18119/Vodka on Ice
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Vodka on Ice | |
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Date of Scene: | 31 May 2024 |
Location: | Iceberg Lounge |
Synopsis: | Penguin makes a shady deal with Talia, his first steps towards his eventual foray into a criminal career. Jennifer Stavros managed to score a nice bit of cash tonight, and learn the location of a casino where she can continue her thiefy, and hopefuly lucky antics. The guard she seduced is unlikely to ever walk again however, after Penguin subtly overheard his conversation with her. he and the other guards on that shift will end their shift reminded that Penguin demands perfection. |
Cast of Characters: | Oswald Cobblepot, Talia al Ghul, Jennifer Stavros
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- Oswald Cobblepot has posed:
Oswald Cobblepot holds a glass of vodka on ice in his hand, sipping every so often, and enjoying the attention he gets from the regulars who know who he is. For a moment he pauses, his right hand clenching over his glass, but soon enough he continues to make the rounds. He seems to drink up the accolades, people generally love his Lounge, and he knows it. Soon enough he's grabbing another glass from one of the waiters circling about, placing his own empty glass on the tray.
- Talia al Ghul has posed:
And on this evening Talia Al Ghul enters. She hasn't bothered to announce herself or make a call in advance, but she's also come unarmed and wearing just jeans adn a t-shirt fitting for the weather. There are no weapons on her, or anything beyond an old flip phone and a wallet with some random, crinkled bills. She goes to slide in to a table and takes a seat.
- Oswald Cobblepot has posed:
Oswald Cobblepot soon makes his way to Talia's table. Seeing a guest he hasn't met yet, he turns on the charm, as best he can. "Welcome to the Iceberg Lounge. I am Oswald Cobblepot, owner if this establishment. Let me know if there is anything you need, I will personally find a waiter for you."
- Talia al Ghul has posed:
Talia al Ghul would muse over, "Actually, just the man I wanted to meet if it's not a bother." She would hold her hands up and gesture at him to join her if allowed. "I'm in need of some things which can be somewhat difficult to gather locally on short notice."
- Jennifer Stavros has posed:
Jennifer was looking for a party. And New York had gone stale so she burned a good chunk of the last of her case on a round-trip bus ticket. She'd heard through people in the biz that underground gambling was hot in Gotham and she itched to get in on that action.
The only problem was, she didn't know _where_ the underground gambling clubs were. But she'd heard plenty about the Iceburg Lounge so ... here she was. Maybe a drink, maybe a hot guy, and maybe some information. That'd do her fine.
- Oswald Cobblepot has posed:
The Iceberg Lounge is filled to the brim tonight, as it usually is. The drinks are flowing and quiet conversations are taking place in dark corners. Oswald Cobblepot is speaking with a woman in hushed tones. Classical music plays from well placed speakers, it's neither too loud, nor too quiet. For it's name? The Iceberg Lounge is quite warm and welcoming.
- Oswald Cobblepot has posed:
Oswald Cobblepot raises a brow to Talia, taking a sip from his drink, "Indeed?" His accent is clearly British, "Well I wouldn't want one of my valued customers to feel neglected, I pride myself in terms of customer service.." He takes the seat across from Talia, speaking in a hushed voice, "What do you need? If I can help, I will."
- Talia al Ghul has posed:
Talia al Ghul would roll back over. "I've just got some things I need to make sure get here smoothly and quickly. Time is of the essence." She's rather sure he knows what she means here. And she's not going to mention what it is. THat's just another level of protection for him after all. Deniability. "I'm ordering a few things being shipped in but the harbor can be rather slow sometimes and I need to make sure when they arrive it all goes through smoothly."
- Jennifer Stavros has posed:
Jennifer made her way into the club. She hrmmed as she checked the place out. Rich folks, pretty sedate and boring. Well, she was here now and she was going to make the best of it. So she claimed a seat at a table and eyed the crowd carefully. Nobody waz galmbling but the fat guy with the nose looked like a pit boss of pit bosses. But he was busy chatting up a nice-looking lady.
Damn.
