| From: | Paul J. Adam Shadowtk@********.demon.co.uk |
|---|---|
| Subject: | Union City Blues |
| Date: | Thu, 13 Apr 2000 23:55:39 +0100 |
>>>>>[+++++begin transcript
B: "Breaker"
U: Unknown Female Voice
B: Well, howdy they-uh, Massah!
U: I don't appreciate your humour.
B: I hope you appreciate results.
U: Yes, yes, the strike vote failed on Lee's casting vote. What about the
girl?
B: She got a hell of a scare, her clothes torn up and her tits felt for the
camera. Then, she got a week in a motel, plenty of food, unlimited
cable, and I even had a couple of my guys help her with her homework
for Chrissakes. She's fine. Except for the show we filmed for Lee,
nobody laid a lustful hand on her.
U: That had better be true -
B: Look, you use stick and you use carrot. I told Lee how we'd gangbang
his little girl if he didn't play ball. He played nice. He gets his daughter
back, untouched, unmolested. We mean business and we keep our
word. You need _both_ those points.
U: All right, all right.
B: Now, about my bonus.
U: Bonus?
B: You _have_ read my contract?
U: Of course! You'll use 'all appropriate means' to ensure continuity of
labour at the plant!
B: And I did. Which entitles me to a twenty per cent bonus this month.
U: I do _not_ consider threatening to violate a thirteen-year-old girl
"appropriate".
B: Okay, see you in court when I appeal it.
U: WHAT?
B: Appeal. I'll tell everyone that I was working on your orders.
U: And anyone Upstairs will believe a thug like you over an executive -
B: Does this sound familiar? <recording begins, U's voice> "This had better
work. I mean that, Morant. If this doesn't work, then you're on your
own."
U: You... you...
B: Look, Ms. Pruge, I _know_ you've already claimed the full bonus amount
for preventing a damaging and expensive labour outage, and I _know_
I''m entitled to my fair share, and I _know_ you already skimmed off a
lot of other people's rightful earnings for yourself, and you know what? I
don't give a shit, that's _their_ problem. I just want what's mine, and if
I have to bury you to get it rather than let you steal it then that's fine
by me, I got a shovel handy.
U: You know?
B: How stupid do you think I am? I was _born_ out here, I was scamming
suits before you graduated high school. I can't play Upstairs and I don't
even try, this is what I know, and as long as the Company keeps sending
bright-but-clueless MBAs with great legs and no experience down here I'll
keep ten steps ahead of you.
U: This is the part of the simsense where the street-tough Ork security
chief and the beautiful site manager get it on, right?
B: If you want, you're pretty cute, but I didn't think I was your type.
U: Is that part of your price?
B: No, my price is to be paid what I earned, no more and no less. You
want us to screw, I'm happy to oblige, but that's pleasure not business.
U: <sighs> I'll authorise your money. After all, you did keep the plant
working.
B: Are you disappointed?
U: By what?
B: That the Ork streetmeat can take you or leave you?
U: No. Relieved. Trade sex for favours, and you get dirty. I've seen too
many other people make that mistake. I'm pleased you feel the same
way.
B: I didn't get this job by being stupid, any more than you did - and I don't
think you're stupid. Naive and inexperienced about how this place
works, yes, stupid no.
U: Thank you. I think. What now?
B: It was a four-four vote. I knew Petri, Donald and Brainne would vote
against, because they're pretty much irreplaceable. I'd suggest we try
buying off Donald to sow some dissention.
U: What'll it cost?
B: Five thousand, tops. Probably three, but authorise five and return the
change rather than put in low-bid and have to grovel for more -
U: Why will it work?
B: He thinks he can pick winners at Combat Biker, but he always backs
the Timberwolves, and they've had a _bad_ season. He owes Bartolo's
bookies at least three grand, and they're worried enough to talk to me
about it.
U: Worried that he won't pay?
B: Worried that we'll be upset if they grab him and sell his body parts for
cash. Donald thinks he's indispensible so we'll say 'no', so he's voting for
the pay raise so he can pay off the sharks.
U: Whereas if _we_ pay his debt... he owes us, correct?
B: And also, his union buddies will hate his guts if they find out.
U: Devious. I thought you were just a thug, Morant.
B: Lots of people make that mistake.
U: The fourth vote to strike?
B: Jack Khenz.
U: Khenz... quality assurance. Not essential. Why'd he vote to strike?
B: He's dating a pretty young thing on the assembly line. She got body-
searched a few days ago. He's pissed off about it. That's all.
U: I'm sure I won't like this, but clarify... no. On second thoughts, I'm sure
I can work it out for myself. What to do about him?
B: Fire him or kill him. Which would you prefer?
U: Which would you recommend?
B: Fire him. Cheaper, easier, less hassle.
U: And his girlfriend?
B: Now you're learning! Fire her, too. Let them enjoy unemployment
together.
U: That simple?
B: We just don't let them in the gate. Nice public lesson. She made a fuss,
he made it louder, they don't have to work here. Nobody's _forced_ to
work here. The bigger and louder a scene they make, the better.
U: True enough. I'd have thought you'd want money to kill Khenz and that
you'd stake his girlfriend out for your men's amusement.
B: And if they'd been enough of a problem I would. But we caught this one
early and we can fix it cheaply and easily. Two changes to the database
and that's it. Wait a month, let them have fun being jobless in the
Barrens, and we can probably get them back with a big injection of
docility and on a lower salary.
U: Really?
B: You can't eat pride, and we can train QA inspectors and line workers
pretty quick. We know it, they know it. Let Khenz cool off, and Samm
realise that getting felt up by a bored guard is an occupational hazard,
and they'll either tell us to go to hell or accept. Meanwhile everyone
watching sees what happens when you flip management the bird.
U: Fascinating. How do you stop the power going to your head?
B: Easily, it's brittle. We've got a union because Randall squeezed too hard.
The workers figured they didn't have much to lose. Always keep them
happier inside the wire than outside.
U: Obvious, so how did Randall forget?
B: He got careless and clumsy. Then he panicked and overreacted. Which
is how come he's in the organ bank and you and I are here.
U: I still don't like you, Morant, but you're better at this than I thought.
B: And you're still a stuck-up bitch, but you've still got great legs and
you're learning fast.
U: <laughs> I'll learn from you, but you won't charm me into your bed just
yet.
B: So, when?
U: Probably never, but at least I can work with you.
B: That'll do.
+++++end transcript
Wonder if she got a kick in the butt from Upstairs? Or if she's just
checked on the realities of this place?
Either way, Lee got his daughter back, virtue intact, and we dodged a
strike for a few more weeks.]<<<<<
-- Breaker <23:55:43/04-13-61>
