Logs:The Informant: Difference between revisions
No edit summary |
No edit summary |
||
(4 intermediate revisions by the same user not shown) | |||
Line 8: | Line 8: | ||
Like a slow tilt towards the inevitable, word had gotten out, and word was that a certain someone with certain information was here, loitering around one of the gambling dens propped up by the Mafia, and that the time to catch find them would be now. Of course it's raining. A signless entrance leads into a traditional Italian cuisine shop, and the smoke-filled basement is where the cards and chips fall, as one would say, as they may. | Like a slow tilt towards the inevitable, word had gotten out, and word was that a certain someone with certain information was here, loitering around one of the gambling dens propped up by the Mafia, and that the time to catch find them would be now. Of course it's raining. A signless entrance leads into a traditional Italian cuisine shop, and the smoke-filled basement is where the cards and chips fall, as one would say, as they may. | ||
Line 58: | Line 58: | ||
'''Vasha''' of rs a pleased smile, of ring another of his chips to the hostess. "If you are serving, I would like a bourbon cocktail. Kentucky bourbon, pre rably. Lemon sour for my beauty. And I believe she has chosen our table." '''Vasha''' tilts his head '''Layla''''s way at the question. Though in her head she can hear him clearly, 'Two mayoral aides. The closer to the door the bigger the fish.' "Of course, darling. Lead the way." | '''Vasha''' of rs a pleased smile, of ring another of his chips to the hostess. "If you are serving, I would like a bourbon cocktail. Kentucky bourbon, pre rably. Lemon sour for my beauty. And I believe she has chosen our table." '''Vasha''' tilts his head '''Layla''''s way at the question. Though in her head she can hear him clearly, 'Two mayoral aides. The closer to the door the bigger the fish.' "Of course, darling. Lead the way." | ||
The sweating, chugging man isn't the only one vexed at the table. The stack of chips is inordinately high in front of one patron in particular, a weasel-faced man, | The sweating, chugging man isn't the only one vexed at the table. The stack of chips is inordinately high in front of one patron in particular, a weasel-faced man, tray in the hair and long in the tooth, leaning back with a shit-eating grin on his face. Around him, several patrons look miserable, their chip stacks exceedingly low. There are enough open chairs for the party to sit down, and buy in if they wish to play, but for now, the game is still in the middle of a round, though it nears the close, much, apparently, to the weasel-faced man's delight. | ||
"What'll it be, then?" Weasel-face jibes at Sweaty. "You got that pair, maybe?" He cackles, and Sweaty chugs. | "What'll it be, then?" Weasel-face jibes at Sweaty. "You got that pair, maybe?" He cackles, and Sweaty chugs. | ||
Line 65: | Line 65: | ||
"Grazie," murmurs the '''Thin Man''' in response to the hostess's greeting. His eyes fix on the nervous man, remembering the detail that it's a man trading information for protection that he's here to meet. There's seats open, and it's to one of these that he moves, settling into the seat without a word, watching the game silently, as if he can see something in each man's hand that might be eluding even their owners. | "Grazie," murmurs the '''Thin Man''' in response to the hostess's greeting. His eyes fix on the nervous man, remembering the detail that it's a man trading information for protection that he's here to meet. There's seats open, and it's to one of these that he moves, settling into the seat without a word, watching the game silently, as if he can see something in each man's hand that might be eluding even their owners. | ||
'''Vasha''' leans in to press a kiss to '''Layla''''s cheek before stepping away so that he can set his | '''Vasha''' leans in to press a kiss to '''Layla''''s cheek before stepping away so that he can set his tray of chips down and pull out a chair for '''Layla''' and then for himself. He unbuttons his suit jacket as he settles into his chair, watching the state of play with casual disinterest. He reclines in his seat and begins fiddling with the jeweled ring on his left pinky finger, its many gemstones glinting in even the miserable light of a gambling den. He doesn't interrupt the hand, gentleman that he is pretending to be. | ||
