IC: Emerald City Nights, This Ain't no Oz... Options

[Glyph]

Viper shakes her head ruefully. His first possible run, and Kai is already tag-teaming Hermes with Johnson. Fortunately, the big ork seems to have a decent tolerance for sass despite his deceptively surly demeanor. She is tempted to put in her own two cents, asking if she gets a day's pay too (not being an employee), but decides against it. Pushing people's buttons is an delicate art form, and she avoids being either obvious or derivative when she does it. Instead, she turns to Kai.

"Hey now, Kai, don't blow it. This could be your big break." Pause and a smirk. "Hmm... is that why they call this the break room?" Even Johnson seems to wince just slightly at the bad pun, but Viper is looking back at Hermes, waiting for him to reply to Johnson's question, with a deceptively innocent look on her face.

[Sedna]

Kai rolls his eyes.

[Bastard]

Johnson opens the packet and pours the sugar into his cup. Taking a large swig, then setting the cup down. "Mmmm...I can taste the roaches."

[Thomas]

* bump *
Steve tries to ignore the other's pointless chatter, waiting for the big ork to get to the paydata.

[Digital Heroin]

Used to Johnson's dealings, and used to also just brushing them off, Hermes just grunts, and waves him off. When Kai follows up, he groans.

`You're all lucky I don't get myself some more seasoned professionals for this type of job as it is. You want to keep carrying packages all yer lives, feel free to try and weasel out of my arangement. Those of you who are serious about all this, you've got a date at Merciless Ming's tonight, six sharp. I'd suggest not being late. These boys look like they won't take that so well.`

He's not the money man, they should know this. He just gives them the jobs, and the time to do them.

[Bastard]

"Thanks boss. Can we use the lounge for a few more minutes to organize?"

Johnson waits on Hermes answer, and exit, before getting down to the details. "Well, looks like its time to rake in some nuyen. This is good. I like negotiating the job myself, not having Hermes do it for us." He knows the orc has the room wired, but has always acted as if he didnt know. He will never bad mouth him here, but he will make the regular "work sucks, boss is a slave driver" jokes you would any other place. Hopefully that throws Hermes off his scent.

"Okay, Kai. Here is how we roll. I make the meet. If you and Glide," Johnson looks over at the charming orc, "can scope out the place, we can make more detailed plans."

"For now I would like to enter Ming's, obviously with Viper and Glide. You do what ever the situation calls for. If there is seating for all, then we all sit, if just for one I will sit, and you two will stand over and watch. Steve, you blend in so well, I prefer you to arrive a bit earlier, Mouse you arrive a bit later. Watch for anything suspicious. We may change things around after Kai and Glide scope things out."

"Where should we meet after the recon is done? Can you all go to the bar?," he snickers half serious, "I like to get a two or three drink buzz goin before a meet."

[Sedna]

"Geez, boss, ya'd think I was, like, of age or somethin'."

[Slipshade]

[Thomas]

Steve makes a few entries in the pocket sec then looks at Johnson.
"I'd think a couple out on the town might draw less attention - If Viper is up for a 'date' we could join you for the meet if appropriate or offer extra eyes from a discreet distance if the contact is one of the 'one-on-one types'."

[Glyph]

Viper keeps quiet during Johnson's speech, keeping a smirk off of her face with difficulty. Poor guy takes himself so seriously sometimes. Like they're going to get jumped at some seedy food joint.

At Steve's suggestion, though, she snorts. "Yeah, real inconspicuous, that's me all right."

She frowns thoughtfully as she considers the idea further. "If we went as a couple, we'd be more of a distraction, to let Glide and Kai move around with less attention. Seems a waste of your knack for blending in, but if you still want to do it (evil grin)... I have been waiting for an excuse to give you a much-needed fashion makeover."

[Bastard]

"Well lets have Glide and Mouse check it out first, then we can make our plans from there." He looks back at Steve, "You all want to meet up at The Shore in two hours? Glide and Mouse can give us the run down then?"

