2019-01-04 #acdum GO Bank (casing)

2019-01-04 GO Bank (casing)
Hoxton, Sydney, Wolf, Dallas

[20:25:56] <Dallas> *Following a conspicuous absence over the holidays, a message from Bain turns up just after New Year's. Wishing everyone all the best in the coming year, and letting them know he's left them all a little extra in their offshore accounts as a belated Christmas present. He's set up a meet with Gage to get them properly outfitted, but in the meantime--and while things cool off in the downtown area--he's asked them to take a little trip to the quiet suburbs just outside DC, and have a look around a particular branch of Roberts Bank. What's everybody been up to?*
[20:31:30] <Hoxton> *Hox has spend most of the time inside the safehouse. There is a pile of evidence from his breakout and there is still some left which is in need of sorting. And using the phone Bain provided, he is planning to re-contact his old acquaintances. Trying to get a foothold in this city. And that little bonus courtesy of Bain comes really handy. The other time, he is in the basement of the safehouse, getting used to the sniper rifle and keeping his lockpicking skills sharp. But the request for the trip is welcomed by the brit. A little fresh air seems rather tempting.*
[20:33:23] <Sydney> *Sydney has been working on masks for Dallas and Houston, but has been having artists' block and hasn't made much progress. She's also been spending a lot of time at the safe house, learning about the gang's gear and methods.*
[20:41:26] <Wolf> *Wolf's been... Quiet. He's spent a lot more time than normal staring off into space.*
[20:51:15] <Dallas> *Nice and clear out there on the roads. Still no sign of snow, sadly, but it's an uneventful and quiet drive out to the suburbs. Dallas at the wheel for once, gone missing after New Year's, but having resurfaced at the safehouse following Bain's message. The bank building sits on a quiet street across from a gas station. Small and minimalist, drive-thru to the side. Run-down businesses on either side. Looks like a corner store and a garage. Dallas pulls in across the street by the gas station, stops the car.*
[20:59:22] <Hoxton> *Hox sits in the backseat, wearing a dark winter coat. A warm hat is pulled down his head and a dark scarf curls around his neck. Piled high enough there is only little of his face visible. Cant be too sure. He squints as he peers out of the car window.* This is the place? Doesnt look like it's holding treasures. What did Bain give us on this place?
[21:03:23] <Sydney> *Sydney is barely recognizable in her thick coat and beanie. It's clear the Aussie is still getting used to the colder American winter. She keeps quiet, but eyes the gas station's display of cigarettes.*
[21:06:06] <Dallas> *Dallas leans on the wheel, peering across the street.* He didn't exactly say. Just said to keep an eye out, have a look at the security around here. Something oughta turn up. *A glance sideways at the gas station.* Anybody want coffee?
[21:07:09] <Wolf> *Wolf wears nothing more than a light coat in regards to winterwear. This is a real Nordic here, guys.*
[21:07:54] <Sydney> I wouldn't say no to some cigs.
[21:08:14] <Dallas> All right, anybody else? Cigs, coffee? Gummy worms?
[21:08:53] <Hoxton> Huh. Well I guess so. Wonder what hidden shite this place hides from us honest workers. And yeah, I'll take a coffee....wouldnt say no to a smoke either.
[21:09:03] <Wolf> *Wolf needs several moments to drift back into reality.* .. No, I'm good.
[21:10:03] <Dallas> I'll be right back. Hang tight, and keep an eye out. *And Dallas hops out, heading for the gas station.*
[21:10:59] <Hoxton> *Hox eyes the entrance area of the bank, for a moment lost in thought* Ah, oi Sydney. Must be ya first time havin actual cold 'round christmas?
[21:11:36] <Dallas> *Looks like your standard suburban bank. Camera over the door--low end, serviceable. Must be more inside. Couple tellers inside serving the clientele. Christmas tree's still up in the corner, visible through the window.*
[21:12:24] <Sydney> Yeah. Feels weird. I should be on the beach, not freezing my arse off.
[21:13:48] <Hoxton> Ya know what, that sounds weird! Can't imagine ....ya know. Not at least freezin! *he chuckles and mutters* I see a cam outside. Drive thru? Betcha there's one there too.
[21:14:07] <Hoxton> *muttering* Freezin ya balls off. Or...substitutes.
[21:21:00] <Dallas> *Dallas gets back in the van. Balancing drinks. Coffee he passes to Hoxton, one more for himself, hot chocolate he hands out to the other two, 'cause why not? Pack of cigs he says for the two smokers to share, and then there's a handful of little keychains with the four original Payday masks hanging off them.* Anybody want one?
