Sitting at a table in the highly esteemed Yamamoto Family Japanese Restaurant are four unique individuals each with their own unique standing.
The first is Ryan Everst, the president of the fashion empire known as the Moon Shadow Affiliate. His usual joking and jovial attitude is a bit more reserved for this meeting.
Sitting next to him is one of the head fashion designers at his company; Brenda Delaware. Despite how dressed up she is for this dinner, she's the most nervous as she's having issues with using the chopsticks.
Across the table from them are Jackson 'Boston' Cavendish, the head of The Massachusetts Boys gang. His charming yet polite look doesn't seem to go unnoticed by their waitress as she constantly comes by to refill their waters if it shows the slightest notice of being a little empty.
Lastly, the fourth and final person at the table is Lucia 'Salem' Dulik, the second-in-command of The Massachusetts Boys. Her long hair is dyed blonde like Boston's, she has a mole underneath her mouth, looking into her brown eyes would cause you to receive a calculated yet coy look, and her white skin is glowing with no imperfections nor blemishes…all except the diagonal scar going across her mouth. She's wearing a gray chalk striped suit over a white button-up, however her blazer is slung over her shoulders like a cape with her arms not in it.
"So, I'm guessing you wanted to have this meeting due as a way to eat something good?" Ryan jokes.
"Hah, please Mister Everst, I wouldn't waste your time with such a request," Jackson laughs, "Like I said, we're here to discuss business, and the current state of our partnership."
"I see," Ryan begins to say as he rests his chopsticks in his hands, "And how has your business been going?"
"Well it's-" Jackson begins to say.
"Quite poorly to be blunt about it," Brenda interrupts.
Jackson's mouth closes as he kindly looks over to the fashion designer as she pulls out several papers from a folder she had in her designer purse.
"Your first fiscal quarter was great I'll give you that," Brenda begins to say, "But ever since you dipped a little in the second quarter only to plummet drastically in revenue gained in this last fiscal quarter. Even though the fourth one's just started this month, this trend does look to be continuing."
"I see you've done your research," Lucia Dulik, the second-in-command, states, "But you should know that our biggest moneymaker is no longer in the picture. Ever since the fall of Club Azure, our narcotics business has taken a significant hit. Without their presence, it's been difficult to find another buyer willing to spend as much as they did."
"All of the gangs working under us suffered from Club Azure's premature end," Brenda retorts, "Yet all of them have since managed to bounce back and are raking in more profits than ever before. So what's holding your gang back?"
Lucia goes to talk but Jackson lifts his hand as he says, "Now hold on Salem, I think I'll take over this part. And Miss Delaware, you're not supposed to cross your chopsticks."
Brenda silently corrects herself as she tries to grab the sushi off her plate, but it quickly slides off back onto her plate.
"It's been over three years since we got folded into working for your organization," Jackson begins to say, "I thought you'd have learned by now that we don't like to chase after cheap thrills and profits like the other gangs. If you help us with one thing, our profits will not only balloon but eclipse every other gang."
Ryan leans back in his seat, prepared to listen to Jackson's pitch while Brenda still struggles to eat a single piece of sushi.
"For the past couple years now we've been working as a 'clean up' service for those interested in buying up some property, and while it has been a successful business, it doesn't quite pay the bills as much as any of us would hope," Jackson begins to explain, "Which is why we've been starting to take a different approach. Have you heard of squatter's rights and adverse possession?"
"I'm familiar with them," Ryan remarks, "If you live and maintain a property of someone else's and they don't challenge your use or maintain their property, you'll be able to acquire it in five years. At least here in Starlight City."
"Oh, I see you even know the time it takes," Jackson compliments.
"Is that what you're planning on doing?" Ryan questions.
"Correct!" Jackson snaps his fingers, "Over the years, many businesses and families have been scared off from the west side of town, so there's a lot of vacant properties nobody wants to buy and the owners want nothing to do with it."
