Chapter 11: A New Customer at Venosa

On a normal day at the Venosa Café, the place was bustling with life and the usual noise. Coffee was pouring from the coffee machine with its familiar sound, and customers were discussing personal matters or glancing at their phone screens.

But today was different.

A tall man, wearing a dark black coat and old sneakers, entered. He was holding a black laptop in his hand as if it were part of his body. The man settled on a table in the corner of the café, out of sight, and took a deep breath as he opened his device, ignoring the waiter who was waving at him, as if he hadn't seen him.

Franco, who had been watching this new customer from afar, whispered to Marco, "Look at this guy. He looks like he's out of spy movies."

Marco, who was smiling as he held a slice of pizza, replied, "Maybe he's a spy! Or maybe he works for a big company and decided to run away after they discovered that his hacking skills are superior to everything else."

Salvo, who was watching the situation carefully, frowned and said, "Did you notice that he's holding the laptop as if his life depended on it?"

Franco laughed and said, "Maybe he wants to hack NASA... or maybe he's trying to blackmail a big businessman in this city."

Marco looked at him and said, "Or maybe he just wants your internet codes." Then he turned his gaze to the strange man. "His looks are suspicious, don't they? We should get closer to him."

The hacking begins

While the new customer was sitting in complete silence, he began to open his device, then placed it on the table and opened several windows on the laptop screen. He was pressing buttons quickly, typing complex codes at an amazing speed, while his head was tilted down as if he was ignoring the world around him.

Franco pointed to Marco and said in a low voice: "What a professional! Do you think he hacked something important?"

Marco answered in a whisper: "Let's find out. We'll get close to him, and let him feel that we care."

Then Marco, who was acting very confident, approached the table, smiling as usual. "Hello, you seem very busy. Can you help us solve the Internet puzzle?"

The new customer looked at him without raising his head. He was very calm, then said in a cold voice: "I just want black coffee. And if you need help, go ask an expert."

Franco, who had been carefully observing the situation, sat down at the opposite table and said: "You're trying to hack something important, right? We have some experience in dealing with... files."

The customer finally looked at them, then smiled strangely, as if his mind was not working in the usual way. "Files? What files? I'm just trying to... open bank accounts. Something normal."

Marco, who felt himself getting closer, said with a sly smile: "Opening bank accounts? I think that could be very profitable. But, there's something in your eyes that says you're in trouble, isn't it?"

The customer, who was very calm, said in a low voice, "I'm not looking for trouble. I don't want to join any gang."

Franco said with a laugh: "Who said anything about gangs? We're just looking for someone special to help us with some technical stuff. Maybe you can help us with some hacking stuff."

Colombo, as they later came to know him, smiled unnaturally and said: "Hacking? Maybe, but I'm more skilled at cracking complex codes… especially those that have to do with fake identities."

Salvo, who was beginning to realize that this person wasn't ordinary, said: "So, you're someone… special."

Columbo looked at Salvo with blank eyes and said in a calm voice, "It's nothing special, I just avoid humans as much as possible. I have… some problems. I can help you, but don't touch my laptop."

The Strange Dialogue

Then Columbo sat down, smiling calmly, and said, "If there's something you really need, I'll help you, but only if it's in my best interest. I don't like getting involved in wars, but I can hack some hacked systems… or maybe I know some people who can help you."

Marco, who felt he had reached a pivotal point, said, "We need someone like you, someone who isn't afraid to take risks, someone who knows how to deal with… influence."

Columbo, who seemed to be resisting the urge to interact with them, suddenly said in a low tone, "Influence? You mean that person who's going to blackmail someone? Or a regular person trying to gather information? Don't mind me, just take the coffee."

Franco, who felt that this man was carrying more than he seemed, said, "You're a strange man. But, why don't you stay here and think about it? We have a place for those who excel in your arts. How about that?"

Columbo looked at Franco with a strange look, then simply said, "I just like apple pies here."

Marco laughed and said, "We'll add apple pie to the deal, if that helps you."

Salvo whispered to Marco, "Are you sure he's not just here to take a break from hacking the world?"

Marco smiled and said, "Sure, but if we can get this guy to work with us, we'll have a real treasure."

Franco nodded. "So... what's next?"

Columbo raised an eyebrow, and said, "I'll be with you, but don't touch my device. And I'm not part of any gang. I'm just... here for the apple pies."

Marco looked at Columbo and said, "Just as you said, Columbo. Apple pies first, then we'll decide what to do."