Post by qcipher on Jun 19, 2005 18:17:17 GMT -5
Colin Nickolson waited in his covertible outside the Prince's mansion. Paulie had just gone inside to have a talk with him about that crap that had gone down last week. Said it wouldn't take too long. A few minutes after Paulie had gone in, a small guy in what Colin considered to be a faggoty green pinstripe suit came out of the mansion and headed for his car. Colin was finishing off the beer he brought with him just as he reached the car door.
"Excuse me, are you Colin Nicholson?" asked the man in cultured tones.
"...Yeah..BRAAAACK!!![/i]" belched Colin as he chucked the bottle into the open glove compartment. The man actually had to wipe his glasses after that display. "What can I do for ya." Colin said as he changed the station.
"Charming." observed the man, putting his glasses back on. "My name is Mr. Reuben, I'm the Prince's majordomo. I need to ask you some questions, please come inside with me."
"What's a majormoto?" asked Colin.
"Majordomo...I'm like his butler. Please come with me."
"Then why didn't you fuckin' say so?" mumbled Colin, as he stepped out of the car. He was a bit taller than Reuben, but dressed nowhere as stylishly with just a pair of jeans, a plain white t-shirt, and a black vest.
"What was that?" asked Mr. Reuben turning around again.
"Nothin'. Nothin'. Lead the way Jeeves." said Colin, adjusting the shoulder holster of his glock.
"You're going to have leave that behind." said Mr. Reuben stopping in his tracks. Colin rolled his eyes and pulled his gun out and tossed it onto the front seat of the car. "Let's go, this way please."
They walked in silence, but not to the front door which Mr. Reuben had left, instead they went to a side door, it looked like a servant's entrance that lead to the kitchen. They walked through quickly, all the other servants apparently in bed or taking care of other business. They continued into a small parlor, a heavy wooden desk at one end and a plain leather chair opposite it. Mr. Reuben headed for the chair behind the desk and gestured to the other; "Please sit down Mr. Nicholson."
"Thanks Ruby." remarked Colin as he sat down and pulled out his ever present pack of smokes.
"There's no smoking in here please." said Mr. Reuben, ignoring the slight on his name.
Colin lit his cigarette anyway. "Fuck off. We could have had this chat outside, but you wanted to talk in here. So what's up?" said Colin, blowing the first puff of smoke directly towards Mr. Reuben.
Mr. Reuben's glare was laser like in intensity behind his glasses. "Mr. Quin of clan Ventrue is your Domitor?" he finally asked through gritted teeth.
"What's a Domitor?" returned Colin. Mr. Reuben paused again, there were times he really hated his job, but he had the feeling he'd get some satisfaction before this was done.
"He's the one who supplies you with Vitae...with Blood." he quickly added when he saw Colin about to ask another question.
"Yeah. He said that I'm a ghoul or something. I take it that's you too right?"
"Yes. How long have you been...associated with your Domitor?"
"None of your fuckin' business. And why don't you just call him Paulie, that way I'll know who you mean."
"Colin, I suggest changing your tone. Your Domi...Paulie is in some trouble, which means you're in trouble. Being vulgar and abusive to me doesn't help you."
Colin tipped ash onto the carpet and smiled before taking another drag. "Yeah but it don't hurt either."
"What do you mean?"
"You don't strike me as the kinda' guy who's done too many shake downs Ruby. Let me spell it out for you. The Prince is talking to Paulie. If he was really pissed he'd a' just lit him up, he's got the muscle. That might still happen, who knows, but I'm willin' to bet it won't. He brought Paulie here to get some info, lay down the law a bit, and get something outta Paulie. That's it. Don't matter what I say. Paulie's gonna walk or burn no matter what I do. See, I ain't no majorboto or butler. I done these shakedowns plenty a' times. Believe me, the flunkies are small potatoes, not only that, they know where they stand. So, maybe you think the Prince will send some goons in to rough me up and convince Paulie or somethin'. Ain't gonna work, I got one of them 'no hostage' contracts with Paulie. And if I know Paulie, he and the Prince are gonna be all kinds of chummy before too long, and it won't make the Prince too happy if his new friend's friend got beat up in his own house." he flicks more ash on the floor and takes a drag. "But hey, if it happens it happens. Won't be the first time I got thrown a beatin'."
