2019-02-12 #acdum Pussy Paw Plan

2019-02-12 Pussy Paw Plan
Hoxton, Sydney, Wolf, Dallas

[16:23:13] <Dallas> *Hoxton gets a call that night. It's Bain, says he's got Vlad on the line, wants to talk to Hoxton. And then there's Vlad's boisterous voice blooming to fill the line, going* HOXTON, MY FRIEND!
[16:25:25] <Hoxton> *No announce like Vlad announce. He gently puts the phone a little further away from his ear.* Night, Vlad. How's it goin mate?
[16:26:34] <Dallas> Vlad: Never mind me, I wanna know about you! How are you, my friend? Vlad hears some cocksucking Russians tried fucking with you, eh? What the FUCK? But no matter--we'll fuck with them even harder. Uncle Vlad is in your corner!
[16:29:48] <Hoxton> *Oh god. He goes to sit down, one hand rubbing his forehead.* 's alright mate. I am breathin and still kickin. Yeah. Let's say a few people werent happy Dmitri getting capped. *God. If he is going to barge in with the cavalry. And admitting he is going to help out the russians for their hopeful quiet retreat? OH fuck him.*
[16:33:33] <Dallas> Vlad: They should've minded their own fucking business! But listen-- *lowering his voice a couple notches to an indoor level* We gonna figure this out together, right? You tell Uncle Vlad what you need, and I will get it for you. Guns, bombs--whatever you need!
[16:37:48] <Hoxton> *Hox goes to think for a moment. Well if he is already offering huh? Making the best of it.* Listen, ya'll probably not like what I am goin to say. But I'll attempt to solve this quietly. But....if you are already so generous? It's not bad to have a backup plan, yeah? So if ya still willin to help me out, I have an idea.
[16:39:56] <Dallas> Vlad: *baffled* Quietly? What the fuck is this quietly? *lowering his voice* You're not saying you're climbing into bed with the Russians--hmm? Maybe I'm not hearing you right. It's a joke, right? *A hearty laugh that nonetheless comes out a bit sharp at the edges.* You better not be fucking with Vlad talking about working with the Russian bitches! But okay, Vlad is reasonable. Tell me the plan.
[16:43:49] <Hoxton> It was either that or me eatin' breakfast with the fishes. *frustration simmers under his skin but he swallows it down, frowning hard.* Cheers mate. It's no joke. *A deep breath, collecting the facts again.* I gotta liberate some coke....out of a police precinct. So there ya go doin this quiet. Bain got me covered with a plan and all. Disguises, gettin in. Fakin a fire, evacuate. Getting the shite out. It's not much time but if things go smoothly.....should work.
[16:47:34] <Dallas> *Vlad intererupts.* A police station? Can't you ram the side open with a bus? What is this--I don't understand all this disguises-- Bain? BAIN? I know you're listening, you sneaky motherfucker. Your plan is dogshit!
[16:47:59] <Dallas> *interrupts.
[16:48:17] <Dallas> *But with Vlad, really, every interruption is an inter-eruption.*
[16:50:13] <Hoxton> *Uh oh.* Vlad. C'mon. You gotta admit there is a thrill to this all. Stealin from RIGHT under the cops noses and they might be none the wiser? I'd be fuckin amazin.
[16:51:02] <Hoxton> *And he'd pay off all his offshore to see Bain's face just now.*
[16:54:09] <Dallas> Vlad: Let me tell you what's amazing, my friend--the looks on those dumb bitch cops' faces right before they're turned into roadkill. HA! Now that is style. My friend--when has Vlad let you down, eh? Trust me, you do not want to do this pussy paw plan. Vlad will be your man with the plan. We'll make it LOUD.
[16:56:47] <Hoxton> *Though there is a heavy knot in his stomach, Hox cant help but chuckle. If spirit alone could kill, he'd be sole ruler of DC.* Christ Vlad, you are mad. Well. Alright tell me your plan then. Bloody hope it includes people cryin at our graves as well.
[16:59:29] <Dallas> Vlad: *enthusiastically* Okay! It's a very simple plan. Step one--steal a bus and ram it through the front of the police station. Step two--you will take some of my little babushkas and blow the door to their evidence storage, eh? And grab--ah, whatever the fuck the Russians want. Step three--you call a little meeting with the Russians, and we shoot them all! Or explode them. EITHER ONE.
