| From: | Mike Goldberg <michael.goldberg@*******.COM> |
|---|---|
| Subject: | Black gale blows westward... |
| Date: | Mon, 2 Oct 1995 21:05:18 MST |
+++++ begin transmission
It sure is a crowded hallway, with a large troll watching a human male with
a shaved head pick an old-fashioned lock. The human is working
methodically in the narrow, old hallway and seems to be grinning at some
sort of private joke.
The troll looks thoroughly bored. He is carrying a pistol in his hand and
he has a huge sword in a scabbard on his back. The pommel of the sword is
touching the ceiling and the troll is stooped over. The sword looks like
it was made to be a hand and a half sword for a troll. The troll is
wearing jeans and a black jacket. His eyes seem to take everything in the
hallway in and yet none of it.
The human is wearing a long black duster that has seen better times. You
can see the hint of a sword attached at his waist. You notice that oddly
his left hand is in a black glove and his right hand is not at all. He
whispers something that recording doesn't pick up.
The troll watches the stairs as two human males come calmly up the stairs.
One male, a handsome dark-haired man is wearing a dark pinstripe suit.
There is a bulge under his left arm that says he is packing some heat. The
other male, an older one -- perhaps early 40s, is blond hair. He is also
dressed in a suit and has a great coat on as well. It is easy to pick out
the sword that is buckled at his waist.
The troll nods at the figures and taps the human working on the door. The
door opens about three seconds later. The human quickly enters followed by
the other two humans. The troll then follows ducking, and making sure not
to catch his sword on the door frame. It seems to take forever for the
troll to get in, but he does it skillfully enough so that there is no
noise. In the background you can hear the sound of a piano playing some
sort of classical music. It is extremely beautiful if classical is to you
liking -- otherwise it seems kind of boring (even so, you can tell the
player is extremely good).
The human who opened the door immediately starts to put the door lock back
together. The troll calmly watches the human's activity. The blond hair
man says to the dark-haired one, "A byproduct of a well spent childhood."
The dark-haired man smiles and starts looking around the room. He walks
over to a wall that contains a large painting. Unfortunately the angel is
wrong to see the painting, but he stares at it for quite some time.
The other man quickly gives the whole place a once over. It's hard to say,
but you don't think the man missed any details. He finishes his look over
and walks up to some pencil drawings. There are several upon the wall.
One is a large, highly detailed sketch of a two-handed sword and the rest
are of an Indian man drawn as he is in various positions. None of them
look like he was posing for the picture.
The troll walks over as the skinhead finishes putting the door together.
He seems stunned by the pictures. The skinhead looks extremely angry at
seeing the sword and starts to move but the blond-hair man stops him. He
whispers, "She was merely doing a job. She didn't know the significance
until after. Just a tool."
The skinhead growls but doesn't move. "She's a good drawer if nothing
else."
The dark haired man walks over and admires the pictures of the Indian.
"She captures the emotions well too. To bad she is an elf."
The troll raises an eyebrow and says in a loud whisper, "That never used to
stop you."
The dark haired man looks up and says, "It does now." He walks over to a
door and the blond haired man follows. After a little while the piano
stops playing. The humans clap quietly which gets a small shriek.
A feminine voice says, "You! How dare you come in here like that? What do
you want?"
The blond man says, "I merely couldn't help but drop in. I was wondering
if you would share with me a cup of coffee." He smiles a secret smile that
leaves you to wonder what he is thinking about.
You can see the woman now. She is a stunningly good-looking elf with
raven-black long hair that is braided to keep out of the way. She is
wearing a beautiful white dress that complements her very nicely. She
raises an eyebrow at the man's comment and appraises him.
Woman: "It is indeed a pleasure, Nightmare. Although I though you would
have the common decency to not barge in on a woman." She gives a small
start at seeing the troll and then again at seeing the skinhead. The
skinhead gives her a very tight smile that doesn't reach his eyes.
He says, "Yes you know me for you stole the sword that I was keeping at the
time. I am Blitzkrieg. I come in peace. What is done is done, and not
even you can undo the pain. I must say, you play wonderful piano."
The woman smiles shyly and says, "Why -- thank you. P--Please come into
the living room and make yourself comfortable. I am afraid Mr. Troll that
I have no furniture that will contain you. Please forgive me."
The troll smiles and says, "Dat's okay. Da floor is fine. I'm Doomsday."
He scratches his chin and waits for the others to go through the door.
The dark-haired man bows and holds the woman's hand as he kisses it softly.
"I am Christopher Harker. It is neither my real name nor my running name
but it shall suffice until I find a better one. Your piano playing is
nothing compared to your beauty." He swallows and looks away. He walks
briskly over to a window and stares out. The woman seems puzzled and looks
at Nightmare.
Nightmare says softly, "Leave him be. There are some things that are just
to recent to overcome. He doesn't particularly like elves. He does
however, know better than to hold things others have done to him against
you. It's just hard to fight the hatred that have created within him."
She nods nervously and leads Nightmare and Blitzkrieg to the sitting room.
Doomsday stays behind looking in amazement at the grand piano. Christopher
seems to be having an internal argument and is oblivious to the movements
of others.
Nightmare looks around quickly and says, "You are better off than I
thought. Have you had trouble with --"
The woman smiles and says, "Not yet, but I am lucky. They know how to find
me. I did three dangerous jobs to make up the insult. I refused the
fourth as Shadowfox instructed me. I had to even work with razor-dummies.
But at least they don't want to kill me now."
Nightmare nods and says, "You are indeed lucky then. For they didn't kill
you with the jobs they offered either. How fortunate for all."
The woman looks at him and Blitzkrieg and measures them carefully. After a
long while she says, "Please be seated. From your stance Blitzkrieg, you
expect to not be here long. If that is the case, why are you here?"
If Blitzkrieg is surprised by her bluntness he doesn't show it. "You
promised your services to my half-brother if he succeeded in tracking you
down. He has done it not once but three times."
Nightmare smiles and sits. They both follow his example. He says, "I have
a far different offer than the one I expected to make to you so long ago.
It involves a similar type job as before, only much more complicated. You
will have to work with all four of us. In addition there will be two
deckers aiding us and three separate riggers."
The woman smiles at Nightmare's directness. She says, "People or goods?"
"People."
"How many?"
"One family. They are willing, but fearful and we aren't expected. They
are being watched so it will make it more difficult. There are other
complications as well, but I have covered them as best I can. Everything
is prepared and my window of opportunity to do the job is short. Are you
interested?"
"Of course. My price will be higher."
"My Johnson expected that. I warned him as such. He will dock pay if the
family is hurt in any manner. He expects them to be frightened but
otherwise unharmed."
"Raises the price some but, I'm still game."
Nightmare reaches into a pocket and pulls out an envelope and hands it to
her. She opens it and spends several minutes reading it and rereading it.
She says slowly, "Interesting. The money is a little low for the scope of
the job but ... it would be an interesting challenge. I accept. I will
charge you more Nightmare if your team turns out to think more with their
brawn than brains."
Nightmare smiles warmly and says, "But of course madam. I expect as much
from you." ]<<<<<
-- Blitzkrieg <19:53:37/10-02-56>
