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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Rybaer" data-source="post: 1492182" data-attributes="member: 118">Moose's Pub, Downtown, Coast CityApril 1621:07Thomas had finished the previous day's workout uneventfully...and unsuccessfully (in the lady department, that is).  Today had brought another afternoon of jogging, this time without nosey reporters, and again no ladies.The Moose's Pub, where he had been hired on as a bouncer a couple months back, is an unobtrusive affair on the south fringe of the downtown area.  Just a block to the north is the Hightower Convention Center and a couple other hotels.  To the south, one of the more dangerous neighborhoods in the city.  Moose's rarely has live music, occasionally shows a sporting game or two on the tv, and is generally overlooked by the local thugs and mob.  Customers tend to be a mix of locals looking for a quiet place and convention goers looking for a drink away from the hotel bars.Thomas has rarely been called upon to escort unruly patrons out of the bar.  When someone needs to be removed, one look at Thomas' bulky frame is generally all it takes.  Most nights, he just watches over the place and hauls up bottles and kegs from the basement.Galen, the owner, calls Thomas over to the bar.  It is a particularly quiet night, with the half dozen patrons watching a hockey playoff game on one of the televisions."Could you take these empties downstairs?" Galen asks, pointing to a pair of kegs.  Thomas nods and hoists them with little effort.  Behind the bar is a narrow hallway that leads to an even narrower stairway down into the dark cellar.  He places the empties with the others for pickup by the distributor.On his way back up, as he passes the door that leads to the alley out back, he hears the distinct rapport of small arms fire.  After years in the military, he'd recognize it anywhere.  It sounds distressingly close, though over the noise of the game those inside the bar likely can't hear it.***************A dark street, Downtown, Coast CityApril 1621:07Lawrence hurries after the growing pack of street animals.  The few pedestrians brave enough to be out in this neighborhood after dark jump clear of their path.The animals turn off the secondary road and into a dark alley.  Just as Lawrence turns the corner to follow, several gunshots echo out from somewhere up ahead.  He jumps aside, but soon realizes that the shots were not coming his direction.  Peeking around the corner, he can see that the alley is empty aside from a few dumpsters and the now-scattering animals.  About a hundred feet ahead, the alley abruptly turns left.****************Hightower Convention Center, Downtown, Coast CityApril 1615:05The guy drops the box of AV gear on the table and looks up at Jorgi."What's that?" he says.  "Oh, hey, you must be Jorgi.  I'm Jack Springs.  Nice to meet ya."He offers his hand and Jorgi takes it.  A stiff static shock passes between the two and Jack gives a gasp of surprise.  To his credit, though, he maintains the handshake."Quite a handshake you got there," he says with a smile.  "Metahuman, perhaps?  Hey, that's cool with me as long as it doesn't short any of my gear."Jack shows Jorgi what kind of equipment he has along and where he will need it set up.  In spite of a ten year age difference and vastly difference cultural backgrounds, the two are practically kindred spirits.  They talk "techie" like Shakespearian professors.  Inside an hour Jorgi already feels comfortable demonstrating some of his interface powers to Jack, who is insanely envious.The projectors, teleprompters, and computer control system is set up nearly two hours earlier than Jack had estimated."Well," Jack says, "I think I'm going to have to hire you.  I'm thinking that you'll probably command a little higher starting salary than I usually pay.  Let's go grab some dinner and talk details, then get back here to run the show for the evening."**************Hightower Convention Center, Downtown, Coast CityApril 1618:22The ride to the Hightower is a relatively short one.  Maggie takes Steven's compliments with good grace, insisting that he's being too kind.  As they pull up to the Hightower's front entrance, the driver rolls down the divider."Sir, take this," the driver says.  He hands back a business card.  "It has my cell number on it.  If you need anything, just buzz me and I'll let you know where I parked, or I'll arrange to pick you up out front."Outside the limo, Steven takes Maggie's hand and leads her into the Hightower.  There are several small groupings of men and women equally well dressed, idly chatting away the time until dinner.Maggie leans her head closer to Steven.  "Most of the folks here will be corporate upper management types and lackeys from government agencies.  I know some of them, but not many.  That gentleman over there is Werner Schwartzeit, CEO of Aztechnologies.  I did a job for him about ten years ago, though I haven't spoken with him for some time."As if on cue, Schwartzeit turns and spots Maggie.  "Well, well," he says with a grin as he walks up kiss her hand politely.  Schwartzeit is a tall man in his early fifties, fit and with dark eyes.  "Ms. Sommers.  A pleasure to see you again.  It has been too long.""Mr. Schwartzeit," she says in a chipper voice, "it's good to see you as well.  May I introduce Doctor Steven Faturius, motivator and all-American classy gentleman?"Schwartzeit gives Steven a firm handshake.  "A pleasure, doctor," he says.  "I've heard of your work.  Perhaps I'll have to see about bringing you down to give my troops a pep talk sometime."Maggie allows the small talk to go only for a minute, then cuts in.  "Good to see you again, Mr. Schwartzeit, but we really need to be moving along.  Steven here is the keynote speaker and we still have to check in with the coordinator of tonight's event.""Please, don't let me hold you up," he says.  "I look forward to hearing you speak, doctor."  With another handshake, the CEO wanders off toward another group."Come on," Maggie says, taking Steven's hand.  "The ballroom is upstairs.  We should really try to find Miss Poynter before showtime."</blockquote>

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