Up from the Bottom, Wipe Those Tears and Pass the Ammo Options

[BlackHat]

"Seattle Singles" Public Chat Node
Saturday 8/23/70 04:00:18
Smith
PAN - Hidden

Smith's icon - a nondescript, low-res man in a black suit, with mirrored-shades that reflected high-res images of the rest of the icons in the node - ignored the invitation at first, but after Angel's metal-angel icon nodded and took hers, he reached out and accepted the offered key with the slow, mechanical movements of an AR user. He didn't really think twice about which encryption program to use. He knew his was good - the best on the market when he got it - but he knew that the important thing was building trust with this hacker, who would feel a lot more comfortable using his own encryption software. He wasn't particularly worried, either way - the other users in this node weren't interested in what they were going to say, they were desperate men and women looking to make some connection to another metahuman - at four-o-clock in the morning. The choice of node felt fitting - as this was, in essence, what Smith was hoping to do.

An instant later, when the encryption algorithms had re-seeded the new key, Smith offered a private chat invitation to the same user ID who had offered him these keys - directing him towards a private booth. Once inside, his message came across their encrypted connection, point-to-point.

<<@Error:: I am glad to see you could make it on such short notice. I apologize for any inconvenience.>>

The icon wasn't forwarding a stream of speech. Instead, it seemed to be using an off-the-shelf text-to-speech translation software - which got the job done, and was primarily intended to anonymize the user, but sounded 'off' compared to the usual modes of communication, online. For a user in VR, used to firing entire thoughts across on a single pulse, it was also mind-bogglingly slow.

<<@Error:: Let's get right down to business, if you don't mind. This is the situation. I am managing a team of deniable assets - I am sure you know the type - and they are in the middle of a job that has gone fairly smoothly, except for one little hiccup.>> His icon turned its head towards Angel's, then back. <<@Error:: Our matrix-specialist has decided to retire - which is good for her, and so I am supporting her in this decision - but that leaves me shorthanded.>>

There was a slight pause. <<@Error:: I am not particularly concerned about this job - as Angel, here, has done her job well, and I believe the majority of the matrix-work is out of the way, but we will absolutely need a replacement, in the long term - so I would rather get to work on recruiting one, now, than later, when it is mission-critical.>>

<<@Error:: Any questions, so far?>>

[Divine Virus]

"Seattle Singles" Public Chat Node
Saturday 8/23/70 04:00:18
ERROR 1406
PAN - Hidden

"No questions" ERROR says, pleased with how well the meeting is going so far. No hard questions, and only one slightly scary comment. Long term involvement with runners might imply much painful probing.

[BlackHat]

"Seattle Singles" Public Chat Node
Saturday 8/23/70 04:00:30
Smith
PAN - Hidden

Smith's icon was stoic, but that was more a matter of it not being told to animate than any indication of the user's reaction. Still, a moment passed before he continued.

<<@Error:: Very well. I believe the situation I described would provide an excellent opportunity for the team to try out a replacement, in a low-risk situation, and make sure the person would be a good fit for the team. This is why I would like to get you in on this job, immediately, assuming the rest of this interview goes well. That would also free up Angel to go about her business.>>

<<@Error:: I've been told that you are a professional, so let me reiterate one point before I go on. I am not the sort of Johnson that picks you up for a single job, and then prefers never to see or hear from you again. That is a completely valid way of doing business, and might be how you have been recruited in the past, but what I am looking for is a tight-knit team of specialists, that I can count on, that I can trust, and that I can find work for that requires a certain level of skill and teamwork that you just can't find by scrounging together random guys off of the street, and asking them to depend on one another. >>

<<@Error:: You come highly recommended, so I will not question your skills with a computer. We wouldn't even be having this conversation if I didn't have reason to believe that you were capable of doing what I need you to do. However, because of the way I operate, what I need you to do is about as important as how you go about doing it. Unfortunately, you are, perhaps, too good at what you do, as I was unable to find out much about you. I have been unable to determine, ahead of time, if you possess the personality characteristics I am looking for, or if you're the sort of guy who will make a good fit with the team I have already established.>>

<<@Error:: So, if you're still interested, I would like to ask you a few direct questions, in an attempt to get to know you. I would like to have a better feel for who you are, before investing anything further. Shall I go on, or do you have any questions for me before we begin? >>

The icon raised its eyebrow, when it asked its final question. Smith was careful with the words he chose, and this showed in the amount of time it took the icon to speak.

