This Thing of Ours - IC Options

[fistandantilus4....]

And who else gets the answer I give you? Or does mama Bourbon keep all her secrets to herself, besides where to find Santangelo?

[Lady Door]

Honey, secrets are my business. It's what I do.The woman/snake continues to move. A few times you've felt a smooth touch across your lips, your stomach. Once you could have sworn you felt lips on the back of your neck.

[fistandantilus4....]

Your business is your business. My concern is you making our business together someone else's business.

[Lady Door]

Mon chere, you have my word. Our business remains our business.
The tiny kisses continue, your neck, your arms, your face. The snake and woman interchange, both coiling around you. The music is louder now, the hypnotic scent of Jasmine all around you.

[fistandantilus4....]

Alright, where do I meet you then. I don't like dealing over the Matrix. No way for me to know ifa meet is really secure or not.

[Lady Door]

Oh, a meet in the flesh, how...exciting. You can meet me at a casino riverboat called "The Voodoo Queen". Come alone and come after dark. Be prepared to play. I'll find you.
The music is fairly pounding now, the scent almost overpowering... when suddenly it's gone, along with the woman.
You're left standing in a white room with a single black door.

[fistandantilus4....]

Finish up the data work I was doing, then put a call through to Pedro, my decker.
I may or may not have some data penetration. I ned you to make sure my 'link is good and tight and no one is listneing in on the line.

Once that's done, put a call through to Vince Cappeli.

Mr Cappeli, how are you sir? My name is Darius, I work for Mr Santangelo, on the mater concerning a person in New Orleans, where i've jstu landed. Would it be possible for us to meet?

[Lady Door]

The image on the other end of the line is of a distinguished looking older man with salt and pepper hair and hard eyes. When he hears Gino's name, it's surprising how much his eyes change. They go from hard and unyielding to smiling and genuine.
Ahh, Darius. Good to hear from you. Gino told me you would be calling. You've just landed? You must be starving. Why don't you come by my place? I'm grilling a few steaks and could use the company.
It's strange to picture this man standing beside a barbecue, but just the thought of steaks is making your mouth water.

[fistandantilus4....]

I'd love to Mr cappeli. Just know that I can't stay long tonight. Not a lot of time for socializing when there's work to be doen, and I already havea few places I need to be later tonight. but if that works for you, then yeah, I'll be there.

[Lady Door]

Excellent. Your commlink beeps as a file is announced, it appears to be Vin's address and direction. I'll see you when you get here.

[fistandantilus4....]

Looking forward to it. I'll see you in twenty.

Disconnect

[fistandantilus4....]

About twnety minutes later, Darius pulls up to the address Vin sent him. He takes a moment to drive by first, scoping out the palce and the security, before turning around and heading up the drive.

I miss my Saleen S7. Giels would get in that car just to have sex with it. Fraggin' 'luxury' cars. Armor better be as good as advertised.

[Lady Door]

Pulling up to the security gate, a man steps out of the booth. He's dressed for the climate, but there's no doubt that the fabric is a ballistic weave. He steps up to the window, and nods once the window comes down. Backing up, he nods to another unseen person within the booth and the gate opens.
Vin's estate is palatial. It has the sprawling look you're so used to in Greece, but with several distinct differences. For one, plants and flowers you've never seen before grow abundantly in riots of color all over the grounds. Ivy curls it's way up and around the home, almost making it appear organic. The house itself is beautiful, done in light Italian marbles and pine.
As you park in the circular driveway, the door opens and a man you recognize as Vin steps out. He meets you on the steps.
Darius, good to finally meet you.His handshake is firm though you can detect a slight muscle tremor in the hand. He's dressed in lightweight khaki's and an olive green polo. He's tanned and looks remarkably fit.

[fistandantilus4....]

Pleasure Mr Cappeli. If you don't mind though, I'm the tyoe that prefers to handle business before pleasure, especially when the business Mr Santangelo's. Is there some place quiet we can talk?

[Lady Door]

Vin nods and walks into the home. Stepping inside, you cross a massive entryhall with a draping golden chandelier, an exquisitely painted rotunda, and large pine double doors that open to either side. Crossing through the doors to the left, Vin waves you inside. You're standing in some kind of office, with tall bookshelves lining the walls. The first thing that strikes you is how alike this office is to Gino's, the second thing you notice are the unobtrusive scanners dotting the walls. Vin closes the doors and you hear the faint hum of the white noise generator.
Vin takes a seat on one of the leather armchairs, signalling for you to do the same.
What's on your mind, Darius?

[fistandantilus4....]

Sitting down, Darius takes a moment to appreaciate the chair and the room.

