Editing Episode 316: Bait

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We stake out the lobby from the chairs and when two slick looking dudes walk off that elevator we approach them. One is a little shorter than the other one but both are pretty seedy looking. One of them is lanky and is wearing mismatched shoes for some reason. Both have the tell-tale bulges that show they are packing heat, though no weapons are actually visible.  They are talking as they exit the elevator, talking about the job they’ve been doing and who’s been pulling their weight and who hasn’t.  The elevator goon steps quietly aside to let them pass, proof that these are, if not Lazlo and a Lieutenant, then people he’s been hired to respect.  Joshua marches right up to them.
 
We stake out the lobby from the chairs and when two slick looking dudes walk off that elevator we approach them. One is a little shorter than the other one but both are pretty seedy looking. One of them is lanky and is wearing mismatched shoes for some reason. Both have the tell-tale bulges that show they are packing heat, though no weapons are actually visible.  They are talking as they exit the elevator, talking about the job they’ve been doing and who’s been pulling their weight and who hasn’t.  The elevator goon steps quietly aside to let them pass, proof that these are, if not Lazlo and a Lieutenant, then people he’s been hired to respect.  Joshua marches right up to them.
  
'''Joshua:''' Either one’a you Lazlo?<br>
+
Joshua:  Either one’a you Lazlo?<br>
'''Lanky Dude:''' (crossly) Who wants to know?<br>
+
Lanky Dude: (crossly) Who wants to know?<br>
'''Joshua:''' Well, I do, since I asked.<br>
+
Joshua: Well, I do, since I asked.<br>
'''Lanky Dude:''' Who’re you?<br>
+
Lanky Dude: Who’re you?<br>
'''Joshua:''' Name’s Josh.  Got a proposition for ’im. A money-making proposition.<br>
+
Joshua: Name’s Josh.  Got a proposition for ’im. A money-making proposition.<br>
'''Lanky Dude:''' I might know Mr. Lazlo.  A money-making proposition, yeah, you should talk to me.<br>
+
Lanky Dude: I might know Mr. Lazlo.  A money-making proposition, yeah, you should talk to me.<br>
  
 
Lanky Dude crooks his thumb at his own chest and his companion just rolls his eyes and waits it out.  Neither man has bathed recently and they’ve got the appropriate amount of greased up sleaze to their overall look. Yeah, you get the sense that you’re smack in the middle of Guido-ville.
 
Lanky Dude crooks his thumb at his own chest and his companion just rolls his eyes and waits it out.  Neither man has bathed recently and they’ve got the appropriate amount of greased up sleaze to their overall look. Yeah, you get the sense that you’re smack in the middle of Guido-ville.
  
'''Joshua:''' Things like this probably ought’a go to the Boss, but I’ll be happy to tell—<br>
+
Joshua: Things like this probably ought’a go to the Boss, but I’ll be happy to tell—<br>
'''Lanky Dude:''' The Boss is a busy man.  What do you want with him?<br>
+
Lanky Dude: The Boss is a busy man.  What do you want with him?<br>
'''Joshua:''' Yeah.  Always is, isn’t he?<br>
+
Joshua: Yeah.  Always is, isn’t he?<br>
'''Lanky Dude:''' If you can make me interested, I might be able to make him interested.<br>
+
Lanky Dude: If you can make me interested, I might be able to make him interested.<br>
'''Joshua:''' Well, we might have a way to …let’s say, give you access to supplies, maybe illegal supplies that were confiscated by the government that you can take and use for yourself.<br>
+
Joshua: Well, we might have a way to …let’s say, give you access to supplies, maybe illegal supplies that were confiscated by the government that you can take and use for yourself.<br>
'''Lanky Dude:''' ‘Confisicated supplies’…like, linens and things?<br>
+
Lanky Dude: ‘Confisicated supplies’…like, linens and things?<br>
'''Joshua:''' Drugs.<br>
+
Joshua: Drugs.<br>
'''Lanky Dude:''' Drugs.<br>
+
Lanky Dude: Drugs.<br>
'''Arden:''' (chiming in) Cars.<br>
+
Arden: (chiming in) Cars.<br>
'''Lanky Dude:''' Drugs and Cars.<br>
+
Lanky Dude: Drugs and Cars.<br>
'''Arden:''' Spaceships.<br>
+
Arden: Spaceships.<br>
'''Lanky Dude:''' Spaceships. And where is this supply of yours?<br>
+
Lanky Dude: Spaceships. And where is this supply of yours?<br>
'''Joshua:''' Well, that’s our business.<br>
+
Joshua: Well, that’s our business.<br>
'''Lanky Dude:''' And you think you can make this available to us?<br>
+
Lanky Dude: And you think you can make this available to us?<br>
'''Joshua:''' I wouldn’t be coming here if I couldn’t.<br>
+
Joshua: I wouldn’t be coming here if I couldn’t.<br>
'''Rick:''' We know we can.<br>
+
Rick: We know we can.<br>
  
 
Lanky Dude says nothing for a moment while he considers it and us: a rag tag crew of three men and two women, looking none to spit-shined themselves.
 
