Jun 18 05:21:47 108 PA - Teaching a Guy How to Have a Good Time

From Chronicles

Jun 18 05:21:47 108 PA.

THE ALIBI

The Alibi is a fairly easy place to be tonight. Not crowded, but not empty, either. Really a good population, and a good split demographic on top of everything. There's a band up on stage playing what qualifies in this time and place as "smooth jazz." A photograph of Michael Bolton sits off to the side, apparently their muse, thankfully someone they never actually heard. Gabriel is up near the counter, sitting on a stool. Casual clothes, nothing dressy, but appropriate for the place. Instead of a bottle, he's holding a low cylindrical glass in his hand, a glass that contains a slightly red-tinged brown liquid.

Galvin walks into the Alibi dressed in his usual overalls, but this pair seems clean and doesn't have any oil stains on them. He makes his way through security after pulling out a few metal tools that he keeps on himself. After passing through security he makes his way to the bar. Spotting Gabriel he manages to head near the other man. "Hi there Gabriel." He mentions while he tries to catch the attention of the bartender.

"Galvin! Hey, I'm buying. Really got dressed up for the occasion?" Gabriel asks with a wary eye. "Surprised they wanted your gear like that. No doubt people in here could pick me up and throw me around by thinking about it, right? Strange double-standard." The man eases himself back closer to the counter, leaning on his right elbow.

Galvin shrugs his shoulders briefly. "Well I don't have any other clothes just t-shirts, jeans, and overalls. I haven't bought anything else since I had to flee to Kingsdale. I think they were just making sure that I wasn't carrying any weapons." He nods towards the bartender as he gets a pint of beer. "So how are you doing?"

Gabriel shrugs a low shrug. "Oh, not to bring you down or anything, but I'm a bit down myself right now. Let down a good friend. Just hope that she understands why I'm doing it." He looks to Galvin, not apparently feeling a need to become less cryptic. "One-off job, I need to learn how Bart's group works. I'm on for pesk removal with 'em, nothing more. But.. I probably didn't pick my words right, or the time and place. Thus -" the older man raises his glass "- brandy, not soda."

"Well I hope you both make up. It sucks when you piss off a friend." Galvin mentions before taking a sip from his pint of beer after the head dies down. "Well I am not really that into Bart's little group either, but he hasn't really done much to give me an loyalty to him. If you want to work with him I'm not going to judge, but it seems kind of iffy to me."

"I hope so too. Friends are hard enough to come by, then you shove it into this world? Man, that's bad. But you know what?" Gabriel turns to make eye contact with Galvin. "What sucks far more is when you let down someone you love. That hurts more than you can know. Well, I guess I shouldn't say that. I don't know what you know. Still. It doesn't happen very often, but when it does? One of the worst feelings in the world." He pauses to sip some brandy. "The job right now is to see how he and his little group work. They might be a flash in the pan that's going to fall apart. They may be a good template for a similar group that has its priorities straight. Intelligence gathering, but as I said, poorly worded."

"Well you seem to think that you are at fault for what made your friend mad. If you did that then maybe you should consider the feelings of your friends more when you make decisions." Galvin says with a slight frown and a shake of his head. He takes a long pull from his beer. "Well good luck with them. I'll see how that trip to Tolkeen works out, but I am pretty nervous about it. I don't like having my info restricted."

Gabriel nods at Galvin's sage advice, but then allows the matter to drop. A conversation for another time, when fun isn't supposed to be foremost. "What do you mean about restricted info? You're driving them up, but they haven't told you what, where or why you're going?"

"Yes pretty much. Even though I have asked a couple of times what we are delivering. I don't like working in the dark." Galvin says after taking another sip of his beer. "It seems kind of shady to me. I don't want to go around breaking laws."

The older man chuckles morbidly and shrugs. "I don't know if this helps any, but Bart babbled and said that he's running up food and medicine. Could be totally untrue, but that's what he said. Maybe he's a truly arrogant bastard and talked with another soldier because he thinks that a greasemonkey's beneath it. Eh, I don't know. For what it's worth, that's what he said. But yeah, it seems like a purely humanitarian mission wouldn't have to go on the sly." Gabriel sips and adds, "Be careful, my friend. You want me to lend you a better weapon than that ion blaster? Or at least, a second one? A Blinder? Those are great fun."