[Divine Virus]

"Seattle Singles" Public Chat Node
Saturday 8/23/70 04:00:30
Smith
PAN - Hidden

ERROR was glad there was such a delay in speech, that everything took so long. It gave him time to get control over the Dread the Johnson's words inspired, and sort out the null concepts included therein. When the time came for ERROR to reply, he has his fear under control. Still, he did not trust himself, so he kept the reply simple.
"No questions"

[BlackHat]

"Seattle Singles" Public Chat Node
Saturday 8/23/70 04:00:35
Smith
PAN - Hidden

Smith's icon nodded.

<<@Error:: Alright, let's start off simple. How would you describe yourself in three words? >>

[Divine Virus]

"Seattle Singles" Public Chat Node
Saturday 8/23/70 04:00:35
ERROR 1406
PAN - Hidden

Smith's icon nodded.

"Reflexive Pronoun," ERROR said, then paused to think "English"

[BlackHat]

"Seattle Singles" Public Chat Node
Saturday 8/23/70 04:00:40
Smith
PAN - Hidden

<<Clever.>> Smith's icon smiled. <<Evasive, and slightly smart-assed, but clever.>>

<<Keep in mind, that I am looking for something. There aren't really any right or wrong answers to most of these questions, but if your answer tells me nothing, you are wasting both of our time. Feel free to elaborate, as much as you like, in order to properly represent yourself. You're being evaluated as much by what you do not say, as by what you do. >>

<<Let's move on. If I assembled three of your previous coworkers, and asked them about you, what would they say about you, that you would say is not true?>>

[Divine Virus]

"Seattle Singles" Public Chat Node
Saturday 8/23/70 04:00:40
ERROR 1406
PAN - Hidden

ERROR 1406 gave a little smile. Well, his meat body did- his icon is not capable of smiling.
"Nothing." He paused "That is, I would not say any of their words are untrue."

[BlackHat]

"Seattle Singles" Public Chat Node
Saturday 8/23/70 04:00:50
Smith
PAN - Hidden

Smith thought, for a moment, and then decided to help prod Error into expounding on his answer. <<Is this because everyone you have ever worked with has gotten a completely accurate impression of you?>> His icon folded his hands on the virtual table. <<Or, rather, that you would simply not correct any misimpressions? >>

Back on the bus, Adam smirked. Error had been warned once about answers that said nothing. This second time, he let it pass without warning, but did his best to give a hint.

Adam had been thinking back to some of his many job interviews, where he had been asked curve-ball questions - either to test his creativity, or so the employer could get a sense for the type of person he was. This was where he shined - and his responses were usually what got him the job. Long ago, Adam had learned that when it came to this sort of thing, it didn't matter if he was inexperienced, or if he wasn't the best candidate applying for a position - if he nailed the interview, his charming personality meant a lot more to an employer than anything else. An inexperienced employee could be trained, especially if they seemed bright, creative, and eager to learn, but a skilled employee, with a bad personality, was a lot more difficult problem to correct. Usually, not worth the trouble.

It wasn't that Error's personality was striking him as particularly 'bad'. The hacker just seemed to be saying the bare minimum necessary to answer the questions - and usually not addressing the question at all - which told Adam volumes, but nothing positive. In particular, it seemed to be saying that he wasn't that interested in the outcome of the interview. He either wasn't taking it seriously, or didn't understand what was being asked of him. Neither case was particularly desirable - for either of them.

Adam began to wonder if it was worth his time to figure out which case it was, but his curiosity got the best of him, so he waited for Error's response before moving on to another question.

[Divine Virus]

"Seattle Singles" Public Chat Node
Saturday 8/23/70 04:00:50
ERROR 1406
PAN - Hidden


"Others are not capable of making false statements about onself," ERROR explained, "Nor true statements for that matter."

