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True to her word Revy soon has her and Rock being ushered into Chang by an underling. Boss Chang is sitting in the middle of the three couches that bracket his picture window over Roanapur. He has his arms spread along the couchback; possessing all of it in a relaxed and commanding manner. Indolently he gestures the Lagoon pair to the flanking couches, without even troubling to turn round, as he begins to talk.
« Revy, Rock good that you're here; I've a piece of business I'd prefer to keep between us if poss … REVY! what've you got into? »
Chang has caught his first sight of Revy the Red as she parks on the couch to his left. Her eyes shoot bullets at Rock on the far couch, making it plain there'll be lead bullets flying his way, if he adds anything to her reply.
« Just doing what I always do Babe; wallowing in blood. Got anything to cut the smell? »
« I'd be the worst host if I hadn't wouldn't I? This'll paint you forty shades of blue, all the way from the green fields of Ireland and destined for the land of the Rising Sun »
Biu pours out neat Tryconnell Whiskey: four fingers to each of the ill-assorted grouping. The shoulder of the bottle is well cleared by the time he recorks it. With the niceties settled, Chang resumes his dialogue.
« The cargo company transporting our drinks was unlucky enough to lose control of their shipping manifest and, not long after that, of their ship, crew and cargo. Rock; you were part of a major trading company before you joined Lagoon you won't have forgotten how important managing information is. »
Chang pauses and idly picks the whiskey bottle off the table and swings it in his hands; giving Rock time to reply.
« Yes; all the companies I dealt with felt strongly about trust and discretion and … »
CRASH ! ! ! — The bottle has leapt out of Chang's hands to smash on the floor scattering dashes of glass and spirit widely and wildly about the room. Rock and Biu jump, Revy tosses back her glass but never takes eyes off Chang as he picks up from Rock
« And when that's shattered it can't be recovered. You can't pour whiskey back into a broken bottle or blood back into a broken town. Roanapur is on a thin edge right now and it's only luck that's held things together so long. and not the kind of luck that can last. So far the only people who know about the datamine that's walking round town either have reasons to keep quiet or are past talking. »
Two Hand slams her empty glass onto the table as a ringing coda to that analysis. Biu is there, at once, with a fresh bottle, to refill her glass and freshens Chang's. Rock waves Biu off, having much greater concerns than a social glass.
« Excuse me Mr Chang but I can't see what your difficulty is here or why you're involving us. I'm surprised you didn't snatch up a resource like her as soon as you found out, or are you hoping I'll act as your agent? I've just completed a contract like that for the Church of Violence but I'd have thought you were big enough not to need me. »
« You're right of course Rock. It'd be no difficulty for me to secure her, if I desired to, but I've no great wish to make like Ronnie the Jaws. »
« He's fucking right Rock; all the gangs in this town aren't nothing but tigers held back by rotten. corroded hawsers. Dangle a piece of meat like Kagami in front of them an' they'll bust free of their leashes to gulp her down. Shit they'll tear each other to pieces an' pull the town down around our ears for the chance. Yeah, an' if any of them is fool enough to hold onto her they'll be buying themselves prime real estate in hell; 'cos all of the other gangs'll come crashing down on them. »
Revy and Chang exchange a look, then swig the last of their glasses, in a silent accord to this dissection of Roanapur. Biu is prompt to keep the hospitality and whiskey flowing, open-handedly serving four-fingers a time.
« You see my dilemma then; I've no need of extra ammunition to maintain my position and I stand to lose far more than I'd gain by taking possession of her. Balalaika will have her own agenda; as always. Regrettably, I know that the other gangs in town won't view matters with so much discretion. »
Chang raises his head, to gaze out of his picture window, at volcanic Roanapur. He sips his whiskey, muses, continues.
« Once the word begins to spread then the bloodbath that researcher brought down on the Italian Mafia will seem like a summer shower. No! We'll simply have to ship her home before it goes so far. You two saw Japan not that long ago; your experiences are fresh — can I rely on you to convince her? »
« What the fuck Babe; you screwing with us?, Didn't you hear how I got my leg carved like a Thanksgiving Turkey back in Tokyo. When Sis moved her gang in we were bowling heads. You wanna send Kagami back to Japan; save the fare an' march her right up the street to the Hotel Moscow Offices; it'll do the same job. »
Two Hand, afire with recall of Tokyo, chugs her glass empty in a gulp. Chang has been taking a long, appreciative draw of his glass during this exchange now he puts it down to lean forward, rest his arms on his knees and clasp his hands together. He seems most grimly amused. Biu discreetly refills the glasses of the two who were once a gun-team.
« That is a complication isn't it; all the girl can hope for in Roanapur is a memorial tablet at best but if she returns to the corporate heartland she's just as likely to be caught or killed. However, that'd only be after the very same sort of turf war we're trying to avoid; here in Roanapur. A worthwhile export. The Tokyo Underworld could stand a good dose of turmoil. I've hardly any reason to wish Hotel Moscow good fortune in their expansion. »
Rock lunges to his feet and stumbles into the table, (upsetting all the drinks and knocking his glass over, to send it flying off the table) as he leans forward and expostulates with Chang.
« And what about Kagami; you're treating her as if she's nothing but some kinda Typhoid Mary. But she is somebody; a living, breathing, caring human being. For all that you mind you'd be just as happy to dump her body offshore to be washed in by the tide; provided it worked for you. Why torture us with this? »
« What else would you expect from me, Rock? I'm a gangboss not a kandiflos seller. As for torture, you're well able to manage that yourself. Cast your eye over these photos, the second one was taken just today; I'm really interested to hear your comments. »
Chang lays two photos side by side in front of Rock as Biu sets up fresh glasses for all. Rock gags out the whiskey he is about to swallow and heaves out a deep sigh, then he lifts his hands in the air in surrender. Even from where she is sitting Revy can see that they are photos of Rock and Kagami and (set up like so) the family resemblance is irrefutable.
« There isn't really any hope I can deny this is there? Yes we're related; that's why she is here: to try and reclaim me. There's no way she can possibly achieve that but I'll move heaven and earth to get her away safely; I hope you can understand that Mr Chang. »
« Naturally, I've got some sympathy for you Rock; after all the Triad is a kind of a family too. Besides that; l'm intrigued to know how you'll move the pieces on this board. Especially when Lagoon is already a target and Lucky Luigi is gunning for vengeance. »
Two hand shares one of her trademark grins with Chang: as she trumps him and drains her glass in a toast.
« Babe; only fucking thing Luigi is gonna be gunning, after today, is a harp in hell. »
« Revy, Revy, Revy; why do I concern myself with gang wars when I have you to worry about? Perhaps you'd be good enough to stand back and give Rock some room to play. Rock, you have until tomorrow night to stage another Bloodhound of Florencia but if the town starts jiving I won't hesitate to Fedex your alter ego direct to Tokyo. So until tomorrow; Biu will see you out. Two Hand … try to make time to have a shower. »
