Atlanta 2070, Hot time in the old town tonight Options

[Redjack]

<<@System [Book] Thanks.>>

<<@Tank [Book] Got an issue. Need some physical security consultation. [- GPS ARO -] I've attached my location. This one is personal.>>

He places his hand back on Bolo's shoulder. He thinks to give her details, then realizes he has no idea if the place is bugged. "Let's go get a cup of soycaf." Mom always says, good conversations always occur over a cup of coffee... Too bad coffee is hard to find and so expensive...

"Just lock up for a little bit and we'll step out and grab a cup."

============

Dalton wrinkles an eyebrow. These mystic guys are always 'in time'. Pah! "Ok. You know where I'll be soon enough."

Unceremoniously, he rises and heads into the building to locate a viable entrance point through one of the warehouse doors and a viable place to park his ride. He also looks with a mind to either a room nearby he can secure or space he can construct a room in the warehouse area.

When Book's call comes in, he frowns. I've got things I need to do... But I'm gonna need his help before this is done and he is pretty good about pulling the job out of fire.

<<Book [Tank] On my way. >>

[ludomastro]

She dries her eyes and stands up almost as if she is on autopilot. "Coffee would be good. I can do that. Let me get my purse."

Once ready, she allows Book to lead her out.

Not far down the street there is a little shop specializing in soycaf.

-----

Shortly after leaving the shaman's tent Tank is able to easily find an old maintenance bay with a rolling door and a disused office. Neither is clean but both are free of other squatters.

Traffic is intense as Tank drives across town. The light rain falling doesn't help speed or visibility. He is able to reach Bolo's shop around 45 minutes later.

[Redjack]

As she gathers her purse, Book summons a short term watcher. "Watch over this storm, quietly alert me if anyone enters while we are gone." The old man then escorts the talismonger down the street to the soycaf shack. He opens the door for her, motioning for her to enter and follows her in.

With the motion comes forth another short term watcher on the astral. "Wonder about in sight of me. Let me know of anyone who takes a sustained interest in us."

A few minutes later they are sipping soycaf-mochas. "My team is now involved. We'll know soon if there is an issue with your matrix node and one of my team mates is inbound." The old man takes a sip, smiling to reassure her. "Tell me more of these men. Surely the did not just threaten to kill you without offering some way into their graces? Something they wanted or wanted you not to do?"

[ludomastro]

She just shakes her head and looks at Book. "I ... I have to confess that I did something stupid. I borrowed money from Death's Hand and I can't pay it back. They are looking for the money that I don't have. I don't know what to do. I'm sorry that I dragged you into this."

[Redjack]

Now the truth comes out.... His elbows on the table, the old man cups his hands and leans his chin on edge. "Let's worry about that later. I'm here how. How much did you borrow and how much do you owe?"

[ludomastro]

"I borrowed 30 grand but now I'm in for about 50." Her head drops again. "How am I supposed to pay that back?"

The watcher begins flagging Book from the corner of his vision. It is hovering over a couple who are looking from Book to the crying Bolo and back.

[Redjack]

The old man extends a finger and begins tapping it on his lip as he thinks. He notices the watcher garnering for his attention, then the couple. "First thing you need to do is to relax; Calm down." The old man turns to the staring couple and stares back, till he shames the couple into minding their own business.

He then turns back to the distraught talismonger. "I won't even ask why you would do such a thing. We are here now, time to deal with the present. How much can you come up with?"

[ludomastro]

"That's just it. I don't really have anything. It's all go ...." She coughs and tries - poorly - to hide her wayward sentence.

"What I mean is, I can only come up with about five grand right now. If you buy that sustaining focus then I'll have more. I think I can let it go for thirty grand but I have a line on a buyer if you can't make that."

She starts twisting her hands and the tears begin again. "Oh, what am I doing. I would normally try to give you a discount and now I am playing hardball with you. I just ... I just need the money."

[Redjack]

Book listens as Bolo continues to slowly add details. He considers making her an offer on dealing with the thugs.. But she did get herself into this and I have enough enemies at the moment. He continues to ponder as she continues. This is a side of her he was not used to seeing. "I guess you have some choices to make. I could simply buy the focus from you and you could pool that towards getting these sharks off your back while you put the rest together."

He takes a sip, letting that soak in. "My team could mediate to work out an arrangement that is more amicable."

Again he pauses, taking another small sip before continuing. "Or as a last resort, we could work to simply erase your marker. The latter choice could bring unforeseen repercussions though. So you have options. What is your preference?"

[ludomastro]

There is a glint of hope in her eyes as she answers. "If you want the focus, that would be the best start possible. But do you think that we can work out a better arrangement on top of the sale?"

[Redjack]

The distraction of maintaining the spell was now starting to annoy Book. It's times like these that I wish I had a plethora of sustaining foci. "What are you proposing?"

[ludomastro]

"Well, if you buy the focus for thirty, that will be my orginal debt. Do you think we could we negociate the remaining twenty down from there?"

The glint of hope seems to be growing. It now would be better described as a glimmer.

