[h2]The Hi-Hat Crew, New Orleans, 192X[/h2]

"So, how do we know who he is?" asked Shazay, idly adjusting the tilt of his immense black top hat. Skull makeup, an unbuttoned black trenchcoat, and dreadlocks were all par for the course for a Son of Samedi. Though it conferred absolutely no tactical advantages, it was excellent for selling drugs and spooking bystanders.

Hi-Hat waved his hand dismissively. "Be chill, choob! I watched Princess And The Frog, like, ten times! I know [i]exactly[/i] what this guy'll look like. Dude's a total fringe-- looks like [i]you[/i], likes shagging collars... hell, he's pretty much you but cooler!"

"Don't be a dick, man. You and I both know this Facsimile guy doesn't know the first thing about the streets 'pared to me!"

Xiang rolled his eyes. "You keep thinking that, Shazay, and it might just come true. Now, c'mon-- it's been a while since I had a real meal, and we're in New Orleans. While we're waiting, we oughtta grab a bite to eat. Hi-Hat, how much do you have?"

Hi-Hat leafed through his wallet. "Got twentykay in nuyen, and thirty in dead-prezzies."

Xiang sucked his teeth nervously. "Not a lot, then. Lemme look, I got an eye for deals... yo!" Xiang pointed urgently at one promising shop on the shoreline. "I got a good feeling about this place!"

Hi-Hat looked at Xiang's subject with derision. "'Tiana's Palace'? You said you had a good eye for deals, chummer!"

"Just trust me, man! Any place in New Orleans is either a tourist trap or cheap as hell-- and this isn't a tourist trap!"

Shazay, already bored, pushed his way past Xiang and Hi-Hat. "Whatever, dude. Don't you start crying when we can't even afford appetizers. I don't want a repeat of last year."


[h2]The Hi-Hat Crew, "Tiana's Palace" Authentic Louisianan Restaurant, 192X[/h2]

Xiang bit tearfully into a fried shrimp po'boy, topped with sundried tomatoes and imported lettuce. "I fold hyoo I ab a eye for eels, ood! I fold hyoo!"

Hi-Hat, who himself had ordered a fried cod sandwich, stared daggers at the blubbering Xiang. "I told you not to cry, jammit! Now we look like a buncha monkeys tastin' their first bit of real meat!"

Shazay, trying to find a way to eat an italian beef without ruining his makeup and failing miserably, nodded enjoyably as beef broth dribbled down his cheeks. "Man, this shit's too damn cheap for its own good! Three full meals and we're [i]still[/i] under twenty bucks!"

"Ow're ee unna ind Bassiwier?" said Xiang, apparently refusing to finish eating before talking.

"This place's got windows, yeah? We sit back and wait for him to look for us. We won't have to do anything, and I'm sure this guy'll be glad for the good sense we showed coming to the best damn restaurant in this fuckin' shantytown!"