[COC] Beyond the Mountains of Madness

[zombiedude]

Hmmmmm?

"What got me started? I suppose I wanted to see all the world and do everything in it. Was a bit of a hedonist back in the day. I did whatever would be exciting or dangerous or a combination of the two. That's how I ended up wing walking, and bagging my buddy's wife. He was a big game hunter, and had killed another man for trying to do what I had done."

Seems to lapse into an internal reverie for a moment

"Yessir, I did it all. Mountain climbing, wing walking, safari, deep sea divi. . . .(seems to grow pale), uh among other things."

Sips his coffee

"My apologies about assuming you and the songbird were an item. Didn't know you were here bodyguard, old man. That explains why you hovered so close to her. There was a time her reputation would have drawn me like a moth to a flame. A real life Black Widow?? I'd have been all over her, but. . . .I haven't been myself for a while. This trip, this trip will hopefully reinvigorate my spirit."

>>"So, you could say that you kept your head, because of what happened, he?"<<<<


"Ha! I kept my head much easier because he fell, to be certain. Had he not gone over he'd have probably learned the truth and he carried an elephant gun."

 

[Fanog]

"Oh, no apologies needed. I guess though, that it would already have been all over the papers, had Ms. Roxie found herself another gent. Nope, don't see that happening anytime soon..."

Hmm, the past seems to hold some awkward memories for the both of us. And the setting here isn't really fitting for any heavy conversation as well...

"That sounds like an impressive resume, indeed. Any experiences on the pole? I've heard it said that it's pretty cold down there...", he says, tongue in cheek, and taking a generous swig of the gin in front of him.

After that, Antonie's voice takes on a melancholy tone again, probably a bit of booze speaking up.
"You know... Me, I've not really been around much. I have to say that this trip seems pretty daunting to me. Don't know if I can be of much importance to the expedition, except as a mechanic maybe, or a field physician. Do you have any idea what you're expected to do when we're down there?"

 

[zombiedude]

>>>>"That sounds like an impressive resume, indeed. Any experiences on the pole? I've heard it said that it's pretty cold down there...", he says, tongue in cheek, and taking a generous swig of the gin in front of him.<<<<<<<

"Damn cold. I've been on several artic type trips, though none to Antartica. I've been studying the terrain, though, and it looks like a rough trip, what with all the greenhorns, er, no offense. I can't imagine how Moore and his partner ever managed to gather such a ragtag group. It makes things even more dangerous, and I get know thrill when I think of that."

>>Do you have any idea what you're expected to do when we're down there?"<<



He says with a straight face, "Keep us all alive."

Polishes off his coffee

"We are headed into the roughest, most deadly terrain on the planet. I'm here to help lead this group through ice, glare, snow, wind, sub-zero tempertatures, and whatever else god and nature see fit to throw at us. I've seen men freeze to death. Some plunged into hidden crevasses, others from exposure, and others from the madness of the emptiness that is there. This is no summer outing. I just wish Miss Roxie realized that. Generally speaking, she's the most likely to die first. No experience, all attittude. She's headstrong, and won't listen. Mark my words, when we get out there make her listen, or she will end up like my wing walking ladyfriend."

 

[Fanog]

"Hey there, no badmouthing the dame." The words come out quite harsh, a bit of anger shining through.

Antonie gulps down the rest of his gin, giving him a little time for his next words. They seem to be more carefully picked, even though the agitation hasn't left his voice.

"Listen, I don't pretend to know what it's like in the arctic, but I do know one thing: once things get rough, it's not Knowledge or Skills that keeps you alive - It's strength of character. I told you that I haven't been around much, but I've seen and done enough to experience that. Yes, Roxie is persistant - stubborn even, maybe - but that's precisely why I am confident that she'll do more than fine on this expedition. She has quite a few tricks up her sleeve, and she'll probably surprise you more than once. Don't write her off before you've seen her. Okay...?"

After he's finished, Antonie stands up from his chair, allowing Rayburn some time to mull his words over. He hold up his empty glass to Rayburn. A smile comes to his lips, he seems to be at ease again.

"I'm having another one of these. Can I get you something too?"

 

[zombiedude]

>>>>. "Hey there, no badmouthing the dame." The words come out quite harsh, a bit of anger shining through.<<<<<<<


"Whoa, calm down there chief. I was merely giving you my estimation. If you are her bodyguard then you'll heed my advice. No need to let it get personal. Remember that wing? Watch your step. When we get out there it's going to be a team effort. Now it doesn't matter if I like her or hate her, or you, or even Starkweather or Moore. I'll watch all your backs, and mine as well, but I will not coddle or mince words. She is inexperienced, and all the gumption in the world won't keep you from freezing or falling through the ice. You've made it pretty clear that she's your responsibilty, so I was just giving you a fair warning."

