Apr 08 05:41:35 109 PA - End of a Brief Era

From Chronicles

Apr 08 05:41:35 109 PA.

THE IVORY LADY

Fizzlesnoot is currently in the middle of working on some general repairs of the club, having been helping out when he can with the whole construction process that would appear to not be progressing as fast as it should have. Would probably help if the other workers were here, but at this hour, the odd little D-bee is pretty much alone, only a couple are here setting up the start of their workday.

Gabriel enters, clad in armor save for his helmet, which is tucked in the crook of his left arm. His expression is actually far more peaceful than it has been for weeks, with a smile gracing his face that somehow seems more 'real.' He raises an arm as he passes the few workers present, pulling up beside his business partner. "Hello, Fizzlesnoot. How's the construction going?"

Fizzlesnoot puts down his sanding tool to offer his friend a wave as he waddles over to meet him. With a slight shrug, "Eh. Slow still. I jumped in to see if I can get it moving, but so far, pace hasn't improved."

"I didn't think it would. All of the purchases and hires I was trying to make have come to about bupkis so far. It's like no one wants my business," Gabriel chuckles. Then he becomes more serious. "Which brings me to my next point. I'm out, Fizzlesnoot. Folded up the hat of club manager to go back to a life of... well, I guess mostly a life of working at Pro-Tech, if I can get my job back."

Fizzlesnoot tilts his head in surprise, the news being totally unexpected, "Huh? What happened? What do you mean get your job back? Why?"

Gabriel shakes his shoulders. "To be honest? I never asked for the management job, just sort of fell into it because I thought it was necessary. But if that had been it, I'd still be here. Unfortunately, now that the skirmishes have broken out with the refugees, the Family tapped me for... a military job. I was getting ready for it then," he shrugs, long and slow. "I realized that I was just being a tool. I'm not here to fight for anyone because they want me to, particularly when I was on the fence as to which side was 'right' anyway. So I tendered my resignation the other day." He reaches out, trying to pat the D-Bee's upper arm. "I nominated you to take my place. Don't know if they'll go for it, though. But that's my story."

Fizzlesnoot sighs heavily, "I guess I can't blame you. No one's said anything about it here, but there have been fewer workers showing up. Is there somebody I should look to talk to? Eh." He shrugs, "Was too good to be true anyways I suppose."

"No, no. You should try to get the job, my friend. I mean, you're a better businessman than I am to start with. They might not think that you've got the looks for it, so just tell them you'll hire a good looking floor manager. You can do things from behind the scenes, come out and greet high-rollers that you know personally, maybe," Gabriel suggests, trying to help a good friend. "You know the office building south of here that just looks completely out of place in the 'Dregs because it's... nice?"

Fizzlesnoot nods, "Yeah, I've seen it a few times in passing. Never really thought anything of it, nice or otherwise."

"Okay, well, go down there - sometime during the day - and you'll see a secretary. She's apparently the only secretary for the whole building. Be very vague, tell her something like, 'I'm the previous club assistant, I would like to speak to its owners.' See if anything happens." The soldier - who clearly feels much more comfortable as such - nods. "Worst thing that can happen is that they won't see you and tell you to leave. Best thing, you meet with them and successfully plead your case. Expect this, though... they seem to be some kind of shifters, at the very least. I've used three different doors to get to the same room, and one of them was our vault here." He nods toward the massive door with his head. "They're more than that, too. I don't know what, but they're more than that. Just be aware that you're dealing with weird people and organized crime. I'm sure that you can be very convincing."

Fizzlesnoot hmms, "That’s a lot to think about. I never considered myself working for organized crime. On the other hand, it is quite an opportunity. This place could be a regular gold mine, and just to be the one to make it big would be a great feeling. I'm going to have to think about it a bit. If I get sucked in too deep, I don't know if I'll be able to walk away. I'm not really the type to be able to stand my ground if someone wanted to push an issue."

Nodding, Gabriel states, "I can see that. But unlike me, they probably wouldn't think to ask much more of you than to run the club. I don't mean that as a cut, I just can't think of any really special thing that you could do for them other than make money. Of course, I'm sure that you have your secrets." He winks at the rather ugly fellow. "I'm not trying to push you into it, Fizzlesnoot, just trying to give you the best information I can in case you do decide that you want to pursue it. I know that there isn't a very large window, though. Not a lot of time to contemplate it, because they are actually out looking for a pretty face." He then raises an eyebrow, asking - honestly - "Since you and I spent our own money on those giant vid screens, do you think they'd let us keep them?"

