Jan 18 17:12:14 109 PA - Stop! In the Name of Empty Wallets!
From Chronicles
Jan 18 17:12:14 109 PA.
TRADEWINDS COFFEE SHOP
Gabriel is indoors, an hour after sunup. He has two large rucksacks with him today, in addition to a metal briefcase and the clothes that he's been wearing this winter. Sitting off to the east side, perhaps to catch those morning rays, he has another newspaper, and is cupping a nice warm mug of... what looks to be a transparent, plastic cup of water.
The front door swings open and in walks Bernard, rubbing his hands lightly together as he makes his way up to the counter, placing an order for a cup of coffee and a bagel.
This time, the fellow with the newspaper looks up when the door opens, and watches Bernard head for the counter. However, he doesn't immediately start to wave his hands or call out names. No reason to interrupt another man placing an order. Gabriel keeps his eyes up, but keeps reading his paper, as well.
Bernard gets his coffee and bagel, taking a sip from the drink before looking across the room, offering a slight nod your way as he spots you with bags and water in hand.
Okay, now Gabriel waves. Offers a small, 'you're welcome to sit' wave by using his paper. Sips from his little clear plastic cup.
Bernard makes his way over at the invitation, "Leaving town soon?" he asks, noting the bags. He sets his coffee and his bagel down on the tabletop as he settles in.
Gabriel chuckles. "No, no. Not leaving town, though God knows I'd like to go home. How's it going?" His newspaper is pushed aside, leaving only his beverage to enjoy. "Glad I ran into you, though."
"Ah." Bernard says with a shrug of his shoulders, taking a sip from the coffee, "What were you hoping to see me about?" he asks, curiously.
"Well, I'd like you to hold off your snooping for a little while. I've got a safer way to peek inside, at least to get a general idea of what's there. Still love to see you go in, but if I can give you more information beforehand?" Gabriel shrugs. "You'd probably like it too, huh? No reason to put anyone in more danger than necessary, if it can be abated."
Bernard lifts his brow a bit at that, "Suit yourself." He says with a shrug of his shoulders, lifting the bagel, tearing a chunk from it and popping it into his mouth.
Gabriel chuckles and raises an eyebrow. "What, you'd prefer to go in without more information? Be my guest. I'd love to get your eyes on it."
"No, it's fine. I can use the time for more preparation, though I would have appreciated knowing sooner with how urgent you said it was to look inside, I could have used my past couple days more productively." Bernard replies, popping another bit of bagel into his mouth, "But, feel free to come find me once you've had your friend snoop around."
The other man dips his head. "Yes, I'm sorry to have fired coals under your feet, but I wasn't aware of this until very recently. Safer and less obvious." Gabriel shrugs. "Things are constantly changing in this industry, and you just have to be able to adapt. I'll come find you when I'm done taking a look. One thing you could still do for me, though, would be to thump some of the psi-cola pushers on the head, see if you can't get 'em to cough up their source. I don't know if you're the kind who can pull that off alone, though." As he slows his words, he picks up and adds, "No offense intended. I couldn't walk up and do it myself, that's for damn sure."
"If you want their pushers dead I can do it. If you want some of their stock stolen, that too. If you want to back track their suppliers you're on your own for that." Bernard says, sipping at his coffee.
"Okay. Dead is good," Gabriel approves. "I don't want you to track a supplier. But maybe kill everyone in a group save for one guy, beat the shit out of him and get him to talk?"
"Don't do interrogations." Bernard says simply, "But I can work on picking off your guys for you if you have information on where they are, when they'll be there, and also a discussion on payment options."
Gabriel listens, thinks. "Don't suppose you could grab a guy and teleport him - walk around a table, whatever - somewhere that *I* could speak with him? I do interrogations." It's a hopeful tone.
Bernard shakes his head, "That's not exactly an easy thing to do, especially against the unwilling. And not something I really can do at the moment on top of it." He explains.
"Ah, I see. I guess I'll just have to see what I can find, then come find you again. If you're busy, I understand. Don't expect anyone to wait on me," he sighs. Gabriel then notes, "As for payment options, there are none other than take what you can grab. If you aren't interested in any of this?" A hand is waved. "I get it. Most people are actually thinking that it's a good idea, which by definition puts me in the minority."
"Well, I'm not going to go do assassinations pro bono just because you don't like psi-cola on the streets, no." Bernard replies to that, "I'm still interested in the vampire stuff however assuming I get a share of any loot pulled out."
The fellow from Kentucky smiles and nods as he gets to his feet. "I know, that's pretty much how it goes. Thanks for listening, and sorry for the trouble, Bernard." Gabriel swallows down the rest of his water and starts to gather up all of the handles of his bags and briefcase.
"Well, I'll be waiting to hear back from whatever little jaunt you've got lined up." Bernard comments, sipping at his coffee a little and offering a bit of a wave.
"It's not nearly as interesting as you think it is," Gabriel chuckles. Then he offers a short waves and lugs what is apparently his entire household out into the streets.
