Description: The Dancing Spider once again holds a conference with Mr. Big as they talk of developments going on in the tournament. After Aranha reveals what precious little he knows, Mr. Big shows his appreciation in the form of stacks of cash.
At the end of a hallway of executive offices on the 59th floor of Geese Tower lay a frosted glass door, though it is only one of hundreds like it throughout the building, this particular door stands out from it's brethren for one simple reason. It is unmarked. No placard marking it the office of the CEO, CFO, COO, VP-in-charge-of so and so, a Middle Manager, or even a Janitor's Closet. This is the sort of office that doesn't need a title because it belongs to the sort of man who you don't need to find. He finds you.
On the other side of the frosted glass door is a small, yet tasteful waiting room. Decorated in a graceful monochrome modern style that makes the room seem larger than it actually is there are a few items of interest in the lobby. A few black leather chairs, a small bar with a water cooler, coffee machine, and a cabinet that most likely holds a modest assortment of liquor, a simple, but elegant glass coffee table, a magazine rack with fresh editions of the world's major newspapers and a few tasteful monthly publications. No People Magazine here. The floor is covered with plush black carpeting and a large window runs the length of the white outfacing wall providing more than adequate natural lighting during most hours of the day. All that being said, however, there is one fixture that almost certainly draws one's attention upon entering the foyer, and that is the modern glass desk in the back of the sitting area. The reason being is the lovely woman sitting behind it.
Dressed in a smart well-tailored black business suit that shows off her more than generous bust and a very short skirt that reveals long perfectly sculpted legs, the slender young brunette finishes off the look with a chic A-line haircut and a pair of elegant glasses. Humming softly as she files her nails, the stunning secretary waits patiently for the next hour's appointment to arrive so she can let him through the heavy oak door at her side and into the office belonging to Mr. Big.
Enter the next hour's appointment, Keith 'Aranha' Mason. He's not dressed in any type formal wear. He didn't really have the time to. As a matter of fact he really only had time to gather a few discs and recordings coming from the Oakley Thumps that he's currently wearing on his face.
He looks around the foyer first thing he looks at is not the secretary but everything in the room. He has already plotted places he can move if he needed to. He probably doesn't need to but it's the type of thing that has been ingrained into him.
His attention finally goes towards the secretary and the tailored business suit draws even more attention after giving an appreciative smile is sent her way he moves past her right to Mr. Big's office, after all, he was expected.
The secretary returns Aranha's smile with a flirtatiously coy smile of her own as she wordlessly presses a button on her desk. There is a faint metallic click from within the latch securing the heavy oak door and the doorknob turns easily as the capoeirista enters one of Mr. Big's man inner sanctums.
The contrast between Mr. Big's office and the waiting room's clean modern style is quite noticeable as you first enter the room. Where the foyer was all glass and metal, Mr. Big's office is almost entirely wood and leather. The walls are lined with mahogany book shelves which are filled with leather-bound books. There is a bench-style leather couch against one of the walls and two comfortable looking leather chairs situated in front of Mr. Big's huge mahogany desk and high-backed leather office chair. A corner office, large windows take up two of walls and thick maroon carpet covers the most of the floor; the kind that's so thick that it leaves footprints when you walk and makes you feel like you're barefoot while wearing even the most uncomfortable shoes.
"Ah, Spider. Right on time," Mr. Big says from the corner of his large office that is bordered by the windows. Hefting the putter in his hands onto his shoulder, the Southtown Syndicate Gangster turns from one of those mini putting greens that you always seen in fancy corporate offices in the movies and takes a few steps toward the younger fighter. "Take a seat," he offers with a business-like smile, pointing at one of the leather chairs as he moves to take his own seat behind the desk. "Can I have Hannah get you something to drink? Water, coffee, booze?"
Aranha takes a step into the office and looks around as he does so. Oddly enough, this time his eyes aren't the first to pick up information. It's his feet. Considering the fact that he's wearing extremely confortable shoes, Aranha is in complete heaven.
Then his eyes begin to gather information. It actually funny that he can think of the windows of a building as a viable, life-saving exit.
The Dancing Spider does as he's told and sits down, once he's done he lays down a thumb drive on Mr. Big's desk. "Water, please. Here is some info I gathered. A few things I know you'll be interested in. Some things of questionable interest, but I'd rather err on the side of too much info than not enough." Aranha seems to get to business right away.
Setting the golf club across his knees and pressing one of a row of small buttons built into the surface of his mahogany desk, Mr. Big clears his throat softly and speaks for what one would assume to be an intercom hidden somewhere in the office. "Hannah baby, bring our guest a glass of ice water. The same for me, extra scotch," he adds with a grin as he releases the button.
"Ah, good," the Chrome Dome Don replies to Aranha as the USB drive is placed on his desk. Not bothering to inspect the memory device, Mr. Big seems content to let the thumb drive sit on his desk for now. Reaching instead for one of the drawers on the right side of his desk, the Diamond Don slides it open smoothly before lifting his hand back on the desk to drum his fingers casually. "Was there anything in particular you wanted to elaborate on before we settle things, or should I just let the information on the drive speak for itself?"
