“All these people are trash in one way or another,” Tony complained after turning down the latest potential courier.

“Most of the people new to the game as Nucky put it, are either junkies or other people looking for a quick score by selling the data,” Tommy agreed. “What we need is someone fresh off the boat.”

“That’s not going to happen. Anybody fresh off the boat will be in debt to one of the other factions and not trustworthy at all,” Tony replied. “And like you said earlier, no experienced courier will accept an exclusive contract.”

“Could pick one of the junkies and clean them up enough to make a few runs,” Tommy offered.

“Eh, maybe. But getting someone off neuro stims can be expensive. Too bad people can’t just do the old drugs like coke, heroin, and meth anymore,” Tony said. “Heck, I’d even take a junkie that was hooked on some designer drug if we could find one.”

“Frames made drugs worthless. The corps had them all designed and hardcoded to short circuit the neurons or whatever those drugs triggered,” Tommy said. “Heck, I can’t think of even hearing about a drug user in my lifetime.”

“That’s because you’re young. That said, you have a point since I’ve never heard of a drug user either,” Tony replied.

“I’m surprised the corps didn’t write out the effects of alcohol too,” Tommy said.

“That would have been pushing it too far,” Tony replied. “The whole world would still be rioting if people couldn’t get drunk and I’d be right there with them.”

“Me too,” Tommy agreed. “So, what are we going to do about the new courier?”

“Excuse me guys,” another man said interrupting the duo.

“What is it, Jimmy?” Tony asked.

“Well, it’s…”

“Out with it already,” Tony commanded.

“My mother made me promise I would pick up my cousin from the bus station this afternoon. Would it be alright if I take the car and come back to get you two later?” Jimmy explained.

“What do you think you are? Italian?” Tommy asked laughing. “Listening to your mother is one of our things. Next, you’ll be telling us you’re ready to make your bones.”

“Lay off him. Jimmy’s a good kid and credit to the family. He’ll get his chance to make his bones in due time. He might even get asked to take the omerta someday,” Tony said. Turning his attention to the underling, he said, “Yeah, you can take the car. In fact, we’ll go with you. I could use some fresh air.”

*

“So, who’s this cousin you got to pick up?” Tommy asked from the front passenger seat as Jimmy drove the trio to the bus station.

“Why do you care?” Jimmy asked instead of answering the question.

“I’m curious.”

“So am I,” Tony added from the backseat behind Tommy.

“Zoe Blanco, my younger cousin.”

“Is she a looker?” Tommy asked grinning.

“Don’t be getting any ideas. Zoe was raised as a member of the purity church,” Jimmy replied.

“You got to be kidding,” Tommy retorted.

“Nope.”

“What in the world is a young purist doing coming to New York City?” Tony asked.

“Much like my mom did when she was young. Got fed up with the bull crap and decided to give city life a go.”

“Does she have a place to stay?” Tommy asked with the grin still plastered on his face.

“Staying with my mother,” Jimmy answered.

“Does she have a job lined up or is she looking for work?” Tony asked. Jimmy glanced in the rearview mirror at his capo while Tommy turned to look at the man.

“Don’t know. I suppose we can always ask,” Jimmy replied. Then his eyes widened. “Tony, Zoe is family. My mother would kill me if Zoe worked as a dame.”

“It was just a thought,” Tony said shrugging his shoulders.

“But what about if this Zoe became a mistress?” Tommy asked.

“Tommy, that’s not funny,” Jimmy objected. The others laughed.

*

“Do you know what this cousin of yours looks like?” Tommy asked as they waited for the bus to unload passengers.

“More importantly, does she know what you look like?” Tony asked.

“Yes, and yes,” Jimmy answered. “I have a picture of Zoe in my frame and mom assured me Zoe would have a new picture of me as well.”

“Works for me,” Tony replied.

“My question is, how does she have a picture of you when purists don’t have frames?” Tommy asked.

“They do use old style puters,” Tony said. “At least, that is my understanding.”

“You’re right, Tony,” Jimmy replied.

“So, purists are sort of like stim addicts and jack in?”

“No Tommy, purists don’t get chipped at all.”

“Woah,” Tommy said. “How do they even function in the modern world?”

“Not easily. That’s what mom always says anyway,” Jimmy replied. The men fell into silence.

“That’s a nice-looking dame. Though, I’ve never seen one dress so old fashioned before,” Tommy said after a while. “Not sure what race she is though. Maybe Mexican, a fairly light skinned black, or a mix.”

“What dame?” Jimmy asked. “It’s a little early for them to be working.”

“Over there,” Tommy answered pointing at a girl waiting at the luggage carousel.

“Small bust,” Tony grunted after looking and went back to whatever he was looking at on the net. Jimmy turned to look.

The girl in question was about 5’2” with dark or tanned skin, it was hard to tell in the poor light of the station, and long wavy black hair that reached her shoulder blades. She was wearing a dress that reached her ankles with sensible flat shoes. When she turned her head in their direction, the men could see that she had brown eyes above a small button nose and pouty full lips framing a small mouth.

