[VegasRigged]

Bullshit. Naturally this mans statements are blatant falsehood, propagated by such displays of power. She is more likely so kind of vampire variant, and HMHVV sufferer who has made herself a nest in this low and dangerous place. Sadly this means her goals are likely as long as mine, if not longer. It also means her value as an ally might increase sharply if I ever require the kind of healing medicine cannot provide....

I note Syvlias look and add it to the list of things to discuss when we are well away from here, the follow Sian, still carrying the head.

[Mercy Merchant]

Leaving the building, you notice that two Orks and a pair of humans are walking towards you.  They pause to get instructions from Sian then walk into the club, presumably to remove the bodies.  Finished with them, Sian turns and leads you deeper into the living misery that is the lower reaches of the Chinatown Barrens.  You might have thought that you have seen the lowest the city could show you, but you would be quite wrong.  People lay on the muddy streets and sidewalks or sit slumped against the walls of ruined buildings in various stages of dying.  Some are already dead, but others are merely headed that way.  Drugs and BTLs that rob people of their senses are evident, as are those that prey on the addicted.  Vendors sell rats in cages to women looking for some sort of food to feed hungry children.  And still life goes on, even here.  Drug dens and strip bars provide a form of escape from the squalor and there are plenty who would, and do, sell their souls for a bit of forgetfulness.  Li Shang steps out of the darkness with one of her two guards as you walk.  She bows her head respectfully and her eyes widen just a bit as she notices Sing's head.  "Mistress.  I came as soon as I got the message."

Sian points to the door to a lit strip bar that should be doing a good business, but a crowd of patrons is standing out front, seeming to be waiting for you.  You realize that someone must have seen Sing's head and passed the word on.  Four guards are standing at the top step, armed with an assortment of rifles and submachine guns.  One of the four is just a bit ahead of the others and calls out.  "That is far enough.  I have been told that you have come among us as an avenging demon.  The streets are full of the rumors that Ping and Sing are both dead and that you are moving in."

Sian's voice comes as almost a whisper from somewhere behind you.  "Cho Shan.  Good with numbers.  Likes fucking young boys.  Deals fairly with the customers as much as was possible under Sing.  He might be a good assistant to Li Shang.

[VegasRigged]

I step forward and drop Sings head in the ground. "You all know Mr Sing was a cruel and stupid man. We will not tolerate such cruelty in our businesses. I made both these men fair offers, and both responded with violence, let their deaths serve as a warning, and the success of their businesses under new management serve as incentive." I drop the head on the ground and leave a pause for effect.

"Now, many of you know Li Sheng, the true operator of Ping Studios. She has taken her rightful place as its leader, and as my chosen manager she will be running this establishment as well. Those of you with value to the company will be allowed to retain your employment, those of you without value to the company will cease to work for it and not longer be under its protection. We all know what it's like to not have protection. Anyone who objects to this new arrangement-" Increase reflexes, prime a Blast spell "-say so now." 

[Mercy Merchant]

Cho Shan looks at Sing's head then eyes you closely before making a decision and nodding.  "Boys, open the door for the new boss.  Li Sheng, I guess we will be working together.  Would you like to look around?"  He waves his arm at the small crowd of patrons and looks over to you.  "Would it be too much to offer the first drinks on the new boss?  You can afford it."

[VegasRigged]

For a split second I want to simply say yes, these people have and an eventful evening and ingratiating myself to them  would be most wise, however it's not I who will be dealing here nearly so much as Li Sheng, and she must be seen to have control, so instead I give her a subtle nod to indicate my consent and she steps forward and announces the first drink on the house.

As tensions ease and patrons begin to file back inside I assense the staff and crowd for any awakened or anyone with hostile or violent intentions. I also briefly cast detect enemies as Sylvie, Sian and I follow Li Sheng inside.

[Mercy Merchant]

Sunday  10 June 2075  0042  Sing's Club  Seattle Chinatown Barrens


The tensions do indeed seem to ease as Cho Shan leads you into the club.  Cho Shan is awakened, as are several of the people in the crowd of patrons, but you detect no direct enemies.  You do not see Sian enter the club and it appears that she has departed the area, which in itself probably eases some of the tension here.  The main room is a lounge/bar/strip club and is large by the standards of this part of town.  You and Li Sheng are introduced to the bartender and several of the strippers, who double as waitresses when not on the stage.  Cho Shan tells you that Sing had cut some costs by using his actresses as club staff and that he had taken a high percentage cut of any tips they made, as well as any money earned for having sex with the patrons.  He points out two small rooms that were used for the purpose of prostituting the girls. 

The main show is upstairs and he takes you on a tour of the film studio.  His equipment is a bit better than Ping's and he has a few more girls and boys as actors.  You are shown the books and s safe with a rather large number of cred sticks inside.  Cho Shan looks at you and Li Sheng and asks, "So, what is to change?"

