Alexandria knew working in a restuarant business meant having competion, especially working in a big city like Gotham. She considered herself somewhat lucky to get a place further from the citys' central, even if it meant a broken down dinner in the narrows. She may not be the busiest place but she did have a decent inflow of money and people. What she never considered was that there was some else in a similar situation, and didn't like competition.

7:18 am

Delivery went by smoothly. Especially with her new hired hands. Marcus and Alexandria were sitting with a cup of coffee each, going over a new and larger menu. Marcus suggested more baked good, and offered to come in early to bake them for the day. Alexandria agreed to try it for the next week. She pondered aloud if pasta dishes would hit the mark, to which Marcus reminded her of the local mobs being Italian. She scrapped the idea, on account that she had enough unsavory people to deal with as it was. As the dynamic duo continue their planning, a gust if cold wind blew through the diners front door signaling a new arrival.

"I'm sorry but we"re opening late today, stop by in an hour." Alexandria didn't bother to look up from her new menu board, anD didn't notice how Marcus stiffened up.

"When I heard there was a new nest out there, I never expected them to flock someplace like...here." Alexandria blanched at the obvious insult. Tyurning to the British speaker ready to defend but stopped short. Flanked by two large men in suits stood Oswald Cobblepot, his crisp tuxedo not faltering his girth but still making him imposing despite his lack of height.

"I'm sorry to dissapoint you. If you don't like it get the hell out." Alexandria clenched a fist as he eyed her up and down.

"Well aren't you a pretty bird. Tell me what's your name."

"Fox. Why are you here?"

"I noticed profits beginning to drop. And our mutual friends didn't come to celebrate after their...parole." Alexandria snorted at the term, "when I heard rumors fluttering around I sent a mockingbird to search this place out." The Penguin eyed the room,

"He was impressed."

"And you're obviously not."

"I'm a business man, competion is not to be taken lightly. I have a good following with the upper echelon of the criminal world, and even their underlings." Cobblepot stepped foward while his bodyguards stood their ground. "While my lesser known nesting ground is for the underlings of said Echelon, I still don't like losses. You are apart of these losses."

"So what? I can't help if they come here."

"Oh I think you can. Tell me how'd you get the Joker of all people on your side?"

"I have no fucking clue." Cobblepot glared.

"With an attitude like that I have some idea, Blue Jay."

"Blue Jay?"

"Loud twittering and territorial."

"Thank you."

"I didn't mean it as a compliment."

"I know." Cobblepot snorted.

"Tell me, how much is he paying you."

"I'm not at liberty to discuss such dealings." Alexandria frowned as the Penguin began to cackle.

"I see why he likes you. How much?"

"Like I said I'm not tell-"

"For this restuarant." Alexandria's face reddened in slight anger.

"What?"

"Not a bright bird. Like I said I don't like competion." He pulled a checkbook from his inner pocket. "Ill buy this place off your hands, and if you'd like you can still manage it, just know all incoming Wil be handled by me." It was a statement, proven by the fact he was already filling out a cheque.

"No!"

"Sorry?" He steeled a glare on her red face.

"You can't buy this place."

"Come now, a run down place frequented by the scum of the world, you don't seem like a person who wants that."

"And yet you do."

"I used to run in that world, I know what it's like. It's not long until they turn on you, the police strut in with a warrent, or some...other incident happens."

"Is that a threat?"

"If that's how you want to take it." Alexandria crossed her arms.

"I'm not selling."

"I can pay you double what ever they are giving you."

"I will call the cops."

"Go ahead, I'm doing nothing illegal."

"Here." Alexandria added the adendum. Cobblepot lowered his head in a threatenning stance.

"You're being quite difficult."

"And you are insulting me, and my life's work." Alexandria stood, her 5'5" frame nearly towering his. "If you want your profits back, make a better product. You can start now." She pointed towards the door.

"You'll want to get out eventually, I hope for your sake it's not too late." Cobblepot turned and left, his bodyguards in tow. Alexandria huffed, glaring at his receding figure. Marcus was gaping at the balls his Boss had, as Gary and Kyle stared through the window form the kitchen.

"Marcus."

"Yes Ma'am."

"Start learning how to make noodles and wine red sauces." Alexandria smriked. "We have a new clientele to win." Her goons gulped.

Not as long as the others but I'm technically at work. Hope you enjoy.