2733/Another Day In Lowtown

Another Day In Lowtown
Date of Scene:	05 October 2017
Location:	Unknown
Synopsis:	Summary needed
Cast of Characters:	Phage, Molly Millions, Superboy

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Phage has posed:
"So, going into the business of heroics full time?" Carl calls over from the table he's at. Between typing on a laptop and texting and taking calls on a series of burner phones, some of which already crushed and past their usefulness. Operatives are a valuble asset. The training and experience required to make one, and assuming they live that long, makes them a rare and valuable commodity.

In a world where there are no good or bad guys, where the relationships between the people you're working against today and with tomorrow turn on a dime, applying for a new job leaves certain amounts of caution in putting yourself on the market.

Still, provided you keep quiet enough and your existing employer doesn't decide to terminate more than a contract... it can be done. Since he's off of being the super and sub structure of a building detail, he can focus on seeing what offers are on the table for him. Otherwise it's in a secure location where the drinks are plentiful and clips to the back of the head are... somewhat infrequent.

Molly Millions has posed:
"Hell no. Bullet's don't do jack against something like that guy that showed up in Metropolis." Molly grunts, the place is currently empty, just as well, or at least, empty enough that it doesn't matter. She'd gotten frustrated with the variable vision of having one lense intact and the other... not, and thus had just gone upstairs to cut the other one out of her head. Hence why that socket is... well, a little bloody right now, even if she's not particularly concerned about it.

She's resetting the place, for all that the idea of seriously cleaning it is best described as 'laughable',"Besides... no idea how they can even afford it. I've got bills to pay, even if I were equipped to deal with that kind of thing... I don't have the money to support it."

A scotch is dropped by Carl's table as she passes with a grimace,"What about you? I know someone that's been... asking questions about Lexcorp. And I know you're probably going to say 'old contracts are confidential', which is fair enough, but I'm sure that he'd pay if you were willing to tell him about it."

Superboy has posed:
Conner would object to the opinion there are not good guys or bad guys. Doubly so after of what has been going on the last few weeks. He steps into Molly's, looks around and sighs. "I got the day wrong?" Damn different time zones. But in truth he has been crazy busy. His jacket looks pretty badly battered, torn in places. "Hey Molly," he greets, "is Clarice around?"

The young man flops down on the closest stool, taking a good look at Molly and wincing at her eye. "Shouldn't you be resting, lady? That looks... painful."

Molly Millions has posed:
"Conner." Molly offers with a vague quirk of her lips,"Yes, but that's okay. Drink? And last I knew she was resting. At least she ought to be. I told her I was going to tranquilize her if she didn't take a break... apparently you needed that memo, too."

Molly heads back towards the bar with a slight shake of her head,"Painful is the transitions, but the Imperator's a little busy for me to be bothering with a request to replace them... again, so for now..." still she hesitates before rubbing an eye, an oddity for her on several levels,"Carl. Come meet Conner. Conner is dating one of my daughters, Clarice. Carl's a... friend, who works for Lexcorp that I met when I was working for Stark." which should speak volumes, from her, as to the level of trust involved, the levels of 'crossover' in different portions of her life just referenced simultaneously.

Phage has posed:
The laptop is closed, the phones swiftly detached from their batteries, and a grin forms on Mach's face, until he sees that bloodied socket. Then the scotch is forsaken for the moment, just lifted to be dealt with once the priorities are cleared. He says as he stands, "Conner, is it? Mach, Carl Mach, Security Consultant and Exec at LexCorp. Most of the time anyway." Approaching the bar he offers his free had to shake and, after suitable time to complete the social niceities, turns back to Molly, after grabbing a clean cloth.

"We can have the debate I'll likely lose about patching you up after I fixed this..." he says in the best tone he can command from years of working in units where people meet moments after the first shot's fired. Not that it makes a damn bit of difference. In a conversation with her, he's getting used to ranking, at best, third.