"Bart is loaning me a particle beam weapon. I can't use rifles really, but heavy weapons are another manner. What I like doing during fights is disable other people's weapons that way I don't get shot. Works better when your enemies can't shoot at you." Galvin says with a wry grin and a chuckle. "I don't think it is purely humanitarian. I think we are carrying something illegal or some weapon. Which makes me even more nervous."

"Oh. Well sure if you can take away the other guy's bullets, then all you have to worry about is his bayonet. And probably the trench knife in his belt. Maybe a grenade... but I suppose that energy is more common today, right?" Gabriel asks as his smirks at himself. "I'll talk with Bella, she's a close friend of mine, long before she even knew that Bart existed, and the other way around. I won't promise anything, but I'd imagine that if she knows what's being hauled, she'd tell me. Then maybe someone accidentally drops a note on your desk and you decide not to go. Of course, if you'd rather I keep my nose out of it, I will." His attention is grabbed optically and he points with his glass. "Hey, beautiful girl over there, looks to be your age, looks to be human, if that's your pure preference. Short, dark hair, ruby red lips and a flowing dress? Yeah."

"Well luckily I can put up a force field, and don't have to worry too much about getting my armor damaged. I'll be driving Bart's truck. I am not sure how it will work out, but we will see." Galvin shrugs again and then takes a long pull from his beer. "I just don't want to break laws or deliver some crazy weapon or whatnot." He turns to look over his shoulder to look at the girl that Gabriel points out. "Yah she is cute. Looks a little out of my league though."

Gabriel whaps Galvin on the shoulder. "The only women who are out of a man's league are the ones who he doesn't think are in his league. Power of positive thinking, tenacity, audacity, and knowing that she's looking at you just as much as you're looking at her. Of course, this usually only applies to getting laid, not a long term relationship. Or at least, so I've heard." He chuckles loudly. "Sure as hell saw a lot of my comrades do it right here and overseas. C'mon, go introduce yourself, put your best foot forward and explain to her why yes, she wants to come over and sit with you."

Galvin rolls his eyes while he shakes his head. "Yah well I don't have any power of positive thinking. And she isn't looking at me she is just having a good time at the club." He says with some dry humor before he finishes off his beer and gestures to the bartender for another one. "No I am not here to entertain your ideas of being a match maker. I'm not going to hit on some random woman at a bar."

"One of these days, Galvin, one of these days. You'll come looking like a Kentucky hound dog, big jowls dripping, tail wagging, tong lolling out..." Gabriel allows his silly statement to trail off. "Okay, so you're not here for the women. How about that band," he says, pointing to the stage. "Not exactly 'Jailhouse Rock' but it's not bad. What'll you do if you find that Bart *is* trying to drag something illegal into Tolkeen?" Okay, a wild change of subject, anyone involved could pick one.

"The band isn't bad. I like jazz sometimes. It is good lounge music." Galvin says while nodding to the bartender as he gets a new pint of beer. "I mean the women around here look great, but I am not the type of guy to pick up women at bars." He takes a sip from the beer after the head fades down. "I would walk away from the job. I don't want to be responsible for doing something like that."

Gabriel pulls his glass from his mouth, chuckling. "Well, Galvin, the only two women I've ever met that meant anything to me were not met anywhere close to a bar. No other women, either. Just the two. I was just trying to prod you into a larger social life is all. But yeah, beyond being responsible you have to look after your own hide. Can't keep doing good if you're dead. The Tolkeenites are really starting to pick it up, aren't they? Could be some real shit."

"Yah I figure I'll meet a woman when I meet a woman. There is no rush on this. Who knows I might meet someone one day." Galvin chuckles and then shakes his head. "Not many women are interested in a tech geek when there are all the buff mercs running around." He pauses to take a sip from his drink. "I think the war is coming to a head. The CS have lost a lot of troops. It will end one way or another soon."