[21:21:49] <Sydney> Nah, thanks. Just the cigs. *Play it cool, no one knows you already have the complete set...*
[21:22:01] <Wolf> *A faint smile spreads across Wolf's face as he grabs his own.*
[21:22:07] <Wolf> *lmao nerd*
[21:23:31] <Hoxton> *Hox nods and cradles the coffee cup* Thanks, it's bleedin cold. *And he spots the keychains, eyes growing big* Are ya kiddin me? They made...merch?
[21:24:02] <Hoxton> *He gingerly eyes the keychains, grabbing his old mask.* Blimey.
[21:24:10] <Dallas> *An embarrassed laugh from Dallas.* You don't wanna know what Halloween is like, buddy.
[21:25:20] <Hoxton> *Now Hox looks even more disbelieving* Ya....holy shite. *He chuckles, eyeing the little mask* Ya know what fellas? This feels pretty darn surreal. What else did I miss?
[21:28:09] <Dallas> Y'mean aside from kids dressing up as us and going to conventions? *beat* And I'm willing to predict you're gonna be seeing a whole lotta orange jumpsuits this year.
[21:28:56] <Sydney> Don't forget the fanfic.
[21:29:02] <Dallas> *Dallas groans.*
[21:30:18] <Hoxton> *Hox seems like this may be some weird darn dream. Holding a tiny keychain of his old mask, like the ones Dallas and Wolf have. Surreal. And the thought of people dressing up as him, parading orange jumpsuits and ...whatnot.* Fanfic? What's that?
[21:31:52] <Dallas> *Dallas tucks the Chains one in his pocket for safekeeping. Gonna find an opportunity to get it to Nicholas. And then he starts winding the little Dallas mask onto his keys.*
[21:32:55] <Sydney> People write stories and shite. Sometimes romantic, sometimes just plain weird. Like one where you're all just hanging out at a coffeeshop.
[21:34:03] <Hoxton> *Hox blinks, producing his lone key of the safehouse* ...Wha? For real? Ya read those or wha? *
[21:34:08] <Dallas> *Dallas chuckles.* Won't be long before they writing stories about you, Sydney. And making merch.
[21:35:39] <Hoxton> Well when we doin that place, this station will earn themselves a golden one with merch. *Hox grins, kind of enjoying the image of a little army of himself, parading on halloween*
[21:37:00] <Sydney> When I could do with a laugh, yeah, I read 'em. It's interesting to see how people think you are behind the masks.
[21:38:30] <Sydney> They're mostly wrong, of course. Almost everyone thinks Wolf's Norwegian, fer instance.
[21:39:15] <Hoxton> *Hox rubs his cheek, looking thoughtful* Show me later. I am curious bout this business. *He looks back at her, grinning* Jesus. What kinda rabbithole is this stuff.
[21:41:58] <Dallas> *A big gray armored truck--GenSec--comes rumbling down the street and stops just outside the bank, and two armed guards get out.*
[21:42:29] <Wolf> .. Oh, shit.
[21:42:50] <Hoxton> *Hox is taking a careful sip out of his mug, peering back at the bank and tensing up* Oh now that is interestin. Armed even?
[21:42:53] <Sydney> Hello. *She looks at her phone, marking the time.* They pickin' up or droppin' off?
[21:43:33] <Hoxton> Whatever it is, it's gotta be precious. *he squints out of the window, trying to make out what happens next*
[21:46:32] <Dallas> *One of the men goes inside to speak to the uniformed guard, and he and the manager--an older man, follow the GenSec guy out to the truck. The back's open, and they start moving a crate out into the bank. It's a nondescript gray, but anyone who's seen one before should recognize it. It's used to transport gold bullion. Big bars.*
[21:47:03] <Wolf> That's a lotta gold.
[21:48:59] <Hoxton> Well fucking hello. No wonder Bain wants us to scope this place. *he checks the time as well, noting down two guards and the manager* Gold. And seems the manager is in about the schedule. Handy knowin that.
[21:49:20] <Sydney> Odd that it'd get put in a small bank like this. Someone is avoiding the bigger banks.
[21:49:26] <Hoxton> Wonder if there's more in there.
[21:50:12] <Hoxton> *Hox nods, then looking at Wolf and Sydney with a little grin* Well after that last Harvest and Trustee's stunt. They might count on this branch office flyin under the radar.
[21:50:37] <Sydney> *Sydney grins.* Might do.
[21:51:17] <Wolf> Bad luck on their part. *Wolf grins, quietly chuckling.*
[21:51:31] <Dallas> *Just eyeballing the crate and how heavy it looks between them, that looks to be about $1.5 million in gold, easy. They shut the back of the truck, head inside. Shortly after, the GenSec guys bring out some cash and load it into the truck for transport. The gold remains.*
[21:52:38] <Hoxton> Whaddaya guys think? Might be more in that bank by now? Shite that's gotta be a few bucks in that crate.
