2019-01-27 #acdum Nightclub (briefing)

2019-01-27 Nightclub (briefing)
Jimmy, Wolf, Sydney, Hoxton, Dallas

[19:26:52] <Dallas> *So. What's everyone been up to post-Russia?*
[19:28:44] <Jimmy> *Jimmy's been.. relatively unseen. He's almost always in his van, working on this or that, rarely responding to attempts to talk to him. Dot, on the otherhand, has gone outside the van, but usually to just lay on the couch or bother the crew. Wolf's been in the living room as well, still stuck on that meth idea, buried in papers.*
[19:31:13] <Dallas> *Following their return from the mission, Dallas goes missing for several consecutive days, showing neither hide nor hair at the safehouse.*
[19:31:28] <Sydney> *Sydney's been recovering, both mentally and physically. And mourning her lost rocket launcher. Most nights she's out partying at clubs and bars; during the day, she's been working on her art a lot; her workstation at the safehouse is slowly growing and encroaching on the areas around it.*
[19:32:48] <Hoxton> *Ever since arriving and leaving, Hox has been gone as well. Only a muttered "Dont fuck shite up." at Jimmy before he left with Dallas. And since then? Silence but then no breaking news of him being thrown into jail again.*
[19:35:48] <Dallas> *Oh shit. Well, Dallas is driving down to Florida for a couple days. Looks like you're along for the ride whether you like it or not, Hox.*
[19:35:55] <Dallas> *Not too late to ask for a ride to the safehouse.*
[19:36:20] <Dallas> *Fleeing from his responsibilities? YOU BETCHA.*
[19:37:36] <Hoxton> *Hox will request a little hop to the safehouse before they go on their merry ride. "I dont have that many clothes, yet. Fuck's sake I need to go shoppin. Dont laught!".*
[19:39:03] <Jimmy> *Oh, Muffin's here, too. Wolf doesn't like to be alone without her. She smells dog. She doesn't like it.*
[19:46:16] <Dallas> *Actually--nix Florida. Dallas drives Hox to the safehouse to get his things, and while he's busy in there, he drives off without him and goes AWOL for three days straight.*
[19:46:47] <Dallas> *Not answering phone or messages. If anyone asks Bain about it, all he says is Dallas is fine.*
[19:52:55] <Sydney> *Sydney takes Dallas' disappearance in stride, though there's a not insignificant part of her that's concerned that her freakout had something to do with it. Better lock that shit down better.*
[19:54:03] <Dallas> *News about the incident in Russia is, unsurprisingly, vague as fuck. Some kind of explosion in the wilderness, a blazing fire that was quickly contained. No mention of any lab, or any clones--or anything implicating either them or Akan.*
[19:57:13] <Dallas> *A message from Bain arrives at the safehouse. Says Vlad needs help with a personal matter. Granted, they've only just finished with Russia, but Vlad was adamant about having the clowns on this job, and what Vlad wants, Vlad usually gets. He'll be coming by this evening.*
[19:57:27] <Hoxton> *Hox is ....well. Certainly not happy about the sudden vanishing act but then returns to the big mountain of clues and spends a lot of time in the range. Never seems to be satisfied with his aim. He's a little short tempered but visibly relieved to be back in the states and not trapped in some russian bunker. He follows the news with big interest.*
[19:58:00] <Hoxton> *Also clearly avoiding Dot. The dog seems to freak him out.*
[19:58:48] <Jimmy> *Wolf's been trying to contact Dallas, and sending memes and funny videos when he doesn't respond. He passes on the information about Vlad, as well, asking if he'll be coming back for it.*
[20:01:05] <Sydney> *The message from Bain came at a great time - Sydney's eager to get back to work. And Vlad can't be as crazy as a contractor as Jimmy was, can he?*
[20:04:36] <Dallas> *NO WAY. That evening, there's a sharp knock at the door, and a quick glance at the security camera over the safehouse door will reveal a mass of helium balloons obscuring the feed. Muffled* My friends! Kindly open the door before Uncle Vlad freezes his balls off, eh?
[20:05:58] <Hoxton> *A moment of stunned silence and Hox shaking his head. Balloons? Probably someone died and the madman is happy about it. Jesus. Hox gets up to answer the door.*
[20:08:55] <Dallas> *Balloons precede Vlad into the safehouse, huddling up into the ceiling. They read, "Happy birthday!" Vlad himself squeezes through, cursing profusely, then stands beaming at the lot of them.* My friends! Vlad is very happy to see you survived your trip to Russia. Have some curry! *He thrusts out a takeout bag.*
[20:10:36] <Jimmy> *Wolf glances up from his work, chuckling at Vlad's antics, Muffin hiding at the sight of the balloons. Scary floating things* ... Thanks, man.
