Andrei returned from the Brennan's Cellers and in his way in the building he saw Mercedes , a full load of barrels, trucks and handful group of people. This could only mean two things... First Mercedes finished the the Match Batch load and second he knew he'll be berried again in paperwork but he was ok with that. The boy walked closer to Mercedes and said:"Another day, another dollar ey?. My father used to said that when he was receiving a load of money or merchandise.You'll take care of the loading and I'll take care of the papers?" As the boy looked at the barrels.

Distracted, Mercedes nods and throws up the 'okay ' symbol with her right hand. Still studying the barrel as it's loaded onto the truck, she's thinking about guns, cash, and drugs being transported in the barrels, and what it would take to keep them completely dry as they were submerged for hours on end in the whiskey itself. Plastic wrap didn't seem to cut it. She needed to get with John_Scalise_Jr to see if he had some sort of waterproofing method. Or perhaps they could come up with something new? 

Watching as the Match Batch left the parking lot, she smiled to herself. So much potential, these barrels!

After one hour the boy leaves the office and search for Mercedes... Finally he finds her :'' Mercedes I'd like to talk about something when you have a moment."

Mercedes has been adding the final touches to her small living quarters in the back of the distillery. It was a small area, but she'd managed to work a miracle or two by having the crew knock out a wall. Subsequently, she'd called in a decorator to work a little more magic. The effect was something to be proud of, in her opinion. Brick walls displaying tasteful art by her favorite artists...beautiful area rugs covering the newly stripped and stained hardwood floor...furnishings done in earth tones that accentuate the exposed roof beams. You'd hardly notice the lack of windows.

Hearing Andrei call out for her, she returns to the distillery proper.

"What can I help you with, Andrei?" she asks.

The boy took a place at the bar and asked for a drink... Than he said:"Mercedes do you know the old factory complex near the docs right? Well I'd like to start a new operation but I need an partner and some founds. Do you want to take part in this?"

Mercedes smiles at Andrei's enthusiasm. 

"I'm broke, Andrei. I sunk everything I had left into this distillery. What little cash I've got left is what I'm retiring on. 

"Have you looked at the rest of Ghost's crew? There are lots of young men and women with the money and the energy to start up a new business...?"

Andrei looked at Mercedes and said :"Well I'd like more of a partner than founds... I can get a bit extra to begin with but still I need someone with experience." As he winks to her. "Tell me if you are interested. A bit of extra cash is always helpful."

John entered the distillery and was pleased to see that the work had been completed nicely. He had, unfortunately, been called away on business for the last few days of the construction so he hadn't seen it completed. Spotting Mercedes he approached and noticed that she was speaking with Andrei at the moment. Catching her eye for a moment to make sure she new he had arrived he walked over to the bar and ordered a drink.

Mercedes signals for John to join them. As they all take a seat at one of the small tables, she pours each of them a shot of whiskey.

"There's been a slight change, fellas. I'm working for Mavis Beacon now, in an effort to help Corktown get itself on the map. It's a win-win situation for everyone involved...I've just expanded our business contacts, Andrei," she says, looking in his direction. "We should be seeing more opportunities coming through these doors. And John," she says, turning her attention to the other man seated at the table. "I've already taliked to Kate Logan about what you and your business can do for the greater Detroit area. You should be hearing from her soon. Should be profitable for us all," she says with a wide smile.

John smiled widely at Mercedes before lifting his glass toward her:

"Here's too good business and good friendship. Benedizioni a vostra e la vostra"

Completely floored by his attentions, Mercedes stands there stupidly for a moment before responding. No one had ever given her chocolates before. 

'Conn! How lovely to see you!' she says, embracing him in a brief hug. 

'​​​​​​'No need to buy whiskey here, it's on the house! ' she says, signaling the young barkeep to bring two fresh glasses of the latest distillation. 

'Try my latest. It's due to ship out tomorrow and I haven't sampled it yet. What do you think?' she asks, holding out a shot for him. 

'​​​​​​'Let's try it together. Salud!'

"Just a few weeks ago, after I stepped down. I needed something to fill the void, without all the stress. This place works just fine," she says, truly grateful to be out from under the pressures of leadership. 

"How about you, Conn? Are you loving Vegas? Is your boss treating you well?" she asks. She hasn't had the pleasure of meeting Space-pole, but she's listened to him speak in the streets.

Mercedes was touched by Conn's loss. Resting a hand atop his, she gives it a squeeze and raises her glass. 

Here's to your father, Conn. I'm sure he'd be very proud of you and what you've achieved," she says with a smile before clinking glasses and downing the rest of her drink.

"I'm liking it a lot! I mean, I kinda just go where I'm needed, you know? Lend a hand where I can. Makes me feel useful," she replies. 

"Detroit on the whole is quite a bustling town, but we seem to be a bit short on eateries. Lots of places to drink, obviously," she says with a laugh, "but not so much in the way of restaurants. If you're hungry, I could send one of the fellas to the deli down the block, if you like?" 

"No worries there," she says with a grin. "The deli owner is fond of whiskey, so we have a bit of a trade agreement." Signalling one of the bodyguards over, she made quick arrangements to have a couple of the daily specials brought over. Turning back to Conn, her face takes on a serious look. Pouring them each another drink, she speaks.

"There's something you don't know about me, Conn. Or maybe you've heard rumors, I don't know. But there's...a woman. Because of her high standing in the community, we have to hide our relationship, sneak around when we even find the time to see each other. We even agreed to continue seeing other people, if it benefitted us to do so. 

"To further complicate matters, it's dangerous. One, possibly two men have died, simply because the shooters were trying to goad Kate, force her hand, through me. I wasn't romantically involved with them, but they were mine to protect, and I failed them. It's part of why I stepped down.

"You're a wonderful man, Conn. You have a zest for life and a true appreciation for the beauty in it...I have such fun with you, almost like all the terrible things I've seen and done haven't happened and I get to be, well, normal, even for a few minutes at a time." 

"A sane man would run screaming in the other direction. A crazy one would stay here and enjoy one of the best club sandwiches ever made," she says with a wink as the bodyguard returns through the door, deli bags in hand.