I'm sorry, how much for that coke?

Analiese sat crosslegged on the cool linoleum floor of the camp store, slowly stocking the bottom shelf with snacks. She didn't mind working at the store, in fact, she volunteered most of the time. It was quiet for most of the day, people came and went as they pleased, and it meant she didn't have to do the other activities that she hated. Like the climbing wall. She wasn't particularly known for her strength, and they decided to add lava to the equation.

Plus, she could earn money working at the store. It wasn't as much as she earned in her, well, other activities, but every penny counted. Rent in New Rome wasn't cheap, neither were groceries. She had a goal in mind, about 12 thousand. It would get her through the down payment and first and last months rent. Plus money to cushion herself come a rainy day.

The bell of the camp store rang, and she stood up abruptly. One of her regulars had told her that someone was coming to buy cocaine. He didn't give her a name, but just said that he'd have him find her. He hadn't shown up yet, and she was beginning to think he blew her off, which she didn't appreciate. Having even a gram of coke on her for too long was dangerous. She preferred to keep the drugs far away from her, unless she needed to deal something.

Analiese weaved through the aisles, looking for whoever entered. She found him at the wall of coolers, and she sidled up to him, putting on her most pleasant voice, which left her feeling a little nauseous the second she opened her mouth.

"Looking for something?" she asked sweetly.

The minute that the guy spoke Analiese was pretty sure he wasn't her guy. He was awkward, to say the least. Plus there was the whole book thing. The guys that came in for coke were much different. Sleezy might be a good word for it, confident might be a nicer one. Except then, he asked for the coke. Maybe it should teach her not to judge a book by its cover.

"Yeah," She said, her voice dropping the saccharine inflection, "Next time, be on time."

She jogged back to her place behind the counter, pulling out the baggie of coke, and briskly walking back. She liked to keep her exchanges short and sweet, so nobody else could walk in.

"That'll be fifty." Normally she charged thirty, but he was late and it was his first time, so she figured if she could get away with it, she would.

Analiese never liked when people tried to haggle with her. She went through the trouble, and danger, of talking with her supplier, storing the contraband, risking her own hide to provide them with a weeknights fun. The least they could do was pay her what she asked.

This must have been Matts doing. The guy talked entirely too much, and while the referrals were convenient, he really didn't understand the consequences for doing so. She was certainly overcharging him next time as punishment.

"It's fifty or nothing." She said, her patience wearing thin, "Take it or leave it"

Analiese was silent for a second. Nothing like this had ever happened. She palmed the coke, slowly pulling her hand behind her back as if she could undo him seeing that. This was a fantastic way for her to get caught and thrown out of camp. Let's be real, though, it wouldn't come to that. She'd find a way out of it.

"Is uh," Analiese pulled open the cooler door next to her and brought out a bottle of soda, "Is Pepsi okay?"

She eyed him up and down. She could convince him not to say anything. The guy looked like he got spooked by butterflies. She held out the bottle of Pepsi out to him, standing her ground. He seemed embarrassed about the mixup, but not offended. If she played it cool, she'd most definitely get out of here alive. Matt sure wasn't though. Next time he would be dropping names and descriptions.

Analiese could practically feel the tension in the room, and the silence stretching on until he spoke again. Honestly, she knew she was getting out of this fine, she always did. She'd certainly make sure of it at least. She kept her calm position, her arm outstretched, invading his space instead of him invading hers. She knew how to play mind games.

"You know… they call it coke cause it used to actually be made with coke… so i guess it could be a common mistake."

Analiese cocked an eyebrow at him, but didn't respond. Yeah, she could definitely take him. She couldn't say that about many of the people here. In fact, she was an expert at avoiding conflict for this reason. But it was nice to know there was someone she could tackle to the ground if need be. Especially when that person held the ability to turn her in.

"Okay," she said, turning smoothly and walking to the register"follow me and I'll ring you up"