[VegasRigged]

I walk around behind the desk that once belonged to Sing and lean against the wall just over Li Sheng's right shoulder.

"I will interview each member of the staff individually. Some may be let go if they harbor thoughts of sabotage or hostility. The books will be examined in greater detail and profit margins shifted to favor the workers and encourage success on an individual level. Finally, not one of our workers is to maintain their position under duress. As I said outside, everyone noes the dangers of being alone in this place, if someone wishes that fate, let them have it."

[Mercy Merchant]

Both Cho Shan and Li Sheng look up at you in surprise.  As the nominal superior, Li Sheng speaks first.  "Mistress, almost all of the actors as well as the performers downstairs, are slaves brought over from China or Caucasians from outside the Barrens for a bit of difference.  This keeps the overhead low and the margin high.  If we lose the slaves, we would have to pay better wages and provide better places to live.  Is this what you want?"

[VegasRigged]

"Was my destruction of wicked men and speech about cruelty in some way unclear my dear friends? Yes, I want them paid enough to live, though the lions share of their earnings can go towards the construction and maintenance of their new housing as well as feeding, clothing and occasionally drugging any employee who requests it. You will make less money for a while, but the company will make more, especially when our competitors submit their holdings or forfeit their lives."

This is the first step of the play. People need to be treated fairly, given hope. Once hope returns the miasma of corruption will begin to thin and the lay lines will become usable.

"Now Mr Shan, shall we begin your interview?"

[Mercy Merchant]

The other two look at each other and then Li Sheng nods.  "It shall be as you command, Mistress.  I will offer them freedom and hire them as employees.  This will make others nervous, Mistress.  There will be many questions.  More security will be needed.  Also, I am told that Sing's wife and daughter are waiting to speak to you."

Your "interview' of Cho Shan reveals that he was an accountant for one of the minor Triad gangs and was caught with his hand in the fortune cookie jar.  He is good with numbers but lacks the drive to manage the affairs of the club.  He likes to fuck small boys and has one kept in his rooms here.  He is willing to see how well you work at this new style of club, but is not convinced it will work and is convinced that you will soon be dead by the hand of one ganger or another.

[VegasRigged]

I make no comment on Cho Shan's suspicions of my demise, but ask him what contribution Sings wife and daughter made to the business. I also request that Li Sheng bring around the treacherous camera man from her place of business and inform her it is now her right to do what she wishes with the old studio. Finally I inform both that there is to be a slight pay increase for any awakened employee, as drawing them to our cause will prove useful down the road.

I'll conduct the other interviews with anyone who decides to stay on while I wait for the cameraman.

[Mercy Merchant]

Cho Shan looks at you.  "His wife used to be one of our star actresses.  A bit older now, of course, for the audience that Sing was shooting for, but could still do the moves.  She is, or was, fucking the cameraman who was working for Ping.  His daughter was just getting into the business, maybe four films so far.  Large tits and willing to fuck anyone, including Ping's cameraman.  Sometimes the same time as her mom.  I do not think Sing knew about that part, but he might not have minded.  Both might still be useful in front of the camera, depending on what your target audience is."

All of the current employees want to stay on, especially after Li Sheng tells the slaves that they will have their slave debts forgiven.  The overall feeling you get from all of them is that they are not planning anything disloyal.  Some are curious as to what your real agenda is.

[VegasRigged]

I take note of any who are thinking so far above their station as to consider my agenda. I also take note of any who are using drugs, have mental illnesses or the deeper psychological traumas and those who posses the proper psychological balance  of power play, intellect, manners and restraint to become a high class dominatrix.

Then I go to see Sings wife and daughter.

[Mercy Merchant]

Many of the employees use drugs of some kind, some more than others.  All of the actresses and actors have some form of psychological trauma based on being slaves and treated as such.  They have all been forced into stripping, prostitution, and pornography and only two of them have adjusted to the point where they accept this life.

Sing's wife, Li Ming, is clearly nervous but his daughter. Li Vang  gives off an air of confidence.  Ming tries a couple of times to speak, but finally keeps her mouth closed.  Vang, however, moves to within a few feet and says, "So, do I have to fuck you?  I am your best asset here and will do anything to not have you kill me.  Give me a chance to show you what I can do for you."

[VegasRigged]

"A tempting offer but I'll pass. Simply pass a short interview and you will be allowed to keep your jobs under Li Sheng. I am sure she will have a use for you, perhaps more then one."

If she agrees I'll investigate her thoroughly, more so then the other employees, for any sign of deceit or betrayal. I'll dig into her past dealings to see the value of her word and I'll examine her relationships to the other employees, her mother and father and anyone else of note in her life.