Lanky Dude says nothing for a moment while he considers it and us: a rag tag crew of three men and two women, looking none to spit-shined themselves.
  
'''Rick:''' I mean, we’re not talking about big ships, we’re talkin’ about smaller pulse-capable vessels. Shuttles.<br>
+
Rick: I mean, we’re not talking about big ships, we’re talkin’ about smaller pulse-capable vessels. Shuttles.<br>
'''Joshua:''' We’re talkin’ a big score.<br>
+
Joshua: We’re talkin’ a big score.<br>
'''Lanky Dude:''' Shuttles. They got hovercars?<br>
+
Lanky Dude: Shuttles. They got hovercars?<br>
'''Joshua:''' Yeah.  It’s a big score. That’s really the core of it. Big money to be had.<br>  
+
Joshua: Yeah.  It’s a big score. That’s really the core of it. Big money to be had.<br>  
'''Lanky Dude:''' All right.<br>
+
Lanky Dude: All right.<br>
'''Joshua:''' We know Lazlo’s a man with connections who gets things done.<br>
+
Joshua: We know Lazlo’s a man with connections who gets things done.<br>
'''Lanky Dude:''' Yeah, that’s true.  You’ll be here tomorrow, this time? I’ll see if I can get Mr. Lazlo to talk to you.<br>
+
Lanky Dude: Yeah, that’s true.  You’ll be here tomorrow, this time? I’ll see if I can get Mr. Lazlo to talk to you.<br>
'''Arden:''' Your name is?<br>
+
Arden: Your name is?<br>
'''Lanky Dude:''' Name’s Marcus.<br>
+
Lanky Dude: Name’s Marcus.<br>
'''Joshua:''' All right.  We’ll be here.<br>
+
Joshua: All right.  We’ll be here.<br>
'''Marcus:''' All right.<br>
+
Marcus: All right.<br>
'''Joshua:''' You be here.<br>
+
Joshua: You be here.<br>
  
 
Business concluded, we walk off and grab a meal as the locals tend to do around here—either at the government run soup kitchen where the Alliance distributes surplus food or at one of the many cheap noodle shops and noodle cart vendors.  Since the government surplus tends to run to protein paste and Rina’s personal nemesis, tofu, we decide to splurge on the noodle shop. Today there’s something extra floating in the broth along with the vegetable peelings.  Could be bug.  Could be beef.  Hell, it could be Jimmy Hoffa. We’ve learned not to ask but suck it down.  Once done, we pass the time as best we can til the morrow’s meet with Lazlo.  
 
Business concluded, we walk off and grab a meal as the locals tend to do around here—either at the government run soup kitchen where the Alliance distributes surplus food or at one of the many cheap noodle shops and noodle cart vendors.  Since the government surplus tends to run to protein paste and Rina’s personal nemesis, tofu, we decide to splurge on the noodle shop. Today there’s something extra floating in the broth along with the vegetable peelings.  Could be bug.  Could be beef.  Hell, it could be Jimmy Hoffa. We’ve learned not to ask but suck it down.  Once done, we pass the time as best we can til the morrow’s meet with Lazlo.  
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It’s a squeaky ride.  One of the guide wheels of the elevator screams against its track.  Rina plugs her ears, pained at the off-key squeal, and endures as best she can.  It’s a long thirty floors up.  The noise stops as the elevator comes to a halt and the doors slide open to reveal a hallway.  It’s slightly less squalid, the dirt is much fresher here and there’s a weaker taint of urine to the place.  Poking our heads out, we spy a man standing in front of a non-descript apartment door.  Joshua leads us to him.
 
It’s a squeaky ride.  One of the guide wheels of the elevator screams against its track.  Rina plugs her ears, pained at the off-key squeal, and endures as best she can.  It’s a long thirty floors up.  The noise stops as the elevator comes to a halt and the doors slide open to reveal a hallway.  It’s slightly less squalid, the dirt is much fresher here and there’s a weaker taint of urine to the place.  Poking our heads out, we spy a man standing in front of a non-descript apartment door.  Joshua leads us to him.
  
'''Joshua:''' We’re here to see Lazlo.<br>
+
Joshua: We’re here to see Lazlo.<br>
'''Guard:''' Firearms.<br>
+
Guard: Firearms.<br>
'''Joshua:''' I’m not carrying.<br>
+
Joshua: I’m not carrying.<br>
  
 
Nika gives hers right up.  Arden does too. Joshua looks at Rina and his message is clear: Do it.  She grudgingly turns over her pistol.   
 
Nika gives hers right up.  Arden does too. Joshua looks at Rina and his message is clear: Do it.  She grudgingly turns over her pistol.   
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The guard raps on the door and it opens up to reveal a man just inside with a sub-machine gun aiming right at us. He keeps his eye on us as he tilts his head to the side and calls out.  
 
The guard raps on the door and it opens up to reveal a man just inside with a sub-machine gun aiming right at us. He keeps his eye on us as he tilts his head to the side and calls out.  
  