[17:01:27] <Hoxton> *A moment of stunned silence. Of course. It's Vlad so no need to ask if he is serious or not.* Jesus. Ya do realize we'd barge right in a cop nest? The place will be swarmin!
[17:02:24] <Dallas> *Vlad brushes it off.* Ahh, it's fine! I'll send you guns and more explosives. *with a laugh* It's gonna be fine, don't worry!
[17:06:16] <Hoxton> *Hox rubs the bridge of his nose.* Those gotta be big fucking guns or else we'll be fuckin swissed, mate. Right. I'll run it through with Bain. I'll just prefer to be still walkin when this shite is over one way or another.
[17:07:51] <Dallas> Bain: *cutting in* No need for that. *talking through Vlad's triumphant "AHAAAA, THERE HE IS."* Vlad, are you out of your mind?! It's your fault the gang is in this mess in the first place! If you hadn't sent them to the club--
[17:08:22] <Dallas> Vlad: Bain--BAIN. Untwist your fucking knickers, okay? I'm fixing. The problem.
[17:09:17] <Dallas> Bain: By mounting a full blown assault on a police station? *And so on, and so forth.*
[17:10:16] <Hoxton> *Hox shuts up, feeling a rush of gratitude for Bain. He'd...well. He doubt he'd have the balls or death wish to straight up deny Vlad. But the thought of barging in, guns blazing? The knot in his stomach is hard and cold. But he is grateful for the break. He doesnt dare to end the call just yet but keeps quiet, listening to their shouting.*
[17:13:24] <Dallas> *The line quickly devolves into arguing, with Vlad trying to laugh off Bain's angry accusations. Vlad manages to get a word through, talking loudly over Bain* All right, all right, all right! Hoxton, my friend! We will talk later, eh? Remember--Vlad is your man with the plan! We'll make it loud! And tell your clown friend, Sydney--the remix is LIVE! The track is called "Tasteless Club". Look it up, and remember to give it a like!
[17:13:28] <Dallas> Bain: What remix?!
[17:13:33] <Dallas> Vlad: We'll talk later! Goodbye! *click*
[17:16:22] <Hoxton> *One moment of stunned silence. It's suddenly so quiet when their shouting match has stopped.* What the fuckin....remix? *He looks purely baffled and then goes slowly* Bain? Still there?
[17:16:47] <Dallas> *Long pause, then a sigh.* Yes, I'm here.
[17:18:05] <Hoxton> Fuck me. Dont tell me ya think this could work. 'Cause I'd like to continue livin without extra holes, fella. *He too, sighs and rubs his face.*
[17:20:27] <Dallas> *It's so quiet on the line without Vlad yapping away enthusiastically, talking for two. At length, Bain admits* I'm not sure. *beat* What's the situation with the team? Are they willing to go through with the stealth plan?
[17:23:56] <Hoxton> Dallas volunteered to go with me. Doin this the quiet way. *beat* And well. Wolf and Sydney would be right on Vlad's plan, I think. I just....fuck me, Bain. I offered Aleksandr to do somethin for him. Because I fuckin wanted to avoid bloodshed. And that we dont have the fuckin russian mob huntin us down. I did what I thought was right.
[17:27:13] <Dallas> *Bain's quiet again. No typing, nothing.* I understand. I would have done the same, so don't beat yourself up about it. You'll be bigger help to your problems alive than dead. How does this Aleksandr want you to get in touch with him? Did he say?
[17:29:56] <Hoxton> He left me his number. *A sharp snort* I am really bendin over. Fuck! Sometimes I fuckin wonder why it was all so fuckin simple back then. *He sighs* Cheers mate. I...appreciate it.
[17:31:12] <Hoxton> Loud plans are sure temptin. But I just cant....fuck. I cant drag anyone else down with them. It's on bloody me! And I'll fuckin make it work. Somehow. I gotta!
[17:32:27] <Dallas> *Bain asks for the number, says he'll try reaching out to Aleksandr, see if he can renegotiate terms. Though judging by his tone of voice, don't get your hopes up. There's a pause, then he says* Are you okay?
[17:36:40] <Hoxton> *Hox gives him the number, taking out the crumbled bit of paper* Fuck, bloody forgot to give you that. *a pause. He sighs* Aint gonna lie, it's been some long nights. But I cant fold down now. This shite wont solve itself with me cryin and pityin myself. *his tone hardens* I aint got that kinda luxury. Dallas said he'd come. And I fuckin cant let this go to shit and have him get caught as well. That'll be on me then.