Mr. Reuben sat rather stunned at how brazen Colin was, and then finally snapped out of it. "Just answer the questions please. Paulie runs the Davis Lanes, correct, and conducts confidence games there correct?"
"Paulie runs a straight table you little prick, say that again and we'll have a real problem. If we were back at the Lanes and you said that you'd be pickin' a bowling ball out of your teeth right now." Mr Reuben adjusted his tie at the response.
"I've been a ghoul for quite awhile Mr. Nicholson, you'd be surprised at what I'm capable of."
"Like I give a damn. No one bangs on Paulie's rep. I've killed people for less than that." The two stared in silence at each other for a few moments before Mr. Reuben sighed and continued.
"Fine. Paulie runs a booking establishment, I believe it's called? And he does business with Kindred of all kinds?"
"Yeah. So?"
"Last week, two kindred disappeared after visiting the Davis Lanes bowling alley." Mr. Reuben pulled out two pictures from a drawer in the desk and slid them across the top. Two men were shown, both dressed in leathers, racy, classless.
"Yeah I remember those fruitcakes. Came in about 10 on Tuesday."
"What were they there for?"
"Said they came for the action. Not much of a secret what he does there. They wanted to play Blackjack."
"Were you and Paulie aware that they were prominent Anarchs?"
"What's an Anarch?"
Mr Reuben rubbed his temples at Colin's ignorance. "Criminals, enemies of the Prince."
"Yeah. OK, yeah Paulie knew then." Mr. Reuben's eyes lit up at the revelation, he had expected a protacted 'Who's on First?' question and answer session with this thug.
"So Paulie knew they were not to be given aid or friendship or support? That they weren't even supposed to be talked to?"
"Yeah. What's the big deal? They wanted to play some blackjack! Their money was as good as anyone's."
"The big deal, you clod, is that they had plotted against the Prince and the Elders!"
Colin took another drag on his cigarette. "So?"
"What else happened?"
"Paulie dealt a game of Blackjack with a six deck shoe. Minimum bet was $50, dealer hits on 16, stays on 17..."
"Thank you, what else happened?" sighed Mr. Reuben.
"Well they're lousy cheaters for starters. Eventually they just started doin' it right out in the open. Paulie didn't do nothin' though, told me to keep my cool."
"When did they leave?"
"They pulled an all nighter, gave themselves only a little time to make it to their ride. Had a lot of Paulie's money too."
"So they left town?"
"Didn't say that Ruby-boy. I said they left late. Paulie had already made a phone call to a friend he knows on the cops, he tracked down their car and put a boot on it. Don't think they made it. They didn't have a lot of time to find some place safe. I checked their ride a bit later and found a decent amount of dust by the wheels. And the cash they took."
"So they're dead?"
"Well I didn't see 'em die, can only assume."
"You realize that it is against the law for Kindred to kill Kindred don't you?" said Mr. Reuben very slowly.
"Even Anarchs?"
"Even Anarchs. That's a privilege that only the Prince has."
"I take it that's what this is about? Buying the privilege?" asked Colin, flicking more ash onto the carpet.
"I'm afraid it's not that simple, one doesn't merely buy the privilege, and I doubt Paulie has that kind of money anyway."
"You don't know Paulie too well. You wanna make a little bet Ruby? Paulie will be walkin' out of the Prince's office in say, 10 mintues. Hmmm? You a bettin' man? I ain't so good at readin' faces like Paulie, but I think you ain't got the balls to bet on anything, no matter what the odds. That's why you're just a majormoto, or whatever the fuck you said."
