically tied bow before allowing his shirt to slip tantalizingly from her shoulders. 

Shimmying into a sharp business skirt, she donned a thin silk camisole and sheer blouse over it before turning to him with an impish smile. Braless beneath the thin fabrics, the outfit only just camouflaged the silhouette of her body beneath; purposely leaving only the most mouth-watering sliver to the imagination.

Bending at the waist, she carefully pasted herself into a pair of cable-knit stocking socks; grinning as she perched each foot individually atop the desk chair to carefully smooth them into place with matching frilled garters. Her Mary Jane pumps were the final addition, strapped and secured, before she straightened and gave a little twirl. Buttoning her collar and ruffling her sleeves, Barbara painted an innocent smile across her face before donning her very best southern accent. “Marjorie May Miller, Notary Public, at your service, sir,” she gave a half curtsy, giggling at how the roundness of his smooth bayou drawl felt in her mouth. 

She didn’t give him time to react; bopping his nose as she skipped off to the bathroom before he could process the fact that she’d been studying him. Leaving him to his thoughts, she made herself up with only the smallest amount of powders and such before meticulously scrubbing her nails clean and pasting on a perfect, matching burgundy pout. Paying no mind to the looks Johnny gave her, she quickly threw a compact, her lipstick, and a few other ‘necessary’ items into her (only) clutch purse before skipping toward the door. “Ready when you are,” she chimed cheerfully before the light of a sudden idea rippled across her face. 

“Actually...” she grinned like the Cheshire Cat as she blocked him from the doorknob. Stooping forward, she carefully wiggled out of her lace-and-silk panties. Smirking, she slipped them into his pocket before wrenching the door open and disappearing into the hall. To his mixed amusement and dismay, Barbara only barely missed the housekeeper’s cart, dipping around a young brunette with an awkward kind of grace. 

“Sorry,” she called over her shoulder, leaving the young woman - whom Johnny could only assume was the aforementioned Irene - blushing and chuckling at him through the open door.

"God damn!" Johnny exclaimed, winking at the young woman who stared at him. "What a fuckin' woman, huh? Sheeeeeiiit." He bounded out of the door, grabbing the knob as he did so, hearing it shut behind him after he'd already made it a quarter of the way down the hall. "HOLD THE ELEVATOR YOU MINX!" he yelled after Barbara, practically in a full run. As best as he could be anyway, what with the pain from every jostling footfall shooting through his back and up into his head. That didn't matter though.

Shoes sliding to a halt as he skidded through the closing door behind him, his arms wrapped around her... Just quick enough for Irene to catch it as the door fully shut. "What are you tryin' to do to me, ma'am. I can't seem to control mah-self around ya." Both of his hands landed square on her ass, one lifting and the other grabbing a quick handful of cheek as he kissed her... Though he stepped back and released her quickly.

"What tha fuck!?"

He chuckled, then his features flattened out and he looked at her. "Sorry... I shouldn't have done that." He waited for the incredulous slap that -MIGHT- be coming. But, maybe he'd luck out... Maybe she wouldn't be TOO mad at him. Clearing his throat, he turned to stare at the door, waiting for the ding as they reached the bottom floor.

The only slap that came landed firmly and enthusiastically on his ass as the doors chimed open. “No,” Barb cooed, fixing her lipstick as she exited the elevator, “You shouldn’t have STOPED.” Winking, she gestured to the dark stain around his mouth before turning and sauntering toward the lobby doors. “Morning Jolene,” she called cheerily to the receptionist with a wave. 

“Good morning Mrs...” the wagon started, but cut herself short with a blushing look of understanding as Barb quickly shook her head. “Ah. Yes. Um... excuse me.” The women shared a brief look as Barb disappeared into the parking lot, but nothing else was said. It was a hotel. Nothing needed to be said. 

There was so much pep in Barbaras step, she was veritably skipping by the time she made it to the Jonkheer... a fair sight for Johnny’s trailing eyes as he lagged behind - purposely or otherwise. Waiting patiently, she rested her chin on her elbows atop the trunk as she hummed innocently. Though, given all that he knew and all that he seen, Johnny knew she was FAR from sweet or innocent. Bumping him lightly with her hips as he passed, she shot him a charming and self-satisfied smile as he opened her door, purposely parting her knees the slightest bit as she slid into the passenger seat. 

If the whole day went like this, he’d regret brining her along come business time. 