[17:41:54] <Dallas> Bain: No, it won't. Last night, I should've known better than to go to sleep without checking the safehouse again. I missed you taking the phone into the building. If I'd caught it on our network, none of this would've happened. Hoxton, you can't shoulder this all on your own. It takes all of us to pull off a heist. We'll shoulder the responsibility together and check each other's work. We can't make it perfect, but at least we can do our best.
[17:49:45] <Hoxton> *Hox is quiet for a while.* I meant to check and ditch that thing. But it's done now.  Dont beat yerself up, Bain. Ya really went all in pullin strings on this one. I appreciate that, mate. *He leans back a little.* Like old times huh? Fuckin four musketeers. *A moment of silence.* A fuckin team. Jesus, yeah. I mean I cant speak for Sydney or Wolf, but now that Dallas is goin in with me, they might be more willin to help out.  They like him. *a chuckle* Ah just kiddin. I am tired and had way too little beer for now. *he rubs the back of his neck* S' just they haven been exactly thrilled of the quiet way. Or me gettin nabbed at all.
[17:51:42] <Dallas> Bain: I noticed. Is this going to be a problem?
[17:56:08] <Hoxton> Hell if I know. *he sounds frustrated, rubbing his face.* There has been yellin. Shite is pretty weird right now. *with a bitter edge.* Maybe if I had been proper bollocksed. But all I got was a bruised fuckin face and ego. *He exhales* Dallas understands. He's been...a big help. He's lookin out for me and fuck, Bain. I just cant let that bite his arse, ya know?
[17:57:02] <Dallas> Bain: It won't. Don't... take Vlad's plan, okay? I'm sure he means well, but he doesn't think these things through.
[17:58:53] <Hoxton> *Dryly* If I have a deathwish, I'll let Vlad know. But cheers, I wanna make it outta this. So I wasnt plannin on taking it. But ya know....ya cant say "No" to Vlad like that. I dont wanna fuckin step on his toes next. Which....I might if I say no. *he lets out a muffled but hearty curse.*
[17:59:59] <Dallas> Bain: You let me worry about Vlad. He's done enough damage already. *pauses* Take the night off, Hox. Get your mind off things.
[18:04:54] <Hoxton> *A chuckle* Alright, mom. *Not any bit of scorn or sarcasm there. He's just trying not to sound too eager to do that. And show that that coming from Bain has to mean something.* I hear the sweet voices sing "Hoxton, drink all the beer you can get in the vicinity." And fook, I'll probably do that. *He goes silent for a moment.* They could be right.
[18:04:54] <Hoxton> I could just get drafted into more an more jobs for the russians. ....Fuckin hell. But Dallas and I'll go through the plans and prints again. We'll stay in contact, yeah? I want this done as soon as possible. Even if to know what happens next.
[18:07:46] <Dallas> Bain: The Russians are underestimating us. If we do this one right, we'll be able to get into a better position to negotiate. Set our own terms. All right, we'll talk again. Stay safe. *He hangs up.*
[18:10:21] <Hoxton> *He takes down the phone, rubbing his ear. Yeah those fucking twats better back off once this is done. He's bloody done bending over for them. But this is a matter of doing what needs to be done, damn his pride. He sits there for a while, then gets up. He needs a smoke, pronto. His head is chock full with scenarios or what could go wrong. Loud and silent plants. It's a lot but nothing a smoke and some air couldnt soothe.*
[18:14:26] <Dallas> *Dallas just came in a couple minutes ago. Loading some groceries into the fridge. A quick re-up, couple circles around the block, make sure everything's all right. He catches Hox's eye, gives him an up-nod. What's up?*
[18:17:59] <Hoxton> *Hox looks at him. A little longer than is probably proper but fuck. It is something seeing right at what might be at stake.* Oi. Hope ya brought some beer with ya huh? *he motions with the phone* Just had a lovely chat.....Vlad called.
[18:18:56] <Dallas> *Dallas pulls one free, offers it to him. Cold.* Oh yeah? What'd he say?