[Sedna]

They're all taking this part of it way seriously, it's the Big Time, and it's really just some guy meeting some other guy. Lessn' there's guns involved. Fiddling with a pen that's found his way into his pocket, Kai glances around the small group again, lets himself wonder about where Viper would hide a gun -- and when he focuses in again on the talking they're still talking about how Johnson was going to meet the guy or chica at Merciless Ming's. Ehn, I know I done hear o' them before. Somewheres. Mebe. Or mebe it were Mercy's place?

Kai shrugs, not caring who sees. If it's relevant, it'll come to him sooner or later. But sure, I'll scopes out the place, jest gets me outta this one! Bored, wishing he could just get moving! Kai kicks his feet against the chair legs, resists the strong urge to roll his eyes again at Glide's calling him the "Mouser" and again at the idea that she could keep him out of trouble (but I'll be good this time! really!)

"Why th' hell wouldja wanna be inconspicuous, Viper? Why'dja wan' him not t' be? If the term's starin' down yar tits, not like he's gonna be payin' that much attention to th' boss here. A-One Distraction." He grins. " 'sides, makes ya real believable 's a couple. Ya'll have'ta decide how much ya'd be worth. Or mebe if ya had t' pay him."

[Glyph]

Viper stands up and lazily stretches. "Well, I think we're pretty much done here. I'll see you guys at The Shore in a bit."

[Digital Heroin]

As the interplay gets going, Hermes shifts, and with a creak of protest the chair lets him up. He looks over the group, shaking his head.

`I just hope you all don't kill eachother before the meet. Remember, don't be late.`

He's said his piece, knows at least, that Johnson will get them there on time. He leaves them to their planning, and soon enough he can be heard barking orders out on the main floor.

[Sedna]

Just that quickly Kai's on his feet and halfway out the door.

"C'mon, Glide, faster we go check out the place, faster we gets outta here."

[Slipshade]

"True that," she replies to Kai's impatient plea to leave Emerald City's HQ. I'll meet you out front, I have to go grab my stuff from the break room."

With that the cute ork girl heads off to the breakroom to grab her jacket, pistol and blade. With absolutely no shame or embarassment she trades her Emerald Courier clothing for a pair of comfortable jeans and an old tacoma wings shirt, cut to reveal her midrift. Glide returns briefly to the break room and tosses her katana to Johnson. Could you take that with you to The Shore? I may want it later. Thanks J

[Sedna]

Kai's idea of changing involves flinging on a very used, fringed longcoat over the jumpsuit and (when Glide brings it up) changing the colour setting ... from Emerald City green, to a yellow/neon blue pattern used by the latest neo-Native revival band to make the trid rounds. There's not all that many other clothes he's ever been seen in, besides that tattered Concrete Dreams t-shirt he'd been wearing when he'd first come through the doors -- couldn't say "walked", there were still scuff marks on the floor where he'd side-braked the skateboard he now pulls out of the locker, his eyes dancing.

"Race ya?"

[Bastard]

As everyone starts leaving, "Well I will meet everyone at The Shore in about an hour. Have to run an errand first."

As Glide tosses him her katana, he looks at it uncomfortably. Holding it awkwardly you can see he isn't a swordsman of any sort.

Johnson heads back to his house to change, not that he really needs to, but he likes to one up the Mr. Johnson. Also its good to have some heat with you, just in case. He takes his Ares Viper Silvergun, checking that its working, then loads it, and brings a few spare clips. He usually leaves it at work, since thats usually where he is when he gets the call, but takes it home to clean it now and again. His armor hidden under the nice dress shirt, gun tucked under the blazer, and his smile worth a million nuyen, he heads off to The Shore.

[Slipshade]

Glide smiles at Johnson. "You don't have to use it, just bring it along."

Outside she looks around the morning streets still slick with rain water from the night before.

[Sedna]

The bulges in Kai's pockets suggest that he's pocketed a couple of other things. She can only hope it actually is all stuff from his locker. Stuff small enough to fit in pockets has an unfortunate habit of ending up in Kai's.

