[IC] The Gaslamp Shadows, London's not going to be the same... Options

[Meriss]

Tom paced the floor of his apartment nervously. As he came back to his desk he looked at the his carefully written notes and sighed, Blast, Dursley! You couldn't wait four bloody weeks could you? I would have gotten you a judy, damnation man! Anything you wanted! He drained the glass of gin in his hand. There was no choice, Tom would have to get his nessecaries another way. He sighed again, took up his hat and cane and went out to make his inquiries.

[Meriss]

London, 6PM, June 15th, 1870AD

It's one of those hot muggy London days. The sky is full of coalsmoke and haze. Chavies and crushers fill the streets, it's all just hugger-mugger. The Stackpole's are just starting up as Father Sol begins to slip below the horizon . All in all it's a lovely London evening.

---

Jacob Smith was trolling the public houses looking for leeds and such. Some times it was hard to catch dippers, rampsmen and gonophs. The Yard had been giving him the run around for almost a week now. And he was getting desperate. He ducked into O'Mally's gattering and spotted the mick behind the bar.

"Hallo me old son, fancy a daffy?" smiled the Irishman.

---

Dr. John Sebastian was just finishing his rounds in The Chapel when a chavy of about nine years approched him.

"Ello guv, got's a bit of postal fer yah" The child hands over a small neat envelope. Inside is a well written note on fine stationary.

Dear sir,
Do me the honor of coming to the Bull and Bear at Number 14 Micheal St. I may have a small opportunity for you.
T.

The child coughs as the doctor finishes reading, he is clearly waiting to be paid.

---

Charles Spencer rests from his most recent attempt at summoning. The sprit had clearly not wished to be summoned. The telly rings in the other end of the magician's garret. As soon as he picks up the instrument, Charles hears a familiar Orkish voice.

<Oi, Spence? I gotz a bit of a job fer yah iffin yer interested?>

---

Han Lo Yang watched as the last of the shipment was transferred from the ship. He rounded on the labourers handling the delicate silk.

"Han leave the men alone, they know their jobs by now. If they do not I will beat them until they do." The older Chinaman smiled cryptically.

"If you have some free time, I have heard from The Bruiser's men that there is a man looking for some, how do you say it 'muscle' in the city. Go, earn some money, I will send for you when we are ready to depart."

---

Martin St. North waited by the street corner. A fellow had promised him some ammuniton and he was late. Marty hated lateness in all forms. He adjusted his spectacles to make sure his cyber was not visable and chomped his cigar.

---

Alexander Dorn sat in his shop tinkering with his one of his numerous machines. A familiar figure entered the shop.

"Ello, guv. Howz tings?" the strangely garbed human spoke with a clear Cockney accent.

"That last bit of tinkering you did to ole Huff n' Puff got him running straight away. I hoid about a bit of work a cove is putting together. I thought I'd tell you 'bout it, on account I'm a bit short of fivers lately"

[Critias]

"Fine." The lean younger man crossed his arms to hide his balled fists. He was on the captain's ship, so he'd do as the man requested. They were, after all, not Han's workers to whip. He reminded himself they'd handled such material before, and surely would again. And if it was damaged, it would be the captain, not he, who bore the brunt of his Uncle's displeasure. "I'll be by before the outbound shipment is loaded, to see things run smoothly and handle the necessary bribes."

"And I'll go see this Bruiser, in the meantime." His tongue was still clumsy with the English, and he ached to revert to his graceful home language; but he knows he and the captain, both, need the practice. His accent wasn't why the next words come haltingly or grudgingly, anyways. "You'll get your ten percent before you sail for home."

The man London's underworld calls The Hand turned, leather overcoat's tails snapping with the abruptness of the motion, and strode off into the fog. He was off to see a man about some violence.

[fistandantilus4....]

Wiping a bit of cold sweat from his brow, and glancing around the room one last time to make sure the entity really had departed, Spence answered;

Yeah? What kind Mac? This better not be like that hearth spirit back on Vine street.