[18:21:01] <Hoxton> My god, cheers. *he takes it and cracks it open. Taking a long, long sip.* Well. Course he got wind of the whole shite. *he looks a little awkward, remembering the edges around that booming laugh.* Offered me well...guns and booms. Almost fuckin wet himself at the propect....then I told him I am plannin to do this quietly.
[18:23:08] <Dallas> Immediate one eighty, huh? Good thing it's not up to him how we pull this heist. *A nod to the door.* Were you heading out?
[18:26:00] <Hoxton> God the fella can be fuckin scary. And nah, just some fresh air and a smoke.....outside the door. *Sheepishly* Not like....y'know. But fookin hell, my head's full of If-s and plans. Not that I doubt we can pull this off. *He sneaks a glance.* But I gotta make sure.
[18:27:57] <Dallas> *Dallas nods.* Tell me all about it. *He motions--back behind the building, where they hid Sheila that first day.* Back alley, maybe? Grab your coat.
[18:29:55] <Hoxton> Yeah, gimme a mo. *He heads off to fetch his coat and the pack of smokes. He drains the rest of the beer, tossing the can into the bin and joins Dallas, offering him a smoke.*
[18:31:19] <Dallas> *Dallas steps outside with him, flicks his lighter on to offer him the flame.*
[18:33:41] <Hoxton> *Which Hox uses to light his own, puffing a few little clouds. He takes a drag, then chuckles. He goes to light him another, offering it to him* Vlad and Bain had quite the shoutin match goin.
[18:34:25] <Sydney> *Sydney's already in the alley, a half-smoked cigarette in one hand. She looks up at the two of them, nodding.* 'Sup.
[18:35:19] <Dallas> Thanks. *Dallas takes a drag, turns his collar up against the cold.* Vlad and Bain? Not sorry I missed that one. *He looks up at Sydney, gives her a nod in greeting.*
[18:35:52] <Sydney> Vlad? What's our favorite Ru--Ukranian up to?
[18:37:57] <Hoxton> Oi. *He nods as well, then musters a smile.* It was rather...fascinatin. Thank fook they went at it without my professional opinion. God mate....*his voice lowers a little.* Thanks. *he takes a drag and then to Sydney* Batshit as ever. He said there's gonna be a remix. Whatever that means.
[18:39:38] <Sydney> Hah. Nice. He say what he was gonna call it?
[18:46:14] <Wolf> *It's then that Wolf's made his way outside, immediately backtracking at the sight of the others.* Oh, I- I didn't know you guys-
[18:46:52] <Sydney> *She looks towards him, with a smile.* Now it's a party. Care to join us?
[18:47:17] <Dallas> *Dallas takes his pack out, offers Wolf a smoke.*
[18:47:38] <Wolf> *He stammers, before accepting the smoke, nodding.* Thank you.
[18:49:05] <Hoxton> *Also to Sydney* Somehing "Tasteless?"
[18:49:22] <Sydney> *She snerks.* Tastless. I like it.
[18:51:36] <Hoxton> He told ya to like it. *mutters* Fella's complete bonkers now.
[18:52:27] <Sydney> More than his usual?
[18:52:30] <Sydney> That's sayin' something.
[18:54:13] <Hoxton> Jesus. I'd say what ya have seen is his pretty....normal baseline. *To Dallas* Bain will be in touch as well. Talked with him as well.
[18:57:59] <Sydney> *When Hoxton looks to Dallas, Sydney turns to Wolf.* Hey. You got a soldering iron, right?
[18:59:06] <Wolf> *He nods, tilting his head.* .. Yeah. Why?
[18:59:25] <Sydney> Working on a project, and mine is on the fritz.
[18:59:56] <Dallas> *Dallas nods, says to Hox* Does he need anything from us?
[19:00:05] <Wolf> Gotcha. *He flashes a thumbs up.* Should be somewhere in the basement.
[19:02:11] <Hoxton>  I think we are good. Ah. Maybe just... *he hands him the number of Aleksandr.* It's his number. Ya want it, just in case? Bain said he'll contact the fella....not like there'll come much out of it, I guess.
[19:02:34] <Sydney> I gotcha. Any specific suggestions of where to look? It can be a bit of a mess down there.
[19:03:02] <Wolf> *A shrug.* I'll find it for ya, if you want.
[19:03:11] <Dallas> *Dallas takes the slip, pulls out his phone to enter the number before passing it back.* Thanks. Probably a burner, but it can't hurt, huh?
