Today ended another disappointing outing as Rose landed back in Chicago.  As she rode in the taxi towards North Side, Rose thought about all the traveling she had done over the past several weeks.  She was always on the look out to open new businesses in various locations, so she would visit different cities across the country.

Rose would visit each city's local establishments to gain an idea where to set up a new business venture, but the shock of prices everywhere had her worried about the economy of the Land of the Free.  Sure prices have increased some over the past decade, but she had witnessed astronomical prices everywhere.  Rose wondered how in the world those businesses thrived so well in the 1930's.

She planned to meet a business acquaintance of hers at a new local caffe she owned.  Rose at times thought the prices advertised might be a little high for some customers which is why she ran specials.   After seeing the high prices around the country, she knew even her normal prices were inexpensive to other establishments.  Seeing her acquaintance waiting for her at a table already, Rose headed over there as she shook her head then mumbled as she pulled the chair out.

"I just cannot believe how businesses thrive these days.  The prices are unreal."

She smoothed her favorite blue Chanel suit pants as she took a seat.  She was glad to be off her feet after a weekend of nonstop walking.  These new Oxfords were taking their time being broken in.  Rose smiled at Sereno as he put the menu down to give her his attention. She sighed heavily then relaxed against her chair, crossing her legs. 

"How are you Sereno?  How's business over your way?"

Sereno calmly smirked in Rose's direction and then pointed toward a half full bottle of vino on the table.

"Maybe some vino then!"

He had a tendency to flip between topics, yet at least this shift made sense. Some wine to calm the nerves, which he felt always added to a great meal, especially at the start, and lubricated the conversation. Not that they needed much help with letting their thoughts loose, as it wasn't the first time Rose and Sereno were meeting to discuss business.

It had been a frantic few weeks for the new Chicago resident. The move from Philly after CP Industries closed it's doors had meant the Sicilian native had been out of work, but not for too long. Koehler, a local North Side mobster who headed the family Evolution sought his services. Sereno was known by his ability to get along with people, even with his quirky aloofness. This always perplexed the wise guy, as he hadn't yet risen to the heights of some yet his name had been passed around enough to catch the attention of those that mattered. It didn't bother him, not in the slightest, and it actually made his transition easier.

Sereno reached forward and grabbed at a packet of Lucky Strike cigarettes that sat on the café table as he brought the conversation back around to what Rose seemed to be annoyed with moments earlier. He spoke whilst fidgeting about and glancing around the café, a waitress catching his eye amongst others about the joint.

"Prices! I hear you. Some places seem to be a little too costly for even us. Not that I'm anyone to talk, but you Rose, you shouldn't have a problem given the kind of positive cash flow you get from what you have going on."

Sereno paused and tapped at the cigarette packet, removed one then lit the end of it with a match and tucked them away inside a pocket in his dark navy suit jacket. As he drew back on the tobacco stick he continued, this time focusing his attention more on Rose.

"If even you can't afford to venture into some places, then what exactly is keeping them afloat. Hell, if people pay what's advertised then it may even be worth our while to get a cut of that action."

One of the waitresses made their way to the table and fixated her attention between the pair then turned toward Rose first, for obvious reasons.

She shook her head towards the wine.  Rose wasn't sure after all this frustration that she should indulge in liquor just yet, so she turned her attention to the waitress ordering a latte then waited for Sereno to order as well.  After the waitress had left, she focused back on her friend.

"Well that's exactly what I am talking about.  The prices in some businesses can make a person faint.  I thought my prices were a bit out of some's budget, but damn I guess not.  My wallet is pretty well accustomed to the lifestyle we live, but the prices for a steak dinner at $15 or more....well it just makes me cringe!"

Shaking her head recalling all the places she visited in her time here on these shores.  Land of the Free eh, seems more like Land of over priced gouging. 

"Well I can afford a great deal, and sure I indulge in certain areas.  I work hard for my money, so why not treat myself to a few special items.  I don't buy expensive jewelry, but I do splurge on clothes.  It has to be Chanel, or nothing.  It seems though if I were to continue going to these places I will have to starve though.