[BlackHat]

"Seattle Singles" Public Chat Node
Saturday 8/23/70 04:01:00
Smith
PAN - Hidden

The same usual pause followed - was Smith taking notes? <<"Moving on, then - perhaps to something you believe is possible. What would you say are three areas, where you could use the most improvement?>> Smith was going to let the question stand, as it was, but decided that Error was unlikely to venture much outside of the bounds of the original question - which, like his previous questions, was the intent. He decided to add a little something to help get the hacker's brain-juices flowing. <<... and what are you doing, if anything, to improve in each of these areas?>>

[Divine Virus]

"Seattle Singles" Public Chat Node
Saturday 8/23/70 04:01:00
ERROR 1406
PAN - Hidden

"Your questions will not satisfy you." ERROR 1406 finally said. He had been wanting to say it since the interview began. "I heard what you are looking for. Looking to know about me. You do not know the questions, and I do not know the answers. Even if I did know the answers, I do not know how to communicate them intelligibly. It is not in my interest to waste your time. If you have no other strategy for assessing me, and are not willing to hire me outright, I suggest we either turn the conversation to social matters, or leave."

[BlackHat]

"Seattle Singles" Public Chat Node
Saturday 8/23/70 04:01:20
Smith
PAN - Hidden

This was actually Error's most interesting response, yet. Unfortunately, it only confirmed what Adam had been thinking all along, while making Error appear to be much less stable than Adam had assumed.

Smith's icon looked puzzled - which wasn't any slip of demeanor, but must have been an intentional animation triggered by the user. <<I appreciate your honesty. I don't wish to be insulting, but I am, frankly, surprised that you cannot, or will not, answer these questions. There is nothing particularly difficult about them - they are very standard interview questions, even outside of our respective lines of work. The sort of responses you've given wouldn't qualify you for a job at a Stuffer Shack, but an inability to even comprehend them, let alone to think creatively about them, most certainly disqualifies you for the sort of work I have in mind for you. If you cannot communicate with me, about this, what should make me think you will be able to communicate with my whole team, about things that are a matter of life and death?>> His icon paused a moment, hoping that his words were making any sense to the kid, or whatever, on the other side of Error's connection.

<<I've also noticed that you did not spend any time at all thinking about the questions, before answering. Your average response-time was less than a second - even for hot-sim, that suggests that you did not put a modicum of thought into your answers - which suggests that you're not particularly interested in whether you get the job, or not.>> Smith's icon turned one hand over, and looked down at it, as if showing Error the 'nothing' he had been given.

<<You are right that I do want to know about you - if I am going to be able to trust you, I have to. I haven't asked anything specific about you, out of professional courtesy - just about the type of person you are. By my count, I've asked you three questions, each of which gave you three chances to leave a positive first impression, or to convince me that you are the sort of person I want on my team. You have failed to do either of these things. Moreover, you've failed to tell me anything about yourself that I did not already know, before - except, maybe, just now, when you've admitted to being unable to perform this simple task. Your references checked out, as I said, but they, too, were unable to tell me even one impressive or interesting thing about you.>> The other hand turned over, again, full of nothing, and Smith's icon looked back at the center of the fractal.

<<So, you have now suggested turning the conversation to social matters. Again, not wanting to be unnecessarily rude, but my impression is that this would also be a waste of time. Are you any more capable of making smalltalk, than you were about talking about yourself? If I ask you any other questions, are you going to respond any more intelligibly? Do you have hobbies? Interests? Is there anything to you besides a handle, a cool custom icon, and an embarrassingly sparse resume?>>

<<I am looking for something to separate you from the thousands of other hackers that would do this job, better, for less. If you're not interested, there are other people who would appreciate an opportunity like this - people who need this job. I would be doing them a huge favor by giving them the shot, that you don't seem to want.>>

<<So, you tell me why I should assess you, by any other metric, and I will. Otherwise, you are telling me that you're not interested, and that we are done, here.>>

