Guns for Hire - Script Fourteen
Forlorn Hope, Night City 10.21pm 02/06/2015
It
was nearly three weeks now since Vrasten & Mariusz had carried Gonzales
up to the surgical unit on the third floor of the Hope, he'd lost a great deal
of blood on the trip back from Santa Paula, if it hadn't been for Skinpin's
care on route, Needles, the Hopes resident Ripperdoc, reckoned he'd have been
dog food, as it was, apart from a slight tingling & some initial clumsiness
it was feeling pretty good.
Tonight was the first time since the op that Gonzales had joined the others for a beer, on stage Sundance, Banger, ZZ & Ras were laying down some grooves before local liggers, the Cactus Cadillac's, took the stage, it looked like it was gonna be yet another shit kickin' night, Gonzales had just found out that Price had persuaded Vrasten that the hire car, shot to fuck as it was, needed dumping, to make sure it was untraceable they'd helped themselves to Gonzales's Semtex, it had been one hell of firework display.
From across the bar Vrasten's eye was caught as Bluto, one of the Hope's infrequent brokers, nodded in his direction, making his way over Bluto stuck a beer in Vrasten's face & pointed towards an unoccupied booth. Seated in the booth Bluto leant forward & cut to the chase,
"I been hearin' that you maybe be lookin' to liquidate some assets so to speak, if I was hearin' right then maybe I got a friend who got some of this county's finest dollar bills goin' spare"
Taken aback Vrasten nervously looked around, despite his fall from grace, he still struggled with the feeling that this was all wrong, fourteen years putting slags like Bluto in the slammer & now he was doing business with the very people he loathed, sighing, he agreed that there was a possibility that they might have something to sell, it was agreed that Vrasten would arrange for a sample to be made available the following evening. Returning to join the others Vrasten explained,
"Shit face wants to buy the bond certificates from Joshua's, said I'd bring a sample tomorrow night"
Looking confused, Skinpin filled Alex in on what had past several months earlier such that they still got stashed some 700K in bond & share certificates left from the safe of the now deceased Joshua Ryan Motobasmi, former Central Government of the Afrikan Free States ambassador to the US.
Forlorn Hope, Night City 9.06pm 03/06/2015
Early
doors the following evening Skinpin & CO, as had become the norm, sat chilling
in one of the booths in the Hope, inside Vrasten's jacket was an envelope containing
so a small selection of the certificates liberated from Joshua's pension fund
however it was unlikely that Bluto would show for a couple of hours.
Bringing over a pitcher of beer Sundance, as usual, flirted outrageously with Skinpin, setting down the tray she dropped a slip of paper into Alex's lap,
"Some dude was in earlier, looked like shit, asked if I'd give you his number"
Not recognising the number but half sure that she new
the handwriting Alex tapped the number into her mobile & waited expectantly,
fifteen seconds later a voice answered, it was Bergusson,
"What the fuck do you want you piece of shit" answered Alex
"Lets get things on level, yeah, I know it looks bad OK, but it had jack shit to do with me OK, everything went through the normal channels" replied Bergusson "First I know that its gone tits up is when I go to meet my man & he's AWOL, two minutes later some blacked out sedan parks on me & reverses for good measure, I'm as pissed as you & I don't have a fuckin' idea who's shitin' on me, I just wanna straighten things out between us OK, last thing I need is you on my case"
Unconvinced Price continues to question Bergusson for several minutes before reluctantly agreeing to meet in the Hope the following night.
Forlorn
Hope, Night City 11.23pm 03/06/2015
With the Hope in full swing Vrasten didn't at first notice Bluto pushing his way through the crowd towards their booth, grinning Bluto squeezed into the space between Vrasten & Mariusz,
"Anyone for a beer then" said Bluto
Whilst Bluto pawed over the bond & share certificates proffered by Vrasten the others continued to bitch, in the main over sleeping arrangements & cooking duties in the now cramped apartment shared by all five, shaking his head Bluto tucked the the papers inside his jacket again promising to be back in touch with Vrasten in a day or so once his buyer had verified the legitimacy of the goods,
"Play nice ladies" chuckled the half breed
Forlorn Hope, Night City 10.33pm 04/06/2015
The
following evening Price stood between the bar & the stage awaiting Bergusson's
arrival, beyond the bar Mariusz sat in one of the side booths whilst Skinpin
& Vrasten kept a eye open from across the room, outside on the boardwalk
Gonzales played drunk keeping his eyes peeled for any sign of Bergusson, Alex
having given them all a reasonably good description.
