When they reached the bottom of their glasses, Kokoro refilled them. It was never quite the same mix each round, but with each that passed, the difference was less distinguishable as their palettes dampened. Paulie drank slower, it tasted so vile his body wouldn't allow him much more than a sip at a time, but she waited for him to catch up before filling her own glass, almost as if she were edging him on. He stubbornly refused to pick up pace though, because while the drink might have helped to loosen his tongue, it also loosened his thoughts, and he wanted to keep his wits about him. He wanted to talk, listen, and still remember the answers in the morning. Paulie had questions about his boss.

"If it's Iceburg you're wondering about, then you're with the right person. Guess I can talk about it now, but you probably didn't know I'm practically the man's mother," she said. "You know, he's a lot more vulnerable than everyone thinks he is."

"What? His mother?"

"Oh yeah, sure," she smiled. "More or less raised him since he was just a kid, me and Tom. We didn't all just work together, we lived together too. Tom's Workers was more like a little dysfunctional family than it was a shipyard really."

She reached behind her to her countertop, and fetched the framed photograph they all still kept a copy of. She passed it his way like a smug parent showing off the sacred photos of their kids that they kept in their wallets.

"Here, take a look-see."

He took it from her, and sure enough there they were all together, just like an archetypal family shot. Doting father of his argumentative sons, and the proud, yet exasperated mother figure alongside them was clearly her, if about ten years younger and a hundred pounds lighter.

"Huh, I'll be damned. I had no idea."

"No, we kinda stayed out of the way, had to maybe's more like it."

"It's only been lately that I've really been picking up on it, but was he always so anxious? I feel like I've never even been paying attention at all, some useless friend I am," he muttered.

He stared down at the photograph held tightly in his grasp. They all looked so different back then, that dismantler Franky most of all. There was a slight chip in the frame, and he let a thumb run over the little groove.

Kokoro reached out to him and placed a reassuring hand on his shoulder. "Not at all. You're concerned about him aren't ya?"

"Suppose so… "

"He was always a bit uptight I guess," she continued on. "He'd worry about things going wrong, but never really talk about it, just yell at Franky if he was in a worried sort of mood. Eventually though, who knows why he chose me over Tom, but he started coming and talking, things I'm pretty sure he never told another soul. Not that they were ever that big a deal, but to him they must've been."

"Yeah, I get that. Just like how I didn't get why he had to get drunk just to say what he did to me that night. It wasn't a big deal."

"That's kind of just the way he's always been. Keeps to himself a bit and it's hard for him to trust people. I don't know whether that's just his personality or something bad happened to him before he came to us. Water Seven was real rough back then."

He watched as she furrowed her brow and knocked back the rest of her glass. It seemed some things about Iceburg were a mystery even to her. Without waiting for his glass to empty she knocked a little fresh tipple into her own. Maybe she'd stopped playing whatever little drinking game she'd had going with him, or maybe in that moment she just needed more.

"What I don't get is that he must trust me enough, on some level, but I never seem to get past the surface," he thought out loud.

"What you mean exactly?"

"For example, uh, I've been thinking how he called me in that night of the assassination attempt," Paulie admitted with reservation. He reached for a new cigar from his top pocket and busied himself fiddling off its wrapper as he went on. "He trusts me enough to do something for him, but not enough to tell me the details. I still don't really understand everything, other than I know it was some big ass deal if those blueprints were enough for the government to come after him for. If he's going to get me involved in something, I at least deserve that much right? The truth? Not that I can say that to him, but it's frustrating as hell."

"Why can't you just ask?"

"I can't ask him questions, cause the minute the opportunity comes up he moves the conversation on and I've already lost my chance." Paulie cut the top off his cigar, and lit it.

"He's a stubborn one alright," Kokoro smirked. "But I agree, I think you deserve it. I'll tell you what I know, but from now on, don't be so shy to ask him. I know you respect him and everything, but that's no reason to let him use you like a doormat. Even I kinda want to give him a piece of my mind for that one."

"Don't. I don't want him to think I've been going behind his back. Not when he's starting to trust me a bit," he mumbled.

He tapped his fresh ash into the halved milk carton. It wasn't sophisticated, but it was doing its job as a de-facto ash tray just fine. The plastic dish was now coated in a thick grey snowy layer.