Smith's icon folded its empty hands once more on the table. He was a little annoyed - not at Error who probably had no idea what he was getting into when he responded to Smith's booty-call, but at himself for entertaining Angel's idea about bringing on some random guy at the last second to replace her. He wished she didn't have to go. He wished she would open up and tell him what is wrong, so that he could help her resolve it. He also wished that he was a better hacker, himself, so that he didn't have to waste his time sifting through every autist with a commlink, at four in the morning, looking for anybody capable of stringing a few coherent sentences together so that the rest of his team didn't bail on him when they heard that Angel skipped town. It didn't matter if the hacker was good. The hard part was over. It only mattered that the hacker didn't inspire a sense of overwhelming incompetence. In that regard, it was going to be a long night.

Adam glanced over at Angel's sleeping form, and smiled. At least things were getting better for somebody he knew.

[Divine Virus]

"Seattle Singles" Public Chat Node
Saturday 8/23/70 04:01:20
ERROR 1406
PAN - Hidden

"Small talk is easy. As is communicating information about the phenominal world, including the material world and the Matrix, is also a simple task. The object of the questions that have been asked so far... The questions are incredibly problematic, from a metaphysical standpoint.
As for interest in the job...Interest in a job about which nothing is known, not even pay, except that exacting standards must be met. No idea of danger or pay, except for a Johnson's promise that it shouldn't be too much trouble, and possible future work. Enticement is lacking. That said, a personal meeting, in the flesh would be easier. I will look like this." an image of a handsome elf flickers into being for an instant or two. Then the image of a bar, name clearly visable, for a few dozen seconds. "Fifteen minutes alright?"

[BlackHat]

"Seattle Singles" Public Chat Node
Saturday 8/23/70 04:11:30
Smith
PAN - Hidden

A physical meeting was the last thing Smith expected Error to suggest. The offer was enough to renew his interest in the hacker. <<Call it 30. I've got to put the girl to bed.>> Smith's icon nodded in Angel's direction, again. <<Maybe after I get a few drinks in you, you'll stop over-thinking things, and we can get to know one another, properly.>>

His icon smiled, then disappeared.

Back on the bus, Adam did his usual power-off, reboot, respoof combination. It didn't completely remove the dirty feeling that came along with illegal matrix activity, but it helped. Angel came to a few moments later, and Smith tried to make sure she was going to be okay, and Angel tried to make Smith believe her. They eventually exchanged more goodbyes, and parted ways. Hopefully, Smith thought, it would not be for the last time.

The ball was in her court, now.

[Divine Virus]

Uptown Bar
Saturday 8/23/70 04:41:00
ERROR 1406
PAN - Hidden

ERROR 1406 made a point of being slightly early, merely so the Johnston would not have to flag him down and draw attention to the two of them. So he took a seat at a booth near the back, where he was clearly visible from the door. It was busy, and responsibly upper class. ERROR waited

[BlackHat]

Uptown Bar
Saturday 8/23/70 04:45:30
Smith
PAN - Passive (Displaying Fake ID for the bartender)

Smith showed up to the bar, looking only slightly out of place. His suit fit in, but looked like it had been worn for a while. Actually, compared to the other guys kicking back drinks at this time of the night, his suit looked pretty fresh. He was younger than most of them, that was for sure. He didn't do anything to draw undo attention to himself, but when he entered, his presence drew more than a few eyes his way. He made his way first to the bartender, where he made smalltalk long enough that Error had just turned his attention to the next guy to enter, when Smith took his seat in their booth - with a drink in each hand, sliding one across the table.

"Nice place, omae."

He took a sip of his own drink.

"So, before I logged, it sounded like you finally had some questions for me. Where would you like me to start?"

His response was partially to remind the man that he had offered him a few chances to ask about the job, partially to make sure he was comfortable talking here, and partially to make sure this was even the same guy he had talked to.

[Divine Virus]

Uptown Bar
Saturday 8/23/70 04:45:12
ERROR 1406
PAN - Passive (Displaying Fake ID)

ERROR smiled.
"The runners and Johnson, and knowing them, is more valuable then the details about the job. Yet that is already agreed upon. People are harder to read online. It takes a little face-to-face interaction to understand someone." As ERROR spoke, he let the wall of his personality loosen, and become pourous. But this time, instead of flowing into code, he let those minds around him in, specifically that of this Johnson.

