Rae wanders onto the street and sets up a little booth with a banner proclaiming, “WHAT’S IN A NAME?” across it. In much smaller print she’s included, “Mostly letters, usually.” because Rae is nothing if not an opportunist. Which is why she is here today. She stands in front of the booth and proclaims, 

“Whats in a name, folks? Well a lot, if we’re being honest. Especially if you have a very long name. But, the ancient Greco/Roman communities believed that names came from the souls of those that went before us.”

“Diomedes was said to be named after a fox. Cunning, sly and quick of wit”

“Zeus was named after the milkman.  He was very bitter, hence the outward displays of lightning violence. He was a bit of a cunt really.”

“For example, that mischievous squirrel Foamy’s name isn’t just a random moniker.  No no no not at all.  It reveals to us his breeding, his lineage and the hopes and dreams of his ancestry.”

“Foamy – Swears like a docker.  Keeps nuts strangely shiny.  Cries at romantic comedies.

Or take my own personal name, for example, Rayln - parents shit at spelling and drank a bit much, but overall very classy lady who makes the most of things.“

“What, don’t look at me like that. I can’t help it if some names are better than others. “ she says at the people with raised eyebrows, 

“However, I digress.  The name is an insight to the soul and for the bargain, one time only price of 50,000 dollars you can have your name explained to you in all its original glory……or not, some names are just terrible, take it up with your parents. Lord knows I have.”

Swarley smiles at Rayln's offering. He remembers how the name of his own came about. It was many years ago...

Barney sat down in a booth with his two closest friends, about to muscle down an overpriced coffee. Barney never really took to the taste of the drink, preferring downers as opposed to uppers. Nothing could beat the taste of a scotch served neat. Maybe it was too early in the day for that. As the group checked out their cups, Barney noticed a misspelling on his. 

"...Mine says Swarley. How do you get Swarley from Barney? It's not even a name! Who would ever be called Swarley?"

His friends mischievously exchanged glances, before staring back at Barney.

"Oh, please don't start calling me Swarley. This would never happen in a bar!"

Barney got up to exit the restaurant, but the damage was done. No longer was he known as Barney. The legend of Swarley had begun.

"That's how I remember it, but I am curious to see what you might think up, Rayln."

I not cry at romantic comedies!

I had dust in my eyes.

squirrelly wrath etc.

My father was eating chocolate on a sunny day,
He ate a piece of chocolate and said:

"sweet!"

He looked up and saw the sun.

"sun!"

Then he looked at the new born baby he held.

"sweetsuns!"

Shaking yet another unread Rayln mail from his jacket, Rossi takes note of the discussion unfolding. Well, unfolding was a rather forgiving word, but there wasn't really a word to describe the scene. He coughed loudly behind Rae, causing her to pounce, startled from marveling at her own magnificent signage. 

"Ma'am."

He eyed her ominously, before shaking off any doubt of madness when a ranting squirrel ran past.

"For me, it's the reputation. When a man or woman walks these streets, every action risks poking a hole in their reputation. They will create opinions and suggestions among others as to what their true nature or intentions are. You've got to maintain a front, a balance, as to what you allow others to see. Revealing everything, dropping your inhibitions and voicing your opinions at every opportunity, increases the risk of those holes developing. On the flip side, if you remain mute and speak only when absolutely necessary, you will remain a subject of discussion and curiosity. Again, unwanted attention.

"Over time, a persons reputation will either be left full of huge, gaping holes where it has suffered from one too many street rants or drunken coffee shop rambles (not pointing any fingers.), or, peppered with pin holes, where curious attempts have been routed while trying to force a person to break down and open up.

"A name to me is only worth the reputation you made for it. I see some great efforts from some people to build a real persona for their name, and that is what this word is about, to me. I like to keep the names associated with my past loosely linked. Names like Gato's that worked the east coast have a different way of operating than the Capizzi line, which favours the west. Both have different approaches to business, confrontation and mannerisms, and the two families don't consider themselves kin. For example, if Sam Gato, rest his soul, was to talk of his father in the streets, he would talk of Louis Gato, not Genco Capizzi. 

"In my mind, those names are different people, as will the names of those to come."

