The dark woman does not speak the entire time of Montag's approach and him sitting down. Only spares him a passing glance, but in that moment it's enough to confirm that this woman was indeed the one he was meant to meet. When he sits next to her and goes for his cigarettes, she moves the ash tray between them for better access.  She then lifts her head up and begins to speak.


[color=ed145b]"It seems we're missing someone. That's a real shame. They'll find out this was not a deal that they can afford to miss."[/color]

She speaks for herself a moment, looking across the bar before finally acknowledging the man sitting next to her and the bartender across from her. She dotes her cigarette in the ash tray and straightens out her back. 

[color=ed145b]"It's good you've come. Especially in this interesting time. Now more than ever we need people out in the field. But I shouldn't get too ahead of myself. My name is Mary. I am the bookie for the organization I represent. I hope you did not come here expecting easy answers, because I am not giving any. I will only tell what is necessary. For reasons that should be obvious."[/color]

The bookie glances around the room, and then her moving eyes land squarely on the bartender. She smiles a half smile, already devising a plan for Vi. An idea is taking shape in her head. She's taken a very sudden interest in this girl and she's going to take full advantage of it.

[color=ed145b]"You've run this bar for quite some time, in one of the roughest parts of New Haven. I am a person short tonight, and I feel starting with just Eduard here is not good enough."[/color]

The woman reaches into her coat pocket, returning with a white envelope with a dark red stamp seal on the center. She passes it over to Vi, taking another drag on her smoke afterwards.

[color=ed145b]"Here's your formal invitation to join into this, if you so choose to stick around. We don't just give these out to anyone, so consider this an honor. If you reject it, then take your leave please."[/color]

This was a surprising turn of events. Nothing earlier had been said about Vi being offered the invitation. Mary was taking her own course, entirely on her own gut instincts. Her serene grin on her face betrayed no doubt about her idea, and she seemed fully confident that Vi would take this offer and join in with Montag to become the needed number two. It was a stark choice, and it is made clear she would not accept anything less than a yes or no. 

[color=ed145b]"Apologies. Don't mean to steal your spotlight, Montag. What exactly do you want yourself doing in this city? I wonder what pushes a man to take on a strange offer such as ours. Ought to get to know one another if we'll be doing business."[/color]

Mary is already pivoting back between the two people like it's nothing. Her sultry voice is an ear worm that can't be ignored. Her motives and intentions are completely unknown and untrustworthy, but one can't help but keep listening for more.