[01st October 2010]
[Midnight Club, New York]
Considering the character of Papa Midnite, the Midnight Club was not exactly what I expected based on my memories. Then again, reality versus the nature of prophetic comics I expect was kicking in. As this place was clearly aimed at the higher class end of the market from the decor. In all honesty, it was the sort of establishment that the likes of John Constantine wouldn't be allowed set foot in, other than to go through with our current deal with the magical voodoo mobster who owned it. Despite that merry fact it was still better than the nightmarish, yet also high class, demon summoning-fetish den that had been the late and unlamented Caligula Club. Well at least hopefully it was, based on what I'd seen so far.
"Constantine, you,..are better dressed than I remember last, a new employer it seems. One interested in certain goods we have to offer, hmm?" said Papa Midnite while leaning forward upon his black and silver walking stick, sitting surrounded by his bodyguards and a rather slimy-looking individual I was assuming was Mr. Zerkele. I liked the style and silver skull on top, bit ostentatious perhaps but if you were going to for magically powerful, rich and influential crime boss then his attire just flaunted it. Pushing away those thoughts I nodded and got ahead of the better than usually dressed mentor of mine.
"Indeed he has Mister Midnite, and he has brought to my attention a most useful artefact that is currently in the possession of Mr. Zerkele there." I stated calmly nodding my head while in the guise of an elderly gentleman, a wealthy elderly gentleman, leaning on my own walking stick magic staff. "And I trust you have it here as discussed through my agent? Before we are willing to go any further on finalizing a purchase price, I must state that authentication is required."
"Ah, so I meet at long last the employer of Constantine and Finn. I was most curious where they were getting access to such funds, Mister...?" the voodoo sorcerer asked politely, but eyes narrowing slightly and studying my magic I expected, as behind me my 'bodyguards' stood silently in suits and sunglasses. Hopefully, Artemis wouldn't be too bothered by her mother's insistence on 'getting back to work' for this job. John just to the side of me as we faced the table where Papa Midnite sat with Zerkele and his own bodyguards to either side. I smiled faintly.
"Oh, my name is rather unimportant I fear, and you would not have heard of it, but you may call me Mr. Outis if you must." I nodded ever so faintly at the seat before me, "Do you mind ever so much if I sit and rest these weary old bones of mine while we conduct our business?"
Eyes still narrowed ever so much but using the hat upon his head to conceal it I noted, as he took one hand off his cane and motioned at the seat across the table from him. "Of course, where are my manners, please have a seat and enjoy the hospitality of my club."
He raised the hand and clicked his fingers causing an attractive and well dressed, albeit revealingly so, young woman to appear. "Alexandra, the usual for myself and get Mister...Outis whatever he would like."
I nodded to the waitress politely as I sat down in a manner of an elder mage and rested my hands upon my own walking cane as if for support. "Thank you kindly Mr. Midnite. Oh, a bourbon for myself my dear if you would be so kind, with a glass of ice water on the side."
"Oi, I'd liuk ah..." Constantine started to say and I motioned my hand up in a 'Stop' motion agreed before our entry. He grumbled a moment but fell silent as Paula and Sergeant Macklin were, as they moved to stand silently behind me. I smiled politely at Alexandra and our hosts.
"They are perfectly fine Miss Alexandra, please excuse the rudeness of my associate. He can be quite uncouth at times, I fear."
"Uhh...apology accepted Sir." she answered face flushing, glancing nervously at the club's owner before his nod sent her scurrying off to retrieve what had been requested. It was all an act of course on our part, keeping silent about who was really purchasing the weapon meant creating and acting the cover story about a mysterious buyer.
Situations like this were why we'd, I'd, pushed for the nebulous group called "The Dark" to be created from whole cloth after all. Of course the old, quasi-immortal, voodoo priest could tell I was disguising my appearance and that I was magically inclined. But I reeked of magic right now rather deliberately.