'''SMG Guy:''' Who are these people?  Marcus? <br>
+
SMG Guy: Who are these people?  Marcus? <br>
'''Marcus:''' (inside the apartment) Yeah, uh….three guys and two ladies.<br>
+
Marcus: (inside the apartment) Yeah, uh….three guys and two ladies.<br>
'''SMG Guy:''' Yeah, okay.<br>
+
SMG Guy: Yeah, okay.<br>
  
 
He  motions us inside with the gun and we move along smartly.  We notice that it’s much nicer and relatively clean and it’s got High Klass art of the sort one can expect of a swingin’ pad.  Shag carpet.  Chandeliers.
 
He  motions us inside with the gun and we move along smartly.  We notice that it’s much nicer and relatively clean and it’s got High Klass art of the sort one can expect of a swingin’ pad.  Shag carpet.  Chandeliers.
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Aside from Marcus and the SMG Guy, there are two other occupants in the room. One is an attractive looking moll lounging at the bar in the corner, made up and dressed to accentuate her assets. The other enters the room wearing a satiny bathrobe and rubbing his hair dry with a towel, obviously just exiting from the shower.  It’s also obvious from everyone else’s reaction that this is the man to see.  He looks over at us easily and opens the meeting.
 
Aside from Marcus and the SMG Guy, there are two other occupants in the room. One is an attractive looking moll lounging at the bar in the corner, made up and dressed to accentuate her assets. The other enters the room wearing a satiny bathrobe and rubbing his hair dry with a towel, obviously just exiting from the shower.  It’s also obvious from everyone else’s reaction that this is the man to see.  He looks over at us easily and opens the meeting.
  
'''Lazlo:''' My associate tells me you may have means to acquire some merchandise, is that right?<br>
+
Lazlo: My associate tells me you may have means to acquire some merchandise, is that right?<br>
'''Joshua:''' Yes, that is correct.<br>
+
Joshua: Yes, that is correct.<br>
'''Lazlo:''' And you need me for what?<br>
+
Lazlo: And you need me for what?<br>
'''Joshua:''' Basically we’re offering you a chance to trade in one of your clients for a free romp through, let’s say a…say, the candy jar, basically. A chance for you to get access to stuff people aren’t normally going to get access to.  We just need one of your clients.<br>
+
Joshua: Basically we’re offering you a chance to trade in one of your clients for a free romp through, let’s say a…say, the candy jar, basically. A chance for you to get access to stuff people aren’t normally going to get access to.  We just need one of your clients.<br>
'''Lazlo:''' One of my clients.<br>
+
Lazlo: One of my clients.<br>
'''Joshua:''' Yeah.<br>
+
Joshua: Yeah.<br>
  
 
Lazlo looks around at his people before going on.
 
Lazlo looks around at his people before going on.
  
'''Lazlo:''' And what is this candy jar you’re talking about?<br>
+
Lazlo: And what is this candy jar you’re talking about?<br>
  
 
We know that now that we’re this far in, we have to play it straight.  Yanking this guy’s chain will get us killed.
 
We know that now that we’re this far in, we have to play it straight.  Yanking this guy’s chain will get us killed.
  
'''Joshua:''' Here’s the deal. Our ship, which is locked in, is in the government impound yard. <br>  
+
Joshua: Here’s the deal. Our ship, which is locked in, is in the government impound yard. <br>  
'''Lazlo:''' An Alliance impound yard.<br>
+
Lazlo: An Alliance impound yard.<br>
'''Joshua:''' Yup.<br>
+
Joshua: Yup.<br>
  
 
Lazlo looks around at his people again.
 
Lazlo looks around at his people again.
  
'''Lazlo:''' Have you seen the people I work with?<br>  
+
Lazlo: Have you seen the people I work with?<br>  
'''Joshua:''' Yeah.<br>
+
Joshua: Yeah.<br>
'''Lazlo:''' They’re not exactly Federal Marshall material.<br>
+
Lazlo: They’re not exactly Federal Marshall material.<br>
'''Joshua:''' Yeah. I get that. But. One of the people that comes to you, or so I’m told, to feed his habit…I believe he likes younger children—boys, in particular—he has the means and the access to get us inside the yard.<br>
+
Joshua: Yeah. I get that. But. One of the people that comes to you, or so I’m told, to feed his habit…I believe he likes younger children—boys, in particular—he has the means and the access to get us inside the yard.<br>
'''Lazlo:''' I had a hunch he might be up there somewhere. I knew he was somebody but I wasn’t sure.<br>
+
Lazlo: I had a hunch he might be up there somewhere. I knew he was somebody but I wasn’t sure.<br>
'''Joshua:''' The thing is, we want to use him to get into the yard and get our ship. Everything else inside the yard? Inside the evidence lockers?  We don’t give a rat’s ass about.<br>
+
Joshua: The thing is, we want to use him to get into the yard and get our ship. Everything else inside the yard? Inside the evidence lockers?  We don’t give a rat’s ass about.<br>
'''Lazlo:''' So, I’m a businessman.<br>
+
Lazlo: So, I’m a businessman.<br>
'''Joshua:''' Yep.<br>
+
Joshua: Yep.<br>
'''Lazlo:''' And when I do a deal, I like to get something in return.<br>
+
Lazlo: And when I do a deal, I like to get something in return.<br>
'''Joshua:''' Yep.<br>
+
Joshua: Yep.<br>
'''Lazlo:''' One of my clients, you’re saying, could be persuaded to let me into this impound yard.<br>  
+
Lazlo: One of my clients, you’re saying, could be persuaded to let me into this impound yard.<br>  
'''Joshua:''' That’s what I said, yeah.<br>
+
Joshua:  That’s what I said, yeah.<br>
'''Lazlo:''' So what do I need you for?<br>
+
Lazlo: So what do I need you for?<br>
  