But - to his relief - no sooner had they pulled out of the lot, Barb turned pensive and serious. “I’s only need a minute or two at tha flat. I knows right where everything is. So’s we’s can be in an’ out, no problem. Then it’s straight ta the meetin’, yeah?”

"Only a minute, got it." He was still wiping the smeared lipstick off of his face as they drove down the road, but the smile couldn't be wiped away short of him dying... "I swear, gimme a week, woman. One week. And then I'm gonna hurt you in the best ways possible." He growled a bit as he said it, winking in her direction.

Taking a deep breath, he slowly exhaled and looked at her as they made a corner. "Did I get it all?" he gestured at the hopeful -lack- of dark staining around his lips. It wouldn't do them any good for Mr. Hyoudou to think he was sleeping with the notary. That might get the wrong kind of thoughts rolling around.

Frowning as she licked her finger and wiped his face, he returned his gaze to the road. "A simple no would have sufficed..." He chuckled softly. "Anyway. Miss M. Marjorie May Miller. Marjorie. Mar  - jor - rie." He said the name a few more times to make sure it rolled off the tongue as easily as it should. "Miss Miller. Miiilllleeeeerrrr. Alright. You're my notary public. Please don't call me sir, by the way," he snickered. "Mister Wence is preferable... Though I'm certain you knew that." He threw his hands up as if demonstrating his talking was unnecessary. Which, he was certain it was. This wasn't her first time playing with identity. Finding his hands quickly back on the wheel, Johnny switched lanes and took the next left down the street to Barb's flat.

"Alright doll, what's my name?" he asked as they pulled up to the door in the beautiful Jonkheer.

Barb blinked at him with all the doe-eyed innocence of the girl(s) next door that he remembered from his childhood. “Mistah Jerry Wence, Juniah, acourse,” she stated in that same syrupy southern accent she’d acquired from listening to his slip-ups. Still watching him like a saintly church girl, she frowned with feigned concern, “Ahr yew sure you’re ah sound mahnd, Mistah Wence? If not, Ah’m afraid Ah can’t rightfully notahrize this sale.”

Wrinkling her nose, she winked as she climbed out of the car. “Eks-kee-yews me,” she giggled, “Ah’ll be back in two shake of a rabbit’s tail. Ah promise.” Skipping inside, she ignored the gawking stares from Ginger and her oldest boy as she raced upstairs to grab her tools... and froze dead at the sight of her (even more) broken front door. 

The sad excuse for a lock appeared to have been jimmied open; the door left partly ajar. Inside, the room was a disaster: canvases cut and ripped, sketches torn from the walls and scattered about the room, drawers left tossed wherever they’d landed, their contents spilling out unceremoniously, the bed had been tossed and the armoire turned on it’s side. 

Trembling, Barb ran to the windowsill, prying free a loose piece of the frame. To her relief, everything she’d hidden remained untouched. Slipping the single photograph, multiple passports, and stack of loose documents into her blouse, she immediately moved to the bed. Stretching out her flat sheet, she piled ALL of her remaining tools and the few sketches she intended to keep stop the sheet and gathered it all together like a gunny sack. This was EVERYTHING she owned that meant anything to her at all. Thankfully, that included what she would need for today. 

Heaving it over her shoulder, and left the door open behind her. Scurrying back to the car, she wordlessly tossed all of it into the back seat; her body language telling Johnny not to ask as she drew his pistol our of its holster and turned for the door again. “One sec. Just one sec.” 

Once inside, she shoved through Ginger’s door with a heated fury that set the woman to quaking. And with good reason. Whatever she knew, whatever had happened... Barb was no longer willing to play nice. “Now you listen and you listen good,” she growled in the clearest english the woman had ever heard from her mouth as she grabbed one of the toddling children by the neck. 

“I’m dead to you. Do you understand?” Ginger, hysterical as usual, simply nodded and whimpered as Barb cradled the child to her chest, pressing the LARGE pistol to the back of it’s head. “If anyone asks, I jumped off the roof after the incident with George. And if anyone... and I mean ANYONE comes my way that I find suspicious, I’m coming for your kids.” Holding the woman’s stare with a ice-cold glare, she kissed the child on the head as she shushed him quietly, “Not you. Your children. One by one... so you know it’s coming. And when they’re all cold and dead, THEN I’ll send an anonymous tip to your little cop friend about what really happened to George. And maybe I even say you did the little brats yourself. And I’ll send you cards on their birthdays while you rot in prison knowing you should have kept your dirty whore mouth shut. Do you understand?”

