5309/Bad Guys and Coffee

Bad Guys and Coffee
Date of Scene:	06 September 2018
Location:	Hell's Kitchen
Synopsis:	Frank and Jane meet for coffee to compare notes.
Cast of Characters:	Punisher, Painkiller Jane

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Punisher has posed:
It's early in the evening but late enough that most respectable people would be at home. Anyone with a job they need to be at tomorrow morning would be winding down. A perfect time for a meeting that doesn't get too much attention from there being so many people around but not too late to make it suspicious just due to the hour. That being said, Josie's tends to have a heavier crowd at this time of night that upscale bars, but it suits Frank. It's on his home turf and no one bothers him. Also the noise level makes it easy to carry on a conversation without too many eavesdroppers.

Frank had called the number he received from a young woman a few nights before while investigating a car dealership with ties to a criminal organization known as The Foot. He knows very little about the Foot but that's slowly and steadily changing. While roughing up the owner of the dealership he made the acquaintance of what appeared to be a female vigilante who had an interest in some other potential organization involved with a man known as Johnny Fontaine. While working on learning more about the Foot he decided to give the girl a call to arrange a meeting so he can learn a little more and potentially offer his services.

Now he sits at Josie's Bar at a booth in the back. A single light hangs over his table. What little light it casts lights up just the front of his face, casting long shadows from his bent nose and chiseled cheeks. His arms rest on the table in front of him and hug a bottle of cheap beer while he waits.

Painkiller Jane has posed:
Jane tells herself she wasn't waiting for the big guy to call, but then again she's always been a terrible liar. He's a rare find and she knows it. And she's blown too many chances with too many others since taking up her new vocation.

She arrives dressed a bit more casually than the other night. Wearing low-riding jeans, clingy white tanktop, and an open leather jacket, the redhead steps into the bar and pauses just long enough to find what she's looking for. Jane may not be a regular but she *looks* like she could be. Which is sometimes just as important.

Flashing a small smile, she slides into the booth across from him. "Hiya, handsome." The jacket may be worn casually, but a practiced eye would pick up the pair of shoulder holsters beneath.

Punisher has posed:
He realizes it's a dangerous game putting yourself out there for people you don't know. This was no exception. But given their meeting, Frank figures if she hadn't shot at him then the odds of her doing so tonight are fairly low. As long as they figure out what mutual page they share in common.

Glancing up as the door opens, he sees the girl he is here to meet. Once she notices him, he lifts his beer and leans back in his seat, his face slipping out of the dim light and into the shadow as he takes a long pull from his beer. She slides into the seat opposite him as he swallows and returns the bottle to the table, "Evenin'."

He could tell from the way she carried herself across the bar that she's packing. Then again, so is he. Can't be too careful. Of course that's no excuse because he's always carrying something. Leaning forward, he rests his elbows against the table and crosses his arms, "Thanks for comin'."

Painkiller Jane has posed:
Jane settles and leans forward as well, both elbows on the table. Red lips pull into a broader smile and she replies. "Thanks for calling." Looking towards the bar, she waves to get the 'tender's attention. Then she points to Frank's beer and holds up 2 fingers.

Back to Frank again. "So. Let's start with names, or whatever you're calling yourself. I'm Jane." Apparently they're starting out on a first-name-only basis. She has more questions, of course, like where he gets the Apocalypse-grade weapons.

Punisher has posed:
When she calls on the bartender to bring over two more beers, Frank nods in a way of saying thanks and picks up his beer for another quick pull before returning it to the table.

"Frank," is his reply. It's at this point that people who have kept up with the news tend to put two and two together and realize which particular Frank this is, so he just peers at her across the table with half-expecting eyes. He has more questions himself, not the least of which is what got her into a situation where she needed to rough up the same dealer he did to get info on someone wrapped up in crime. And where she got her weapons as well. The time will come.

When the bartender strolls over with the two beers, Frank takes his and lifts it up, holding it out over the middle of the table and tipping it towards her, "Nice to meet you Jane."

