Reid Blackburn's Story

"Pull over, darling, there's a parking space." Geneva leaned forward, touching her driver's shoulder, her glossy red nails had a stark contrast against his black jacket. Reid did as she asked, parking parallel to the sidewalk, the driver's side facing the road. He stepped out of the car, then opened the door for Geneva. Gracefully, she stood up, smiling as if he had done it as a mere polite courtesy, rather than an obligation. With a silent, icy gaze from her as a prompt, he put out his arm, and she latched her hand around his elbow.
It was in this fashion he escorted her down the alley, her heels clacking against the dirty asphalt. Her eyes fixed on an old "For Lease" sign in a cracked window, she pointed to it, her eyes gleaming, her bright red lips curling into a smile.
"Look at it, darling! It's perfect for our operation." She noted her surroundings carefully. It was grimy, graffitied, and stank of death. Exactly the kind of place she had been looking for.
"It's not... not what I pictured." Reid muttered, wrinkling his nose. He winced as Geneva gripped his elbow tightly.
"It's better than what you pictured, right?" Her tone was subtly menacing, and she dug her nails into Reid's arm.
"Uh, right." Reid agreed with her, relaxing as she let go of him. Geneva looked at him, coldly, and he stared down at his feet, kicking at a bit of trash.
"Trust me, darling." her tone became friendly again, and her eyes glittered under the dim, yellow street-light, "This is what we need. Wing City is full of chaos. Where there's chaos, there's death. Where there's death..." She moved in close, putting her cold hand on his jaw, which was clenched tightly, "Where there's death, there's money... for us, that is. Not the poor suckers we'll be reeling in." She seemed joyful at the idea of others suffering. Reid shivered, not from the cold.
She broke contact suddenly, eying the building up and down as she stood in front of it, scrutinizing the old bricks that were stained with rust... among other things.
"It'll need a bit of work, but that should be easy enough. We'll need to have a legitimate business in the front, I was thinking a tattoo parlor, what do you think?" She didn't give him time to answer before continuing, "It's big stuff we'll be doing here, big magic. Hiring on extra help wouldn't be a bad idea, you know, I'm sure we can find some trained people in this city. I'll have some business cards made up, I think."
Reid shifted uncomfortably.
"Come on, darling, let's go get some takeout. We'll call the number tomorrow, ask about getting the place. Seems like it's been on the market for a long time, so it shouldn't be too difficult."
They left the alley silently. Geneva was still smiling slyly. She had big plans, and they were starting to come together.