Description: Dr. Tran sets up an appointment the only way he knows how - by hitting a whore with a wad of bills.
Mornings are harsh.
True, it's well after noon, but for Leilani Ke'ekikolani, it's morning. She works late, after all, so she sleeps through most of the normal day. If not for copious amounts of coffee, she'd not really be able to properly function.
This is the reason the Hawai'ian beauty is sitting outside of Geese Tower, a large cup of some coffee-type beverage on the small table in front of her. The lobby of the Tower sports a rather nice coffee shop, with rumors amongst the employees saying that Mr. Howard himself has come down more than once to get himself a latte.
Balancing a laptop on her knee as she sits partially curled up in a metal patio chair, Leilani peruses a shoe website whilst soaking up the midday sun. There are good things about not really being well known in the fighting circuit... You can keep some anonymity in public. Also being a member of the Syndicate and sitting in front of the Tower is a great way to stay unmolested while you do whatever else.
"Ooh, cute boots," she coos, checking a pair of New Rock Cheyenne boots out further. "I wonder if Daddy'd like those..."
Mornings are harsh, but one man is harsher. One man stands alone against the world. One man dares to walk up and have a talk with a hooker. That man...is Dr. Tran.
Let's cut back to a few moments beforehand, though. Dr. Tran has, for lack of a better word, been loitering around Geese Tower. What business could such a man have in such a respectable place of commerce and various dealings? Business business. Business that involves the woman he just spotted having a coffee. Fishing out a small photo, the doctor double checks to make sure, and then makes his move.
Smoothly pulling up a chair, Tran sits down right across from Leilani, folding his hands in front of himself on the table. "Hello there, Leilani. I need to set up an appointment. And before you get the wrong idea, it's not with you, it's with your boss."
The keyword is some. Some anonymity. Leilani is slowly getting used to people outside of the club knowing her name, and so when this strange man pulls up a chair and says her name, she's still slightly surprised. Closing her laptop, she uncurls from her chair, leaning forward to set the computer on the table in front of her and instead take up the warm beverage of espresso, milk and sugar. She eyes Tran, looking him over with an odd smile. "Who do you mean?" she asks, the look on her face turning almost innocent.
Remember the Information Rule: Never give up more information than is implicitly stated.
Technically, she has several bosses. Howard. Kane. Big. The schmuck general manager at the club. The organizers of the Neo League. And, of course, her johns. She knows whom this man most likely means, but she's not gonna just SAY it.
Cupping her coffee with both hands, she gently takes a drink from the vessel, her eyes locked on Tran.
Anonymity only gets you so far when you've got the sort of research at your fingertips that Tran has, especially if you've got people more than willing to sift through it for you and provide the relevant bits. Truth be told, Tran had never even heard of Leilani a couple days ago. It just goes to show.
Not missing a beat, Tran smiles right back and says, "Mr. Big, sweetheart." He'd ask who she thought he meant, but she probably wouldn't tell him, anyway, and he's trying to get this shit done, besides. "So, when's a good time? My partner's schedule is flexible."
With that bit of nonsense out of the way, Leilani sets her cup down and leans back in her chair, crossing her arms underneath her chest. "I'm sorry," she says, head tilting slightly to the side. "I never got a name. You obviously know mine, but I'm afraid I am at a loss." She doesn't watch fights herself, even before one of the league battles she's is put into by the Syndicate. Thus, she really has no idea who this joker is and why she's being approached by him.
"Also, your partner's name? And what business would the two of you have with Big Daddy?"
"You can call me Tran." Excellent. Foot in the doorway. Whether that's the easy part or the hard part, Tran doesn't know, but it's some part, and that's certainly a good sign. Leaning back, Tran brings his head behind his head and closes his eyes. "As for my partner, her name's Elle." There's not any real need for secrecy, but it's true: don't give anything more than you have to. And with just a first name, Tran doubts that there's much dirt-digging able to be done, even if they weren't still fairly low key.
"As for the business..." Tran opens his eyes and leans forward a bit. "I believe she mentioned some product he'd be interested in, and a real estate deal."
Quirking an eyebrow in interest, the Hawai'ian leans forward, resting her elbows on the table. Product? An interesting proposition, but, as always, potentially laced with danger. Who knows what these unknowns would try and sell? If it's narcotics, it's unlikely to be bought... After all, without a reputable source, who knows what crap you're buying. They poison some of it and thenn you kill off your userbase and have to start anew. It's a pain in the backside.