Mr. Reuben finally smiled a cold smile at Colin. "Alright, you ignorant little pissant, we'll bet. If in ten minutes, Paulie isn't out of the office, AND a free man, then you lose those balls you keep bragging about. What do you say?"
"Figures you'd want my balls, you frickin' eunuch. OK, but when he does come out, you owe me and Paulie a favor. Simple as that." Colin took another drag on his smoke.
Mr. Reuben narrowed his eyes, this Colin was both brave and stupid, he really wanted to rattle him, but permanent and painful disfigurement didn't even phase him. A favor? That could be very bad, being indebted to this thug and his con man Domitor. What choice did he have? "You're on. Don't worry though, the pain won't last too long, your life will be over shortly after that."
"Whatever Ruby. You ain't all that good at this intimidation crap. So you got other questions for me?"
"No that about covers it. Why don't we..."
"Just a sec, Ruby." Colin pulled out a cell phone and quickly dialed a number by heart.
"Who are you calling?" Reuben asked sitting up in some alarm.
"Paulie. Who ya' think?" he took another drag as the phone rang. "Paulie? Yeah, hey listen, we about done here? I'm supposed to meet Maria in a bit. OK? Cool. So we're good here then? Great, hey tell the Prince I said hi. What am I doing? Oh me and one of the Prince's boys are just havin' a chat. Yeah, you know me Paulie. OK, see you in a few." Colin closed the phone and put it back in his pocket.
"Nice bluff, I'm supposed to shake in my chair now because you supposedly called Paulie while he has an audience with the Prince?"
"Hey do what you like Ruby. Sounded like Paulie and the Prince we're gettin' along just fine. I ain't much for bluffin' though. Paulie says I ain't clever enough to. Not that that's a bad thing necessarily y'know?" Colin looked around the room a bit, as if searching for something else to say. "So what's a majordono make huh? How much you pull down?"
"What?" asked Reuben in some surprise.
"Money. How much you make doin' this?"
"I...well...I mean...it's not your business really."
"Gotcha. You live on the Prince's scraps. Makes sense. Does he let you hold money now and then?"
"Now look..."
"Hey, no skin off my nose Ruby. I mean this arrangement obviously suits you and all."
"I'm getting tired of your taunts you petty thug. You'd better change your tone before I..." started Mr. Reuben as he took off his glasses.
"In there?" came a voice from out in the hall "OK thanks." Moments later an older gentleman, probably in his late 50s poked his head in. His thin whitish gray hair was slicked back, and perched on top of his slightly prominent nose were a thick pair of glasses with old fashioned brown plastic frames. He was dressed in a light cotton suit, cream colored with a soft yellow shirt and no tie. "Hi boys, am I interrupting something?" asked Paulie as he stepped in and took off his glasses and put them in his pocket. Mr. Reuben dropped his own glasses onto the table, and nearly his jaw too. Colin just smiled up at Paulie.
"No Paulie. Me and Ruby here were just shootin' the breeze, y'know? Ain't that right Ruby?" chuckled Colin. "I didn't check my watch or nothin', but that was what, 6 minutes tops, wouldn't you say?"
"I..." stammered Mr. Reuben.
"Yeah that's about right. OK, Ruby, nice meetin' you and all. Head over to the Lanes some time. We'll throw a few cards, maybe shoot some stick." Colin leaned over and crushed his cigarette out onto the desk top. Paulie tsked.
"Colin, behave." was all he said as he started heading out the door towards the kitchen.
"That'll be the fuckin' day." said Colin as he lit up another smoke. He pointed his finger at the still stunned Mr. Reuben like a gun and clicked his tongue. "Catch you later Ruby."
"So what'd the Prince want?" asked Colin as they walked to the car.
"Just asked a few questions." responded Paulie as he got in.
"So what'd it take? It was ballet tickets right?" said Colin as he got in also.
"A classy guy like the Prince already has a private box Colin, I told you. But yeah he wanted ballet tickets for some of his associates. That and Lakers seats at the half court." smiled Paulie.