[21:53:47] <Wolf> .. Yeah. yeah. Can't wait to rob it.
[21:54:20] <Dallas> *They've got a clear view into the bank from here, and the vault. Under the watchful eye of the security guards, the middle-aged manager and another bank employee take turns swiping their access cards at the vault door, and then they move the crate inside. Door's closed, gold sitting snug and safe in the vault. Ready for the poaching.*
[21:55:34] <Wolf> *Wolf notes this.* Gotta get those cards if we wanna get in it.
[21:56:23] <Hoxton> *Hox squints, nodding* Two, I think? The manager's got one and someone else in there. Cant see it from here.
[21:58:40] <Hoxton> *Quietly* Fuck's sake I wanna see that bank from the inside.
[21:59:19] <Dallas> *Dallas has been quietly peering out at the bank, and only now, he goes* Y'wanna go? We can go.
[21:59:32] <Dallas> *to Sydney* You got a hat, right? *Meaning her blue hair.*
[21:59:49] <Sydney> *She is in fact wearing a beanie, yes.*
[22:00:07] <Dallas> *Perfect.* All right, don't all go walking in at the same time.
[22:00:29] <Hoxton> Yeah. *Hox looks a little uneasy but the gold's call is tempting*
[22:00:51] <Wolf> *Wolf looks back to the others from the window.* O..Oh, yeah, we can go.
[22:01:56] <Sydney> I'll get a look at the back.
[22:02:14] <Hoxton> Oi, boss. Ya wanna have me go inside? *he eyes the building* I could check out the other two buildings. Lookin rundown enough for us to use.
[22:02:50] <Dallas> *Dallas says to Hox* Hey, look at me a second.
[22:03:30] <Hoxton> *Hox turns to look at him sipping a little from his cup* Yeah?
[22:04:05] <Dallas> *Okay, on a scale of one to "[SCARE CHORD] STOP RIGHT THERE!", how suspicious does he look right now?*
[22:05:24] <Dallas> *With business at the bank done and dusted, the GenSec truck heads on off down the street and out of sight.*
[22:07:39] <Hoxton> *Hox is wearing a pretty simple hat, pulled well over his ears. But all in all his outfit looks pretty standard. No suspicious hoodie and baseball cap combo. Yet the scars are visible if you look directly at him. You probably wouldnt expect a member of the payday gang at a branch bank but hard to tell how up to date the guards are.*
[22:08:57] <Dallas> *Dallas doesn't say. Just tugs the cap down lower.* All right, that's fine. *to Sydney* You gonna check around back? Wolf? How about you?
[22:09:40] <Wolf> *He nods, fidgeting.* Yeah, yeah. I can do whatever.
[22:10:38] <Dallas> *Dallas nods, takes a gulp of coffee. Grabs his keys and hops out.* All right, let's go.
[22:11:11] <Dallas> *Addendum: Dallas thought better of messing with the beanie, and left it alone.*
[22:12:17] <Hoxton> *Hox looks visibly relieved and nods, pushing the door open and heading out into the cold* Shite, it's cold. So who's going first?
[22:13:20] <Sydney> *Sydney waits a moment, then hops out the other side of the van. Pack of cigarettes in hand, she looks simply as if she's looking for a place to smoke out of the wind. She slowly meanders her way around one of the abandoned buildings, looking for access to the back.*
[22:14:54] <Dallas> *Fencing looks dilapidated, like tetanus just waiting to happen. The little corner store looks utterly abandoned, door standing ajar. Looking at the layout, could be a way through to the back. They seem to share a parking lot in back.*
[22:16:07] <Sydney> *Well, an open door is all the invitation Sydney needs. With a careful glance inside to check if it's clear, she slips inside.*
[22:16:10] <Wolf> *Wolf sits, waiting for the others to be out of sight. Then he'll go. That's his master plan.*
[22:18:38] <Dallas> *The store, too, looks like tetanus lives here. Trash and detritus, graffiti spray painted across the walls with little artistry. She could do better in her sleep, right? Cash registers empty, of course. A bright doorway leads back into the store room, then out into the parking lot. Just a couple cars parked out there, probably employees.*
[22:19:47] <Dallas> *Dallas looks in at Wolf, jerks his chin to the bank. You coming?*
[22:19:51] <Hoxton> *Hox slowly walks up to the bank, lighting up a smoke casually. If there are any posters on the window's, he will read them while smoking, casually checking for more outside cameras. He glances at the other two, then back at the bank*
[22:20:46] <Dallas> *The usual advertisements. Retirement funds and financial advice--free consultations.*
[22:21:06] <Wolf> *After a moment, he nods. Quickly, he gets out of the car, looking down.*
[22:22:52] <Hoxton> *Good, so it cannot look very suspicious as he smokes. Feels odd, he has to admit. Almost naked, unarmed and unmasked. But so far, it seems no one is paying him attention. Good.*
[22:23:01] <Dallas> *Dallas waits on the sidewalk for Wolf, giving him an encouraging pat on the back.* C'mon, buddy. Let's have a look around.