"Also, the work? If this contact of yours wanted copies of the sales receipts that are Lexcorp's property... of course I couldn't... directly divulge depending on the contact." He reaches to apply the cloth, for the show of things, really ready to let his silent partner get to work on organic repairs.

"When it comes to my work as an independant contractor, on or off the books, I don't work for LexCorp. So, since that's more likely to be what your source wants to talk about, and since the company can't gag me for something they officially have nothing to do with... it's smoother sailing. So, who's the curious customer?" He asks, still waiting for a confirmation to help fix the damage done. A nod, a grunt, an absence of bladed things in vital organs... he's not fussy.

Superboy has posed:
Conner ohs at hearing about Blink. Looking a bit crestfallen instead the usually hyper. "It is over, well... except for the cleaning, stopping looters and the rebuilding," he enumerates what he has been doing the last twenty four, maybe thirty six hours. "I am fine, I don't really get tired, y'know? Except I have to sleep sooner or later," and it is in the 'sooner' area now, definitely.

"I also heard there was a party..." but he was late. Many hours late. "Some drink would be nice."

Then Carl comes and introduces himself, so he turns and grins. "Yeah. Conner. Or Superboy. Lexcorp, uh?" Not much of a fan of Lex, but given the state of Metropolis he is not even sure the old man has survived.

Molly Millions has posed:
Molly raises a finger Carl's way, just one. A 'don't even think about it' finger, followed by a 'park your ass' point at one of the stools,"I have fucking nanites, Carl, it's fine. Stop fussing over me, it pisses me off." she can't help it, stepping back so she can go grab another crate from out of the back.

"He wants to know about corporations that are doing things to harm the populace, in general. The specifics you'd have to discuss with him directly. He mentioned Lexcorp specifically, but your business is your business, so I wasn't going to introduce you if it'd make you uncomfortable to answer."

Crate fetched, she brings it back to set on the bar so she can start offloading, pausing to duck and snag Conner a drink to set in front of him,"That sort of shit is all you lot. As far as I'm concerned, I've done my part. So unless they really want me to start shooting looters, I think I'll stick to this place and drinks for the more heroic than I." there's a wry sort of smile from her, still giving Carl the hairy eyeball with one golden-green eye to make sure that he sits his ass down.

Phage has posed:
Halted mid action Carl holsters the cloth behind the bar. Then with an informal salute he says, "Yes ma'am. Pisses you off ma'am." There's just enough seriousness to offset the casual and jovial notes. Doesn't matter if they're in charge of a country or just a friend with no give at all... it isn't getting shut down, or anything else. You still gotta offer.

Taking the scotch from the countertop he says after a strong shot of it and turning away from Molly, "Relax, Conner, Superboy, I'm not exactly in the secret hand shakes, best buddies brigade with Lex. Or he's not with me. Same difference. So spare throwing up the defenses for the moment." He then takes another hit, still standing, taking his time with it too.

Turning to Molly he pushes his luck by saying, still standing, "Again, not exactly a problem with the what, more with the who. If is's a client wanting to stay anonymous... forget it. If you got an ID on them then set it up. I'm in... ma'am." A second salute heralds him now sitting down. Yeah, he's calling a withdrawl but doesn't have to be an easy one.

Superboy has posed:
Beer? Conner was thinking about coke. No, he wasn't thinking. Molly probably does not even have non-alcoholic drinks. So beer it is. Sip.

"It is okay. No idea if Lex would even have business in Madripoor," he frowns. Crime city. Lexcorp probably owns half of Madripoor. Wow. He is getting cynical, must be Molly's influence.

"What are you talking about?" He asks. Because he is nosy and something even tangentially related to Lex Luthor is probably fishy.

Molly Millions has posed:
"Don't think I wont stab you. You forget, I know you'll survive." Molly grunts, putting away bottles before she elects to lean up against the bar,"He goes by the name of Fei. He's a fixer. Like Matches. It's definitely not a Lexcorp set-up." because that's the sort of thing they generally have to worry about.

