[color=00aeef]FRIEDA RICHTER[/color] - Brandy's house - Morning

“No, no I don’t. Barney would be your best bet, or Ace, or maybe even Waylon and Shelby at the gun shop, S&W.” Brandy pointed in the general direction of S&W, “It’s across town. I know they both know a lot about guns and stuff, but I’m not sure what else they do. Shelby can be kind of…mean sometimes. But I think she has emotional issues or something, but who am I to talk?” 

Frieda was worried about having to go crawling back to Barney.  She nodded to acknowledge the help.

Brandy looked around, “I usually don’t charge anything to help work on stuff, I just want to make it as nice as I can and if somebody pays me, then awesome. But, if not, as long as they pay for the supplies I don’t say anything. I’m pretty lucky though, most of the time I get the leftover stuff, or salvage things from what I’ve replaced. Keeps me supplied with materials and I can trade some things for food and whatnot.”

"Well, I have a sharp eye for, um, operating tech, and detail.  I could help you use your pistol a bit more effectively, too.  I'd be more than happy to help you become a bit stronger with your firearm."

Brandy stood up and cleared the table, washing the dishes as soon as they hit the sink, “I try to keep my house clean. In case somebody is interested in my work and wants to see what I can do before they hire me ya know.” She dried the dishes off and put them away before she pulled out two bags and sat them on the counter. She dug in the fridge and pulled out two small packages of smoked jerky she had made dropping one in each bag, followed a bag of Potato Crisps, a package each of Fancy Lads, a bottle of water and some gum drops. She rolled up the top of the bags and turned to Frieda, “Here’s a lunch for today, I mean, since we both forgot to eat yesterday. “ She laughed and handed the sack lunch to Frieda, “I have to go get ready, I have to help Rook with the wall after I stop and see Celeste and…” she blinked and grinned ear to ear, “…and Ace.”

Frieda stared at the packed lunch.  It brought up a lot of feelings and memories she wasn't ready for.  "Thanks," she said, softly.

Brandy took off up the stairs humming as she went into her room. Frieda was left alone once more with her thoughts. She drummed her fingers on the table while she daydreamed.  She and Brandy planned to see Celeste's place, but it sounded like her first stop should be the diner, too.  She went back up the stairs herself and started rummaging for something clean-ish to put on after a shower.

“Frieda," Brandy called from the bathroom, "I made this toothpaste, it’s purified water and baking soda with a dash of mint flavoring. I’ll leave it by the sink.” 

"Oh, great," she mumbled, more distracted by her own task than anything.  Brandy came back to her door, a curious tone in her voice.  “Frieda? I have to do some laundry later; I do have some clothes that are a little big for me if you want? Just go through my closet, they’re the shirts on the left and the pants and shorts on the top shelf on the left are big too.”

"Are you trying to say that I smell?" Frieda teased.  "Thanks, I just might do that."

Brandy scurried down the stairs, rummaged around, before yelling up, “I’m going to stop and see how Ace liked his breakfast, if you want to go see Celeste’s place I will wait for you at the diner.”

"Okay, good plan."  Frieda helped herself to Brandy's wardrobe as suggested.  She nearly fell over at the sheer number of cute little dresses hung up so neatly in a row.  She looked to the left and frowned at the pants and shorts, fairly certain they weren't going to fit her, even if they were too big for Brandy.  She gratefully selected a pastel blue tank top and what looked like a faded yellow sports bra, then made her way into the bathroom for a shower.  Ten minutes later, she was towelling off and felt renewed.  She pulled on the sports bra, tank top, and a pair of her own cargo pants before brushing through her wet hair, and leavning the house.  She'd closed the front door and taken two steps, before she turned on her heel and took out her bagged lunch.

Brandy was genuine and generous, she didn't want to seem ungrateful.

Frieda strolled back through the town, taking everything in anew with the sunrise.  Something seemed different about the diner.  Was that...an ad for a so-called "Pleasure Den"?

[i]Was that there last night?[/i] she wondered.  Regardless, as she approached the diner, the distinct aroma of dark, gut-rotting coffee wafted into her nostrils.  She almost had heartburn just smelling it.

Brand's voice could be heard, mid-rant, as Frieda entered to retrieve her.  "...you freely advertise drugs and other nasty things right there for everyone to see? That’s just wrong, you need to take that off of Ace’s diner…RIGHT NOW!!! It’s disgusting.”

Frieda turned to see who Brandy was talking to, and was not surprised it was the creep Steve.  It seemed appropriate the greasiest looking guy in town ran the brothel and drug den.  "Brandy, calm down a second," Frieda said gently, touching her friend on the arm.  "What's going on?  What's this about?"

Frieda listened to the explanation quietly, then nodded. "Well, Brandy, if Ace doesn't care, then there's not much you can do about it.  Come on, let's go see Celeste.  We can talk about this later, huh?"  Frieda gently steered her friend out of the diner and towards the inn.

She lit a cigarette as they walked.  "Honestly, if that creep wants to run his nest of disease and drugs, there's nothing any of us can really do about it.  What we [i]can[/i] do is maybe put him out of business.  ...somehow."  Frieda blew out some smoke and looked at Brandy, who appeared angry and appalled.  "Wh -- no, NO, not like [i]that.[/i]  I mean, somehow run a counter business.  Something like that," she rambled.  "I don't have an idea exactly yet..."

They drew up to the double doors of the inn.  Frieda tossed her cigarette butt over her shoulder and pulled one open, motioning for Brandy to enter.  "After you."