Gabriel is up at the counter seated on a stool with a glass in his hand, Galvin sitting next to him. They are a bit of a picture in opposites, though. Gabriel in some very casual but classy clothes, Galvin in some very nicely threaded overalls. A band is currently up on stage playing "smooth jazz" beneath a photograph of an ancient master musician known as Michael Bolton. The club itself is loosely populated, a pleasant mix of genders and species. As he waves the bartender for a refill of whatever it is that's in his glass, he comments, "Wars never end. They just move on. The only people who think that wars end are politicians, because they declare the end, and historians, who record it. Wars never end."

"I think there was a famous quote from somewhere. "War never changes." I think that was from a video game though." Galvin chuckles to himself and then takes a long pull from his pint glass. "So what about you? What work are you doing? You said something about taking out pests. Are you capturing rats now?"

The older fellow chuckles. "Catching rats? Sure, why not. If it paid the bills, I'd catch rats. Not like I'm above doing it or something. Although in the Great Depression, it started when I was only ten, and I had to quit school to get a job - found one at the local dump. Man gave me a .22 Henry repeater and told me to keep the rat population down." Gabriel pokes a finger in Galvin's direction, saying, "Possibly why I'm a decent shot today. Learning early and everything. Are you trying to come up with 'War never ends, it only pales, reddens, blackens, and lightens again?'" Then a split grin. "I also read this one, 'Wars come and go, but my soldiers stay eternal.' Some black guy named Tupac."

"Well that works. A good job for a kid or a cat I guess." Galvin replies with a bit of a laugh. "I spent my youth working with my dad fixing stuff. I guess that might be why I'm good at what I do. Well I think the CS and Tolkeen war should end soon. I guess that also means Quebec and CS will end. Just have to wait and see what war starts next."

"From what I've heard, people expect that after those two wars 'end,' Prosek might turn his eye here to Kingsdale. Of course, I think that if his pro-humanity shit truly is meaningful, he'd hit the Federation of Magic first. That's what I'd do if I were him. A lot more powerful an enemy to him than one lone city." Gabriel shrugs and sips at his newly-poured brandy. "I mean, who else, Pecos? They don't seem to be anything more than a thorn in the side of Lone Star, admittedly a satellite state of the CS, but still nothing more than a pain in the ass. But who knows? Federation of Magic. that's the advice I'd give."

"The Federation of Magic is pretty hard to attack. I mean their cities are well hidden. Also they are spread pretty thin about. Or Prosek might decide to start another two wars attack both Kingsdale and the Federation." Galvin scowls a bit and takes a long drink from his pint glass. "Heck I might have to flee out to the Colorado Baronies."

Gabriel shakes his head. "I think he overextended himself because he thought that Tolkeen was going to be rolled over in less than a year. Ended up fighting on two fronts. He's a son-of-a-bitch, but he's bright. The kid, too. Seems to surround himself with intelligent military men up in the higher echelons. No. I don't think he'll open a two front war again. It'll either be here at Kingsdale, or over there, at the Federation." He sips and shrugs. "Not that I'm wise to all things these days, but if he really is pro-human, anti- everything else, and consolidating a safe seat of power for humanity? He'd hit the Federation. If not? He'd be a fucking idiot."

"I guess we will just have to wait, and see what happens with the propaganda. That will usually point to who they will attack next." Galvin says with a bit of a dark tone before he takes a long drink from his pint glass, finishing off the beer. "I am sure that the Federation is on the list for sure. Oh well lets talk about something that isn't war."

Chuckles flow from Gabriel's lips. "Okay, okay. Let me tell you about my religious faith. Okay, no I'm kidding. Tell me more about this shop you're opening."

Galvin laughs himself as he shakes his head. "Your religion huh?" He takes a quick sip of his beer before speaking again. "My shop well not a lot to tell. It is another garage on a landing strip packed full of garages. I mean what do you want to know about it?"

"You sign papers for it yet? Zoning laws? 'Protection?' They must still have that these days. It's not as easy as propping up walls. Seriously. Sure, everyone thinks of the wiring, but people forget about the little things... like being sure that you can take a shit and when you flush, it goes away," Gabriel ends with a grin. "I don't envy you. I've been involved in building, and even though it was for a good cause, or causes, plural, it was always a bitch of a thing to do. File everything with the city? Mechanic's union? There's always shit to do that you never think of. Politics, power and money are usually the trio."

"Yah I'm signed most of the what not for it. There really isn't a lot of zoning laws around the landing strip. Just industrial park and what not. I can't afford any protection. I am already massively in debt." Galvin says answering Gabriel's questions with a roll of his eyes.