'''Ellie''' beams at '''Vasily''' when he agrees to go where she said, and then quietly joins him when they head that direction. 'The nervous man seems like the sort we might be looking for' she thinks at him through their connection. When they get there she takes her seat, crosses her legs, and smiles at everyone around the table. "Oooh, it looks like someone is having a good night," she remarks when her eyes hit the stack of chips. Jokingly, like she's saying it for the benefit of everyone at the table and their amusement, she says to '''Vasily''', "darling, I want that stack of chips. Will you win it for me?" | '''Ellie''' beams at '''Vasily''' when he agrees to go where she said, and then quietly joins him when they head that direction. 'The nervous man seems like the sort we might be looking for' she thinks at him through their connection. When they get there she takes her seat, crosses her legs, and smiles at everyone around the table. "Oooh, it looks like someone is having a good night," she remarks when her eyes hit the stack of chips. Jokingly, like she's saying it for the benefit of everyone at the table and their amusement, she says to '''Vasily''', "darling, I want that stack of chips. Will you win it for me?" | ||
Line 139: | Line 139: | ||
The '''Thin Man''' simply nods and moves to stand. "Thank you for being concise, Miss. I'll convey your refusal to my employers. Do have a good night." Barring further intervention, he turns and walks back up the stairs out of the room. | The '''Thin Man''' simply nods and moves to stand. "Thank you for being concise, Miss. I'll convey your refusal to my employers. Do have a good night." Barring further intervention, he turns and walks back up the stairs out of the room. | ||
"Look," '''Ray''' says in a low voice, leaning forward while she manhandles the deck of cards in her criminally light touch, flicking downward facing cards to each of them in turn. "This isn't just an in station. Okay? They're working on something. I don't know what. But this isn't the end game. I'm pretty sure it's the beginning." | |||
"Ms. Clearwater, please," '''Ellie''' says in as soothing a voice as she can manage, in the circumstances. Soothing isn't her strongest suit. "I'm interested in helping be sure you don't end up back there. Can you relax, deal, and we can talk without the threats, while we play?" She shoots a glance toward the door with that, and the departing '''Thin Man'''. | "Ms. Clearwater, please," '''Ellie''' says in as soothing a voice as she can manage, in the circumstances. Soothing isn't her strongest suit. "I'm interested in helping be sure you don't end up back there. Can you relax, deal, and we can talk without the threats, while we play?" She shoots a glance toward the door with that, and the departing '''Thin Man'''. | ||
Line 160: | Line 160: | ||
'''Nevy''' picks up their hand, glancing around. "What were the drinks you asked Gianni for?" They say, sounding hesitant. | '''Nevy''' picks up their hand, glancing around. "What were the drinks you asked Gianni for?" They say, sounding hesitant. | ||
Like, right on time, a pretty nervous looking server brings over a | Like, right on time, a pretty nervous looking server brings over a tray''' of their drinks, for those who ordered, and sets them down, then scurries away. | ||
"Bourbon cocktail and a lemon drop," '''Vasha''' answers '''Nevy''' truthfully. He reaches for his amber colored beverage, swirls it with the orange peel, and settles once more back into his seat. 'Did you get what we need? Location, details, what she knows? The staff are getting nervous, and the high rollers are leaving. Which suggests they're either closing up shop or are about to fill the room with lead.' | "Bourbon cocktail and a lemon drop," '''Vasha''' answers '''Nevy''' truthfully. He reaches for his amber colored beverage, swirls it with the orange peel, and settles once more back into his seat. 'Did you get what we need? Location, details, what she knows? The staff are getting nervous, and the high rollers are leaving. Which suggests they're either closing up shop or are about to fill the room with lead.' | ||
Line 173: | Line 173: | ||
