13688/How the Poor Guys do It

How the Poor Guys do It
Date of Scene:	29 December 2022
Location:	A scrapyard somewhere in New York
Synopsis:	No description
Cast of Characters:	Caleb Dykstra, Franklin Richards

---

Caleb Dykstra has posed:
"Really!?", Caleb exclaims over the phone, "You have one?" A pause is given. "Okay, what's the condition?" He nods, "Looks new..." Thinking this over, he replies, "Okay, I'll be there to have a look."

The network of contacts is important when you want to look for parts for old devices or even those old devices themselves. And depending on their condition, you restore them back to beauty and functionality. That's in fact one of the branching out business that Caleb is into: restoration, tinkering, and crafting.

Only thing is, for the item in question he has to go to New York. But that's no biggie, really; you get in a loading truck and drive, because this item happens to be relatively large. And then, he will need to repair it, because for some reason it stopped working. It stopped working and it was just... Thrown away, without a second's thought.

Well, one man's trash is another man's treasure - and more than once has Caleb thanked the anonymous people for doing that sort of thing.

Arriving at the scrapyard, he exits the truck and stops to take a look about.

Franklin Richards has posed:
Walking into the front talking with the owner of some small scrap yard his directory search of New York for specific parts had lead here. He had doubted he would find it in such a place, but it looked brand new in the shot he saw, and so here he was. Taking the hand and shaking it one could overhear Franklins deeping voice. "Thank you sir, It is a honor to fight for you guys, and yes the tower is high. But if you could lead me to the part I was looking for."

Fraklin stops, and looks down a bit.. "I am trying to help build a part for a more durable food extender." he looks at the owner, "And well sir this part.. might just save some lives." and smiles just a little bit though the owner prob would never see it.

Caleb Dykstra has posed:
Caleb notices Franklin and his talk about saving lives. Well, an honorable goal, that's for sure. But that's really not the reason he's come for; no, he's come here after hearing about a 3-D printer - something which he still can't believe. (A whole printer? Seriously?) With this, he could definetely amp up on the quality of his craft - maybe even continue a project he's been doing for a customer with much lighter materials, which he could reinforce with more materials of his own.

He almost drools at the prospect. Almost.

"Greetings", he announces himself to the guy running the scrapyard, "I'm Caleb Dykstra, we spoke on the phone about an apparently mint-condition 3-D printer?" He takes a moment to look at Franklin, politley smiling and greeting with a nod. "I'm here to have a look at it", is said returning his gaze to the owner.

Franklin Richards has posed:
The boss a bit miffed about getting interupted meeting Franklin, but is happy again with another customer as he sees Caleb. "Sir welcome to my scrap yard. Yes.. we talked did you bring... The Money!" and smiles a bit as he rubs his hands against a cloth to clean oil out of instinct. "Give me your number and I will have the item brought out, or if it is a large piece you might need to have the ability to take it with you before we let you in!" the owner keeps talking as if he said this a million times.

Franklin puts a hand on the owners shoulder, and regrests it, but looks over at the new person. "Well you have my number as well, why not just bring both of em out." he asks, and with not even a bit of agruing the dude is on it. Turning to look at Caleb Franklin chuckles, "Sorry bout that.. Comes with the job.". Standing infront of you is Franklin Reed fantastic four though he isn't wearing the outit just F4 merch that he always seems to end up with. "Franklin Richards.. Its a pleasure." and holds out a hand.

Caleb Dykstra has posed:
The Gothamite youth raises his eyebrows in surprise - of course the name strikes a bell, even in Gotham. But the fact that it's Gotham is the likely cause why it doesn't strike closer to home. "Really? No kidding? Well, good to know you're out there saving the world." If not the universe, but Gotham really is... different, in a fashion. He looks at his FF symbol-bearing shirt, "Just wondering here, and not that it's any of my business, but on the off-chance people know who you are... Isn't that like painting a target on your back?"

In the meantime, he looks at the owner, waiting for them to bring the items out.