"Are you kidding? I mean... technically I suppose neither of them are in Madripoor itself... but both Lexcorp and Stark have a presence here."

There's debate in Molly's look as she finally snags a clean cloth and wets it to wipe off any lingering remnants of blood from her face,"Fixer's have been sniffing around. Potential contracts. Running a bar isn't exactly the most lucrative business opportunity in the world, and unfortunately all that work in Metropolis didn't come with a paycheck. So as much as it might be nice to be entirely altruistic... still got bills to pay."

Phage has posed:
"I also know you prefer seeing me get shot." Mach quips with a glowing grin to Molly, then the it gets downgraded to a smile when he adds, "Nothing too drastic though. My partner pushed the limits of us both with that building thing. Matter and energy... it's pooped. So survive, yeah, on more conventional meds between now and a little fixing."

Finishing one drink Mach turns to Conner and explains, "Crash course in being a member of the intelligence community. You can't treat people as one or the other. Sometimes the only answer to a question lies in a place that you really can't get to. This guy Molly just said about, I never hear of him which means he's based outta somewhere I don't usually operate or is big league enough he can ghost me. Both of those are good. As I know things he doesn't and vice versa."

He stays seated, smile a little renewed, brow briefly raised at Molly to say, look, seated, not even getting up for a refill before adding, "So, I could call it off and never learn a damned thing or we both talk and get wiser. Even if it's just this guy confirming what he already knows and that, if anyone's up to anything right now, it aint Lex.

"Tell you what..." Mach starts turning back to Molly. "Whatever finders fee on that you're taking, cool, great, but, when all is quiet, I need to talk to you about some financials of my own." He doesn't elaborate further. Or form a lan to get the reload on his drink. Phage done well. it needs the rest right now.

Superboy has posed:
Maybe Conner is too tired (mental fatigue does affect him) but the conversation between Carl and Molly sounds like Greek to him. It is probably mercenary-ish stuff. Maybe Rose would get it. "Hmm, okay," he decides, non-committal. He drinks more beer and peers outside. "Molly, if you see Clare tell her to call me, please. I have left her some messages, but I am not sure the phone network is working well. Things have been crazy."

He stands up, leaving a few coins on the table. American, but since the bar has doors to America he expects Molly won't mind. "I am going back to New York, see you in the morn... well, whenever it is when I wake up."

Molly Millions has posed:
"No, I just have no sympathy if you do." Molly points out,"Decisions have consequences. And you should be stocking up, instead of fussing over me. Hate to tell you but I survived a long time before you showed up." Molly pours herself a vodka, the cheap stuff. She's watching Conner, it's true, poor kid looks wrecked.

"I hope you're going to rest, and really rest... not 'yes mom I'm going to rest after I help another couple of groups of people' kind of rest. Your heart's in the right place, but take some time for yourself. Too. And I'll tell her, of course." she murmurs with a dip of her head.

"I'll pass anything your way that doesn't seem too shady. Most of what comes through here is still small time. Which is fine. I'm not out to piss off certain cape-wearing types seeing as my daughter apparently wants to be one. Wouldn't look good on the resume."

Phage has posed:
Mach gives a wave as Conner departs and then swaps out one kind of vice out for another. Lighting up he states, "You never commanded a unit in the field, did you." After the first draw he says, "Everyone on their first big op is overexcited, overcharged, ready to prove something. Which is great... for them. A tactical nightmare for anyone else. Phage was a rookie that day. Eager to prove how useful it was to me, its host, and went all out."

"I shored up a building. The forces should have ripped us in half... but it held fast, didn't give an inch, held on past the point I could tell it was hurting. It didn't panic or showboat or try to do things its way to prove worthiness."