 
We knew that was coming and Arden speaks up.
 
We knew that was coming and Arden speaks up.
  
'''Arden:''' We’re the ones willing to take the risk.<br>
+
Arden: We’re the ones willing to take the risk.<br>
'''Lazlo:''' What risk?<br>
+
Lazlo: What risk?<br>
'''Arden:''' If he goes to the authorities, the only person he can finger is us.<br>
+
Arden: If he goes to the authorities, the only person he can finger is us.<br>
  
 
Lazlo thinks on this a minute.
 
Lazlo thinks on this a minute.
  
'''Lazlo:''' So you would be the one confronting him, is what you’re saying.<br>
+
Lazlo: So you would be the one confronting him, is what you’re saying.<br>
'''Arden:''' Yes.<br>
+
Arden: Yes.<br>
'''Lazlo:''' That is something.<br>
+
Lazlo: That is something.<br>
'''Rick:''' We’re confronting him.  We’re blackmailing him.<br>  
+
Rick: We’re confronting him.  We’re blackmailing him.<br>  
'''Arden:''' We want our ship.<br>
+
Arden: We want our ship.<br>
'''Rick:''' And in exchange for your help arranging for us to know where he’s going to be at, you get everything else at the impound yard when it’s unlocked.<br>
+
Rick: And in exchange for your help arranging for us to know where he’s going to be at, you get everything else at the impound yard when it’s unlocked.<br>
'''Arden:''' And what you do with  him afterwards, we don’t care about.<br>
+
Arden: And what you do with  him afterwards, we don’t care about.<br>
'''Lazlo:''' You’d be taking away one of my customers, so…. doing something with him is really not in my interest. <br>
+
Lazlo: You’d be taking away one of my customers, so…. doing something with him is really not in my interest. <br>
'''Nika:''' I think what you can take out of the evidence and impound lockers will net you far more liquid assets than what you’d make off of him, even over the course of a lifetime.<br>
+
Nika: I think what you can take out of the evidence and impound lockers will net you far more liquid assets than what you’d make off of him, even over the course of a lifetime.<br>
  
 
Lazlo seems a bit more open to this aspect of the plan.
 
Lazlo seems a bit more open to this aspect of the plan.
  
'''Lazlo:''' (Guardedly) Hmmm….a big score….You got any images of this impound yard?<br>
+
Lazlo: (Guardedly) Hmmm….a big score….You got any images of this impound yard?<br>
'''Joshua:''' Yes.<br>
+
Joshua: Yes.<br>
  
 
Joshua hands the pictures over and Lazlo looks at them, then holds one up and points to something on it.
 
Joshua hands the pictures over and Lazlo looks at them, then holds one up and points to something on it.
  
'''Lazlo:''' Hey, Dog. C’n you see me in one’a these?<br>
+
Lazlo: Hey, Dog. C’n you see me in one’a these?<br>
'''Dog aka SMG Guy:''' Is it a Volker?<br>
+
Dog aka SMG Guy: Is it a Volker?<br>
'''Lazlo:''' Shut the hell up.  Lookit this one.<br>
+
Lazlo: Shut the hell up.  Lookit this one.<br>
'''Joshua:''' That’s your sorta style.<br>
+
Joshua: That’s your sorta style.<br>
'''Lazlo:''' We’d have to be able to move them out…and we’ve no place to keep the vehicles here….well, it’s….<br>
+
Lazlo: We’d have to be able to move them out…and we’ve no place to keep the vehicles here….well, it’s….<br>
'''Nika:''' I’m sure you have a contact at a warehouse you could go to, to trade for the use of and have your guys move the vehicles to the warehouse. Hell, you could probably trade one of the vehicles for the use of the warehouse for a couple of days.<br>
+
Nika: I’m sure you have a contact at a warehouse you could go to, to trade for the use of and have your guys move the vehicles to the warehouse. Hell, you could probably trade one of the vehicles for the use of the warehouse for a couple of days.<br>
'''Lazlo:''' Don’t sweat it. <br>  
+
Lazlo: Don’t sweat it. <br>  
  
 
There’s a long pause as Lazlo sizes us up, us and our deal.  
 