[22:23:50] <Dallas> *Hoxton's practically invisible. One of the guards opens the door for an elderly woman, doesn't give Hox so much as a passing glance.*
[22:25:40] <Hoxton> *One last, hard drag from the smoke and he pushes it out, flicking it into a bin if there is one around. Time to look inside. The guard didnt seem to notice him at all, so he pushes the door open, stepping inside.*
[22:26:13] <Sydney> After a disdainful sneer at the subpar graffiti, Sydney finds a good vantage point to survey the parking lot and lights up a cigarette. Her eyes glaze over slightly as she plays out a mock shootout with cops in her mind, identifying access points and possible exits.*
[22:28:57] <Dallas> *Warm inside, with that nice clean smell banks always have. One friendly young teller calls out, "Hello!" when he sees Hoxton enter, but that's the extent of it. Multiple cameras, overlapping with surprising effectiveness. Just the one small blind spot by the Christmas tree. Faint music playing in the bank. Kinda late for Christmas songs, but what the hey?*
[22:29:12] <Wolf> *Wolf jumps, a bit, before nodding, smiling.* Y-Yeah, sorry, I-I just-
[22:31:28] <Hoxton> *Hox nods back, but keeps back, taking a brochure to study it while he watches the lobby. That's a lot of cams and pretty well mapped. Maybe the gold get's brought here regularly and that's why. He makes mental notes of the cameras, looking up to count guards.*
[22:32:16] <Dallas> *One guard. Strange, considering there was another guy in here earlier. Must've gone into the back. Speaking of which--*
[22:33:27] <Dallas> *Back door opens, and a guard comes out, stopping against the wall to smoke. Just across from where Sydney's stationed. No camera outside this door.*
[22:34:05] <Dallas> *Dallas goes quiet, giving Wolf a look.* Y'okay, buddy? We can wait in the car if you want. They probably got things covered on their end.
[22:35:09] <Dallas> *And Hox--the brochure is about diversifying your portfolio. Fascinating as fuck.*
[22:35:53] <Sydney> *Sydney glances back, but doesn't stop smoking.*
[22:36:35] <Dallas> *Up-nod from the guard, and a smile. Hi!*
[22:37:23] <Hoxton> *Damn. Diversifying is pretty darn important or so this shite says. Hox grins a little, moving back to those benches by the window. He sits down, pretending to have a very interesting read. He looks up once in a while, checking for his fellow heisters*
[22:37:52] <Dallas> *No sign of Sydney, but he's got a good view of Wolf and Dallas across the street.*
[22:38:26] <Hoxton> *He looks back down again. Any chance to spot the manager or an office?*
[22:38:28] <Wolf> .. I just- I.. *He looks down.* I need to tell you something.
[22:39:50] <Sydney> *Sydney returns his nod and smile.* Sorry. Just trying to stay out of the cold. *She's adopted something approaching a Southern accent. It's not great, but it's not immediately identifiable as Australian.*
[22:40:50] <Dallas> *There's something wrong with an account, and the harried manager's been called behind the counter to help. Doorway leading into the back, but it'd be hard to walk over there and look into the back without drawing attention.*
[22:41:17] <Dallas> *Now Dallas is looking a little worried, and casts a quick look towards the bank before leading Wolf back to the van.* Yeah, sure. What's the matter?
[22:42:15] <Hoxton> *Yeah not gonna risk walking in there like that. Maybe one of them could coerce the manager into opening an account or something. But that's also duly noted and he keeps on reading, occasionally looking up to see if the manager is walking away.*
[22:42:26] <Hoxton> *To find the location of an office, that is.*
[22:43:18] <Dallas> *The guard smiles. Attracted? Probably. He pushes away from the wall, says* Y'wanna come inside, maybe? *beat; trying to tempt her* We got free coffee.
