4422/Reversal of Fortunes

Reversal of Fortunes
Date of Scene:	17 December 2020
Location:	Apartment, Brighton Beach, Brooklyn, NY
Synopsis:	No description
Cast of Characters:	Lyle Marston, Peter Parker

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Lyle Marston has posed:
"Ahh Sir Percy, look at all of this artwork. But remember Mon Ami, we are only here for "Midnight in the Woods."

Sir Percy made a light chirping noise and nuzzled against Lyle's face as he walked down the hall of paintings. La Raton, real name Lyle Marston, was currently in the home of one Boris Servando, a reclusive Russian art collector. The man's security was not up to par at all, resulting in Lyle easily slipping in through a foolishly unlocked window. La Raton was of course, a thief, and he was here to steal a particular painting, "Midnight in the Woods." This painting, which was painted in the 1900s had a long and troubled history, passing from owner to owner until finally lading in Servando's collection, though not through honest means.

Servando was a rumored associate of a infamous Russian Bratva and, according to rumor, had his mafia friends steal the painting from it's previous owners in Brighton Beach. This rumor, was true, and they wanted La Raton to get their painting back, something Lyle was more than obliged to do. Lyle and his ever-loyal raccoon, which was perched on his shoulder, continued their stealthy trek through the collection, suddenly stopping in front of a glass window. Lyle let out a happy grunt as he turned to the wall facing the window and saw "Midnight in the Woods," the painting hanging on the wall and basically begging to be stolen. Lyle smirked and leaned in and began to carefully take the painting off the wall. Anyone who looked into the window would see a bizarre sight, a man with dressed up as a eighteenth century French Aristocrat with a raccoon perched on his shoulder seemingly stealing a painting .

Peter Parker has posed:
*Well...THAT is different.*

He wasn't actually trying to stop a robbery at all. He had been working up some info on the crime families operating out of "Little Odessa," and the Cossacks had sunk a serious about of chump change into this collection.

Willie had explained it to him a few weeks ago. "We have different Russian families, but since they all have to play nice, they all have one guy or group who handles the profits, invests them. It works kinda like a money-room skim. But someone has to keep it honest, someone they all agree on."
"And you're saying Servando is the Cossack In Charge of this squad."
"For the last five years. So if your Kingpin is planning to move, he may approach him."

So, for the last week, Spider-Man has been spending his nights on this rooftop, recording with a drone, studying for his finals and freezing his spinnerets off.
But a heist is not on the radar. And...it could cause problems if the wrong people hear about it. They might think Servando is getting cute...or getting stupid. And he's a liability either way it goes.

Spider-Man opts for the access point, the grate leading into the air ducts. Feeling a little like John McLane, he squeezes through, landing in the bathroom with a quiet thump.

Lyle Marston has posed:
With a grunt of satisfaction Lyle managed to take the painting off the wall. He then tucks the painting under his arm and begins to walk away, being completely oblivious to the Spidery visitor currently in the bathroom. As Lyle walked past the bathroom he would start to hum La Marseillaise in a perfect French accent, something Spider-Man would hear in his hiding spot. He would also hear the sudden cry of surprise of the burly gangster who seemingly came out of a wine cellar, clutching a bottle of Merlot. The gangster, rather foolishly charges Lyle, who sighs in annoyance and places the painting down and meet the gangster in combat. The room soon echoes with the sounds of punching, and grunts of pain from both parties. Suddenly, a loud crack was heard and the body of the gangster falls down unconscious. Lyle looks over his fallen foe before sighing and reaching down to pick up his painting.

Peter Parker has posed:
Lyle has just enough time to place his hands on the painting when he hears a slow clap from the direction of...the bathroom?

Spider-Man has opened the door and is leaning against the doorway, slowly applauding.

"Well...YOU are a refreshing change from the usual sneak-thieves I deal with. They usually go for skintight catsuits."
He steps forward, then peers at Lyle's partner-in-crime.

"...Is that a RACCOON?"

Lyle Marston has posed:
Lyle's head turns to the sound of the clapping, and he lets out a small swear when he sees Spider-Man. As Lyle turned around, Spider-Man would get more of his facial details. He was a Caucasian man in his mid 30s with chocolate brown eyes, which were covered by a cloth domino mask. He had long, brown hair which was tied into a pony tail, complete with a crimson bow tied at the end of it. If he looked closer, he would notice that the man had drawn whiskers on his face with charcoal, as if he were trying to mimic the whiskers of his companion. Lyle suddenly lets out a chuckle at Spider-Man's question, while the raccoon lets out a curious noise before jumping off his shoulder and going up to Spider-Man to give him a curious sniff. Lyle then says in a thick, French accent,

"Oui Monsieur, it is indeed a raccoon. My name is La Raton, gentleman thief." He then bows dramatically, taking off his hat as he did

Peter Parker has posed:
Spider-Man makes no threatening moves, even when the raccoon sniffs him. (For the record, Mongolian beef, soy sauce, and the mild scent of vomit, courtesy of the Chinese takeout eaten by the guy he pulled from his burning apartment earlier tonight.

"And I'm Your Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man. Accent on the Friendly part right now...hope that won't change."

He looked around. "Whoever gave you this job REALLY doesn't like you, La Raton."