“That’s no dame. That’s my cousin,” Jimmy said just before walking toward the girl. “Zoe!”

“That is his cousin?” Tommy asked. “They look nothing alike.”

“Not bad at all,” Tony said as he looked up once more. “She would do nicely as a dame if she’s willing to get chipped.”

“Yeah, not bad at all,” Tommy agreed. “And just the right height. I love the short ones.”

“Stop thinking with your little head,” Tony replied.

“Capo, I can’t help myself.”

“You better learn. Nucky will insist on first dibs to make her his mistress or a dame.”

“I’ll keep that in mind,” Tommy replied nervously. “Hey! That’s why you never bring any girls around to the club or restaurant.”

“Now you’re using your noggin. Between Nucky and you youngsters, I don’t stand a chance with the young girls, so I keep my girls far away.”

“I think I’m going to start doing the same thing.”

“That would be smart.”

*

“Zoe Blanco, this is my associate Tommy Romano and our ca…boss, Tony Rossi,” Jimmy introduced his cousin to his other family. Zoe looked a little confused about why her cousin would have his boss and a coworker with him. Seeing her expression, Jimmy explained. “We were working away from the office, and it was quicker to bring Tommy and Tony along than to take them back to the office and then be late picking you up.”

“Oh. It’s nice to meet you both,” Zoe said.

“The pleasure is all ours,” Tommy replied.

Tony was surprised he didn’t kiss the girl’s hand. He had to fight to keep from rolling his eyes.

“It’s nice to meet you too,” Tony said.

“I have a question for you Zoe,” Tommy said.

“Ok,” Zoe replied nervously.

“Tommy…” Jimmy said.

“How are you cousins?” Tommy asked. “I mean you look nothing alike.”

“Geez Tommy,” Tony muttered. Zoe blushed as Jimmy frowned.

“If you must know, Zoe was adopted,” Jimmy said after an awkward silence. He then smiled at his cousin. “She’s still family though.”

“Thanks Jimmy. I feel the same about you,” Zoe replied. She liked her cousin well enough from the messages and phone calls they had exchanged before she got on the bus and headed to the city. His coworker though, that was different. This Tommy was rubbing her the wrong way.

They walked out to the car with Jimmy carrying Zoe’s bag making small talk. Once, all were in the car and on the road, Tony said, “Jimmy, drop us off at the restaurant and then you can spend the rest of the afternoon helping your cousin get settled.”

“Tony, are you sure?” Jimmy asked.

“You work at a restaurant?” Zoe asked. She was slightly confused. “Won’t you need Jimmy for any afternoon rush?”

“That’s a good question,” Tommy snidely remarked.

“Our…association owns a restaurant among other ventures,” Tony said. “I just want Jimmy to drop us off so we can get a late lunch.”

“Oh,” Zoe replied. After a moment, she asked, “Is the restaurant hiring?”

“I can find a job for you,” Tommy said.

“Tommy…” Tony warned.

“What?”

“Be nice,” Tony instructed.

“Right boss.”

“Don’t sell yourself short,” Jimmy told Zoe ignoring the other two men. “There are lots of jobs available in the city. I know you used to do dance or gymnastics.”

“Maybe she could get a job on stage,” Tommy quipped.

“It was gymnastics that I quit years ago. What sort of stage job?”

“Are you still in good shape?” Tony asked.

“I run a mile at least twice a week. More if I can get away with it,” Zoe answered. “Why?”

“We are always looking for dancers for one of our clubs. Being in shape a good thing,” Tony replied.

Zoe laughed. “Why is that? Is it a dangerous job?”

“It can be, but so can be just living in the city,” Jimmy replied trying to change the subject.

“What sort of dancing?” Zoe asked.

“Exotic,” Tommy replied grinning at her.

“No thanks. I’ll find something else to do.”

“Your loss,” Tommy shrugged. “It’s easy money.”

“Watch it!” Jimmy yelled at a motorcycle that cut in front of them as he slammed the brakes.

“Fucking couriers,” Tommy complained.

“Bike couriers are still a thing?” Zoe asked. “I remember reading about them in history class.”

“Ha. Couriers these days don’t ride bicycles or just carry letters,” Tony replied.

“So, they drive motorcycles?” Zoe asked.

“Cars too,” Jimmy replied.

“What do couriers carry then?” Zoe asked.

“A courier delivers data from one person or group to another. Sometimes, they might also carry small packages,” Tommy answered. “They can still be a nuisance and hazard just like the old bicycle couriers as that one just proved though.”

“Data is the primary thing they carry though?” Zoe asked. Tony nodded. “You’re not talking about crystals either.”

“Sometimes, but not most of the time. Couriers are all chipped,” Tony said.

“Getting chipped is expensive and something I’m not sure I want to do,” Zoe said.

“Most jobs will require you to get a frame,” Jimmy added as traffic started moving again. “Only couriers require people to get chipped.”

“We’ll see,” Zoe replied turning to stare out the window as the city went by.