It is unrealistic.  It seems as if somehow people are living in a dream world instead of the great 1930's that we are living in, for real.  Twenty dollars for a pizza?  What is in that recipe?  Gold?  My pizzeria charges ten cents! TEN!  But then again our pizzas are edible cooked with real ingredients."

Sereno added to Rose-Raje's order with a corretto. He had some work to do after this and a caffeine boost with the sweet almond flavoured amaretto seemed like the perfect combination. The waitress smiled at the pair then went to task fixing their drinks. Sereno kept attentive to Rose as she continued to vent her frustrations. He didn't mind it in the slightest as he had the same thoughts on the matter and enjoyed a good business conversation.

"You do own a fair few establishments too, Rose. If anyone would know the world of business, it would be you. It's a shame so many places overcharge. The economy is already fucked. The stock market has crashed. A quarter of working American's are unemployed. It really doesn't make sense to put any more strain on people's pockets."

The waitress returned with a latte and a corretto and placed them on the table in front of Rose-Raje and Sereno. By this time, Sereno had finished his cigarette and had downed the last of the vino. The waitress removed the ashtray, empty bottle and glass from the table and walked away. All that remained were the coffees, two frustrated entrepreneurs and some attentive eavesdroppers.

"Come to think of it, if it wasn't for people like us doing what we do the average American wouldn't have the means of making a living. We employ people. We cater to social needs when the government tries to prohibit them with bans. If it wasn't for us, America would be in a worse state, if possible, and hiked prices would be the least of peoples troubles."

Sereno took a sip of the warm alcohol and caffeine infused beverage. His passion for business kept him going and sent the conversation a little off track. It was something he felt a knack for and money just seemed to agree with him. It opened his life to opportunities he would otherwise not have, including the connections and his ever growing position in this thing of theirs.

This world was built on money. It was the fabric that made everything and kept everything worth while and moving. It kept the human race in a constant state of Evolution. The over priced establishments across the nation made no sense for many reasons.

Sereno slipped into a silent moment as he pondered further on the topic and sipped on the corretto. Incoming pedestrian traffic in Chicago's Caffè Italiano caught his attention and he realized the conversation the two were having had captured a small yet growing audience of onlookers...

Rose noticed Sereno glancing around at passersby, and she had looked up to see a small gathered crowd listening to them.  She hadn’t realized she was speaking that loud, but when something like this bugged her, she vented her emotions freely.

Rose heard a few of the onlookers discussing a picket line, and creating signs.  There was even a brief mention of a riot.  She frowned slightly knowing this was not her intention, but apparently others were just as bothered by the outrageous prices as well.

“Do you hear that Sereno?  Guess some people are irritated enough to start a riot.  I don’t blame them though because we live day to day with our hard earned money.  Just imagine how those less fortunate than us manage to survive, and when they come across those high prices. Man I feel sorry for them.”

R2D2 chose to walk instead of take a taxi over to North Side. It was a beautiful day after all, no longer blistering hot, but a nice cool seventy. The wind felt heavenly, R2D2 thought, as she smoked on a lucky strike cigarette. The businesses where bustling with people going to and fro. It seemed that once again things where on the up and up and R2D2 began thinking.
 

Prices are outrageous. Twenty bucks for a steak, when they're only twenty-two cents per pound. R2D2 took a long drag. The prices are ridiculous,R2D2 sighed, flicked her cigarette and crushed it with the heel of her boot. Times are certainly getting hard if we are paying twenty bucks for a steak. Thank the Gods above that I don't eat meat, R2D2 thought, as she continued on aimlessly.
 

She walked slowly but with purpose surveying the many individuals on the street. The old men sitting outside reading the newspaper, the giggling school girls across the way as they smiled and blushed at the local bad boys. A figure in a window caught R2D2s eye and she walked over to get a closer look. She smiled to herself, today was indeed a beautiful day.
 

She walked into the building and smiled at two of her favorite people as she reached out to hug them both. "Its good to see you both. Wow! What a surprise that I happen to run into you both here and on this fine day to boot. How's it going Sereno Rose-Raje?"