3192/A Simple Purchase

A Simple Purchase
Date of Scene:	19 November 2017
Location:	Unknown
Synopsis:	Summary needed
Cast of Characters:	Penguin, Gorilla Grodd, Buttercup

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Penguin has posed:
A military computer R&D firm out of Texas had a new product, a game theory calculation unit for predicting the movements of large numbers of individuals in various patterns. A government contract had already been undersold by a rival company, leaving Central Dynamics to sell its product on the private market. But, like any good unscrupulous research firm, they wanted more money out of the sales than a new product would receive. After contacting Oswald Cobblepot, they were offered the proper plan. A test of the product before the world stage, in, of all places, Africa. That just left Penguin with a truck full of computer tracking nodes, servers, and related software, to sell to the proper individual for a demonstration of the product in some scheme. Penguin looked at his rolodex, and contacted the proper individual.

Penguin stood by a cargo container in China Basin, his men out in force, wearing navy blue suits with matching bowties and starched white undershirts. Penguin himself stood on the foggy evening dock, with an umbrella in hand, the tip placed on the ground in front of him. A cigarette burned from its place in a holder, emerging from his teeth, as he watched the distant ocean for the incoming ship that his contact would be arriving upon. Several blue and white Ford LTDs, cop models without the police errata, were parked nearby, as was a large truck, with the words 'Royal Guarantee Bakery' printed on the side.

Gorilla Grodd has posed:
Gorilla Grodd is cautious of course at first, but eventually sets the teleporter to take him just near the place Penguin had agreed to meet. He had the cash and it seemed like Penguin had the goods. He slowly moved out into the open, a telepathic screen to make him look human to most but setting it at just the average mind so someone as intelligent as Penguin would easily see him for what he was. Moving towards the area, he looked Penguin up and down and said, "Mr Cobblepot I presume?"

Buttercup has posed:
Buttercup is on her way to work, maybe a little early in the evening, but she's still got a ways to go and swapping busses in this area is always a little dodgy. Fortunately, little Buttercup has been long enough in this area to make some friends (not that that takes her long, in general), and has just finished dining with a family living in one of the upper apartments in the China Basin, and is parting ways with them, some with bows, others with warm embraces, and all along with a chipper chatter in the family's Zhanjiang dialect, which Buttercup handles with nary a stammer, if perhaps the odd solecism.

Penguin has posed:
A distant bellow sounds acros the bay, as a small container ship moves into the harbor from a nearby watershed. It's an African transport, meant to take the rectangular metal cargo container full of computer parts to Gorilla Grodd's intended delivery point.

Penguin turns to face Grodd, in his human guise, his cigarette tilting upward between his teeth. "Hello, Mr. Grodd." He takes a deliberately melodramatic step aside, and sweeps his leather gloved left hand towards the container. "Central Dynamics game theory movement recombinant prediction units. Top of the line, untested technology, too expensive for the government. One time deal."

He turns about, placing both hands on the curled handle of his umbrella, looking at the green painted container. "All yours, for the proper price." A thug moves to Gorilla, to accept the cash. "So tell me, Grodd, why the long face?" He turns to Gorilla sidelong, grinning. "Not comfortable outside that illusion of yours?"

Gorilla Grodd has posed:
Gorilla Grodd isn't about to strain the teleporter with something as lowly as Cargo. The reagents for the laser component are insanely expensive. He looks at the container and takes out a small scanner. "It is not as advanced as what I could do myself, but 80% as efficient....and at your price, this is, literally a steal sir." He smiles at the likely shared understanding of where they likely came from. He looked at the Penguin as he mentioned the face, "I find most humans annoying. And the ones that run simply because I am near them even more annoying. Not that they don't have reason to run." He grins, "But I am also simply thoughtful. I have...ideas about Gorilla City

Buttercup has posed:
Buttercup waves the fams off, watching them fondly until they disappear into the bustle of the market, then turns to hop-step, filled with noodles and energy, down the path toward the docks where she can keep an eye on the bus stop but also browse the slips to see if anyone's there she could talk into taking her across to the other port. She's got a six-pack of Pearlriver, handle in hand, bottles tinking as she moves, to aid in her efforts to find a group to joyride across with. She's bundled up to about mid-thigh in a big hoodie that disguises her work clothes, but from mid-thigh down her tights and heels might just give the odd passer-by the wrong idea. But she moves with joy and confidence, down the line of slips, spotting Grodd and maybe doing a little bit of a double take, but the sight doesn't unduly phase her, either.