Ginger, still shaking and reaching desperately for the baby, nodded silently. “I SAID DO YOU FUCKING UNDERSTAND,” Barb screamed, cocking the pistol and levying it at her head. “Yes! Yes,” Ginger wailed, “I understand. I understand. Please! Please just give...” 

“Oh shut up,” Barb rolled her eyes, placing the child on the floor as she backed for the door. “I wont hurt you unless I think you ratted me out. As long as you don’t know nothing, you’ll never see me again.” Slamming the door shut, Barb raced back to the car and slid into the driver’s seat.

”Small complication,” she explained as she handed the pistol back. “Nothing to worry about right away. Just get us out of here. And don’t come back.” 

Barb noticed the suspicious perk of Johnny’s brow as he noted her complete loss of accent. But said nothing more on the matter. There were bigger fish to fry at the moment. And they both needed all of their thoughts on the business at hand to pull this off properly. Whatever had happened to her flat could wait. Right now, they had a sale to make and a con to finish. 

Johnny eyed her, but his foot peddled down; a long trail of rubber left behind the Jonkheer as it lit up the road outside the flat. They were off and in record time. That car, for all of its beauty, was not just a looker. Under the hood, the engine was roaring as the car flew down the road. He only had to ask one question, even though he was sure it was unnecessary.

"I'll only ask this right now... Do I need to ditch the gun?"

The shake of her head let him focus on everything else. "We'll talk later then."

As he pulled into traffic, he slowed the car down to normal speeds and checked his mirror. It didn't seem as if anyone was following them, so he let it go. A mental check note to make sure he came back to it later. Not that it would be hard to remember all of the things in the car all of a sudden.

"When we get there grab what you need to notarize, if you don't mind, and stuff the rest in the trunk just in case Hyoudou looks in the car? I feel it would look strange to have a gunny sack in the backseat. If you don't mind me going through your shit, I'll help ya move it." He took a look in her direction. He could tell she was shaken, but not enough for it to ruin her focus on the job at hand.

Johnny made it to the gym quickly, and as he pulled up to it, he took a deep breath. One glance at his watch, and he knew they had about an hour before Issei's plane even touched down.

"A little over an hour to spare. I'm assuming that's long enough for you?"

“Ah course, Mistah Wence,” Barb assured him in a velvety voice as sweet and smooth as buttercream icing. Climbing out of the car, Barb immediately moved to the back seat, sliding one seat down for trunk access so that she could move her belongings without actually taking them out of the vehicle... just in case there were any onlookers. 

Unfolding the makeshift gunny sack, she fished a fine leather briefcase from the mound of chaos within before maneuvering the whole thing through the small slot into the trunk. It took a fair bit of squishing and shoving, and frankly was probably hilarious from Johnny’s point of view. But in due time, she had everything re-situated and looking sharp. Wriggling herself free from the trunk, Barb tried her best to *only* flash Johnny as she backed out of the backseat before standing to smooth her dress.

“That should do,” she smiled - albeit tiredly, “Shall we find our way inside and finalize what remains?” 

‘Marjorie’ waited patiently as ‘Jerry’ unlocked the door to the gym. Giving him a polite curtsey-nod as he held the door for her. Once in side, she examined the building with an assessing gaze before turning back and asking, “There’s an office, Ah assume? Best to do business there, wouldn’t you say? Or would you rather set up a temporary table top here in the lobby?” 

“I assume the amount has already been settled? Flat rate for the building and equipment, as is. Deed transfer upon release of funds?”

Johnny nodded. "That is absolutely correct, Miss Miller. The amount was eleven grand flat; the building, and all of the supplies within it. I can show you to the office now. I agree, probably best to do this all fancy and official-like. I'll leave that up to you business types." He chuckled softly as he flipped the switch that powered the overhead lighting. As the hum of electricity filled the building and brought it to life, Johnny... Jerry led her across the large training floor.

"My pop used to train a lot of fighters here." He gestured to the far wall as they approached a door. "A few of those guys went on to be prizefighters. He used to focus on heavyweights and welter-weights, till that one..." He pointed at a heavy-set, bulky, black man with a large belt around his waist, "ran off with my sis to the Galveston fight scene. Ain't heard from 'er since."

