In a certain city, there is a unique promotion involving coffee and pastries at a local café. During a weekend special, the café offers a certain discount on coffee if customers buy at least two pastries. Specifically, if a customer purchases two pastries, they receive a discount of $1 on any coffee of their choosing. If a customer buys three pastries, the discount increases to $2 on the coffee. Throughout this promotion, a coffee costs $4 each.

How much would a customer pay in total if they decide to buy three pastries under this promotion?