[19:04:02] <Sydney> *By this point, Sydney has finished her cigarrette.* Aces. I'll be in my workstation, if you don't mind dropping it by.
[19:04:35] <Wolf> *Another nod.* Gotcha. Be there in a few.
[19:04:52] <Sydney> Cheers, mate.
[19:05:11] <Wolf> Cheers. *He grins.*
[19:06:47] <Sydney> *Sydney looks to the others, giving them a nod as she heads back inside.*
[19:06:57] <Hoxton> I think so. But then he said I can contact him with it. I guess as long as we'll pull this one, should be reachable. *He pockets it again, taking a long drag.* Fuck me, I remember parkin the escape car here.
[19:09:28] <Dallas> *Dallas is quiet, looking over to the spot where Sheila once stood. Safely hidden under a tarp. Houston's baby. A soft chuckle.* Helluva shithole, this place is. But it grows on ya.
[19:11:39] <Hoxton> It's passable. 'course satisfyin my refined english tastes aint easy. *He chuckles as well. He reaches up, checks his hair. It's a little longer, isnt it?*
[19:12:20] <Hoxton> And it's got an dingy alley where criminals meet. Shady as fuck, mate.
[19:12:33] <Dallas> Bain says renovations are in the works. Who the hell knows when that's gonna be, but that's something to look forward to.
[19:13:54] <Hoxton> I bet ya hundred quids we wont see any renovation this year. Fella is up his ears in work.
[19:15:17] <Dallas> We're keeping him busy, that's for damn sure. *He looks at Wolf, down to the unsmoked cigarette, offers a light.*
[19:15:25] <Hoxton> *he chuckles but leans back.* But yeah. That'd be nice.
[19:16:02] <Hoxton> Ah, I bet he loves the sweet attention we give him. *He laughs*.
[19:16:28] <Wolf> *He takes a couple seconds to process.* .. Oh. Yeah, yeah. Thanks. *He lights it, taking a puff.* .... To- To be honest, I like this place the way it is.
[19:17:35] <Dallas> Could use a couple more shelves. Maybe tidy the front up, get the laundromat up and running again. Kinda weird, right? WiFi signal coming from a closed down laundromat.
[19:18:57] <Wolf> Could launder money the way that got it its name.
[19:19:42] <Dallas> Yeah, that's the idea. Gotta clean our millions up so we can spend any of it.
[19:19:44] <Hoxton> And a bathtub. *he chuckles* Ah well. A point, I guess. Though....whoever's gonna come in, investigatin the wifi has some balls, I'll give em that.
[19:29:59] <Sydney> *Sydney's workstation is always messy to some degree, but it seems like she's actually made an effort to put some things away recently. A bunch of boxes and various cans of paint have been stacked in a corner, and at the top of the precarious pile is an exceedingly creepy looking mannequin head (onto which Sydney's painted a black glasgow smile), upon which a bloody policeman's cap has been jauntily placed. The only signs of the project she's currently working on are some lengths of wire laid out on the table. Sydney's spinning on her stool, playing some game on her phone.*
[19:31:29] <Sydney> ((Sydney'll be the calvalry. In a van with Twitch a block or two away, far enough to not be seen loitering by police but close enough that she could be there within a minute.))
[19:31:31] <Hoxton> ((And Hox will let Aleks know about the plan. He wanted to have updates!))
[19:31:49] <Sydney> ((lots and lots of guns and such in the van))
[19:32:46] <Wolf> *Wolf taps softly on the doorframe as he walks in, holding the iron.* .. Found it.
[19:33:50] <Sydney> *Sydney stops herself spinning by sticking out a boot against a leg of the table, pocketing her phone.* Aces. This is gonna be so wicked.
[19:38:37] <Wolf> ... Can I see it?
[19:40:45] <Sydney> Nah, not yet. *She winks at him.* It'll be worth the wait, I promise.

[20:23:35] <Hoxton> *A little while later, Hox is back on the couch. Calling the rest together to apparently wanna say something. He is looking less harried now. Worried though.* Fellas,  I had a talk with Vlad. He was offering help to get the debt settled. Loud, that is. I thought ya guys should know 'bout this. We are one team, after all.
[20:24:20] <Dallas> *Dallas leans on the kitchen counter, smoking. He can hear plenty well from here.*
[20:25:25] <Sydney> *Sydney blinks.* Seriously? What's his plan?
