CAD01 (Aug 8, 1988)
Summary of Receipt
Baltimore leaves a private receipt journaling his thoughts about how Felix and Lucy were willing to help him start the Cafe and Diner, and mentions that it's likely Lucy will be suspicious regarding its timing. Furthermore, he suggests to himself to encrypt the actual receipts that they don't want any Customers to see - utilizing puzzles, since regular mathematical ciphers are weak against them - and lays down one key rule: Never write the Number. As for that number...well, just read the receipt. It's pretty obvious.
Transcript
DINER RECEIPT
RECEIPT NUMBER: CAD01
RECEIPT DATE: X X 19XX
MANAGER TITLE: BALTIMORE
RECEIPT NOTES:
I am prone to meticulous note-keeping and journaling. However, seeing as mon amour and my trusted associate have decided to embark on this joint venture with me it only makes sense to have a system of joint note-keeping. Of course, I have informed them of our most unusual of circumstances regarding the timing of our business. Felix was easy to assure but Lucy, ah Lucy, she was of course filled with questions. I’ve done what I can to play ignorant to the obvious, but I am unsure how long I can keep her out of the loop. Some may think it foolish for me to air these thoughts in any form she could discover, but let’s be honest, my mind is already an open book to her.
Speaking of, these receipts will need to be encrypted. The problem with more conventional means of encryption is that most of our customers can see through simple mathematical tricks. We will need to employ a system of puzzles, riddles, and logic along with more standard ciphers to ensure that most customers cannot breach our receipts without proper permission. Mon amour has already shown me what does and doesn’t keep our customers out, of course, there is nothing stopping the more intrepid from working out our little puzzles.
I suppose for now while it is just us, I see no reason to establish any formal rules among partners. However, I will set one rule which both of you should find more than reasonable. To prevent certain prying eyes that are fixated on certain keywords and are utilizing errata-based meta filters under no circumstances shall you write, type, think, or speak the number. In context or out of context it doesn’t matter. The usual substitutes are acceptable. Worst case I’m sure they’re already reading this. Or have read this. Or will read this. I’ve never been too sure how it works.
One day we can look back on this and laugh. Or cry. Whatever suits the mood.
Yours eagerly again,
The number that always follows after 7