Franklin Richards has posed:
The young man chuckles, and nods.. "In the flesh my friend. Though to be honest, I couldn't drag my sister out of the lab. Too dirty, boys and their toys.. etc." he grins a bit with a shrug. "It isn't the piece its the mechinism" and he wave a hand towards the junk where the owner is still searching for now. Though he is quiet again listening to Caleb very closly as if he is writting them down as he does most conversations in his mind. Though he stops and thinks about what was said and smiles a bit.

He looks at his clothes, then up into the sky squenting a little, and back again with a larger smile. "Don't worry if they come I won't them hurt you.. Remember Fantastic Four." and points to his hat with a wink. "If they get past me, they will have to face my sister." he shivers a bit. "No-one wants that.. trust me."

Caleb Dykstra has posed:
"Well, I wasn't saying /now/ this very minute...", he explains. "I meant aren't you constantly on the lookout?" Although, no matter how astronomically small those chances might be, his eyes find themselves unconsciously looking about. But with a nod, he replies at the mention of a sister, "Yeah, sisters... And I look after mine", he states, "Quite a handful, to be the big brother /and/ the den mother figure."

Franklin Richards has posed:
Franklin chuckles, and nods. Caleb, can I just call you Caleb?" he continues in a light tone. "See they are evil people, and do have their own schedules, but usually they are aiming at the world." he shrugs a bit, "Sure its easy we are public, but we are always the last person they want to know if you can believe it." he turns walking a way a bit as he talks. "I know.. so rude, but they have their own master plans." he does the little quote marks. Though he stops, looking out to the street.

"The only people who come after us, here.. Are normal humans, gangsters, or Mofia, maybe an tank." he stops, and turns. "Tanks are fun you should.. Aaaanyway... If that happen I will handle it. Maybe a bit of property damage, but its no real harm done." He turns as he stops walking. "as for a handful you have got that one right, but they are family what are you going to do. I would follow her into the gates if I need to." and smiles honestly.

THe boss in the back yells.. "Found one of them, the printer.. One minute.."

Caleb Dykstra has posed:
Caleb Dykstra nods, taking in those words. For just a moment, he considers asking Franklin for help regarding the mob he himself is forcefully involved with, but... No. The risk is too dangerous. Besides, there would be retributions. Still...

At the very last sentence, he shakes his head. "I wouldn't follow mine to the gates, though... I'd place myself between the her and the gates, and tell her home." He already did, in fact - which shows in his voice by a bit of cast-iron determination and no small sense of pride.

He looks at the scrapyard boss, and takes a breath, "Okay. Let's check for damages..."

Franklin Richards has posed:
As Caleb thinks about the mob, his mind isn't read, but the feeling of danger is slightly. He tilts his head looking at his friend, "Are you sure.. are you alright?" he does seem genuine, and you get a... small feeling, that he is just trying to help though maybe not. He didn't tell people his strong telepathy as he tries to block it out most the time.. some slips, but he is trying not to push the issue if the person doesn't want to say anything.

Though he does chuckle a bit, and turns to see a 3d printer being brough out from the back. You catch a glance, but can't see it before Frank walks in the way. "How long boss.."

"One minute" is all he gets from the back as Franklin turns to let you see a fresh new machine, and Bam! that quick everything changes. An inch away from the machine is a large bullet. He isn't even looking from where it came, but the bullet is frozen in place stopped and now floating in the air. Franklin slowly turns, and looks from where it came from then back to Caleb for a moment. "Don't tell no-one this part okay." and he turns looking from where the shot came from and closes his eyes... "Turn yourself in.. Right now." then slowly opens them again looking at Caleb with a smile.

He tosses the bullet to him.. "See handled."

Caleb Dykstra has posed:
The Gothamite nods, looking at Franklin for a moment. "Yeah, I'm fine... Memories and all that, you know?"

Caleb jumps at the sound of a gun fired, so much so, that he actually hides behind the nearest place you could call a hiding spot. And here is where you can notice him reaching instinctively for the inside of his coat, as if he was about to pull...

But nevermind, Franklin seems to have it all under control, the bullet halted in mid-air! Maybe blood doesn't have to be shed tonight.

"Okay, what the flyin' fuck!?"