"At that point," 'Jerry' continued, as he opened the door to the office. "Pops decided he'd only train lightweights, so he could kick their ass if they ever tried anything again. And only amateur fighters at that." Johnny-Jerry chuckled softly and shook his head. "Gotta say, I'm glad to be rid of this place. Only bad memories for me. I swear he left it to me outta spite. He knew I hated it here."

He pulled out the office chair and offered it to 'Marjorie' so that she could have her work space. "Anyways, Miss. I'll go wait out front for Mister Hyoudou, unless ya need something else from me?"

Marjie smiled and shook her head. “No, sir. Ah’ll get the deed and necessary legal entries prepared right away. Just let me know when Mr. Hyoudou arrives, and ah should have all this wrapped up lickety-split.” 

Chuckling softly as Jerry/Johnny left the office, she began setting the scene and laying out everything they would need to pull the stunt of cleanly. Snapping her briefcase open, she laid out the files with deed and “Jerry’s” documents next to her notary log. Arranging the remaining  necessary affidavits and forms in duplicate, she she laid a shiny new pen atop each stack and then turned to retrieve her seal and credentials. 

Little did Johnny know, Marjorie May Miller was - in fact - a real registered public notary... a fact that he would have great appreciation for come Jerry Wence Senior’s inevitable resurgence. But, for now, she focused on simply making everything as professional and as easy as possible while she waited. 

With any luck at all, Mr. Wence and Mr. Hyoudou would need only shake hands and sign the dotted line. And they would all be out the door, on their way, and better off within a matter of minutes. 

Chewing her lip, Barb watched the office clock as she waited anxiously for ‘Jerry’ to return with their client so that they could all be done with this official business. She had places to be, after all. 

'Jerry' waited outside for the Mister Issei Hyoudou to arrive. Looking at his watch he noted that the plane should have landed nearly forty-five minutes prior, and with typical airport nonsense and busy Philly traffic, he should be rounding the corner within the next fifteen to twenty minutes.

Fishing his pack of cigarettes out of his coat pocket, 'Jerry' lit one and leaned against the wall of the building, directly by the bench where he'd first met the strange Asian man. Smiling, he nodded. Today was a good day to make a sale. 'Jerry Junior' could finally be rid of the gym (and Johnny could be rid of the con on Jerry Senior).

As yet another car slowed down near the corner, 'Jerry' looked up hopeful. Eventually, one of them would be Issei. He was certain of it.

"Issei....do we really have to? I mean...seriously...."

"Baki....I've waited too long...."

"IT'S BEEN A FEW DAYS!"

"And in those days, Kiba died, I was tortured, lost an eye, and somehow continue to be a ray of sunshine..."

Baki rolled his eyes and muttered a 'sure' underneath his breath. 

Issei stepped out of the car as he noticed "Junior" and slowed his pace as he started to walk towards the man as Baki kept his straight face. Oh, it was clear the man was not a favourite for the man, in fact, it seemed that out of the two of them, Baki was showing his dislike. 

"I mean...do you trust him?"

"About as far as I can throw him."

Issei answered Baki, giving him that look to the answer to his question, Issei felt odd about it and did not wish to even move forward with whatever this was. Yet he was willing, plus, the fighting, it still moved him and that was the goal. 

Finally, Le Dragon came to a stop as he stood opposite 'Jerry' and gave the man a bow of his head with a smirk. 

"Jerry, it's been too long, I've almost come to miss your company..."

Smiling lazily, Issei brought his hand rest on Jerry's shoulder with a small twitching smile as Baki stood behind him, monitoring the two, more his boss than anything. 

"So tell me, is...everything sorted? No issues?"

Issei's playful came out over the word 'everything' seemingly alluding to something before the intentional cough of Baki stopped him from going further as he pouted...

"Mou! Baki, it's not like Jerry here doesn't even understand that art of business..."

"I'm sure..."

Issei's chuckle made the grappler shiver before finally, his single eye settled back on Jerry with that same smile in place, playful and unforgiving. 

Seeing that the man was still the same, he didn't even look the slightest bit nervous, it was almost....serene. Bowing his head, Issei then shook his head and met the man's eyes for a moment there, deciding that this was going to be fun...

"Now tell me, what else do we need to do in order to make sure this...goes through, eh?"