[20:10:42] <Sydney> *Sydney arches an eyebrow at the balloons, but can't help but smile.*
[20:12:12] <Dallas> *Vlad looks up at the festoon of balloons, sighs wearily.* It's for my niece. Anyway-- *And he thrusts the bag of curry into Hoxton's arms.* Vlad has a problem. BIG problem.
[20:12:35] <Hoxton> Cheers, mate. *well standing there, Hox takes the curry and holds it suspiciously. No hidden coke?* Bain said ya have an offer for us eh? Well...ya know where to sit down. *he waves in the direction of the couches and goes to quickly. stow the curry. Shaking his head but smiling
[20:12:50] <Hoxton> *AHA. Getting handed the curry. Bueno.*
[20:14:42] <Hoxton> Big problem? Well...we are all ears, mate.
[20:16:05] <Jimmy> *Wolf's back to half-listening* Yeah, shoot.
[20:27:26] <Dallas> *It's curry from a takeout place downtown. Smells nice. Vlad waves them all over to the couches, takes a heavy seat. Long sigh. With a grim look on his face, he says* It's Dmitri. Bane of my fucking life, he's trying to put me out of business, suka. He stole my headliner--he stole my Annie for his... his fucking "Tasteful" Club. My friends--I want you to teach this Dmitri son of a whore a lesson in business ethics. Go to his club, and ruin everything. Steal everything that is not nailed to the ground, break everything, I don't give a fuck. But put him out of business. Make him regret taking Annie from me.
[20:28:19] <Sydney> *Sydney's smile turns into a grin.* And by break everything, you mean break _everything?_
[20:28:37] <Dallas> *Vlad leans in, showing teeth in a long hiss.* Everything.
[20:28:56] <Sydney> Aces.
[20:29:29] <Dallas> Vlad: But leave Annie alone, you understand? I do not want a single hair on her beautiful head harmed, clowns. Everything else is up to you.
[20:29:44] <Jimmy> *Dot's gone out into the living room at this point, too distracted by the balloons. So pretty..*
[20:29:53] <Sydney> What's she look like?
[20:30:10] <Hoxton> *Hox raises an eyebrow. Wow. That sounds...well. A smash and grab job shouldnt be too bad. Making sure that Dmitri twat wont see it coming.* Who is An....*he stops, thinking bettwe of it.* Well. I think we can help ya out, mate.
[20:31:31] <Dallas> *Vlad pulls out a phone, flicking through until he comes to a selfie of him with an elegant woman. Platinum blonde. She's looking at her phone in the photo while Vlad beams.*
[20:32:02] <Hoxton> *Hox could have sworn it would be a goat.*
[20:32:14] <Sydney> Pretty sheila, ain't she?
[20:32:19] <Hoxton> Well. Looker she is eh?
[20:32:41] <Jimmy> *Dot trots closer, yipping at the picture. Pretty lady.*
[20:33:07] <Hoxton> Right. No harmin her. Everthin else is a big fuckin playground. This dmitri twat. He's got people of his own? People with nasty guns for example?
[20:34:03] <Dallas> *A brief melancholy look comes over Vlad's face, and then he glances at his watch and spits out* FUCK. *jumping to his feet, hurriedly* Ahhh, ahaha, it was very nice seeing you, my friends, but Vlad must go. Bain will send you all the details, eh? You will do it, correct?
[20:34:34] <Sydney> I mean, it sounds easy enough.
[20:34:40] <Jimmy> .. Fuck's got you so panicked, man? *Wolf looks up, actually expressing an emotion.*
[20:34:50] <Hoxton> *Hox almost keels over, startled.* Jesus, mate! *He looks at the others*
[20:35:00] <Hoxton> Everythin alright?
[20:35:52] <Dallas> Vlad: I would love to stay, but I am late to my niece's birthday party. Talk to Bain, okay? ALSO. I will need to borrow your van. These squeaking balloon fucks got in my face while I was driving here, and I nearly crashed my car.
[20:38:20] <Sydney> How about someone gives you a ride there, yeah?
[20:40:50] <Dallas> *Vlad seems relieved.* Let's go, poekhali! *He scoops up the squeaky army of balloons and heads for the door, turning back to exclaim* Be good, my friends! Be very very kind to Dmitri. *with sudden vitriol* Kill him with kindness. If he lives, if you make him cry like a little baby, your Uncle Vlad will shower you in money. Bain will give you all the details!
[20:42:17] <Dallas> *Also yes, Vlad entirely ignored Hoxton's question about resistance.*
[20:44:13] <Dallas> *All right, who's getting voluntold to go to the party with Vlad?*
[20:44:16] <Hoxton> *Hox sits there, rather baffled. But damn, sometimes it is hard staying or being mad at Vlad. And yet he is happy not being on the russkies shit list*
[20:46:51] <Hoxton> *WELL. It seems heads are turning into Hox' direction* Wha. Me?