"Lakers! Dammit! How did you know?" Colin snapped his fingers in frustration.
"It's all in knowing the angles Colin. It's always the angles. Let's go, I need to check the scores."
Colin peeled out of the Prince's driveway and headed back to Paulie's kingdom.
Check
"Excuse me, are you Colin Nicholson?" asked the man in cultured tones.
"...Yeah..BRAAAACK!!![/i]" belched Colin as he chucked the bottle into the open glove compartment. The man actually had to wipe his glasses after that display. "What can I do for ya." Colin said as he changed the station.
"Charming." observed the man, putting his glasses back on. "My name is Mr. Reuben, I'm the Prince's majordomo. I need to ask you some questions, please come inside with me."
"What's a majormoto?" asked Colin.
"Majordomo...I'm like his butler. Please come with me."
"Then why didn't you fuckin' say so?" mumbled Colin, as he stepped out of the car. He was a bit taller than Reuben, but dressed nowhere as stylishly with just a pair of jeans, a plain white t-shirt, and a black vest.
"What was that?" asked Mr. Reuben turning around again.
"Nothin'. Nothin'. Lead the way Jeeves." said Colin, adjusting the shoulder holster of his glock.
"You're going to have leave that behind." said Mr. Reuben stopping in his tracks. Colin rolled his eyes and pulled his gun out and tossed it onto the front seat of the car. "Let's go, this way please."
They walked in silence, but not to the front door which Mr. Reuben had left, instead they went to a side door, it looked like a servant's entrance that lead to the kitchen. They walked through quickly, all the other servants apparently in bed or taking care of other business. They continued into a small parlor, a heavy wooden desk at one end and a plain leather chair opposite it. Mr. Reuben headed for the chair behind the desk and gestured to the other; "Please sit down Mr. Nicholson."
"Thanks Ruby." remarked Colin as he sat down and pulled out his ever present pack of smokes.
"There's no smoking in here please." said Mr. Reuben, ignoring the slight on his name.
Colin lit his cigarette anyway. "Fuck off. We could have had this chat outside, but you wanted to talk in here. So what's up?" said Colin, blowing the first puff of smoke directly towards Mr. Reuben.
Mr. Reuben's glare was laser like in intensity behind his glasses. "Mr. Quin of clan Ventrue is your Domitor?" he finally asked through gritted teeth.
"What's a Domitor?" returned Colin. Mr. Reuben paused again, there were times he really hated his job, but he had the feeling he'd get some satisfaction before this was done.
"He's the one who supplies you with Vitae...with Blood." he quickly added when he saw Colin about to ask another question.
"Yeah. He said that I'm a ghoul or something. I take it that's you too right?"
"Yes. How long have you been...associated with your Domitor?"
"None of your fuckin' business. And why don't you just call him Paulie, that way I'll know who you mean."
"Colin, I suggest changing your tone. Your Domi...Paulie is in some trouble, which means you're in trouble. Being vulgar and abusive to me doesn't help you."
Colin tipped ash onto the carpet and smiled before taking another drag. "Yeah but it don't hurt either."
"What do you mean?"
"You don't strike me as the kinda' guy who's done too many shake downs Ruby. Let me spell it out for you. The Prince is talking to Paulie. If he was really pissed he'd a' just lit him up, he's got the muscle. That might still happen, who knows, but I'm willin' to bet it won't. He brought Paulie here to get some info, lay down the law a bit, and get something outta Paulie. That's it. Don't matter what I say. Paulie's gonna walk or burn no matter what I do. See, I ain't no majorboto or butler. I done these shakedowns plenty a' times. Believe me, the flunkies are small potatoes, not only that, they know where they stand. So, maybe you think the Prince will send some goons in to rough me up and convince Paulie or somethin'. Ain't gonna work, I got one of them 'no hostage' contracts with Paulie. And if I know Paulie, he and the Prince are gonna be all kinds of chummy before too long, and it won't make the Prince too happy if his new friend's friend got beat up in his own house." he flicks more ash on the floor and takes a drag. "But hey, if it happens it happens. Won't be the first time I got thrown a beatin'."