Painkiller Jane has posed:
Jane accepts one of the beers, giving the bartender a nod. Blue eyes meet his gaze and she tips her bottle towards him as well. Glass *chinks* softly against glass. "Pleasure, Frank." she replies, taking a deep swig before setting her bottle down. She glances over to the bartender, to make sure he's out of casual hearing before she continues.

"I've heard of you. Never thought I'd actually *meet* you, though." Jane offers in a lower voice. "We have more in common than you know, Frank. Except I'm not exactly a household name. Well, 'Painkiller Jane' is getting around some, now." She leans back again, propping a combat boot on the seat beside him.

"So where would you like to start? Johnny Fontaine or the Foot?"

Punisher has posed:
Painkiller Jane. Hasn't heard of her, although something tells him he might read her name in the paper sometime soon based on what little he's seen of her so far. His eyes glance down at the seat beside him as her boot props against it. His body shifts slightly as he exhales through his nose, amused at how much she reminds him of himself.

Glancing back up at her, he finishes his first bottle and takes the one she ordered for him and turns it slowly between his fingers, "Painkiller Jane. Has a ring to it."

Sitting back in his seat again, his head rests at an angle as he watches the red head across from him, "Figured I'd pick your brain about this Fontaine. Considering our meeting, I figured he might be someone I'd be interested in." An eyebrow arches as he pauses for a moment, looking at her intently, "Unless I'm intruding."

Painkiller Jane has posed:
Jane props an elbow up on the back of the booth, casually sipping from the bottle now. Blue eyes don't leave him, and those red lips pull back into more of a smile. The tanktop is more off-white, and the way it shifts when she moves makes it really doubtful she's wearing a bra.

"Oh, you're definitely not intruding. I figure both of us can cover twice the ground, anyway. And if things go sideways it's always good to have backup." Jane isn't a small woman, but she's barely a buck-forty soaking wet. Guns or not.

"Johnny Fontaine handles illegal transport up and down the East Coast. Drugs, guns, and people for sale. That dealership we visited swaps out cars to run between Gotham and the Big Apple."

Punisher has posed:
Franks eyes only leave the girl across from him long enough to scan the bar. Something he does with regularity more or less everywhere he goes. He likes to keep an eye on his surroundings just in case someone is watching. It's easy here, considering he's familiar enough with the regulars that someone like Jane, who even though she definitely looks the part, stands out to him.

His eyes returning to her, he can't help but look her over a time or two. His teeth clench and his jaw muscles ripple beneath his stubble until his eyes return to hers, "Was thinking the same thing." He slowly leans forward again, lowering his head and rubbing the back of his neck for a moment as he listens to her explain Johnny Fontaine. "Sounds like he has that in common with the Foot. They pick up cars regularly to carry out.. whatever the hell it is they do. Still working on that." He looks back up, "I'm guessing you're looking to take Fontaine down one way or another?"

Painkiller Jane has posed:
Blue eyes sparkle over the raised bottle as Jane sips again. "I'm told there are *rules* against killing in Gotham. Something the caped-set enforces. Johnny's people don't *stay* in Gotham, and I'm pretty sure he doesn't keep a summer home there..." She shrugs, putting her moral stance right out there on the table.

"We need to get Johnny's people to talk, first. After we get to Johnny, I really don't care about the rest." We? Yeah, she's already moved on to 'we'. "Cut the head off of the snake. Pretty sure you know how the game is played."

Punisher has posed:
Franks eyes silently bounce back and forth as he listens to her intel on Johnny and his people. He's already considering their options and how they might be able to strike. He hadn't noticed her use of 'we' mainly because he was already considering them working together so the word was already bouncing around his thoughts as well.

Nodding idly as he thinks, he finally looks back up and stops fidgeting, "If the dealer hasn't warned them already it should be easy enough to stake out the dealership and wait for them to pick up their cars." He takes another swig, "Shouldn't be too hard to get some information outta them." Looking at her, he figures she has her ways of getting people to talk. If not, he sure as hell does. "I guess the trick is getting Johnny to New York."