There was no point in trying to hide that factor, so as many times in my lifetimes I went in the opposite direction, full forward with an element, state little, and leave enough hints to indicate another story altogether. Often the key to misdirecting a foe was telling the truth, but only in part, and then allowing them to draw their own conclusions on the matter at hand. Like now hopefully, as Papa Midnite hummed in thought for a brief moment before speaking.
"Will Constantine here be doing the authentication of the weapon?"
I smiled softly, resting my hands upon the metal at handle of the cane. "Only in part, if at all. I myself will be able to verify the item once it is placed before me I expect. But his unique bloodline and experiences could be of aid, so one finds its best to be prepared. He is receiving a finder's fee for locating the artefact in question, so of course his attendance is necessary."
"Ah, I had thought you were involved in some manner as a practitioner of the arcane when you entered. Can I ask what is your interest in the artefact?" the crime boss questioned, ever so politely and with fake friendliness, as young Alexandra reappeared with the drinks as requested. Glad to be ignored I expect, and experienced too, considering the casual confidence of serving two armed groups who were involved in a potentially criminal enterprise to her eyes. Not that it was off course with Waller's spooks watching this whole deal from a block away, but those here didn't know that.
"It is very kind of you to say such, but I am merely a dabbler in the matters of the mystical I fear. Only the benefits of time, and resulting old age perhaps, have permitted me to develop such abilities, that and my friends of course. One could say we are a group of like-minded individuals,...yes one could say that indeed, with an interest in ensuring such relics of the past end up in the, right hands let us say."
He chuckled softly. "And you and your friends are the right hands, yes?"
I inclined my head to him. "Indeed, Mister Midnite, I do believe we are, and we are rather happy to compensate those who aid us in this noble endeavor. Why, such friendly folk as that would be well rewarded, and seen as potential friends in the times to come I would expect."
"Hmmm, indeed is that so? Well, isn't that interesting. Though I should hope there won't be any legal difficulties from the government here, or Constantine's, coming back to myself on the sale of such an artefact as this."
"I would not be concerned Mister Midnite, as I said we have many,...friends in many places, and they shall insure all of this will be to your solicitors,...ah it is lawyers over here I believe, my apologise. All shall be to your lawyers liking I assure you."
He frowned ever so faintly a moment, before bring his hand back up and clicking fingers. "Darrel, if you could show our guests the artefact."
Mr. Zerkele, beyond sweating nervously now, had stayed completely silent throughout the exchange and even now, as one of the burlier bodyguards came around and laid a case on the table before us, as I took a faux sip of the bourbon. Keeping a facade of pleasantry as the case was opened, and an old Winchester rifle displayed before us. Even without an incantation I could feel the oddness from the weapon, a powerful enchantment indeed to be rather obvious even without casting an Identify upon it. I glanced at the owner and nodded at the now open case.
"If I may?"
A sweeping almost lazy hand gesture followed from him. "Of course, then we can get down to business."
Draconic words, whispered ever so softly from my mouth, while I raised my hand over the rifle and released the spell I required. After a moment I nodded. "Yes, that appears to be it. Mr. Constantine you shall give a second opinion on the matter if you would be so kind."
"Kay Boss, if that what ye want.", was his reply before leaning in and taking the weapon out of the case before beginning to study it carefully. I liked second opinions, it was easy to overlook things after all, and that could lead to mistakes, which was always bad when it came to magic I found. After a few minutes he confirmed, to the best of his opinion, that it was the Ace of Winchesters and we could get this whole affair done and dusted. Now all we had to do was negotiate a price.
"I believe that a half a million US Dollars was the price that was mentioned prior to this meeting?"
I resisted rolling my eyes as the voodoo using crime boss smiled and shook his head. "I'm afraid with the authentication of this being the genuine article, that price tag has risen you understand?"