'Jerry' smiled, meeting Issei's glance, and Baki's, before bowing his head as well. "Mister Hyoudou. It's a pleasure to see you again. Happy you could make it. I hope your flight went well?" He chuckled, "I know the airline here in Philly can be a bit rough. I have a notary inside, Miss Marjorie Miller. She'll be able to finalize all of the paperwork. All that's truthfully left, is signing the dotted line, transferring payment and title, and the building is all yours."

'Jerry' quickly led them inside and turned, waving his arms out in the brightly lit building. "I did take the liberty of changing out all the old lighting so it would be nice and inviting for you. I hope you don't mind. And, soon enough, all of this will be yours. Even the room upstairs. Though that will most assuredly need some care before a man of your degree would want to stay there. At least some new furniture, I'd imagine. The bedding has all been cleaned though, just in case you needed to rest your eyes."

'Jerry' smiled and turned back around as he reached the door to the office. A quick knock, then he opened it. "Miss Miller? This is Mister Hyoudou, my buyer." He nodded and waved Issei in, gesturing to either of the two chairs. "As I said, we really just need to sign on the dotted line, Miss Miller notarizes the sale with the transfer of funds, and then we go for drinks and celebrate! My treat. Unless you needed to return home swiftly, of course. Because I wouldn't dare keep you from other business. I know how that can be."

Looking between Baki, Issei, and 'Marjorie', 'Jerry' smiled, "Also, would either of you like a drink? I have a bourbon, some rum, there's even a bottle of Saki, not that I am familiar with how it's served, but I thought I would attempt to be culturally appreciative. Or, I have water. Whichever you may prefer."

'Jerry' sat back and waited for Issei and Baki to make their choices both on seating and on a beverage.

"Well then, Jerry, the only thing that would make this any better if you were trying to fight someone but alas. Such a thing seems to be off the cards, although if you do wish to fight here eventually, do give me a call....I would love to see how you tussle..."

Issei's voice dropped an octave and the smooth quality was almost like running a hand across a satin sheet, his eyes did not leave Jerry then as the way his eyes roamed him for a moment, Issei was stopped in his gazing by Baki who coughed, rather pointedly.

"Boss, we're here for...business, are we not?"

"Baki, this is business, have you ever known me for anything else?"

Smirking, the guard of the Dragon raised a brow, even noticed by the two would-be sellers. Issei was many things but stupid, he was not. Of course, he knew what he was doing but playing a role, sometimes it was the dragon did best and it was....odd for Hanma. 

"I have but I will take a glass of bourbon, Issei will no doubt have an Oreo milkshake if you have some....if not, he'll take bourbon?"

Issei nodded, bowing before Jerry as he did so with that playful smirk still in place as he finished the roaming of his eyes then. Only to turn and face Majorie her name was? Yes, that was it!

Casually walking forward, Issei's eye did not stop in appreciating the form, his lips did twitch up in lovable agreement as he turned his eyes to Baki who shook his head. 

Pouting, Issei sat down opposite Majorie, bringing his legs up this chest, it seemed to be his seating style, the one he enjoyed the most. It was odd for the young man to sit in such a way, so he was told. 

"And just how did you find this one, Jerry? It's almost....magnificent with you two, such boldness! It's almost intoxicating that I kiss both of you..."

Once again, pointedly coughing, Baki raising a brow, he knew his boss' tendencies but this was almost new for him. Giving Johnny a look, Baki bowed his head in a soft apology before placing a hand on Issei's shoulder. 

Once again, the man himself pouted, Issei just couldn't understand what the problem was, so he was a little more out there than most people, so what?! 

"Well, it seems that I am being cut off by Baki here, buzzkill! Anyway, Marjorie and Jerry, you need my signature if I am not mistaken...although I did hear some interesting news in the last couple days regarding some odd things about this place...."

Issei met Jerry's eyes with that playful smirk again, of course, his eye told a different story. One of seeming blankness as he could not seemingly stop himself from commenting like that, he turned back, facing Marjorie with that look in his eye. 

"Of course, those are just silly rumours, aren't they? We are going to be making money, plenty of it, after all, you gave me this place Jerry. It's been such a...blessing."

Pausing for a moment, Issei bit his lip in thought as he reached for the pen, looking at Baki with meaning as the man nodded walking over to Jerry with a smile in place....

"If you have it though, he would like the Oreo Shake before he signs anything, don't ask...it's his whole superstition thing..."

Issei's call of "hey" did not help him there, in fact, Baki chuckled at his expense waiting for the man's answer...