The real estate deal, though, that's far more interesting. Even the worst land can be bought, and then used to buy more expensive land cheaply by devaluing the area. With Geese's power, land can be rezoned at will...
Raising one hand, Leilani makes swirling motions towards Tran. "...And?"
Leaning forward even further, Tran's smile breaks into a grin. "And nothing." Bringing a finger forward, he wags it warningly. "Now, did I say I wanted to talk business with you? I don't believe so. While I'm sure your company's..." He looks her up and down briefly. "...very enjoyable, I've got shit I need to take care of."
Folding his hands up in front of himself, Tran still looks calm. "So how about it? Yes or no, that's all I want to hear."
With a shrug, the Hawai'ian leans back in her chair, turning her palms upward as she moves. "Well, unfortunately, Mr. Tran," she says, shaking he head slightly, "with as little information as you've given me... I really don't have much to give to Big in this case." Tilting her head slightly to the side, a look of disappointment and sadness crosses her face. "I mean, I have a nebulous concept here you're asking me to bring to a very busy man from two unknown parties. For all I know, the two of you would like to sell him your mix tape and a studio apartment in Detroit." Closing her eyes for a brief moment, she brings her hands in front of her, as if trying to grasp the underlying message physically. "I'm not asking for all the details, just enough that it might pique Daddy's interest if I tell him about it."
Clasping her hands together, she sighs and opens her eyes again. "If you don't think you can do that, then the answer is gonna be 'no'. Ya dig?"
Looking resigned, Tran stands up. "Well, I'm sorry you feel that way. I didn't want things to come to this, but..." Tran takes a step or two around the table toward Leilani, and reaches into his coat. "I lied, 'no' isn't what I want to hear at all. As of now, I believe it's stopped being a request." What foul weapon could Tran be reaching for? What nefarious destruction could it wreak?
It's revealed pretty quickly as Tran whips out a fat wad of cash, bundled up nice and neat with a rubber band, and then smoothly moves to smack Leilani upside the head with it.
COMBATSYS: Tran has started a fight here.
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Tran 0/-------/-------|
COMBATSYS: Leilani has joined the fight here.
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Tran 0/-------/-------|-------\-------\0 Leilani
COMBATSYS: Leilani endures Tran's Quick Punch.
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Tran 0/-------/-------|==-----\-------\0 Leilani
Arika heads east into the downtown area.
Benimaru heads east into the downtown area.
What is this nonsense?
Leilani's eyes narrow as the man stands, preparing herself to prevent an attack should a weapon be shown... But instead, the wad of bills is presented, and she goes off of alert. For a moment. And that moment is all that Tran apparently needs to get the bills out and swing then towards the Hawai'ian's head. All she can do, when she realizes it's an attack, is to brace for impact.
Whap.
That stung.
She's been hit by money before, though it's usually a single bill, wadded up into a ball, and tossed at her whilst on-stage. This is new. This... is insulting.
Standing up after getting kissed by Franklin, a look of indignation crosses the woman's face. She seizes her coffee cup, and flicks the lid off of the container. Jamming the cup forward, the contents become a swirling vortex of diluted coffee, milk and sugar.
"You pig!" she shouts.
COMBATSYS: Leilani successfully hits Tran with Waterspout.
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Tran 0/-------/-----==|===----\-------\0 Leilani
Hey, wait, what? That's not entirely how things were supposed to go in Tran's mind. It was supposed to be more like...'WHAP oh tran you are so manly I will do your bidding and make you a sandwich'. Instead it's more 'WHAP oh tran I hate you because I am a man-hating hater ho WHOOPS I SPILLED MY HOT DRINK ON YOUR LAP LOSER.' To be fair, there might've been steps Tran could've taken to preserve his fine self. However, more importantly comes preserving his fine money.
"Ackblth!" Tran's not terribly wordy as he turns about halfway, shielding his wad of cash with his body. And come to think, that hurt way more than normal coffee should. He shouldn't be surprised, but he is, a little. He takes a step or two back, dripping coffee, and tucks his money away safely. "Last chance, sweetheart. Tell me what I want to hear." His eyes are locked on Leilani.
COMBATSYS: Tran focuses on his next action.
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Tran 0/-------/-----==|===----\-------\0 Leilani
Dropping the now empty cup to the ground, the Hawai'ian huffs a little. That was good coffee. It was, as they say... delicious. And now, it is no more.