"Anyway, tell me everything Ms Kokoro."

She began right from start of Tom's story, about the trial he faced for building the Pirate King's ship, and how creating the sea train was meant to have bought his pardon, filling in the gaps Paulie wasn't aware of. Paulie knew of this first part only from the stories and rumours that did nothing of the story justice. She explained the blueprints of the ancient weapon and their significance, and of Iceburg's past eight years under the tight scrutiny of the agents investigating him, how he'd kept them off the trail, and how Franky fit in with it all. Paulie interjected here and there with questions, but largely reserved comment as she wove the tale for him.

"God. It really is like I haven't been paying attention. To think I didn't pick up on anything… makes me feel like a self-centred bastard honestly," he grumbled.

"Don't blame yourself. He was good at hiding it. This was a specialist intel group we're talking about and it took them a whole five years just to get enough to make a good guess. Nearly fooled them all too!"

There was pride in her tone and he let her claim it. Were he not so frustrated about his own blind sightedness, he might have allowed himself the same.

"Did he always try to take everything on himself?"

"More or less. Iceburg was always trying to prove to Tom he could handle it, you know? Had to act a grown up before he really was a grown up. Tom didn't have anyone else after all. No one wanted to work with the man who built old Roger's ship."

"He never should've had to take all that damn responsibility on his shoulders," he barked. "And here Mr Iceburg is, still trying to always fucking shoulder everything himself. What did he even have to prove to Tom anyway?"

"I think something in him was always scared of not being good enough," she suggested. "He'd never admit it, but he was dead jealous of that kid Franky and his little battleships. Tom always loved them. Thought the kid was a true genius. I always figured Iceburg thought Tom saw himself more in Franky, so he worked twice as hard to make up for it."

"Ah Jesus, how does someone like that have an inferiority complex?" he sighed. "It's just not right, he's the best damn shipwright in this city. And he's running the best damn shipyard in the world."

"Eh, you know, insecurities can be a powerful motivator."

There was a heaviness in Paulie's chest. If Iceburg didn't even think he was good enough himself, there wasn't a chance in hell he could think that Paulie, or any of the rest of the guys back at Galley La were.

"Have you talked to him about all this?"

"I tried a little, back then. Now though we don't talk about those days much. We pretty much had to just move on with our lives, and Iceburg, well you know, some things he won't even talk to me about."

"Yeah, I guess."

"Anyway, come on, out with you, that's not the end of your story yet," Kokoro replied, changing back the subject with another swig.

"No, not the half of it," Paulie answered, and it was his turn again.

It took a moment when he woke to remember exactly where he was and why he was there in the first place. It gave him a jolt and his first instinct was to get out his ropes and steel himself for a fight, and to make sure Iceburg was alright. It was only once he'd already knocked on his boss's door with some urgency that he came back to reality and realised there was no need to be on guard.

"Hello?" Iceburg mumbled.

Paulie pried the door open a crack, enough to peer in just slightly and no more. He didn't want to intrude. "Sorry about that Mr Iceburg, just checking on you."

"Paulie? Is everything alright? What are you doing here?" Iceburg sounded docile and not yet fully alert.

"Well, I stayed outside your door last night, I don't know whether you… remember that or not."

"Hmm, vaguely now that you mention it. What time is it?"

Paulie glanced at his watch. "About eight thirty-ish. Sorry, I just woke up myself."

Work always began at Galley La at nine, though ordinarily, Paulie would be stuck in at Dock One already at this time on a working day.

"Guess we should get a move on then," Iceburg replied, pulling himself out of bed. He'd managed to kick off his shoes, but was still nearly fully dressed after collapsing in the night before. "Paulie, do you want to head things up again with the city repairs today?"

"Sure."

"Thank you. Anyway, you've all been doing great work lately. Keep it up."

"Thanks. I'll head on off then," he replied.

He pulled his head out and shut the door when something important came back to mind with some urgency. He opened it once more.

"Uh, actually, I couldn't just bother you a bit before I head on out? Hate to nag, but do you remember that thing I asked you about yesterday?"

"Hmm?" Iceburg replied.

His shirt was half off over his head already.

