Zoe pulled into a parking spot in Morello’s lot and shut off her GT4. She took off her helmet and had her NanoHair return to shoulder length. She dismounted and groaned while shaking her right leg and then left one.

“I’ve never ridden for that long at one time before. But at least my new spine doesn’t need popping or twisting,” Zoe mused. She looked around taking in the sights.

The restaurant sat beside a pier on an outcropping and overlooked the Connetquot River on three sides. The building had large windows that allowed its patrons to take advantage of the view while in the comfort of the central heating and air year-round. An outdoor dining area extended down the pier. Hounds and other programs patrolled the area, which surprised Zoe. She expected them inside, but not outdoors.

Zoe heard a rustling sound and looked up. On top of the restaurant sat a Dragon. The daemon was staring at Zoe. Her eyes widened in alarm, and she suddenly felt like a mouse trying to hide from a hawk. A huge man exited Morello’s and approached her. Zoe’s Archangel alerted her to his presence, and she vaguely noticed it moving between her and the man without taking her eyes off the Dragon.

“You can see it.” he stated.

Zoe nodded her head. “Yes.”

“It’s a magnificent creation,” he said looking up at the Dragon as well.

“You can see the Dragon as well?” Zoe asked.

“Yes. And I better be able to considering how much the Mixed Reality upgrade and subscription cost me. That’s not even accounting what we paid for the dragon itself,” the man replied. The Dragon shifted focus to the man briefly and then started watching the street beyond the parking lot dismissing both. Zoe turned her attention to the man not sure how she felt about being dismissed as unworthy by the daemon.

The man was… beefy. He wasn’t exactly fat, nor was he muscular either. He was in the in between stage due to getting older. Zoe guessed he was at least 45 years old, 6’2” tall, and weighed at least 250 pounds. A quick scan proved she was close and supplied the man’s name. Johnny Colosimo was 47 years old, 6’3” tall, and weighed 270 pounds.

“I’m Johnny Colosimo, but everyone calls me Big John. You must be the courier,” the man said introducing himself.

“Yes sir. I’m Zoe Blanco and a courier with two letters for Mr Morello or Mr Mangano from Mr Capone and Mr Luciano,” Zoe replied.

“And you won’t give them to me?” Big John asked.

“No sir,” Zoe replied. “My instructions were clear.”

“That’s what I like to hear. Right this way,” Johnny said walking towards the door. “Ever get into trouble dressed like that?”

“Not anymore than I have dressed in jeans,” Zoe answered.

“I like that. Good answer,” Big john said. Zoe gave him a smile. “Watch it.”

“What do you mean?” Zoe asked coming to a stop making the older man stop too.

“Giving an older guy a smile like that could give him a heart attack,” Big John replied.

Zoe laughed. “There’s cybernetic implants for that.”

“And for other things too,” Johnny said before quickly adding, “or so I’ve been told.”

“Oh, I’m sure you don’t need all those types of implants,” Zoe said. Johnny smiled and Zoe hesitantly smiled back as they started walking again.

“I like you kid. You can call me Big John instead of sir,” Johnny said. He stopped just inside the door. “Just make sure you are respectful to Mr Morello and Mr Mangano. They’re both old school.”

“Sure, I’m used to being respectful to bosses…” Zoe replied giving Big John a questioning look. He nodded his head.

“Address Mr Morello as don Morello and mind your Ps and Qs and everything will be alright,” Johnny said. “Oh yeah, do the same for Luciano and Capone.”

“Ok,” Zoe agreed finding it funny that a mob guy used that old phrase.

They walked into the bar area and Zoe saw just what Big John had meant by old school. Not only were the two men senior citizens, but they were surrounded by younger hanger-on’s including women her age or slightly older. The women all wore skirts or shorts much shorter than Zoe’s skort along with very revealing tops. Zoe put them out of her mind as she noticed several Gargoyles stationed around the room. These guys took their cybersecurity much more seriously than the other mob guys she had met so far.

“What do we have here?” Frank Magano said as he saw Zoe and Big John.

“What do you see, consigliere?” Morello asked. He turned his attention from the girls to his right to see what his underling was talking about. “Ah, Johnny. Who’s this?”

“Don Morello, this is the courier with two letters for you from dons Luciano and Capone. Her name is Zoe,” Big John said introducing Zoe to the mob boss.

The don turned his attention to Zoe. She wanted to shudder as he ogled her. Zoe felt this was even creepier than when younger people looked at her like she was a piece of meat. Don Morello was old enough to be her grandfather according to her scan.

“Scanning people isn’t polite,” Mangano said startling Zoe. She hadn’t met anyone that had made a big deal about being scanned before.

“I apologize sir,” Zoe said. “But it’s a habit that has helped me a few times.”

“It’s alright,” don Morello said. “Seeing wisdom in one so young does my heart good.”

“Thank you, don Morello,” Zoe said. She slowly reached into her backpack and pulled out the envelopes. She held them out. “These are for you sir.”

One of the women took the envelopes from Zoe and handed them to Mangano.

“The seals are intact,” the consigliere said. He opened both and read the letters. “Both dons have accepted the invitations.”

“Excellent,” don Morello said. “Pay the courier so she can go.”

Mangano sent Zoe a delivery conformation. “She will be paid by her employer.”

“Ah,” Morello replied. He turned his attention back to Zoe. “How much will you be paid?”

“Two hundred credits for both letters,” Zoe answered. She saw no reason to lie to the man. The two older men laughed. Soon all their hangers-on and Big John joined them in laughing.

“Girl, with your looks, I could guarantee you five times that in an hour,” Morello said after he finished laughing.

“Thank you, but no thank you,” Zoe replied. “I’m happy working as a courier.”

“So be it. If you ever change your mind, you know where to find me,” Morello said in dismissal.

“Have a good day don Morello,” Zoe said before turning and walking out.