[Thvor]

Sam looked over at the black-haired ganger. "Hey, sorry about the rude awakening. I just..." He waved in the direction of the bartender. "He said that you know a guy named Bacchus? Looks like a half-man, half-goat? My name's Sam. Working on a trid right now, and our producer really wants someone like that. Full-on realism, you know? Anyhow, he practically told me not to come back to work tomorrow if I can't find someone for the role."

[Crossbow]

The kid looks mighty pissed.  He glances sourly at the bartender then looks back at Torley, "You gotta be kidding me, you pulled me out of 'Round the World Gangbang Marathon 4' to ask me about THAT fraggin' guy?  He doesn't even run with the Kidz anymore!  Thinks he can carry a show all on his own, with his big 'surprise' footage.  Now he is getting trids?  Frag him and FRAG YOU Mister Suit!  Find another way to blow your boss, I am going back to my honeys." The ganger wanders back towards the door he was carried through,not even sparing a glance for his unconscious pal.

[Thvor]

Like hell I'm going to kiss away 1000 nuyen just to get the brushoff from a twerp like you, Sam thought to himself. Shooting a quick "don't follow me" glance at the bartender, he quickly followed after the ganger. Catching up to him at the door, he hissed, "Ok, chummer, listen up. What I said back there? It's what that gonk at the bar needed to hear, or I wouldn't have even found you. Truth is, my crew's been hired to take Bacchy-boy down a notch or three, but we miss our payday if we don't get him quick. Our hoop of a J gave us a bum lead, though, which is why I'm here. You want goat-boy fragged? We can do that for you, if you tell us where he is. And if you help us, we can help you. Nuyen, new beetle--what's your price?"

[Crossbow]

The ganger still seems a little pissed, and the appraisal he takes of Torley seems to indicate he doesn't believe him capable of handling Bacchus, but he says, "I got no clue, he usually sleeps in coffins I think, but since he started his new show he has become one of those pretentious hoophats that blogs every meal, tryin' to cop discounts 'n drek.  Watch his feed, you can catch up to him that way."  He reaches the back stairs and tries to put a closed door between himself and the face.

[Thvor]

Sam was not used to not getting what he wanted. Especially coming after a long day, he was starting to get frustrated. Taking a deep breath and mentally thanking Lyra for teaching him about his ability, he called out to the ganger, "Come back here."

Commanding voice: Leadership + Charisma, opposed by Willpower + Leadership.
Leadership (4) + Charisma (6) + Improved Ability (2) + Kinesics (3): 15d6.hits(5)=6

[Crossbow]

The banger does an immediate about face and, for the first time, gives Sam his full and earnest attention.

[Thvor]

Sam stepped towards the ganger, his walking stick making an audible crack as it hit the ground. "Listen here. I'm not asking you to help us. I'm giving you the chance to profit from it. But if you don't want to do it that way, we do have alternatives that I'm sure you'll find less enjoyable. Do you honestly think I'd bother dealing with drek like you if Bacchus were broadcasting his location over Pito?" He shook his head. "He's gone to ground because he knows we're hunting him. He fears us--and if you don't come up with a way to help us in about ten seconds, you'll learn why he does."

[Crossbow]

"Bro, which part of 'I CAN'T HELP YOU!' are you not getting?  Bacchus don't run with the A-Kidz no more!  We cut his ass loose, like, a week ago!  If I knew where he was I would be puttin' the boots to him, cuz Leo said he killing our tags.  I told you, he like to crash in the coffins, different ones each night, its 4am, where the hell else is he gonna be?"

Back in Clem's car, Sammy has changed the parameters of her stream review, looking at more recent episodes.  They seem to back up the punk's story, Bacchus hadn't been on the A-Kidz show in several days, and the first one after he stopped appearing there was this weird bull session with the gang talking about hunting goats in the Hollywood hills and what evil and sick stuff they would do if they caught some.

Bacchus had just started a new show, "LA Gang Life" with himself as the primary camera hog.  The name of the new show was so similar to "A Gang's Life" that it blended into the queue.

[Mercy Merchant]

Snow is startled by the outburst from the ganger, but she does not take her attention from the one on the floor.  He should live, but she will wait for the CrashCart unless Sam gets in trouble.  Looking the boy over, she is once again amazed at the shoddy work done on his chip reader.  *I could do so much better.  Wait.  Maybe I could offer to do some medical work in exchange for the upgrades I need.*  She sets a note on her 'link to remind her to contact the tech to see if he would be willing to meet again.  She might have to eat some crow, but there should be a way to spin it in her favor.

[farothel]

Sammy was not really following the conversation.  She was checking out the astral and also keeping an eye on the pito feed of Bacchus.  Should he come online, she wanted to know it.

[Thvor]

Sam's gut told him the ganger was telling the truth, though it was hard to believe that someone could sever all ties that quickly. Turning away from him, he pulled out his commlink. "Bullet Storm, this is Sam. I'm done with this guy. If you want to have some fun with him, go for it."

If possible, Sam will leave the premises directly; otherwise, he'll just walk straight through the bar without acknowledging Snow or the bartender. He is not in a good mood.

[Crossbow]

Sam is easily able to leave through a back door.  In the front, the CrashCart ambulance had pulled up and the paramedics rushed into the bar.  They quickly took over care of the patient from Snow and, in spite of the fact that she had done most of the work for them, double checked everything she relayed to them about his care.  It was clear that they were unhappy with the fact that their patient was taken care of by an unlicensed person, Snow's real medical qualifications being very difficult to apply to false identification, and seemed intent on collecting for the services Snow performed  prior to their arrival.  They also made it clear that she was very welcome to leave as soon as possible.

[Necrogigas]

O'Connor frowned at Torley's message, *Not like him to encourage me to pick a fight. And does he really think I'd jump at the chance to beat up a spaced out beetle head? I fight for the challenge and the adrenaline rush, neither of which I'll get here.* The more he mulled it over, the more O'Connor became offended by it. When he saw Torley slip into the backalley, O'Connor gave the face a cross glare before heading back to his car. He messaged the team, <[Recipients: Team | Source: Text]: Who's checking out this motel?>

[Mercy Merchant]

Snow taps into the team net after Con asks his question.  <Clem.  Snow.  The CrashCart guys are making it clear that I am free to go.  What do you want me to do?>

[HydroRaven]

<Back to the car for now, we'll check out the hotel next> messaged Clem before asking Sammy to follow her back to their transportation.