Paulie's face bloomed into a deep red. "So... uh… there was a favour I asked you…"

"Oh yes, that call. What's the name?"

Iceburg continued stripping himself down of his clothes and Paulie had to avert his eyes not to feel like a voyeur. Did nobody in this city, not even the Mayor, have any sense of shame?

"Uh... shit," he stammered. "I have no idea. Come to think of it, not entirely sure what his is even. Crap. My old man might know, but who knows if I'd manage to get in touch with him right now."

"Hmm," Iceburg sighed. He perched on the edge of his bed and slid off his socks, picking a little stray fluff out from between his toes. "Sorry. I'm not entirely sure what I can do for you just yet then."

"I'll find it out," he answered, now fully hiding in the hall behind the ajar door to give Iceburg back his dignity. "I don't have any choice. You don't mind if I borrow your transponder snail to call him do you?"

"No, not at all. Feel free to head on over to my office. And if you manage to get it, just write the name on a scrap of paper and leave it in the top drawer of my desk. I'll handle it from there."

"Thanks so much, really, I'm in your debt for sure for this," he called, quickly snapping the door shut and letting it stay that way this time.

"Not at all," Iceburg called.

He stomped to Iceburg's office, trying to distract himself. That was the second time in as many days that he'd managed to get flustered around him.

The room really was a lot messier than he'd ever seen it. Curiosity got the better of him, and he allowed himself to nosy over the pages littering the floor. It was just sketches and handwritten notes at this stage, plans rather than blueprints just yet, though he wouldn't let himself snoop into what he was doing too closely. But if there had been a pause in their shipbuilding work, what exactly was Iceburg working so hard on?

Paulie let them be, went back to his desk and managed to eventually locate the transponder snail through the jungle of papers. He hadn't heard from his father in some time, a clear sign he was lying low. But at times like this, the man always carried a portable snail for emergencies, or just in case Paulie's mother got it in mind to give him a call. He was worth a try. The man had come to the same bookie himself since Paulie was no taller than his knee height after all.

He lifted the receiver and dialled. "Dad?"

"That Paulie?"

"Do you have any other children I don't know about?"

"Sassy," he laughed. "Sorry, I haven't called in a while. On the run again, heh. Hey, how's your mother?"

"Still hates you of course."

"Of course," he replied. "Anyway, is something the matter kid? You know this snail's for emergencies."

"I need to get a name off you," Paulie pressed. There was no point in beating around the bush.

"Who's the woman this time?"

"Never a woman Dad, I'm not some whore chaser like you," he scolded. "You remember that bookie, dark hair and odd sideburns kinda like whiskers?"

"Yeah yeah, Deano Blanco," he chuckled.

"Huh, you actually came through for me this time."

"What's that supposed to mean kid?"

"Just banter," his tone softened. "Anyway, you don't happen to know this Grandmother of his too? Her name, at all?"

"Hmm, I'm good with names, but I'm drawing a blank. Hey, any of you guys know?"

Paulie heard a small party of voices in animated discussion in the background, his crew, a group of petty pirates who could hardly claim the title. Not that Paulie felt piracy was an award to be won and boasted of, but they were more into the theatrics of scam artistry than the business of sailing the high seas. They sank their money on expensive set ups so if they even reaped rewards, they barely broke even. It wasn't an adventure worth writing home about, though his dad often did anyway.

"They're saying either Lucia or Lucinda. Any good?"

"It's something at least. Anyway, even getting his name was a pretty big help."

"Aw don't be getting soft on me kid," he teased. "Might come home for a bit soon. It'd be nice to see you."

"Yeah, you know where I'll be," he said. "Anyway, Aqua Laguna was rough this year. City's in pretty bad shape, if you want to know."

"Really? Might be a bit of an opportunity there."

"Don't even start," he ordered.

"Heh, no promises."

"I'm serious. Scheme it up again and I'll take it right to Mr Iceburg."

"I keep forgetting you're in with the big leagues now. Anyway, better go," he said cheerily.

Any hint of trouble and the guy high tailed it out of there. He'd always been like that.

"Love to your mother," he added.

"How many times do I have to tell you that saint of a woman's never going to take you back?"

"I know," he sighed.

"Bye."

