Mr. Lock Gets a Pet Hound
Summer 2021, Week 3
Saturday morning
The Red Door, Downtown
Storyteller
The two men stood behind the other, a respectful distance away but well within the range to 'suggest' that it was best for him to keep walking forward. As soon as they got out of the luxury SUV, where the two men sat in the back with the VIP flanking him, they ushered him to the door of the multi-story bar located downtown. While the 'Red Door' was the name of the bar, 'The Red Door' was the top floor of the 10-story building. The rest of the floors had different colored doors that regulars knew about. The White Door was the bottom five floors. A normal, if higher end, bar. Music, drinks, dance spaces, which each floor playing a different style of music. It was where the normal visitors went to relax and socialize. The next two floors were The Black Door. Reserved for more expensive guests. A social club rather than a bar, albeit one that had plenty of attractive servers and hired company. But it was still official enough that business was conducted there. The next two floors were The Pink Floor. And it was exactly what someone would expect, just high end and heavily regulated by the owners. No workers under Dallas' care would ever know hardship. The men and women who worked there had the top medical care and each was assigned a security official who was nearby even during the business. The last floor, the top floor, was the Red Door. The domain of the Red Court. They ushered in normals and executives on a regular basis, the plan to make the Pink Door seem like the most line-of-the-law skirting part of the business. And it worked. Police never gave the Red Door a second glance, always trying to find a way to laud a fine for the Pink. Little did they know, the Red Door was where all business in the Red Court was conducted. So up the VIP and his guards went until they exited the elevator and walked through the literal red door, quickly ushered to a back room where there was a man waiting, sipping on a glass of whiskey as he read on a tablet.Dallas Lock
"Sit, please. And order whatever you'd like from Tasha here. Just give me one moment."Murvitt Olin
As he was being led through the doors of the luxury SUV, he tries desperately not to start his usual habit of blinking out of nervousness. His eyes dart around, taking in his environment and making mental notes in case he needs to make a hasty retreat. If this 'suggested' meeting goes horribly wrong, he'd have to start a new life, live under a new nameandlivesomewhereworkingsomeplaceinanewstate... He takes a deep breath, mostly to quiet the current train of thought as he walks through the White door. This is quite a classy place. He thinks to himself as he takes in the surroundings, making notes of where key locations are such as empty areas, bathrooms, and where the people were likely to go to best maximize his chances of blinking to succeed rather than be stuck in trouble with that massive amount of vertigo. He did the same with each floor, making the way through the Black Door and the Pink Floor to the top floor: the Red Door. His fingers begin to twitch as they near the Red Door, nervously jamming them into his lab coat; he barely had any time to change out of his work attire, but the vest, tie and shirt underneath were all nice enough... he hoped... At the behest of the man that lay in wait, he sits in the comfortable chair before him. "V-vodka, if you have it, p-please." Trying to piece together an escape route if necessary, making note of the spaces below him to try and maximize his chances of successful escape. "It is g-good to be m-making your acquaintance, s-sir. Y-you likely know w-who I am t-t-to arrange meeting, b-but I have n-never met you b-before."Storyteller
Tasha ran out and returned minutes later with a neat vodka for their guest. While they waited the man continued to read on the tablet, not yet responding to the man's words. The two guards were waiting outside, leaving only the two in a fine room that was filled with the soft music from the floor. As the drink was set down and the server left, closing the door with a soft clicked, the tinkle of ice as the man sipped his drink and closed the tablet, cold eyes met the other pair.Dallas Lock