[BlackHat]

Uptown Bar
Saturday 8/23/70 04:45:33
Smith
PAN - Passive (Displaying Fake ID for the bartender)

Smith nodded, "Agreed. I always prefer dealing with people face-to-face. So, you'd like to know about me, and I'd like to know about you. That seems fair, but you didn't seem so eager to facilitate that earlier. What do you say about a little tit-for-tat?" He made a little gesture with his hands. "I'll answer your questions about the team, and how I run things, if you answer mine about yourself - and the first time you go all Zen on me, the conversation is over." He smiled, apologetically. "I mean, its cool that you're into metaphysical stuff. That's exactly the sort of hobby or interest that makes you stand out - but I'm not really interested in someone who takes that to unreasonable extremes."

"If I ask you to dig up some data for me, and you come back and tell me that you don't think there is a difference between true and false data - I can't really use you, see? I need someone who not only understands the difference, but understands that someone on the team might die if his information is inaccurate. "

"So, how about, since I bought the first round of drinks, and you dodged all of my earlier questions, I ask the first question, now?"

[Divine Virus]

Uptown Bar
Saturday 8/23/70 04:48:26
ERROR 1406
PAN - Passive (Displaying Fake ID)

"To reassure, true and false data are in a separate ontological category from identity, one in which absolutes do exist. There is a concrete correlation between data and the phenomenal world. The same cannot be said for identity and personality." ERROR's demeanor in person is strikingly different from how he acts online. While online, his words were instant, here every word was carefully and painstakingly selected. Smith is also quick to realize that there is something a bit funny about the face. Something just bugging him... its a hologram. ERROR 1406's real face, and head, is hidden inside a hologram, but the projector (projectors?) are no where to be seen. "Thanks for the round. For the future, the house will cover the drinks. Ask away."

[BlackHat]

Uptown Bar
Saturday 8/23/70 04:45:33
Smith
PAN - Passive (Displaying Fake ID for the bartender)

Smith smiled, "I'll make the first one easy, I hope. Do you have a lot of close friends?" Smith's demeanor also seems a lot different than his online persona. However, it appears to be in the opposite direction. Online, his words were carefully selected, and often unnecessarily stuffy and verbose. In person, he seems more laid back. His words aren't as carefully selected, but that gives them, perhaps, a more endearing quality.

[Divine Virus]

Uptown Bar
Saturday 8/23/70 04:46:13
Smith
PAN - Passive (Displaying Fake ID)

"Surprising that the question is asked. No close friends." ERROR says, his holographic face displaying an ironic grin. "What makes the team so damn special?"

[BlackHat]

Uptown Bar
Saturday 8/23/70 04:46:55
Smith
PAN - Passive (Displaying Fake ID for the bartender)

Smith took a few seconds to consider his answer. "That's a complex question, but I'll give it my best shot. I would say there are a lot of things that make it unique - personalities, styles, etc - but that's not really what you're looking for, I don't think. What you're going to find, with us, that you're not going to find anywhere else is 'family'. Most of us don't have anyone else to look out for them, so we look out for each other. In a lot of cases, the members of this team owe each other their lives, and there is a good level of mutual trust and respect that allows us to work together well, without all of the hassles and ass-covering that cuts away at the efficiency of a lot of teams in our line of work. This is why trust is so important to me. I've got to trust you, and the rest of the team needs to trust you - and you need to trust us, too. If we're functioning at less than 100% because we're looking over our shoulders, or looking out for number one, then we lose our edge. That isn't something I am going to allow to become a problem, so it is important that whoever I bring on to replace Angel fits in, from the beginning, and is going to be able to put the teams needs before their own." Error's empathy software does not detect any of the usual cues for falsehoods, flags a few pieces as things he might be unsure of, himself, and points out some body language that suggests that Smith might be talking things up a little bit. What he is saying sounds a little bit like a sales-pitch - which is what it is.

