#40 Proposition
"Okay, so what's on the agenda today?" Globby said out loud to himself as he paced around the vacant warehouse he currently resided in. It had only been a couple weeks since he had been mutated and proclaimed he would become a supervillain, but so far, the results were less than desirable. He had yet to really gain control of his body as he still found himself sticking to things, namely the ground, and could only say his malleable mitts had been able to grab their target five times out of dozens of tries. It was rough trying to go about the city unseen while committing crimes, but he managed mainly through using alleyways, drains and sticking to rooftops; he at least was fortunate enough that he got to sneak into Felony Carl's place and say hi while embellishing his recent success.
So now it was another day and another chance for thievery as he hadn't figured out a grander scheme yet to get his name out there beside being a monster. "Let's see, there's always trying to rob an armored car. Haven't done that yet. Then again, an easier score would be somewhere that's easily accessible like a fountain or something. I guess I could try the car one first and if it's a bust, move to the simpler one," Globby debated as his feet made squishy sounds along the dirty floor. "Hmmm, maybe if I took some kind of statue of expensive figurine of some kind, I'd get more recognition. People would definitely notice that sort of thing missing." He then groaned as he said in realization, "Oh, but where would I put it? There's already so much junk in here and I can't just leave it outside for everyone to find it. I mean, what if it doesn't even fit through the door? I'm busted and I've got to find a new place to hide. Darn it."
The gelatinous mutant kept walking back and forth along the warehouse floor as he dealt with this problem, avoiding the pile of boxes, pallets and various metal rods laying around.
EEEEK!
Huh? What was that?!
The sound of a door closing then came, indicating that the thief had company. Globby's current issue came to an end as his fight or flight response kicked in, prompting him to swiftly hide himself up in the rafters to avoid whoever just came in.
What the heck is someone doing in here?! I already called finders keepers, losers weepers on this place and at the very least, it's rude to not even knock first, Globby internally complained as he held onto the metal girder, scanning for the intruder and silently hoping he didn't drip any to give away his location.
Hearing calm, slow footsteps echo throughout the structure made the pink and purple being's eyes look around for the source; then, stepping into a sunbeam that illuminated the inside, a well-dressed figure emerged a few seconds later.
Globby tilted his head in curiosity as he inspected the man. He was tall and slender with sharp features, wearing a black vest, dark slacks and had a streak of red through his patch of black hair. The mysterious person appeared to be gazing around the cluttered building too until his eyes fell on a puddle of slime left from Globby's previous time on the floor, making him smirk in satisfaction. Darn it, the transparent monster silently cursed as the man briefly bent down to look at the goo before standing straight again.
"I know you're in here," the unknown gentleman calmly announced, causing the aforementioned mutant to wince as nervousness seeped more into his body.
The man took a couple steps away for the other's hiding spot and called out again with, "If you fear being arrested, rest assured, I'm not with the police; quite the opposite in fact."
Huh? immediately came to Globby's mind as confusion displaced some of his nervousness. He's a bad guy too…or is he just saying that to lure me out? Hmph. Well, it'll take more than that to trick me into revealing myself!
SPLAT!
Darn it.
As the shapeshifter feared, his body decided to betray his location by dripping onto the floor and made the tall figure turn around. The mysterious man easily spotted the other now thanks to the mutant's luminescent eyes, making him smirk and shout, "I can see you up there. Why don't you come down so we may have a more civilized conversation?"
Globby scoffed as he glared at the unknown human and sassily replied, "Why? So you can try to trick me into getting captured or making me leave so you can take my hideout? Yeah right."
The well-dressed being looked around at the dusty, dirty surroundings, briefly letting a grimace cross his face before putting on a more charming demeanor. "Oh there's no need to fret about that. I actually found you because I wish to hire you for your services."
"What?" the thief couldn't help but say out loud in bewilderment, almost losing his grip on the metal beam he was hanging onto.
"I'll tell you more, but only if you come down…Globby was it?" the unnamed gentleman told the other as he quirked an eyebrow.
Well, it's not like anyone asked me how I felt about the name, but it does sound more menacing than "Dibs" I guess, Globby silently grumbled to himself as he looked this second person up and down. If this guy is telling the truth though…having a potentially high-paying and illegal job would be good for my supervillain résumé.
The pink and purple man maintained his gaze on the other as he cautiously held the bar and stretched himself all the way to the floor. Yes! he thought with pride at this accomplishment. He then let go and his arms returned to him, which resulted in accidently hitting himself with them as they retracted. Darn it! He quickly recovered to save face as he crossed his arms and casted a stern look at the man opposite of him. "Okay. You mentioned needing me for my services," Globby bluntly said, still being wary of this individual and keeping his distance.
Flashing a devious smile, the unknown man nodded and flatteringly replied, "I am. I saw you on the news and I must say, I was rather impressed you managed to kidnap Alastair Krei and avoid being captured by those new heroes. You truly showed you're a cut above the rest in terms of villainy."
Really? I mean uh…of course I am! Yeah, Globby thought, going from flustered to self-reassurance. His gruff façade proceeded to crumble at such remarks, replacing it with a smug grin and saying, "Well, that's very kind of you to notice." He then uncrossed his arms and put them on his hips instead before he inquired, "So, who are you anyway? I'm guessing you're not a good guy if you're wanting me to do something for you. Also, what was it you wanted me to do again?"
The other being gave a slight condescending chuckle as he answered, "I haven't told you yet Globby."
"Oh, right," the shapeshifter said with a small nervous laugh as he tried to play it off.
Once Globby stopped, the slender man continued and informed him, "As for my identity, you may call me "Obake.""