There’s a long pause as Lazlo sizes us up, us and our deal.  
  
'''Lazlo:''' I’ll agree on one condition. Just opening the doors to this place, there’s still going to be Federal Marshals.<br>
+
Lazlo: I’ll agree on one condition. Just opening the doors to this place, there’s still going to be Federal Marshals.<br>
'''Joshua:''' Yes.<br>
+
Joshua: Yes.<br>
'''Lazlo:''' Can you guarantee that we’ll be able to get these things out?  What guarantee do you have of that? What are you doing to make sure that happens? I can give my guys guns and they can go in there shooting, but one phone call and we’ve got Federal Marshals flying in from every sector of the City.<br>
+
Lazlo: Can you guarantee that we’ll be able to get these things out?  What guarantee do you have of that? What are you doing to make sure that happens? I can give my guys guns and they can go in there shooting, but one phone call and we’ve got Federal Marshals flying in from every sector of the City.<br>
'''Nika:''' If you’re willing to sacrifice some of the payoff, we can put the Marshals in place to move some of the cargo around.<br>  Basically our intention was to have your client move some of the smaller ships off the property to get some of those guys off the impound yard.  It would give us far fewer people to handle. But it means you’ll have to sacrifice some of the vehicles that are sitting on the lot.  Not anything that’s in the evidence lockers, which is probably far more lucrative anyway.<br>
+
Nika: If you’re willing to sacrifice some of the payoff, we can put the Marshals in place to move some of the cargo around.<br>  Basically our intention was to have your client move some of the smaller ships off the property to get some of those guys off the impound yard.  It would give us far fewer people to handle. But it means you’ll have to sacrifice some of the vehicles that are sitting on the lot.  Not anything that’s in the evidence lockers, which is probably far more lucrative anyway.<br>
'''Rick:''' Just say ships of a certain size can be moved to a different location and have them start moving them out. That way they’re also not suspicious of other people coming in.<br>
+
Rick: Just say ships of a certain size can be moved to a different location and have them start moving them out. That way they’re also not suspicious of other people coming in.<br>
  
 
Lazlo thinks on this for a second.
 
Lazlo thinks on this for a second.
  
'''Lazlo:''' (to himself) All right. It’s a smaller take on the big stuff… (louder) You get me one of my men into the evidence lock up in the building.<br>
+
Lazlo: (to himself) All right. It’s a smaller take on the big stuff… (louder) You get me one of my men into the evidence lock up in the building.<br>
'''Joshua:''' Sure.<br>
+
Joshua: Sure.<br>
'''Lazlo:''' Well then, the rest of your plan sounds like it might be possible. <br>
+
Lazlo: Well then, the rest of your plan sounds like it might be possible. <br>
'''Nika:''' We’ll take one of your guys with us. <br>
+
Nika: We’ll take one of your guys with us. <br>
'''Rick:''' We’ll get him in the lock-up, no problem.<br>
+
Rick: We’ll get him in the lock-up, no problem.<br>
  
 
Just one thing.
 
Just one thing.
  
'''Rick:''' We may need to borrow a couple of your guns.<br>
+
Rick: We may need to borrow a couple of your guns.<br>
'''Lazlo:''' That might be arranged. Okay.  (A beat)  I may have to talk to some people about this before I…  It’s a courtesy.  I’ve been doing my business and—<br>
+
Lazlo: That might be arranged. Okay.  (A beat)  I may have to talk to some people about this before I…  It’s a courtesy.  I’ve been doing my business and—<br>
'''Arden:''' You don’t want to step on anyone’s toes.<br>
+
Arden: You don’t want to step on anyone’s toes.<br>
'''Nika:''' This could raise a little hell in a lot of various places, yes.<br>
+
Nika: This could raise a little hell in a lot of various places, yes.<br>
'''Lazlo:''' And it’s not exactly my territory. But that also means that if there’s a third party involved, that if you try to turn on me…<br>  
+
Lazlo: And it’s not exactly my territory. But that also means that if there’s a third party involved, that if you try to turn on me…<br>  
'''Nika:''' No. We’re fine with yourself. It’s fine.<br>  
+
Nika: No. We’re fine with yourself. It’s fine.<br>  
'''Lazlo:''' These people have reach beyond this shire, beyond this planet.<br>  
+
Lazlo: These people have reach beyond this shire, beyond this planet.<br>  
'''Nika:''' Like I’ve said, we’re not interested in anything else in there but our ship.<br>
+
Nika: Like I’ve said, we’re not interested in anything else in there but our ship.<br>
'''Joshua:''' You don’t have to worry about that.  We have one goal.<br>
+
Joshua: You don’t have to worry about that.  We have one goal.<br>
  
 
Fair enough.
 
Fair enough.
  
