Disclaimer: Oni and all of its characters are the property of Bungie/Take Two.
Chapter 2
Word quickly spread throughout the Syndicate base about the upcoming vacation, as well as who was in charge of the planned entertainment show. Minagawa didn't have to make as many calls as he had believed. Three music bands, including the one he had mentioned to Muro, soon contacted him wanting to perform. Two of the Syndicate's best motivational speakers (as vocal propagandists were called within the Syndicate) also offered their services at the upcoming entertainment show. The roster for the main event was filled nicely by these volunteers. Minagawa just needed one more performer, the comedienne.
Tim Melvin was briskly rifling through the files of the Syndicate's newest recruits. It was his job to recommend them to posts that best suited their particular talents. Tim, as well as most in Muro's ranks, had heard of the upcoming break. He too had been under increased stress due to the upcoming Sturmanderung Project. The fact that the now deceased Corporal Newman had been one of his most promising recruits hadn't done much for his nerves. The vacation would be a welcome development, especially considering that his best friend was in charge of the so called "entertainment show". That thought was enough to make him chuckle out loud.
Tim's thoughts were interrupted by a knock at his door.
"Come in," he said, looking up from his paperwork. Well speak of the Devil Tim thought to himself upon seeing who it was.
"Hello, Yoshi," Tim grinned at Minagawa. "I hear Muro put you in charge of some entertainment show. What's it gonna have, dancing girls and propaganda speakers?" Tim couldn't help but tease Yoshi.
"Partly right," countered Yoshi. "In addition to the mandatory speakers, we're going to have a couple of our aspiring music bands and a comedienne."
"Oh really? Who's the poor bastard that gets to try and make Muro and company laugh?" Tim knew a few smartasses he would like to see handed that duty.
Yoshi stared expectedly at Tim.
"Don't tell me you need me to find someone for…" It suddenly dawned on Tim what Yoshi was getting at.
"Yosh," Tim said, anxiety starting to show in his voice. "Tell me you didn't sign me up."
"I personally recommended you to Muro," Yoshi said while crossing his arms and leaning against the doorframe. "He is expecting you to perform."
Tim stared at Yoshi in horror, mouth agape. Yoshi was actually serious about this.
"Yosh," he finally forced out. "How the hell do you expect me to do a comedy act? I'm no comedienne!"
"Sure you are," Yoshi countered, a bit annoyed by Tim's modesty. "You have plenty of material you could use."
"Material? What material? All the jokes about the TCTF and WCG are ancient history by now! Besides, bitching about those two is what the propagandists are for." Tim couldn't believe that Yoshi was doing this to him.
"Don't give me that," Yoshi decided to spell it out for him. "You've been here for years, most of those among the new people. All those wisecracks I hear from you about them should give you all the material you need."
Tim paused to consider Yoshi's advice. Dealing with the new recruits often required that he use humor as a way to blow off steam before he completely lost it and strangled them. It could work. The people in the Syndicate were only human. Surely they could laugh at themselves.
"It'll work," Yoshi reassured, as though he could read Tim's mind. "Even Syndicate bosses can laugh at themselves. Now I'll leave you alone to get started on your routine." Yoshi started out the door, then paused and turned.
"And Tim?"
"Yes?"
"Don't pick on Muro too much. I don't want us being taken on any fieldtrips to the nearby "Wilderness Preserve" any time soon."
"Gee, thanks for the advice. You're a real pal."
"Any time," Yoshi concluded, amused by Tim's sarcasm as he headed out the door and back to his office.
Tim turned back to his desk, blankly looking at the pile of files.
"I hate being a wiseguy sometimes," Tim mumbled under his breath before putting the files away.