- Oswald Cobblepot has posed:
Oswald Cobblepot grins at Talia, "That can be arranged, for a price of course. But my price isn't money necessarily. Before we make this deal, I want to know how well informed you are regarding Gotham's organized crime families, their operations, and perhaps their recent movements? If my help in regards to your request isn't enough for such information, we can sweeten the pot."
- Talia al Ghul has posed:
Talia al Ghul would nod, "Of course. Nothing comes for free, and we all want to make sure that things go smoothly. You are a reputable man, after all. I only go to the best." She goes to smoothly reach into a pocket and pulls out a small,s ealed case that inside has several small diamonds in it.
- Jennifer Stavros has posed:
She ordered a drink from a waiter and then decided that she was going to circulate. In her head she was looking for someone to use some luck, bad for them so she could abscond with a wallet or a purse.
- Oswald Cobblepot has posed:
Oswald Cobblepot notices a new arrival, Jennifer in this case, and he flags a waiter down, points to her, and glares. Even if Jennifer has been served already, Oswald didn't notice, and as he says, customer service is his pride!
His attentiion returns to Talia, and the diamonds, "Tempting.. but what I want from you, more than this, is information. Do you have in depth knowledge regarding Gotham's crime families? I don't want to go into detail regarding my request until you answer, it's delicate.."
- Talia al Ghul has posed:
Jennifer is picked up on the outside of Talia's peripheral vision, and she goes to idly watch the girl. Not bad technique. Her own 'exchange' is between her and Cobblepot, so one would have to reach fully over the table to grab at it. She gives a low nod of appreciation to the girl and mouths 'good technique' at her in what would be rahter creepy.
"Unfortunately, I do not. I'm only briefly in town so that sort of thing is beyond me. If that means there's no deal I understand, and I'll look elsewhere."
- Jennifer Stavros has posed:
Hey, waiter! Fresh drink! She'll take it. She continues her rounds and then picks an older last who was already distracted. A little flash of black light, bad luck imparted, and then it was child's play to swipe her wallet out of her purse. Now it was time to head to the ladies and see what's she got.
- Oswald Cobblepot has posed:
Oswald Cobblepot wouldn't care that Jennifer swiped someone's wallet, even if he'd noticed, because really? He doesn't care about a single person in this Lounge, other than the money they spend. If someone gets robbed here? He's got lawyers to counter any lawsuit that comes up.
And indeed Oswald's attention is on Talia right now, "Fair enough, I'll take hard currency instead, after all one can't have enough." He grins, it's ugly, and he knows it, "You'll have whatever assistance you need and any information you need. My bodyguards aren't just for me, they are also available to you in this case. They come from all walks of life, some of them even ex military, or police, but they know better than to fail me.."
His grin grows wider, "Rest assured, you will get your cargo safe and sound."
- Talia al Ghul has posed:
Talia al Ghul would watch over as Jennifer would go along then and give her a casual flip of a finger in a 'well done'. Presuming Oswald was aware of the girl and didn't care. "Yes, it's not fun carrying around so much money. Makes one feel like they could just have some dumb luck and lose it." Besides, hard currency was a lot easier to track. Species was so much more convertible. What wit the inevitable collapse of society that was coming and everything.
"Of course. I just don't want to have any sort of noise on it. Just pure quiet." She takes out another small case, holding an equal amount of diamonds. "If it goes well, the second half."
- Jennifer Stavros has posed:
Jennifer, once secured in the ladies, studied her catch. Plastic? OK. ATM card? She could hopefully luck out the PIN before the card locked. She'd take that. Maybe a hundred or so in cash? Score! The rest of the purse went into the trash and Jennifer bounced out to continue to work the room a littke.
It was no casino but it was its own kind of fun. Slow, not-making-money-as-fast-as-she-wanted fun, but still fun.
- Oswald Cobblepot has posed:
Oswald Cobblepot is oblivious to Jennifer's work, at least officially, it's hard to say really, because he's focused on his deal with Talia, "A sound deal, I wouldn't expect you to pay in full before the job is done. I expect nothing from my customers than I would expect from myself. My men can handle it, and as long as Batman doesn't catch wind of things, it should go without a hitch. It's impossible to plan for his interference, and I am willing to accept a deduction of any further payment should that occur. Gotham is a difficult city to conduct business."