Slouched in the side entrance to the rear quarters of the Hope Gonzales watched
as a CTC cab pulled up outside the Hope, a minute later a john fitting Bergusson's
description struggled out of the taxi bearing crutches, over the com unit Gonzales
alerted the others to Bergusson's arrival, as the cab departed Gonzales slipped
into the Hope behind two goons who'd arrived at the same time as Bergusson but
from the opposite direction, suspicious that their arrival may be no coincidence
Gonzales warned the others to keep alert.
Across the room Alex watched Bergusson struggle to the nearest vacant table before gesturing over to one of the girls to bring him a beer, to Alex's eye Bergusson definitely looked as if he'd been well worked over but as far as Alex was concerned that proved shit, with a barely perceptible nod to the others Alex worked her way across the busy dance floor & through the tables dropping into the seat opposite Bergusson without a word, in her ear she heard Mariusz giving the two goons the all clear.
"OK, shithead, give me one fuckin' good reason why I don't blow your fuckin' balls off right this minute"
Sighing, Bergusson offered Alex a beer,
"Look, what more can I tell you, like I told you last night, I'm as pissed as you about it, you've lost a contract, I've lost everything, my man in Militech's been wasted by fuck knows who, not me for fuck's sake, then, presumably the same bastards do their level best to rub me out, I just want to level things with you, the last thing I need is you on my arse"
"My heart bleeds" sneered Alex "For that matter how'd you know where to find me"
"Pure chance" answered Bergusson "Caught sight of you cruising across town on the SMAX a couple of three days back, asked a few questions but figured you'd probably end up in the Hope anyway, where else you gonna go in NC"
"Well fuck you Bergusson & fuck Militech, I see you again & your fuckin' history"
With no more to say Alex stood, turned her back on Bergusson & walked away. Bergusson, shaking his head flicked open his mobile & called for a cab.
Forlorn
Hope, Night City 10.43pm 04/06/2015
Ten minutes later Bergusson hauled himself on to his crutches & headed for the door, Gonzales, anticipating his departure, was already outside faking a conversation on his mobile, cursing to himself he desperately keyed in the number for the same cab company whilst Vrasten & Mariusz made a run for his old jalopy.
Vancouver Street, Night City 10.47pm 04/06/2015
With
no idea other than a general direction where Bergussons cab had gone Alex went
for good old greed on the part of their cab's driver, waving several crumpled
notes under his nose Alex suggested he could maybe radio in an see where the
pick up from the Hope had dropped off, a few dollars later they had their destination,
the Tonic Club on Vancouver Street. 
Outside
of the Tonic Club all three of them cast about for any sign of Bergusson, after
all he was on bleedin' crutches observed Skinpin, he couldn't have crawled that
far, even so of Bergusson there was no trace. Assuming all was lost but at last
joined by Vrasten & Mariusz they collared several of the punks, junkies
& clubbers milling around in the street, eventually one kid, glassy eyed,
grunted that he had seen some old creep on sticks, for twenty bucks he even
pointed vaguely in the general direction he'd limped off in, it wasn't into
the Tonic Club but over towards one of the bars lining the opposite side of
the street.
As
the kid scuttled off, already intent on his next score, Gonzales, Skinpin &
Mariusz crossed the street & began casing the various bars & cafe's
for some sign of Bergusson. Alex, not wishing to be seen by Bergusson left them
to it & tucked herself out of the way where she could keep a watch on the
street as a whole, Vrasten, his excuse for a car already attracting unwelcome
attention, quickly moved it off the main street down one of the service allies.
Some
fifteen minutes later they found Bergusson, he was sat inside a Tex-Mex bar
enjoying a beer & an a steak, deciding this sounded like a good idea, Gonzales,
Skinpin & Mariusz sat down at one of the street tables & ordered up
a mess of beer & vitals. Whilst Alex grabbed a beer from further up the
strip, Vrasten checked out the rear of the Tejas but seeing no way he could
get in returned to join Alex.
Vancouver
Street, Night City 1.03am 05/06/2015
Guessing
this was going nowhere fast Alex, Gonzales & Mariusz decided to head back
to the Hope for a night cap however Vrasten & Skinpin said they'd hang around
& see where Bergusson was calling home these days, agreeing it was probably
a good idea but not wanting to hang about the three jumped a cab & headed
back to the Hope.
