Alright. Let me know? Thanks. You're a good man. When I take over this town, you'll be my right hand man. Says with a smile and a wink.
Slaps 60 nuyen on the bar.
Barkeep! Give everyone a shot. Say its from the Sinner. I send my best..
Looks at SnakeSkin.
Take care Snake. Be safe, alright? Could be someone like that Desolation Angel Chicka, except it wont be so hot. Pats his arm, and walks towards the door.
Gets to his car and goes home. Waits till about 9:15 and heads to The Lucky strike.

Having spent much of the last hour balancing books and tallying percentages, Lucky finally stretches. Getting up she heads over to the safe, entering the combination she opens it and pulls out a neat stack of hundreds. Counting out 10 hundreds and adding a 50, Lucky tucks it all into a neat manilla envelope. Tossing it on her desk she counts out 42 in hundreds, rubberbands it and places it back in the safe. Taking out another grand for herself, she adds it to her money clip and closes the safe.
Over her AR, Lucky puts on last nights game. The Orkland Terminators vs. her team, The New Orleans Tombstones. Ever since Titan left the Terminators, the Tombstones have been on fire. I should send him a thank you basket. Lucky smiles and reaches into her drawer for a fifth of whiskey she keeps there for just such an occasion.
Idly scanning her report from Brian yesterday, Lucky half watches the game. Noticing the time, Lucky pauses the game and gives the report another serious scan.Rock should be here any minute. Hoping he's up for it.

Lucky
Rock, Lucky, and Bennet spend the next three hours cruising through New Orleans, looking up addresses of debtors, and collecting. They make a record collection, moeny somehow having a way of magically making it's self appear when the three of them come callnig. More than one person ends up robbing a Stuffer Shack to get their moeny "An hour ago".

Life is Good.

Streak

Lucky revels in at least one success for the day. After dropping Rock off back at the Strike and promising that they'll "do this again, sometime." Lucky and Bennett head for the Naughty Kitten. Time to give the boss man his due.
Heading inside, the place is slowly coming to life. Looking around, Lucky once again has the realization that there is nothing more pathetic then a strip club before dark. The strippers are walking around in stilleto's and faded bathrobes, curlers in their hair and pasties on their breasts. It's a sad, sad statement of our times.
Lucky looks around, finally spotting a girl she knows.
Hey Jeannie, where's Julian?
Looking up from painting her toenails, Jeannie waves and gives a tired looking smile.
Hey Luck, he's in the kitchen. There was a problem with the onions or something.
Thanks Jeannie.
Lucky headed for the kitchen, as she got closer she could hear Julian's voice over the sound of the dishwashers and waiters.
I said COCKTAIL onions. THESE are not cocktail onions! Does it look like these can fit into a martini glass?!
Lucky winced as Julian's tirade was followed by the sound of shattering glass. Glancing back over her shoulder she caught Bennett's eye. Shrugging her shoulders, she walked through the swinging double doors.
Julian is standing in the center of the kitchen, holding a very large and very purple onion. On the ground at his feet is what appears to be a shattered martini glass. The object of his rage is an average looking Hispanic human male. The man appears exasperated. His eyes quickly shoot over Julian's shoulder to Lucky and Bennett. Julian, catching the look turns as well.
He's suddenly all smiles. Lucky. Good to see you. What can I do for you?Julian puts the onion down and wipes his hands on a dish towel.
Holding up the manilla envelope, Lucky gives it a quick shake.
Special delivery.

Lucky
Mancuso smiles, and angles his head towards his office, while holding a hand out inviting Lucky in. He follows her in, Bennet tailing, and closing the door behing the trio.

Mancuo's offcie is a bit different than one would expect. It's suprisingly spartan, with taupe walls (it's very soothing you know). A pair f comfortable chairs face a mahognay desk. Real wood. Everything Mancuso has is real, no synth. A quiet statement about his position.

Mancuso takes the manilla envelope and slides it into a desk drawer without opening it.