Penguin has posed:
"Gorilla City? Well, Grodd, regardless of what one leader or the other thinks, their city is as much a shining city on a hill as the other," Penguin muses. He takes his cigarette out of his mouth with his left hand and moves along to the container. "Gotham City is wrought with potential as well. Do you know what makes a city great, a nation great, a planet great, Grodd?"

Penguin coughes with a 'wark wark wark', before he spits to the side, a hunk of congealed phlegm. He wipes his mouth on the back of his sleeve. "It's the sweat and blood and tears that is the country's lifeblood. It's all the simple act of faith that keeps the city, a city, instead of merely buildings and people. If you understand the pathos of the community, Grodd, you will be able to ride the waves produced in the underchannels."

The ship comes into port, and there are ding-ding sounds, as the harbor master orders dockworkers out to secure the ship at the moorings. There's a labored hydraulic hiss, as a nearby crane comes to life, to collect the cargo container.

"That's the Mercy, it's a ship out of the Ivory Coast. It'll take the cargo anywhere you want. I've contracted her, and her crew, specifically for you, free of charge."

Gorilla Grodd has posed:
Gorilla Grodd says, "Well...Gorillas are better than most." He does not insult Penguin's home city since that would be gauche. He does, however blink and wink at the passing hottie gaping at them. He looks back at Oswald. He takes out a small piece of paper "have them go to these Lat Long....I will arrange for the transfer at sea. Do you prefer crypto currency or cash?""

Buttercup has posed:
Ha, hottie? Get it? 'Cause of the sunshine? Nice one, GG. As much as her attention was initially drawn by Grodd, it's Oswald's oration on the soul of a city that slows her steps and makes her dally by. The transaction's not really her business, but she's spent enough time in Gotham since taking up residence in the area that she feels drawn by the words, feeling their truth. "People only show how strong they are in suffering," she agrees, "And few places I've seen a people more strong than here." A pause, as though possibly abashed for breaking into the conversation. Her eyes fix on Oswald's umbrella. "Is it going to rain?" she wonders, more practically.

Penguin has posed:
"Cash will do, for this particular transaction," the Penguin replies, puffing on his cigarette. He accepts the piece of paper, and slips it into the pocket of his jacket. He turns his attention to Buttercup. "Dear girl, it appears you've been looking at Santa's workshop without knowing just what he does to bad boys and girls," he says, tapping his umbrella down on the ground, once, as his men mass behind him. He raises the eyebrow above his left eye, the one without the monocle. "You aren't going to be a gossip about this particular witness, will you?" he asks, his leathery grip slowly tightening around the handle to his umbrella in a deliberately visible manner.

Gorilla Grodd has posed:
Gorilla Grodd nods and takes out a small orb which causes a briefcase to appear in his hand. He smiles, "I don't take the young woman for a gossip. No one who speaks of overcoming struggle and despair would stop the education of children." Which, it was true about a third of these computers would be used for. The cash is in unmarked large demonination bills for the ease of ransitioning. He tries to give Penguine a heads up, "This one has a very sunny personality. Looks full of potential."

Buttercup has posed:
Buttercup angles her head to administer a warm-eyed gaze to meet with Oswald's, neither confrontational nor afraid, but playful. "I know Santa, actually," she jokes. Or maybe she's joking? "And sometimes all a bad boy or girl needs is a little bit of coal to warm their winter hearth and soothe their cares," she smiles, cheeky, with an undercurrent of tranquility. "I don't know what is you're buying or you're selling, it doesn't bother me," she goes on, as to whatever's happening here. "Unless I should be bothered?" she asks, both brows rising.

Penguin has posed:
"I don't think you should be bothered," Penguin says, dismissively. One of Penguin's men takes the briefcase. "I believe this is the end of our business transaction today, good sir," Penguin says with a tilt downwards. He swings his umbrella about to rest it on his shoulder. "Good night, both of you." He turns about and carouses into the back of one of his cars, as his men follow suit. Soon, all the Penguin cars, and the bakery truck, drive off into the night, one by one.

Gorilla Grodd has posed:
Gorilla Grodd is pleased at the order and waves to the Penguin as he is off. He then looks at Buttercup and asks, "So...I've seen your powers before. Sunlight based?" He is genuinely curious and also somewhat distracted by the tights.

Buttercup has posed:
Buttercup watches Oswald and is quiet a moment before dipping her chin in a nod, "Well, there you go, then," she agrees not to be bothered. "Good night," she waves, then looks back to Grodd with a narrowing of her eyes. "You were at Octoberfest?" she teases the words out one at a time. It's the only explanation possible, as far as she's concerned. She's usually rather less obvious about her powers. "I don't remember seeing you there."