Thirty minutes or so later Vrasten & Skinpin watched as Bergusson limped his way out of the Tejas, throwing a bunch of tens on the table to cover their tab they quickly recovered Vrasten's wheels & were ready to roll by the time Bergusson got settled in a street cab, carefully Vrasten tailed the cab across the city in the general direction of Heywood, just before it hit Interstate 828 it pulled up short outside a shity looking motel, allowing Bergusson to make his way inside Vrasten followed once he was clear of reception.
Pushing through the sticking main door Vrasten confronted the motel caretaker slobbing behind the counter, mumbling about needing a room for the night, Larry, charged Vrasten $35 for a fourth floor room on the back of the motel warning Vrasten that no guests were allowed, from the leer on Larry's fat face Vrasten wasn't expecting clean sheets. Saying he was just going to collect his bags Vrasten made as if to leave but then changed his mind & headed thorough the arched opening for the single lift, watching the lights Vrasten noted the lift was stopped on the first floor.
As the lift doors slid open on the first floor landing Vrasten was confronted by a long corridor of twenty or so nondescript doors but which one was Bergusson's, inspired Vrasten took out his phone & dialed Price's number, two minutes later Vrasten keyed in the number for Bergusson's phone, behind him he heard ringing from the behind the door to room 12 immediately opposite the lift doors.
Forlorn
Hope, Night City 1.57am 05/06/2015
Tucking her phone back in her pocket Alex grinned at Mariusz & Gonzales,
"Well would you credit it boys, the bozo's finally had a good idea"
Gonzales smiled,
"Don't know about you two but I'm beat, gonna head back to the flat, coming"
Alex nodded in agreement but Mariusz shook his head, he'd spent the last hour flirtin' with two chicks who frequented the Hope on a regular basis, Roxy & Kissy, from what he heard they were inseparable & a fearsome duo in the field but with a reputation for partying hard when not working, he'd got a good feelin' about tonight & from the way the two girls were smiling at him it was only gonna get better.
"Think I'll hang around a bit longer, yeah, catch ya in the morning"
It'll Do Motel, Night City 2.11am 05/06/2015
Tired of waiting in the car Skinpin checked his piece, looked the street up & down & walked over to the motel, he didn't see why the fuck should sit in the car all night whilst Vrasten got a bed, as he looked around the reception however he thought maybe the car was the better choice after all. Nodding towards Fat Larry Skinpin said he was there to meet a friend, guy who probably only got here a short while ago, smirking Fat Larry gave him Vrasten's room number, as Skinpin stepped into the lift he heard Fat Larry shouting about no fucking overnight guests.
It'll Do Motel, Night City 3.14am 05/06/2015
Within the cramped room, Vrasten & Skinpin pondered what to do, room 43 was on the back side of the motel so if Bergusson left they'd never know unless they spent the night sat outside his door, in a ruse to try & get a different room Vrasten snapped one of the legs on the crappy excuse for bunk & dialed down to reception, minutes later Fat Larry was hammering on the door loudly bemoaning the damage caused,
"Faggots,
pay 35 bucks for a single room then break the fuckin bed why don't you, if you
think I'm giving you another fuckin' room to mess you can fuck off"
As fat Larry wobbled off along the corridor Vrasten & Skinpin looked at each other,
"Well that could of gone a touch better me thinks" muttered Skinpin
It'll Do Motel, Night City 3.26am 05/06/2015
"OK, enough enough" observed Skinpin, "lets go talk to this fucker, I've had it with following him around all night, if he knows something lets find out what it is"
Vrasten, although unsure agreed that enough was indeed enough.
A few minutes later both stood one to either side of the door to room 12, all seemed pretty quiet, with a nod to Vrasten Skinpin turned to the door & kicked the lock, it was only a cheap affair & didn't put up much resistance, pushing open the broken door Skinpin & Vrasten quickly stepped into Bergusson's darkened room, nigh on immediately they realised he wasn't there.
Along the corridor other doors were opening, as vrasten stood at the ready Skinpin gave the room the once over, there wasn't much in it but there were several items of clothing suggesting that where ever Bergusson had gone, he'd be back.
