Bars and Backrooms

So this is the place huh?

The lamplight. ok, I guess this will work, not exactly what I expected being a friend of the big robot upstairs.

Bmo floating next to him asks

Benton, you scared to go in? Hahaha

I’ll show you.

Wait bmo don’t!

Bmo floats to the door opening it and entering.

Benton is following right behind. Shaking his head thinking to himself what kind of problems this machine is going to get him into.

The bar had four guys sitting next to each other and the bartender.

They had vests with matching symbols of some sort of gear on the back

All four were bigger men with varying length facial hair but neither was clean shaved but the bartender himself only had a curled mustache and was well kept.

As Bmo enters he exclaims see look, new friends.

The men at the end of the bar stared at Benton puzzlingly.

The bartender chuckled.

That bot seems like it’s a handful .so what can I get you.

A bottle of water will be fine. Uhh, so I’m looking for Johnson.

You must be JJ’s new guy. I’ll get johnson for you.

the bartender walks into a back room. a slight conversation could be heard then a click of a phone.

He’ll be down in a few. here’s that water.

Halfway through the bottle.

footsteps coming down a flight of stairs could be heard.

Then a door opened and closed. a skinny older man walks out with a gray goatee, glasses, and short hair.

So, you must be the new guy jj was just telling me about.

Ya, he’s certainly an interesting guy.

Ya, my first time seeing the guy was unusual as well mistook him for a robot didn’t go over too well. Johnson chuckled.

So I guess I’ll be in charge of getting you supplied

If you follow me we’ll get you started

Benny, I’m done for the day I’ll see you tomorrow.

Make sure you close up properly tonight.

Alright

The two walk to the backroom Johnson opens a door leading to a stairwell. walking down three flights onto a platform

Originally these tunnels were completely flooded

After all the chaos of the long night. It took the better part of a decade to clear them.

I’m surprised there even here I didn’t see any tunnel access on the street level.

Oh, you wouldn’t. Jj only uses these as supply depots, not for common transportation.

But it’s the fastest way to the seaport and your hotel.

there’s our transport. A small rail platform with a few seats and a controller.

It’s not much but will suffice. we’ll be at our destination in about twenty minutes.

The platform eased forward at first catching speeding up. The wheels click and clacking against rails as they went.

True to his word it wasn’t long before they reached their destination.

Well, here we are bourbon st station.

It was similar to the station they had just left.

as they began walking up a flight of stairs a familiar smell of gun oil caught his attention.

So, is this the armory?

You got a keen nose their kid.

That’s our next stop. We’ll get you suited and booted for tomorrow.

Also, your preferences for armaments.

As Johnson opens the door and turns on a light. The room was poorly lit .a large room full of rows and rows of firearms, explosives, and body armor laid before him.

Well shit, I wasn’t expecting a fully stocked armory in an entertainment district.

A few decades ago the city was completely lost to the phaged Jj has put armory’s around the city to make sure it doesn’t happen again.

So, I’ll take your order in detail here and deliver it to your room on the ship.

Benton thinking “guns lots of guns”

Let me look.

Is that a t40 rail rifle?

Yep, it’ll put a hole through a brick wall at 3500 meters. that gonna want that. Plenty of ammo as well.

Oh ya, one of these eagle nest turrets assuming you have the visor for it.

Yep right here.

Good

Ok next ooh plasma rifles are nice.

You want one.

yes, but not for this mission, I wouldn’t want to deal with running out of ammo.

in that case try one of these.

Multi charge laser rifle. Good for a hundred shots before recharge. good against phage or anything not super armored.

What’s the recharge time on the battery.

Five minutes.

Good, I’ll take it.

You might be interested in this it’s a smaller sidearm pistol variant of the laser rifle it’s set up like a revolver each shot charges the next chamber. allowing continued fire but it’s not got the round speed of the rifle.

Ya, I’ll take it.

Ok next. this ballistic armor does it come in black?

Yes, over here. ok, one set.

what else? what else?

Hmm.