"No part thanks to your gang," Brenda adds as she struggles to use the chopsticks.
"That's the point," Lucia explains, "We scare them off and use their property for anything our gang needs. Then when the time comes and we finally gain ownership, we'll be able to clean up the place and sell the prime real estate to the city planners and construction companies hungry to use the
"We'll still own a percentage of the land, so we'll still be earning money even after selling it off," Jackson remarks as he grabs his chopsticks, "What do you think?"
"I don't know," Ryan begins to remark, "I'm impressed by all you have planned out, but I am concerned about how long this plan would take. Your other revenue streams may dry up before this can even come to fruition. Not to mention it'll be tough to get some construction companies to work with you when your gang's made the west side undesirable for a long time."
"I agree with you on the first part, which is why we need your help," Jackson remarks as the waitress fills up his glass of water.
Ryan Everst & Brenda Delaware stop and look at Mister Cavendish with confusion.
"The Moon Shadow Affiliate & it's parent company have a lot of ties to the politicians in the city," Lucia mentions, "If you can convince the ones that are in deep with you all to knock down that 5 year wait into a 5 month turn-around, all of our current places we're squatting at will automatically become our property overnight."
"It'll help both of us in the end," Jackson adds, "And I already have a business that deals with construction in mind to take care of it all."
"Is it Dirty Fang? They already dabble in construction and their leader Makinsley is a good enough guard dog that I'm sure he could take care of any complications," Ryan suggests.
Jackson, who has his cup mere inches away from his mouth, stops for a moment.
His smile slightly twitches from hearing the name of the Dirty Fang's head.
"Mason, huh?" Jackson remarks, "He's good with his gang, but he's got terrible business sense."
Ryan is intrigued by Jackson's comment.
"You said he was a guard dog, right?" Jackson says as he lifts the sushi up with his chopsticks effortlessly, "Well, what good of a guard dog can one be if he'd bite the hand of his master to protect his kin? Makinsley's priorities lie with his gang and his gang alone."
"Then where do your priorities lie?" Brenda asks as she gives up using chopsticks and gets a fork.
"My priorities?" Jackson comments as he bites down on his sushi, "I thought they were apparent."
As Jackson chews loudly, Lucia breaks the silence by saying, "The corporation we have in mind to aid us in construction is The SunDrop Foundation. I'm certain you're aware of them."
Hearing those words, Brenda turns to look at Ryan, a look of concern on her face as Ryan's hand slowly becomes firm.
"I'm aware of them, yes," Ryan Everst calmly says through a frustrated face, "They're definitely a solid pick, but I'm sure you know of their history."
"We all have a history with them, Sir," Jackson smirks, "But I think it's been plenty of time to bury the hatchet. I'm not exactly referred to as 'The Brother of The Beast' still, am I?"
"I won't stop you from striking a deal with them, but I will remind you to keep your eyes out when you do so" Ryan warns, "You may want to bury the hatchet, but they certainly like to dig it back up."
Jackson sets his chopsticks down and extends his hand across the table.
"Well then, I think that's all of the issues we needed to sort out," Jackson remarks.
Ryan takes Jackson's hand and shakes it.
"I suppose you're right," Ryan remarks, "I'll let you know when it gets lessened to 5 months, in the meantime you make sure to get your side of things all settled."
"Don't worry sir," Jackson begins to say, "I don't see any pitfalls for us in the future."
The rest of the dinner went by quickly. Eventually after finishing eating and paying for the bill, the two parties both began to walk up and exit the restaurant. As they do so, Jackson spots a halloween pop-up store at the corner of the street.
"Ah, one more thing, sir," Jackson says as he glances to Lucia.
Lucia sighs before her & Jackson strike a silly pose with their hands dangling like zombies.
"Happy Halloween!" Lucia & Jackson yell.
____________________________________
In The West Side of Town, a train makes its way to a station. And as the train reaches its spot, a few people exit from the train.
A few people set on making this night one to remember.
See You Next Chapter!~