10372/A Business Opportunity

A Business Opportunity
Date of Scene:	09 December 2019
Location:	Juan's Deli, Spanish Harlem
Synopsis:	Herman is hired by Tombstone
Cast of Characters:	Tombstone, Shocker

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Tombstone has posed:
Juan's Deli is usually not opened this time of night, but enough money to grease the palms tends to change most people's minds about schedules. Tombstone was currently sitting at the front table, standing at either side of him were members of The Forsaken, one of Spanish Harlem's crews, as identifiable by their colors, which were blue and green. Tombstone was not here for food however, he was there for business.

He had heard that Herman Schultz, AKA Shocker was back on market and Tombstone wanted to snag him before someone else did. So, he had sent him a invite to meet him in the deli tonight.

Shocker has posed:
"Okay. Okay. Okay, I--ow!"

Herman "Shocker" Schultz bumps into the entryway to the deli from the back room. He's escorted by a pair of Tombstone's lower-level enforcers.

Rubbing his shoulder, Schultz--who's dressed in his Shocker attire--mumbles under his breath to one of the goons, who steps toward him menacingly, and the Shocker responds by pausing, shaking his head, and then approaching Tombstone's table.

"Hey there, Lonnie. I heard you were hiring. Normally, the grapevine has a charm of its own, but your boys here are pretty motivated to impress you," Schultz says in a muted tone of annoyance.

He reaches out to take a seat at the table, but clears his throat. "Sorry. Want me to sit or stand?"

Tombstone has posed:
" You can sit, Herman," Tombstone says with a calm, even voice. He knew Herman back when he was just a leg-breaker for the Kingpin's organization. Herman had a reputation of flaking on his clients, but Tombstone was gonna make sure he didn't do the same to him. As Herman sat down, Tombstone was about to get down to business, but wrinkled his nose suddenly at a norrible smell eminating from Shocker and said," Aw shit Herman. Did ya shower in the sewer or something?"

Shocker has posed:
Schultz lets out a long, audible sigh. "Come on, man--you know how difficult it is to get these outfits dry-cleaned ..." He hangs his head. "Actually, I guess you never had to deal with that."

"Yeah," Herman continues. "I had a bad night the other night. Was working on a tip that turned out to be sour, and then it get even more rotten when one of the Spider-jerks showed up."

Schultz shrugs, palms up. "If I didn't know better, I'd think that Boomerang set me up. But he wouldn't do that to me. Right?"

Tombstone has posed:
Tombstone shrugs and says," I don't know man, Freddie does fuck with people from what i heard." Tombstone then snaps his fingers and a waiter places menus down on the table. Tombstone looks at the menue for a bit, then orders a Cuban sandwhich. Tombstone then says to Herman," Ya can get something if ua want. Anyway, to business. Yes, i want to hire ya."

Shocker has posed:
Shocker sits, silent, for several beats. "Oh, I'm sorry," he finally says. "I'm used to employers talking right through, without giving me a chance to respond."

He raises an index finger to the waiter. "Can I get a croque monsieur and an orange soda? Thanks."

Shocker looks back to Tombstone. "So what do you need and when? And let me thank you for choosing Schultz Security Solutions. I won't let you down."

Narrator: He probably will, though.

Tombstone has posed:
Tombstone nods and looks at Herman with a grim look on his face. As his food his placed down, Tombstone steps up, revealing his full 6' 7" height. He then grabs a fork and says to Herman," It may not be today, it may not be next month. But, i will eventually call you in for a job. But, if you flake on me like you have to so many other sorry bastards in the past, this will be yo ass once i am done with it!" Tombstone then bends the fore forcefully, perhaps to represent Herman's spine.

Shocker has posed:
Herman slowly nods, swallowing a lump in his throat.

"Yeah. Yes. I understand," he says quietly. "No room for negotiation, then, I take it." Shocker nods to himself. "Fair enough."

"Ahhh ..." he adds, a bit more loudly. "Maybe it would be best if I got my meal to go. All of a sudden I'm too terrified to eat. No offense intended."

Shocker stands. "Should I keep an eye on my phone, or will your eager beavers here come get me whenever it's time?"

Tombstone has posed:
Tombstone grunts as he sits down and starts to focus on his sandwich. In between bites, he says to Herman," Keep an eye on your phoe Herman, i wll call ya soon."

Shocker has posed:
"Absolutely. Will do. I'm on the job. Or will be. You know what I mean," Schultz rambles, nodding in an awkward sort-of bow as he stands and pushes his chair back under the table.

"I take it that being on the payroll means I get to avoid any sort of farewell rough-em-up ritual, right?" he adds with a hopeful tone in his voice, looking to the enforcers. "Right? Guys?"

Tombstone has posed:
Tombstone nods and says," Don't worry little man, my boys won't beat ya up, for now." Tombstone then grins, showing off his sharp teeth as he picks up his sandwich and takes another big bite. He then waves his hand at Herman and says," You can go now. Remember, if ya flake on me, yo ass will regret it."

Shocker has posed:
"Of course, of course," Shocker says, nodding earnestly.

The waiter hands him a doggie bag with his meal.

"Oh, thank you," he says sheepishly. "And thank /you/ for the opportunity," he calls to Tombstone as he leaves. "I'll keep my ass from regretting it!"

When he's finally outside, Shocker sighs and whispers to himself. "I already regret it..."