Turing Point PbP (Closed Game)

[Meekohi]

I'm pleasantly surprised when Grandbanks flips a piece of fish onto my plate. I look up and give him an appreciative grin. I should come by this place more often.

Thanks.

The flapjacks are in my mouth before the plate hits the table, pushing the nasty taste out of my mouth and back down into my stomach where it belongs. I slow down and eat the rest of my meal quietly while Grandbanks and this guy to my right start talking again. Sounds like he had a pretty crazy night. Well my crazy night is just getting started mister.

While I listen my mind is stuck on how I'm going to scrounge up enough cash for the flake I'll need to stay up on the Net tonight. I know it'll happen tonight... whatever it is. My hand shakes for a second just thinking about it I'm so excited.

 

[IceHatchling]

My miserably relaxed stare quickly focuses when Grandbanks flips me a chunk of free fish. I blink in a moment of surprise.

Thanks, man.

It couldn't be more heartfelt, and I tear in. Grandbanks is either a damn sly businessman, or a terrible one - or maybe just a genuinely good guy. That type is sure hard to come by these days. He's looking at me kinda curious, I guess I do look no better'n something this fish mighta ate this morning.

I got screwed nice last night man, and I mean bad. You know those a--holes like to call themselves some kind of gang, the Dixies in Drag? Bunch of racist dicks, had to start up a bunch of noise down in Colonial Beach and scare off a deal I was supposed to have locked up. Jerks pissed over my whole f-cking night, leavin' me with some boom I don't need and without some cash I sure as hell do.

I rub my eyes again, they've finally stopped watering from the road.

Whole pissing night.

 

[jessica walker]

Those guys kind of scare me. I got no problem with fags... just don't think liking to stick it in another guy should make you think you can teeter around in stilettos hassling folks. Besides, if I'm in a bar tryin to talk to somebody, I like to know what I'm gettin.

S--t.

Drag the last smoke outta my El Toro and start in on the catfish.

Hey... I hear about anybody that needs some, I'll let you know, ok?

Fish would be better with a beer. Shouldn't waste a beer I could sell. Maybe later.

Hey, what about you, Riko? Any good stories?

 

[Meekohi]

I've heard of the Dixies in Drag gang before, but never had to deal with them. They're usually pretty easy to avoid unless they're looking to mess with you. They do kind of stand out after all. Weirdos.

Well, I guess you guys both heard about Joliette Kane being murdered? I guess they're still trying to track down whoever did it, but things on the Net have been going weird...

I debate for a moment on whether to go into detail. Glancing at these two, I guess they could care less, so I leave it at that. For all I know they're not even hooked up. I probably couldn't have swung it myself if I weren't the one running half the cable around here.

I don't know what, but it looks like the scene is changing fast. I've been up since two nights ago waiting to see what happens.

I take bite off the piece of fish Grandbanks gave me. Pretty tasty. I'm curious about what sort of guns this guy's got. Not that I have enough money or a good reason to have one.

 

[IceHatchling]

I look up from my fast-disappearing meal and get a first good look at the chick at the other side of the bar. Not that I have a f-cking clue what she's talking about. I size her up with a glance. Nah, not a likely buyer for the orphaned 12-gauges bundled on the floor at my feet; even if she had the money. By the way she's squinting, all she cares about right now is whatever's going on on the nets. No sense wasting a contact though. Doesn't hurt at all that she's hot.

Nah, I hadn't heard anything 'bout that. What coulda kept you from sleeping for two whole nights? Story's that interesting?

I nudge the cloth-wrapped guns on the floor with my toe and take a glance toward the entrance to the diner. I'm going to have to be damn careful about my sh-t if I hope to have enough money for any more grub like this.

 

[Meekohi]

Well, the weirdest thing I've seen was two days ago all these avatars were wandering around on the Net, but they weren't connected to anybody. It was like they had gotten disconnected, but just kept going around doing things. Or maybe they just popped in out of thin air, I don't know. Either way it's pretty crazy stuff. Then yesterday a whole chunk of the Net went dead for no reason and hasn't come up since. Some people think it has to do with the hunt for that murderer. I kept meaning to goto sleep, but I know if I do I'm going to miss something big.

Of course, I could be missing something hanging out down here too. Somehow I feel like it's not time yet. There's always a few hours of calm on the Net in the morning while the crazies who stayed up all night get their 3 or 4 hours of sleep. Besides, talking to real people always feels better and I'm starving.

 

[jessica walker]

No clue what she's talkin about. What's she doin here eatin flapjacks if she's not even sleepin'? Maybe she's on somethin won't let her come down. I mean, I might take the crabcakes over a nap, but not the f-ckin flapjacks.

Shoveling down chuncks of fish with my fingers, taking breaks to top off the drinks.

I, uh, thought avatars had to be connected to people. Thought that was what they were for.

 

[Meekohi]

I shrug, "I might have said the same thing a few days ago. Someone's rewritten the rules, I'm just watching and trying to figure it all out."

"By the way, I'm Riko Li, I didn't catch your name." I smile and put out my hand to shake.

 

[IceHatchling]

I wipe my hand again on my jacket to get the rest of the road-dust off. Daniel Stone. Nice to meet you. I smile at her. Poor girl looks like she's about to either fall over or just fall apart, and the thin, cool feel of her hand confirms the thought. What's so important to you about it? You got some money in it or what?

 

[Meekohi]

Nah, you need to have money to make money after all. On the Net information is more important than money though, so I guess that's why I'm keeping watch.