Franklin Richards has posed:
Frank smiles, and waves out Cakeb, "Comon man.. Its safe I got you." he glances around a bit. "I don't see anymore. To be honest I thought you were in on the plan." and chuckles a little bit rubbing the back of his head. "Sorry about that.. But I mean like I said just people like you and me right? Nothing to worry about." and chuckles again. "Comon look at this brand new shiny machine! ooh!" he points to the 3d Printer with over excitement as to him it is just another printer.

Still undamaged, undropped as the owner hasn't moved a muscle since the shot has gone off frozen in place. That would of killed him not to mention he hadn't got the money yet so he was checjed out for now. Franklin looks at both of you and grins. "You do get used to it.. eventually okay... Yesh."

Caleb Dykstra has posed:
Caleb can't help but be confused at what just took place. "Seriously? I thought shit like this only happened in Gotham..." He adjusts his coat, making sure the gun he's packing isn't lost in the commotion. A gun? Well, yeah... for self-defense purposes. Like this case, in fact!

He looks at the machine, quietly inspecting it. "Brand new... Not so." He points at the chassi, "I see two bumps, and one near the power source." He looks at the plug, which is halfway eaten. "Mice diet, no doubt." He looks at the mechanism, "Some of the parts are loose, but otherwise okay." He looks, and notices an empty space, "And the rotor engine is missing."

He turns to the boss, "Mint condition...?" He just shakes his head.

Franklin Richards has posed:
Franklin noticed the gun, though it seemed anymore everyone was armed around here. He actually assumed the owner had a gun on the property, and he wasn't a cop so he didn't really mind at it. Speaking of which the person is relaxing a bit from the incdent looking around he shrugs, "It didn't use to.. Crime gets worse every year." he glances over at Franklin, "I mean.. I know you guys are up to it! I watch it!" he reasures before looking back at the device."Few bumps still new right? I have Rotor engines!"

Franklin sighs and looks at the two, and even smiles at the compliment, but as the man goes on he finally has to speak up. "That isn't going to work.." he walks up a bit, and points to the inside.. "Condensation.. it has gotten inside the electronics." and shakes his head. "You going to have to rewire the whole thing." he glances at the boss of the place again. "Though I could still use it, how bout I just give you a fifty and call it a night." they both know considering the price on the thing.. This was crazy low!

Caleb Dykstra has posed:
"Industrial printer in mint condition, my ass...", he exhales as he looks at Franklin's observation. "Look, I came all the way from Gotham to have a look at a printer you advertised as being brand new." The feeling of annoyance is clearly visible, and escalating. "Brand new, at least the way I see it and certainly I won't be alone in the definition, means B-stock, slight traces of use. You run and test it, works fine. It doesn't mean that not only doesn't run, but shows traces of having been used as a life raft through rapids infested with piranas!" That may be an innacurate descripiton - but certainly not by much!

He takes a deep, calming breath, and looks at Franklin, "I have a project for a client I'm working on, and come here for a 3-D printer that would help me finish it with better results..." He scoffs, "I'd be spending more time fixing this than finishing up the project."

Franklin Richards has posed:
Franklin smiles, and stands back watching the exchange quietly as the Boss of the place is looking worse and worse as time passes. Speaking of which is still trying to get his words back after accusation, of hyping up the quality of the item. He shrugs a bit looking at him and then back at Franklin, "Look I am sorry ya wasted your time buddy, but he is offering " as even Franklin turns to guy in the face of money. He is already starting to try to hand it to Franklin as is.. "I mean sure it had a couple of things, but it is what we got Boss."

Fanklin is reaching as the part that he wanted was in there, and it was self sealed. Of course he wasn't going to tell that person this as usually the cost of just it could be the worth of making the device. He didn't need to save the money of course, but in this case Franklin didn't mind a little extra push. Turning to face Caleb, Franklin adds "I am sorry to hear that, there are a few places around here that you could still get it. I heard you were from Gotham, did you think about Wayne Tech? From what I heard its supposed to be pretty fancy over there, though expensive." he glances at the boss of this place. "And a bit more respectable."