Another pause for another draw, then he adds, "You know fine well one way it can make more biomass. You were there. To quote it though it's an inefficient process. I've been eating almost every minute I've not been in here, rebuild the stocks of nutrition, been doing the things that are most familiar and... in my way... make me happy so my emotional centers have been firing to charge it up."

The smoke curls from his mouth as he next speaks, not waiting for his exhale to eject it, "It gave everything it could, and more, and bested any partner I had in the field. I don't regulate the stocks it keeps of biomass or energy. Or how it makes them. It makes that call on how much it can store, use and what and when I can do something to replenish it."

"So, yeah, any critique of me is just fine. But I won't hear a word against Phage. It's beyond a natural talent from it's very first op." There was a loss of half silliness and half assing around. More the field commander talking. "So, you wanna know where my concerns, or fussings, lie... you got it. My partner and its recuperation after a mission that was a resounding success." Sans glib, all business, Mach takes another draw.

Molly Millions has posed:
"You're corporate, Carl, I'm not." Molly responds with a slight shrug of her shoulders,"Different kinds of professionalism, different outlooks. When I worked with people, they were expected to be able to handle their own shit. Everyone had their job, and they did it. If you failed, you had better be dead because you'd never work again. But they weren't mine. I didn't fuss over them, I had no interest in them fussing over me. It doesn't change the naked truth, though. Decisions. Have. Consequences."

Molly sighs,"That kid..." she nods in the direction Conner left,"My daughter. I have no doubt they'll be tights wearing full blown statue-earning heroes. They overwork themselves and make a stupid mistake because they haven't learnt their limits yet? They're going to suffer for that. Our choices might be different, but that doesn't change that every time we go into the field there's that question... is it worth it? Y'chose to go hold up a building... you need to decide whether it was worth it. Y'also need to think... what will I do next time? For both of you. Making a stupid choice on a contract is why the Bat is after me, that means there's already one of those costume-wearing fascists who are going to think that my daughter might not be good enough, because of me. So from here on out, I've got to be careful what I do, so my fuck-ups don't blow back on her."

Phage has posed:
"..." Mach goes to speak and start but where do you? "Yeah. You make the call, you take what comes with it." Action and reaction. Then he finds a mental footing. "I think I get it now. That's not how the world works to you and, in as much as offering, I'm not helping. Opposite, in fact." He slides off the stool, "Well, not like you're in the minority there." He makes over to the assembly of stuff and starts to pack it away. into a fabric backpack he brought with him for the same purpose when he brought them here. It only takes a few seconds but its long enough to think. He should be used to the thought by now. Maybe he's too used to it and doesn't even elaborate within the suddenly empty confines of his own head as it's circles traveled too often before.

"You know the lay of the land there better than I do, with your daughter and the Conner guy and the heroism, I mean." He takes the nearly spent cig and discards it. "On the job, it's my one saving grace. I've been made into something disposable, deniable, and only close to real while I'm useful. Rest of the time doesn't matter worth a damn. I got used to that, maybe too easy, but, I don't have to worry about worth to myself. Once I'm not useful to anyone else... might as well be dead as better the shot you know is coming than the bag over your head you don't."

Molly Millions has posed:
There's a slight furrow of Molly's brows, she's emotionally savvy enough to pick up on the shift, even if from the purse of her lips she doesn't precisely get it,"Carl." is offered in a firm tone,"You're not disposable. Fei can be trusted. That much I can promise you, I wouldn't set you up for something fucked up." she tips back her vodka,"Moreover, I can count on one hand with fingers to spare the number of people I choose to introduce to family. Or speak of them. If this is the bit where you're waiting for me to chase you down and tell you don't leave I love you or some shit... you should know by now that's not how I work. I've never lied to you about that. But that doesn't mean you don't mean nothing... if you didn't, I would have ghosted you in New York."