So Lucky, how is everything going? Coming along nicely I hope.

Zephyr cont'd



guess I'll take the standard for now ... no reason for the big dog till I know more

picking up his trusty Ares Alpha checking the Load on the Grenades making sure they are all concussion checking the ammo Clip and putting a 2nd Clip into his Cyberarm's Smuggling compartment ... this one APDS ... Holstering his Thunderbolt,

Noticing the time 6pm ... guess I fell asleep at some point

heads over to the Lucky Strike

Things are progressing nicely. We had a good night at the Strike and our voudoun friend bounced back rather quickly from last night's little skirmish. He seems to do that quite frequently from what I hear.
I also wanted to thank you for our newest addition. He's everything you said.

Lucky
Bennet is very good at his job. So our friend's little incident didn't set back your plans for our little thing any then? That's good to hear. Things still moving along I take it.
Glad to hear your business is going well also. Multitasking is essential in this business as well.
How are things going for your thing with Cynthia? Not suffering I hope. She's been speaking highly of you.

Oh, that reminds me, there's going to be a dinner next Tuesday. Nothing big, just a little in house thing at a local resaurant. Miriam has requested you be there. Seems our dear Lady has heard a bit about you as well. She may ask about how your current task is going, just be aware. She likes to know how her little pet projects are going.

Lucky smiles.
Cynthia's little project is coming along quite nicely. I think she'll be happy to know that I have been able to step up the original time table and I've managed to cut costs as well.
Dinner next Tuesday would be wonderful. I'd be happy to be able to let Ms. Miriam know where we stand.
Is there anything else before I go, Julian? I hate to cut our visit short, but as you mentioned before, multitasking is essential.

Lucky
There is one more thing. I had a friend of mine that's good with computers look in to something for you. There was apaprently a comm call placeed from within the Ace to a disposable phone just before your friend walked out of the bar. One also recieved I would expect just before he showed up there. Something you might want to look in to.

But I've kept you long enough. Thank you for dropping this off personally Lucky. You know I appreciate the personal touch.


Mancuso shakes hands and gets the door for the pair.

Thank you for the information, Julian. I appreciate it. I'll see you next week.
Heading out the door, Lucky has a mini-party in her head.
Dinner with the Dona! She asked for me! Things are finally looking up, Lucky baby. As long as this next thing goes off without a hitch...and then that thing for Cynthia... and then the next thing. *sigh*
Hey Bennett, besides being intimidating...how are your people skills?

Lucky
Bennet looks at Lucky for a moment, almost ... almost a look of suprise.
I'm great with people. Can't you tell?

No, no... I get it. Really.Lucky stifles the urge to laugh or smile. Both of which might get her shot. I need to know all I can about the Black Throat krewe. Do you know anyone you could lean on for information? I want to know everything possible, before I put a plan together. You're one of us, so I know you know how to operate...which is more then I can say for others. Is this something you can do?

Lucky
Sure, there's a few people I can have a talk with about that sort of thing. When do you want me to start.

Drop me off back at the Strike and then do your thing. I'll hang out there until the meeting tonight.

Bennet drops Lucky off at the apply named 'Strike. When she walks in ,the first thing her adjusting eyes see is Streak sitting at the bar in his long coat, having a cold one.

What the? Did I not specifically tell him 10:30 p.m.?!
Pretending not to see him sitting at the bar, Lucky does a u-turn and heads back outside and to her truck. Swinging up inside, Lucky revs it up and peels out, headed for home.
Pulling out her commlink, she quickly dials Gumbo's number. If I'm not mistaken, he was supposed to get back to me by now. *grumble*

Lucky
Gumbo picks up quickly. His face looks like he just finshed swallowing something large with ketchup and mustard.
hey *mph* Lucky I was *mph* jush gonna call 'u. *gulp* Sorry.. .I uh, I got the stuff you're looking for. I'll send you the file. Got the guy's name, his truck number, appointment time, and the one before it in case he's late. Oh, and got a little bug in his commlink for you so you can track him down. All taht's in the file. 'k?
His face says that he's afraid lucky is going to be displeased about something, but hopeful.

