Description: Rolento in disguise visits the shelter run by one Elias Patrick. An offer that the priest cannot refuse is made and in the long run it is something that will be detrimental. Will the priest ever catch on to what is happening or does Rolento have a new permanent recruiting grounds?
The humble shelter that Elias has been maintaining seems to have drawn some manner of attention; for in the midst of him doing basic maintenance and services there, an elder man within a plain brown suit makes his way in. One hand holds a faded black leather briefcase, the other adjusting the black tie around his neck. He would be placed somewhere past fifty, although his build is nothing less then incredible. Even within the suit, a sense of power is clearly visible. Eyes are hidden beneath mirrored shades. "I am seeking the proprietor of this establishment." he states. Rolento's posture is sharp and perfect, although the bearing of a military man is unlikely to be recognized...
The shelter has been slowly getting better over time. With the money that Elias has pulled in and put into repairs the place is looking worthy of being respectable. Many homeless people from the slums have found solace in this place and there is a rare thing they feel since they arrived. That thing would be hope. While Elias comes off as a rather stern and often shows little emotion he has shown to be a kind man that is doing his best to change lives and help people when he can. He has even managed to get some of the older members jobs in the town by working with Haggar and his people.
The priest is actually in the shelter today after some traveling through Mexico to help some of the smaller villiages there as well as a few stops in towns in the US. He is working with a few people about repairs when he is told there is a strange visitor that had entered building. The priest soon emerges and steps towards Rolento when he spots him. He keeps his hands folded behind his back as he steps forward and he offers a polite nod and not much else. "What can I help you with today, sir?"
A confident stride forward takes Rolento closer to Elias. There's all but a zero percent chance he is able to be recognized at the moment. His distinctive scar is hidden beneath makeup, making him only seem... peculiar, as opposed to menacing. A hand extends, seeming intent on escalating things to a shake. "I am Lucas Herrmann. A veteran from Vietnam... Private contracting to security firms made me a very wealthy man in the aftermath, unlike many of my comrades." If ever there was a claim beyond doubt, it is that. It would even explain the build, if he is a retired warrior. "And I happen to be an investor into charities... I have heard good things about this establishment. You do so much with little more then your own strong beliefs. It is commendable."
If the priest thinks something is fishy there isn't much that might prove it. He seems to retain a rather neutral look upon his features and he reaches out to give that hand a solid shake. The grip is a firm one for a man of the cloth, but given his time in prison and his occasional forays into the fighting world his build isn't exactly that of a typical man of the cloth. "It is good to meet you, sir." he replies and doesn't even offer a smile as he pulls his hand away and lets it go back to rest behind his back like it was before. "I do use some money that I am able to earn through charties and other things." Not to mention he does still have some money that he had inherited from his family in the past that gathered interest during his time away from the outside world.
He seems to size the man up for a moment before speaking up again. It is good to see a veteran from a war doing so well when there are possibly many from that same war seeking shelter here. "How can I be of service to you today, Mr. Herrmann?" he asks. "While I appreciate the visit I am sure you have more pressing matters to attend to than visit a priest and his modest shelter."
Indeed, Rolento's grip is also firm. Much can be read of an assertive personality within the restrained power there. "Negative. It is precisely your operation here that drew me. As I said... I am an investor." He makes his way to an adjacent table, and swings up his briefcase. "I seek a man of strong conviction, yet one who I am sure will use a small portion of my wealth properly. And who better then you... Mr. Elias Patrick..." He knows his name? Well, that might not be surprising, if he truly came here wishing for some manner of business. "You know fighting, and you know both poverty and wealth. Being a man of strong faith, I can think of no better within this city for my requirements. Would you be interested? This donation is not done through conventional channels. I have little respect for the government, you must understand. As such, knowing that you will not merely run off with it... is quite important."
He doesn't exacly hide his name so Elias is not too surprised when his full name is used by the other man. He lets his gaze shift to the briefcase only momentarily before it returns to looking towards the businessman. "If you wish to donate I will be sure whatever you offer is used properly." He responds. He hasn't honestly had many people offer a donation and he has had to help build and maintain this shelter mostly on his own. His only appreciation is Haggar allowed him to set up such a place in the slums. The mayor seems to be a good man that just has too big of a city to fully control.