"Murvitt Olin III. Masters in Genetics and employed in that field. Immigrant family and raised in the city. Knowledgeable in various languages. And on top of that, gifted with what seem to be an assortment of useful gifts." The man rattled off in a calm voice. "What I'm here to gather is the extent of those gifts." Standing up slowly, he walked a few steps until he was behind the man, setting his hands on the other gentlemen's shoulders. "My name is Dallas Lock, Mr. Olin. I am a...let's say collector, acquirer, businessman. I do a lot of business and have the need for gifted individuals to assist me in those endeavors. You caught the eye of one of my recruiters, so we've been watching you. And I must say, you haven't disappointed me. Returning to his seat slowly, sliding into his chair and sipping his drink until it was dry, he showed a small smile. "Tell me about yourself, Mr. Olin."Murvitt Olin
Murv shakily takes a drink of the vodka. Smooth, as was to be expected from a fine establishment such as this. The liquid courage runs down his throat before he speaks once more, just a little for now to steel his nerves. "I s-see you've done much research. I am c-curious as to how f-far your collection extends, but to m-matter at hand." He clears his throat. "I am guessing the t-talent you refer to is of evolved h-human origin. Mine are fairly simple; I teleport myself and objects on my possession through space. Range is limited, and I need to port to empty space, else it will leash me back to starting point instantaneously." He takes another sip, his stuttering now almost gone. "Second ability I discovered while interacting with sample from evo donor. I amplify or dampen any current capabilities of individuals I physically touch. These modifications last only temporarily but can be effective. Enhanced strength becomes stronger, fire generator makes hotter flame, or the opposite if I choose so."Dallas Lock
"Hmm." The man's eyes rested on Murvitt as they seemed to tear off his skin, muscle, every material of him and stare into his soul. "Interesting. Limited with your teleportation, but that's to be expected. It is that second gift I am most interested in." Tasha had brought in another drink without needing to be asked for Dallas, setting it on the table and promptly departing. "That's a gift I could use. A gift I truly want to have in my rolls." There was a pause in the air as Dallas tested his second drink, different slightly from the first. "Mr. Olin, what is it you want, you yearn for?"Murvitt Olin
What... I want? A mixture of expressions alighted on Murv's face; confusion, curiosity, glee, suspicion. He is unnerved as Dallas' gaze proceeds to visually dissect him for any tells and information. "My... ambitions were rather lofty, but I hope to change the world someday. Help do my part to break society's shackles on people misunderstood and misrepresented like me." Not untrue, but still not a complete truth. "I am no 'superhero', nor do I aspire to be 'superhero'" He spits the words with a contemptuous venom. "But to make difference in lives across globe, I wait only for chance to do so." Looking with curiosity up to Dallas once more, looking the calm, unsettling man up and down, he asks, "What is it that you would propose, should I be candidate you wish to work with?"Dallas Lock
"Spoken like a true dreamer." Dallas replies with a bit of ice in his tone. "You're not the first to say that to me, doubtful the last. But each time I have to wonder if any of you thought about what society wanted. Likely not, because that's what makes you a dreamer. So full of ideals and hopes. That's good, Mr. Olin. Very good. Hold onto that as long as you can." The ice clinked in the glass as the neat whiskey slid past the man's lips. "I believe in quid pro quo. So long as you are useful to me and assist me when I require it, I make sure that you get what you need to achieve those little dreams of yours. Money, connections, resources. I can get you whatever you need. And I don't say that frivolously. I mean anything. In return, all you need to do is become my association. Come when I call. Use your powers when I require. Do what needs doing. Simple, isn't it?"Murvitt Olin
"Society t-typically wants what powerful, wealthy and idolized people want it to." He calmly refutes. "But your proposal is intriguing, even if it seem too good to be true. You say you care not of blinking but the augmentation. I am curious what you have planned for this power, and what sort of tasks be expected of me while working for you." Placing heavy inflection, he plainly says without saying that he believes it is less of an association and more of a boss/employee relationship. "After all, nothing is as simple as seems, Mr. Lock. I fully expect to put life on hold to carry out tasks, be on call at every possible hour of day, and if necessary, deal with people that disagree with task while working under you." He can feel his face grow warmer and warmer as the drink runs its course. This not good. Impaired judgement, getting drunk on interview, this is bad.Dallas Lock