Obake huh? Well, I guess when you go by "Globby," you can't be one to judge names. He's definitely got to be a villain though if he's only going by one name; either that or he's some celebrity I've never heard of, the gelatinous mutant pondered.
The one called "Obake" proceeded to take a step closer, breaking Globby's train of thought and making him focus on the well-dressed man. "As for your future employment, I need someone who can steal a certain valuable artifact for me as alas, I can't be seen committing such an act," he explained, giving an air of importance to his problem.
Wow. Ain't that the best, most perfect stroke of luck I've had in like…ever! Stealing something priceless and expensive is just the sort of thing I need to give me some real street cred, and I'd be getting paid for it too, the purse thief thought in growing excitement. I may not know what it is yet or how I'm going to do it, but darn it, I will make this work! Better not seem too eager or desperate though if I want this guy to think I'm legit.
Globby proceeded to nod and casually say, "I am interested. What is the object I'd be grabbing for you?"
"It's a recently unearth painting from the revered artist Lenore Shimamoto. It's called "City Rising" and I must have it in my possession," Obake answered with a hungry determined look in his eye.
"Alright, alright," the thief nodded again in acknowledgement. He had heard of Shimamoto before as so many things in San Fransokyo were named after her, but the exact reasons as to why were currently fuzzy to him. "So, if I take the job, what would be my cut?" Globby inquired, hoping he wasn't being too forward asking about money.
Obake smirked in satisfaction at knowing he had his hooks in the other, but he didn't show any more enthusiasm beyond that. He then shrugged and nonchalantly replied, "I was thinking along the lines of $10,000 for your troubles; although, if you succeed, there may be more opportunities for you to earn a more lucrative pay day from me."
Globby's eyes became huge when he heard the figure as he internally exclaimed, 10Gs! I've never had that much in my life! I mean, there was a lot in Krei's wallet, but not that amount. He proceeded to pause and wonder, Wait. Is $10,000 enough for a priceless painting? Should I haggle or will that just tick this Obake guy off? …I mean, I guess it's fine since this is mostly about getting my name out there, and besides, it's not like I'd actually do anything with the art. I can't think of anyone that'd be willing to buy a stolen painting from a mutant like me anyway. The intelligent man across from the shapeshifter waited with dwindling patience as the latter debated the issue, but fortunately the other finally caught on to the staring.
Globby grinned sheepishly before he gave a small cough and composed himself once again. "Well, after careful consideration, I believe you are on the up and up, so I will take the job," he firmly said, offering his right hand to shake so he could make it official.
While Obake seemed pleased at the acceptance of the job, he stared at the pink and purple appendage with intrigue but refused to take it as he no doubt knew it would be sticky. "Perhaps another time Globby. Let's just stick to a verbal agreement for now," he coolly told the other.
The gelatinous mutant pulled his hand back to his side, anxiously flitting his eyes before he inquired, "So uh, where is this painting being held?"
"There will be an unveiling ceremony at the San Fransokyo Art Museum in two days, so that is when you'll best have access to it," Obake simply replied.
"Oh yeah, of course. That's what I figured too, but wanted to be sure, you know?" Globby overcompensatingly said with a couple nods.
"Yes, quite," Obake finally remarked before becoming serious again. "Once you have the painting in your possession, I'd like for you to bring it to this address," he informed the shapeshifter as he slipped a card out of his pocket and simply placed it on one of the boxes piled up next to him. "Destroy this after you memorize the location," the gentleman sternly added as he tapped the piece of paper hard.
Globby was left to stare as he the saw the other turn to walk away and quickly asked in a slightly panic tone, "Wait! What if I have more questions or I run into trouble?"
Obake stopped to look over his shoulder before he smiled wickedly and said, "Then you either have to try again or else you've utterly failed me. Simple as that." He then faced forward again as his footsteps echoed in the warehouse until the door creaked open and closed, rendering Globby alone in his hideout once more.
After he waited a couple seconds to be sure Obake was truly gone, he went for the card the other had left behind and read it aloud. "673 Kiwano Dr, huh?" the shapeshifter puzzled over as he tried to remember if he knew where that was. "Eh. I'll find it eventually. I'll keep it another day or so just in case," he said to himself as he set the addressed paper down, albeit with a few attempts since it stuck to him. Once that frustration was over, the weight of the situation finally kicked in and he let himself give a loud, giddy cheer. "Woo! Yes! Yes! This is amazing! I probably should have asked how he found me in all honesty, but who cares? Committing such a high-class crime and getting beaucoup bucks for it! Oh, I can't wait to tell Felony Carl about this! Oooor…maybe I'll let him catch it on the evening news first. That'd really surprise him," Globby excitedly plotted as he now paced back and forth.
"I guess I'll first need to case this museum out, find all the entrances and exits, locate where it's actually being held, and what the heck it even looks like. Ooo, just so much to do! I'd better get started then. Can't mess up my first big score," the thief told himself in urgency, already heading for the main door. With a quick push, he was outside in the bright daylight, where he promptly stretched his gelatinous arms up towards the nearest building and began making his way to the art museum; unbeknownst to Globby however, his employer stood in the shadows of a nearby alley, watching him leave the warehouse on his mission and smirking maliciously.
"Such a curious yet simpleminded creature. Let's see how valuable he really is to me."
NOTES
You can probably tell, but Globby mentioning robbing a fountain was a reference to him stealing coins from one in "Mini-Max." ;) Also, maybe Globby could have tried to steal a smaller figurine as part of his heist plans, but we all know he's a go big or go home kind of guy before he then settles for what he manages to get. ;) XD I think we can all relate to Globby though on hoping nothing goes wrong only to have the exact thing we envisioned happen. ;)
The next "Cutscenes" will be showing us some of what poor Orso Knox had to deal with while imprisoned by Diane Amara. ;_;