Thank you for being so thorough. It makes up for you being late. Lucky smiles, but it doesn't quite reach her eyes.
Checking to make sure the file was recieved, Lucky nods to the screen.
Got it. Talk to you later, Gumbo.
Click.
Tossing her commlink onto the chair, Lucky finishes the drive to her house. Stepping inside after deactivating the alarm system, Lucky breathes a sigh of relief.
It's good to be home.

Upon arriving at the Strike and sitting down at a small table in the back and orders a beer ... then Links up to directory assistance and places a Call to the Noose

this da Noose

yes this is streak ... I was in and out for approximatly a month ... dont remember a whole lot of what happened and thats sorta Why I'm calling I was wondering if you could send over a File list of everything I ordered for the time period of the last 30 days

Chuckeling tell ya what ... after the ammount of busniess you did for us I'll do it for ya free of charge ... we normaly keep our tab Records for 90 days in case the cred comes up flat so I'll text it over to your Comm should take about 10 min to compile the list

10 Minuites ?!?!?! I suddenly DONT wanna know

alright thanks and hangs up the connection

ten minuits later when the Com beeps with an incomming after the inital Look yup I didnt want to know

and proceeds to spend the time untill 10:30 nursing his beer and reviwing the list

Later that night... 2 a.m.

Back in her office at the Strike, Lucky smiled. With Bennett and Sinn off planning what they needed done, she finally had some time to herself.
Time to play.
Looking through the clothing available at her office, Lucky finally settled on black leather pants, black silk button up and a leather jacket. Smiling at her reflection in the mirror, Lucky blew herself a kiss, grabbed her keys, commlink, money clip and headed out the door.
Soon enough, she found herself looking down the back alley that Scotch mentioned. Sure enough, a hostile looking ork began to give her lip. Le Croix's name and a couple hundred got her, an if not pleasant, at least less hostile look and an opened door.

Lucky

The entrancec to the Arena was through a metal door set to look like a basement entrance. It went down under a large brick building that looked on the verge of being condemned, but still advertised it's self as a 'bakery'. Good thing it wasn't a butchers shop, or one might question what they were eating.

Once in the door, there's the requisite long cement tunnelwith some water damage, going down at a grade, to another heavy iron door. This one even has the sliding peep hole at eye and waist level. Either there's sometimes a dwarf on the other side, or a room sweeper.

A pair of C notes gets Lucky throug hhtis door, which leads in to another set of hallways. This could get old fast. Luckily, the huhlking ork behind the door points down the left fork. Makes you wonder what's down the right fork now doesn't it?

Down the left fork, the noise quickly gets louder. A few more blind turns down the concrete brings the sound of a roarinng crowd. The tunnel comes out in to a large chamber, immediately seperated by a black chain link fence. The fence seperate the hallway from the mass of people, assisted by another pair of orks in the uniform black muscle shirts. This pair also has Ares Predators as part of their uniform. A security door is set in to the ceiling as well. THe fence eis apparently just crowd control.

Passing the ork guards, Lucky sees the melting pot of vice personified in the Crescent City's underbelly. Here the street thugs pass the rich execs with body guards in tow. The made men avoid the yardies. The down on their luck fighters watch and wonder just how many more bouts they can last. The managers wonder jsut how many more meal tickets they can squeeze out.

The Arena is arranged as just that. Lucky is on the top concourse level, encircling the pit laid out in front of her. The entire place is half the size of a foot ball field. God only knows what engineering marvel keeps the entire place from coming down. SHe didn't even realize she was that far below ground.

There are a good 20 rows of bleachers surrounding the 20 meter wide pit at the bottom. At the top most level are darkened glass booths for the execs. Set in the walls at pit level are another set of no doubt armored polarized glass booths for those that can afford the best seats in the house.