Mr. Reuben sat rather stunned at how brazen Colin was, and then finally snapped out of it. "Just answer the questions please. Paulie runs the Davis Lanes, correct, and conducts confidence games there correct?"
"Paulie runs a straight table you little prick, say that again and we'll have a real problem. If we were back at the Lanes and you said that you'd be pickin' a bowling ball out of your teeth right now." Mr Reuben adjusted his tie at the response.
"I've been a ghoul for quite awhile Mr. Nicholson, you'd be surprised at what I'm capable of."
"Like I give a damn. No one bangs on Paulie's rep. I've killed people for less than that." The two stared in silence at each other for a few moments before Mr. Reuben sighed and continued.
"Fine. Paulie runs a booking establishment, I believe it's called? And he does business with Kindred of all kinds?"
"Yeah. So?"
"Last week, two kindred disappeared after visiting the Davis Lanes bowling alley." Mr. Reuben pulled out two pictures from a drawer in the desk and slid them across the top. Two men were shown, both dressed in leathers, racy, classless.
"Yeah I remember those fruitcakes. Came in about 10 on Tuesday."
"What were they there for?"
"Said they came for the action. Not much of a secret what he does there. They wanted to play Blackjack."
"Were you and Paulie aware that they were prominent Anarchs?"
"What's an Anarch?"
Mr Reuben rubbed his temples at Colin's ignorance. "Criminals, enemies of the Prince."
"Yeah. OK, yeah Paulie knew then." Mr. Reuben's eyes lit up at the revelation, he had expected a protacted 'Who's on First?' question and answer session with this thug.
"So Paulie knew they were not to be given aid or friendship or support? That they weren't even supposed to be talked to?"
"Yeah. What's the big deal? They wanted to play some blackjack! Their money was as good as anyone's."
"The big deal, you clod, is that they had plotted against the Prince and the Elders!"
Colin took another drag on his cigarette. "So?"
"What else happened?"
"Paulie dealt a game of Blackjack with a six deck shoe. Minimum bet was $50, dealer hits on 16, stays on 17..."
"Thank you, what else happened?" sighed Mr. Reuben.
"Well they're lousy cheaters for starters. Eventually they just started doin' it right out in the open. Paulie didn't do nothin' though, told me to keep my cool."
"When did they leave?"
"They pulled an all nighter, gave themselves only a little time to make it to their ride. Had a lot of Paulie's money too."
"So they left town?"
"Didn't say that Ruby-boy. I said they left late. Paulie had already made a phone call to a friend he knows on the cops, he tracked down their car and put a boot on it. Don't think they made it. They didn't have a lot of time to find some place safe. I checked their ride a bit later and found a decent amount of dust by the wheels. And the cash they took."
"So they're dead?"
"Well I didn't see 'em die, can only assume."
"You realize that it is against the law for Kindred to kill Kindred don't you?" said Mr. Reuben very slowly.
"Even Anarchs?"
"Even Anarchs. That's a privilege that only the Prince has."
"I take it that's what this is about? Buying the privilege?" asked Colin, flicking more ash onto the carpet.
"I'm afraid it's not that simple, one doesn't merely buy the privilege, and I doubt Paulie has that kind of money anyway."
"You don't know Paulie too well. You wanna make a little bet Ruby? Paulie will be walkin' out of the Prince's office in say, 10 mintues. Hmmm? You a bettin' man? I ain't so good at readin' faces like Paulie, but I think you ain't got the balls to bet on anything, no matter what the odds. That's why you're just a majormoto, or whatever the fuck you said."
Mr. Reuben finally smiled a cold smile at Colin. "Alright, you ignorant little pissant, we'll bet. If in ten minutes, Paulie isn't out of the office, AND a free man, then you lose those balls you keep bragging about. What do you say?"
"Figures you'd want my balls, you frickin' eunuch. OK, but when he does come out, you owe me and Paulie a favor. Simple as that." Colin took another drag on his smoke.