Glancing into the corridor Vrasten could see the lift doors begin to open,
"Company" whispered Vrasten
Skinpin turned to in time to see it happen, the lift doors opened & Fat Larry stepped out holding a shot gun at waste level, not waiting for explanations he let go with both barrels catching Vrasten full on, amazingly Vrasten staggered back under the force but didn't go down, thank fuck for flack jackets thought Skinpin, before Skinpin could react Vrasten raised his Colt AMT & put 12mm of hot lead into Fat Larry's shoulder, as chaos erupted amongst the motels other patrons Vrasten & Skinpin agreed now would be a good time to leave.
In the foyer Skinpin stopped, turned & slid over the counter, pulling open the till he grabbed the dollar bills on show & grinned at Vrasten,
"Might as well make a profit while were at it"
Instinct however made Skinpin glance up towards the ceiling, looking squarely back at him was the lens of a CCTV camera, fuck thought Skinpin.
Quickly Skinpin & Vrasten went through into the small office behind the reception counter, there on the desk was a video recorder, fortunately it was broken.
As they headed out onto the street Skinpin again turned back towards the foyer, not waiting for Vrasten's approval he rolled a frag grenade towards the counter.
By the time they got to Vrasten's car both could hear the wail of approaching sirens, fortunately the Skoda's tired engine started first time.
The Apartment, Night City 10.24am 05/06/2015
Sat around the TV screen Gonzales & Alex watched in growing incredulity as the reporter turned back to the camera from the bed side of the bandaged & sedated victim of last nights assault, Fat Larry himself,
". . . . . . so there it is folks, yet another example of the lawlessness & brutality that roams the streets of Night City, another innocent the victim of street crime for a fist full of dollars, another reason to despair at the incompetence of the the NCPD. This is Marcy Kravitz reporting for KCRA"
"Were you born stupid" asked Alex "or do you just try really hard"
For the next twenty minutes Alex, occasionally assisted by Gonzales, described in detail what she thought of Vrasten & Skinpin's night time activities,her mood wasn't helped however by Skinpin's continuous mutterings concerning chicks with PMT & Gonzales's query as to Alex's ability to cook.
Just as things finally seemed to be calming down Mariusz opened the apartment door grinning from ear to ear,
"So then, which silly bastard left a witness"
Cringing, Vrasten ignored the Mariusz however Alex again berated all & sundry for the stupidity of men before storming out of the apartment,
"Told you it was that time of the month" howled Gonzales
Several minutes later Mariusz glanced out of the window,
"Err, Vrasten, you might wanna see this"
Looking down all could see Alex systematically walk around Vrasten's aged car putting a Kingdick through its windows,
"See I'm right, bitch is brimming full of hormones"
Forlorn Hope , Night City 9.13pm 05/06/2015
Sat around a table in the Hope that night, the events of the night before were the obvious topic of conversation, fortunately Alex had calmed a little after taking it frustrations out on Vrasten's motor, Mariusz however was struggling not to keep grinning as he thought about his own exploits last night with Roxy & Kissy, who knows maybe they'd be back tonight, well, thought Mariusz, maybe tomorrow night, not sure if he could stay the pace two nights on the run.
Forlorn Hope , Night City 8.11pm 05/06/2015
For what must have been the tenth time since Alex had switched her phone on that evening she ignored its buzzing, was Bergusson really playing her for a fool or was he simply telling the truth, when it rang again ten minutes later she took the call,
"You fucking cunt" screamed Bergusson " I fucking told you it it was fucking nothing to do with fucking me, I didn't need to fucking to come back you to straighten things out, but I did & for fucking trouble you send two morons to that shit heap on Vancouver Street, I expected more from you Alex"
Alex, suddenly unsure of things didn't know exactly what to say, hastily she tried to bullshit Bergusson, wittering feebly about an attempt on her own life at the same time however Bergusson new it for exactly what it was, with nothing more to be said the line went dead.
Forlorn Hope , Night City 10.32pm 05/06/2015
As Gonzales listened to the banter across the table, Banger the Lamb's part time stickman, part time Hope waitress, tapped Gonzales on the shoulder,
"Guy over there" gesturing towards the bar "Asked for you by name, came in earlier asking about you & the others, the prof was gonna have him bounced but after talking with let it lie"
Obviously watching for some sort of response the middle aged gent took Banger's approach as his cue to come over, apprehensively he introduced himself to Gonzales,
"Good evening sir, Frank Uzzitt's the name, I was wondering if you could help me out"