Back at the inn, it approaches noon. Miren volunteers to stay back in case the meeting is a trap. She will send her ‘friend’ along as an observer so she can stay informed of what’s going on. The other two dress and prepare, and drive to Johnathan’s mansion
By day the house is just as impressive, and the guards are as well, although different men. They professionally check for devices and then hand them off to Johnathan’s assistant, Callie. Callie smiles as she leads them out to the house’s patio, where a luncheon has been laid out of various light meals.
“Please make yourself at home. Johnathan is finishing up some other business, but he hopes to join us soon. “
Johnathan’s ‘librarian’ Sabrina is already seated at the table, eating a lobster. She is dressed in what looks to be a retro 1950’s swimsuit ensemble with the robe and matching togs and hat, all in a purple so deep it’s almost black. She nods politely at the two arrivals as she cracks a claw with a sharp sound of chitin breaking
The librarian points to a corner of the library. There is a set up with several carrels with microfiche readers, computer desks, a fax machine, and a copy machine
"F+%% yeah... everything's coming up Milhouse..." mutters Coyote absentmindedly as he gathers up all of the books and papers he's collected.
After making several trips to and from the reading tables, he begins copying and highlighting absolutely everything relevant to the theory he's beginning to develop regarding the strange goings-on in Halifax.
"Makin' copies..."
Nace is slightly taken aback by Sabrina's current occupation and demeanor. "Looks like they do a good lunch around here."[b] He looks for something a little less elaborate, taking a few finger sandwiches on a plate. He takes a seat. [b]"Is this a regular thing?"
The copier has seen better days, but at least it seems to be free. There is a small box with a tag reading 'Donations' on it. It seems dusty. There is a small plaque on the wall that reads:
The Halifax Media and Computer Reading Area - graciously funded through an annual grant by the Thatcher Technologies Foundation. 'Lighting the way for the leaders of tomorrow'
Nace is slightly taken aback by Sabrina's current occupation and demeanor. "Looks like they do a good lunch around here."[b] He looks for something a little less elaborate, taking a few finger sandwiches on a plate. He takes a seat. [b]"Is this a regular thing?"
Sabrina pulls her violet-tinted cat's eye sunglasses down her slim nose and smiles up at Nace
"This is Johnathan's idea of camping in the woods. Billionaires live in their own bubble. He's probably one of the more down-to-earth one's I've met too."
After a delicious lunch, the burly form of Johnathan emerges from the house. He is dressed in a more businesslike manner today, though not a formal suit. Slacks, collared shirt well-appointed with the look of bespoke tailoring. He grins at the two arrivals
“Ah! My new investigators! Did you discover anything about the whereabouts of the Therouxs and their ring?”
The copier has seen better days, but at least it seems to be free. There is a small box with a tag reading 'Donations' on it. It seems dusty. There is a small plaque on the wall that reads:
The Halifax Media and Computer Reading Area - graciously funded through an annual grant by the Thatcher Technologies Foundation. 'Lighting the way for the leaders of tomorrow'
After spending a considerable amount of time making copies and highlighting the relevant passages, Coyote gathers up his papers and makes for the door. Pausing, he turns back and deposits a quarter in the donation box.
"...and the pact is sealed. Or something..."
His eyes narrow as he spies the plaque, and he makes a mental note to ask the others about Thatcher Technologies. Passing the front desk, he nods at the prickly librarian and her copy of Into the Wild.
"Krakauer. That one's a classic. Just be careful it doesn't end up taking you places you might not want to go, if you catch my drift. Anyway..."
He holds up the stack of papers. "I'm off. Thanks for the, uh, help."
Nace is slightly taken aback by Sabrina's current occupation and demeanor. "Looks like they do a good lunch around here."[b] He looks for something a little less elaborate, taking a few finger sandwiches on a plate. He takes a seat. [b]"Is this a regular thing?"Sabrina pulls her violet-tinted cat's eye sunglasses down her slim nose and smiles up at Nace
"This is Johnathan's idea of camping in the woods. Billionaires live in their own bubble. He's probably one of the more down-to-earth one's I've met too."
Miyuku chuckles at Sabrina's reply. "Billionaires are today's Emperors, Kings and Queens. Only the titles have changed really." she replies with a grin.
When Johnathan enters she smirks at the question. "You could say that...more like a personal meeting with them both."
"Krakauer. That one's a classic. Just be careful it doesn't end up taking you places you might not want to go, if you catch my drift. Anyway..."He holds up the stack of papers. "I'm off. Thanks for the, uh, help."
