"AYE! BUDDY!" greeted the owner from behind the counter. He was a man in his mid-forties with a balding head and wide box-shaped frame. He was wearing one in his vast collection of turtlenecks that he adorned for the colder seasons. His two young sons, who looked just like their father but with full heads of hair, were behind him stocking candy boxes and cleaning. The owner quickly gave them orders in Arabic, which made them increase the pace as he turned back towards Carlo. "Hey buddy, what can we get for you?"

"Good morning Ahk. "Can I get a black coffee and a baconeggncheese?" Carlo asked with a polite smile.

"For you buddy, sure. Hey guys can we get this man some breakfast before you leave?" The owner called over to the Hispanic night crew who looked back with complete disdain. All short, stocky, and clean-shaven, they were wearing t-shirts with grease-stained aprons and their hair tied up in nets. When they saw Carlo, their expression softened. Carlo walked over, giving them a dap over the counter. 

"Hola primo," Carlo greeted them. They responded in kind, speaking in Spanish briefly before quickly turning around to go work on his breakfast. The Bodega had the usual morning group. Old Miss Pearly was in the back fridge, looking for the latest date on the milk cartons as usual.  Rico, a young kid picking out snacks before his bus came, and  Young scrub in a construction outfit, counting the dozen different sandwiches for his co-workers,  paid for by money he would never get back. It was then two more men entered the bodega. They were THE usual customers. 

"Yerr yo Ahki, what's good this morning?" said the first man walking in. He was a lanky, dark-skinned man with a bald head that reflected the light from the corner. He was wearing an expensive hoodie and green leather jacket along with a fresh pair of matching Timbs. "Let me get a cup of coffee and a bagel my guy." 

The other man who walked in was a moving wall. He was wearing a fitted cap, jeans, and a thick denim jacket that went past his hips with a heavy thermal. He also wore Timberland boots. 

"Yo Morning Mr. Ahk!" The large followed in with his boisterous voice that filled the room.  Beanie and Bigs were regulars at the store and used it as a base of operations. Conducting meetings, buying weed, or just staying out in front to converse about life while constantly going in and out of the store for snacks or cigarettes.

"My man Crook, what's going on man!" Beanie said going in for a dap and a quick hug. Carlo reciprocated.

"Pardon my left. Wow, that's a lot of green, man,” Carlo said.

“Wow, ya point?” Beanie replied quickly looking down at his outfit. 

“It’s hurting my eyes," he jeered, gesturing down to the matching shoes.

"Uhh, it's the holidays. Sorry for trying to bring back the spirit of Christmas you miserable bastard." 

"Your look is making me miserable bro," Bigs chimed in, giving Carlo a dap. His large hands engulfed Carlo's. His Python-like fingers reached up past Carlo’s wrists with a powerful squeeze. Bigs was strong. When he let go, Carlo looked over his left hand for residual damages.