[ johnny hums in acknowledgment, picking her cup back up to take a contemplative sip. spring was—curious, is what she would say of the stories rick had to say. how eddie was 'the town enemy' for a while. how the missing police chief returned with the faint stink of russia stuck to him.
how an earthquake did some serious damage to town, despite hawkins not being anywhere near a fault line by johnny's knowledge.
come to think of it, that was the first time eddie's name came up. maybe the sticky-fingered rick had some fondness in him too. hm. ]
I suppose I can see that. Small towns, right? Everybody knows everybody else's business, half the time.
Hopper is a customer, then? I'm not asking to get you in trouble, I'd just like to know who to ask if you're in lock-up with Rick. [ this coffee really isn't half-bad. ] Supply chains, all that. I like to know who's on mine.
Customer? [There's a bright, sharp little laugh, shaking his head] No, no no no, he's uh... still a cop. Sure he could definitely stand to unwind a little, but no, not a customer. [He shrugs, one shoulder, head tilting towards it as he does, that same movement that's more nervous tic than actual shrug] It's just as long as nobody actually tries to turn me in, he's got better things to do than chase me down, that's all. He knows I'm not hurting anybody, and not selling to kids.
[Sure, a couple of the juniors are among his less-regular customers, but he's never sold pot to anybody under sixteen and he's not about to start now.]
[ johnny sees him properly now. a smart kid, not in a book-smart way but the streetside way. likely quick on his feet, with strong self-preservation instincts. worse, he has morals, a vague shape that's getting hewed to something much sharper as time goes on.
poor kid. he likely has a lot of suffering ahead of him. ]
You're smarter than Rick. I see why he chose you.
If I were to propose an arrangement with you directly, would you consider it?
Yeah, well, don't tell him that, he still doesn't know. [It's only halfway to being a joke, because Eddie's used to playing dumb when he has to, or at the very least playing into what people think of him, though he's been doing a little less of that recently, having to shake a murder charge will do that to a person.]
Wow, don't even know me and you're already trying to scalp Rick's best distributor. Ballsy. [There's unabashed amusement in the statement, lighting his eyes, though he gives another nod.] Depending on the terms, I'd consider it.
I like to be practical. You're less likely to get arrested, given what you've already told me, so that's a plus in your column that our mutual friend doesn't have.
[ sorry, rick. business is just business. ]
I'm moving the usual product to you. I want Rick to handle something a little more designer from now on. Less risk for you than if I gave that responsibility to you, and given your clientele— people stay as safe as they want.
You keep half Rick's cut, since you'll be doing half his work. Product comes straight from the factory, so there's no problem with quality control.
[His brows lift a little at the suggestion of extra income, because that's never going to go amiss, and sure the utilities bills aren't as high as they were now that the government replaced the trailer, but they're still bills and someone's got to pay them.]
You've got my attention, yeah, but uh, one question, and maybe a stupid one, but factory-processed herbs is a new one by me. That where they usually come from?
[He'd been under the impression that Rick was in contact with the grow operation, though given what he knows about Rick in general, it's not going to be a surprise if that's not the case.]
Gives it that extra kick. Everything needs an edge these days, even the illicit pleasures in life.
All-natural doesn't cut it anymore, if you're discerning.
[ she's not passing judgment; it's a statement as much as it's a sales pitch. and the drug works, the way they lace it in the labs; effects are cleaner, the smell fainter, more pleasant. good qualities highlighted against the ones farmed out in the west coast. ]
Rick doesn't ask many questions. Not a character judgment against you, I appreciate it, actually.
[He just gives a little tilt of his head, not quite a shrug, but not yet an agreement] Some folks would pay a premium for lab-grown instead of, uh, you know, wild caught or whatever.
[And there's an actual shrug that follows, drumming his fingers in an irregular staccato against the edge of the table] And if it's the same stuff I've already been selling anyway, there's no reason not to. [Not when he knows that nobody he's selling to is going to know the difference if he sells them a story to go with the same product]
[ or she hopes they do; he still hasn't said yes, has he?
johnny offers him a small smile, now that she feels they've found a common thread. he's got smarts to him, but he's not pushing his luck; they're self-preservation instincts she can appreciate.
she puts her hands together, a half-clap sort of gesture, and looks around a bit. ]
What would you recommend off the menu? I realize I haven't had anything else all day other than the coffee.