- Talia al Ghul has posed:
With the girl over in the other room, Talia turns her full attention over to Cobblepott. "That's what you're here for. And why the men should otherwise just blend in. I'd much rather not have any noise at all. No one that stands out. Nothing blatant. Success in transit is when there's no issue at all other than the freight elevator getting stuck." She would quip.
- Jennifer Stavros has posed:
Jennifer rejoined the main room, circulating away from the poor distracted lady with no wallet. Just to make sure things went well, she cupped a good-luck disc in her hands and absorbed it. There. No real risk of a lucksnap and luck was a lady tonight!
Or at least she hoped so. Luck was also a fickle bitch and even with her gifts it could turn on her. Time to find a new target - and work her way over to Hot Lady and Beak-Nose.
- Oswald Cobblepot has posed:
Oswald Cobblepot nods at Talia, "Indeed, unless Batman is omniscient, he won't know about our deal. He does happen to show up where one least expects, so I wanted to warn you that he could, somehow, find out about this. I don't know how he does it, I don't know if he's working with the FBI, or some secret society, but in Gotham he's a mystery, almost a cryptid of sorts. An urban legend that is actually real, and there are other vigilantes who work the same trade. I've seen it all unfold over the years and it's a damned shame."
He finishes his drink, "But I can promise you that all of my resources will go towards ensuring that you recieve what you paid for. I just wanted to inform you of the risks, because it would be immoral for me not to. This city has a rot within its' core, and it isn't me, it isn't Falcone, the Joker, or the Riddler, it's the naive lunatics trying to change the nature of our world, and for some reason Gotham is where they've chosen to make their abode."
- Talia al Ghul has posed:
Talia al Ghul would glance over at Jennifer, humming to herself while turning over to Oswald. "Oh, I know. That's why I'm going the subtle route. Sometimes one needs protection, sometimes one just doesn't need attention. A man of your talents can provide both." Half payment up front, half upon delivery. The way it went with professionals. "I do appreciate your discretion. Too many people think it means something droppig in means a half dozen burly men standing about.." The unsaid 'with guns' as this was a family joint.
- Jennifer Stavros has posed:
Jen was making her way closer to where Cobblepit and al-Ghul were having their conversation. For some reason, none of the security or the waiters impeded her way, letting her get within a table or so of where the two speaking. Jen could feel her previous good-luck running out so she cupped her hands and hit herself again with some good-luck, a white flash escaping from between her fingers.
- Oswald Cobblepot has posed:
Oswald Cobblepot is very much focused on his conversation with Talia, however a guard notices Jennifer getting close to Penguin, and gets cautious. He has his orders and asks her if she needs anything.
Oswald doesn't notice a thing, however, and replies to Talia, "Of course, my men know what they're doing, it's a new branch of operations for my business. I recruit from a very select pool of applicaants these days, the world has changed after all, and the competition with it."
He smiles, "Your terms are accepted, and should Batman, or anyone else interfere, I will happily accept that no further payment will be given. As I said.. Gotham is a risky place to do business, but luckily you've met me. I am one of the few who can provide a nearly one hundred percent guarntee that things will go as planned."
- Talia al Ghul has posed:
That little flash definitely had Talia's attention. The girl is watched again out of the corner of her eye, her keeping her attention further then as Jennifer would come over to perhpas just a position where she would overhear the two. Mmm, so what were they dealing wtih?
She wouldn't glance over her shoulder, but track the girl's position in the reflection of her glass. "Oh, I insist. I understand that unfortunate circumstances beyond our control happen. So long as you're professional about it that's all I care. Consider it a courtesy."
- Jennifer Stavros has posed:
Luckily for Jennifer, the guy was only too happy to stare at Jen's deep breathing for a moment and then to go fetch her a drink.
Men.
But that little stunt ate a good chunk of these little bursts of good-luck she was using and she didn't want to sit there and charge up a bigger one with so many people around.
