《Courier》V1.16
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“Zoe, why are you wearing a dress? We’re going to get your new bike, not a car,” Jim said.
“Why are you wearing a suit? We’re just going after my bike,” Zoe countered. “Besides, I’m not wearing a dress. This is a long skirt and a t-shirt.”
“I wear a suit because it looks good and you know what I mean,” Jimmy huffed. “You can’t wear a dress and ride a bike. Well, unless you’ve decided to change careers and want to show off your goods.”
“That’s not funny Jimmy. I’m wearing a dress because it’s clean and the dealership should have some new clothing for bike riding waiting for me too,” Zoe explained.
“Oh. Went all out huh?”
“Yeah. I decided if I’m going to do this, I might as well do it right and that included the bike and clothing,” Zoe replied.
“You’ll need sunglasses too.”
“Why? My Kaisers,” Zoe said pointing at her eyes, “can filter and dim as needed.”
“It’s part of the look,” Jim said pulling his sunglasses out of his inner jacket pocket.
“I’ll have a helmet on. Who will see my eyes?”
“Oh. Yeah, I forgot about that. Helmets are still the law for bike riders.”
“I’m surprised you know that.”
“I’m not dumb. I had to wear one when I rode a bicycle as a kid, and I looked into getting a motorcycle once.”
“Really? Motorcycle doesn’t seem like a mobster thing.”
“You’d be surprised what is a family thing,” Jimmy shrugged.
“Maybe. I doubt I’ll ever find out.”
“That’s probably true,” Jimmy agreed. “The family can be very traditional.”
“Is tradition what it’s called when they don’t want women to be part of something?” Zoe asked.
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“I…stop busting my balls!” Jimmy exclaimed. Zoe laughed. “Are you ready to go?”
“Yeah. I’ll message Zane to let him know we’re going.”
“Ma, we’re leaving,” Jimmy shouted towards the kitchen. “You know, I’m surprised you’ve so readily adapted to using your frame.”
“Be careful you two!” Aunt Anne shouted.
“Bye Aunt Anne,” Zoe shouted back. Focusing on her cousin, she asked, “What makes you say that?”
“You were raised in the purity church,” Jimmy replied as if that explained everything.
“So? That doesn’t mean I had to agree with everything they espoused.”
“Are you saying you’ve secretly always wanted a frame?” Jimmy asked as they entered the elevator.
“Maybe. I can’t deny that what I was raised to believe and taught hasn’t had an impact, but I also can’t deny the thrill I get from breaking the church’s rules and using something that has quickly became a large part of me.”
“Can’t imagine not having a frame or how you lived without it already?” Jimmy asked smiling at Zoe.
“Exactly!” Zoe agreed. They exited the building and walked to the car Jimmy was using. “Are you ever going to get your own car?”
“I’m hoping to do so in a few more months,” Jimmy answered unlocking the doors. “Why? Do you ask?”
“I just find it curious that Tony and Nucky lets you use a ‘company car’ whenever you want,” Zoe replied getting in the passenger seat and shutting the door.
“That’s because I drive Tony and Tommy around a lot,” Jimmy said shutting his door.
“Why haven’t you already bought a car?”
“Because rent isn’t cheap. I spend 5K a month on ma’s place, plus 3K on utilities and food.” Jimmy answered. Zoe blanched. “Then I must have spending money, maintain my wardrobe, and put some in savings,” he continued. “Besides, cars are more expensive than your bike.”
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“I didn’t know how expensive cars are until I looked them up, that’s one of the reasons I decided on the bike. I had no idea rent and all were so expensive though.”
“Even a rundown one room apartment in a bad neighborhood will cost you between 1500 and 2000 credits a month before utilities.”
“Ugh. I’m not looking forward to that,” Zoe admitted. “I can’t stay with you and Aunt Anne forever.”
“That’s true. I’ll help you find a place when you’re ready. I know some people,” Jimmy offered.
“Thanks.”
“Don’t mention it,” Jimmy replied. “Speaking of help, I want to get you started on your debt to Nucky. Take this.”
Jimmy sent Zoe a message.
“I can’t accept this,” Zoe protested after opening it. Jimmy had sent her 10000 credits.
“You can. Zoe, you may not be blood, but you are family,” Jimmy said. “The family isn’t. You can pay me back anytime you can. If you can’t pay Nucky back, well, he’ll collect one way or the other.”
“And you’re just telling me this now? You let me borrow money from him.”
“Yeah. I didn’t think you would borrow 50K from the family though.”
“It’s 49000 credits now.”
“What?”
“I sliced the Knight site and had it redirect visitors to Capone’s restaurant’s site as proof that I could do the things Nucky and I had talked about.”
“Ah. So, they took a grand off the debt,” Jimmy concluded. Zoe nodded. “When you start making courier runs, you’ll probably only make between 25 and 50 credits a run.”
“Yeah, that’s what I read too.”
“That’s not bad, but it’s not good either.”
“Right. Though once I have a good reputation, I could make a grand or more a run.”
“Uh huh. But it’ll take a long time to get that sort of reputation,” Jimmy pointed out. “So, take the 10K and use it to pay off some of the debt you have. Once you’re a success, you can pay me back.” He then grinned. “I won’t even charge interest.”
Zoe laughed. “Alright.” She leaned over and kissed Jimmy’s cheek. “Thanks Jimmy.”
“Cut out the mushy stuff,” Jimmy said. “You’ll ruin my image.”
“Yeah, yeah.”
“You know if you’re up for some slightly illegal work, you could make a lot of credits slicing.”
“I know. I’ve already done a little of that,” Zoe admitted. “I sliced 5000 out of Nathaniel Wyatt’s accounts, which is part of why I’m not over 50000 in debt to the mob.”
Jimmy laughed. “You keep surprising me Zoe.”
“That’s a good thing,” Zoe replied. “Zane will meet us at the dealership.”
“Cool. Let’s go pick up Tommy and we’ll meet him there.”
“Do we have to?”
“Afraid so. You know Tony insists we both go with you.”
“Fine. I’m going to work on my daemons while you drive.”
“Works for me,” Jimmy replied turning on the radio and putting the car into drive.
“I can’t believe you actually listen to the radio.”
“It’s traditional,” Jimmy replied.
“You’re lucky you’re driving, or I would smack you.”
“Yep. Lucky me,” a grinning Jimmy replied while turning up the music.
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