| From: | "Paul J. Adam" <shadowtk@********.DEMON.CO.UK> |
|---|---|
| Subject: | Protection Money |
| Date: | Wed, 22 Jan 1997 23:46:00 +0000 |
Hard to know how this one's going to work out, but for now he seems
interested.
+++++begin trideo
It takes a moment to recognise the club's office. Evidently the same
major cleaning exercise that's underway in the main club is happening
here: the walls are freshly painted, the floor carpeted, the overflowing
and rickety shelves replaced by two filing cabinets and a neat bookcase.
Either a surveillance camera has been fitted, or Easy now has access to
it, because that's where the view is from.
The desk is at least veneered with real wood, the computer on it is
modern and looks new, and Easy sits behind it in a chair that might be
real leather, or at least an excellent facsimile. Her dai-sho hangs on
the wall behind her. She's wearing a sleeveless black T-shirt that shows
off her slim figure and makes her skin seem even even more ghostly pale,
and a short black skirt: a set of four razor scars on her thigh are
still visible, but she doesn't seem to mind: her feet - in black,
spurred cowboy boots - are comfortably propped on the desk, a foam pad
protecting it veneer from the razor-sharp blades on the heels.
Her biker jacket hangs on the back of the chair, and she doesn't seem to
be armed. Unusually, she's not wearing gloves, and the bracelets of
white scarring around her wrists are more noticeable.
The intercom chirps. "Boss? Your visitor's here. Two guards came in,
one's watching the room. Looks amiable. Two more in the car, they're
sitting tight."
"Thanks." Easy rises to her feet - you see a small pistol holstered in
the small of her back - and is standing in front of the desk when the
office door opens: a grey-haired and very smartly-tailored Japanese man
enters, followed by another younger Oriental woman who unobtrusively
stands by the door and seems to merge into the furniture.
The Japanese bows, and she returns it: an approximation rather than an
imitation, the tall Elven girl doesn't try to get it precisely right,
just to slightly exceed both the depth and duration.
"Good evening, Easy-sama."
"And a pleasant evening to you also, Heihachi-san. This is an unexpected
and most welcome honour you pay me."
"Given your reputation, it is no less than you deserve." At her gesture,
the yakuza takes a seat: Easy does the same.
"Would you care for some refreshment?"
"Thank you, no, I must dine with some most tiresome industrialists after
we conclude. And that is also why I would beg your forgiveness for my
terrible manners: my time is short, and I am sure yours is also. May we
discuss business at once?" The Yakuza almost looks uncomfortable.
"Of course, Heihachi-san. You do me too much honour by visiting in
person, naturally you do not wish to spend your valuable time
unnecessarily."
"Thank you, Easy-sama. I see this facility is already much improved."
The Elf waves at the office. "A minor matter of redecoration. The main
bar is at least cleaner, but will require much more work before it is
fit for civilised company."
"What might your plans include?" The Yakuza lights a Dunhill with a slab
of filigreed gold.
"A slight drift up-market, less prostitution, drive out the chip
dealers.. perhaps open a restaurant. This place is a stepping stone. I,
and friends, have ambitions towards business that will bring a little
wealth back to Tarislar: it would be as well to help people spend their
new wealth near their homes. I'll also need to operate it legitimately."
"I see. Do you foresee the interests of that business and of our own
clashing in any way?" Hehachi's voice is friendly, but his eyes are
alert.
"In a few minor ways, of course, some of the beetle-pushers I intend to
chase out work for you. But I see far more opportunity than threat here
for your business. We will need construction work and maintenance. Goods
and supplies to be transported, in safety. Properties to be guarded
against theft or sabotage. The workers will desire... recreations that
you are well equipped to provide, and will have the money in their
pockets to pay for them, even if they do not do so here."
"Excellent. I am glad to have been misinformed. So, you think you see an
opportunity?"
Easy leans back in her chair. "I've got local support, capital, outside
help, and a good plan. I don't remember the last time anyone was able to
all that together in Tarislar."
Heihachi allows his puzzlement to show. "Might I enquire as to what you
intend to do? You have been buying empty land, yet I see many vacant
properties abandoned and unclaimed: there is no future in the area's
real estate until much rebuilding takes place."
"We're not building. We're farming."
Heihachi registers surprise, then smiles.
"Now I see, and much becomes clear. However, there is a small matter. I
understand you have declined to contribute towards the protection of
this fine facility."
The Elf lights a cigarette of her own. "Payment is on hold for now. The
sum was a trifle high, though my accountant will negotiate the new
arrangement soon. However, this very morning I had to kill two local
toughs and maim a third. Normally I charge considerable sums for such
work, I resent having to do so on my own property and in my own time."
She blows smoke. "We pay for the protection we get."
"That was never the arrangement we made with Top Dog." The Yakuza is
suddenly even more urbane and relaxed, dangerously so.
"Top Dog's on a plane to Miami to turn his money into chips into lots
more money. Now you deal with me." The Elf's tension shows, but she
still sits comfortably.
"It would be most unfortunate if such an isolated and vulnerable spot
were to come to harm. We would be grieved to see that happen."
"Since we intend to pay you to keep it safe, you shouldn't be sad, you
should be terrified." Easy taps ash off the cigarette, locks eyes with
the Yakuza. "Because after I find whoever did it, I'll come after you
for default of contract.
"You're not impressing me, Heihachi-san, four wannabee punks with a
couple of Bangladeshi Predator clones and one cheap cyberspur thought
they could throw their weight around in my club. Doesn't sound like you
looked after this place too well: doesn't sound like your protection is
properly respected."
"Are you threatening me?"
"No more than you're threatening me. I would like an accomodation,
Heihachi-san. Your people are competent and loyal. I could kill you
quite easily, but your employees would be a persistent and dangerous
thorn in my side for some time thereafter." Both relax very slightly as
Heihachi stubs out his Dunhill.
"What sort of accomodation did you have in mind, Easy-sama? You must
understand, protecting a nightclub is not the most profitable of
businesses."
"Of course, which is why I would like to reduce - even eliminate - that
burden upon you. In any case, I and friends have several construction
projects planned for this area. Might you know of a respectable and
efficient firm who might be suitable?"
Her tone is offhand, her eyes intent. Heihachi smiles very slightly.
"Of course, Easy-sama. I would be pleased to suggest such a company.
What sort of work were you considering?"
"Accomodation, several industrial units and miscellaneous building, a
great deal of fencing, road clearance and repair, water piping and power
lines."
Heihachi can't keep the gleam out of his eyes, but he does a superb job
of remaining impassive in spite of the carrot Easy dangles under his
nose. "This will not be cheap, Easy-sama."
"The price of building in Tarislar. It should, though, be lucrative for
those who assist in its construction."
Heihachi nods slightly. "You intend competitive tendering?"
"I'm a business, not a charity."
"Of course. I believe, though, we will impress you with the quality of
our work. My colleagues would need to hire a number of additional
workers, probably from this very area." The Yakuza proffers some bait of
his own.
"I hope so, Heihachi-san, such would please me greatly. Is there any
other matter you wished to discuss?"
"No, thank you, Easy-sama. I believe we have certain mutual interests to
explore. Do you have an assistant I could trouble with certain mundane
matters?"
Easy hands him a card, as he rises.
+++++end trideo
I snipped the closing pleasantries.
Now we find out whether running with Heihachi was a good idea. And
whether the other groups are willing to listen before they start
shooting.]<<<<<
-- Easy <23:45:31/01-21-58>