But she did wiggle her fingers in a hello to Talia that she'd certainly pick up in the reflection she was using to track her.
- Oswald Cobblepot has posed:
Oswald nods, "Indeed.. you wouldn't have chosen Gotham unless it was necessary and I don't ask questions. The terms have been laid out and there is no further need for explanation. I never met you, I never saw you, I don't know your name, and you mean nothing to me." He grins.
- Talia al Ghul has posed:
Talia al Ghul would smile over at the girl and raise her glass in a salute, even without making eye contact. "Also, whatever she gets, please do put it on my tab." That includes damages, she supposes. WHich could happen when people started noticing that wallets were missing. Some of those highly crumpled bills are taken from her pocket and put up and over on the table to cover it. Plasticy bills?
Oh, Euros.
- Jennifer Stavros has posed:
Jen was listening without trying to listen and doing a really bad job of it. Plus Guido the Guard had some back with her drink and seemed disclined to check out her decolletage anymore. Luck must have run out. It did that.
So she smiled sunnily at him and with a true authentic Jersey Accent thanked him for the jawn, whatever that was, and batted her eyelashes at him.
- Oswald Cobblepot has posed:
The guard delivers Jennifer's drink wilh a smile, "Say you uh.. I get off in less than an hour. Let's say we have a few more drinks eh?" He seems quite smitten with Jennifer, even though he barely knows her. Jennifer's luck seems to have had a strong impact as it ran out.
Nearby Oswald nods again to Talia, glancing at Jennifer, "Done." He doesn't comment on Jennifer's antics, whatever he may have noticed, "It's like they say.. be good or be good at it." Whether that is directed at Jennifer, or towards the guards soon to handling Talia's deal? Who can say?
- Talia al Ghul has posed:
Talia al Ghul would glance over her shoulder, "And it does seem like things will be getting rather entertaining from here on out.." Things left to cover her bill, and then she scribbles down a number. "I'll call you from here when I have the details together and we can make the arrangements." She would croon while heading out.
- Jennifer Stavros has posed:
"Oh, hey handsome!" Jen simped at Guido. "You know what would be really awesome?" she asked and then didn't give him a chance to rerturn. "Why don't go find some real action - cards or roulette or something that that. Nothing gets me going faster than risking it all on the turn of a card, yanno?" she said, then deep breathed _and_ batted her eyelashes.
What was worth doing was worth overdoing.
- Oswald Cobblepot has posed:
The guard found Jennifer attractive anyway, even without her luck, and at this point the 'damage' has been done, so to speak. He agrees, "Let's do that then. Most women I meet on this job? They don't give me the time of day. Nineteen minutes and I'm all yours.."
Oswald nods to Talia as their meeting ends and he taps a few buttons on his phone. All guards on this shift are to meet him at the turn of the hour. It's ominous.. Jennifer's new 'friend' sees the text and suddenly lacks the confidence he had before..
- Jennifer Stavros has posed:
"Oh, baby, that's awesome!" she squealed. "Why don't you go ahead and tell me where it is and I'll get an Uber ready to whisk us away!" she offered.
- Oswald Cobblepot has posed:
The guard looks at his phone, then to Jennifer, "Look.. I uh.. I don't know now if I can.. fuck it just leave me your number, boss just texted me. We might have to reschedule." His change of tone is sudden, and he seems both afraid, and desperate.
- Jennifer Stavros has posed:
"Fine, fine." she said. "Go work your OT. I might still be around when you come off-shift. I got a real need for some action tonight. Hey, I know. Send me the address of the casino and you can meet me there!" she said, as if the idea just occurred to her.
- Oswald Cobblepot has posed:
The guard nods, "I.. yeah that sounds great." He turns away, briskly walking towards a shiny silver elevator, fear in his eyes. Jennifer may not ever see him again..
- Jennifer Stavros has posed:
Jen heard her phone go DING! and then glanced at it. YES! SCORE! The address! Time to ditch this lame stuffy joint for some _real_ fun. And just because she's a brat, just before she was about to leave the Penguin Club she sent a black disc overhead to the fire suppression system.
hat should prove entertaining. Lame club anywasy.