"You'll come when I call. It won't be at ridiculous times. And personally, I feel you'll be reserved just for my uses. Some days I'll have you here. Other days, you're free to do what you need so long as you stay with the escort team I'll assign. For your safety, of course. There are some people out there who would be less generous than I am if they learn what you can do." Dallas didn't hold anything back in his explanation, there wasn't any point to. "But I can promise you it's not too good to be true. You'll be paid $10,000 a day for your services, despite how long or short I need you. Case in point, you'll be paid $10,000 today."Murvitt Olin
He smiles, liking what he is hearing and relaxing a small bit. "I find terms more than agreeable." Seems like simple job being pet hound but be vigilant for opportunity of growth. "And must admit, would be nice working for someone with class."Dallas Lock
"Very good, Mr. Olin. Very good. I hope this is the start of a prosperous relationship, for the both of us." Finishing his second drink, Dallas stood and held out his hand. "Please, one last thing, give me a demonstration of your abilities."Murvitt Olin
"Of course." Smiling, he stands, walking over as he reaches out with his own hand, awakening his ability with the intent to enhance abilities. Greenish wisps materialize and dance in the air around his hand, much unlike the reddish ones that appeared when he first discovered his ability to affect powers. Clasping Dallas' hand in a firm handshake, the wisps dart into Dallas' hand, filling it with extra energy that starts to spread throughout his entire being.[Type 1, Normal x1, -3EP (12/15)]
"That feeling will last roughly half hour, and enhance any abilities you may have by fifty percent, at least according to last tests."Dallas Lock
Looking at his hand, Dallas slowly moved his eyes over his arm and then to the rest of his body. Suddenly he focused back on his open hand and squinted in concentration. A rippling of the fabric of reality, a slight shimmer like a mirage in the desert, grew right above his palm as the man gritted his teeth. For nearly ten seconds it continued before finally a watch appeared in the man’s hand. A simple brown leather watch. But it was the man’s expression that would be more interesting. A broad smile of perfect teeth and sparkling eyes. “Oh. Oh yes. This will do perfectly, Mr. Olin.” The watch, his grandfathers, always had a place beside his main bedroom. Outside of the room. It took so much to pull it, but that barrier had finally been leaped. “This will do wonders.” In his other hand appeared a suitcase, and Dallas set it on the table. Inside was $20,000, as agreed, and a red metal card with contact numbers and the identification of the holder as an Associate.[Summoner, x1 Basic x1 Strenuous, -15EP]
Murvitt Olin
Raising an eyebrow at Dallas' expression, feeling slightly dizzy and lightheaded, perhaps from the drink, the use of his power, or likely a combination of the two, he asks with genuine curiosity "I trust I've exceeded expectations?" Graciously accepting the suitcase, he bows his head slightly and smiles. "Is there anything else you require for now?" Thinking he will likely not need to blink out of the building this trip, he relaxes a bit more.Dallas Lock
“You have, Mr. Olin. You very much have. You’ll find my contact number on the card in the briefcase. Keep the card on you at all times. Should you ever run into….certain types of trouble, you let them know you are with me.” Dallas was clearly eager to end this meeting, his focus now on his hands and tracing up his arms. “And should you ever need anything, call.”Murvitt Olin
"I will. Thank you for the opportunity, and may you have a successful day, Mr. Lock." Perhaps this be good arrangement. He turns to leave, making a mental note to add the red card to the 'important' section of his wallet. After he is out of the business room, he stops after seeing Tasha, smiling pleasantly as he pulls out a fifty-dollar bill and hands it to her. "As thanks for meeting, I'll c-cover his next drink. Rest is for you." May as well exercise teleportation, just in case... He then focuses on the area in front of the elevator, and promptly blinks towards it.[Teleportation, Minor x1, -1EP (14/15)]
Type
Record, Historical
Medium
Digital Recording, Text
Authoring Date
July 10, 2021
Authors
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