ArchivedLogs:Good Fortune

Good Fortune
Dramatis Personae Charlie Torres, Marrow	21 March 2015 '
Location <NYC> Happy Cakes Bakery – TriBeCa
Happy Cakes Bakery is a cheery little spot of vintage charm amidst the hustle and bustle of the Manhattan neighborhood, a refurbished pair of row homes that hardly resemble their previous selves - the front walls are almost entirely gleaming glass, with the logo of the bakery painted onto the top, and rainbows of cupcakes dancing along the edges. Eclectically styled, it seems homey and welcoming - if the cross stitched sign by the door wasn't obvious enough - "All are Welcome!" it reads, with the "All" underlined in a sparkling bubble gum pink and yellow dotted line, with the logo of the bakery, a cheery smiling pink and white cupcake, beneath the lettering. Once inside, the walls of the combination bakery and coffee shop are covered in crisp clean white ceramic tile, with the occasional randomly placed tile with an color engraving of a tropical flower, or tile made of reclaimed China. Ambient music reminiscent of the Big Band era plays through the shop, loud enough to be heard, but not loud enough to make conversation difficult. Tables and chairs in a variety of sizes, colors, and styles fill one side of the room, none of them quite matching each other, but all of them seeming to work together. The other side of the shop is a long series of gleaming glass and chrome bakery displays, filled with colorful sweets and treats of every description. To one end of the counter is a gleaming chrome espresso machine with far more tubes and bobbles than is really necessary, but producing excellent espresso beverages. At the other end is the old style cash register, a chrome and cherry wood relic from a bygone age that dings cheerily with each sale. The wall behind the counter is covered in photos of a tropical island, as well as a pair of shops that look like a smaller version of this one, several including a pair of dark haired women. Saturday afternoon and it is truly starting to look like Spring in the city. The sun is shining, freezing temperatures are but a memory under the power of its rays, and new greenhouse-grown flowers are starting to decorate the storefronts and window boxes. One of the figures moving down the sidewalk seems to have missed the memo on the whole end of winter thing. A navy hoodie with the hood up and pulled tight manages to hide most of the face from view, a hint of teal wool hat and long brown hair peeking out from it. A cream and blue scarf wrapped around her throat also obscures the lower portion of her face. Gloved hands are tucked into the pockets of her loose brown corduroys and oversized work boots thud along as they carry her forward. Charlie checks the street numbers as she goes, a particular shop in mind, her steps finally halting in front of Happy Cakes. She gives the place an uncertain look through the window. "Okay, I was not expecting Barbie's 50's paradise," the observation comes under the hare-girl's breath. From a nearby alleyway that seems to lead round the back of Happy Cakes comes Marrow. Dressed in a black leather jacket that's seen better days, a collection of band t-shirts and some shredded jeans. She's cheerfully whistling and swinging a baseball bat, the end of which is suspiciously stained with red. She pauses at the entrance to the alley and pulls out a battered packet of smokes. "Hey, you got a light?" she asks in Charlie's direction. "Mine seems to have died." Charlie tenses a little at the 'hey' sent in her direction. When she turns, it is about three-quarters of the way away from the window. “Yeah.” She digs around in her pocket, the...apparently bloody bat also giving her a moment's pause. A cheapo plastic lighter appears in her hand and she even takes a few steps closer to Marrow...not that she's entering the alley. The lighter is offered at arm's length. “Here.” "Cheers," Marrow offers with a grin, then with a glance at the bat she adds, "Don't worry. The blood isn't mine." Her cigarette lit she sucks in a lungfull of smoke, then blows a few smoke rings skywards. "Ahh that hits the spot. You here for the food? 