He takes a few moments of silence to debate things when he listens to Rolento and he gives a nod. "You praise me so, but I only do what God asks of me of course." he responds and he brings a hand about to motion towards where a few people are sitting at a table eating and further back a few children are playing with one another. "Anything you offer I will accept with good faith." he leans forward in a bow as he sweeps his arm forward and rests across his chest. "You seem to be a good man, Mr. Herrmann."
A small nod of satisfaction leaves Rolento's face at this. "I am a man who wishes for what is best. You seem to be the same. We all must fight the same battle in our own ways. I have not the time to support such basic enterprises, but I do have the capability in other ways." The briefcase is swiveled towards the soldier, and then popped open. Within is crisp bills, the sort that is generally only seen in movies. "This is fifty thousand. I am sure you can do much to update this building. I will not monitor your receipts, or investigate how you use it. Whether you fall to temptation is dependent on you... as you have my trust." He closes it again. Of course, nobody else in the shelter saw it. "Additionally, I have two men who will work here full time. They are yours for what you desire. They are, of course, not under your own payroll, but mine." Two men walk in thereafter. One is huge and incredibly dark skinned. The other is slender and short. Both, if one were biased, appear shifty and menacing. "Francisco..." he motions to the large one. "And Marty." The smaller. They both give a bob of the head. "Whether it is errands, portioning food, or cleaning, there will be no complaint."
The case is opened and the priest only raises his eyebrows at first. He is not too used to someone offering so much of a donation at one time. In a place like the slums it is almost insane to carry that amount of money as well. The raising of his brows is pretty much the extent of a true reaction is all that is given from Elias. He allows the case to be closed and actually he moved to where no one would see just in case of someone behid him might have had some sort of angle to see what was in it. "Even if not required I will be sure everything is recorded properly and brought before you."
His gaze then turns towards the two men that enter and he seems to size them up. They look a bit rough around the edges, but so do some of the people he is dealing with right now. He isn't exactly the nicest looking fellow himself so he knows all too well appreances are decieving. "I will be sure one of these gentlemen will provide you with updates with what is done." he replies and gives a nod in thanks. "If there is anything I can offer in repayment for such kind actions let me know. You are a good amn."
"Simply use the money as best you can to attract those in need. I am hoping to fund many sanctuaries for those who have nowhere else to go." There's nothing that remotely indicates this is less then genuine. "Francisco can get in contact with me if needed. Both of these men are also well trained in combative arts... nowhere near your own capable hands, but they will be useful help in the case of trouble." Again, Rolento offers his hand. "I look forward to a fruitful business with you, Mr. Patrick. It is my strong belief that there should be no limit to how far one's opportunity can expand. Especially trivial things like money."
This money could indeed come into good use. Elias had used a good amount of earnings in his travels and he was going to refil his coffers soon enough. This really seemed to be a blessing delivered to him. This may allow him to finally finish repairs on this place so he can look into moving abroad once again and find a site for a new shelter to open up. If only there were more men like the one that came before him today.
He reaches out to take that hand again and he gives it another firm shake. "I thank you for all the people in this building. I am sure to be in contact with you soon enough to let you know how things progress here. I would like you to see the result of such generosity." He can't help but feel somewhat suspicious, but to turn down such an offer without some sort of catch is hard to do. It would be denying the people under his care help afterall. He will be keeping a close eye on both men being put in charge under him at least.
"Show me your thanks by helping the people of this city." Rolento asks. "I leave these men in your care." With that said he gives a crisp salute towards the two men, who immediately return it. Leaving the briefcase behind, Elias is left with the two helpers, who stand in a loose 'at ease' military position. Indeed, they are incredibly well disciplined, never making complaint. They are cold and never give an aura of friendliness, but are capable in any way that would be wanted. However, there is the catch... indeed, these men speak with many of the younger people who come to the shelter. Some of those men stop coming. Rolento is subtly using this as a recruitment facility for his private army. Yet this is masked beyond the genuine fact he has no compunctions about helping those forgotten by the government, and those two men indeed work harder then might be expected for random helpers...
Log created on 18:57:14 11/13/2010 by Elias, and last modified on 20:24:57 11/13/2010.