Painkiller Jane has posed:
"The dealer was scared, but he's not stupid. He'll tell Johnny's people, alright, because right now he's more afraid of Johnny than the two of us." Jane pauses for another drink, then adds. "Okay, so maybe he IS stupid." Jane toys with the half-empty bottle.

"So whether he tells Johnny's boys or not, it really doesn't matter. They either keep using the dealer or they pay him a 'last visit'. Time for a stake out either way. Johnny doesn't leave loose ends. We only need one."

"So tell me about the Foot, just so I know what I'm looking for." For a moment she looks like she might crack a smile at the name, but Jane manages to keep a mostly-straight face.

Punisher has posed:
The girl makes a very good point. If the Foot are anything like Johnny Fontaine, they'll likely want to wrap up any loose ends themselves. If they happen to deal with the car man on the same night things could get interesting, but that's a bridge they'll cross when they come to it. But staking out the lot will inevitably lead them to either organization or both. It's a solid plan.

Appearing to be busy with his own thoughts for a moment, Frank quietly snaps out of it and glances back across the table at his apparent new partner. "Not much to tell. Yet." His weight shifts on his seat and he leans heavily against one elbow as he takes a sip of his beer. "I learned about them from lookin' into several others in the city." He swirls the bottle around and watches the beer inside spin, "I noticed they all seem to have been given some sort of coin that symbolizes support from some shadow organization. After a little digging I found out they're called the Foot." He glances back over at Jane with a slight shrug, "Asburd name, but they seem to have enough money to support at least a dozen families around the city. And the night we met is as close as I've been able to get to them so far."

Painkiller Jane has posed:
Painkiller Jane takes a swig of her own beer, watching him all the while. "So maybe I'm *your* lucky charm, now. I definitely think we should stick together, for at least a while. Between the two of us we're bound to attract the right kind of attention." She pauses, then corrects. "Or the wrong kind, depending on your perspective."

"So it comes back to the car dealer, one way or another. I busted into a Fontaine safe-house in Gotham, but all I did was stir the wasps' nest and they all bolted. The dealer is something else entirely, and he works with both the Fontaines and the Foot."

Jane considers him more closely, then. His face. His build. And yeah, she notices that he's also packing. "So tell me, Frank. Where did you get your arsenal from?"

Punisher has posed:
Frank nods and one corner of his mouth tugs into a crooked grin as he peers across the table, the light casting shadows over his face and Jane's body as she casually relaxes in her seat. She had it right the first time. They're bound to attract just the right people.

"The Foot could be involved with Fontaine. I don't usually buy into the idea of a coincidence, especially one this convenient." And then he notices her sizing him up. He pauses and returns the favor. Her question draws a pause and he leans back, resting against the back of his booth, hoisting an arm over the back of the seat as well and tilting his head to the side, still not entirely sure how much he can trust this woman. Especially with information on the acquisition of arms, "I know a guy."

Painkiller Jane has posed:
Jane laughs softly at that. "I wonder if your guy is the same as *my* guy." she quips back. And she seems to revel in the assessment, if anything. Is she arching a little as she leans back in the booth? "Actually, I know a couple guys who run pawn shops. They sorta owe me."

She shrugs, leaving it at that. "So you wanna take turns watching the dealer, or what? Figure either way we'll wanna trade cell numbers. Or get you a burner phone, unless you're more comfortable with a set of cheap walkie-talkies."

Punisher has posed:
Truth be told, Frank can read her body language. The subtle movements, letting the light bounce off of all the right places. The problem is, he doesn't fully trust her. Dangerous women can let their sexuality get the best of men and Frank is in no line of business that forgives those mistakes. Still. Can't hurt to look.

His eyes wander back up to hers and he shrugs, "Could be." He doubts it, but hell. Stranger things have happened. He leans to one side and pulls out a cheap flip phone and tosses it on the table, "Keep a burner. Put your number in there." He looks her over again, "Unless you like the idea of the walkies." His grin returns and his head sways a few times before he takes another long pull from his beer, nearly emptying the bottle.

