HooLZ steps out of his HQ and onto the mean streets of Detroit, looking back at what he has been left with after the last few days. He stands there for a few moments, sipping his whiskey and puffing on his cigar. Looking down, he spots a shiny penny sitting on the floor and mumbles to himself before he leans over to pick it up.

Find a penny, pick it up, all day long, you'll have good luck...

As he brings his head back up, he spots Mercedes_Kompressor strolling towards him.

Ah, Mercedes_Kompressor... I'm glad to have bumped into you, as always. I've been waiting around for you for a little while now, we need to talk. Come, walk with me.

Hoolz nods his head and gestures for her to walk alongside him.

So, How've you been keeping yourself today? Actually, that doesn't matter right now. You're one of my most trusted friends and you're more than aware we've been through some turbulent times recently. I don't need to explain this to you, you know we're in the process of organising ourselves and restoring Detroit to its former glory. With that said, I have a job for you.

HooLZ stops and looks tensely at Mercedes_Kompressor, following with a smile and a laugh.

Don't worry, it's nothing like last time. I wouldn't want to even bring that up again! No, this is the start of something beautiful.
You've been with me for some time now, our families go way back together too. I know exactly what you're about and what you can bring to a city, specifically our city. As a result I've been speaking with Don ChristianGato about you and we both agree you're part of the future of Detroit.

HooLZ hands over the paper bag he's been grasping for the last few minutes.

Take the bag and don't question where it came from. I want you to buy your own place around here and make it work. You have always been, and will be a good friend of mine so you know where I am if you ever need anything.

Looking around, HooLZ sees a few people have started to cautiously gather at a safe distance.

I'd like to introduce Mercedes_Kompressor, a great woman and an asset to Detroit. She will be leaving my operation as of now and will be making a name for herself. I now she will be a role model for the already fine members of Detroit.

Staring uncomfortably at the paper bag, Mercedes shakes her head and smiles at her old friend.

​​​​​"I can't take that. I certainly appreciate the gesture, but if I'm not able to make a move without assistance...you know hard hard it is for women in this thing of ours. Let me earn my own way. Maybe I'll catch some respect that way, who knows?"

She winks and scans the small group that has gathered.

"There IS one thing you can do for me, though. Will you let Sarah come with me? I know how valuable she is to you but I know she can and will do great things in a position of power. She deserves the opportunity to shine.

"I know I'll just be around the corner, but I'll miss you terribly. I've instinctively trusted you with my life from the day I met you, so many years ago. Our ancestors have watched cities rise and fall. We've lost good people, and good friends.

"Thank you for this opportunity," she mumbles, a bit teary-eyed as she hugs him tight.

Paranoid emerges from the shadows, seamlessly covering the somewhat uneven surface

Mercedes_Kompressor, I'd firstly like to congratulate you on your new position within Blackbottom. I would also like to take this opportunity to thank you for the work you've done for our crew. Your tireless work has made my life so much easier and I know the same could be said by HooLZ. 

I have no doubt you will continue your good work and will pursue further achievement on the other side of town. I know you won't need it, but I'd like you to know you have my full support should you ever suffer any bad luck. 

Paranoid loiters for a moment before smiling at Mercedes_Kompressor once more

I look forward to seeing what you can do with your own business to run. If you can mould only a few people to hold even vaguely similar standards as yourself, we will be much better off. With any luck we will also see a little more of you outside of the HQ, something I always look forward to. 

Just as effortlessly as he emerged, Paranoid disappears back into the shadows without leaving a trace

The fella known as yyyyyyyyyy drives up haphazardly, hopping off his ragged looking bicycle.

Hey! Congrats there! I known I haven't been in this town long, but I have been here long enough to appreciate what you've done for this crew. I'm sure Hoolz will miss you, but its a nice opportunity to make an even bigger name for yourself. 

yyyyyyyyyy looks around and checks his watch.

Well, I've got an appointment to meet, but I'll see you sometime again, I'm sure. Make sure to visit the HQ whenever you're in the neighborhood! Congrats again! 

yyyyyyyyyy hops back on his bicycle and weaves in and out of the Detroit traffic, disappearing behind a corner after he almost crashes into a shopkeeper watering his plants.

Olympia was late to the party.. As always.. So she decided she would stop by Mercedes_Kompressor's new headquarters. She figured by now, Mercedes had purchased it and the renovations had probably started on making it look good. And she knew it wasn't very far from the headquarters of The Highwaymen. So she set out on her way, deciding to walk instead of drive.

When she arrived a short while later, she noticed all of the fortifications that had went up to make it a safer place to be. She stood at the gate, talking through it to one of the guards, telling him she was Olympia, from The Highwaymen. He let her in and she made her way up to the door, noticing that Mercedes was outside giving people directions on what to paint, what to fix, etc.

She walked up to her and said, "Hey Mercedes! I hope you're doing well over here. I just wanted to congratulate you on this awesome opportunity you got to show what you can do for Black Bottom. I know that you will do so well. Your headquarters looks awesome already! Good job!"

She gave her a quick hug and said, "I brought this for you. It's a small bottle but, you can celebrate this wonderful achievement with your Hands, when they arrive."

Olympia gave Mercedes a bottle of Four Roses Bourbon, wrapped in a small felt bag. She smiled and said, "I really do hope you get some enjoyment out of this. It wasn't easy to obtain, that's for sure."

She took one last look around the outside of the building, then smiled and said, "Well, I best be on my way back to The Highwaymen.. I wish you luck here, and I know you will succeed greatly. Goodbye 'til next time!"

She turned to make her way back down the sidewalk and through the gate, then turned back towards her family's headquarters.

Still staring after yyyyyyyyyy and wincing as he barely avoids getting flattened by a delivery truck swerving around the corner, Mercedes turns her attention to Olympia and her priceless gift.

"Goodness, I don't believe I've even seen this brand, up close and personal," she says as she gently slides the bottle out of the cloth and examines the label. 

"One of those things you save for special occasions, like fine china. You'll have to come back and make sure it's properly appreciated and not tucked away," she adds as she carefully returns the bottle back into the cloth. Looking at the HQ as the final refurbishments are taking place, she sighs. 

"Still so much I need to do. One day, though!" 

She smiles wearily at Olympia as squealing brakes can be heard a block over.

"You think maybe we should get that kid an actual car or something?"

​​

Just as she reached the gate after their short conversation, she heard the car tires squealing in the distance, and turned at the sound of Mercedes' voice. She walked back towards her, saying, "What was that? Sorry, I can't hear very well sometimes."

She repeated herself and Olympia replied with a laugh, "Oh definitely. Or, perhaps a bicycle! Some people just shouldn't be driving cars! And rather rude of me to ignore you saying I should come back to help you with that. I would love to! Would be a good chance to get caught up after awhile, and I'm really glad you like the gift! I got it from a.. Friend of a friend of a friend... If you'd like some more later on, I'm sure I can pull some strings. It's really great stuff indeed!"

Honored (and a bit stunned) that Don Gato chose to stop by in person to congratulate her, Mercedes looks from Olympia to the bottle of Four Roses in her hand. Carefully taking it back out of the felt bag and opening the top, she offers the first sip to Don Gato with a smile. 

"I don't have so much as a paper cup to offer you at the moment, but perhaps you'll overlook that minor transgression and share a drink with Miss Olympia and myself?" ​​​​​​