[20:47:15] <Sydney> It'll do ya good to get outta this place anyways, yeah?
[20:47:24] <Jimmy> *Wolf nods.* Children terrify me.
[20:47:26] <Sydney> When's the last time you went to a party?
[20:48:49] <Hoxton> *Hox sputters.* A party? For kids? Been a fuckin while. Uh. Well, mate. Seems I'll be the one to drop ya off.
[20:49:48] <Dallas> *HOXTON. MY FRIEND. BIG PAT ON THE BACK, and Vlad walks out with him, balloons bumping around behind them. Vlad is overjoyed to have his company on the drive over, regaling him with tales from his own 10-year stint in prison in a cheery show of solidarity. He does grow darker at one point, muttering how he'd like to wring the neck of whatever rat bastard turned Hoxton over to the feds. He, too, is convinced there was foul play involved. But he's quick to brighten up again as they arrive at the party, rather insistent Hoxton come in and say hello, and have a piece of cake. It's bad luck to refuse, after all.*
[20:53:41] <Hoxton> *Well. Playing taxi for Vlad. And yet it could be worse. Hox walks to the van with him, letting him in. Already hearing Houstons nagging in his head. Heh. And the drive turns out even enjoyable. The man is a power unto himself and he nods and comments, growing a little more cheerful. Hox will refuse at first but you cannot refuse Vlad it seems. He reluctantly agrees to ONE bit of cake. Of course. Work waitin for him.*
[20:59:58] <Dallas> *Surprising lack of any grim-looking Russian mafiya standing around the house. It's just a bunch of kids--Vlad's niece among them--excitedly opening presents. Vlad graciously accepts the party hat she puts on him, sitting atop his head at a jaunty angle, then hands one to Hox as well. Gotta fit in. The cake is very nice. Soon, Hox gets the opportunity to make an Irish exit, or bid them all a French adieu--whichever way you wanna put it. To make use of that low detection and slip away from the party and return home.*
[21:03:51] <Hoxton> *Ah well. Gotta fit in. The hat sits ontop his hair and he quietly eats his cake, lingering around. It's surprsingly normal for a man that is Vlad. After a while, when the kids are playing games happily, he'll make his exit. The cake was nice and well. A strange yet not entirely unpleasant evening. He drives home. Hat still perched on his head.*
[21:09:16] <Dallas> *He was introduced to them as Uncle Vlad's friend, and the kids just kinda took it in stride. After the noise and excitement of the party, it's a quiet drive back to the safehouse as the wind gently stirs the flurries falling over DC.*
[21:12:36] <Hoxton> *Well. Now it is Hox with a hat and a little smile. Fuckin' kids. They just take the strangest shite with stride. He looks up at the snow, sighing and turning the music up a little. That was...nice.*
[21:18:51] <Dallas> *They do get a call that night--but it's Bain. He's going to send over some photos taken on-site at the Tasteful, interiors and exteriors, along with a list of known employees. It almost sounds like a stealth, the way he describes it. Doesn't look like he's gotten the memo about smashing the place up.*
[21:19:44] <Sydney> *Sydney is sure to immediately clarify the mission objectives with Bain, given what Vlad said.*
[21:21:13] <Dallas> *Bain sounds... almost a little sad about it. Apparently he likes the place. He says he'll have a chat with Vlad, see if he'd be willing to accept some kind of compromise.*
[21:22:46] <Sydney> *Sydney offers the suggestion that the club might be easily bought once the property value's been lowered enough...*
[21:25:40] <Dallas> *A moment of silence, then Bain chuckles.* Good thinking! Just try to leave the building in one piece. Have a look at the place, and let me know what you need for the job.
[21:29:13] <Hoxton> *Hox returns sometime later. Party hat perched on his hat. Doesnt go to explain it but says he'll just have a smoke outside.*
[21:30:02] <Jimmy> Love the look, Hoxie. *Jimmy, you're not allowed outside. Fool.*
[21:31:12] <Sydney> *After a minute, Sydney makes her way outside, her own pack of cigarrettes in hand.* I take it the party went well? *She looks pointedly towards his hat.*
[21:32:10] <Hoxton> Fuckin killer. And it was actually a party. *he takes a drag.* Jesus, seemed way too normal.
[21:32:52] <Sydney> Figured it'd do ya good to actually go outside. I mean, I know you and Dallas go off sometimes, but I imagine you're not out on the town.
[21:34:35] <Hoxton> Cheers. I expected coke and hookers and well. Just kids bein kids. I got cake as well. *he lets out a billow of smoke* Well. Famous mug an all.
[21:36:57] <Sydney> Teenagers I can stand, but kid-kids? No fuckin way. *She lights up her cigarette, takes a puff*.