Phage has posed:
There's a soft chuckle from Mach's frame, "I wouldn't recognise you if you did." He puts the bag down on one of the barstools and lights up another smoke, "You know when people say in the end you think about the beginning... that's bollocks. It's right in the middle, in the thick of it that you really think about the choices you made all the way back to the start. You're almost looking for the biggest and best moments you turned things arse over tit and you oly had yourself to blame. As that was the problem. If I'd done that different... it'd be different now."

A small laugh, wisps of smoke escaping as he does, "It's still bollocks, but, trained or not, past, present, future, or even your future's future we all do it. All think it. I threw myself all into the job since ever. Improved in every way I could, jumped at the chance to keep up with the supers, and, suddenly, it still all might go. 'cause the company is going dark on me. Compounded with dumb calls I keep making. So I'm beating myself up for fucking things up as, again, whoever you are, that's what people do sometimes."

He looks at Molly's unlensed optics, "Didn't think you were... you know... any less up or down or back or sideways on me than you were this morning. You don't give a fraction of a mil, so it's easy to tell if you ever get swapped for a shapeshifter as damned if there's more than one person who's as defiant as you, but I'm not panicing... more... realising."

He takes a breath of air before following with the thought. "I've put everything into the job. I'm realising that might have been a fuck up in and of itself. So I'm chewing myself out a bit too is all. So, yeah, I get I'm not some guy or another punter in the bar. I'm a 'friend' of yours that is on those very short lists. I'm just having a tough time admitting I might have stuck my head up my arse somewhere along the line and changing jobs is making me see it."

Molly Millions has posed:
There's a grunt from Molly, not that she chooses to refute or expand on the first,"Job's end, Carl, we both know that. Doesn't mean the end of you. Just means lean times until you find something new. You're corporate, you want something stable, I get that. For you that's in a company where you've got people under you and all the rest of it... that's not the way I run. And I respect that about you... you and your partner, you're still learning, developing, and you need to push yourselves. You need to find those limits, so that when that question comes, you're not guessing as to whether or not it's going to be enough."

There's a wry smile from her,"I'll take that as a compliment. Not that... it's likely anyone's ever going to what to mimic me. And yeh, you're my friend. I don't know what word they prefer here, but Clarice, at least, knows what I mean when I say that. She doesn't get to meet most of my friends... platonic or otherwise. So. Just... y'know. Breathe. If you want to take some time off, you're welcome to crash here for a few days. I'm supposed to go to Metropolis for this thing Thor's running? But I should be back the next day at the latest."

Phage has posed:
Takes a draw and plumes out shapelessly. Several times. "See? Breathing." One function that seems to be hardiest is his sense of humor. Whether or not he's ever actually been funny's beside the point. The fact is he's even trying to is. "Work'll have to wait for a bit. Take a break, clear my head, yeah. So, if you don't mind, that'd be great. Thank you."

Moving swiftly on he adds, "Thor. Uh-huh. A celebration in honor of your great heroics?" He's still go an awakened Phage. So he still can't regenerate if his life depended on it. Whthere this fact has escaped him or not is currently unknown. Like a few other things that, for now, he's trying something new on.

Spies are prized for the ability to compartmentalise their thinking. Different boxes hold different things. Only using what's in each box at a time. While using one... the others don't exist. Mach's made a new box. Labled 'for later' When later is... is also in the box. For now... it's working.

"So while you party hard I'm guessing, should anything happen... I'll get held personally responsible?" Phage. Get better soon ol' buddy ol' pal ol' best partner ever... "I mean not that anything would but I'm guessing how it'll go if something hypothetically... did." He's too sober for this.

Molly Millions has posed:
There's a jerk of Molly's head in the direction of her suite,"You know where everything is. And no, a celebration in honor of his great heroics, but it's been a while since I've put a few dents in his ego, so, yeh." she reaches out to clasp his arm briefly,"Everything I own in this universe is in this bar. But if it gets wrecked, I'll just have to find a way to rebuild it. Obviously... prefer it's in one piece... but if it comes to you or the bar... save yourself."