On the concourse level is where all the betting is done. Rosters, stats, odds, fighter bios, pics and more swirl around on the AR projections. This place has it's own private matrix host. Ads and spam fill the air here as much in any megaplex. Numbers for hookers, dealers, guun runners and smugglers, runners, black market electronics, even a few fighters for hire pop up on the AR. More people here pay attention to any spam that comes up on the street.

The Arena is a veritables underworld buffet. You can have your fill of what ever you like, as long as you can pay the tab.

Taking it all in, Lucky looks for a position with a view, an opportunity to play voyeur for awhile. Finding a seat in one of the upper tiers, away from the huddled masses, Lucky sits back to enjoy the show. After the seventeenth indecent proposal, Lucky switches her comm to Hidden mode. Sunglasses on, Lucky scans the crowd, looking for the well dressed Le Croix.

Lucky
It takes a good hour to find Le Croix. Being the big man on campus, the one most everyone wants to talk to, he isn't big on making him self readily available.

Eventually though, she does spot the large ork walking through the crowd, guards clearing a path for him. He's wearing a freshyl pressed italian suit, soft tan colors, with a gray scarf no less. His hair is black and combed back, no facial hair, and black sunglasses cover his eyes. His jaw is wide and hard, his neck thick and muscled. He wears no less than five golden rings. Even with all of the pretentiousness, there's no doubt that the large, albeit aging ork ,can handle himself well.

With no urgent need to make contact with Le Croix tonight, Lucky decides to play it cool for the time being. She takes her time watching the way people interact with Le Croix, how he likes to be approached, how he doesn't, how his bodyguards move, how he moves, who he talks to, who he doesn't.
From her vantage point, she has a good view of Le Croix and the rest of the Arena. She takes notes, who wins, who loses, which fighters come on strong, which ones seem more cunning...cigarette after cigarette she passes her time. Watching, and learning.

Lucky
The Arena seems to have a title match, grudge match, or 'greatest match up of all time' about every hour. It's non stop. Five minute break to clear bodies, and another pair of fighters are in the pit. A pair of orks go at it with spurs, then an impressive elf adept gets ripped in half by a cybered troll. FOr one match a small pool is drug out so that a human with cyber gills can go at it with a merrow. THe merrow is apparently the returning champion for the water division. It also remains so, as what's left of the man is left in the tank.

Some big names like El Blanco Tigre, Razr Rick, and Malice go through the rouunds tonight. Most of them draw their matches out, so as to get the crowds blood high. Bets go fast, moeny changes hands. Occassionaly someone isn't able to pay his marker, and the issue is settled. The debtor is tossed in to the pit, and a green fighter goes in after him. His debt is forgiven if he lives.

A voice from behind gets Lucky's attention. I know you, don't I? The voice is low, very low, and solid. It's a voice Lucky has only heard once before. A voice that gets attention. Standing behind her is Harry Rybinski. Harry "the Hammer" Rybinski. The Hammer, the man that won the krewe wars for the Kozlowskis 3 years back. Harry the sottocapo of the Koazlowski family Rybinski.
....... He knew her....

Startled for a moment, Lucky quickly recovered and stood, offering her hand to the sottocappo.
Mr. Rybinski, I believe we've seen each other in passing. I'm Lucky Santangelo.

Lucky
Rybinski takes the proffered hand and gives it a firm shake. The man has a grip like a vice. Apparently he sees Lucky as more than just a woman though by the grip. Harry is the type of man who would certainly know the etiquette of a hand shake. A hard grip like that is for a fellow, not a 'lady'. He's accompanied by a pair of men, both made by the lok of them. Well off, confident in their surroundings. And , of course, with Harry.

Ms. Santangelo. Yeah I've heard about you from Oz. Your the one that keeps that pup Rock in line. Good, good. First time in the Arena Lucky?

It is, Mr. Rybinksi.Lucky slides her sunglasses off, holding them in one hand I haven't had the opportunity to take in the fights before. I thought it might be something I would enjoy. Apparently, I was right.She smiles.