'''Nevy''' winces. "That's horrible. I understand why you're afraid. I'm sorry that happened to you." | '''Nevy''' winces. "That's horrible. I understand why you're afraid. I'm sorry that happened to you." | ||
"That was Centralia. There was a coal mine fire under the town, they condemned the whole thing. You were taken to Centralia." '''Vasily''' finishes off his cigarette and exhales with a bit of a hiss, snubbing the cigarette out in the ash | "That was Centralia. There was a coal mine fire under the town, they condemned the whole thing. You were taken to Centralia." '''Vasily''' finishes off his cigarette and exhales with a bit of a hiss, snubbing the cigarette out in the ash tray. "Rachel," and he goes for her full name, "since you are a betting women, an intelligent woman, and a woman very much in the know about matters beyond the reach of most... I would like to make a bet with you." At last he takes a sip of his cocktail, rattling the ice a bit. "Deal out four hands and the river. Face down. If we can guess each card, you come with us. You come under our care. We take care of you. You provide us with the information we need. Everything you can remember. Gianni already emptied the room. Merlino's friends are fading into the night like spooked roaches. You're despairing out of-- forgive me --ignorance. Just because you don't know what can help you doesn't mean it's not sitting across the table from you." He gestures to the three remaining parties. "You have nothing to lose. By your own admission, your present company can't save you." | ||
To '''Layla''' he thinks, 'We probably have enough now to reconnoiter with scrying windows. Centralia is remote enough we can bottle off the whole network, turn them back in on themselves. But you've been in her head, so you'd have a better idea than myself. Do what you think is best. I'd like to convince her to come with us. She'd be a tremendous asset in a Labyrinth.' | To '''Layla''' he thinks, 'We probably have enough now to reconnoiter with scrying windows. Centralia is remote enough we can bottle off the whole network, turn them back in on themselves. But you've been in her head, so you'd have a better idea than myself. Do what you think is best. I'd like to convince her to come with us. She'd be a tremendous asset in a Labyrinth.' | ||
Line 190: | Line 190: | ||
"People. I saw people," she confirms as she starts to slide the cards out to them. | "People. I saw people," she confirms as she starts to slide the cards out to them. | ||
'''Vasily''' watches the dealing impassively, tilting his glass for another ice rattling sip. 'If you want to blow her mind, you may. Or you can | '''Vasily''' watches the dealing impassively, tilting his glass for another ice rattling sip. 'If you want to blow her mind, you may. Or you can feed me the cards and I'll do it.' | ||
'Oh, I'll just | 'Oh, I'll just feed you the cards. I'd like to see how you work'. '''Layla''' leans back with her drink, but she doesn't sip it. She just makes it look like she will. Relaxed, unconcerned, curious. She looks over at Nevermore and flashes a smile. | ||
She deals the flop and the turn: jack of spades, 4 of clubs, ace of clubs and 6 of diamonds. | She deals the flop and the turn: jack of spades, 4 of clubs, ace of clubs and 6 of diamonds. | ||
Line 204: | Line 204: | ||
And as every card is dealt out, '''Layla''' just eds to '''Vasily''' what they all are. 'For you, my friend: 7 of hearts, 10 of spades. '''Madeline''' has the 8 ofhearts and 7 of diamonds. For me, 7 of clubs, queen of clubs. For '''Ray''', ace of spades, 7 of spades.' | And as every card is dealt out, '''Layla''' just eds to '''Vasily''' what they all are. 'For you, my friend: 7 of hearts, 10 of spades. '''Madeline''' has the 8 ofhearts and 7 of diamonds. For me, 7 of clubs, queen of clubs. For '''Ray''', ace of spades, 7 of spades.' | ||
Meanwhile, somewhere that is definitely not definitely is right here, the '''Thin Man''' nods sagely to himself and thinks, "oh, yeah, actually, that makes a lot of sense in context." | |||
