Del decided he'd just go himself to check out the Startled Crow. Demetrius had wasted no time changing the name, but Del refused to conform. It was always gonna be The Crow. He'd been in once since the hostile takeover and wasn't impressed. There were a lot of new girls. A couple had obvious track marks, one was very pregnant, and quite a few others made it very clear that anything goes if the price is right. He was looking for one of the girls that had been here before. He noticed Cynthia hiding in a corner. She'd stayed as a server but the patrons tended to not notice who was willing and who was not. This place was trash now.

As Del approached Cyn, she didn't make eye contact at she asked how could she help him.

"I'd think of a new opening line with these folks, Cyn. You might send the wrong message."

She looked up quickly and almost broke down crying as she tried to smile. Not even two weeks and their spirit seemed broken.

"Oh my God, Del!" She wrapped her arms around him and then hurried to back away. Outbursts like that could get you punished.

"I've missed your smiling face as well, sugar."

She managed a blush.

"What the hell is going on in here? I leave town a bit and this place has gone to hell."

Cyn wanted to laugh but thought better of it. Her eyes darted around as if she expected an attack any second.

"I don't understand this place anymore. Demetrius doesn't give a fuck about us. Neither him nor Steel really runs the place. They are in and out a lot as if they are looking for something. They told us that Kari, Pop Tart, and Tiffany were all three dead. I think they...