He scribbled out a quick note for Iceburg on a blank sheet he found in a tall pile of papers, and slid open his top desk drawer. Iceburg's flintlock sat at the top, along with a few stray bullets, and it took Paulie a moment of unease at the sight of it before he remembered why he'd opened the drawer in the first place. It seemed Paulie wasn't the only one quick on his guard lately. He sat the paper on top of it, and let it go without comment.

"Damn near gave me a panic attack this morning waking up there," Paulie confessed, through chews.

He and Lulu had taken to spending lunch breaks together and they sat side by side with a small platter of sandwiches between them, prepared specially for them by the locals. The two of them had each been tasked by Iceburg to head a team working on city repairs while Tilestone had been assigned the management of restoration work back at the docks.

"I can imagine. But what were you doing spending the night outside Mr Iceburg's room for anyway Paulie?" Lulu asked. He glanced over at Paulie as he grabbed a bite of his own sandwich.

"Oh. I'm not really supposed to talk about it," Paulie dismissed.

He almost felt guilty for it holding it over Lulu's head, but it made him feel privileged to have earned Iceburg's trust, and he wasn't going to let it slide in a hurry.

"Trouble again?"

"No, nothing like that," he said with relief. "But if I told you, you'd tell Tilestone. And if you tell Tilestone, pretty much this whole city's gonna hear about it. No big deal though. Nothing to worry about."

"Keep your secrets then, I'm not fussed," Lulu answered. "But if there is something bad brewing then let us know. You're gonna need all the help you can get if it's anything like last time."

"Sure, thanks Lulu."

"What're you guys gossiping about over here?" Tilestone's voice boomed suddenly above their heads.

They both jumped.

"Speak of the devil." Paulie remarked dryly. "God, for someone that talks so loud, you sure do walk quietly don't you?"

"Paulie was just talking about Mr Ice-"

"I was just saying," Paulie cut in sternly. "Mr Iceburg's got a lot on his plate right now, so us guys really gotta pick up the pace around here, you know? There's plenty to get on with, so I don't want anyone cutting slack alright?"

Tilestone laughed. "Sounds good! I'll work extra hard, I don't think you two'll be able to keep up!"

"Oh, is that a bet?" Lulu smirked.

"Yeah it is!" Tilestone yelled back.

"Now things are getting interesting," Lulu added. "So what're the wagers?"

"Next pay-cheque as usual?"

"Uh I'm not in on this one, alright?" Paulie interjected. He had made Iceburg a promise.

"Chickening out Paulie?" Tilestone taunted him.

"No way! I just can't take you up right now," he protested.

Lulu ganged up with Tilestone. "What, afraid you'll lose? Sounds like chickening out to me."

They always seemed to take each other's sides, and they knew how to push his buttons.

"Where d'you get off? I could take you both, two to one!"

"And so the stakes have been set," Lulu declared triumphantly. "I'll call you on that. If you can get more projects completed and signed off than the two of us combined, both our wages are yours. Of course, if you lose, you'll pay the both of us in full."

"Sounds fair," Paulie huffed. When his pride was on the line he couldn't exactly back down. It wasn't the same thing as an out and out gamble, so he wasn't quite breaking his word. "I won't lose you know."

"Is that a fact?" Tilestone roared.

"Then let's shake on it," Lulu announced.

Paulie swallowed. "Fine by me."

They took it in turns until each had shook the other two's respective hands.

It had been stupid. But he was confident that when it came to his work he couldn't lose. No one worked harder except maybe Iceburg, and he sure as hell couldn't afford to lose this week. Plus it would give them all the kick in the ass they needed to get all the city repair work done in good time and get back to business at the shipyard as usual.

"Break's over then," he snapped. "Come on slackers. We don't have time for sitting around eating sandwiches."

"Hey, but I just got here!"

"Too bad. Stay and eat if you want Tilestone, but you're gonna fall behind," Lulu teased.

"You guys are so harsh!" Tilestone scooped a handful from their tray and squished the sandwiches into a pocket. He took another pile in hand for good measure.

"Come on, big guy. Let's get to it," Lulu consoled him, with a pat on the back.

"Well, it's been done," Iceburg told him. "It wasn't too easy mind you. Anyway, the receptionists have sent out a notice letter about the appointment and the family should get it in a few days."

