Plissken regarded the man standing against the wall. The smoke trailed up into the spotlight as Snake watched it roll away. This was the enemy but the curiosity about Hauk was overwhelming.
"What do you got in mind?" Plissken asked in a noncommittal tone from behind the cigarette he was lighting.
"You and me, a team, like back on the war front." The commissioner was staring at him from those squinted, hard eyes.
"I'm still at war." Snake answered letting the smoke curl out with the words.
"I know."
Plissken was feeling edgy as he thought about the tape in his pocket. Any second now the president would play the wrong tape and the police would come for him. He didn't have time for all this banter with a blackbelly.
"And?" Snake asked trying to get to the bottom of the offer. Even if the thought of working with Hauk turned his stomach there was an interest in hearing just what he had to say.
"I know you have the tape." Hauk's eyes lowered to the pocket on Snake's thigh where the tape lay concealed. Plissken's nerves were suddenly tight as an over tuned guitar, waiting to snap.
"So what's the deal?" The "this time" remained unsaid but Plissken tacked it on to the end mentally.
"Inside work." Hauk stated vaguely tossing the smoke away toward the storm drain. The man stepped down from the elevated sidewalk. The light disappeared from his face as he moved out of the spotlight and Plissken strained to make out any subtle changes in his expression.
The commissioner stopped leaving little space between them. Snake could smell him. He had the same bottled up smell as the inside of the debarkation facility where they had talked before. It was almost as disgusting as what he was. Unconsciously, he felt his face curl into the same expression one might give to a skunk only this was worse. Skunks were supposed to reek maybe blackbellies were too. Snake didn't say anything and the commissioner continued with his offer.
"I need someone with your skills, Snake."
"Bullshit." Snake's suspicion was radiating like a security alarm in his brain. Ever second this whole scene seemed to get worse.
"Straight just like your pardon."
Plissken wanted to run but his curiosity had to be appeased. He glanced over to see Harker just walking up to the podium. "What you got in mind?"
Hauk was looking over at the president too. Snake watched him and for a moment he thought something near disgust passed through his features.
"Sabotage."
Snake's eye snapped to the man standing with him. This was either a set up or insanity, maybe both. They always said the gas rains near New York City were the worst. A statement like that supported it.
"What?" The word was out before Plissken could stop it. All of the incredibility hung in Snake's question.
"Do you think I like working for them?" Hauk met his gaze and hate burned there. It was a hate that Snake could sympathize with because it burned twice as hot in his own soul. Snake didn't answer because they both knew the answer to the question.
"Comeback in three days and we'll talk."
Jazz
music hit Plissken's ears and all thought stopped as his eye darted
back to the president. No one had moved yet. Snake hesitated then
looked to answer Hauk. He was walking away. Snake took the hint and ran
for his humvee. He could think about the offer later but at the moment
he needed to get away before they threw him back over the wall.