[21:40:18] <Hoxton> Teenagers? Hah. I aint a kids person either but not like I was a ...clown. Just weird seein Vlad doing normal shite for once.
[21:41:12] <Dallas> *Brief jump cut to Vlad humoring his niece as she plays out a tea party with stuffed animals. Tiny teacup in hand.*
[21:45:28] <Sydney> *She flicks some ash aside.* Kinda funny. For me, that shit's the worst part of all this. *She gestures back towards the safehouse.* That whole 'pretending to be normal' thing. Paying money for groceries when I could just take it, and no one'd dare stop me.
[21:46:16] <Sydney> ((grocery store heist when))
[21:46:26] <Dallas> (("Guys. The shopping cart. Go get it."))
[21:46:41] <Sydney> (("We need....baking so-da...))
[21:47:01] <Hoxton> ((LEMON ACID...NO WAIT.))
[21:47:17] <Dallas> (("WAIT. I messed up! It should've been limes!"))
[21:48:50] <Sydney> ((the shopping cart uses the same controls and stats as the forklift))
[21:49:19] <Dallas> ((If you aim for the wrong prompt, you end up sitting in it?))
[21:49:29] <Sydney> ((I THINK YOU MEAN RIGHT PROMPT))
[21:52:16] <Hoxton> *Hox is quiet for a moment. She has got a point though and he flicks some ash into the snow.* Dunno. Aint we normal in the end? Don't get me wrong. Cant be anythin but a bloody crook. But ya gotta....well. Have a backup plan ya see. I dont wanna die from bein shot by some lucky pig. Not anymore.
[21:52:39] <Hoxton> Or I am just gettin old.
[21:53:39] <Sydney> Yeah, I'm planning on dying young. *She takes a really long drag from her cigarrette.*
[21:56:45] <Hoxton> Jesus. Can ya fellas stop talkin about dyin? First fuckin robohead and now you?
[22:01:17] <Sydney> Christ, I'm not going to off myself or anything. I wanna go down fighting, doing something really epic. Holding off an army of dozers while you escape with a zillion dollars, or summat. *She shrugs.* Won't be anytime soon. I'm just getting started.
[22:07:47] <Hoxton> *Hox smiles, taking a drag.* Who doesnt? We all wanna die doing great shite....and not to rain on ya parade. Sounds fuckin badass. But aint gonna happen. It's gonna be some fuckin bad luck and dying without any grand last stand. It just doesnt work that way. It's inevitable so I'll focus on being the glorious fella I am. Fuckin with the feds because I bloody can.
[22:12:37] <Sydney> Eh. *She's clearly in denial about the possibility of not having her glorious last stand.* So. How much of a "normal' life would you lead if you didn't have your face plastered everywhere on wanted signs?
[22:19:03] <Hoxton> Me? Fook, I wouldnt do anything much differently. Just having a plan B to fall back, is bloody nice. *He looks at her.* Ya can go and leave the country. I cant like that. Ya can go ahead and buy yourself a fuckin villa in a year or two. Freedom, lassie. *Beat* Cant blame ya. Took me that two year stint to realize.
[22:28:06] <Sydney> *She nods, then gives him a curious look.* Question, and you don't have to answer if you don't want. If the alternative was going back to jail - and I mean a proper supermax, somethin we couldn't break you out from...would you eat a bullet rather than go back?
[22:31:34] <Sydney> ((let's be real, with all the shit they've done, there's a pretty high chance they'd end up here (because their crimes are primarily federal): https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ADX_Florence ))
[22:34:01] <Dallas> ((Supermax, for sure.))
[22:34:23] <Dallas> ((Half an hour of circling a bare concrete room, no talking to even the guards who bring you your food.))
[22:34:44] <Dallas> ((Only human contact is when you get your hair cut by the prison barber.))
[22:35:59] <Dallas> ((:/ I get the feeling Sydney would grant him his request to put one in his head should he be captured. Dallas couldn't do it.))
[22:36:44] <Sydney> ((She would absolutely cry, but she'd do it))
[22:38:13] <Hoxton> *A long drag and Hox seems a little too unperturbed by the question. He has thought about it for himself for a long while.* Fuckin hell, next time I'll get me a drink first. *he is quietl, tapping his smoke* Course I'd eat the bullet. Aint no life in jail. Not a worthwhile on. FUckin hell, supermax are insane in this country. No, I'll fuckin pass.
[22:41:12] <Sydney> Same. But I'll take as many fuckers as I can with me.
[22:44:39] <Hoxton> Attagirl. Wouldnt do it differently. Fuckin twats. *A chuckle and he flicks the smoked stub into the snow*
[22:47:24] <Sydney> *She also drops hers to the ground, grinding it to the ground beneath her boot.* Fuck'em all.