"Sorry for all the trouble," Paulie apologised once more, from the front of Iceburg's desk.

It was nearing the end of the evening, but Iceburg was still there fussing over documents long after working hours were officially over.

"Thanks so much for doing that. Hopefully that'll keep him off my ass for a while."

"Not at all. And I didn't mention it this morning, but thank you for staying last night Paulie," Iceburg said.

Paulie could tell he felt awkward bringing it up, but was keen to express his gratitude appropriately. "It was the least I could do," Paulie replied.

"And sorry about all of that too. I may have stepped over a line by asking you to keep watch."

"No, not at all, Mr Iceburg."

"I'm a little embarrassed about it to be honest. I was a bit of a state, I'm sorry you had to see that."

"Really, it's nothing. There's no need to apologise," Paulie insisted.

He understood the situation well enough. Iceburg had to do what he did just to get a good night's sleep. He'd probably been getting barely any rest at all lately.

"No, I'd like to make it up to you."

"Honestly Mr Iceburg, you've done more than enough for me already, you don't owe me anything."

"I insist," he asserted. He reached into the inner pocket of his blazer that hung over his chair and pulled out a white envelope. "Look, I have some tickets for a concert this evening. I was going to stay in and catch up on my work tonight, would you like them?"

Paulie cringed. "I hope you're not having to miss it cause I took you away from your business yesterday."

"No, not at all, I wasn't really planning to go," Iceburg replied honestly. "As my personal assistant, Kalifa went along to these public events with me. But they aren't particularly enjoyable to go to alone."

It wasn't the first time the thought had crossed his mind, but occasionally he wondered just what exactly Iceburg's relationship with her had entailed. Was it strictly professional, or was it, like her sleazy outfits, something altogether more suggestive? She could easily have been trading certain favours in search of secrets. Wasn't that the way these dodgy investigations went?

"We really need to get you a new secretary. Like, not just for public affairs things, but your work really has been getting on top of you lately. Excuse me for saying, but this place is a mess, and it looks like you're snowed under by paperwork."

"I'm getting by." Iceburg smiled wearily. "But it would be a great help to have someone managing my schedule again."

"What if I helped you out? Just until we get someone in."

"Oh, no, really. I've bothered you quite enough lately."

"No, I insist. It seems like you could do with a bit of a hand around the office at the minute."

"Well honestly, if you're willing Paulie I won't say no," Iceburg admitted. "Are you really sure?"

"It's fine. I'll have Lulu take over managing my… shit."

He stopped mid thought. At the mention of Lulu's name, Paulie remembered their bet and he groaned into his hands. If he was helping out with paperwork all day, his chance of beating the two of them was out the window. Not that he could suddenly go back on his offer. And he sure as hell couldn't tell Iceburg it was because he'd already broken his promise to quit gambling away his wages.

"Oh goddamn it all guys," he mumbled into his palms.

"Are you alright there Paulie?"

Paulie dropped his hands from his face to find Iceburg looking at him with concern. He tried to brush it off. "Sorry Mr Iceburg. I'm fine, just, uh… thought I felt a migraine coming on for a second there. Really it's nothing."

He'd call it off. Those two would understand. It was an emergency situation this time. And if needs be, he was even willing to explain it.

"I'll transfer my half of the city repairs over to Lulu, he should be able to manage the guys, and I'll stick around the office and help with your paperwork and whatever else I can. Not that I'm great at that sort of thing, but I'll give it my best shot, and that's gotta be worth something at least."

"Thank you Paulie. Really, you've been more than just helpful lately. You're going above and beyond."

"I don't know about that really. Like I said, just doing what I can, you know?"

Iceburg didn't know the half of it. And Paulie'd make sure he kept it that way.

"Well, I really do appreciate it," Iceburg disclosed.

"So do you want to start and go over things now?" Paulie asked.

"Maybe not. I'm in the middle of something. We'll start tomorrow. Feel free to take the rest of the night off Paulie. And here, do take these." He held the envelope out at arm's length.

Paulie took it just to be polite. "If you're busy I won't keep you back then. But I wouldn't have anyone to take along either. I'll maybe head to Dock One for a while, make sure Tilestone's team are doing ok."

"What about the girl you were dating? You could take her."