'''Lazlo:''' All right.  If it’s the guy I think you’re talking about….<br>  
+
Lazlo: All right.  If it’s the guy I think you’re talking about….<br>  
  
 
Just to be sure, Joshua describes the Exchequer and asks:
 
Just to be sure, Joshua describes the Exchequer and asks:
  
'''Joshua:''' That the guy?<br>
+
Joshua: That the guy?<br>
'''Lazlo:''' Sounds like him. <br>
+
Lazlo: Sounds like him. <br>
  
 
Lazlo in turn pulls up a picture on his ‘box and turns it around so Joshua can see the screen.
 
Lazlo in turn pulls up a picture on his ‘box and turns it around so Joshua can see the screen.
  
'''Lazlo:''' This the guy you’re talking about?<br>
+
Lazlo: This the guy you’re talking about?<br>
  
 
Yes.
 
Yes.
  
'''Lazlo:''' So what’s your plan?  He’s coming in four days.  At least that’s the schedule. We may be able to push it off a little bit, but he gets a little nervous.  I guess it takes a little preparation on his end to clean up his schedule.<br>
+
Lazlo: So what’s your plan?  He’s coming in four days.  At least that’s the schedule. We may be able to push it off a little bit, but he gets a little nervous.  I guess it takes a little preparation on his end to clean up his schedule.<br>
'''Joshua:''' Yeah.  We’re well aware of that.  So the idea is basically getting hard evidence with what he’s doing and threaten exposure.<br>
+
Joshua: Yeah.  We’re well aware of that.  So the idea is basically getting hard evidence with what he’s doing and threaten exposure.<br>
'''Lazlo:''' Like a camera rig?<br>
+
Lazlo: Like a camera rig?<br>
'''Joshua:''' Yeah.<br>
+
Joshua: Yeah.<br>
'''Lazlo:''' We have the possibility for that. We can put a camera in the room and after he’s banged around with that boy for a little bit, we could pop out the data tab and he’ll know what’s up.<br>
+
Lazlo: We have the possibility for that. We can put a camera in the room and after he’s banged around with that boy for a little bit, we could pop out the data tab and he’ll know what’s up.<br>
  
 
What a… colorful way to put it.
 
What a… colorful way to put it.
  
'''Joshua:''' Yeah. Um…<br>
+
Joshua: Yeah. Um…<br>
'''Nika:''' It’s the simplest way to go about it, yes.<br>
+
Nika: It’s the simplest way to go about it, yes.<br>
'''Rina:''' Distasteful, though.<br>
+
Rina: Distasteful, though.<br>
'''Joshua:''' Yeah.<br>
+
Joshua: Yeah.<br>
'''Arden:''' I guess it’s the only way…<br>
+
Arden: I guess it’s the only way…<br>
'''Joshua:''' Distasteful.  Yes, so, hard evidence that we’ll threaten to expose him with and get what we need off of him to get into the impound yard, to make the call so the Marshals and the employees are busy moving the ships.  We’ll have to keep him out of action so he can’t call in while this is going on.<br>
+
Joshua: Distasteful.  Yes, so, hard evidence that we’ll threaten to expose him with and get what we need off of him to get into the impound yard, to make the call so the Marshals and the employees are busy moving the ships.  We’ll have to keep him out of action so he can’t call in while this is going on.<br>
'''Lazlo:''' Well this is the Blackout Zone. You can’t call from here.<br>
+
Lazlo: Well this is the Blackout Zone. You can’t call from here.<br>
'''Joshua:''' Just keep him from getting into his car and leaving the Blackout Zone to make a call.  Just keep him out of action while we go do that.<br>   
+
Joshua: Just keep him from getting into his car and leaving the Blackout Zone to make a call.  Just keep him out of action while we go do that.<br>   
'''Rina:''' (to herself) I say we handcuff him to a pipe overhead and play piñata.<br>
+
Rina: (to herself) I say we handcuff him to a pipe overhead and play piñata.<br>
'''Joshua:''' Once we’ve got our ship and you’ve got whatever you want out of the impound yard—<br>
+
Joshua: Once we’ve got our ship and you’ve got whatever you want out of the impound yard—<br>
'''Nika:''' We’ll all just scatter.<br>
+
Nika: We’ll all just scatter.<br>
  
 
Lazlo thinks on it.
 
Lazlo thinks on it.
  
'''Lazlo:''' All right. So let’s see if I’ve got this straight.  You get the evidence on him, you and one of my men get in his car, get out of the Blackout Zone so you can contact the impound yard and send the orders?<br>
+
Lazlo: All right. So let’s see if I’ve got this straight.  You get the evidence on him, you and one of my men get in his car, get out of the Blackout Zone so you can contact the impound yard and send the orders?<br>
'''Joshua:''' Yep.<br>
+
Joshua: Yep.<br>
'''Lazlo: '''Yet somehow… I guess I’ll have to get my men outside so you can contact them.<br>
+
Lazlo: Yet somehow… I guess I’ll have to get my men outside so you can contact them.<br>
'''Joshua:''' Yep.<br>
+
Joshua: Yep.<br>
'''Lazlo:''' All right.  And then you’ll get in there and take care of any leftover personnel, break into that vault, and you get your little ship.<br>
+
Lazlo: All right.  And then you’ll get in there and take care of any leftover personnel, break into that vault, and you get your little ship.<br>
'''Nika:''' And you get everything else.<br>
+
Nika: And you get everything else.<br>
  
 
Lazlo thinks some more.
 