Painkiller Jane has posed:
"Walkies are too easily compromised." Jane declares. "And there's not a lot of traffic, which makes it easier to pick out conversations." Picking up the phone, she leans forward as she flips it open and keys in her number. Closing it again, she pushes it back over the table to him. "I'll get a burner later today." she replies.

Leaning back again, Jane shifts enough to let the jacket fall open for distraction. Yes, she's putting herself on display and in the best light. But she also makes it look very casual. How much is an act and how much is the real thing? It's doubtful that even she would be able to give a good answer, although she didn't dress his way by accident. Red lips curl a bit as she's checked out, all the same.

"Okay, so we've got a plan." Jane declares. "And I get it, too. You don't trust people. I don't trust people. This partnership of ours is gonna take some time to sort out. But I like the way you work, Frank. I'm willing to give it a chance."

Punisher has posed:
Downing the rest of his beer as Jane enters her number into his burner phone, Frank exhales slowly with a quiet 'ahhh' sound as he returns the empty bottle to the table. He considers getting the bartender to bring them over another pair of drinks but isn't sure it's the best idea. He's had a couple already and the way Jane is dressed, he isn't sure having more is such a good idea, given how much his eyes are already wandering.

When she leans back, his eyes can't help but catch the way her jacket falls open to give him a view and he grins to himself and shakes his head, glancing down at his empty bottle and spotting hers nearly empty as well. He motions for the bartender finally and holds up two fingers and points at his bottle. Guess it's time for another round. "I usually work alone. I'm guessin' you do too." He looks her over, "Can't hurt to see how it goes. Might make our lives a little easier, eh?" And going back to her previous question about the details of their stakeout, "We can trade out shifts if you prefer. I'll take tonight, you take tomorrow?"

Painkiller Jane has posed:
"Pretty good chance it'll make our lives more complicated, too. You look any longer and I'll have to charge you rent." Not that Jane seems to mind, of course. "I was gonna suggest we take a night off, but we can do that to celebrate." she offers, expression becoming playful.

"You take tonight and I'll take tomorrow. That works for me. I'll keep my phone close, and won't plan on doing my nails or washing my hair. Just in case." And yes, she's certainly enjoying the attention. Especially now that he's committed to a partnership. At least a short-term one.

Punisher has posed:
Frank's eyes shift up to meet hers as she calls him out for looking a little too long. He offers her another grin as his head tilts to the side once more, knowing full well that she's giving him a little show. It ain't his first rodeo and he figures it isn't hers either. Nothing wrong with some good old fashioned appreciation. He wouldn't necessarily mind a night off but given recent events they can't afford to skip a night. The Foot or Johnny Fontaine don't take nights off so neither can they. They can at least have another round though.

Just then the bartender comes by with two more bottles and sets them down. Frank grabs his and offers the neck of it towards Jane again, "Don't let me stop you from doin' your nails." He gives her a quick wink and another sideways grin as he lifts the bottle to his lips and takes a long drink. Definitely don't need to share overwatch duties with her. Too much of a damn distraction.

Painkiller Jane has posed:
Painkiller Jane meets the grin with one of her own, as well. "Yeah, you look like a guy who appreciates a good manicure. Or pedicure, for that matter." she replies. "We can talk about my grooming another night, though. I'll give you a full tour." It's been a very long time since Jane flirted like this, but it's like riding a bike. Or... yeah, just stick with riding.

Doctor Seth has a huge crush, of course, which only means that Jane needs to keep him at a distance. She doesn't want Seth to get hurt, in more ways than one. Frank, on the other hand? There's no doubt in her mind that Frank can take care of himself. Frank's a predator. It's what he does. It's what THEY do. She slips her arm from the back of the booth, shrugging to let the jacket ease down off her shoulders as well. No one in here will mind the leather holster-straps, after all. And the shift pulls the thin t-shirt more tightly over her full chest. "So what do you do for fun, Frank? Assuming you let yourself have fun."

Punisher has posed:
The grin remains on Frank's lips as she teases him. A glimpse at his hands would reveal weathered skin and equally worn nails. He's not a filthy man, but in his line of work it's difficult to keep your nails spotless. You can maintain and clean your firearms as often as he does and keep the grease from getting under your nails. Not that he gives a shit. Too busy trying to clean the streets to pay attention to his cuticles.