Fizzlesnoot shrugs with a bit of a grin, "Well, I don't really see why not, as I haven't picked em up yet. I figured I'd wait till the construction was done so they wouldn't get damaged. Over here." Heading over to the bar where his carpetbag sits atop at the end of it, "I can give you your money back."

Gabriel's eyebrows pop up. "A refund? Great! Maybe I can get the optic mod that I'm hoping for. You're sure about it? I don't want you to get in trouble with a supplier or something. I'm happy to take the hit to keep your good name."

Fizzlesnoot shrugs, "It's just a couple a TV's, not like he won't find someone willing to pay more for em, I was a bit of a cheapskate on him anyways." Rummaging through his bag a bit, he comes out with credits he had received. "Here ya go. No reason you should pay for something you're not using."

Happily accepting a refund, Gabriel tries to get a peek into the bag in a good-natured way. "What do you keep in there, anyway? Pocket to another dimension, where a spry businessman such as yourself can keep your wares?" He grins, then adds, "I know that whatever you decide to do, I'll be seeing you around the city, Fizzlesnoot. I'm happy with the friendship, if nothing else. You're a good guy to be around, and I don't really have many good guys to be around."

Fizzlesnoot gives a good-natured chuckle with a shake of his head, "Just a few odds an ends that might come in handy. Medical stuff, translator, some basic tools, the necessities basically. Want a piece of candy? I got a few hard candies at the bottom. They are pretty good too, butterscotch."

Gabriel laughs. "No, thank you. I've never really been one for sweets like that, but I appreciate the offer. Oh, hey. Do you have a place to live? You could shack up with me until you find a place. Seems the least I could do. Big place, too. Plenty of room for a temporary guest room."

Fizzlesnoot gives a slight shrug, "I've always been fine in my van, it's a bit beat up, but it keeps the wind out. Besides, I couldn't accept without offering some sort of service, or something, in return. I'm a man that likes to pull his own weight. I appreciate the generosity of your hospitality though."

"I understand, I'm the same way," Gabriel concurs. "So if you don't get the job, do you have anything stable lined up?"

Fizzlesnoot nods with a smile, "Oh yeah, I can go back to making outfits for the dancers around town. I was starting to do pretty good with it and always surrounded by pretty ladies. Can't ask much more than that really. Gettin rich woulda been nice, though."

"Eh, money isn't everything," Gabriel waves off. "But it sure is nice! As long as you've got enough to live on without wanting for something, I figure you're doing well. Using 'you' for everyone, not just you specifically. But if you end up doing the clothes... try to make 'em a little classier, okay? No one actually needs to see labia to get their hormones up, right?" Wink.

Fizzlesnoot chuckles, "Way ahead of ya. My designs put the tease, back into striptease. Why give another credit if I can see it already, know what I mean? The girls seem to like it too. Makes em way more money."

"Good, good. Women are supposed to be classy, right?" Gabriel pats the pocket over his heart. "I wonder if Bella's going to be pissed that she doesn't get to be security. Or... I mean, I guess she still could. I'll have to grab that uniform you made and track her down. Maybe she'll make something of herself." He shrugs. "I can only hope, right?"

Fizzlesnoot makes a bit of a wrinkled face look, "Maybe she'll just go away. I'm sorry, I can be nice if I have to, but she killed that poor girl. And she didn't have too, she showed me she could just take little bits so they could still live. I was even ok with that after the initial weirdness of it. Talking to the waitress made it seem ok, even legit in a way. But to let your greed get to you that much, to where a poor girl trying to pay a family debt is just killed for no reason? I can't forgive that. I hope I never have to see her again. I don't want her wanting to taste me and get a likin."

Gabriel sighs and visibly deflates. "Yeah, I know. I just... I hoped that she could somehow salvage her life and find a way to redeem herself. Still, I'll give her the uniform if she comes around. You know I took her and got her a makeover and everything? Have a nice picture of her on my wall. Anyway..." His speech rather rolls off into nothing. "I guess I need to get out of here, see if I can't get my job back at Pro-Tech. Nothing wrong with hard work in between doing something special, right?"

Fizzlesnoot smiles gathering up his things, "Yup. So I guess I'll see ya round the coffee shop then. Good luck on the Pro-Tech thing. I'm gonna at least say my piece with the owners. A job's a job. It would make a great casino." Taking a warm look over the still pretty empty room to just picture it in his head for a moment.

"Sure would be, Fizz. If nothing else, we can walk away with our heads held high that we had a great idea for the place, right?" Gabriel pats his friend's arm again. "Okay, I'm going to get out of here before something tries to eat me. Don't think the Family's going to be watching my back in the 'Dregs anymore. See you around, Fizzlesnoot!" With that, he heads for the door and freedom - in a number of ways.