Much to Ariadne's disappointment, Eames hadn't elaborated on his and Raylie's past. Maybe she could get it out of Arthur later. She just hoped the mission wouldn't be compromised due to bickering. Perhaps she should say something to Cobb instead. Either way, she would worry about that later though as they were about to be briefed on the job.
It was the next morning and they all found themselves back in the warehouse. Eames was sprawled comfortably on a lounge chair, awake but had his eyes closed to enjoy the current moment of silence. He was dressed, but had missed a few top buttons of his shirt which was also not tucked in properly. Arthur was fully dressed in a slick button up and slacks, but sat with his chair backwards, arms draped over the top of it, and his chin resting on his arms with a tired look on his face. Ariadne rubbed her eyes with a yawn, hair not all the way brushed as she sat near Arthur, notepad in her lap to take notes. Raylie sat off to the side, legs criss-crossed on a chair, hair in a messy bun, sunglasses on, styrofoam coffee cup in one hand and cigarette in the other; she wore a fluffy but gaudy leopard print jacket and clashing sweatpants. It was just before 6:00am and it looked to be that Cobb was the only one wide awake, suit jacket on, hair slicked perfectly back while he stood next to a movable white board, ready to get to planning.
"Good morning" Cobb announced, ignoring the tired, glassy eyed gazes from everyone. Frankly, he was surprised they all showed up.
"As you know, we're going to attempt another inception. If you open your folders, you have all the details, as well as your specific assignments. We have Sterling International, a stock corporation who is pursuing a lawsuit against the son of a US State Senator. Apparently the son worked for the company, did some shady business with company funds, and now he's on the chopping block. Of course, this won't look good this coming election season, so we need Sterling Inc. to either drop the lawsuit, or go after someone else. We'll have to decide which option is more plausible, and easier to perform of course." Cobb explained as the others flipped through their provided folders of information.
Even though it was kept mostly underwraps, word of Cobb's last inception had gotten around to those with an ear to the ground. It was starting to spread like wildfire and the demand for people wanting it performed was definitely becoming evident.
Cobb apparently was riding the high of a successful inception, otherwise he would have no other reason to take another job.
Couldn't stay away. He had gotten what he wanted...admission back into the States and the ability to be with his kids again. And yet he just couldn't stay away. Raylie smirked at the thought. Typical con-man.
"I have received all of the credit card statements, bank funds, accounts and phone records in question. You'll be in charge of manipulating those." He nodded to Raylie who gave a thumbs up.
"Eames, we'll be targeting the CEO, James Avery, and need someone posing as the Corporation's accountant, a few higher up board members, and the CFO." Cobb continued, now looking at Eames who had since straightened from his lounging position, "Tall order, but very doable." He responded, only flicking his eyes briefly over to Raylie who purposely avoided his gaze.
"Arthur will set everything up, we need to know Avery's habits and relationships. Is there anyone he is distrustful of that we can pin things on instead. We will need the exact course of action before we go in, of course." Arthur nodded in understanding.
"Ariadne, you of course will need to build a few different scenarios--" Cobb had started to explain before she cut him off, "Wait a minute. You don't mean multiple levels..?" She asked skeptically.
Cobb sighed, "This one should be a lot easier. Simple idea, not the same emotions tied up like the last one...And, I have under good authority that James Avery has not had any training against extractors."
"What about the risk of death again?" Ariadne continued, clearly not reassured. Raylie glance between the two of them. Having not been apart of the last job, she was intrigued by that comment.
Cobb mulled the question over briefly, "Well...It is inception..we still need to go down a couple layers.." he said, avoiding the question directly.
Eames gave a laugh aloud of annoyed disbelief, Arthur shook his head, and Ariadne sat wide eyed. Raylie lifted a brow as she took in the reactions.
"Tough crowd, Cobb" Raylie commented lightly to break the silence as she snubbed out the last of her cigarette on the concrete floor. Immediately she received 3 different glares. "You have no idea what it was like." Arthur snapped back quickly, making Raylie put her hands up in defense as a sign she was backing off from the comment.
"Look, I'm telling you it'll be fine. A couple more successful missions and inception will be a household product for us." Cobb tried to rally the group. "We have more time to plan, his mind hasn't been militarized, and... well... My issues have also been resolved." He said the last bit almost shamefully. He didn't have to say it for everyone in the group to know what he was referring to. He had been 'cured' of Mal.
"Plus, this time the reward is bigger. Practically double from last time." He was now trying to appease to their greedy sides. Raylie seemed to be the only one truly convinced, "Hell, if anyone wants to drop out now, I call dibs on their share." She tried to joke again, but no one seemed to find it amusing. Shrugging, she closed her mouth and settled on picking at a hang nail on her finger, leaving the others to glance at each other with uncertainty.
"Fine. But we better plan out all the details...every detail. And if anything goes wrong, even for a second, we back out immediately." Eames laid out his stipulations. "Everyone is on their best game, no half-assing anything." He added, giving an accusatory glance to Raylie.
They were reluctant, but eventually Arthur and Ariadne nodded lightly at Eames response.
"Let's get started then" Cobb answered with a smile, opening the cap of the whiteboard pen as he began to write his plans on the board.