"You knew about that? Jesus, word gets around here fast," Paulie blushed. "Didn't last. Never even seem to get past the first few dates so I really wouldn't go so far as to call that dating her. Honestly, I'm terrible at dating."

"Well, she would have been lucky to have you."

"Thanks, I guess." Paulie blushed even brighter. "Anyway, I'll let you get back to it then."

"Thank you," Iceburg replied. "Just come straight to headquarters then first thing in the morning, unless there's anything you need to wrap up first with Lulu."

"Yeah, a few odds and ends," he said. Not all of them were strictly work related either. "But once that's sorted, I'll come on over."

"Great, see you then. Have a nice evening Paulie. And if you go to that concert, enjoy it."

"Don't work yourself too hard now. And make sure you get some sleep tonight without drinking yourself into a coma, alright?" Paulie gestured over at Tyrannosaurus, running about in his wheel. "I'll put that little guy in charge of making sure you don't."

Iceburg laughed but made no promises. "Goodnight Paulie."

He gave the concert a miss. Classy events weren't his scene, and like Iceburg had said himself, they weren't particularly fun to attend by yourself. He went on over to Dock One, but found it already empty for the night, so he decided just to head home.

He found his elderly landlady sat quietly on the staircase that lead up to his apartment.

"Good evening," he said cheerfully.

"Oh Paulie?" She seemed in a daze.

"Is everything alright?" he asked.

"There were a couple of men around this afternoon," she explained anxiously.

"That damn bastard. They didn't hurt you at all, did they? If they did I'll have them for this."

"No, no, but they certainly weren't friendly. Is everything ok Paulie? I wondered if maybe it was someone looking for your father again."

"Nothing to do with him this time. Did they want to talk?" He tried his best to keep his anger tamed, to keep calm and dial back on expletives for her sake, but it was a challenge.

"Not sure. They might have just been snooping about. Big brutes didn't say much," she explained.

"Thanks for letting me know. Anyway, don't worry about me, I'll be just fine."

"You take care then Paulie. It was nice to see you. You've been so busy of late I've hardly even seen your face."

"Yeah, you take care too Ms Lia," he echoed. "Oh, hate to have to tell you this, but there's a chance I might be a little late with the rent next time. Just a small one. I'll most likely have it, I just thought it'd be better to let you know just in case."

"That's alright," she smiled kindly. "Anyway, I'm just glad you're alright. All you fine Galley La boys have been doing such great work since that big Aqua Laguna hit. I could hardly get tough on you at a time like this."

"Thanks, but really we're just doing our job."

"Is Mr Iceburg keeping better now? I still can't believe what happened," she fussed.

"He's well on the mend you'll be glad to hear. A little shaken, but no worse for wear. Back to working himself to the bone again already."

"I'm so glad to hear. You boys look after him well, ok?"

"Of course, you can count on us."

"Goodnight then," she said, and descended the stairs.

"Take care."

"What do you think you're doing sending guys round to scare my landlady?" he shouted into his receiver.

"I hadn't heard from you Paulie. I expected more punctuality on this. Well?" Deano replied.

"Relax, the call's been made, she'll get her appointment. They've sent out the details. Should be a letter coming your way in a few days," Paulie assured him.

"Good Paulie," he said, like a man praising his pet parrot for performing a new trick. It was demeaning.

"Look, I'm really not happy about this ok? I never wanted to get Iceburg involved in any of this business of mine, so if you ever go anywhere near him…"

"I don't think you're really in the place to be telling me what to do Paulie."

"I'm serious. I promised myself he'd never get involved, and now that he has, I've had to promise him I'd stop. So that's it. I'm getting out. You'll get your money at the end of this week and then I'm signing off."

"He's pretty important to you. You're a real daddy's boy."

"Just say that to my fucking face, I dare you!"

"Easy Paulie. Cool it. You really don't want to get me angry right now."

"No, you cool it. And like I said, money, end of the week, I'm out. For good this time."

"Well, thanks for your custom over the years. You and your old man."

"Don't bring that piece of shit into this," he warned.

"Somehow, I don't think this'll be the last of you yet, but we'll see," Deano mused.

"Go to hell," Paulie spat, and slammed down his receiver before he'd thought twice about whether it was really a good idea.