The librarian looks up at Coyote, her eyes widen just a touch as he gets the feeling she actually pays attention to him for the first time since he arrived
“You’re welcome, mister. Be safe out there. Halifax might be one of those places.”
When Johnathan enters she smirks at the question. "You could say that...more like a personal meeting with them both."
Johnathan’s eyes widen and his smile brightens
“Really? Intriguing! I want to hear all about it! Please, one moment “
He sets up a small black device on the table
“Just a small recorder, so I can get an archival copy. Please, give me a full account “
The librarian looks up at Coyote, her eyes widen just a touch as he gets the feeling she actually pays attention to him for the first time since he arrived
“You’re welcome, mister. Be safe out there. Halifax might be one of those places.”
Coyote shrugs, shuffling his papers. "Yeah, maybe..."
Exiting the library, Coyote lights a cigarette as he retrieves his backpack from the bushes and stows the papers inside wrapped in a garbage bag. He hoists his pack onto his shoulders and begins to make his way back toward the hotel parking lot, making sure to keep off the beaten path, keeping a wary eye out for strangers.
"O what was that bird," said horror to hearer, "Did you see that shape in the twisted trees..." he mutters to himself, taking a nip from the flask inside his jacket. "Wonder if I can find myself some ditch weed around here..."
Nace looks at Miyuku as if considering how to proceed. After a moment’s consideration he begins an honest account of their exploration of the historic site.
Miyuku follows along, chiming in with any details she considers particularly important, all the while studying the reactions of their audience.
Jonathan seems excited about the story. He follows along avidly, asking numerous questions about every facet of the story
"O what was that bird," said horror to hearer, "Did you see that shape in the twisted trees..." he mutters to himself, taking a nip from the flask inside his jacket. "Wonder if I can find myself some ditch weed around here..."
The dead leaves rattle in the October wind like so many bones in unquiet graves. The sun rises towards noon , but its heat is a brittle Autumn thing, a pale imitation of summer’s warmth. Coyote can sense the shift in the world. The Veil is thinning. The Celts used to know it, and would carve turnips to scare the unwelcome spirits away. Now their many-times removed descendants passed out candy. But the season abided, no matter how mortals celebrated it. The land prepared to die, and in dying prepared to be born again in distant March. But until then was the time of the Crone
Coyote shuffled down the sidewalks of Halifax, eyes swiveling for anything… off. He comes to what once must have been a town center - a small green with a tiny bandstand and a solemn obelisk with the names of boys lost to long-ago wars. The bandstand was graffitied, and trash puddled in the corners. Halifax wasn’t as bad as some towns Coyote had seen, but the signs were there. This town was having its own private October.
A small group of teenagers lounge on a swing set on the side of the green. The skunky smell of cannibis wafts towards Coyote’s nostrils
Jonathan seems excited about the story. He follows along avidly, asking numerous questions about every facet of the story
Since he doesn’t see any alarming reactions or obvious signs of duplicity, Nace proceeds to share everything that the party experienced around the pond and campground.
As the story wraps up Jonathan is all smiles. He nods to Sabrina who rises smoothly from her chair and places a small black leather bag in front of Jonathan. It reminds Mave incongruously of the small field bags some coroners would carry for their tools during forensic investigations. He undoes the clasp and shows the two a group of neatly-bundled bills
“I know folks are often touchy about how payment is made these days. I opted for traditional cash. If that presents a problem I can make payment in any manner you find more convenient “
he smiles again.
“Have you given any thought to my offer of long-term employment?”
Coyote lingers by the park, unsure if he wants to approach the teens. He’d love some dank - but peopling this early would be annoying.
One of the youths seems to sense Coyotes gaze. He lifts a fairly large pipe to his lips and takes a long pull, exhaling a large cloud above his head. He nods companionably
Coyote lingers by the park, unsure if he wants to approach the teens. He’d love some dank - but peopling this early would be annoying.
One of the youths seems to sense Coyotes gaze. He lifts a fairly large pipe to his lips and takes a long pull, exhaling a large cloud above his head. He nods companionably
Coyote nods in return and moves closer to the knot of teenagers, trying to look as inconspicuous as possible for a heavily-tattooed scarecrow carrying a large hiking pack. He gives a halfhearted wave.
"Uh, evening, gentlemen..."
He drops his hand, absentmindedly wiping it on his jacket, then drops his pack and sits down heavily, lighting a cigarette.
"Got a little problem, and you look like you might be able to help me, you know, solve it."
"I've never been one to turn my nose up at physical currently." Miyuku says with a grin. "The digital world has its own gremlins that can be quite the pain."
"As far as long-term, would it be exclusive in nature?"
"Uh, evening, gentlemen..."