'I thought you'd say that,' '''Vasily''''s thoughts come with a hint of amusement. He carefully sets his glass down and points to his face down cards. "Seven of Hearts. Ten of Spades." He begins twisting that pinky ring of his again as he carefully uncrosses and recrosses his legs, shifting his weight in his chair. "If you were hoping to pick up a full house off your Ace Seven, Rachel, I'm afraid you'll be in some trouble there. Because '''Madeline''' and Isabelle have the Diamond and the Club to your Spade and my Heart. '''Madeline''' has also ruined my straight flush option with that Eight of Hearts she's holding. But true to the Atariya's luck, you've got a pair of aces. Well done. You could deal the Ace of the bottom of the deck to seal the deal. That would impress me." | 'I thought you'd say that,' '''Vasily''''s thoughts come with a hint of amusement. He carefully sets his glass down and points to his face down cards. "Seven of Hearts. Ten of Spades." He begins twisting that pinky ring of his again as he carefully uncrosses and recrosses his legs, shifting his weight in his chair. "If you were hoping to pick up a full house off your Ace Seven, Rachel, I'm afraid you'll be in some trouble there. Because '''Madeline''' and Isabelle have the Diamond and the Club to your Spade and my Heart. '''Madeline''' has also ruined my straight flush option with that Eight of Hearts she's holding. But true to the Atariya's luck, you've got a pair of aces. Well done. You could deal the Ace of the bottom of the deck to seal the deal. That would impress me." | ||
Line 221: | Line 221: | ||
'''Ray''' studies the tarots as '''Madeline''' lays them out, and eyes the cards, and gives the woman a skeptical sideways look, but to '''Vasily''', she relents. "Alright. I will come with you. But I'm not going back there. Not even close," she affirms. | '''Ray''' studies the tarots as '''Madeline''' lays them out, and eyes the cards, and gives the woman a skeptical sideways look, but to '''Vasily''', she relents. "Alright. I will come with you. But I'm not going back there. Not even close," she affirms. | ||
'''Vasha''' plucks up his glass once he's on his et, collects his cigarette butt and drops it into the glass, then claims his two cards, sliding them into his pocket. He then upends his chip | '''Vasha''' plucks up his glass once he's on his et, collects his cigarette butt and drops it into the glass, then claims his two cards, sliding them into his pocket. He then upends his chip tray onto the table, reaches into his breast pocket and pulls out another wrap of hundreds, and places it onto the pile in the middle of the table. "Apologies to the house," since their presence seems to have killed the game and piked the night's revenue. A little ' el better' cash will go some distance to mollifying the mob. "But I'm keeping the chip tray as a memento." And because it has his prints. He sets his glass onto the tray, turns about, and begins ambling for the exit, "Grab your coat, Rachel, I have the AC on in the limo." | ||
'''Ellie''' picks up her own glass once she's on her et, and the one card that she picked up and turned just a w moments before -- the things in the room that she touched herself -- and then turns to give Nevermore a smile and a tip of her head. "Ms. '''Madeline'''. Give my regards to Roderick." And then she heads for the exit too. She doesn't look to see '''Ray''' is following or anyone else is, but only because she can see behind her. | '''Ellie''' picks up her own glass once she's on her et, and the one card that she picked up and turned just a w moments before -- the things in the room that she touched herself -- and then turns to give Nevermore a smile and a tip of her head. "Ms. '''Madeline'''. Give my regards to Roderick." And then she heads for the exit too. She doesn't look to see '''Ray''' is following or anyone else is, but only because she can see behind her. | ||
Line 228: | Line 228: | ||
With minimal muss or fuss, '''Ray''' snags her coat from where it hangs on the back of her chair and rises, filling her pockets with chips. She does seem a bit curious as to why no one stops them on their way out, so peculiar is the notion of her leaving with strangers, given the circumstances, but, so it is. | With minimal muss or fuss, '''Ray''' snags her coat from where it hangs on the back of her chair and rises, filling her pockets with chips. She does seem a bit curious as to why no one stops them on their way out, so peculiar is the notion of her leaving with strangers, given the circumstances, but, so it is. | ||
Latest revision as of 02:13, 24 May 2020
This scene is part of the Long Way Down/Rat Host plot.
|
| ||||
|
ST: User:Pax