[20:26:02] <Hoxton> Well. Lots of guns, crash a bus into the precinct. Bomb our way in. The short version....though the longer aint much different.
[20:26:30] <Hoxton> *he sighs* Loud as it gets.
[20:27:46] <Sydney> *Sydney claps her hands together gleefully, but then, she actually takes a moment to think about it.* Man, that would be so fucking fun, but jesus christ it's so stupid.
[20:28:58] <Wolf> *Wolf's sat on the floor nearby. He's here.*
[20:29:15] <Hoxton> He called earlier and ya fellas should know about the options we got. *he nods.* And yeah. Bain was really not thrilled with what he offered. The shout out was...interestin.
[20:30:40] <Hoxton> And I agree. I still think the quiet approach will be the safest. Bain's plan looks as solid as it gets.
[20:31:50] <Sydney> Yeah. As much as I hate myself for saying it, your way makes more sense. There's a difference between poking a hornet's nest with a stick, and smashing it open and sticking your face inside.
[20:32:28] <Sydney> The real question is. Do you think you can actually pull this off?
[20:32:44] <Dallas> I'm sure of it.
[20:33:26] <Sydney> That's a lot more confidence than I was hearing the other day, yeah?
[20:33:35] <Sydney> Good to hear.
[20:34:44] <Hoxton> We can. I know it. *Hox stretches himself* I have always had a likin for sneaky shite. So if anythin, this will work.
[20:35:03] <Dallas> Someone's gotta do the goddamn job.
[20:35:56] <Hoxton> Oi. A little cheerin goes for miles. But yeah. Glad ya see the sense there. Ya gotta weigh fun with actually wantin to make it out. And I am all for livin for a while longer.
[20:36:21] <Wolf> We have to, don't we? Mob'll be pissed if we fuck this up.
[20:37:01] <Dallas> *Dallas looks over at him, his expression darkening.*
[20:38:06] <Sydney> I have a feeling things are going to get messy after this, though. Mark my words. We'll need to be ready for shit to go down at the meetup.
[20:38:22] <Hoxton> Obviously. And I think this is the way that gets Dallas an me out alive the safest way. *He looks at them.* Open for suggestions, however. Aint sayin I ate wisdown and shat out the plan afterwards.
[20:38:54] <Dallas> You're goddamn right, we have to. No more screw ups. It's one shot, and that's it. Anyone steps off their mark, you best hope the cops get to your sorry ass first.
[20:39:38] <Sydney> I ain't gonna tell my grandpa how to suck eggs. You know your shit. I'll trust in your plan.
[20:41:24] <Hoxton> *Hox nods at Dallas. Then back at Wolf.* I dont think Vlad will be seriously pissed when we turn his plan down. But if anythin, Bain said he'll take care of it.
[20:43:23] <Wolf> *He nods.* We'll be okay.
[20:47:55] <Hoxton> We will be. *He sighs, rubbing his face.* Well right, That's it, fellas. Thought ya should know the counter offer.
[20:49:40] <Sydney> *Sydney crosses her arms and looks down.* Wish it hadn't come to this. But I'll find a way to make it up to you. *Closest thing to an apology Sydney's capable of giving.*
[20:49:45] <Dallas> *Dallas still looks deathly serious. He's tense, like a wire's wound up tight inside him. Then he pushes away from the counter and heads back down into the bunker to review materials.*
[20:52:24] <Hoxton> *Hox nods tensely. He is nervous about this but no point to spread his worries. He looks surprised, however.* Cheers, lassie. I'll be more than good if we'll make it out nice an quiet. Then takle whatever comes next.
[20:52:48] <Sydney> Fingers crossed, yeah?
[20:53:46] <Hoxton> And ya toes while ya at it. Can't hurt.
[20:55:11] <Wolf> *He closes his eyes. Thinking.*
[20:55:32] <Sydney> *She nods.* Sure thing.
[20:55:35] <Hoxton> Anyway. *He fetches himself another beer and the smokes, heads down as well. Off to review the material as well.*
[21:03:30] <Wolf> *He stands up now, waving goodbye and headed downstairs.*
[21:04:48] <Sydney> *Sydney sits alone on the couch contemplating things for a while, then heads out to get something to eat. She needs a break from the safehouse.*