Etiquette test - add in first impression

Etiquette Test

Lucky



Why don't you join me and the boys. Lcuky Santangelo, this is Eddy Tango, and Vin Cappeli. Boys this is Oz's Lady Luck.

They both nod their hellos. Eddy is of latin descent, thin , young, human, and very dapper looking. He wears a gray pinstriped suit and walks around with his hands in his slacks pockets most of the time. Vin is also human, older, perhaps in his thirties, and a bit more at ease than the excited Eddy Tango. They look like a pair that spend a lot of time together. Vin's age and experience guiding Eddy's energy.

Wihtout waiting for an actual answer, Harry, leads the trio off the main concrouse, acquiring one of the sreing girls along the way and heading down to the private booths at ring level. Once in side, he makes him self comfortable. The guards never other to even talk to Harry as he heads down. The pretty serving girl quickly takes drink and food orders.

Harry and Vin settle in to the black leather seats, while Eddy stands by the armored glass and watches the match in progress. The entire private room is done in black . Perhaps to give it a cool feel, maybe to hide blood stains. Or maybe this is just "the black room". There's a wet bar, coffee table (black marble), and a humidor to help get the guests get comfortable, as well as an AR order list for joy boys and girls to help the cleintele get really comfortable.

Nodding at both men during Harry's introduction, Lucky smiles at the invitation.

Following Harry down to the private room, Lucky can't help but feel a little amazed at her luck. First, an invitation to dinner with the dona, now private box seats with Harry, The Hammer. Nice. Feeling she should be thanking someone, Lucky rubs the tattoo located at the small of her back. Maybe I'm just Lucky.
Once inside the room, Lucky slides her jacket off and finds herself a seat on the opposite side of Harry from Vin. Taking her drink and a napkin from the serving girl, Lucky sits back to watch the fight unfold.

Lucky
Harry leans forward The big guy there in the ring is Ian the Terrible. He wants to a russk, but he's a jew. Big enough, but not all that birght.
His opponent, that's Malice. She's way out of his class. Boy should've never stepped in to the ring. Man has to know which fights to pick and which to walk away form if he want to be called a man.

Vin simply nods as if Harry had spoken his very thoughts. Eddy seems to have a bit more fiath in Ian however and makes jabbing motions at the air.

C'mon man. Come on! NO the left !The hook mAN ! tHE HOOK! oW! Oooh... ow.. man c'mon/

As if doomed by Eddy's urgings, Ian takes a hard uppercut to his chin, then a jab that punches his adams apple back in to his neck. He collapses to the ground, choking for air. Malice regards him for a moment to see if he'll rise, then turns on a heel and walks out.

Harry waves one big hand as if pointing out the evidence of his words.Ye 'see? Muscle ain't no subsititue for experience and smarts. Never was. So Luck, you got a favorite yet?

Watching Malice walk out of the ring, her eyes hard mirroring an expression Lucky had seen in her own mirror, her chin up at a familiar angle.. Lucky smiled and nodded.
Malice

Lucky
Harry smiles Yeah, I thought you might like that one. Mancuso said you got an eye for talent. An' you certainly appreciate the more dangerous.
Careful with that one though. She's a hell cat and then some.

He seems to regard Lucky for a moment, seemingly sizing her up
No manager either he says with a bit of a grin. No one's been able to handle 'er yet.

He watches Lucky as if he's waiting to see the words sink in.

Still playing it cool, Lucky nodded once, as if thinking over the information.
Doesn't surprise me. A woman like that? You don't manage a woman like that.
Lucky doesn't take her eyes off of Malice as she speaks, watching her stand at the edge of the ring. Watching Malice watch the current fight.
Malice is a predator. She hunts. Watch how she watches the others, her prey. You want to know something about someone, watch how they watch others. See the tension in her legs. She's ready. You want to be behind someone like that, you have to have the same tension. You have to always be ready.Laughing a little, Lucky takes a drink of her whiskey. She reminds me of New York.

