From:	Chris Siebenmann <cks@********.UTCS.TORONTO.EDU>
Subject:	Re: Fixers and Johnsons
Date:	Tue, 24 Aug 1993 21:13:51 -0400

I suppose I should have underlined the 'supposed' in the 'supposed to
die before ...' bit. This is the 'street macho' ideal, and most everyone
(on *all* sides, because it holds for 'runners as well) claims that
they're going to live up to it. Unfortunately, of course, it's pretty
hard to put it to the test.

Fixers definetly aren't supposed to squeal if the corps look at them
crosswise; as always, fixers that behave like that will find lots of
people unwilling to work with them.

As for selling a team out -- yes, sure, a fixer can generally do
that ... once.
After that, he needs to find a new line of work, or at least a new
name, a new city, and a new bunch of contacts. 'runners have long
memories and, unlike corporations, don't have to make money on their
grudges. And sometimes the 'fixer' is more like a Johnson, and he'll
sell you out and then sneer at you from behind a corp enclave.

The best fixer is the one on the Street, not the one in the enclave.
And work for him cautiously for a while, first. Trust is earned slowly.

- cks