Not every job was a pleasant one in this city. Very few of them were pleasant in fact. For every CEO gunned down while walking to a board meeting or piece of corpo trash wrecked by arson, there were ten times as many contracts coming in from the corps looking to have good people fucked up in all sorts of ethically unsound ways.
Sure, Jose felt a little bad taking their money but not taking their money wasn't an option either. He had bills to pay and if he knew where any of his kids actually were, he'd sure as shit have their mouths to feed while doing so.
Thankfully, he had no idea where they were.
This job was one of those jobs, the ass jobs where he had to hold his nose and think about how many zeros were going to be on that final cheque.
``Nice place,'' a man said. He looked like he was from out of town, wearing a grey suit and a cowboy hat perched upon his head. He reeked of oil money from up in old Canada with soft hands that desperately wished that they were callused. Not that the artificial skin which covered them was even capable of getting callused in the first place.
But what did Jose care about that? Soft hands were just as well equipped as calloused hands when it came to paying for atrocities.
The other two people with this foreigner were of a more familiar breed. Jose had unfortunately worked with them before.
Lilith lit the tip of her cigarette, popping it into the filter over where her mouth used to be.The woman was dressed in pricey and fashionable clothes, wearing a suit that only those on the waterfront could dare afford. Her blue LED eyes darted around the establishment, scanning it.. ``Why do you always choose this dive?''
The other man smirked. ``I think it has character.''
Exotics weren't exactly rare but they weren't super common either. The man's general shape was human though his stature was taller with legs that were artificially lengthened. A beak replaced his mouth and a crown of feathers covered his body, making him look vaguely like a walking hawk.
Carlos...
Jose didn't even want to think about how much something like that would cost. And that wasn't even accounting for how much getting a tailored suit in his size must've put him back. Though considering that his cheques never bounced, he had a feeling that the money wasn't an object of concern.
``Foods cheap and the locals don't mess with it,'' Jose explained, picking up his drink and swirling it. ``Baba Park is a staple of the community after all.''
Lilith scoffed. ``Not like I'm eating any of the food.''
``Have you gone full borg?'' Carlos asked.
LIlith extended one of her silver hands in order to put out her cigarette in the table's ashtray. ``Not quite but a girl has ways around needing to eat and drink in this day and age.''
``You west coast types are always so intriguing,'' the stranger said.
Jose looked at him. This was the mark, he knew it without it needing to be said. ``So, what can I do for you Mister...''
``Hunter,'' Hunter said, plucking his hat off and placing it down upon the table. He grabbed his whiskey-forward cocktail, taking a sip from it before pointing at Jose. ``I'm looking to invest in the local cinema scene and I'm told that you might be able to help with sourcing some... labour.''
Jose looked between Carlos and Lilith. There was only one kind of movie that these two would be involved in.
``So are you looking to kill a boy or a girl?'' he asked.
Hunter coughed upon his sip. He looked like he was about to shoot down the idea.
``The police aren't going to hear about this kind of stuff in this neighbourhood,'' Carlos explained. ``Only place more free than Haywood is Pacifica.''
``And Jose is a little more hospitable than those Haitian outlaws,'' Lilith added.
Jose grinned at the compliment. ``So, what is it?''
``Girls,'' Hunter quickly said, looking off to the side. ``Blondes if you have them. Redheads are a good back-up. Kind of like them spunky but that isn't a hard requirement.''
Jose nodded and worked his jaw. ``Asking for a lot.''
``I was told that you could deliver a lot,'' Hunter said, smirking as he turned his attention back to him.
``I can put out a couple of feelers with a few of my regular contacts,'' Jose commented. ``Got a few guys who run with the nomads and have been helping to fill labour shortages out east. Those families are always kidnapping and pawning off people.''
Carlos grinned. ``Those San Fernando boys you got me were pretty good.''
``Glad you enjoyed them,'' Jose said before pointing towards Lilith. ``And how about those actors that I found you, huh?''
``Middling quality but middling is better than what most talent agencies can scrounge up in this line of work,'' Lilith said, sighing. ``I hear things are a little better down in the LA Megaplex. A lot more potential stars who are willing to take precarious roles.''
