Tangled Currents - Johnny Options

[Mercy]

Tuesday, June 12, 2075 - 2052 - Seattle


Elana shakes her head. "What is weird that will happen when we talk to this lady? Is just getting information, right?"

[Bastard]

Tuesday, June 12, 2075 - 2052 hrs - Seattle

"Hopefully. But like I said, something has Bert pretty spooked, so I think this thing might be pretty important to keep quiet."


Tuesday, June 12, 2075 - 2130 hrs - Met Museum, main entrance, Seattle

"Ready?" Johnny asked Elana, as he received the tickets from the kiosk.

[Mercy]

Tuesday, June 12, 2075 - 2132 hrs - Met Museum, main entrance, Seattle


Elana nods and takes your arm and walks next to you as you climb the stairs to the entrance. You pass by two KE officers on duty, but they only give you a cursory check and let you proceed on to the doors, where another officer takes your tickets and asks you to deposit any weapons in a secure box just to his left. Elana bends over, showing a very nice bit of cleavage and leg as she unfastens a thigh holster containing a taser and straightens to grace the man with a dazzling smile. "A girl cannot be too careful in some places, officer."

The man has a hard time bringing his eyes back to her face and he reddens and replies. "Uh, no. Sometimes, I guess. You will be safe here, though."

Elana's hand brushes his arm as she drops the holster and pistol into the box and he seems to jump a bit. His face is still red and he is clearly rattled as he turns to look at you. "Sir? Any weapons, please?"

[Bastard]

Tuesday, June 12, 2075 - 2132 hrs - Met Museum, main entrance, Seattle

"No weapons on me, sir."

Johnny escorts Elana through the main entrance, then looks for a good place to scan the crowd from once inside.

[Mercy]

Tuesday, June 12, 2075 - 2134 hrs - Met Museum, main entrance, Seattle


Elana takes your arm again and the two of you go through the security and into the main lobby level. It is clear from the several signs about that the charity gala is in the main ballroom. Of course, the number of people standing about the entrance to that room or milling in and out would probably have tipped you off as well. The two of you pass by several people, most of whom glance your way before going back to what they had been doing. The ballroom is pretty crowded with people that seem willing to cough up some big nuyen for the charity de jeur. Soft music comes from hidden speakers as a live band provides some entertainment.

Elana leans closer to you and whispers in your ear. The feel of her breast against her arm as she does so almost makes you miss the first words. "What is our play here?"

[Bastard]

Tuesday, June 12, 2075 - 2134 hrs - Met Museum, main entrance, Seattle

"No play. Just legwork. But I would also like to warn Ms. Tunaki of the situation as well. All this without bringing attention to anyone who may be watching her... or us."

[Mercy]

Tuesday, June 12, 2075 - 2134 hrs - Met Museum, main entrance, Seattle


Elana giggles. Her breath is warm on your ear and her breast is soft against your arm. "Too late. Most here already looking at you. You clean up nice. I go look around, yes?"

[Bastard]

Tuesday, June 12, 2075 - 2134 hrs - Met Museum, main entrance, Seattle

"Let's stick together. We should find her shortly." As he said that, Johnny grabbed two glasses of champagne from the passing waiter, handing one to Elana.

[Mercy]

Tuesday, June 12, 2075 - 2136 hrs - Met Museum, Main Ballroom, Seattle


Elana thanks you for the drink but does not seem to drink any of it and eventually puts the glass on a table as you walk around. There are a lot of people at the gala and the task of locating one person seems monumental, but the gods are with you tonight and you find within the first five minutes. She is standing with her profile to you, talking to several other people.

[Bastard]

Tuesday, June 12, 2075 - 2137 hrs - Met Museum, Main Ballroom, Seattle

"There she is, over there," Johnny guides Elana so they are walking toward Margaret Tunaki. As they approach, he scans the crowd for anyone suspicious or watching his former coworker.

[Mercy]

Tuesday, June 11, 2075 - 2143 hrs - Met Museum, Main Ballroom, Seattle


Margaret does not seem to see you from where you are standing. The group around her thins to three people, but none of them appear to be other than wealthy donors to the charity. Neither do you see anyone near her that seems to be taking an inordinate interest in her. After a couple of minutes, she turns slightly and sees you. She frowns and excuses herself to come over to you. "What are you doing here? I thought we were going to talk later?"

[Bastard]

Tuesday, June 11, 2075 - 2144 hrs - Met Museum, Main Ballroom, Seattle

"I do apologize, Margaret. But, I fear that you may be in danger, and did not want to say so over the phone."