This ak47 silenced put a flashlight and a holo-scope

I’ll take the colt and a box of ammo for it. Probably won’t use it but I’ve always wanted one.

Guess that’s it

Alright then I’ve got your list then I’ll have it all delivered to your room on the boat.

Now I’ll make sure you get all settled in your suite for tonight and you’ll see me tomorrow.

Johnson leads Benton up another flight of stairs to another door. This one opening up to a room behind a hotel lobby. Which was much more populated than the lobby at Roberts building

But older style.

This is where you’ll be staying. Room 1301 at the Rexford it’s got all the amenities a person could ask for.

Dinners at 5:30. I believe Salina clease is on stage tonight. And of course, the bar is open till 12 am.

Johnson grabs a key from the front desk and talks to the attendant.

And leads Benton to a service elevator

As they get in he explains.

So officially this floor doesn’t exist as a general rule most hotels don’t have a guest floor on the 13th floor. Something about superstition, I guess. So out of the 20 floors, there are only about 18 that are guest quarters.

But Roberts decided he could use it as a place to house his guests.

Well here’s your quarters.

Finally, Benton exclaims as he walks to the bed.

Plopping down.

Alright then you have full use of the quarters there’s even a hot tub. call if you need anything.

Oh really, nice.

I’ll leave you to it then.

Johnson with a wave tosses the key to Benton and closes the door.

A few minutes go by Benton looks around spotting the case for his upgraded gauntlet.

Bmo curiously had been looking around the room.

Well, bmo guess I’ll take a shower.

Bmo smiles ok Benton I’m gonna look at the stuff.

Benton takes a long shower. After 25 mins the water starts to get cold. So he hops out and dries off. Looking at his things he finally realizes he hadn’t brought a change of clothes.

His reassignment had been quick and he didn’t have time to pack.

Benton picks up the phone on the table, it starts to ring. Hello a voice answers

Uhh yeah, this is 1301 is there any way I can get a change of clothes and some laundry service.

Sir the dresser in the room is it not full of clothes? It should be.

just leave anything out and we will make sure it’s cleaned. Oh ok.

Benton curiously looked in the dresser that had been filled with clothes all neatly folded

The clothes should all fit you sir

Uhm thanks then.

Anytime sir

K bye then.

Benton hangs up.

“this is going to be a weird mission i just feel it.” he though to himself.

Going through the dresser and trying a few things on he settles on what he wanted, glancing at the clock. Dam, it’s 5:10. Already

Guess I am hungry. Alright, guess I’ll get some grub.

Benton makes his way to the lobby using the same elevator he had earlier.

Asking the woman at the desk which way to the hotel’s restaurant.

Moments later he’s seated in a corner booth menu in hand.

Settling on the house special he notices the band is setting up across the room.

Their instruments are being set up. by the time his waiter comes by to take his order.

Good evening sir what will you be having.

The ribeye medium rare the fries sound good too.

Ok, anything to drink?

Yeah, a beer sounds nice. whatever you’d think is best.

Indeed, sir, I’ll have your drink for you in a moment after turn in your order.

The band is getting into their first song as the waiter is leaving the crowd claps as the vocalist steps onto the stage.

Dressed in gold and her hair styled up. she waves at the crowd smiling as she starts singing.

Cigarette girls in short dresses can be seen walking around the tables lighting cigars and cigarettes.

One walks by Bentons table

Hey, honey could I interest you in an after-dinner cigar or cigarette I’ve got atomizer ecigs and mints also. Anything you need is on Mr JJ

I’ll take a couple of mints and an atomizer.

Ok, here ya go.

Thanks.

With a smile, Benton tips her a 20 and she walks to the next booth.

By the first song ended Bentons, food arrives

Sipping on his beer he delves into the meal enjoying the music after an hour he’s done and puffs off the atomizer. Popping a mint in his mouth he gets up and walks to the bar.

What can I get you, sir? the robot at the bar asks .

yeah, another 3b’s, please. The robot stops in the middle of pouring a drink for the big brutish drunk next to him at the bar and grabs a beer for Benton.

