The Eccentric

Enzo walked through the door and surveyed the shop, taking in the curiosities.

Saturday sits behind the counter with an odd eyepiece in his eye examining a pocket watch. After a few minutes he nods, the item is whisked away, and a few rolled bills are handed to the thug fellow. There is a sign of respect, and the fellow exits the store.

Saturday pockets the eyepiece and resumes business as usual.

Noticing the movement Enzo moved to speak with the strange shopkeep.

"Evening, Mr. Saturday."

Saturday regards the customer with a wide, easy smile.

"Well, good evenin'."

A thin cigar appears in a flourish, wood matches burst to life, and the treat is set afire in smooth rotating motions. The matches flick out with a snap of his wrist and land in some varnished bone ashtray.

"What ken Mr. Saturday do fer such a dapper lad dis night?"

He smiled, "Why thank you. I was just looking to talk. As I understand you are the man people go to when they have troubles, worries, or otherwise miscellaneous trifles. So what is it that you offer those of the night? What about your "services" can those of the blood not do for themselves?"

His eyes were bright and friendly additionally there was not a hint of sarcasm or malice in his voice.

The door opened as Enzo finished his sentence and a petite redhead walked into the shop closing the door behind her. "Sorry, I got a bit distracted," she glanced from Enzo to the man behind the counter, "Oh, hello there."

Saturday sweeps a bow to the lovely new comer. "Mon cher."

Then to the fellow:

"Well mah fred, dun no two o us de same, so I never assume I know what anyone ken do. Me? I be dey man who ken get tings or find tings or make tings disappear. I dun play politics an have few scruples. Savvy?"

He smiles and winks knowingly.

Smiling, "I see. As far as my people tell me you are a middle man. You may not have the means to do something yourself, but you find those that do and make sure it gets done. I also understand that you try to work outside the formal currency and deal off the books?"

Elizabeth merely stood a step to the right of Enzo and a step or two behind him. She watched the two glancing back and forth between them, not saying a word.

Saturday nods with that same grin.

"O I say ye sources be speakin' trut. But, I do take boons from time ta time.... just not mah preferred payment. Keep tings simple. Only reason fer a boon is if ya kent pay or I wanna lord some ting over ta later. Why bodah? Rather deal wit now."

"Very well. Now it comes down to business. Will all the fortune and favor you spread to those of this Domain what is it that you need. What do you seek, desire, or otherwise yearn for?"

For the shortest of moments there was a sharp gleam in his eye and then a patient calm.

Saturday ponders a moment while tapping his lips before he tilts his head with a grin.

"I seek knowledge, I tink. Books. Rare tings. The majiks of my people got all jumbled and spread cross half de globe. Tricky piecing dat back tagether. I seek friends. Never have too many friends. Or at de very least, people dat tink you worthwhile enough to protect. I seek a home."

He gestures to the curio shop.

"I got lots of little places I ken hide round the world, but a home is new. Layin' down roots ain't such a bad thought, no?"

While nodding in understanding Enzo spoke, "I can empathize with your desires. I am a businessman for the most part. My interests are typically rather temporal, but friends and the benefits there within should never be overlooked. I am thinking I might have means and assets at my disposal that you do not normally have access to."

Enzo paused for a moment as if considering his words. "I believe that I can help you in locating or garnering that which you seek."

Saturday ponders the gentleman before him for a second thoughtfully. He blows a slow smoke ring into the space off to Enzo's right.

"Very probably, mon ami. You seem a capable sort, ya? So, what can we be doin' fer ya in exchange?"

A smile krept across Enzo's face, "It is rather easy. I want your friendship. And perhaps you send some of the people who seek you out my way, should you be unable to personally help them in that is."

Saturday strokes the whiskers of his mustache at the end of his mouth slowly in a thoughtful gesture.

"I dun see why not, mon ami. Always need more friends."

A long fingered hand is extended across the counter.

Enzo took his hand and shook. "Very good, I am pleased. Is there anything you have been having trouble with as of late, friend?"

Saturday resumes his hand and returns to smoking slowly.

"Oh, lil tings here an der. Building a network of informants ain't easy. Otherwise, de rare book trade is on lock down, an day is tricky."

Enzo thought for a moment and pulled out his billfold. He scratched out something on a slip of paper and handed it to Mr. Saturday.

"I imagine that should help motivate or build interest with informants. Or perhaps encourage the few to part with what they would not"

(OOC: It i a check for $20,000, made out to the Curio Shop.)

Saturday regards the paper for a moment before nodding and slipping it under the antique register.

"Buy a lot o friends wit day ta be sure."

He blows another smoke ring.

"And you, mon ami? You had any troubles recently?"

He smiled, "I would never want to cross your business or disrupt your established friendships. But if the Anarchs fall from your grace, let me know and we will talk then. Other than that, maybe you could give me some recommendations of peoples who are involved in the occult?"

Saturday nods.

"Given der nature, dey trend to alienate odders quickly. Look to da lady Michelle of shadows for occult, or day disturbing Tremere. I got a fair hand in udder worldly matters too."

Nodding, "Thank you for the insight. I look forward to further interactions. Let me know if there is anything more you need."

Elizabeth had stood behind and to the right of Enzo this whole time merely listening and glancing about the walls of the shop.

Saturday smiles widely, tipping his hat.

"Ain't nothin' stay secret from me fer long, mon ami."

He tips his hat to the petite lady at the entry way as well. "And you, mon cher; dun be a stranger." His gaze flips back to Enzo.

"If der be one in particulah you want looked at, I ken be of service, we be sure."