Even thinking about the mess made Spence wince. Nothing worst than a poltergeist, except maybe one that had decided to reside in the home of an angry drunk. Both were feeding off of each other's tension, and taking it out on Spence of course, when he couldn't banish either from the home. The flying chamber pot had been the last straw.

[Prae]

"Thank you for the prompt delivery, child" Dr. John Sebastian says, folding the note carefully and slipping it into his pocket. He flicked the child the first coin his hand settled on and watched the teviss spin through the air. The child, catching it easily, dashes back into the crowd.

Hopefully I'll have more soon. I hope this "opportunity" makes up for that lapse of sense.

John quickly turned around headed back the way he came, knowing that to be the fastest route to Michael St. Glancing at the setting sun, he could only wonder what kind of person on what kind of night would require his services.

[ludomastro]

You must have been to mass recently my man. You are speaking like a heaven sent messenger. I would indeed take you up on the daffy.
Picking up his drink Jacob nods to the Irishman and asks, Heard anything lately that could help an old friend?

[marghos]

Martin St.North look around the streets searching his contact and now he was impatient, he checked the time from his pocketwatch and glanced around again, seeing normal street life but no contact. Where in the hell this cove is, this is last time when I'll listen or trust him after this.

"Shit! I'd never think he was playing the crooked cross with me!" After words slipped from lips he realised that he said it aloud.

Impatient Marty tapped his foot to the pavement and hes mouth was dry
I will have a gatter before i'll go home. After this decision he moved towards pub named 'Bulls broken horns'.

[Meriss]

Han Lo walked the docks, looking for the Shippers Union men. Finally he found a few rough looking stevedores.

"Well, well. Iffin it ain't 'The Hand'? How goes it, Chineeman?"says one of the larger ones. Han recognizes him as "Black Jack" Redmond, a favorite tool of Stenwick's. And a long time rival for the most violent man on the docks.

---

<Nah, noffing like that. Jest a bit of a lay. You heard of "Doubting" Thomas? The cracksman? Word is e's got 'iself a bit of lavender and needs a bit o' help. You want in?>

---

Dr. Sebastian found The Bull and Bear with little trouble. As he entered the public house the smells of urine, vomit and drink assaulted his nose. But then he was used to this sort of thing.

---

O'Mally smiles as he pours the man a drink. "Now I don't know, old son. O'Mally keeps his hands clean. Me old ears thou, ah that's a diffent story. Heard a cove named Brookes might be putting-up for a lay. Question is, you going play miltonian or have a go at holding a candle to the devil?"

---

A short round man puffs his way up the street toward St. North. Finally he approaches the soldier. "You St. North?" asks the round cove. Got yer shipment right here. he puffs.

---

As Bismarck stands on the strret corner waiting for his fellow cracksman he sighs. The last job this fool had set him up with was a coopered ken and no bone lay. He considered sending the glock a package full of lovely ha'penny nails and explosives.

---

Prof. Pendington was relaxing in his posh apartment, when he heard a knock at the door. When he answered the door Pendington saw it was Jacko the local rat catcher.

"Hallo guv. How's fings? You gonna stand there gawping at me or can I come in?"

[Prae]

Flicking his eyes about the room, Dr. Sebastian knew that it would soon begin to fill with people. Sunset always brings out the best in man.

Walking up to the proprieter of the pub while pulling the note out of his pocket, John inquires softly, "I was told to meet a man named 'T' here. Do you know of his whereabouts?"

[marghos]

'At last' Marty thinks and turns to the man. He's relaxed but still ready to take action. Then Marty looks at this round man and answers to him, his voice it's threatening this time "You are late! But yes, I'm St.North give it to me, now!"

[ludomastro]

Good question.

Any idea on what is happening?

