Dec 02 03:07:22 108 PA - Recruiting a Businessman

From Chronicles

Dec 02 03:07:22 108 PA.

TRADEWINDS COFFEE SHOP

Fizzlesnoot is taking a break from the wintry flakes that fall outside, preferring the warmth of the coffee shop and its soothing hot beverages that keep your insides all toasty warm. He sits sipping on coffee where he can see outside and watch the snowflakes fall and blanket those areas that vehicles and pedestrians cannot ruin with their grime and dirt. It's really not that bad of an early morning.

Gabriel enters the shop, quickly closing the door behind himself to keep the heat in, and keep other customers from frowning at him. His head nods politely to people that he probably doesn't know as he makes his way to the counter. His eyes do manage to wander, and notably catch the odd D-Bee, though he still takes a moment to place and order.

Fizzlesnoot is quite easily noticed, just the way he dribbles as he sips on his coffee is enough to make a person stare at times. He doesn't seem to mind, he's tucked a stained handkerchief as a bib into his collar in anticipation for the spillage. The odd little D-bee also is very perceptive, noticing Gabriel as he came up to the front door, giving the man a quick nod and grin as he glances his way before ordering.

The older fellow takes what is miraculously only a single cup of coffee delivered, and walks over to the D-Bee's table. "Hey, Fizzlesnoot. I've been walking around looking for you. Tried the Merchant's Plaza, but I must have just missed you. Would you mind terribly if I interrupted your quiet for a few minutes?" Gabriel looks to make sure there's a chair.

Fizzlesnoot nods happily, motioning to an empty spot and turning to face him more than the outside, "Certainly. I still have a bit before I set up shop, just thought I'd have a bit of warmth before hand. Gonna be a cold day in the market. What can I do for you?"

Gabriel mumbles an appreciation as he slides into a seat across the table, setting his untouched mug on the surface as he does so. "Ah, you're a businessman, obviously. Traveling salesman, or just a shop owner between shops? If you don't mind my prying."

Fizzlesnoot smiles at the interest in his career, "I'm an all around type of salesman, slash, merchant, I suppose. Where ever an opportunity arises to make a credit or two." smiling broadly, "But never taking advantage of the customer." becoming quite serious with that, "Why? What are you looking for?"

"I'm looking for someone who knows how to talk to *other* businessmen," Gabriel says with a smile. Perhaps cryptically, but not too much. "I know someone who is taking advantage of her customers, and in a bad way. Have you been keeping up with the news about the Ivory Lady? Hope for Humanity, all that?"

Fizzlesnoot shakes his head slightly, "Not really, heard some of the rumors and accusations around town, but nothing more than that. I suppose I could talk to them. What kind of business is it?"

"It used to be a strip club. It still is. But they trade in blood now, too. Ask around, they're open about it. Not everyone's really happy with it." Gabriel leans back and cups his mug with his hands for a few moments. "I'm hoping that I could maybe offer you money or services, if you'd be willing to go in and be a little... nosy for me?"

Fizzlesnoot gives a subtle shrug and nod, "I suppose I could poke around. What am I looking for? Anything in particular?" then it hits him, "Blood? I'm not going to be in any danger of getting gobbled up or anything, am I?"

Gabriel shrugs. "No, everyone knows there's blood. Buuut. If there were any chance of getting something of a tour? Maybe be able to draw up a little layout for me? Anything backstage that's interesting?" He smiles and laughs, then lowers his voice. "Hell, anything about security would be useful. I can pay you for it, if you'd like. I can't tell you that there wouldn't be danger, but unless you really do something dumb, I doubt there'd be a problem."

Fizzlesnoot sips his coffee considering the proposition. It doesn't take long before he looks to Gabriel with a broad smile, "Sure thing. I'll go see what I can find out, it's been awhile since I've been able to enjoy some carnal pleasures. We'll see what they have to offer." then looks as if he's thinking of something again and looks again to Gabriel, "I could use some hanging around money, I'm kind of short this week after restocking from my Arcadian trip. Not much, a few credits should float me through for drinks and tip money if ya know what I mean." giving that college guy look of innuendo.

Gabriel smirks and takes out an ancient black leather wallet. Though there are a number of items that flash briefly as he opens it up, the cash is the important part. "Here you go. Drinks, tits, ass and enough left over to rent one for a night at Happy Days. Everything you can find out about the building, the personnel, and how it's run on a day to day basis. Walls, schedules, interesting people... this about do it?" Two-hundred and fifty credits slide across the table half-beneath his saucer. That's the polite way to exchange money.

Fizzlesnoot grins as he slides the money from under his saucer into his jacket as it it was never there. "I'll find something out, if nothing more than work schedules and outer layout, but we'll see what secrets I can dig up. Speaking of digging things up, have you heard of the old lady that died in the museum? That part isn't so important, but she had a map or picture of Kingsdale on a piece of leather that someone purchased, if you hear about it on the street, I'd really like to know who picked that little piece of art up. Someone from the snooty part of town picked it up I believe, out there by the River walk."