Mr. Reuben narrowed his eyes, this Colin was both brave and stupid, he really wanted to rattle him, but permanent and painful disfigurement didn't even phase him. A favor? That could be very bad, being indebted to this thug and his con man Domitor. What choice did he have? "You're on. Don't worry though, the pain won't last too long, your life will be over shortly after that."
"Whatever Ruby. You ain't all that good at this intimidation crap. So you got other questions for me?"
"No that about covers it. Why don't we..."
"Just a sec, Ruby." Colin pulled out a cell phone and quickly dialed a number by heart.
"Who are you calling?" Reuben asked sitting up in some alarm.
"Paulie. Who ya' think?" he took another drag as the phone rang. "Paulie? Yeah, hey listen, we about done here? I'm supposed to meet Maria in a bit. OK? Cool. So we're good here then? Great, hey tell the Prince I said hi. What am I doing? Oh me and one of the Prince's boys are just havin' a chat. Yeah, you know me Paulie. OK, see you in a few." Colin closed the phone and put it back in his pocket.
"Nice bluff, I'm supposed to shake in my chair now because you supposedly called Paulie while he has an audience with the Prince?"
"Hey do what you like Ruby. Sounded like Paulie and the Prince we're gettin' along just fine. I ain't much for bluffin' though. Paulie says I ain't clever enough to. Not that that's a bad thing necessarily y'know?" Colin looked around the room a bit, as if searching for something else to say. "So what's a majordono make huh? How much you pull down?"
"What?" asked Reuben in some surprise.
"Money. How much you make doin' this?"
"I...well...I mean...it's not your business really."
"Gotcha. You live on the Prince's scraps. Makes sense. Does he let you hold money now and then?"
"Now look..."
"Hey, no skin off my nose Ruby. I mean this arrangement obviously suits you and all."
"I'm getting tired of your taunts you petty thug. You'd better change your tone before I..." started Mr. Reuben as he took off his glasses.
"In there?" came a voice from out in the hall "OK thanks." Moments later an older gentleman, probably in his late 50s poked his head in. His thin whitish gray hair was slicked back, and perched on top of his slightly prominent nose were a thick pair of glasses with old fashioned brown plastic frames. He was dressed in a light cotton suit, cream colored with a soft yellow shirt and no tie. "Hi boys, am I interrupting something?" asked Paulie as he stepped in and took off his glasses and put them in his pocket. Mr. Reuben dropped his own glasses onto the table, and nearly his jaw too. Colin just smiled up at Paulie.
"No Paulie. Me and Ruby here were just shootin' the breeze, y'know? Ain't that right Ruby?" chuckled Colin. "I didn't check my watch or nothin', but that was what, 6 minutes tops, wouldn't you say?"
"I..." stammered Mr. Reuben.
"Yeah that's about right. OK, Ruby, nice meetin' you and all. Head over to the Lanes some time. We'll throw a few cards, maybe shoot some stick." Colin leaned over and crushed his cigarette out onto the desk top. Paulie tsked.
"Colin, behave." was all he said as he started heading out the door towards the kitchen.
"That'll be the fuckin' day." said Colin as he lit up another smoke. He pointed his finger at the still stunned Mr. Reuben like a gun and clicked his tongue. "Catch you later Ruby."
"So what'd the Prince want?" asked Colin as they walked to the car.
"Just asked a few questions." responded Paulie as he got in.
"So what'd it take? It was ballet tickets right?" said Colin as he got in also.
"A classy guy like the Prince already has a private box Colin, I told you. But yeah he wanted ballet tickets for some of his associates. That and Lakers seats at the half court." smiled Paulie.
"Lakers! Dammit! How did you know?" Colin snapped his fingers in frustration.
"It's all in knowing the angles Colin. It's always the angles. Let's go, I need to check the scores."
Colin peeled out of the Prince's driveway and headed back to Paulie's kingdom.
Check