IC: Dancing within the Void, In-character thread for the game Options

[Fenris]

The rundown strip mall on the outskirts of Bellevue had obviously seen better days. The pavement was cracked, several of the parking lot lights were busted, and most of the store fronts were dingy and uncared for. Tourists through Bellevue and yuppies out for kicks occasionally stopped by the Stuffer Shack in the strip, which advertised itself as being "Last 'Shack Before the Barrens!"

One double wide set of glass was different, however. It was clean, as close to pristine as one could hope for in that setting. Most mornings, the overly tall and heavily muscled form of a troll in business casual button up shirt and slacks could be seen either out front or inside, polishing the glass with a large rag and a bottle of something.

MJM Services, read the sign above the door. It was obvious that the offices occupied several of the storefronts along the strip. Most of the other businesses had folded up shop, and the gleaming glass was a stark contrast to the grungy Stuffer Shack.

This morning was all hustle and bustle outside MJM. A steady flow of people coming into and out of the offices was apparent, and there must have been a dozen people inside at any particular time. Most stayed in the lobby, which took up most of what must have been another store. The furniture was simple, and sturdy, about as stylish as it could be and still be fairly cheap. Two vending machines in the corner dispensed drinks and a variety of food products, and a couple of arcade booths with attached trode nets stood in another corner, the screens outside showing someone blasting their way through "Rio and Jox: The Aztechnology ShadowRun!" The rest of the office was several clusters of chairs and tables, dotted around the space to create a few almost separate locations. A sturdy looking metal door was inserted into the far wall, and occasionally the troll in the shirt and slacks would step out with someone, wave goodbye, and call one or more names to follow him back in.

Outside the offices, hanging around outside the Stuffer Shack, a hard eye group of youths from all different races eyes the offices and those arriving and leaving. Several of them are obviously armed, from rippers to pistols to submachine guns. Most seem to be sporting some sort of armor, and all of them wear patches or tattoo's that depict a grinning skull with chains wrapped around it.