Outside Sprezzatura Elegance, the Little Italy night is cool and narrow. Francesco steps into the lamp glow just as wet, heavy footsteps round the corner and stop dead.
Joey Sagano fills the mouth of the alley in a pinstripe suit stretched to its limits, sweat shining on his neck. His eyes lock on Francesco, and all the color drains from his face.
Joey Sagano
Easy now... you do not need to make trouble here.
A third man appears from the shadows behind Joey, leaner, older, with a newspaper folded under one arm. He takes one look at the tense pair and slows, reading the street like a warning sign.
The Stranger
If this is business, take it elsewhere. If it is not, I was never here.
Joey swallows hard, glancing between Francesco and the stranger. The tail of his suit clings to him with sweat as he edges one step backward, suddenly far less certain of himself.
✓ Quest Accepted
Force Joey Sagano to speak quietly
“Whisper to Joey that he will talk now or regret his silence forever.”
FAILURE (Good Intimidation, rolled -3)
Francesco leans in close enough that Joey can hear the threat without raising his voice. The alley holds its breath, and Joey's swagger collapses into sweat and swallowed air.
Francesco Fontaine
You talk now, or you regret keeping quiet forever.
Joey Sagano
He knows. He really knows.
Joey's mouth opens, but the words die there. He looks past Francesco toward the lit doorway, then down at his own shoes, as if searching for a safer place to stand.
The Stranger
Careful. People who speak loud in Little Italy often end up explaining themselves to strangers.
That warning lands harder than Joey's fear. Joey tightens up, caught between shame and panic, and the silence around him turns from defiance into surrender.
Joey Sagano
...Not here. Let us talk inside, quiet.
Quest Complete
Force Joey Sagano to speak quietly