"Pawnie's on th' corner, up a block from Ming's. I'll waits till ya gets there!"

He doesn't give her more warning, he's so gone, and the first turn casts sparks from the steel wheels and sends a nice spray of water arcing over an unfortunate pedestrian in the wrong place at the wrong time. Whatever else, he won't be hard to follow.

[Thomas]

Steve smiles inwardly at Viper’s verbal jab. If she wanted to part with some if her hard-earned nuyen to buy him some new clothes, well, as long as he picked them. He didn’t trust her fashion sense as far as he could throw Hermes. Sad, he knew there was a very pretty woman hiding under all that trash.

Ah, yes – The Shore – not Johnson’s usual after work watering-hole. Having taken Johnson’s offer of an after work drink there once, Steve knew the place. Not good as far as drinks go – a cut below the usual watered-down swill and the food was over-priced and only of average quality. Still, the place had some booths which looked like they offered reasonable privacy.

Kai’s crude remarks caused an inward frown – and what was the little klepto playing with – Steve quickly checked his pockets – nothing missing, good. One day that kid is going to get in more trouble than he could get out of. The kid did have a point though – Viper’s stretch accentuated her lithe, well-sculpted body. But the kid had no manners.

As Kai leaves Steve puts the pocket sec to sleep, opens the side cover and removes the encrypted auxiliary memory chip. Standing, he slips the pocket sec in one pocket and the chip in another then leaves.

Stopping by the bike rack on the way out of the building he rearranges the security cable on his bike, threading it carefully through the frame, wheels, crank and the rack, just to keep honest people honest…

He walks the two blocks to the automated parking garage and slots his ‘stick at the personnel door. When the cover retracts he places his thumb on the pad as instructed.

“Thank you for choosing Mite-T-Safe parking location #10324.” the security system drones on, “Your vehicle is on level one, space C-42. Access granted.” The door slides to the side and Steve enters, walking toward the parking area as the door hisses shut. As he approached the car he pressed the disarm stud on the fob twice. The alarm’s cool voice announced “System disarmed, doors unlocked.” He opened the driver’s door, then the center console and pressed the trunk release. Unfastening the clasps on the bike carrier he removed it and placed it in the trunk. Hanging the garment bag on the trunk lid so that it could hang freely, he opens it to examine the dark grey suit within. Although the jacket looks acceptable, the trousers have a bad crease at the hanger so he removes them and the peach colored shirt and lays them aside. Carefully repacking the soft yellow tie and black belt he closes the bag and relocates it to the hook inside the car behind the driver’s seat. He is interrupted by a voice.

“Excuse me sir, Mr. Chin – Security. May I see your identification?” The man had come out of nowhere, silently. Steve turned to see a Japanese man dressed in a very expensive, perfectly-tailored suit, and slowly reached into his pocket for his ‘stick.

Steve bows slightly as he extends the credstick. “My apologies, Chin-san.” Steve notices the bow is not acknowledged as the guard takes the ‘stick and slots it in a hand-held reader. Only after the reader beeps a confirmation does the guard seem to relax slightly and return the short bow.

“My apologies, Mr. Wellman.” Another bow. “You understand that I am only concerned for the security of your vehicle.”

“Of course, no trouble at all. Thank you very much Chin-san.” Steve punctuated each sentence with a short bow. Mr. Chin got in the last bow before turning and walking over to a concealed door in the wall. Humm…I guess that’s where he came from. Returning to the trunk Steve made a quick check of the contents of the black duffle marked FRT, grabbed the pants and shirt and pushed the trunk lid closed until, with a soft whir and click, it latched. He tosses the clothes into the passenger seat, climbs in and inserts the fob into the ignition. The car’s engine came to life, bass exhaust notes highlighted by the high, nasal whine of the turbocharger. He pulled out of the space and followed the arrows around to the exit. As he pulled up to the exit gate the in-car parking pass chirped. The post mounted speaker at the gate control panel spoke. “You have 12 days left on your contract balance, insert credstick within 5 seconds to extend your contract.” Steve waited as the computer beeped its 5 second countdown, then watched as the gate swung up, the barricades dropped and the roll-up door opened to let the thin sunlight in. He pulled out into the morning traffic, destinations; a one-hour cleaners off of Warf Road – to get the shirt and pants pressed, a car wash, a quick brunch somewhere, then back to pick up the shirt and pants, and finally, off to meet Johnson and crew at The Shore.