[He just nods, mostly managing serious and solemn for a moment] Yeah we do.
[There's a flash of a smile a moment later at the follow-up question] Normally I'd say pie, they don't have a bad one, but sugar on top of caffeine on an empty stomach is never a good idea, you need some carbs and some protein. Their burgers are pretty standard, and their patty melts are better somehow? [A little shake of his head, spreading both hands in another near-shrug]
Which I don't get since it's got to be the same meat from the same place. BLT's a safe bet, not as good as Benny's were, but I'm pretty sure Benny was some kind of bacon wizard anyway, so nobody's going to have a BLT of that quality.
[He considers for a moment] Cheese fries are good, especially with grilled mushrooms and onions, chili fries, eh, they're fine if you're into that. Only thing I'd stay away from is the tuna salad, but I've never trusted the stuff anyway.
[ she's amused and bemused; food, she knows, is a Good Thing, but excitement over it is still something she's getting used to seeing. food is a need but flavor is a privilege, the way madam would've said it. it's enough to have a belly full, a throat sated of thirst.
anything else is excess, except when they're put to work.
johnny lays both hands loosely flat on the tabletop. ]
You choose for me. Pick something for yourself, too.
[He tilts his head from side to side, considering an answer to that question] Not sure if it's 'like' as much as 'not many other options that aren't corporate and even those are thin on the ground', and a lot of it's just... I'm here a lot, so I've had a chance to sample.
[He closes one eye to regard her for a moment, as if that might help him figure out what she'd like, finally clicking his tongue against the side of his teeth, fingers drumming against the edge of the table again.] You seem like an egg salad on rye, pickle on the side not the sandwich, with cheese fries. [A single, decisive nod] And today's a grilled cheese and steak fries kind of day.
[He shrugs, spreading his hands again, smile inching into place once more.] I don't even know how it works, it's just a knack, some people are good with numbers, I'm good at knowing what people would like for lunch, and it's not hundred percent accurate, but maybe seventy? Which is still pretty good odds.
[He leans sideways in his chair to get the attention of the girl behind the counter] Kels, number ten with cheese fries, number twelve with wedges. [There's a bright grin as he gets an acknowledgement.] You're a peach.
Still, that's a good skill. If you can expand on that, learn how to extend that to cold-reading other things? You'll go places you might not even expect you'll end up.
[ if only she knew, though, right?
she watches him as he charms his way around the diner order, and smiles a bit to herself. ]
[His brow furrows a little at the question, because he knows what most people mean when they ask that, but it doesn't have the same intonation coming from Johnny, which is something he'll have to contemplate later.]
Kelly? She's one of my band's original groupies. There's five of them, actually, 'The Kels.' Kelly with a Y, which is that one, Kelli with an I, and also Kellie with an IE and then Kelsey and Carly who are actually twins.
[That one-shouldered shrug again, head tilting towards the uplifted shoulder] The twins are actually from Hawkins, we go to school together, they were there for our first performance under the Corroded Coffin name, mostly because it was the middle school talent show.
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
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how an earthquake did some serious damage to town, despite hawkins not being anywhere near a fault line by johnny's knowledge.
come to think of it, that was the first time eddie's name came up. maybe the sticky-fingered rick had some fondness in him too. hm. ]
I suppose I can see that. Small towns, right? Everybody knows everybody else's business, half the time.
Hopper is a customer, then? I'm not asking to get you in trouble, I'd just like to know who to ask if you're in lock-up with Rick. [ this coffee really isn't half-bad. ] Supply chains, all that. I like to know who's on mine.
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[Sure, a couple of the juniors are among his less-regular customers, but he's never sold pot to anybody under sixteen and he's not about to start now.]
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poor kid. he likely has a lot of suffering ahead of him. ]
You're smarter than Rick. I see why he chose you.
If I were to propose an arrangement with you directly, would you consider it?
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Wow, don't even know me and you're already trying to scalp Rick's best distributor. Ballsy. [There's unabashed amusement in the statement, lighting his eyes, though he gives another nod.] Depending on the terms, I'd consider it.