"You don't have a lot of close friends, you say, but I hope that isn't intentional. If you work with us, you will - and if you hope to keep us at a distance, this isn't the team for you. If having more close connections is something you'd like to have, this is the place to find those."

"You will also find 'opportunities', but I think this is something you might find in other teams, but I think, here, if you're interested in professional growth, and opportunities to take a real proactive role in the outcome of our work - you will be pleased. We're a collection of specialists, so you're going to be given a lot of leeway on how you handle things that fall into your niche. I do my best to manage, and lead, but when it comes down to the details, you will have a lot of room for making low-level decisions, and even suggesting team-wide strategy. This is why creativity is important to me. It doesn't matter how skilled you are, if you don't know where and when to best apply those skills. I don't have the bandwidth to micromanage everyone, and even if I did, I don't have the expertise or experience necessary to do so effectively. We do help each other out, though. You might be able to suggest some key upgrades to our equipment, or I might be able to put you in contact with some people who can get you good deals on the things you need to do your job. You might even find a good opportunity for us, as a team, and pass that along. I have found that the people on my team prefer to be left to solve their problems in their own way, but can appreciate a hand when someone is willing to help. That's not to say that I won't have any advice, or anything, but I think you'll find that I am a very easy-going boss, so long as things are going well." Again, Error readout suggests that this isn't as idealic a picture as the man in the suit is painting. There are some facts being left out, some situations being glorified, and a lot of hypotheticals. Particularly, it notes a subtle inflection or emphasis on the last line - suggesting that when things go bad, Smith might not be as hands-off as he's suggesting.

"Again, you didn't show a lot of interest in personal growth, earlier - but with your average team, there isn't a lot of room to climb that ladder, or influence how things get done. In a lot of cases, someone in your position might be working with new people on every job, and convincing everyone to do things you way, over and over again, or having to adapt to new styles that other people impose on you isn't really an ideal situation. I'm hoping that you will find the alternative I am offering to be preferable. If not, and you'd rather someone tell you exactly what they want you to do, and simply carry out that order, I would say this wouldn't be a good fit for you."

"Lastly, I would say you're going to find it 'profitable'. From the beginning, my vision has been to create a situation that is mutually beneficial to everyone involved. That's a little easier for some of the other team members, because we've been able to contribute to their personal lives, directly, but our bank accounts have not been hurting lately, either - and that's probably the bottom line, for someone walking into this situation blind. Let's be honest, I might have connections, and might be able to land a big gig, but I'm not going to be able to turn that opportunity into a profit without a full team. A lot of times, someone in my position might contract out to either random teams, willing to do work for just about anyone, or to random individuals, who have no established team. I have found that it is a lot easier to keep a full team in my back-pocket, ready at a moments notice, and who all know how to work effectively together. From your standpoint, more of the money gets passed on to you, without having to compete for it, and from my standpoint, I don't have to worry about scheduling conflicts, or time or energy wasted when a new team takes time to 'gel'. " He put his fingers together - signifying the team coming together. "You know, except this one time while you're being introduced." He winked.

"As far as profit goes, I'm not really out to do much more than pay my bills, cover my expenses, and to have some party-money left over for the weekend. We've been splitting payment pretty evenly, except under special circumstances. We all need this money, for various personal reasons, and if it keeps everyone happy, and working hard, I have found it helps to offer profit-sharing - I was able to negotiate a bonus recently, after establishing a strategic partnership mid-run, and that got split, right down the middle. What this means for you, is that you should be making a bit more than if you're going through a middle man. By the time a fixer takes his cut, and the Johnson low-balls the team, only a fraction of the money originally set aside for the job makes its way into the hands of the guys doing the work. I figure, you guys are working as hard as I am, and as long as we come in under budget, you should be rewarded for maintaining exceptional efficiency." Here, Error's analysis gives a strange result. It appears that the young man is holding something back. His eyes and manner of speech indicated there he had more to say on this matter, but that he chose not to at the last minute - leaving a sort of incomplete picture. It also bears the same signs of something that is being talked up, as the previous statements.