Lazlo thinks some more.
  
'''Lazlo:''' All right. I guess we can do that.<br>
+
Lazlo: All right. I guess we can do that.<br>
'''Arden:''' This guy you’re sending in with us.  Could we meet him?<br>
+
Arden: This guy you’re sending in with us.  Could we meet him?<br>
'''Lazlo:''' Let’s make it Ellis. He’s pretty reliable.<br>  
+
Lazlo: Let’s make it Ellis. He’s pretty reliable.<br>  
  
 
He gestures at Marcus, the lanky dude from the lobby with the mismatched shoes.  He nods.  Hello, Mr. Ellis.  Pleased to meet you.   
 
He gestures at Marcus, the lanky dude from the lobby with the mismatched shoes.  He nods.  Hello, Mr. Ellis.  Pleased to meet you.   
Line 253: Line 253:
 
The next day, we get a call from Ellis.
 
The next day, we get a call from Ellis.
  
'''Ellis:''' We got a problem here.<br>  
+
Ellis: We got a problem here.<br>  
'''Joshua:''' Of course we do.  What?<br>
+
Joshua: Of course we do.  What?<br>
'''Ellis:''' The Boss isn’t so thrilled about having us all come down anywhere near—it’s too close a connection.<br>
+
Ellis: The Boss isn’t so thrilled about having us all come down anywhere near—it’s too close a connection.<br>
  
 
In other words, don’t crap where you sleep.  Seems that even the likes of Lazlo, pimp for pederasts though he is, would rather have the actual deed done farther away from the 60s block.  Ellis names an apartment building on the outskirts, closer to the farms, where squatters have carved a place to live.  We could set up our sting there.  Lazlo will handle the Exchequer’s side of things, informing him of the change in venue.  Lazlo doesn’t think it would hink the mark unduly, since Lazlo’s done business there before.  Ellis tells us not to worry about the Exchequer.  The official likes ‘roughing it’.  When we ask about the Exchequer’s guard compliment, Ellis tells us he’s seen only two, plus the driver.  He doesn’t know if there will be more in the car.  Sometimes he likes to take the boy for a ride, Ellis says of our mark.   
 
In other words, don’t crap where you sleep.  Seems that even the likes of Lazlo, pimp for pederasts though he is, would rather have the actual deed done farther away from the 60s block.  Ellis names an apartment building on the outskirts, closer to the farms, where squatters have carved a place to live.  We could set up our sting there.  Lazlo will handle the Exchequer’s side of things, informing him of the change in venue.  Lazlo doesn’t think it would hink the mark unduly, since Lazlo’s done business there before.  Ellis tells us not to worry about the Exchequer.  The official likes ‘roughing it’.  When we ask about the Exchequer’s guard compliment, Ellis tells us he’s seen only two, plus the driver.  He doesn’t know if there will be more in the car.  Sometimes he likes to take the boy for a ride, Ellis says of our mark.   
Line 274: Line 274:
 
Yes, Faria has the ship’s cat with him and she is doing well.
 
Yes, Faria has the ship’s cat with him and she is doing well.
  
'''Faria:''' I take it you’re…on-planet.<br>
+
Faria: I take it you’re…on-planet.<br>
'''Rick:''' It’s probably best I don’t tell you where, at the moment. I just wanted to make sure you were all right.<br>
+
Rick: It’s probably best I don’t tell you where, at the moment. I just wanted to make sure you were all right.<br>
'''Faria:''' So. What’s the plan.  Can we meet and talk?<br>
+
Faria: So. What’s the plan.  Can we meet and talk?<br>
'''Rick:''' Yeah. But we’ll have to meet in the Blackout Zone.<br>
+
Rick: Yeah. But we’ll have to meet in the Blackout Zone.<br>
'''Faria:''' Ah.  Blackout Zone.  How about the Saint Sabine Sanctuary? It’s a mission, of sorts.<br>
+
Faria: Ah.  Blackout Zone.  How about the Saint Sabine Sanctuary? It’s a mission, of sorts.<br>
'''Rick:''' Pick the time.<br>
+
Rick: Pick the time.<br>
'''Faria:''' If I can find a ride, I can get there in an half an hour or two. Today or tomorrow.<br>  
+
Faria: If I can find a ride, I can get there in an half an hour or two. Today or tomorrow.<br>  
'''Rick:''' I’ll be there.  Today, in an hour.  And I’ll stick around.<br>
+
Rick: I’ll be there.  Today, in an hour.  And I’ll stick around.<br>
'''Faria:''' All right.<br>
+
Faria: All right.<br>
  
 
Rick tells the rest of us about the meet but advises that only one or two should go with him.  Rina and Joshua volunteer to go.  Nika elects to stay behind with Arden.
 