[22:43:54] <Dallas> *There actually is free coffee, Hox. You want some? Just grab a cup over here.*
[22:44:59] <Hoxton> *The brochure having been thoroughly consulted, Hox notices the free coffee. Kind of tempting and he needs another read anyway. He stands up and heads for the coffee, keeping an eye out for any more guards.*
[22:45:36] <Dallas> *The guard out here in the lobby is struggling with his clip-on tie. Not paying any attention to him.*
[22:46:06] <Wolf> .. Th- The tellers. I- It was me. *He bites his lip, shaking ever-so slightly.* I killed them, and I- I-
[22:46:47] <Dallas> Whoawhoawhoa. Hey. *puts a hand on his shoulder, trying to be reassuring* Slow down, it's okay.
[22:48:07] <Wolf> No, no- no it's not- I- I have- b-blood- *Is.. Is he crying? This is rare.*
[22:48:52] <Hoxton> *Hell yeah, free shite. He looks rather smug as he pulls himself another cup. Little do those wankas know they'll be bloody robbed blind soon. Little do they know*
[22:49:16] <Dallas> *Uh-oh.* Hey-- Wolf, c'mon, buddy. It's gonna be okay. Just breathe--okay? Just breathe. Deep breaths, buddy. Can you do that for me?
[22:49:46] <Sydney> *Sydney shakes her head.* Nah, caffeine will kill ya, sweetheart. Thanks though. *Mercifully, Sydney's cigarette is almost out. She lets it drop to the ground, crushing it beneath her heel. She conscientiously goes to pick up the filter, and hesitates for a moment. That is a big sewer grate, isn't it...*
[22:50:00] <Dallas> *The coffee is suprisingly decent, Hox. Totally worth the trip!*
[22:51:18] <Hoxton> *He returns to his observation spot, smugly holding the coffee. Manager still there?*
[22:51:32] <Wolf> *Wolf scratches at his head, kneeling down.* I-I'm sorry- *What Wolf's mind sees right now can only be imagined, honestly.*
[22:52:36] <Dallas> *Manager's still there, working at the computer behind the counter. Getting that account sorted. Wolf and Dallas, however, rather than coming over to the bank, have moved back to the van.*
[22:53:03] <Dallas> *Car. Uh, whatever vehicle.*
[22:53:30] <Dallas> *Twitch's SUV, maybe. The mom car.*
[22:54:34] <Dallas> *Looking alarmed, Dallas goes to a crouch next to him, giving his shoulder a helpless squeeze.* Buddy, c'mon. It's gonna be fine. *Slight hesitation, but he pulls Wolf into a tentative hug.*
[22:55:37] <Hoxton> *Huh. Hox wonders what the holdup is. He's tempted to go check on them but Sydney's not anywhere around either. Worry makes him frown and he stands up, heading out, the brochures still in his hand.*
[22:56:25] <Wolf> *Wolf doesn't speak, not anymore, still continuing to cry, knees pulled up to his chest once they're sitting down in the car.*
[22:57:53] <Sydney> *Having evaded the guard, Sydney loops her way back around, headed back towards the direction of the car.*
[22:58:32] <Dallas> *--to where Dallas has just coaxed an inconsolable Wolf back into the car, looking worried and helpless.*
[23:00:53] <Hoxton> *Sydney should see Hox heading out of the bank, a cheap cup of coffee in his hand and brochures in the other. He gives her a little nod and heads in her direction*
[23:01:51] <Sydney> *Sydney returns the nod, and gets into the car.* I think I found a good escape... *She pauses, frowning.* Everything alright?
[23:03:24] <Hoxton> *Hox stops as well, looking rather surprised and worried* What's goin on?
[23:03:55] <Dallas> *Dallas gets the utterly overwhelmed look off his face and goes* Everybody back in the car. Let's head back to the safehouse.
[23:05:04] <Wolf> *Wolf goes dead silent, now.* ...... N.. Nothing. We're okay.
[23:05:19] <Hoxton> *Hox looks baffled, shoots the bank another look but nods, opening the door and sitting down. A little awkward silence from him as he looks between Dallas and Wolf* Oi Wolfie, you good? What's up?
[23:09:28] <Wolf> Y..Yeah. I'm good. I'm all good. Don't worry about me.
[23:10:22] <Dallas> *Dallas starts up the engine and pulls out of the parking lot. Keeping quiet, looking tense.*
[23:12:24] <Wolf> *Wolf doesn't say a word during the ride home. He just stares out the window.*
[23:12:33] <Sydney> *Sydney picks up on the tension, but tries to defuse it.* Right. Well. I think I found a good escape route. There's a big sewer grate right near the back of the bank...
[23:12:46] <Hox> Sure, ya look anythin else but good. Jeesh, take it easy Wolfie.
[23:17:08] <Wolf> How would you know what 'good' looks like?