Hey what the fuck you could at least finish pouring me a drink before helping some random mother fucker out your stupid tin can!

Benton tries to apologize but

The big dark-haired man sitting on a stool at the bar tries to grab at Benton.

Benton kicks the stool from under him .causing the drunk to fall jaw first on the bar knocking him out.

The other patrons at the bar all looking at Benton

He just shrugs his shoulders saying guess some people can’t handle their liquor.

A couple of chuckles were had as two waiters try and help the man up as the manager walks up to Benton.

I’m sorry about that Mr. hinder we’ll make sure that the ruffian is properly taken from the establishment.

Oh, you don’t have to worry about that. It was just an honest mistake on his behalf im sure he’s a nice guy.

Very well sir.

Benton then grabs his beer and walks back to his booth to enjoy the rest of the show.

Of which there was a woman sitting in the booth

A Blonde with her hair pinned up. in a black low-cut dress smoking a cigarette oh I’m sorry is this booth taken?

I believe so Benton replies.

I usually sit here for shows it’s not taken most of the time.

Oh, you can stay I don’t mind the company.

I’m Ursula knight by the way.

Benton, Benton hinder.

She smiles and sips a glass of champagne.

So, Mr. hinder are you a fan of miss clease

Our vocalist she’s quite popular in town.

I am now, she is very good.

I’m just coming from the western reaches myself so I’m not accustomed to this much entertainment or polite conversation for that matter.

Oh, so you’re from the republic then?

Ya actually. I’m an officer in the army actually on loan to new venis .

I just got here this morning.

That sounds exciting.

So Mrs knight what do you do?

Oh, I’m just a security officer here.

How does that work don’t the robots do all the work?

They do a lot of the footwork ya but they need direction most of the time there’s an officer behind the scenes watching through them.

Huh really, I figured it was completely automated.

You would think that but their a.i. can only go so so far.

During a battle, for instance, they can target and shoot but lack any direction so they would just stay put till the next order is given.

Huh, that’s good to know. Benton thinks to himself.

The two continue talking hours go by Benton looks around and notices that the crowd is beginning to thin out.

The vocalist on stage announces their last song for the night.

And after a few drinks per the course of the night, Benton and Ursula end up at Benton’s room for a nightcap.

So, this is your place Ursula hanging on Benton in a tipsy manner.

Yep, it’s not too bad. Benton slides his key in the door opening with a creek. Bmo can be seen in powered down position on a counter.

This is a pretty nice place look at that you got a personal bmo drone. That’s so cool.

You know Benton I was thinking.

what’s that?

You’re kinda cute.

Oh yeah

Ursula kisses Benton.

The next morning Benton wakes up to Ursula sitting on the bed naked fussing with her hair in a mirror.

Benton in a slightly sleepy tone yawns

Oh, you’re up.

Ya I’m a bit of an early bird. Ursula replies.

I had fun last night we should do it again sometime.

I’m sure we can make the time.

Benton notices Ursula had already put her dress on the dresser.

So, if you want there’s a change of clothes in the dresser take anything you want. I don’t mind.

Benton then gets out of bed to go to the bathroom.

Ursula starts to try out some of his clothes.

As Benton leaves the bathroom, she’s clothed and sitting on a chair smoking a cigarette.

A knock at the door disturbs the silence.

Benton standing naked runs to the dresser to put on some underwear.

Come in! Ursula yells out loud

Benton still looking for underwear

Looks at her muttering the word treachery as johnson walks into the room.

this is your six o’clock wake-up call.

I’m here to assist with any equipment you’ll be needing help with.

Benton still naked finds underwear.

As johnson unphased begins to assist Benton with his baggage.

I have sent a breakfast cart for you.

Well, I guess this is my cue to leave. Guess I’ll see you around Benton.

Ursula sashays out the door.

as Benton waves back to her.

Johnson comments. I swear the woman is so nosy.

Benton looks at johnson puzzlingly. don’t think anything of it I think she likes you.