``But then you have to live in LA,'' Carlos chided, rolling his eyes.
Hunter nodded, seeming a little more sure of himself. ``Are you worried about what I plan to do with her?''
``Not in the slightest,'' Jose said, shaking his head. He lifted one of his hands for good measure. ``In fact, I'd uh... I'd really like it if you didn't go into any details. Respect the line of work but...''
``Jose is a huge softy,'' Carlos teased, flashing him a playful little smile. Or at least Jose thought that it was a smile. It was always so hard to tell when it came to a beak.
Jose scoffed. ``Just not my cup of tea.'' He shrugged. ``As far as I'm concerned, the second I get my money and the second you get your labour, the faster we never have to see each other again. Most people like it that way.''
``But I so love your company'' Lilith teased, resting her filter within her hands. Her eyes creased in her own form of a mouthless smile.
Jose rolled his eyes.
``Well, I have to say that I'm a fan. That's just the way we like it up in Berta,'' Hunter said.
Jose smirked. ``How are you enjoying Night City?''
``It's alright but a little too oriental for my liking,'' Hunter commented. ``Too much samurai, not enough cowboys.''
``You get used to it,'' Jose teased, tossing him the menu chit. ``Hopefully you don't mind eating a little exotic today.''
``Can't be any worse than prairie oysters,'' Hunter chided.
``What are prairie oysters?'' Jose asked.
Carlos groaned, cradling his temple between two metallic talons. ``Don't ask.''
Their conversation was suddenly cut off as there was a large explosion from outside, shaking the glass and causing it to bend inwards against the sudden shift of air pressure. Thankfully, the restaurant was saved as the barrier quickly rebounded, sending the car parts and fire reflecting back out onto the street.
There was the barest delay in the din of conversation as everyone looked out upon the street, watching as the electric car crackled and popped. The silence persisted for one second, then two, and finally three. But then everyone once more delved back into their prior conversations, the background murmur returning in full force.
``Jesus fuck!'' Hunter yelped. ``What was that?''
``Haywood,'' Lilith chided.
``Hay... wood?'' Hunter shook his head.
Jose grinned. ``You get used to it. The neighbourhood can be a little rough around the edges sometimes.''
``Rough is one way of putting it,'' Hunter said, sighing. ``So what is your going rate?''
``I want a hundred thousand eurodollars,'' Jose said. Before Hunter could comment, he lifted a hand. ``In exchange, I'll find you the spunkiest blonde that I can get my hands on.''
Hunter went silent for a moment.
``Any chance you could find out if she's a lesbian?'' he sheepishly asked.
Jose looked at him and pursed his lips together.
Jesus fucking Christ, I'm going to hell.
``Yeah probably,'' Jose said, flashing a smile.
``Then uh... yeah that sounds just fine to me!'' Hunter said, grinning with glee. He nodded towards Carlos. ``Thanks for the contact, you furry piece of shit.''
Carlos scoffed. ``Just glad I don't have to deal with you myself.''
Lilith rolled her eyes. ``Anyways, with the talent agency picked out, I guess we could get back to discussing our upcoming movie. So... exposure, huh?''
``Maybe!'' Jose lifted a hand, looking between them. His stomach churned at just that one word alone. ``Maybe you three could discuss this after we've finished with our lunch.'' He forced a smile. ``I'm rough but even I have my limits.''
``Baby,'' Carlos chided.
Lilith chuckled. ``Worried about what we're planning?''
``If I was worried, I wouldn't be taking your money,'' Jose said. ``Just a nice payday to get me that much closer to getting my ass out of here and heading off to Hawaii.''
A pair of footsteps approached and Jose looked up, seeing Catherine coming over from the back of the diner. She held a tray in her hand, offering a big bright smile to everyone there. The food she had with her looked utterly amazing, as always, steaming and smelling of garlic, meat, and various synthetic spices.
``Nice to see you again Carlos!'' Catherine beamed. ``Your girlfriend's not with you today?''
``Girlfriend?'' Carlos asked, blinking.