The teen who had nodded at Coyote, a tall boy in a T-shirt of some band called Ghost nods again
“Nice tats. That isn’t local work is it?”
Up close the teen has a few tats of his own - not full sleeves on his arms, but the foundations of some are being laid. Metal studs wink from the usual points on his face
"Got a little problem, and you look like you might be able to help me, you know, solve it."
The tatted youth passes the pipe over to Coyote
“There ya go. If you need some I can get a few grams. I make a run to Massachusetts every week to get the pharmaceutical grade”
"Uh, evening, gentlemen..."The teen who had nodded at Coyote, a tall boy in a T-shirt of some band called Ghost nods again
“Nice tats. That isn’t local work is it?”
Up close the teen has a few tats of his own - not full sleeves on his arms, but the foundations of some are being laid. Metal studs wink from the usual points on his face
Coyote grins wryly. "Not exactly local, no..."
"Got a little problem, and you look like you might be able to help me, you know, solve it."The tatted youth passes the pipe over to Coyote
“There ya go. If you need some I can get a few grams. I make a run to Massachusetts every week to get the pharmaceutical grade”
Taking a pull from the pipe, Coyote passes it back to the kid, waiting a moment before letting the smoke slowly escape from his mouth.
"Gram or two would be nice in the short run, but I was more looking for, you know, bulk. Ran out a week or so ago. Maybe, uh..." Coyote gives a vague wave of his hand. "...maybe like a half zip? At least? Might need to do a ritual later, and I'm gonna need enough to turn on some serious juice," he finishes, apparently unaware that he might be starting to sound like a crazy person.
Nace nods to Miyuku. ”Yes, we would need to know more of what this entails.”
"Gram or two would be nice in the short run, but I was more looking for, you know, bulk. Ran out a week or so ago. Maybe, uh..." Coyote gives a vague wave of his hand. "...maybe like a half zip? At least? Might need to do a ritual later, and I'm gonna need enough to turn on some serious juice," he finishes, apparently unaware that he might be starting to sound like a crazy person.
The kid nods
“The good stuff would run you about a Benjamin for the half Z. You can get mids for about $75. I’m headed out tomorrow, so two days from now right here same time if you are interested “
"I've never been one to turn my nose up at physical currently." Miyuku says with a grin. "The digital world has its own gremlins that can be quite the pain."
"As far as long-term, would it be exclusive in nature?"
Jonathan shakes his head.
“No, much as I would like to monopolize your talents, experience has taught me that folks with your sort of skills do not thrive in a structured environment. So, we adapt. “
He passes over a couple of slim smartphones. They are sleek, but are not any brand the two have seen before
“What I propose is more of a contractor style arrangement. I can assign you a coordinator. You let them know where you will be, they can see if we have any work in that area. If not, well, then you go about you business. If we do, and you decide to assist us, then we put you on the clock. Oh, and you would be on retainer for being an on-call contractor. We can give you a modest monthly stipend with a per diem. Sound fair?”
”What kind of work we talking about? Is there hazard pay involved? Things got dicey by that pond.”
”What kind of work we talking about? Is there hazard pay involved? Things got dicey by that pond.”
Jonathan smiles ruefully
“I think it is safe to say that any foray into the shadow realms of our world will count as hazardous. “
He looks around at the sweeping old mansion’s patio with its immaculate poolside buffet
“I am not a frugal man, nor do I need to be. If you have a certain number in mind, speak it. You have the leverage in this negotiation. However,”
He pauses and taps a finger against his lips. Nace figures this might be a tell of his, but he’s not sure of what
“I will say that if you do decide to strike out alone, that doesn’t make the shadow realm any safer. You all are like beacons, shining in the twilight. Things will be drawn to you by their nature. It is good to have allies.”
The kid nods
“The good stuff would run you about a Benjamin for the half Z. You can get mids for about $75. I’m headed out tomorrow, so two days from now right here same time if you are interested “
Coyote shrugs. "Yeah, no factor. I'll, uh, be around."
Taking a moment to think, he puffs on his cigarette, then glances over his shoulder at nothing in particular. "Actually, think you could maybe spare a dime a little sooner than that? I clocked some bad juju rolling into town earlier, and I might have to, you know, do some wizard s!~%."
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The kid looks him up and down
“Would you be interested in a trade?”
The kid looks him up and down
“Would you be interested in a trade?”
Suddenly suspicious, Coyote takes another drag off his cigarette before answering, wisps of tobacco smoke escaping from his mouth around each word.
"Yeah, sure. How about I'll trade you ten bucks for a gram of mota."
"That definitely makes sense." Miyuku replies "There is definitely some measure of safety in a good support system."
