Phyllis sat at the bar, saying nothing and drinking her piping hot coffee. Brewster stood behind the bar, saying nothing and cleaning a cup that previously had had piping hot coffee in it. No talking. No babble. No nonsense. Just silence.

It was for this reason that Brewster often thought of Phyllis as his favourite customer. She took her coffee black - simple - and sat in silence the entire time - peaceful. Just how he liked it. Brewster was a pigeon of few words and preferred when his customers drank and left. It wasn't that he was antisocial or anything, talking made him nervous. Words didn't come naturally to him.

For Phyllis it was the complete other reason. She was antisocial. People annoyed her to no end and she'd prefer it much more if she could go through her day not talking to anyone. Meaning that the graveyard shift at the post office was perfect for her. Her shifts usually involved paperwork and the occasional customer but not many.

The two of them sat in their comfortable, coffee scented silence, content with themselves in this moment.

The door slammed open.

"Hiya, cousins. I'll get a cup o' joe, Brewster!" Crazy Redd exclaimed, pulling a small cart behind him.

Brewster nearly crushed the mug he was holding with his bare wing. He didn't care for Redd, at all. If he had to choose between all the chatty, annoying customers in the world or serving Reds one solitary coffee, there was no thought for him. They'd come across each other in the city, when Brewster owned his struggling cafe and Redd was running his shady operations there. Brewster thought he was finally free of the crook when he moved his coffee shop to Blathers' museum and again when he opened his own cafe. Yet, here he was, chuckling to himself and looking about shifty.

Brewster poured a coffee out and put it in a takeaway cup at the end of the bar, praying Redd would just leave. However, the fox grabbed it and sat right next to Phyllis, who blatantly rolled her eyes. In return, Redd blatantly ignored her.

"You know, cousins, I have some great pieces here today. No one stopped by the tent today so I've reduced them from 7,000 bells to 6,999! A real steal, wouldn't you say?"

"No," Phyllis replied sharply. She looked at Brewster, seeing if he needed any help. Brewster looked towards Crazy Redd.

"I would appreciate it if you didn't sell those here-" he began but the conman cut him off.

"I know what you're thinking now, friend. No matter what people say, I always put value first which is why my prices are so low! The most genuine art and the most genuinely crazy prices!"

"I'd rather you didn't-"

"See this serene painting? I can see it's caught your eye, my pretty!" Redd exclaimed, touching Phyllis' arm, "It's almost as beautiful as you!"

She moved her arm sharply with a disgusted sigh.

"I think you'd better go-" Brewster tried to say again before once again being cut off. He gripped the mug tightly in frustration.

"Now this moving painting. It evokes so many emotions, doesn't it, cousin? Just looking at it makes me want to cry...and the thought of selling it! Makes me actually cry!" Redd exclaimed, covering his face to fake cry. Phyllis looked at Brewster in annoyance, who gave her a similar look. Redd looked up, "But for you my old friend, only 10,000 bells!"

"Please, sir, I must ask you-"

"And this! Help me with this tarp, cousin. This gallant statue will really bring a tear to your eye!"

"That's it!" Phyllis shouted suddenly before standing up,

"Get out!"

"This is not your establishment, ma'am," Redd said, demeanour changing much darker.

"No," Brewster stated, "It's mine. And I am asking you to get you and your forgeries out of here."

"Forgeries?!"

"Yeah!" Phyllis yelled, "From what I know, you're currently on Copper's watchlist so get out of here or I'll just have to call him."

Redd spluttered in pure rage as he looked from a furious Phyllis to a calm and defiant Brewster. He grabbed his cart and stormed out, muttering.

"Redd?" Brewster called. Redd turned sharply.

"Your coffee will be 200 bells."

Redd threw the coins onto the floor and slammed the door. Phyllis sat back down and Brewster resumed his cleaning duties.

"Thank you," he said quietly to Phyllis. She gave him a small smile and began to pick up her bag and cardigan. Once she'd got everything sorted and stood up from her seat, she saw a takeaway cup on the counter, steam clouds rising from the top. Questioningly, she turned to Brewster.

"Coo...it's to take to work with you...as a thank you."

"Thank you, Brewster. Anytime."

As she left she picked up Redd's discarded coins and placed them on top of the nearest table. The door shut slowly and the silence came back.