Johnny looks around to make sure there are no eavesdroppers.

"The 'Big Man' hired me and Elana here to look into something fishy he uncovered, and he believes it may have something to do with your sudden retirement last year. If what he suspects is true, then we will need your help, and unfortunately, you may need ours."

[Mercy]

Tuesday, June 11, 2075 - 2144 hrs - Met Museum, Main Ballroom, Seattle


Margaret gives you a blank look. "My retire..........."

Her faces pale and she looks around and lowers her voice. "How does he know? How does anyone know? If it is true and they are after me, you cannot protect me from them. They can reach anyone anywhere. My God, I need to hide. Do you have a car?"

[Bastard]

Tuesday, June 11, 2075 - 2144 hrs - Met Museum, Main Ballroom, Seattle

"Yes I have a car and we can leave right now, but it may be suspicious if we suddenly left. I don't know how the 'Big Man' knows, or even if he knows. He may just be guessing. Judging by his mood tonight and your reaction, though. We should get you out of here soon. What do you think, Elana?"

[Mercy]

Tuesday. 11 June 2075. Met Museum. Main Ballroom. Seattle


Elena nods. "Already is two men showing much interest. Should leave now."

Margaret gives you a worried look as her face goes pale. "Oh God, they are here already. I have to leave now."

[Bastard]

Tuesday. 11 June 2075 - 2145 hrs - Met Museum. Main Ballroom. Seattle

"Okay, let's move to the buffet table to your six, Margaret," Johnny says with a smile, as he nods toward the table with hors d'oeuvres, wine and champagne. As they move toward the table, "Now, which direction are 'they' coming from, and who are 'they'?"

[Mercy]

Tuesday 11 June 2075 2146 Met Museum Main Ballroom


As you move to the table, Elana says, "One man near exit wearing off-rack bad fitting suit. Short, light brown hair. Looking at Margaret. Other man taller, dark brown hair below collar. Talking with young woman in slit green dress. She is watching, too, so total is three."

[Bastard]

Tuesday 11 June 2075 2146 Met Museum Main Ballroom


"Odd." Johnny stops at the table, and grabs something that looks appetizing. "Would you care for one, Margaret?"

[Mercy]

Tuesday 11 June 2075 2147 Met Museum Main Ballroom Seattle


"Do you want me to kill them quietly or messy and public? Messy might ruin dress."

Margaret gasps at Elana's words.

[Bastard]

Tuesday 11 June 2075 2147 Met Museum Main Ballroom Seattle

Without looking at Elana, Johnny says, "Quietly if you must, but I would prefer to avoid a fight completely if possible." He eats his bite, still holding out his offer to Margaret.

[Mercy]

Tuesday 11 June 2075 2148 Met Museum Main Ballroom Seattle


Elana smiles at you, nods, and leaves your side to disappear into the crowd. A quick glance shows that all three of the people Elana has identified have managed to move closer, but are still watching from a distance. Margaret shakes her head. "Who is that young woman?" She turns back to you. "How can you eat at a time like this and how are you going to get me out of here?"

[Bastard]

Tuesday 11 June 2075 - 2148 hrs - Met Museum Main Ballroom Seattle

"Frag of I know who she is, but we are about to find out."

Johnny eats the unaccepted food as he casually leads Margaret away from the converging three men.

"And the food is delicious," he says, poking his fork into another
hors d'oeuvre before the leave the spread.

[Mercy]

Tuesday 11 June 2075 - 2150 hrs - Met Museum Main Ballroom Seattle


Margaret snorts. "It ought to for the money they expect us to pay out for the designated charity. Oh, the man and woman are app.............."

She is interrupted by a disturbance near the door as someone calls out. "Quick! Is there a doctor here? A man has collapsed. Help!"

For a moment the couple approaching you turns to look at the noise, as anything else would be out of character. >>Johnny [Elana]: Quick. Is hall just past curtain you are near.<<

[Bastard]

Tuesday 11 June 2075 - 2150 hrs - Met Museum Main Ballroom Seattle

"This way," Johnny says, guiding Margaret past the curtains.

[Mercy]

Tuesday 11 June 2075 - 2150 hrs - Met Museum Main Ballroom Seattle


There is indeed a hallway behind the curtain and you hustle Margaret along it towards the far end, which opens into a small observation room with large glass doors that lead out into the garden behind the museum. Margaret is panting as you reach the doors and leans against the wall for support as she catches her breath. "Not used to this. Have we lost the others and your friend?"