'S a bit pretentious for my liking. But I guess it's okay." “Super reassuring,” Charlie returns with a healthy dose of skepticism mixed with sarcasm. “Heard they had a good coffee. Thought I'd get a bite meanwhile, too, yeah.” Marrow's smoke rings make her fingers itch for the crumpled half-pack in her hoodie pocket. A brief debate between continuing inside and grabbing a quick smoke first ends with her producing and lighting her own. “Definitely wasn't what I was thinking of when people recommended it.” From down the alleyway comes a faint groaning sound. "New in the city?" Marrow asks casually, propping the bat against the wall and then leaning against it. "Or just visiting?" That sound? Also super reassuring. Charlie's glance darts down the alley and she shifts back a step. “New.” She takes another pull from the cigarette to keep herself from asking about the sound. Better not to get mixed up in anything. Marrow nods, then brushes her fingers through her shock of pink hair. "It's a total fucking dive. Trust me. More crooked cops than you can shake a god damned zombie at. Still, better than living anywhere else in the world." “Have some family up here. Definitely been better'n where I was.” Charlie leans back a little against the wall, keeping her head down slightly. “Crooked...they really come any other way?” Her derisive snort is more effective for the curl of smoke that accompanies it. "Of course they do. You get ones who are young enough to think they can make a difference," Marrow points out. "And you get the ones who aren't bright enough to be crooked." She chuckles. "Still there are a few people who keep a friendly eye out for trouble." “Mmn. Babies and morons. I feel safer already.” Charlie lifts her cigarette through a little unimpressed twirl before returning it to her mouth, hidden in the recesses of her hood. “Ain't the first time I've heard that since getting here, neither. Goddamn vigilante system going on or something.” "You should try it some time," Marrow suggests. "Nothing like a little socially justified violence to get your spirits up. Great exercise, lots of time outdoors and you meet a lot of interesting people." “Might not be a complete stranger to the subject,” Charlie replies, and though the hint of a smirk pulling at her lips is still largely hidden in shadow, it is fairly evident in her voice. “Just not the kinda thing you expect coming up in a conversation on the street so much, yeah?” Marrow shrugs. "Well you know what they say. To get to know people you should talk about your interests," she replies wryly. "Breaks the ice." A little chuff of laughter comes with Charlie's next puff of smoke. “You just winning friends and influencing people all over the place, I'm sure,” certainly /sounds/ amused. “Though the bat might give people more of a kneecap-breaking thought than the ice one, maybe.” "Well. The bat wasn't mine until about twenty minutes ago," Marrow admits cheerfully. "But it'll burn well, so I'm sure I can put it to good use..." She glances at the blood. "Hmm. Twice in one day come to think of it." “This is me not asking,” Charlie replies, though she's outright /chuckling/ at Marrow's glibness at this point. “Look at all the not asking I'm doing right now... Will that burn? I don't know nothing about bats. They don't...pressure treat them or some shit?” Her first cigarette almost done Marrow digs out something a little stronger and lights it with the ember. "Sling it in an oil drum, slosh a little gas on, and then most things will burn. You just need to get the fire hot enough first." “Ah, I thought you meant for it being good fire fuel. You got enough /other/ things to burn, the rest of it don't matter much, that's true.” Charlie's nose twitches a little at the new burning item, a couple quicker pushes of air through it audible. “Not guessing you're getting up to hot dogs and s'mores.” "You want a toke?" Marrow asks, offering her joint. "Who knows what's on the fuckin' menu. I don't really do the cooking thing. Might bring back some burnt cakes or any bread that's going a little stale if they have any going spare though." Okay, /probably/ if Marrow was planning to use the bat on her she wouldn't be offering smokes. Charlie nods, finally coming in a little closer to take her up on the offer. She hands the joint back long before breathing out again. "Used to do all the cooking back home once I was old enough. Live with a goddamn bachelor, learn you quick. Always /at/ home, anyhow. Might as well be useful, yeah?" Her shoulder lifts in a half-shrug. "They don't got nothing for you, maybe I can help with a little something. Little. Don't got much. Know smoking always makes me hungry as hell, though. No good not having something or other to chew on." Marrow shakes her head. "We usually have enough to get by," she assures. "And I've just come into some money and a new packet of smokes recently." From the alley there is a whimpering noise. "Anyway I better head off. Places to go, people to see and all that shit." She pauses, then winks. "If anyone asks you didn't see anyone." “Ain't that some kinda good fortune?” Charlie finishes her cigarette and crushes it out. “Got nothing to see. I'm just out for a coffee.” Marrow picks up her new bat (one careless former owner), then takes another toke on her joint. "Enjoy your coffee," she offers with a nod. "And don't let anyone give you shit if you ask for the carrot cake."