Katherine steps out into the cold winter sun and squints a little, then hones in on a sign placed on the front of a small booth that sits a bit haphazardly on the sidewalk.  She lights a cigarette and gets closer, trying to make out the letters before she gets too close.  Once she sees that the booth and it's inhabitant look friendly she gets closer.  After listening with piqued interest at what Rayln has to say Katherine finishes her smoke and carefully puts it out in her cigarette case. 

"Well, I hardly have fifty thou to just throw around but here's my take on my name.  Katherine is a strong name.  One going back in various forms for generations.  My great grandmother went by her married name Capone.  My mother went by her nickname, Kittie.  Frankly, I think  there is great strength in a name that's unadulterated with frivoloties.  I prefer Katherine to the variations like Kat.  But that's just me.  I think each iteration of a name gives whoever bears it a new chance at life.  I'm not my foremothers, I am my own woman and I intend to make sure people know it.  But again, that's just one way to look at it."  

She smiles and walks off, the click of her high heels seeming to echo the hard consonant of her name. 

Napping strode up to Rayln's booth and jumped up onto it. 

Letting out a soft meow, Nappy curled up and fell asleep. 

Rae stared at all the people around her who had clearly all missed the point, except for Swarley, kinda. She put her head in her hands and groaned, "No, the whole thing was you give me your money and then I casually make fun of you for a few minutes before you leave and we're both much happier." She sighed. "This has been a dismal failure. I need to go beat Foamy with a loaf of bread." she muttered. 

Insane runs into this question and laughs all the way to the bank.  of course Swarley was close in Raylin's eyes.  Who would go against their hand?

My name speaks for itself.

''Now that's interesting'' Raymont thought.

''Raymont comes from the French word for Wise Protector.. The Reddington just stands from an epiphany..''

Raylen let out a soft cry of delight, "Oh! Kitty!" she said before petting it and scratching under its chin. "Kitty, these people are not very smart." She whispered to it before shaking her head. 

Napping purred and rolled around on the booth before hopping up and staring at the crowd of people gathered. Nappy quickly scanned the group before turning to Rayln. 

Nappy walked up close to her ear and leaned in to speak. "Meow" 

Nappy plopped down on his side and waited for more pets. 

Walking past the many people who had turned this otherwise perfectly scam-tastic business venture into some sort of.. Discussion. Connor Approached Rayln and handed her a small pouch containing $50,000.

"Well then, let's have it! I've a pretty good idea about the origins of my name, although it is open to interpretation. Do your worst."

His eyes narrowed as a sly grin spread across his face, eagerly awaiting what Rayln had to say.

Chiffonn walked up to the booth, already knowing that this is a scam. But still, it'll be fun, she thought. She then put the small black briefcase containing the amount which was obviously too large for the service offered on front of the booth's owner.

"Well, I would really love to hear what you have to say" Chiffonn said, waiting for the fun-filled statement to come.

Rae grinned and resumed petting the cat, "I do believe you are right." she told him before ConnorMcDavid came up to her. "Oh, finally!" she said. "Well lets see..." she tapped her Chin, "Connor comes from the old latin for very very large eyebrow. Just the one, mind you." she told him, "Other key things to note about the name Connor is that they tend to be afraid of bees, and also very fond of the color orange." she narrowed her eyes. "You may way to have a word with your parents, when you next see them." she told him. 

While she was talking Chiffonn came over as well, and while she accepted the briefcase full of money she thought about the woman's name. "Well Chiffonn, I do believe your name means something along the lines of..." she paused for a minute while she racked her brain for the meaning of the woman's name, "Quiet and reserved, but also really really good at spouting off absolute rubbish if the right sort of alcohol is applied. Not to mention, the whole issue with eating with your hands." She shook her head, "I'm sorry, perhaps a stern letter home will make you feel better?" she offered. 

 Napping continues to purr as he playfully batted Rayln's hands around. Listening to the astute observations she was making on these hapless minions he decided it was his turn. Turning his head he looked up at Rayln. 

"Meow?"

Napping meows. Closing his eyes he thinks back to his father's training. "Napping! what is best in life?" "Crush your enemies. See them driven before you. Hear the lamentations of their women."

Napping opened his eyes and meowed in content. Napping the Destroyer. A good strong name indeed. Napping stretched his front legs sticking his ass up in the air before curling back up for a nap.