[Redjack]

That glimmer seems to be based upon his account balance and that caused him to wince, only the physical mask kept Bolo from seeing that. "So you're proposing that I pay full street value, then convince my team to get in the middle of a mess of your making?" The statement had probably came out a little more harshly than he had intended, but the truth is the truth.

"If we intercede, even just to negotiate, the team is going to incur expenses; Missed opportunities, out of pocket costs and a threat potential, just to name a few. I consider you a friend and I want to hep you out, but we have rent to pay also and this is what we do- professionally."

He takes another drink to think this through a little more.

"I need more details. Why did you borrow the money? And how did the debt hit 50k? What were the terms you agreed to?"

[ludomastro]

Bolo drops her head in embarrassment. She seems horrified when Tank asks about what she used the money for. Swallowing hard she continues, "OK. I have family in desperate need of medical care and I had to do something. I thought I had a sale lined up so I took the worst terms for the most amount of money. When the sale fell through, I got hit with some serious interest."

She slowly lifts her head again and says, "I'm sorry that I asked too much of you and others. I'll take whatever help I can get."

[Redjack]

Another wince. Health care for a family member. Snake was happy. It had a secret, but it wanted more.

"Alright. Give me the five and the focus and we'll have a discussion with your lenders. I can't guarantee you won't still owe them fifteen, but we should be able to convince them to use a kinder, gentler approach. When do you expect to see them again?"

[ludomastro]

Her face lights up with near wonder. She almost screams, "Thank you, thank you, thank you! I don't know how to repay you. Oh, Book, you're a life saver."

Regaining a small bit of her composure, she continues, in a quieter voice, "Here is the information they gave me. An ARO is pushed from her avatar to Book's."

[Redjack]

Book looks over the information on the ARO. Truth be known she got herself into this scrape. He finishes his drink, timing to Tank's arrival. He heads out as the cruiser is pulling down the street, opening the back door for Bolo before climbing in the front. "Hey Tank. I need you to sweep her place. Check for bug, listening devices, etc. I'm not sure they will go to that much effort, but better safe than sorry."

Without a word, Tank starts with Bolo. He parks by the coffee house, pulls a ball cap down on his face and heads down the street. After Bolo unlocks the door, he slips in, cap obscuring his face. He then ducks to the side, pulling his mask over his face before beginning. "Keep the store closed for a few minutes."

[ludomastro]

Tank is quickly able to check the place over. He finds a few RFID tags from random products littered around the store and a few that look like they might belong to Bolo. Ultimately, the store appears clean.

Bolo looks anxious as Tank sweeps the area and as soon as he relaxes she asks, "Did you find anything?"

About the same time, System sends a text message directly to Book.

<<@ Book [System] Looks like they have a trace on her bank account. If she tries to pay out or gets money in, they know when, how much, and from (or to) where. That's all I can find.>>

[Redjack]

Tank shakes his head. "Looks clean." He pulls off the mask and heads towards the door, stopped to question Book. "Anything else?"

"No." The shaman replies. "Thanks. Wait. Yes. We need to make a delivery and try to negotiate a change in terms."

"I assume you mean 'aggressive' negotiations?" Tank smirks.

"I hope not. We will make a significant payment. That should smooth things over."
<<@System [Book] Thanks>>

Book looks over the contact ARO again.

[ludomastro]

As he reviews the ARO again, Book finds a contact number "for emergency use" and a dead-letter matrix account. One of the goons - the big one - apparently goes by the name Mad Dog.

[Redjack]

Book decides to play it chill for now.
<<@Team [Book] Tank - Place a camera overlooking the floor. System - Can you link a video feed from that into TeamNet?>>
He then talks to Bolo, "They will be back in two days to collect. I will return then and meet with them. Keep your 5k in your account. I will need the foci." He proceeds to collect it while Tank places the camera.

Once completed, the duo leave.

[ludomastro]

<<@ Book [System] Done.>>

As the duo leases, Bolo sends them away with some homemade cookies and an outpouring of thanks.

[ludomastro]

The duo finds the next day uneventful. They receive an somewhat cryptic note from System.

<<@ Team [System] Taking a trip to the Realms. If I don't see you in a few days, come get me.>>

-----

The evening of the first day as Tank is framing in his living space, Sticks walks in. "Coyote is ready for you now. Come with me for your vision quest." He is holding a robe and some foul smelling liquid in a cup.

[Redjack]

Book looks to the note and the unfortunate timing of it. Looks like we'll deal with this without matrix support.

During the quiet day, Book binds his new foci. I might just need this tomorrow. After the three hour ritual, he spends the rest of the day reading a book and taking some R&R.

=========

Dalton look from the frame to the mystic to the frame and back to the cup. Great. First day here and I'm gonna let crazy guy poison me.

He puts the tools back in his cruiser and locks it, then follows Sticks. "So... What's with the cup o' suff?"

[ludomastro]

Sticks just smiles as he says, "This will aid you on your journey to the spirit world."

He continues heading for a dark part of the building that Tank knows is at least partially flooded.