All in all, Smith seems to honestly think that these 'virtues' would be benefits of working for him (as opposed to any of the thousands of other Johnsons who need hackers in this city), but his confidence on that point is less than 100%. He also seems to be playing the points up, in hopes of generating interest, but stops short of outright lying. The last bit, in particular, seems to leave the impression that he is not telling the whole story, and that their finances are a bit more complicated than a simple even-split.

Having taken some time to talk at length about the topic, and answer the man's questions, Smith proceeds, hoping his earlier reference to the game-theory he intends to employ will prompt his partner into answering the questions in more detail.

"So, it seems only fair for me to ask what makes you so damned special?"

[Divine Virus]

Uptown Bar
Saturday 8/23/70 04:48:59
ERROR 1406
PAN - Passive (Displaying Fake ID)

"The terse...'zen'.... answers given previously were not found satisfying. Yet those answers had at least as much truth to them as a salespitch. Possibly rehearsed? A lack of satisfaction is mutual. A desire for honesty, being a 'team player' and functioning as a family- close friends, anyways- has been voiced. So act with the required level of honesty and openness first, to prove trustworthiness, and the example will be follow, tit-for-tat." ERROR's holographic eyes lock onto the Johnston's. There is no anger in his voice, however there is an edge there- frustration perhaps. Impatience?

[BlackHat]

Uptown Bar
Saturday 8/23/70 04:49:30
Smith
PAN - Passive (Displaying Fake ID for the bartender)

It always seemed to take a while for Error's words to click together for Smith. When they did, his brow furrowed, and then returned to normal. It was brief, but the empathy software caught it, and expertly highlighted it for Error. Smith's expression changed into a grin - something the software flagged as genuine amusement, but a thin veil over his annoyance.

"Really? You don't think its a little early in the game to be calling my bluff?" He shook his head, laughing. "You are zero-for-five my friend. If you want to go home on a hunch, I'll let you." He shrugged, "No skin off my back - as it stands, I don't want to work with you - I'm pretty much only entertaining this, as a favor to Angel, and out of morbid curiosity, I guess." Error was aware that this was not entirely true, either - except for the part about not wanting to work with him, which was unfortunately a genuine statement.

Smith took one more long swig of his drink, as though he did not expect to be around long enough to finish it. "For the record - yeah, it was a bit of a pitch. You said you hadn't heard anything to get you excited about working for me, so I gave you what you asked for. Rehersed? Sure, a few times, in my head, on the way over here - but at least I thought about the question, and answered it. Did I tell you something about my team, as was our agreement? Absolutely. Did I tell you everything about my team? Fuck no - but you're going to have to live with that. There are a hell of a lot of things that I'm not going to tell you about my operation, before you're a part of it, and even a few things I'll still keep to myself if you are. I told you what was important, and I didn't lie. If it did not impress you, that's your loss, not mine."

Smith pointed across the table. "See, the thing is, you don't get to decide what the 'required' levels of honesty and openness are - I do."

"So, since you brought up tit-for-tat.... Have you given me what I have asked for? Have you thought about any of my questions before giving me some incomprehensible and meaningless answers? Have you held up your end of our agreement, and told me something, anything, about yourself - even if you kept a few details private?" At this point, he was shaking his head, and Error empathy software began flagging those comments as hypothetical, and warning that the conversation was headed quickly in the wrong direction. A number of suggestions were thrown up for the user, but all assumed the user desired a successful transaction to take place, and was willing to back down to obtain that.

"I don't think that you have. And, unfortunately for you, its my opinion that matters." One more drink from his glass, left it with little more than a shallow layer of backwash, and entirely too much ice, in the glass. "I've given you more than enough chances to show me that your shitty attitude isn't a character-flaw."

"I'll tell you what, though. Since I'm a nice guy, and want to part on good terms. I'll select just one more criteria on which to assess you - an important one. 'How well you handle rejection'." With that, he produced a couple of twenties from his pocket - put them under his glass and stood up.

As he did, he left a break in his torrent of comments - which Error's empathy software suggested would be the time to say something to change his mind. Whether or not that was actually the wisest course of action, depended entirely on which outcome Error was hoping for. It also made it clear that Smith did not seem to intend to stick around for a response.