17515/A slice of science and pepperoni

A slice of science and pepperoni
Date of Scene:	29 March 2024
Location:	Gino's Pizzeria
Synopsis:	Shuri learns about pizza
Cast of Characters:	Mercy Thompson, Shuri

---

Mercy Thompson has posed:
    Some things about New York are just iconic. Central Park, the Statue of Liberty, Rockefeller Center, and of course, Pizza. There are lots of places to get pizza but Gino's is one that the locals often will point you to. The lines aren't too busy but it's definitely a place to get a slice of that New York life as they say. Right now with it being the 'off lunch' but not yet dinner rush means it's one of the quieter times, and smaller crowds. Perfect for someone who maybe wants to get a bite and not deal with too much attention or crowds.

Shuri has posed:
    Shuri is dressed more like a classic American young woman at the moment. Black snug leather pants. Boots. A sweater that's fighting off the March chill in New York City. Her hair is done in a sort of cornrow bun at the moment, with several long loose rows behind her. But she's here for a vital part of her experiencing the United States. New York Pizza. So the young woman will move off towards the Pizzaria.

    She moves inside, and gives a pleasant, small smile, looking around the place. It's exactly what you see on the TV, and expect to see. Perfect.

Mercy Thompson has posed:
    Those arriving have two real choices, sit down at a table and order something. Waiting to get your food when it's made. There's also the counter for those looking for a slice to go, or just a faster service. There are plenty of spots open. The smell of garlic, tomato sauce, dough, and beer all fill the air while the TV plays some sports for the locals to watch.

Shuri has posed:
    Shuri moves to the counter, since that's what most of the people she sees are doing. "I would like to get a slice of pizza and...a water?" Her last words are uncertain. All stand to make it obvious that she isn't a local, though. She doesn't sound like a New Yorker; she has a notable Wakandan accent.

Mercy Thompson has posed:
    The guy behind the bar says, "Um sure thing. What kind of pizza though? I mean do you want just cheese or you looking for pepperoni?" He is already getting the water into a glass. Not too far behind Shuri walks in one Mercy Thompson. She too is in search of some pizza and greasy good ness. She will take a seat not far from Shuri and notes the accent. Then she takes a moment to give the woman's face a second look in that 'where have I seen her before' sort of way. "I'll take a pepperoni and Pepsi if you got it. If not then how about a root beer?" To the obvious not local, "if you are purist you probably want cheese. If you want meat and more grease then go for the pepperoni. All others are pale imitations of the pure art form."

Shuri has posed:
    Know what isn't a common Wakandan cuisine? Pizza. When Mercy comes up, she'll happily take the advice. "I'll have a slice of cheese, a slice of pepperoni, and a Pepsi. And you can put hers on my bill." She offers. Honestly, it's not like she can't afford it. "Thank you for the advice." she offers, before turning back to wait and pick up the pizza.

Mercy Thompson has posed:
    "You got it ladies," says the guy as he goes to get the pizza hot and reheated. Their drinks are set down in almost no time. "Well you didn't have to do that, but thanks." Mercy offers a hand over, "I'm Mercy, nice to meet you. Have we.. met? Your face is familiar but I'm almost positive we never met before." Because the woman's smell is nothing she knows. "You must be from out of town, welcome to New York."

Shuri has posed:
    "Shuri." She says. There's three syllables packed into that, basically. "It's nice to meet you. And...not that I'm aware of?" She looks over, and doesn't THINK she's met the Native American woman. "And I am from out of town. Very far out of town." She nods to the table. "Would you mind some company?" she asks. "Or is that not something we do here?"

Mercy Thompson has posed:
    "That's a nice name." It takes Mercy another few seconds, "Oh! That's where I heard it from." The association made she won't mention it allowed. "I don't mind the company at all. There is some body language cues you can learn on if someone wants to talk or not. But I love meeting people." Mercy leans over, "and I won't pry into your home if you don't wanna talk about it. The pizza should be up soon. Just try the cheese first. If you want my unsolicited advice."

Shuri has posed:
    "Wait...wait, now I need to know." Shuri asks. "You heard my name from someone?" She's surprised that a random person would know her, especially when she's not going around in her more princess attire and persona. This is supposed to be her being incognito. She takes up the slice of the cheese, and then takes a bite, trying it.

Mercy Thompson has posed:
    "It was an article about your homeland in a mechanics magazine. That and I love history so I keep up on stuff as best I can." Mercy feels a bit like she is confessing to being a nerd. "That and I few other things gave me a hint to the continent you are from, besides accent." Mercy sips her soda when it comes and mimes locking her lips though to show she won't blab who Shuri is. "So just here taking in the sights?" Typical tourist stuff.

Shuri has posed:
    Hmm. "It's fine, I just wasn't aware that things had gotten that far. With information and all that." She does seem impressed at that. "You're a mechanic? What is it that you work on?" Needless to say, Shuri is interested in chatting to other technical types, as far as that goes."

Mercy Thompson has posed:
    "Mostly classic German cars, and I tend to focus on things more over seas. I'm always hunting down parts to keep these classics running a little longer." Mercy reaches into a pocket and gets a card out and hands it over. "I got a shop at the southern edge of Harlem. But pretty much cars though I do have one thing I am proud off. A rare custom built for my friend." She will get her phone and hand it over with the picture of the custom car. "I started with a '72 Opal GT."

Shuri has posed:
    "Interesting." Shuri says, and nods approvingly at the pizza. "This isn't bad at all. I mean, it's not healthy at all. But it's quite tasty." She sips the drink, and looks over at the picture. "It's a pretty car. But it's what's under the hood that interests me more potentially."

Mercy Thompson has posed:
    "There's a special place for pizza in our hearts here. It's a cultural thing. And depending on where you are the pizza is different. Here. Locals do it like this." She picks up her own slice and folds it. "New York pizza you can do this, but Chicago style or Detroit style are very different." Mercy is happy to lend someone a little lesson in pizza pie eating 101. "Oh you wanna talk engines? I can do that. I took out what she came with. That was a pretty weak in line four. But switched it to a 3.4 litter 200 horse five speed manual engine. That and a lot of computer work to give it as good a VI as I could." She will flip the picture to showing the lights that she put onto the body paint.

Shuri has posed:
    "You could have gotten more torque from an electric engine." Shuri says, considering it. "And it would likely have synched up better with the VI control systems." She's clearly already considering options. "Less emissions, too. Or was it something for the nostalgia?" Not something she really understands, but she can respect tradition.

Mercy Thompson has posed:
    "I don't know those so well," admits Mercy. "I am a classic girl and stretched myself with modern electronics for the dash and other features. Besides I think the client liked the noise of a gas over electric engine." Though Mercy looks a little sheepish admitting to her limitations. Electric motors are just not a thing she has tons of experience with. Mercy uses the bit of pizza to buy herself time before she answers. "It was more what I could manage and keep it a classic with a face lift. Closer to what they call restomods."