The kid coughs and looks at the other two young men with them.
"Guys, can I have a moment with our guest. I got something to discuss P2P"
The two amble off to a far swing set in that aimless affable way the truly stoned affect. The kid looks back at Coyote
"Look, man. I am a kid from the sticks, but I'm not totally clueless. I know what some of your tats mean. I figure, maybe you're in town because this place has a rep as a bad juju magnet. you wouldn't be the first. What I'm proposing is maybe you drop a little of whatever shaman knowledge you're holding on me, and I hook you up, cash free. Think of it as a paid tutoring opportunity. I'm not completely untaught"
The kid opens his palm and a small light dances briefly in it
"It aint much, but that should prove I know a little about the s$*$. I want to learn more."
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"That definitely makes sense." Miyuku replies "There is definitely some measure of safety in a good support system."
"Look, man. I am a kid from the sticks, but I'm not totally clueless. I know what some of your tats mean. I figure, maybe you're in town because this place has a rep as a bad juju magnet. you wouldn't be the first. What I'm proposing is maybe you drop a little of whatever shaman knowledge you're holding on me, and I hook you up, cash free. Think of it as a paid tutoring opportunity. I'm not completely untaught"
The kid opens his palm and a small light dances briefly in it
"It aint much, but that should prove I know a little about the s$##. I want to learn more."
Coyote sighs, rubbing his temple with the heel of his hand. He suddenly appears a lot older and more serious than the harmless, eccentric figure he seemed to be before.
"Look, kid... You might think you want to learn more, and living on the road, eating out of dumpsters and blowing all your money on drugs might seem fun, but trust me, you don't, and it's not. I'd know."
He finishes his cigarette and flicks it over his shoulder before tapping another one out of the seemingly bottomless pack, not bothering to hide the sickly green flame that appears out of thin air to light it.
"Besides, I don't know if I could teach you anything other than a couple of dumb party tricks. Most of what I've got was, uh..." Coyote gesticulates awkwardly as he searches for the right word. "...bound to me, I guess you'd say. But that's not important right now. It's just..."
He trails off, lost in thought, before his earlier demeanor returns as abruptly as it had receded. "Whatever. By the way, what was that s%$~ about knowing what my tattoos mean? 'Cause nobody alive has been able to read them for a few hundred thousand years, and you don't look a day over 90,000. Now, are you going to keep jerking my chain, or are you gonna sell me some drugs?"
.....
He trails off, lost in thought, before his earlier demeanor returns as abruptly as it had receded. "Whatever. By the way, what was that s~&* about knowing what my tattoos mean? 'Cause nobody alive has been able to read them for a few hundred thousand years, and you don't look a day over 90,000. Now, are you going to keep jerking my chain, or are you gonna sell me some drugs?"
The kid recoils a bit. Coyote picks up a bit of fear and anger from the rebuff
"Hey man, it's cool. Don't stress. I didn't mean I knew exactly what they meant, I know they aren't your run of the mill Chinese Mooshu Pork tats people get. Forget I said anything."
He rummages in his pocket and comes up with a small baggie
"all I have now is two grams. Gimmie a 20 and its yours. "
The kid recoils a bit. Coyote picks up a bit of fear and anger from the rebuff
"Hey man, it's cool. Don't stress. I didn't mean I knew exactly what they meant, I know they aren't your run of the mill Chinese Mooshu Pork tats people get. Forget I said anything."
He rummages in his pocket and comes up with a small baggie
"all I have now is two grams. Gimmie a 20 and its yours."
"Ah, ask and you shall receive..."
Coyote pulls a tattered $1 bill from his pocket, shaking it vigorously until it assumes its proper configuration, then hands the $20 to the kid, simultaneously snatching the baggie out of his hands.
"And now our pact is concluded," Coyote finishes. He turns to walk away, lighting another cigarette, then pauses and turns back.
"Alright, look... I'll give you this one for free. And no, before you ask, it's not the trick with the money."
He pauses, searching for the right words. "If I were you, I'd get the f%$~ out of town. Like, immediately. I clocked some bad hombres sniffing around last night, and if I know anything, they're looking for people, uh... people like us, if you catch my drift, and not for a good time. Get on the highway and get to the post office in Wright's Ferry, New York. It's only about three hours west of here by car. Ask for Bill. He'll get you set up, might even teach you a thing or two."
He turns to leave again, then turns back around a second time. "Oh, couple more things. One, do not talk to anyone on your way out of town. Two, do not tell Bill you ran into me. Got it? Good. Now, if you don't mind, there's a case of expired Miller Light in the dumpster behind the Circle K, and it's calling my name."