[ZenZen]

His gaze sternly focused on the complex joint he extracted out of one of his robots,
Alexander N. Dorn reacts to his good friends' arrival:
"Ah, Mr. Bickle, what a lucky occurrence that you show up today. This morning I had a great idea for getting more power out of your engine with only minor adjustments to the secondary valves...and your steamwagon is running smoothly, I suppose?"
This performance is not tolerable! According to my calculations it should be able to bend 5 degrees more along this axis without increasing the strain on that brace...
Exhaling with a deep sigh, the dwarf eventually looked up, removing his goggles, his conscious mind processing the message of his visitor at last.

"...You mentioned work?"

[fistandantilus4....]

Spence rubs the bridge of his brow to try and soothe his head ache from the drain.

"Doubting Thomas"? Doesn't ring any bells. Have any information on the man? I think I'm in, as long as he's not some psychopath.

[marghos]

'Oh what a hell I'm letting this cove too easy. No way, he's gonna offer me some gutter.' Martin St.North was thinking and smiled afterwards "Let me see the shipment..." he pauses for a second until continues, pointing towards pub "Over there, in 'Bulls broken horns' pub. You gonna buy one gutter for me while I check the merchandise"

[DuckEggBlue Omeg...]

Prof. Arthur Pendington stood momentarily in his silk robe and embroidered smoking cap, sucking on his pipe in mild irritation.

How, in this day and age of technological marvel and convieniance does an individual see fit to interrupt a man's liesure time unannounced, rather than pick up a telephone? This had better be important.

Arthur then smiled then stepped back from the door and gestured the boy inside.

"Ofcourse. Coat?"

The boy looked familiar, no doubt an aquaintance of Tom's judging from his appearance. Arthur made his way back over to his arm chair, playing up his 'imperfect' cyberleg as usual, stopping to stoke the fire. He placed his walking stick against the side of the chair in easy reach, and closed the book he had been reading being sure to mark his place, and set it aside. Finally he looked up and puffed on his pipe again.

"Well my boy, how may I be of service to you?"

[Fresno Bob]

Bismarck tapped his foot softly against the pavement and flexed his fingers, focusing on the soft whirring sound.

If I used two kilograms of explosive, and a further two kilograms of nails, the resulting shrapnel and explosion would reduce him to a red smear...

He smiled under his mask and continued thinking.

[Meriss]

The barman raised an eye at Dr. Sebastian "T? What sorta handle is that I ask you...." He trails off. A look of comprehension dawns on his rough face "Ahooh, you mean old Tom, sure, sure, he's not 'ere yet gov, but 'e said that anyone come asking fer 'im was ta go round ta one o' the snugs. Just back there, guv.The publican waves a hand toward the gloomy rear of the house. "Fancy a figgen? Tom said it was him whut be settlin' the accounts."

---

The portly man shifts under St. North's withering attack. "Sorry mate. I had a bit of problems wif an eelskinner. I sorted it out. Sure I could go fer a daffy o' reeb, you a reeb man, or you prefer a tot o' gin? Now that he has apologized he seems less nervous. He leads the way to the local pub.

---

O'Mally shrugs his broad shoulders "You know how it is. Evey magsman and gutter snipe thinks he's going a' be the next Pierce. But I might have heard." He stops in the middle of his sentence as a small fracas erupts at the other end of the bar. He holds a finger up to say "wait a moment" "OI! You lot, a little less chat if you please" He turns back to Smith "Sorry old son. The flash crowd like a' fink I'm a bit of alright. He shrugs again. Like I was saying, old Brookes was pretty tight. Never did hear what 'e had in mind, but... He stops again as the argument now seems to include a high pitched feminine voice. The Irisher makes a face and motions for Smith to remain seated. As he goes to the other end of the bar an oak shillelagh appears in his hand. He engages in a small shouting match with the men. Finally one of the toughs attempts to hit him. And fails, as the mick catches the drunken swing and lays the cove's hand flat on the bar. In a single fluid move the club come up and then comes down on the glock's hand, hard. A sharp crack is heard throughout the pub. There is a sudden intake of air from every one as they all seem to wince in unison. On his way back to Smith the old Irish stick seems to vanish again.