[Glyph]

Viper walks out of Emerald City HQ with her usual lazy bounce in her step. She doesn't really have time to head home before she needs to be at the Shore - not that she really needs to. Mort's, however, is closer by, so she decides to make a quick stop over there.

Walking down the short flight of cracked concrete stairs, she gives her elven eyes a second to adjust to the dim lighting (ambiance...). Mort looms behind the counter. Mort makes Hermes look skinny (Viper suppresses a chuckle, though, at the brief mental image of Hermes dressed like Mort that pops into her head. Somehow, she doesn't picture Hermes as the spiked leather and lace ruffles type). Today, he is resplendent in an ornate frock coat, and a vivid red-black lipstick. As always, though, just a bit too much base.

She is not the only customer. A young ork, whom she recognizes as one of the local wiz-gangers, is tapping a skull, topped with a candle, skeptically.

"Hey, man, you said this was a real skull. This is plastic, man!"

"Of course, dear boy," replies an unruffled (other than his attire) Mort. "The chap had plastic bone lacing, you see."

"Really? Cool!"

After the kid buys an "authentic tribal talisman" (Cascade Ork work all right, but probably turned out on a computer lathe), Mort turns to Viper.

"And what can I do for you today, my dear?"

Viper leans over conspiratorily. "Well, just between you and me, I might be coming into some money soon. You still have those spell formulas? And those candles... the blood-red ones?"

Mort purses his lips regretfully. "The candles, I still have a few in the back, but alas, the spell formulas got snapped up already... you know how fast those things go. But not to worry, I expect some more to turn up in a few days."

"Huh. Well, I guess I'll see what you have in a few days." She turns semi-dejectedly, but bobs her head back into the shop for a second. "By the way, Mort, what kind of lip shade is that? I may get some myself." She doesn't really need to know, since she can magically duplicate nearly any cosmetic, but a bit of flattery never hurts.

Mort preens slightly. "It's crimson night, by Versilace. It is rather striking, isn't it?"

Viper nods and leaves the store, calculating that she should still arrive a bit early to the Shore.

[Slipshade]

Glide rips off after Kai. Her muscle augmentation and the cyber skates chew up asphalt as she gains on the young human.

The wind whips around her as she weaves in and out of cars both on the street and off. This is what she enjoys the most...Speed!

[Sedna]

By the end of the second turn, Glide's right on Kai's tail -- which, maybe, he'd been expecting? "Frag, but I hates rain," he says cheerfully to her over his shoulder, sending the skateboard into another tight, water-spraying turn that temporarily turned the surface behind him into an aquaplaning nightmare.

Because she's still a step or two behind him, it's Glide that's still close enough (barely) to catch the sidewalk curses so slowly beginning behind Kai and now her as the two of them shoot through the "half pipe" created in this section by sloping concrete, curving down toward a central straightaway -- not smooth-surfaced, what is, in this part of the city? but that's just another part of the challenge.

[Bastard]

Johnson arrives at The Shore, a well mixed place, but this time of day its a bit slow. The crowd is mostly young college students, and high school kids cutting class, over in the Sandbar area. In the Beachhouse area the tables are more spread apart, this is where the johnsons usually sit. Johnson, of course, takes a large table in the middle section, the Coast, where the two meet. The rest of the team probably wont be in for a bit more, but the face likes to be there first, not only to set an example, but also to scope the place out. He knows all too well, all meets are potential set ups. Even the day to day, low budget runs, can be set ups. Most shadowrunners would be suprised to learn how many of the patrons at the meet are actually employees of Mr. Johnson.