Chapter 12 – The Rift
Uno Carboni, Zaibatsu Pharmaceuticals Headquarters, Staunton Island, Liberty City, 2004
"Here's the money" Dr. LaBrat said handing over a large brown satchel
"That's an awful large satchel from the one you gave me last week" Uno replied
"Well, I just released Equinox 2.0 this week" Dr. LaBrat replied
"You're kidding, I didn't even know that" Uno said shocked no-one had told him
"I told Red over the phone, I thought he would have told you" Dr. LaBrat replied
"I'm supposed to be his legal advisor" Uno replied
Uno had taken his weekly drive over the Shoreside Lift Bridge to collect Zaibatsu Pharmaceuticals takings, which Dr. LaBrat collected for him. Zaibatsu had a small building in Staunton Island; it didn't look like a building where a multi-million dollar organisation who owned the media operated. Looked like a grubby small business.
"I'm unhappy with Red Valdez" Dr. LaBrat said in a serious tone
"What did he say?" Uno asked "was it on the phone?"
"He's said nothing, it's what he has done" Dr. LaBrat replied
"What has he done to you?" Uno asked now worried how his friend had upset Dr. LaBrat
"Well, I was watching the news yesterday, the Zaibatsu news, why has he strayed so far from his original business, what has reading out the news and making pharmaceuticals got to do with each other?" Dr. LaBrat asked
"Oh I see, you're upset he stops running Zaibatsu Pharmaceuticals" Uno replied
"I'm upset I lose my job" Dr. LaBrat replied "the only way I get to update my Equinox is from Red Valdez's funding, I'm worried if he stops making pharmaceuticals, I'll have to go into criminal activities to raise money"
"I don't think Red will stop in the pharmaceutical business" Uno replied
"If he does, I won't be able to speak to him again, even if he invites me to join his media empire, I won't be joining because I will only participate in the pharmaceuticals business" Dr. LaBrat explained
"I can't take your side officially, because I'm Red's legal advisor, but…" he began whispering "…I agree, he should concentrate more on the pharmaceutical business"
"Just the other day, at the opening of Equinox 2.0 I met a father and his son; the father said his son was hyperactive, so he gave him Equinox to stop him being hyperactive, it worked, in fact he doesn't even smile now" Dr. LaBrat explained
"You mean it depressed him?" Uno asked
Dr. LaBrat nodded in agreement.
"I thought it was supposed to do the exact opposite" Uno exclaimed
"It was, but it has different symptoms for different people" Dr. LaBrat exclaimed
"So who was this kid that got depressed from it?" Uno asked
"A two year old kid named Bob, at least if he isn't hyperactive he won't go around robbing banks and getting shot when he's older" Dr. LaBrat said looking at the positive side
"Anyway what else have you been doing?" Uno asked
"Well technology has increased in the last few years so I've found out how to clone someone in less than a year like Red asked, I've found a chemical which speeds up reactions, so he wants me to clone an army of forty-seven super-humans to help him, from the DNA of three criminals, and you two" Dr. LaBrat explained
"Oh yes" Uno replied
"And, cryogenic freezing is just getting better and better, what are you planning to do with the first cryogenic experiment?" Dr. LaBrat asked
"Keep him in your basement for a while, he's supposed to be missing" Uno replied
"If I knew he wanted me to freeze him solely for the use of acquiring Love Media, I would never have helped him" Dr. LaBrat replied
"Hey, don't worry; I'll make sure he keeps Zaibatsu Pharmaceuticals running" Uno replied "I'm his legal advisor remember"
Dr. LaBrat nodded and asked sarcastically "So what sort of work do you do now?"
"Well, the media business is going well for Red, and this girl called Misty, she's delivering cocaine to Mexico and Canada for loads of dollars, we're making millions" Uno said
"Wow, and I'm making all the money for you in the pharmaceuticals end" Dr. LaBrat replied
"Oh come on, you know that pharmaceuticals will always be Red's passion" Uno replied
"Is that along with wearing a white suit and reading the Zaibatsu Tree?" Dr. LaBrat asked
"No, I'm leaving, gotta get back with the money, just in case Red gets scared" Uno said walking towards the exit doorway.
"Oh and if Zaibatsu isn't running in fifteen years time" Uno said finally "I'll eat my hat"
He walked out the door and into the car, back towards the mansion in Shoreside Vale.