"Sorry, 'bout that old son. My da 'd have my hide iffen I ever raised a hand to a buor. No respec', the youf o' t'day, I tell you. His accent seems thicker than normal. "As I was sayin' Brookes 'ad a screwsman name a Dursley, and Dursley was a mite blowy, an 'e said that Brookes was makin' a ream flash pull. Never could get what out of 'im. An' now old Dursley in the Steel fer 'avin a go at some posh gel. 'E tried a' dab it up wiff 'er and the crushers was on him lickety split. So I imagine old Brookes is lookin' fer a new screwsman. 14 Micheal iffin you're interested. Whoops 'ere come the supper crowd. Four an ha'penny fer the daffy. Chat ya later old son." The mick left Smith to tend to his other hungry customers.

---

Thomas Brookes, mate. The cove what pulled the Gren'ich pay roll back in '68? The papers was full of 'im. Crusher's didn't know it was him mind, but those in the know, we know it was 'im mate. Oh aye, was old Tom iself. Number 14 Micheal The Bull and Bear if your in, tell the barman your for Tom, e'll know. Awww, confound it. Look mate I gotta run, some glock jest spilt a ha' galleon o' someot sticky an green. There is a click as the Ork disconnects.

---

"Oh yah, guv. Some cove name a' Brookes is needin some coves a make a pull. And the pogue is huge mate. Kin you imagine, bags an bags o' money. Heaps an Piles and....Bickle seems to drift off into some dreamland of unlimited wealth. "Sorry, guv. From what I hear the round up is down on Micheal St. at The Bull and Bear. Number 14. I kin drive you iffin you want?"

---

The boy looks around the apartment. "Cor blimey! Tom wern't gulling me none! You must have chink comin out yer ears guv!" He seems enthraled by the display of wealth. "Nah, don't want yer ta get yer hands dirty on my account, sides I ain't stayin' gots lots o' little beggers ta catch. Tom said you was 'avin a bit of hard times. Thou I can't see how", the boy whistles sharply. "Cove I know, said there's bit of a round up at The Bull and Bear over on Micheal St. Number 14 I fink 'e said. Ask fer Tom at the tap. And I'm off." With one longing glance at the apartment the youth lets himself out.

---

Finally the cove appears on the corner. "Oi, Bismarck howz fings? Look mate I'm proper apologetic about last time. An' ta show you how sorry I am, I'v got a proper lay fer ya. You recollect old "Doubting Tom"? The cracker? Looks like 'es at it again. 'Es in a proper hurry this time. Word is 'e need a few coves fer a straight away pull. The Bull an Bear over on Micheal. Number 14. Ask fer im at the tap an the publican 'll set you on ta him. Look, mate I'd love a chat but I gotta be off." With a final nervous glance at the man the other cove ran off. It was almost as thou he was afraid of you.

[Fresno Bob]

Bismarck nods a curt reply to the cove, and walks over to the The Bull and the Bear, enjoying the lack of rain and somewhat deserted streets.

He'd better not have been deadlurk about that pull, I'm running out of chink.

Bismarck reaches up and pulls the door open, feeling the vent in his neck pump out steam. He heads over to the publican and taps on the bar.

Tom?

[Prae]

John looks to the darkened are of the bar, barely making out the accomodations before turning back to the barkeep. "Yes, I could do with a stiff drink. When this Tom appears, please point him in my direction," he says, gathering his drink and moving into the shadows.

[Critias]

[Meriss]

The man at the tap reacts badly to the sight of a machine man standing in his gatter. Umm.... right, mate back there. He waves nervously at the the rear of the pub. Get you a figgin? He tries valiantly to recover his nerve.

---

The barman nods at the doctor No doubt guv, no doubt. Tom's on 'is way. What'll you have?

---

Black Jack frowns at the Easterner. "Work, fer you? I doubt it. Any fing Bruiser wants done, I do it. He seems smug in his position and clearly unconcerned. But tha Bruiser's holding court, down a ways on the Standish side as usual. Course, a bright cove like you knew that aready ain't ee?"

[fistandantilus4....]

Wait! MIc , what ti... ... click...

