"Well... what is this about, exactly?" he asks.

Yes, most of the items on sale do in fact look insufficiently-reinforced to support the weight and momentum of a Titan-thrown mook.

Buzz smiled, which generally had the effect of putting people's back up.  "Unless you are Ms. Rococco, I don't think we need to tell you that."  She leaned toward one of the display cases, more closely inspecting the contents.  "It is a bit time sensitive, though.  So if you would be so kind as to inform her of the importance?"

The man gives both Danger Patrol agents a Clearly, We Can Never Be Friends look, but he seems to acknowledge that it's time to give the agents their way... for now. "Please wait here. I expect that I'll be back shortly. Feel free to look around in my abse-- to peruse the merchandise, while I'm gone."

He gives them one last Memorizing Your Faces For My Enemies List... Check look, and then goes into a door in the back marked Private: Do Not Enter.

Buzz moves on to the next case to continue perusing.  To Flash, she says "You want to cover the back door outside or should I?"

Buzz became aware that Flash was already headed out the door ...
directly outside, he shot a grapple up to the structural webbing above the building, so he could 'fly on up' to the roof, and quickly moved to where he could look down upon the back door.

The mook comes back out of the PRIVATE door with an icy brunette. "I am Jahn Rococco," she says to Buzz. She gives Buzz a look up and down, sizing her up, and decides to go with a simple: "What is this concerning?"
This message was last edited by the player at 20:14, Mon 12 Apr 2021.

Buzz smiles, which is a bit unnerving to the casual observer.  "Thank you for speaking to me.  It seems we have a mutual acquaintance."  Buzz will drop the name of the man in the holding cell.  "He mentioned a 'business association' you both are a part of.  Seemed quite enthusiastic.  He referred me, of course.  I'm wondering if you could provide a little more in the way of details.  He was a little foggy on the particulars."  She mimed the imbibing of excessive amounts of alcohol and shrugged.

OOC: I don't think our perp had a name yet, or maybe I just missed it.

(Yeah, you guys never specifically asked, exactly, so I never got around to making one up.)

"Yes, he and I do both belong to the Stygian Association, a casual business affiliation, for networking purposes," she says. "What sort of trouble has he gotten himself into, exactly...?"

"Why assume he's gotten in trouble?  Is that something he's prone to?"

Rococco almost smiles. "Because there's a Danger Patrol agent in my showroom," she says, arching one eyebrow (even higher than it had already been arched).

"Patrol agents aren't allowed in your business association?  That sounds a bit discriminatory to me.  I'll have to check Neptunian local regulations to see if that might warrant an investigation."  Buzz flashes her own cocky grin.  Arched eyebrows don't scare her (although it's entirely possible they should).  "Or do you think you could tell me more about how you and my new friend help each other out?  I'm up for mutual aid.  It's nice when you know someone's got your back, right?"

"I wouldn't say it goes that far... it's more of... a network of introductions. I introduce someone to my accountant... they introduce me to someone who's already got an opening toward distribution and advertising on Jupiter, say. That sort of thing, merely recommending contacts... with personal endorsements."

"And who do think you'd introduce me to?  Or maybe who might benefit from getting to know me?"  Buzz gestures at the expensive pieces around her.  "You've got an eye for value.  I have skills to offer.
 I have elbows I've already rubbed."

Flash waited patiently upon the roof, watching the backdoor and alleyway it emptied on to.


ooc, no need to rush the interaction downstairs.  I really am happy to wait

For the first time, Rococco really seems surprised (although also nonplussed). "Such introductions are for members. Are you saying you'd be interested in becoming a member...? Do you have some business interests or investments on the side...? Or...?"

"Let's just say that the rumors about the pension fund are starting to get a little louder, even given the life expectancy DP agents can have.  I'm certainly looking to make some of my own investments.  And the ... less public, the better, I guess."

OOC: I have no idea if this was the plan, but I've made my choice and I'm stickin' with it!  Apologies in advance if I get us killed, Flash!

Rococco thinks fast (though it still takes several seconds), looking a little like she's gritting her teeth doing it. Finally, she makes her decision: "...What if I invited you to a meeting tonight, then...?"

"I think I can clear my schedule."  Buzz produces a battered business card from some small pocket in her uniform.  "You can send the details here, if you would be so kind.  Unless you want to give me the particulars now?"

"...Can you be at a place in the underlevels this evening? 'Joe's Eatery #14' is the name of the place... at 11 pm?"

Buzz makes a show of writing down the address in her note pad, and then uses said pad to tap Jahn congenially on the shoulder.  "I'll be there with bells on!"  She turns her crooked smile back and forth between Jahn and her hulking "salesman".  "You coming too, bub?  It'll be nice to have another friendly face there," she asks of a face that is decidedly not friendly.

She clearly does not like the familiarity, but she manages to restrain herself from saying or doing anything hostile regarding it.




"That depends on what Miz Rococco says," says the mook.

"Low ranking in the Stygians, huh?  Good to know.  Now I know who my competition is."  Buzz winks at the looming henchman.  She turns and walks toward the exit.  "See you tonight!"

The mook just glowers at Buzz. He'll probably come up with a clever rejoinder about five minutes after Buzz is gone.

After exiting, as she walks toward the speeders, Buzz sends a message to Flash's wrist unit letting him know she'll be by the vehicles and maybe grabbing a snack, but it may be useful to watch the back exit a few minutes longer, just in case.  She's content to keep herself busy until Flash is ready to bail and compare notes.

... and that is what Flash will do.