Lucky
Vin asks You spend a lot of time in New York Ms. Santangelo?

His New York accent has smoothed a bit over time, but it's unmistakeable.

Smiling at the remembered accent, Lucky let hers out a little more.
Born and raised. Brooklyn. Hearing you... you're making me feel a little homesick.

Lucky
Vin smiles Upper East side my self. Spent a lot of time running with the Luchesse crew. Had to move down south though. To cold up there for an old man like me.You runn with a crew back home?

I did some small time numbers work with a crew on the South Side. I was really young at the time, thought that moving to Seattle was where it was at. I bought my tickets the day I graduated. Still nothin quite like New York, is there Mr. Cappeli?

Lucky
No.. no there is not.

Cappeli sits back in his seat, apparently having spoken his piece.

Eddy comes over from the wet bar after throwing back his third shot.

Frag it. Lost three g's on that blond faggit! You believe that drek?! Big fragger like that, doesn't even know how to throw a left! Geez .. just burns my hoop g'dammit.

Eddy plops down in to one of the seats next to Lucky.

Whach you think o' dat fight there doll face? You like the lady winnin'?

Vin simply chuckles.

Lucky regards Eddy with a smile.
I enjoy it when the better fighter wins, doll face.

Eddy's face sours as he turns to find somethign else to have interest in. Harry barks a laugh and goes to watching the next fight.

The three stay out for another two hours, Harry buying drinks and eats for the group, small gentleman's bets being passed, and quiet fun being poked in Eddy's general direction by Harry.

Eventually as the clock nears 0420, Harry stands.
Well Lucky, it's been a hell of a night. your company has been appreciated, not the least becuase you're a far sight better looking than these two. You got a good eye for talent though. Mancuso's right on that. We'll have to do this again some time. But Vin and me, we old timers have to get our rest. The world rises early, and someone's gotta be there to keep it in line. C'mon Vin.

Harry shakes Lucky's hand again, although his eyes say he might be in the mood for more of a "good natured hug", but he refrains. Eddy makes to say until Vin calls him out. The trio head out from the room.

Harry calls from out side Feel free to use the booth Lucky. It's yours 'til the joint closes at 6.

Shaking Harry's hand as he leaves, Lucky smiles and returns his look.
Thank you again, Mr. Rybinski. It's been a pleasure.
Lucky says goodnight to Vin and Eddy, smiling a little more genuinely at Eddy to avoid any sort of hard feelings.
After the trio leave, Lucky sits back down, taking a moment to soak in the night.
A night out with Harry "The Hammer" and Vin Cappelli. Lucky, m'girl, not bad. Harry's not so bad on the eyes either... Catching another fight starting, Lucky muses over the information on Malice. No manager. I would kill to have her... hmmmm.. I wonder who you have to talk to to get a moment with her?
Sitting back in the leather seat, Lucky takes another long draw from her glass.
One more of these and I might not be able to make it out of the fraggin' maze.
Lucky stands, and slides her jacket on. I'd better bail too.Eyeing the mess the four have made over the course of the evening, Lucky tosses a hundred down on the table.

Lucky

There must be something to Lucky's streak tonight. As she walks out , she sees a wide space open space at the packed bar. In the middle of it is the lightly clad Malice, taking up five seats apparently, although she's only occupying one. There's not a woman that can pull off an all leaher jump suit and buckels, but she does it nicely. Partly because no one would dare say otherwise.

Hey, if it's a sign, it's a sign.
Lucky makes her way to the bar, taking a seat next to Malice and ordering a drink.
You've got skill.Lucky says, lighting a cigarette.

Malice pushes her off the seat to plop on to the floor.
Thanks. Frag off.

Lucky laughs and stands.
Yea, you're about what I expected. Picking up her glass, Lucky slides it across the bar.
Another one.
Standing out of arms reach, Lucky takes a long drag off her cigarette, eyeing the crowd and Malice beside her.