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[ sorry, rick. business is just business. ]
I'm moving the usual product to you. I want Rick to handle something a little more designer from now on. Less risk for you than if I gave that responsibility to you, and given your clientele— people stay as safe as they want.
You keep half Rick's cut, since you'll be doing half his work. Product comes straight from the factory, so there's no problem with quality control.
What do you think?
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You've got my attention, yeah, but uh, one question, and maybe a stupid one, but factory-processed herbs is a new one by me. That where they usually come from?
[He'd been under the impression that Rick was in contact with the grow operation, though given what he knows about Rick in general, it's not going to be a surprise if that's not the case.]
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All-natural doesn't cut it anymore, if you're discerning.
[ she's not passing judgment; it's a statement as much as it's a sales pitch. and the drug works, the way they lace it in the labs; effects are cleaner, the smell fainter, more pleasant. good qualities highlighted against the ones farmed out in the west coast. ]
Rick doesn't ask many questions. Not a character judgment against you, I appreciate it, actually.
Would this be something you'd be interested in?
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[And there's an actual shrug that follows, drumming his fingers in an irregular staccato against the edge of the table] And if it's the same stuff I've already been selling anyway, there's no reason not to. [Not when he knows that nobody he's selling to is going to know the difference if he sells them a story to go with the same product]
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[ or she hopes they do; he still hasn't said yes, has he?
johnny offers him a small smile, now that she feels they've found a common thread. he's got smarts to him, but he's not pushing his luck; they're self-preservation instincts she can appreciate.
she puts her hands together, a half-clap sort of gesture, and looks around a bit. ]
What would you recommend off the menu? I realize I haven't had anything else all day other than the coffee.
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[There's a flash of a smile a moment later at the follow-up question] Normally I'd say pie, they don't have a bad one, but sugar on top of caffeine on an empty stomach is never a good idea, you need some carbs and some protein. Their burgers are pretty standard, and their patty melts are better somehow? [A little shake of his head, spreading both hands in another near-shrug]
Which I don't get since it's got to be the same meat from the same place. BLT's a safe bet, not as good as Benny's were, but I'm pretty sure Benny was some kind of bacon wizard anyway, so nobody's going to have a BLT of that quality.
[He considers for a moment] Cheese fries are good, especially with grilled mushrooms and onions, chili fries, eh, they're fine if you're into that. Only thing I'd stay away from is the tuna salad, but I've never trusted the stuff anyway.
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[ she's amused and bemused; food, she knows, is a Good Thing, but excitement over it is still something she's getting used to seeing. food is a need but flavor is a privilege, the way madam would've said it. it's enough to have a belly full, a throat sated of thirst.
anything else is excess, except when they're put to work.
johnny lays both hands loosely flat on the tabletop. ]
You choose for me. Pick something for yourself, too.
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[He closes one eye to regard her for a moment, as if that might help him figure out what she'd like, finally clicking his tongue against the side of his teeth, fingers drumming against the edge of the table again.] You seem like an egg salad on rye, pickle on the side not the sandwich, with cheese fries. [A single, decisive nod] And today's a grilled cheese and steak fries kind of day.
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[ this is... nice. is this what a normal conversation feels like? very strange. ]
Why am I an egg salad type of person, though? Is that the, ah, the 'vibe'? Is that the impression I've given?
I won't lie, I do enjoy egg salads. I'm just wondering how you've guessed.
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[He leans sideways in his chair to get the attention of the girl behind the counter] Kels, number ten with cheese fries, number twelve with wedges. [There's a bright grin as he gets an acknowledgement.] You're a peach.
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[ if only she knew, though, right?
she watches him as he charms his way around the diner order, and smiles a bit to herself. ]
Do you like her?
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Kelly? She's one of my band's original groupies. There's five of them, actually, 'The Kels.' Kelly with a Y, which is that one, Kelli with an I, and also Kellie with an IE and then Kelsey and Carly who are actually twins.
[That one-shouldered shrug again, head tilting towards the uplifted shoulder] The twins are actually from Hawkins, we go to school together, they were there for our first performance under the Corroded Coffin name, mostly because it was the middle school talent show.