Lilith scoffed. ``The one who starred in our last hit movie.''
``Oh.'' Carlos rubbed both halves of his beak together before focusing on Catherine. His smile was forced but delivered so naturally that only Jose was capable of picking up on the fact that it was fake. ``The two of us are no longer together.'' He shrugged. ``It turns out that she didn't hang around for very long.''
``Hang around,'' Lilith said, scoffing at the comment. ``Really?''
Catherine looked confused.
``Carlos is being a smart ass, dear,'' Lilith explained, looking away from her and glaring right at him. ``Ignore him.''
Catherine nodded. ``Ah. I getcha.'' She grabbed the plates and started to put them down before each of the parties present. ``Still, I'm sorry that things didn't work out between you. Better luck next time, right?''
``They worked out amazingly in the short term. And sometimes, that's all you can really ask for in a relationship,'' Carlos said, shivering as he looked down at his food. ``Lunch looks amazing, dear.''
Jose got his usual while Carlos got a spiced beef and Hunter a bowl of a bright red beetroot soup. Lilith meanwhile went for something light as Catherine placed two cigarettes in front of her. Something she took no time in enjoying as she popped one into her filter and lit it with a bedazzled lighter.
``I hope you all enjoy it,'' Catherine said.
She was about to turn and leave but Hunter suddenly lifted his hand. ``Actually, I was wondering if I could ask you a question, sweetie?''
There was something in his eye that Jose didn't like. It was a problem but he didn't know which kind of problem yet.
``What can I do for you?'' Catherine asked, folding her hands behind her back.
``I was wondering if you've ever thought about being in a movie?'' Hunter asked.
Catherine blinked and reached up, coiling a lock of blonde hair around her finger. ``Uh... I guess not really. Kind of busy with this place.''
Jose's eyes widened as he quickly shook his head.
Don't do it, don't do it, don't do it.
``I might be interested though but I don't really know if we could fit it into my schedule,'' Catherine said before pausing to think about it. She smiled at the possibilities. ``Do you think that I could be a star?''
``Absolutely,'' Hunter said, that predatory smile deepening
Jose shook his head even more quickly than before
Look at me, Catherine, look at me.
Catherine looked at him, seeming confused. ``Uh...''
``Just looking for someone to do a quick ad libbed scene with minimal lines,'' Hunter explained, grinning. ``It'd pay well. You'd probably only need to take one day off of work to get it done.''
Carlos nodded, smiling as he looked right at Jose. ``I think she'd do just fine for the part.''
Please don't cost me my favourite noodle shop, you snuff-obsessed weirdos.
Jose shook his head even more frantically, waving one of his hands back and forth in front of his throat in a cutting motion. It seemed that Lilith caught on as well, looking just as amused by what she was seeing.
``Actually...'' she looked away from him and towards Catherine, reaching into her breast pocket. The absolute witch pulled out a business card and offered it up to her. ``I am starting to see it too.''
Catherine took it, stars practically brimming in her eyes. ``Oh wow! You make BDs? Like real BDs?''
``Yes,'' Lilith replied.
Jose loudly cleared his throat, snapping all of their attention towards him.
``Something the matter, Villa?'' Lilith asked. This witch had the audacity to look surprised, holding a hand to her chest.
Jose looked right at Catherine, forcing a smile through his own hammering heart. ``Perhaps you should consult your grandmother before taking on a new job? She'd probably want to know the details.''
Catherine blinked but quickly nodded. ``Shit, that's a good point.'' She smiled at Carlos and placed a hand on his shoulder. ``Maybe we could take a raincheck on your offer for now? You know, until I've talked to her about all of this?''
``Of course,'' Carlos said, patting the top of her hand. ``You have Lilith's card.''
Catherine nodded and scampered away.
``Spoil sport,'' Carlos said, looking right at Jose. Though there was no real irritation to his voice.
``So unprofessional, Villa,'' Lilith commented as she let out a theatrical sigh. ``We're definitely taking ten grand off of your payment for that little performance.''
Jose glared at them. ``Fuck you guys too.''