Rick tells the rest of us about the meet but advises that only one or two should go with him.  Rina and Joshua volunteer to go.  Nika elects to stay behind with Arden.
Line 288: Line 288:
 
Saint Sabine’s is a place trying to offer assistance to the poor people of the BOZ.  The main area is basically a cafeteria-like soup kitchen. It’s fairly empty at the moment and Faria is off to the side talking to a down-and-out person when we arrive, counseling him.  Faria sees us enter and taking his leave of the person, wheels over to an empty table.  We join him there.  Faria looks us over.
 
Saint Sabine’s is a place trying to offer assistance to the poor people of the BOZ.  The main area is basically a cafeteria-like soup kitchen. It’s fairly empty at the moment and Faria is off to the side talking to a down-and-out person when we arrive, counseling him.  Faria sees us enter and taking his leave of the person, wheels over to an empty table.  We join him there.  Faria looks us over.
  
'''Faria:''' Hm.  You look relatively….<br>
+
Faria: Hm.  You look relatively….<br>
'''Joshua:''' ‘not dead’?<br>
+
Joshua: ‘not dead’?<br>
'''Faria:''' Yes.<br>
+
Faria: Yes.<br>
'''Rina:''' Works for me.<br>
+
Rina: Works for me.<br>
'''Rick:''' Were you followed?<br>
+
Rick: Were you followed?<br>
'''Faria:''' I don’t think so.  I think they’re relying on more sophisticated means, so hopefully here in the Blackout Zone we should be safe.<br>
+
Faria: I don’t think so.  I think they’re relying on more sophisticated means, so hopefully here in the Blackout Zone we should be safe.<br>
'''Rick:''' So I guess my first question is do you want to come along with us when we leave?<br>
+
Rick: So I guess my first question is do you want to come along with us when we leave?<br>
'''Faria:''' Well. It’s complicated.  I assume you didn’t plan on killing the Prime Minister.<br>
+
Faria: Well. It’s complicated.  I assume you didn’t plan on killing the Prime Minister.<br>
  
 
No.  Rick fills him in.  Valerie was somehow programmed to carry out the assassination.  It must be some part of her wetware.  And so on and so forth. Faria admits he fears that if he accompanied us, he’d only slow us down and Rick acknowledges that it might go bad for his old friend if he were ever caught in our company by the Feds.
 
No.  Rick fills him in.  Valerie was somehow programmed to carry out the assassination.  It must be some part of her wetware.  And so on and so forth. Faria admits he fears that if he accompanied us, he’d only slow us down and Rick acknowledges that it might go bad for his old friend if he were ever caught in our company by the Feds.
  
'''Faria:''' I’m relatively old and blown up a bit and I’m not afraid of jail or worse, but…<br>
+
Faria: I’m relatively old and blown up a bit and I’m not afraid of jail or worse, but…<br>
'''Rick:''' We’re taking steps to clear our names.<br>
+
Rick: We’re taking steps to clear our names.<br>
'''Faria:''' You’re taking steps to clear your names.  I’m trying to think of how you can do that.<br>
+
Faria: You’re taking steps to clear your names.  I’m trying to think of how you can do that.<br>
'''Rick:''' There’s some information that might be available, proof who’s responsible.<br>
+
Rick: There’s some information that might be available, proof who’s responsible.<br>
  
 
For the assassination and who was really behind it, he means.
 
For the assassination and who was really behind it, he means.
  
'''Faria:''' Don’t take this the wrong way…<br>
+
Faria: Don’t take this the wrong way…<br>
'''Joshua:''' ‘but feel free to take it the wrong way’…<br>
+
Joshua: ‘but feel free to take it the wrong way’…<br>
'''Faria:''' You don’t trust your… Blue Sun agent, do you?  You know she’s hiding something.<br>
+
Faria: You don’t trust your… Blue Sun agent, do you?  You know she’s hiding something.<br>
'''Rick:''' I’m sure she is.<br>
+
Rick: I’m sure she is.<br>
'''Joshua:''' When have we been in a situation when anybody wasn’t hiding anything from us? You’re hiding stuff from us, I’m hiding stuff from me…<br>
+
Joshua: When have we been in a situation when anybody wasn’t hiding anything from us? You’re hiding stuff from us, I’m hiding stuff from me…<br>
'''Rick:''' I’m sure that anything that she’s told us has some positive spin for her or for Blue Sun.<br>
+
Rick: I’m sure that anything that she’s told us has some positive spin for her or for Blue Sun.<br>
'''Faria:''' Don’t…I don’t know how much of it is falling into their plans or not, but I think you should be suspicious of horses delivered by Trojans.<br>
+
Faria: Don’t…I don’t know how much of it is falling into their plans or not, but I think you should be suspicious of horses delivered by Trojans.<br>
'''Joshua:''' Yeah.<br>
+
Joshua: Yeah.<br>
'''Rick:''' I agree.<br>
+
Rick: I agree.<br>
'''Joshua:''' You are the strangest Shepherd ever.<br>
+
Joshua: You are the strangest Shepherd ever.<br>
  
 
Faria nods.
 
Faria nods.

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