Participants:
| Scene Title | What's Your Poison? |
|---|---|
| Synopsis | Adam plays his flute to lure out the local rats. |
| Date | April 23, 2009 |
Day or night, Canal Street is busy in Chinatown. Perfumes, purses, produce, pork, and poultry are all sold side by side in busy open storefronts. One entire portion of the street is dedicated to nothing but jewelry stores catering to various price ranges. Box vendors sell all manner of sizzling foodstuffs to passing pedestrians, some of it identifiable, some of it better left unexplained. The ambiance is one of business and pleasure.
What little name he has going for him has Satoru pegged as a low-level thug type of character - and really even then, that's probably giving him more credit than he's earned. As for identification — well, he is known to generally go around on rollerblades, and today isn't an exception to that rule. He's perusing what Canal Street has to offer in the way of mundanities, already carrying a couple bags of produce, general supplies, and imported soda. In contrast to his usual behavior he's actually acting rather civil, making sure not to run anyone over as he wheels around. Looks over meat markets as he passes them, but for the most part seems disinterested in what they have to offer.
Adam has parked himself on Canal street. To pass the time, he has been eating a bowl of noodles with chopsticks. He continues to shovel them in his mouth in the native way as he waits for a Japanese kid to roll by on rollerblades. It seems doubtful that a rollerblading kid can be much of an enforcer, but who knows, maybe he's played rollerball. At any rate, as he notes his quarry getting closer, he puts down his bowl of noodles and drops them in a bin, brushing his hands clean. He steps forward right in the boy's path and spreads his arms out wide, a clear obstacle.
Nonetheless, one can probably figure that if he's going out and telling people he can enforce, he's got something to back it up. Most people don't go and intentionally put themselves in positions to get themselves killed, after all. So, Satoru continues his lazy path down the street, almost not even noticing Adam, really.. but does look over that way in time to avoid a collision. Glancing off to either side of the man, he notes that there's a bit too much of a crowd to simply sail around him, and instead comes to a slow stop. Raises an eyebrow, and cocks his head. "…You're kidding, right?"
Adam lets his arms fall to the sides as he closes his jacket around him. He shrugs his shoulders lightly, "You would have rathered a branch in your path? This seems a bit more direct." he pauses, "Satoru Lawrence I presume? Not that many Japanese running around on rollerblades in Chinatown."
Satoru coughs, holding the back of his hand to his mouth as he does so. "Call me that again and I'll rip your balls off." It's said casually; he even smirks a bit. "Either you're some kinda psychic or someone sent you lookin' for me; either way, I ain't interested. You wanna move outta my way or do I need to start somethin'?"
Adam hmms a bit, "I suppose I was misinformed then. I heard you were looking for employment." he pauses, "I suppose I'll have to take my money elsewhere." and with flourishing aplomb, he steps out of the way and motions for the boy to…well, go.
Satoru pinches the bridge of his nose with a sigh; he's seen enough movies with this same conversation. "Christ, do we really gotta play this game? 'Least it explains where you got my name… Skip to the part where you tell me why you're someone I'd wanna work for, maybe I'll think about it, but I already got a job so it'd have to be part time or somethin'."
Adam wrinkles his nose a moment, "You'll want to work for me because I pay a ridiculous amount of money. Plus there's a free trip to your homeland involved…and then, you know, violence and what not." he tilts his head, "I suppose the grapevine hadn't caught up to you finding employment…and where might this employment be?"
The mention of money doesn't seem to interest him much, though he does perk up a bit at the offer of a trip. No inquiries, however. "I don't see how it's any of your business, but it's someplace you don't take a job at and quit a couple days later if you get my meaning." And to make it clear, he draws a thumb across his neck, making a 'kssht' noise as he does. "Everybody's got money to spend, homes."
Adam spreads his hands, "And thus, it is the basis for every transaction." he tilts his head, "But, it seems you're interested in visiting the motherland, so, there's something." he taps his foot lightly, "But you make me curious. If money's not your poison, what is?"
Satoru shakes his head. "Ah-ah. What I wanna know, white boy, is why you're so interested in me." Shopping bags transferred from one hand to the other, he folds both arms behind his back and leans forward slightly, looking Adam over. "Didn't say what the job was, after all. You got a thing for Nips or somethin'? I ain't no peasant boy who don't speak English but wants to come to Amelika so he can sell flied lice to feed his famiry." Emphasis on stereotypical accent, there.
Adam nods, "I plan on doing some very bad things to some very bad people. Rich people in Japan. And I need people of helping me do these very bad things." he tilts his head for the question, "That's kind of funny." he says in a bit of a droll way. "I haven't gotten any specific 'thing' for Nips. It just happens that your name was out in the ether and I am in need of names."
"Ahh.." Standing upright again, Satoru runs his free hand through his hair. "I guess it doesn't sound bad." A bit of a frown. "I don't really like the idea of doin' 'bad things' to Japanese folk but on the other hand I hate rich people, so it kinda evens out. Might kinda tip the scales a little, I dunno. Still seems kinda fishy you'd come after me, mosta these white guys around here, they hear me lookin' for work and think I'm a joke, yo." Sensing some racial tension?
Adam speaks in perfect Japanese, assuming you understand, he says, "It doesn't matter to me if you're White or Japanese. What I need are men who can do the job they say they can. I assume I can take you at face value, for now. I suppose if I can't, then you'll end up taking care of yourself."
Satoru smacks his forehead with the heel of his palm, a frustrated expression passing his features. "Well, at least you gave me that one before I said something stupid," he replies, in English. "Still, whatever, I got another job. I dunno, boss might let me run off to Japan for…. how long were you planning on this taking?"
Adam mms, "A couple of weeks most like. It's kind of an elaborate set of activities, we'll need to set things in motion and what not." he pauses, "I suppose you'll have to see if you can get vacation time from your boss." he pauses, "I suppose, given you won't give me his name, you might be good enough to not give him mine. Once you have it, of course. I presume we'll have to exchange numbers or what not."
Satoru grumbles, digging around in one of his pockets. He lets his bags slide down to the bend of his elbow, giving him use of both his hands, and pulls out a Blackberry. Pokes around at it for a moment, then looks back up to Adam. "I don't need you tracking me down at goddamn work. I'll talk to him, see if he'll lemme head out, you'd better pay me damn well 'cause I do gotta live, here, and I'll get back to you. Phone number, email, how do I get ahold of you?"
Adam smiles. He pulls out his own blackberry. He pauses a moment, "Technology is so wonderful." he pauses, "You can call me at (said number)." he looks thoughtful, "You can reach me by Adam." he says, "That will do for now, I suppose. And trust me, if you do the work you say you can do, the pay will be extremely good for you."
Satoru takes a moment to make a new entry in his contact list, though he types just a few more letters than there are in Adam's name. Phone number entered, he backs out of the address book and waves a hand. "Yeah, technology, whatever," he mumbles, and as he does so, suddenly holds the phone up to his ear. Shortly afterwards, Adam's phone rings, or vibrates, or does whatever it's set to do to announce a phone call.
Adam smiles as he holds up the phone, shoing the phone call is being made, "Alright then. I suppose you'll get back to me." he says. He pauses, "Do try and put a hurry on it." he says, "I'm like to leave soon." and with that begins to walk passed Satoru and heads in the opposite direction, making his way into the thickness of the market crowd.
Satoru hangs the phone up when Adam doesn't answer, slipping it back into his pocket. "A hurry, right. I'll see what I can do." He waves, managing to be sarcastic in that gesture as well, and watches Adam a moment as he walks away. The third British guy this week who has irritated the hell out of him. And with that done, he shakes his head and continues on his way.