..me .... Damnit! Never told me the time! Am I just supposed to sit there all day?!

Spence sets the phone down and paces the room back and forth for a bit

I can't just show up there at some random time ... they'll think I'm a nutter for sure.

He paces some more acros his cold wood floors, still muttering to himself, holding his chin with his fingertips, looking rather pensive.

Or worst, they might think I'm some sort of .... well what if they .... oh hell.... Perhaps I should just send a ... no , no, that'll never work. To high profile ... wish I had his number ...Wait I do have his number!

Spence races over to his wardrobe, rifling around in it until he eventually pulls out his comm device. He fumbles with the buttons and switches for a good five minutes until he finally manages to get it to cal mandungis. By accident of course.

Mandungis Es stultior asino! What the hell time am I supposed to be there!?

[DuckEggBlue Omeg...]

Arthur mused thoughtfully for a moment. He was often amazed how those of lesser means were so easily impressed by any apparent display of wealth. Some ornate furniture, a fine portrait in a guilded frame, a persian rug and all of a sudden they assume you must have access to the Royal Treasury itself! And how they bend over in politeness in hopes that some of that wealth might come their way.

It's what seperates a gentlemen from a commoner, I suppose.

Ofcourse wealth had little to do with being a gentlemen, it was how one carried himself that mattered, though to say there was no corrolation between the two at all, would be naive.

Arthur then sprung from his chair and headed to the telephone, and after checking the list of numbers next to it and placed a call.

<Hello? Yes, could you please send a cab to 112 Chandler Street? 15 minutes? Yes, that will be fine, thank you.>

Arthur then made his way upstairs to change, and again his mind turned to the young man's comments. Indeed he had many the trappings of wealth, but to keep in this lifestyle to which he had become accustomed, and more importantly to fund his research, was not cheap and though not an immediate concern, he was running low on funds. And barring being given tenure somewhere he saw little option but to accept what work he could.

Perhaps I should think about investing some, shoud the takings from this next endeavour prove fruitful?

[ludomastro]

I suppose that God helps those who help themselves. The monks would tell me not to worry about it as long as no being got hurt. Funny folks those monks.

Jacob places the coin on the bar and drains the rest of his drink. He heads out the door and angles for 14 Michael Street. Along the way he passes a dollymop no older than 16.

I would say that it is sad; however, I suppose that is how Helen got started and she knows things that few others know.

Upon reaching the address in question, Jacob heads in.

[Meriss]

Mandungis picks up with a shout Oi, yah gotta corral it, ere circle round and nab it would yah! What's 'at Spence time? Ah sorry, old top. Today mate, quick as yah can. Old Tom 'll more'n likely be late. *CRASH* Oi, yah gotta hang on to it! Stop breaking me wares yah daft, glock, son of a troll. Yah Tom is a blighter but es always good fer a finny er two. Before eight I'd say. It weren't real clear. CAN YOU NOT GET HOLD OF A LOUSY, PILE OF GOO, YOU BLOODY SOD! Look mate, I hate to run but iffin I don't this fing is going to put me out on the street. Blimey I wish you was here. Run fer it mate er grab a coach. Before eight mind. WILL YOU STOP MAKING THAT WRETCHED SOUND YOU DIRTY ROTTEN... *click* Mandungis hangs up again. This time Spence was almost glad he had. It sounded like there was a full blown war going on in the talisman shop. He would have to swing by and see if Mandungis was alright, later of course.

---

As Jacob enters the gattering it is clear this place is far below O'Mally's neat and well run establishment, there are fights breaking out everywhere and a strange scent pervades the room. Cat's urine, man's vomit, was that blood? A sharp burst of coughing anounces the presence of a consumptive in the corner.

---

The coach arrives at Prof. Pendingtion's home in short order and he is delighted to see that it is one of the new "steam wagons" that the local's have been raving about. The machine seems to run soothly and well to the appointed detination. "Oi, we're 'ere guv, thats six quid. A guinea 'll keep me waiting fer yah iffin yha like?"