Gabriel leans back, smiling and obviously assuming the deal is made - not bothering to shake on it. "Well? Who's out here. It's an armory, an adventure shop and a spa, right? Or someone at the rich folks' place? I know that Sage works out there, that's her spa. Haven't really run into her lately though, myself." He shrugs, adding, "Even among friends, business can separate, right? I'd try her, but only because she's the only person I actually know personally out that direction. If the armory'd picked it up, they'd probably have sold it by now. I'm not quite sure." He pauses to sip, then asks, "Just passing interest in a dead old woman, or is there more to it? Like something that slides under saucers?" Gabriel grins a tad at the reference.

Fizzlesnoot rocks his head back and forth, "Not really sure yet, but there is something there. Whether it can be slid under a saucer or not is still hard to say. The dying woman's words had something to do with those that help her family will receive a reward. Not really sure what that means from all that has been discovered so far. I just know I need to find the picture to find out. I'll try and find this Sage woman and see if she's heard of it. You said she ran a business out there or lived out there?"

"Yeah, it's called 'Sage Alternatives.' Little play on words, I suppose," Gabriel says in between sips of thick and creamy mocha. "I think it's squished right between the armory and the adventure shop. Um.. 'AAA Arms' and 'Jelani's,' I think are the names." He smirks, "I don't really have much time to adventure like that, and the Gunnery seems to have a better reputation."

Fizzlesnoot nods in agreement, "I've heard the same about the Gunnery. Not much of a weapons guy though. I like the rarities in the world, and this old lady thing seems to fit in that genre for now. Could just be nothing. Reward or not, I'd like to help out cause I've found out the woman's family were taken as slaves. I can't stand slavers, there is just too much technology to need slavery anymore."

Gabriel nods, listening. "No, no. We had a bit of a slave problem ourselves. Killed ourselves over it, even. Well, technically it was about the economy and social issues, but the point is that it was a slavery-ending war. A good thing, all told. Technology? It's good, but if you have enough slaves, it's still cheaper. Where do you think the woman's from? Or is it too early to call?" He bounces his mug on the table. "You found something else that she owned?"

Fizzlesnoot nods affirmatively, "Yes. I think they both work together to find her family somehow. I know the one item ain't going anywhere, so just need to find the other. Unless," he pauses a moment, "Unless the walking stick is cursed and can seek someone of like personality on its own. In that case it may not stay with the current possessor for long. Again, all speculation."

Gabriel's eyes go wide. "Wow. Hadn't thought of that one, but this world's still pretty, well... I'd have to use a rather foul descriptor to accurately make my feelings clear on the subject. Didn't someone write a book like that? Something hopped around to find its owner?" He waves it off. "Nah. The... stick? Stick's probably just a walking stick... praise be to God if it's only a walking stick." He shakes his head, obviously perturbed at the world, if only for a moment.

Fizzlesnoot shakes his head, "Well according to the psychics, there is something living in the stick. So makes me think it can walk on its own somehow."

"Oh? Have you tried throwing it like a javelin yet? I can teach you how to do that; taught a woman named Erica about it. Olympic sport, mostly, but along the lines of throwing spears." Gabriel looks across the table. "Just drop it in the dirt, set up a lawn chair and wait to see if it does anything?"

Fizzlesnoot chuckles, "Oh, you're just poking fun now, but if it weren't so cold, I might just do that. What else do you know how to throw? I'm more into knives for throwing, but tossing a few spears might be fun too."

"I have knives, sure. You know the movies have totally misinformed the public." Gabriel leans forward, pushing his mug aside and drawing his long, strange blade. Almost like a stiletto, really. It's placed on the table, parallel with its length. "They show when a guy throws a knife, it spins 'round and 'round and 'round on its axis, then sticks in something. No, no way." He shakes his head thoroughly, and obviously knowledgeably. "That's exactly what you *DON'T* want to happen! Ideally, it doesn't rotate at all. Makes sense, right? I mean, when would you *NOT* want the point to be toward your target?" He spins the blade around a few times, making its markings sparkle in the light of the shop.

Fizzlesnoot watches with interest, his eyes going from the knife, to Gabriel, to the knife, back to Gabriel as the man explains the proper knife throwing techniques. "Would love to learn from you sometime, when you're free for something like that of course." looking to his pocket watch a moment, "Oh the time, I need to get back to my van, so I can set up for the day. Have to catch those early risers." grinning happily.

"Yes, those insane risers," Gabriel agrees. "Just be make sure to ah... spend the money wisely, too."

Fizzlesnoot nods as he heads off, "Talk to you soon."