Crossing her arms, and furrowing her brow, Leilani frowns. A part of her thinks that, perhaps, setting up a meeting with Tran and, oh, one of those nice IEDs would be a great way to end things. But that requires money and effort... and a lot of luck, considering how well he both weathered her modified Waterspout and the strength of his Payola Punch. He's probably one of the tournament people. Meh.
"How would I contact you if I were to suggest a meeting to Big?" she asks, still keeping an eye on Tran. He might try something else, and she doesn't intend to let that insult happen again.
Besides, she's close enough that, should she need to, the security personnel of the Tower could come turn this yahoo into a kite. With this in mind, she adds, "And why should I stick my neck out for you? What incentives might we work out?"
COMBATSYS: Leilani focuses on her next action.
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Tran 0/-------/-----==|===----\-------\0 Leilani
Tran sighs, wearily. "Didn't you just feel it when I smacked you upside the head with a wad of bills?" Honestly, it's like people just don't even pay attention anymore. That, or people just aren't greedy enough. Either way, it's a sad, sad sign of the world going straight down the tubes.
"And in any case, I've got a cell phone. A miniature miracle of modern science." Tran whips it out of his coat to prove it. "Come on. It's a win-win no-brainer. No matter what, you get some money, I'm assuming Big gets some money, and everybody can go home happy. Whaddya say?"
She assumed that the wad o'dough would be the reward, but getting cracked upside the head with it made it less a sure thing. Anyway, the woman shrugs and sits back down in her seat, then motions for Tran to do the same. "Fine. I shall speak to Big and get you some time on his schedule so that you can bring your proposal to him."
Leilani opens her laptop and begins typing furiously on the keyboard. Currently, it's a basic profile of the man across from her, the kind of thing she's filled out a number of times. Everyone needs to get checked out before they can see the bosses. Or they punch through everyone in town. Either way, a profile gets made. Finally, she pauses, and says, "Okay, I don't have his current schedule, so I'll have to get back to you. Can I get your phone number so we can contact you regarding a satisfactory time?"
Drake heads east into the downtown area.
Tran actually prefers to remain standing at this point. He doesn't mind, even despite the time it takes for Leilani to go through her secretarial duties. It's not that he's opposed to it, so much as he's got some soakage going on, and hot coffee cools fast when it's all over your clothes. It's like sticking an ice cube down your pants.
"You sure can." Fishing the wad of bills out again, Tran tosses it onto the table, followed by a small slip of paper with his number written on it. "Go wild. So, is there anything else? It's not that I'm in a hurry, mind, but my shirt's a little sticky now."
Pulling both the cash and the slip towards her, the Hawai'ian shakes her head at Tran. "We'll get back to you shortly," she says, eyeing the number and typing it into the form. A few more keystrokes, and Tran's profile now sits waiting for a security check. Ah, the joys of wifi.
Closing the lid of her laptop, she quietly pockets the money before reaching a hand out to the Doctor. He may look like a wet and sticky mess, but she's seen a lot worse. "You should definitely go clean yourself up. And next time, for the record, slapping a woman with cash usually goes nowhere fast." Smiling wryly, Leilani winks at the man before adding, "You should be glad I was in a good mood."
The doctor goes ahead and takes the hand, shaking it. "Good to know, good to know." After he retracts his hand again, he shrugs, and adds, "Yeah, but I figured this sort of opportunity doesn't come up all that often. Seize the day and all."
Shaking his arm once or twice, sending drops of coffee flying off to the side, Tran turns it into a wave, and then grins. "Be seeing you around, then. I'll be looking forward to that call." He turns and starts walking off, presumably somewhere he can get a shower and a change of clothes. Bleck. Definately too much sugar.
COMBATSYS: Tran has left the fight here.
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Leilani 0/-------/---====|
As Tran wanders off, Leilani packs up her laptop and other accoutrements. She has more coffee to get, a pair of people to research, and a stack of cash to check over. One must make sure the money's legit before trying to use, after all.
Perhaps she'll check the cash out first. If it's good, then she can get her coffee. A triple caramel chocamochalatte deluxe with whipped cream and sprinkles sounds quite tasty right now.
COMBATSYS: Leilani has ended the fight here.
Log created on 16:51:56 05/21/2007 by Tran, and last modified on 22:09:18 05/21/2007.