When she leans forward and her jacket continues to make its way off of her shoulders, his eyes follow and linger for a moment until he pulls them back up and leans forward himself, "You're lookin' at it." Having drinks as a dirty bar in the middle of Hell's Kitchen is really as far as it goes with Frank when it comes to the typical idea of 'fun.' Getting an eye full of Jane is about the most fun he's had in a while, he supposes. Something about danger and a woman. He winks across the table and holds his bottle up in a mock salute gesture before taking another drink.

Painkiller Jane has posed:
Jane picks up a beer as well, when the fresh bottles are brought over. "Drinking in a dangerous bar with a redhead? I suppose I can sign up for that. Can't get into TOO much trouble in public, right? Even in Hell's Kitchen." She takes a healthy swig.

Jane's boots slide off of the seat, clunking heavily onto the floor as she shifts to lean forward. The table's support is more than a bit distracting, although she keeps eye contact. And in a lower voice she replies. "Maybe someday we'll find a little time when nobody is shooting at us, in a place where nobody can find us."

Punisher has posed:
Watching the red head across the table, Frank's eyebrows arch slightly, "Something tells me you're far more dangerous than any of these people." He says this as he glances from one side of the bar to the other. Sure, the people here look rough, but Jane is clearly equipped to deal with the lot of them. Himself included. "There's plenty trouble you can get into. Even in Hell's Kitchen if you try hard enough." This last part is mentioned as the slight grin returns to his face.

The sound of her boots clapping heavily against the floor draws his attention back to her as she leans forward, his eyes maintaining contact with hers and not wandering again. He leans forward against the table as well, "Maybe. If a day ever comes when people aren't lookin' for us." That day will come and it will be the day they're both dead. They both know it, too. Fiction can be fun, though.

Painkiller Jane has posed:
Jane props her cheek against one hand, raising the bottle to her lips with the other. Her gaze meets his as he leans in, and she nods. Yeah, she knows it as well. And for a moment there's silence between them. Then she speaks again. "Well aren't WE a cheerful pair."

Raising her bottle again, she offers. "Thanks for the beer, Frank." What, he's buying? It's not like either of them is rolling in cash. "You're working tonight, after all. And I need a steady hand with the nail polish."

Punisher has posed:
Frank lifts his beer to meet hers, the glass 'tinking' but the sound is mostly lost in the ambient noise of the various drunk people playing pool, darts, or generally just talking to each other in voices appropraite of this style of establishment. Her comment manages to make the gruff man burst out into laughter, his eyes narrowing and the corner of them wrinkling as he shakes his head and takes a drink of beer. "Can't mess up the nails," he says after swallowing. He leans forward and puts his mostly-full beer back down and nods, resting his arms on the table once more, "You can finish mine. Shouldn't have ordered it anyway." He's slightly buzzed but he's been worse just from concussions while on the job so he's fine. Doesn't mean he should test himself. Especially now that he has someone to work with. He has to be accountable. And he needs a clear head, which is difficult at the moment. "I should get goin' anyway. Need to prep for tonight." And he needs to not keep staring at the red head.

Painkiller Jane has posed:
Jane smiles back, reeling in his beer as he puts it back down onto the table. "I'll take good care of it for you." she replies, almost sincerely. The whole 'partnership' thing is new to Jane as well. She hasn't had a partner since she left the force, after all. Oh, there are people who support her and who clean up her messes, but not an actual partner-partner.

"I'll keep my phone on either way." she replies, a bit more seriously. "And text me if you've had an uneventful night." So she'll know he made it back okay. Not that she'd ever admit to it.

Punisher has posed:
"I'm sure you will," he says as he leans over and begins to work his way out of his booth seat. When he rises to his feet he casts her another glance and tugs his sweatshirt's hood over his head and stuffs his hands into its pockets. "I'll give you a call if I see 'em. Or if I don't." He inclines his head slightly in a nod towards her, carefully keeping his eyes on hers before he turns and starts making his way across the bar towards the door.