Brandy Brooks – Ace’s Diner
“Whoa, hold on a minute there. No one is going back up there yet. First of all you could’ve inquired before putting a sign on my roof. What if you had fallen? I’ve been meaning to reinforce it, and last thing I need is someone walking up there.” Ace said as he stood next to Brandy and placed his hands on her shoulders.
“No it won’t.” Steve replied as he took a slip of his coffee, “I don’t know where you came Xiǎo gūniáng but I think you’re forgetting were in an apocalyptic wasteland and sure things may be fairly “normal” and safe in towns like these but out there.” Steve said as pointed to the wasteland “it’s a fucking shithole; everyday people have to fight for their lives against raiders, mutants, hunger and all other sorts of wastelands horrors...”
“I know that Steve, but to blatantly put it out there like that? Is that really necessary?” Brandy pointed towards the ceiling.
“You might think drugs are bad but have you ever fought a super mutant? Killed someone for bottle of radiated piss? Or... beaten, starved and locked up in a bloody broom closet by your own fucking father for three days? Have you? HAVE YOU?” Steve asked as he stated directly at Brandy. Taking another slip of coffee Steve continued “For a small price I give people an escape from the karma overlords fucking hellhole that is the wasteland and allow them to indulge in their fantasies but No, you didn’t think of that did you?
Brandy backed up a bit, she folded her arms and with a smug attitude, “If you killed for a bottle of pee you’re just dumb. I have actually…haven’t. But I have seen people do those things, people that I’ve cared for and they didn’t need drugs to escape because they’re not like you. You are just a…a…JERK!! You take advantage of people when they’re down and…”
“Whoa, hold on a minute there. No one is going back up there yet. First of all you could’ve inquired before putting a sign on my roof. What if you had fallen? I’ve been meaning to reinforce it, and last thing I need is someone walking up there.” Ace said as he stood next to Brandy and placed his hands on her shoulders, he kissed her cheek, “Now you need to calm down, okay? Frown lines don’t suit that pretty face of yours. Don’t worry I’m sure Steve and I will come to an understanding.”
Brandy relished in the moment enjoying Ace comforting her. “If he wants a sign, fine, I guess, but it needs to be somewhere else is what I’m saying. It shouldn’t be the first thing you see when you come into town.”
Frieda entered the diner and stood back listening before interjecting, "Brandy, calm down a second," Frieda said gently, touching her friend on the arm. "What's going on? What's this about?"
Brandy’s arm shot out and pointed at Steve, “Steve put that horrible sign on top of Ace’s diner without permission and it needs to go. He is carrying on about giving people an escape by doing drugs and having sex. Ace rubbed Brandy’s shoulders; it was starting to calm her down when Steve spoke up again.
“25% discount on all pleasure den services and products. I was gonna offer you that just to mention the den but I then though making a sign would be easier”
Brandy’s jaw dropped, she narrowed her eyes and pointed aggressively at Steve, “You listen here Steve. Ace doesn’t need a stupid discount, he has me.” She reached up and put her hand on top of his, “I can make him happier than your stupid drugs and girls, you can take that 25% discount and shove it up your…” Frieda gently steered Brandy away from Steve and Brandy saw a tall woman take seat, she had her the woman say something but Steve had her so angry she didn’t quit catch what was said.
"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 led Brandy towards the door. Brandy was shooting Steve down with her angry stare as she was escorted from the diner. Once outside Frieda lit a cigarette. "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 can 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 that. I mean, somehow run a counter business. Something like that," she rambled. "I don't have an idea exactly yet..."
“I will talk to Barney, we can put him out of business, I like that. He doesn’t need to hide behind Ace either, that guy is such a jerk. He thinks he can just do whatever he feels like and slowly kill people with his drugs.” Brandy raised her hands in surrender, “You’re right, we can come up with something later, Salem doesn’t need that type of place. Or at the very least Steve should respect the people’s opinion in town.”
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."
“Thank you,” Brandy said as she walked into the reception area of Celeste’s place. Celeste was standing behind the counter directly opposite the door with her head resting in her hand fiddling with a pencil and a blank stare, “Good morning Celeste,” Brandy looked around, “This place is amazing.” She caught a glimpse of a Mr. Handy floating about the hallway behind Celeste, her eyes widened, “That is fantastic and this place is HUGE!!”