As you probably know , I'm looking for this "Lucky Santangelo". I'd like to know what you know about her, if anything. Her mannerisms, how she operates, how well she is connected and to who. That sort of thing.

[Lady Door]

I know very little of the woman having only met her for the first time a few weeks ago. What I do know about her is this; she came to us from Seattle a little over a year ago. She was smart and she quickly gained the favor of a man within our organization by the name of Julian Mancuso. He took her in, made her one of us. She has a taste for the tables, and has made quite a nice sum playing them. It was one particularly good hand of roulette that won her the money she used to purchase the Lucky Strike.
I can't say much about how she does business, but I do know that she's got quite a few projects going on, projects that people are watching very closely.
Personally, I like her. She thinks before she speaks and she still has a bit of the New York edge to her. She reminded me a little of Gino, which is why I made the connection.

[fistandantilus4....]

Good to hear she isn't some air head. Could potentially make things more difficult though. Is she the sort of lady that stands on her own, or the type that'll go running to this Mancuso guy if she feels heat?

[Lady Door]

Vin seems to think for a moment, considering. Like I said, I met the lady once, so I'm not much of a judge of character, but when I met her she held her own when someone tried to take her to task. I haven't heard of her running yet, so I'd say the odds are good she'll stand her ground.
So. I'm curious, how are you planning on approaching this?

[fistandantilus4....]

I haven't really decided just yet. I may just go and talk to her. You say she's got a brain, so I'll go with that . Be a drek load easier in the long run than yanking out some hair and saying 'scuse me'. I'll play it up front. I hear she's usually at her bar?

[Lady Door]

From what I hear, that's where you can find her. She's got a loyal crew over there so just make sure you don't step on any toes on your way in the door.

[fistandantilus4....]

Don't worry about that. I only step on toes when it's required. Too much work otherwise. Thanks for the scan. Now how 'bout those steaks.

Darisu sets his alarm first so that he's not late for his 'date'with Bourbon. he cooks the steaks on the proch for himself and Vin, and spends a good amount of time swapping "war" stories, complimenting Vin's home, and learning a bit more about how things work in the Big Easy, including who the big fish are, and which other toes to avoid stepping on.

[Lady Door]

The dinner passes enjoyably, the only notable moment being when Vin makes a comment about a man in Gino's employ being the kind of family the family don't need. When you don't seem to get the reference, he passes over it like he never said anything.
Escorting you to the door on your way out, he reminds you to be careful where you tread.
There's a lot of people with conflicting loyalties down here. People don't have the same kind of honor you and I are used to. Keep that in mind and you'll be fine.
Patting you on the back, he turns and heads back into the house. Watching him, it's easy to see that the slight tremor has increased.

Sliding into your car and heading out onto the road, you have to keep reminding yourself that you're supposed to be driving on the wrong side of the road. It's still a hard habit to break.
Within twenty minutes you're pulling into the parking lot of the Voodoo Queen, a large paddleboat style riverboat that's currently tethered to the docks. As requested, it's after dark and you've come ready to play, whatever that means.

[fistandantilus4....]

Darius gives the boat a once over, looking for security. Also checks the local LAN for the boat, to see what it's purpose is, and if it's likely to leave with him on it.

Once he has the informaion, he checks the time, and stpes on, careful to set a reminder on his commlink if the boat is due to shove off any time soon.

he heads in to the bar, and asks there nearest bartender for a whickey, and a Mama Bourbon, the ofrmer in a glass with ice.

[Lady Door]

The LAN for the Voodoo Queen gives it departure and docking times and notes that for a small fee one can have a boat chartered to take you back to land before the scheduled docking time of 4 a.m.
Security seems to consist of a group of Jamaican men that are huddled around a set of gallon drums, and another set that seem to be hanging here and there aboard the ship. Occasionally, you see one of them have a word or two with a guest and then disappear inside.
The Queen itself seems to be quite the party barge, with music going full swing inside, and the din of voices and laughter can be heard even out here.

Once inside, the place is crowded. The bar backs up to a dance floor that is already filling up with the young and the rowdy. A swing band is playing a loud set and already you can see that the liquor is flowing free and easy.
The bartender is a mulatto man with a handsome face and a velvety smile.
He slides your whiskey over and nods to the stage.
You can talk to Mama when her set is over.
Sure enough, the stage darkens a minute later and the crowd whistles and cat calls. The music slows down to a smooth tempo with a jazz flavor. When the spotlight hits, a woman is standing there draped in a barely there sheer red dress that hits the floor but has a slit going all the way up to her thigh. Her hair is a dark brown and it flows in curls down her back. From here it's hard to tell what color her eyes are but you'd bet money they're blue.