Editing Episode 506: Mortal/Coils, Part Three

Not having any more intel to work on, the crew decide they may as well just send some people in. Joshua and Arden head to the Baron's House to scope it out. They get to the neighborhood, not a city street, more of a shady lane. There among the magnolias is a fading mansion. It is overgrown, and seen better days. It doesn't have any obvious signs if electronic security and the waist high stone wall surrounding the property is crumbling in many places. In front of the main entrance is a bouncer. The two approach cautiously. The bouncer assesses them professionally. <br>

'''Bouncer:''' “There are usually a few.”<br>

They pay the high cover charge and the bouncer let them pass into the main lobby, entrance hall. There is a fancy staircase winding around one side of the oval hall which opens to the second floor and the domed copula above. Clearly once a living space, the small manse has been converted to a more lucrative purpose. The room is decorated in heavy velvets, there is erotic artwork and fancy chaises. On the far side of the entrance is a replica of a Wurlitzer Jukebox from which emanates appropriate music. There are quite a few people in this room and milling about the lower levels. Some are clearly men negotiating with the ladies of the establishment. But there are others just enjoying a drink, playing pool, or otherwise socializing. They pear to be mostly mid-level managerial types, and a couple of young men, trying to look cleaned up, having saved up a month's pay to come in.<br>

Arden looks about for someone with whom to do business and catches the eyes of somewhat older woman. She approaches.<br>

'''Madtron:''' “Gentleman, welcome, it isn't often we have strangers. You are new to our establishment, the way we usually do this is that if you have particular interests we try to accommodate you. If not, you are free to spend some time down here, until one of the girls approaches you. You negotiate your desires with the girl. ”<br>  

'''Joshua:''' “Thank you ma'am”<br>

An attractive red head in her late twenties, early thirties approaches Joshua.<br>

'''Joshua:''' “It looks like there are a lot of girls here, can you tell me anything about the other girls?”<br>

Wanda frowns slightly, a bit put off by the rejection. <br>

'''Wanda:''' “Well there are other gals here. 'll see who I can send your way, Josie over there is very nice, you have a good time now.”<br>

Joshua thanks her and heads over to Josie, a younger girl dressed somewhat more modestly. She plays coy and pretends to be a shy, but it is clearly an act.  

'''Josie:''' “We could go upstairs.” Joshua nods meekly. "That's ten credits."<br>

Meanwhile Arden is browsing the rooms, not making eye contact with any of the girls, but trying to eavesdrop on conversations going on. After not hearing anything unusual or of interest, he heads back to the matron<br>

Joshua pays Josie, who then hands the money to a bouncer, and heads upstairs with Joshua in tow. once they get to the room. She quickly and matter-of-factly begins to undress.<br>

'''Josie:''' (Somewhat motherly) “It's okay, some men like that, still I'm not sure that I can. Wait we have some things… Look here, why don't you sit down here ” (Patted the big bed.) "Make yourself comfortable."<br>

She goes to an armoire, opens it and reveals a bunch of ''equipment''. She pulls out a strap on. <br>

'''Josie:''' “She's beautiful I guess, different that's for sure.”<br>

Joshua looking into her mind to get an image of her. He gets an image of striking light skinned African woman, with a long neck and unusual features.  

'''Josie:''' “No, hell, some boys don't last this long.”<br>

As they finishing dressing, she leads him to the door.<br>

Meanwhile downstairs. Arden heads into the Billiards room. As he watches a game, he notices that the level of activity among the servers and security increases slightly. It appears that they are preparing for something.He overhears one say "Go see if Lanie's ready." Arden approaches a guard.<br>

'''Arden:''' “Yes please”<br>

Arden wanders back to the billiard room, and looks for someone friendly looking with whom he can speak. Most people appear to be enjoying themselves, it is more than a brothel, it is also a social club of sorts, so spirits are high. He inquires casually about what might be the more exotic of fare at the establishment. They are somewhat hesitant to talk about it, but they eventually admit that the girl Lanie is something different and unusual. But, the caution, not on a Thursday night. She always has a date on Thursday nights with the Boss.<br>

'''Arden:''' “Okay”<br>

Arden scans the room searching for a chatty but not necessarily very bright girl to go with upstairs. When he offers one ten credits, she seems very pleased at the unusually large sum. The two ''conduct the transaction'' and afterwards he tries to find out more about the collars.

'''Girl:''' “Not always, every now and then, handsome strangers from outer space come in.<br>

Arden attempts to get close to her again, kissing and caressing her in an attempt to get a better look at the collar. She is resistant to his getting at it. He does his best to check it out while positioning her so she can't tell what he is doing back there. Looking carefully, he suspects it is either finely made jewelry without mark or decoration, or some kind of newtech device. It might have electronic components, but there isn't any obvious buttons, clasps or the like. It definitely looks out of place in this Antebellum style mansion. It has a little bit of heft to it, as though it might have internal components. But as soon as it he touches it, she tenses up. He tries to make it seem like his touches are part of the normal activity, but she gets very nervous.<br>

After they finish up, Arden sheepishly negotiates a lower price for round two. <br>

While Arden was upstairs. Joshua comes down, and sees some uniformed security people enter the building. Checking the security level, and putting on a bit of a show of their presence. After a moments, they give an okay signal, and in walks an singularly unimpressive man. He looks like a middle-aged low ranking bureaucrat. Although unimpressive personally, he seems fairly self confident. A drink is brought to him, and it is clear, he is a person of importance. A few moments later, a beautiful woman, strolls down the stairs. Joshua pulls his eyes from her to carefully watch the man, memorizing his mannerisms, his face, his gestures, for future use. He has a recognizable look on his face, hopeful, and nervous, excited and enamored. He looks like he might be in love. After they stare into each other's eyes for a moment, another figure enters the scene. A bearded man, casually, but impeccably dressed, probably in his sixties appears. This is clearly the Baron Duerte. He greets the bureaucrat warmly, and they chat for a bit. The bureaucrat, Bannon, takes Lanie's hand, and she seems pleasantly engaged. She doesn't have the skills of a companion to match her looks, but she seems able to look  genuinely happy to see him. During their paling around the Baron slips a small object to Bannon, something about the size of cigarette lighter or case. This complete, they take a short tour of the establishment. Bannon jokes around briefly and awkwardly with his subordinates, and buys a round of drinks. It is clear, that he isn't' there to socialize though. His employees are all attentive to his words, but show visible relief when he moves on and away from them. Meeting the boss at a brothel is a little uncomfortable. Eventually, he and Lanie exit the building. As things settle down, Joshua notes the Baron looking at him with curiosity. He approaches Joshua. <br>

'''Joshua:''' “Thank you”<br>

Duerte takes his leave, then he goes and speaks to the bouncer, directing his attention to Joshua, who stays seated quietly like a good little boy. Arden comes down eventually. <br>

They return to the shuttle. The gals are a little stir crazy being couped up in the shuttle.<br>

'''Kiera:''' “So either they went to his place, or one of these town places.”<br>

Based on what the crew has seen, it seems unlikely he took her to one of the fine establishments in town.<br>

'''Kiera:''' “Any chance the Brothel might need a doctor?”<br>

Of course, Arden has already been there. Kiera hasn't, but it might seem suspicious. Having two doctors show up overing their services. <br>

'''Nika:''' “I'll leave that up to the four of you.”<br>

The assembled crew grumbles and rejects her rejection of command.