Gabriel wonders. "At least it was a debt of your own choosing, Galvin. Some people have little to no say in their finances. In fact, most people are that way. An uncomfortable way to life." He swallows the rest of his drink, but then asks, "Seriously. Protection? You know, *protection*? There is no Mob anymore? The Black Market hasn't filled in that niche?"

"There are enough gangs in town that I am sure some of them will try to get protection money out of me. I'll just have to burn that bridge when I come to it." Galvin says with a shrug and a frown. "The Black Market will likely want their cut as well. I'll just have to see what happens."

"Nothing's free, as they say. Which is a fucking stupid statement. Love is free. That's about it. So, what kind of truck does Bart have, anyway? Big Mountaineer beast like yours, but on hoverpads? Or whatever they're called." Gabriel pauses... then waves in another glass of brandy. "Which route are you taking? Just burn rubber - figuratively speaking - almost due north?"

"He has a hover truck. A Triax model used for hauling cargo and what not. Doesn't have much in the way of weapons." Galvin says in between sips on his beer. "I think we are going to go west enough to go around the front lines and then head to Tolkeen in a round about manner. Hopefully it will work out."

"Yeah. Can't expect to ride over the Coalition lines to deliver 'food and medicine' to Tolkeen. I don't think that Prosek's forces would look kindly up on that. Puttin' yourself in a whole helluva lot of trouble, Galvin. Hope they're paying you well. Valeriya doesn't strike me as the kind of woman who'd risk her life unless there was something *seriously* in it for her. Huge cash payout, incredible new weapon, whatever. Why I want to see how the hell she and Bella and Bart think they work together. It's fishy." Gabriel looks at his half-full glass, swirls it around a few times, then sets it on the counter, pushing it more distantly away. "That's probably enough of battering my liver with apologies."

"I already told you what they are paying me. Five grand, so it isn't that great of pay. Specially if we are hauling something bad. I don't really know Valeriya, so I can't tell you much. I don't know a lot of people. Just you." Galvin says with another shrug before finishing off his beer and looking towards the bartender for a refill. "Who knows, maybe they are all just using me."

Gabriel claps the man on the shoulder again. "Hey, I'm a good guy to know. Might not be able to actually do much, but I'll always listen. Maybe you should tap Bart on the shoulder, tell him that you've been listening to the word out of the Tolkeen Front, and if he wants your driving skills, he doubles, triples, quadruples your pay. You *know* that the three of them are going to be getting more than five grand." He pauses and asks Galvin somewhat suspiciously or at least curiously, "Bella.. she is going with you, right?"

"Well all I am doing is driving. I won't be doing any fighting if I can help it." Galvin says with a laugh. "I'll try to keep out of the fighting, and let the pros deal with all that. I don't know if Bella is going or not. I don't really know who is going. I guess I should ask more questions. Sides maybe we can happen upon some good salvage."

More chuckles. "Yeah, you need to ask questions. Lots of questions. An annoying amount of questions, unless you're undercover, then you have to ask just the right amount of questions, but they have to be high quality questions. I've done this for a long time, you know," Gabriel calls for one of his sodas. "You know how far from the Front they intend to stop? How large or heavy the cargo is?"

"Well I am new at this. I don't know what questions to ask." Galvin grabs his new pint of beer and takes a long sip from it. "I'm guessing we will play it by ear. Go around enough to the west then come in to Tolkeen from the north west or so. I'm not sure how many kilometers it is."

"I can tell you that if this shithole really is built on West Plains, and Tolkeen really is built on Minneapolis, you're looking about five and three-quarters, just straight line as-the-crow flies." Gabriel sips at his typical soda that has at this point been delivered. "Much better. I enjoy brandy now and then, but soda's much better. Anyway, unless my geography is totally fucked, you'll have nice flat fields to run through, shouldn't be much in the way of vegetation to stop you until you hit Minnesota itself. Then you'll hit forests that might give a big vehicle troubles." After a brief pause, "Of course, flat and open has its own drawbacks. You're easy to see. Plus, you need to cross the Missouri and the Mississippi, although I guess that a hover truck won't have any problem with that."