Rubs his eyes and then runs a hand through his hair >>"I'm having another one of these. Can I get you something too?"<<<



"No, thanks. I'm done for the evening. Look, you seem all right, and I am a right awful bastard at times. I have problems. . . .that make me irritable. So let's make a deal, OK? We're both men of the world. Let's speak our minds to one another, be as frank as necessary, and niether get offended. Let's be professionals? I won't go out of my way to piss you off, but I will tell you the things you need to hear no matter how hard they are to learn. That's the first step in survival, and make no mistake about it; people will die on this expedition. I fully expect no less than 5 to 8 men to die just from the usual things. If you want Roxie to make it, well, . . . .listen to me and keep an eye on her. I'm not wrinting anyone off, but I can see danger dancing around her. She isn't afraid of anything. I can see that, and that more than anything else is what is going to cause her to put herself at risk. I respect bravery, but worry about fearlessness. I'll do the same for you. I'll hear you, but won't get offended when you tell me something."

He looks at Antonie as he gets up

"So, what do you say? Is it a deal?" Holds out his hand

 

[Fanog]

"No offense taken, I'm fine.", Antonie says midly. "I just wanted to make sure that you'd give her a fair chance, not see her as luggage, or anything. I'm sure that she doesn't need to be pampered by anyone, she can handle her own responsibility. But of course, I'll take care of her, like I've always done..."

Antonie sets down his empty glass, and picks up another cigarette.

"I appreciate your offer, and I'll gladly accept it. We'll surely have some rough times ahead of us, and It'll be good to be able to speak straight to one another. We'll all have to depend on each other out there, and I think that each and every one of us has their own responsibility in that regard. I'll do my utmost effort to see this expedition succesful, and all of its members returning safely. As I said, it's Ms. Roxie's own responsibility, but I feel that she think the same about this as I do. I'm sure that she'll be a worthy addition to the party."

He switches the cigarette to his left hand, and shakes Rayburns held out hand.

"I'm glad to have come to an understanding with you. I think that more things will become clear once we're prepared and actually underway, but I'm sure that I'll see you before then. Good luck in preparing, till later."

After saying their goodbyes, Antonie gives a final nod to Rayburn, picks up his glass and walks to the bar for a refill. He then heads over to the stage to pick up Roxie.

 

[zombiedude]

Watches Antonie head for the stage

"Just a professional relationship, Tonie? Riiiiight. Well, if self denial is your thing I won't stand in your way my friend." He says to himself. "At least there's one person on this trip that I can count on to act like a professional. Me. But I think Mr. Antonie will shape up, I just hope Roxie doesn't turn him into a pretzel, it seems he could be so much more. Either way he has my respect. A good man with a bad job."

Lights a cigarette and lets it dangle so that smoke curls into his eyes. Then he looks at his hands, and notices that for the first time in a loooong while he wasn't secretly playing with a knife while he was chatting.


"Hmmm, maybe this trip is going to be good for me after all."

Heads off to his room to study and try to rest.

 

[Yellow Sign]

The Blue Note Speakeasy
Somewhere in Lower Manhatten
Around Midnight

As Rayburn turns to leave the speakeasy something catches his eye. While there are several men staring at Roxie up on the stage, Rayburn sees two men who are intently watching her. One is a tall sharp nosed man with a thin mustache wearing a cheap checkered suit and the other is a thickly built man with greasy black hair and a pock marked face holding a boxy camera. The tall man with the mustache point over to the side of the stage and the the man with the greasy hair heads over there. Then joe with the bad suit grabs a pencil and notebook from his jacket pocket and heads towards Roxie and Tony.

 

[zombiedude]

"Aw what the holy hell, now?"

Tries to get Antonie's attention by waving and calling out like an old pal, "Antonie, old buddy, how've ya been??" Then he points at the 2 fellows approaching the stage. He immediately sticks his hand behind his back and grips the handle of his blade, and then heads towards the men himself.

 

[KitanaVorr]

The Blue Note Speakeasy
Somewhere in Lower Manhatten
Around Midnight

The stage...nothing could take the place of the adoring crowd of men, virile men, drunk men. Lascivious and pawing, with her at the center of all that manly huddle.

C'mon babe
Why don't we paint the town?

And all that jazz

Never one to let a drink go to waste, Roxie chugged the entire shot down, letting it burn into her throat all the way to her belly. Giving her hips a little shake, the woman let out a wild shout reminscent of a Texas cattle drive.

"Whoa, boys! That one was keeper, eh?" Roxie laughed, tossing the glass to one admirer. Start the car, I know a whoopee spot, Where the gin is cold, But the piano's hot. It's just a noisy hall, Where there's a nightly brawl...And all...that...jazz!"

She had nothing on but slick shiny beige outfit that covered much but hid nothing. It hugged her ample curves like second skin and in the glare of the light, your eye could swear in that flash of movement she was nude. Nevermind that the neckline plunged down to who knows where, and the strips of what sufficed as a skirt twirled around enough to give everyone a glimpse of every inch of her long and glorious gams.

With Tony approaching, she gave him a conspiratorial wink and a toss of her thick chestnut mane. Who knows why he hung out with that spoilsport. Well if Rayburn kept Tony happy, who was she to interfere...much.