Just as Mr. Big finishes speaking there is another soft metallic click from the door behind Aranha as Hannah enters Big's office with a small silver tray balanced on one hand. Her long legs striding purposefully, one foot in front of the other as she sways demurely, towards the pair sitting at the desk, the secretary places a tall glass of ice cold water on a coaster in front of the capoeirista, then walks around Mr. Big, tracing a finger along his smooth scalp as she glides to his other side and sets a tumbler of scotch on the rocks in front of him. Smiling warmly at Aranha, Hannah reaches out to try and run a hand across his shoulders in a manner far too intimate for normal business proceedings as she walks past, causing Mr. Big to frown slightly.
"That's enough. Just the drink's will be fine Hannah," he says with thinly veiled irritation, causing her to shrug and wrinkle her nose poutingly as moves to leave the room. "Christ, do what ever you want to the guy after our business is done, but you better be off the clock this time! I ain't payin you to give blowjobs!" he hollers after her as she exits. "That damn girl. It's hard to find good help, you know?" he says apologetically. "Now where were we?"
Aranha at this point find it hard to keep a straight face as Mr. Big lays her out for being flirtatious. Eventually he waits for Hannah for leave before he speaks. "Indeed. The reason I normally prefer working alone." He shrugs somewhat sheepishly as he looks at the Platinum Playa. After that he takes a sip of water.
"Well on there's information on the paper trail regarding the building of the ship. I chased after who built the ship, where it was built, the whole nine..." Aranha pauses to take another sip before continuing. "On the surface the paperwork looks good but after a closer look, you realize that there are a few snags and that they didn't build the boat."
He doesn't continue but he leaves a dramatic pause. "You'll probably be interested in the source of this boat, the Suiryuu. Remember the match between Roberto and Faolan versus Hinako and Riko?" He doesn't ask the question because he's testing his memory. He's telling him the boat that is the Suiryuu is the same boat that was stolen on live television. He had to admit it was a gutsy move and there was a degree of respect for ninjas because of this plot they engineered.
Stroking his goatee in thought as Aranha speaks, Mr. Big nods and sneers wolfishly, his pearly white canines glinting menacingly. "I see... ...very interesting. I'll have to look into this further." Reaching into his desk drawer Mr. Big pulls out a few stacks of cash, the same amount as he gave Aranha before and then some, and tosses them across the desk to the capoeirista. "Good work Aranha, is there anything else you want to go over while you're here? If not, keep an ear out for anything else I might find interesting and maybe we can work something out."
The moment the money is thrown across the desk it's caught by the capoeirista. After a few moments to count the money. "There are a few things you might be interested in." The stacks of cash are quickly put away with a smile.
Truth be told the Dancing Spider didn't expect to see the money until he said this next piece of information he figures he might as well reveal it now since he did already get the money. "I did a little additional research into this particular matter. It turns out that the Lilien Knights had a hand in the matter. Plus I think Riko was rubbing her involvement in everyone's face. Just look at the rikopic03.jpg file on the disc." If he does look at it he'll see a picture of Riko wearing a t-shirt with a black baby doll on it and the words 'NINJA PIRATE' emblazoned across it. And quite frankly Aranha doesn't see it as coincidence.
Aranha also figures he might as well draw the more important points to an end also talk about the stuff of more questionable importance before the meeting draws to an end. "Of course there's also an audio recording and few cellphone pics of a fight between Cody and Kyle Travers. Given the spur of the moment nature of the fight I wasn't able to give you more. It looks like Cody made an appearance on the boat before his brother Kyle threw him off and it looks like Cody's on Glow. Like I said. I wasn't exactly sure how important this was to you but I figure it's better to have more information than you need than not enough."
Mr. Big drums his fingers on his sturdy desk in contemplation as Aranha divulges his additional information. "I see. Interesting. I haven't heard much about these Lilien Knights for a while. They've been keeping off the radar, ya know? Might be a good idea for me to check up on them." Grunting softly as he picks up a pen and scribbles something down on his desktop ledger, the Sultan of Southtown purses his lips and tosses the writing instrument aside. "The Travers angle is interesting," he adds. "Lemme know if you hear anything else about the older brother, especially having to do with Glow." If Cody does turn out to be involved with some sort of drug he could be a weakness to exploit, a crack in Haggar's posse, Mr. Big thinks.
"You did good Spider," Mr. Big says with a slight smile. "Keep your ears open if you're looking to earn more scratch. If you keep playing your cards right we might be able to find you some more... hands on work. Then you can start earning some REAL money," Mr. Big adds with a smug smirk.
Aranha realizes after a few moments that there's a detail he should mention as well as what his next move is going to be. "Oh before I head out. The thing about that whole pirate thing is after that boat heist it seemed there was deal that the Lilien Knights were supposed to crew the ship." Aranha brings his hands up as he raises his shoulder in a shrug. "As a matter of fact, they aren't the ones who consist of the crew. The deal had fallen through and I haven't been able to find out who this particular crew is. As a result, my next move is obvious on that front."
Aranha nods when Mr. Big compliments his work however the thought of performing more hands on work does make his stomach twist in knots. It's only the knowledge of where this money is going that gives him any bit of confort. Needless to say, he does keep a smile on his face as he walks towards the door. "Nice doing business with ya."
With that, Aranha is on his way. Though he does make sure to get Hannah's digits on the way out. Aranha ain't dead. Oh and he still has to make that little shopping list for stuff he'll need from a hardware store and a pharmacy.
Log created on 00:00:13 09/24/2007 by Aranha, and last modified on 19:12:52 10/17/2007.