'Of course it had, which is why we've got a budget of two million' I didn't say as I gave a friendly smile and a nod back to him. "Oh of course, perfectly understandable my fine fellow. And in the interests of the fine service that you have done for myself and my friends, I would suggest an offer of a million US Dollars. Eight hundred thousand for the artefact, and two hundred thousand for yourself Mister Midnite, as a finder's fee? There are other items we would be interested in acquiring if they came into your hands in the future I expect, so it is only fair that your hard work in arranging this exchange be compensated as deserved."
There was a few moments silence as Papa Midnite seemed to consider our offer, and I took another fake sip from the glass before me, maintaining a pleasantly friendly facade. It was all rather silent beyond that of course, since the club had not opened yet. Only the breathing of those present and the occasional clink of glass from the bar a little bit away from us. Private booths were so useful, and running such a club seemed a nice idea to try after I finished running my island kingdom. After all, Lucifer evidently ran a fine establishment over in Los Angeles in this reality.
"Acceptable, be quiet." Papa Midnite said politely back to before snapping ever so faintly with the next two words at the sweating man who owned the weapon and was likely having to pay a 'fee' of his own on top of our own offer. A momentary glare to silence the petty criminal completed the faux smile that was back on the sorcerer's face as it turned back to me and offering a hand. "We have deal, Mister Outis."
I took it and returned the firm handshake with a smile. "Thank you, Mister Midnite. Now, let us complete our exchange."
Electronic bank transfers from money formerly owned by some now dead or in jail drug lords were shocking fast I found, as with a few button clicks a million dollars zipped across an ocean from mountains to a Caribbean island. Funny really where people offshored their accounts.
Still, with the deal done I stood up from the booth, slowly but confidently with these old bones and a silent casting of Prestidigitation to leave no trace of me for the voodoo priest, on the glass of bourbon and my seat, as I had John carry the case containing the magical weapon. This had gone rather well, we had retrieved the weapon, spent less than feared, and most importantly, didn't have a room full of dead people when I was technically supposed to be off duty. Still, there was something left to do, even if it was a bit theatrical for my liking.
"My card, if any other such items come into your possession Mister Midnite. I would hope for us to have a fruitful future relationship." I finished holding out my hand to him and summoning an engraved business card into it. Overly dramatic, in my opinion, but the bosses wanted it so, as if unburning itself the card materialised from the flames, along with the faintest whiff of sulphur. Papa Midnite nodded and with no hesitation took it and read the gold engraved lettering and numbers upon it. "But now I must take my leave. Good day to you kind Sir, may it be a good one."
With a tip of my hand towards them I strode away slowly and steadily before triggering the teleportation spell and bring us to the evac point.
--
[Two hours later] [Upstairs of Flowers by Irene, New York]
This had been a good day I noted, resting back in the comfortable chair and drinking a coffee. The bagel had tasted nice, the coffee wasn't too bad, and soon, we'd be winging our way back home to start studying this marvelous little weapon.
It was impressive really, and that was with just a brief inspection of the thing with my senses. Geared for the anti-demonic above anything else, but having seen the unending Blood War such a weapon was a joy to see.
I blinked in surprise as the phone started to ring in my pocket. Placing down my coffee I pulled out the buzzing device and clicked answer. "Hi Artemis how can..."
"Skulls have you seen the TV?", she cut of my greeting.
"Nope, I..." I began gesturing at the currently turned off television in the upstairs of the shop and for either John or Brendon to turn the blasted thing on, "l'm on leave and all that craic Artemis. Sorry, what's the..."
'Oh that's why I guess' I recognized at the television sprung to life and the scenes of giant plants attacking Metropolis came into view.
"We're here with...it doesn't matter Skulls. We want your help and your helping and that's that. So get..."
The tv screen went wonky for a moment as I could hear arguing on the other side of the line with several voices talking all at once. Shouting maybe, but the television stopped fritzing after a few seconds as I held the phone a little away from my ear at the noise from it. And then on the screen...
"Ah...bollocks, that stupid fucking clown."
--