[Smiley]

>>>>>[Simply put, my trick with high society, no matter where they come from, is to make sure they know who I am somehow. Not an alias, I mean the whole wetwork asset package. I don't incriminate myself of course, but I make it easy for them to figure it out. They then discover how much of a powerful, useful and joyful friend I can be. But most of all, they will fear how much of a ruthless, merciless and dangerous enemy I can be. They all behave after that. It's all about power with them. That is what they respect, what they love, what they fear, what they breathe... Manipulate that to your advantage by making yourself powerful and/or by making someone else more powerful by associating with that person. Their attitude will change because they'll either respect you, fear you or covet you. It is a very complex game when it comes to the rich and powerful but not exception to the general rules of social engineering and manipulation. How do you do all this yourself? Well, I'll let you figure it out. But I'll say this, wits and cunning is as much important as charisma.]<<<<<
       -- Smiley (18:29:46/02-21-74)

[All4BigGuns]

>>>>>[Yeah, it can be a tad annoying dealing with the high society types; even if you grew up around that sort. Speaking of which, I probably should look into paying a visit to my aunt and uncle in Tokyo.]<<<<<
       -- Predator (20:15:31/02-21-2074)

[Mirikon]

>>>>>[High society isn't any more annoying than gang culture. Both have unwritten rules you have to follow. Only difference is the level the game is played at. When dealing with a gang, a misstep will have you looking down the business end of a gun. In society, a misstep leads to your contacts drying up, and shadow ops. Just as deadly as the gang, but the society types have the power and wealth to ruin your life without getting their own hands dirty. And they are used to getting what they want.

The advice I'd give to runners who are looking to run in those circles is to let the face do the talking, and make sure you can act the part. It is more than simply changing clothes. A suit in synthleather and chains is still going to stick out like a sore thumb at a gang meeting, yeah? So why do you think trading the lined coat for a Zoe Heritage Line is going to change the fact that you've got the swagger of a guy who can walk through the Barrens and only the colossally stupid would try to stop you with less than a whole gang? That attitude works with the gang, but among society types it makes you a poseur, which means you aren't worth their time. The only people who can walk with that strut and be taken seriously in high society are celebrities, where that is part of their image. Acts like Grim Aurora can pull it off, as can urban brawlers and other sports stars.]<<<<<

--Iceblade (12:49:23/02-22-74)

[All4BigGuns]

>>>>>[Easier to deal in the circles you were born to, really. Takes a lot of work and practice to deal with gangers when you were born high and even more work to deal with the high folks when you were born low.]<<<<<

-- Predator (13:35:48/02-22-2074)

[Keita]

>>>>>[ It all comes down to attitude and 'stage presence'. If you want to learn about stage presence, forget all about pop and rock and go watch opera. You haven't seen a real diva until you've seen an opera star on stage. 'Stage presence' isn't about what you wear and what you do. It's about how you wear it and say it. An opera singer can go on stage wearing refuse bags and still own her audience, can still make them respect her and part in awe before her. When you move among high society folks, you're on stage. Just be careful not to overplay. Another secret in dealing with these fops is that, the higher up you are, the fewer need you have to be 'on stage'. Richard Villiers can enter any room, anywhere, and wear anything he wants to. He has nothing left to prove. It's a very fine line newcomers must walk, between overdoing it, and not doing enough. Getting it right is more of an art than a skill. Few celebs know the skill or can practice the art, and so rely on shock value. That might work for a while, but it can only take you so far. The key is to 'own' yourself. Be confident. Look people in the eye. Belong there in your own mind. Don't look down at people, but don't look up at them either. Stand your ground at all times. Only go for the snooty persona if you can really back it up. Keep in mind: all these people are afraid. They're afraid you're better than them, that you are going to swoop in and take away their power, money, fame and influence. They're terrified every second of every day. Use that to your advantage.  ]<<<<<
        -- Madrecita (14:56:31/02-22-74)

[Mirikon]

>>>>>['Afraid' might be going a bit too far. But when you live your life constantly looking for angles, either to stab an enemy in the back or to climb over people on your way to the top, you are always expecting people around you to be doing the same thing. Treacherous people see treachery everywhere, especially at this level. And they're usually right.

So what is someone who isn't a Count, a famous singer, or a corp tycoon's kid to do when they are trying to get into these circles? Follow Smiley's advice. Show them how they can use you, and show them how they shouldn't abuse you. And then don't act like a punk that is going to bring embarrassment to the people around you, because that opens them up to attack, and they will sell you down the river in a second to remove that vulnerability.

That really is the key to dealing with the high society types. Image is everything. If you are a liability, they will cut you off. No jet setter is going to want to be seen with *gasp* shadowrunners, unless they are the kind that, like me, have a cover they've established that lets them walk into any club in Seattle and expect to get a table, whether they're on biz or not.

So why should you go through all the work (and trust me, it is a lot of work) to set up such a cover? Because these people all want things, and they have the nuyen to pay for them. If you put yourself in a position where you can get those things for them, or know people who can, then you can be their 'friend' in the shadows, that makes them feel edgy, and helps them get some of those things without involving agents or corporate assets or what have you. When I was in LA, I got a gig paying 5k just to make sure a rival starlet was five minutes late to an audition. One time in Carasir, I was asked to pick up some food from a certain restaurant in Seattle and bring it back before it got cold. Sure, it isn't like an extraction from a corporate enclave, but biz is biz. And I got to eat lunch with a certain Tir noblewoman as a result.]<<<<<

--Iceblade (15:49:23/02-22-74)

[Chrona]

>>>>>[Frag I'm bored. Anyone got any jobs I would find interesting?]<<<<<

-- Chrona (21:19:23/02-22-74)

[Mirikon]

>>>>>[I don't know whether you would be interested, but a contact of mine is looking for some of the Infected to star in some... specialty simsense trids. She can arrange a co-star according to your tastes, and in addition to the money you'll get a free meal.]<<<<<

--Wyrmtongue (20:16:12/02-22-74)

[All4BigGuns]

>>>>>[I don't think I want to ask what kind of "specialty simsense" that is. Different stroke for different folks I guess.]<<<<<

-- Predator (20:47:06/02-22-2074)

[Chrona]

>>>>>[ [ENTIRE POST EXPUNGED BY AGENT BULLDOZER3 FOR INORDINATE, DESCRIPTIVE, EXPLETIVES] ]<<<<<

-- Chrona (01:54:12/02-22-74)

[Mirikon]

>>>>>[So I take it that is a no? Oh well, I'll look for someone else to put forward for the job.]<<<<<

--Wyrmtongue (21:00:00/02-22-74)

[Mirikon]

>>>>>[Back in Seattle again. Kindof weird, readjusting to all this gravity, but it is good to be back. Now, vacation's over, back to work.]<<<<<

--Iceblade (13:26:39/02-24-74)

[Keita]

>>>>>[ Just letting you guys know I'll be AWOL for a while. I'm doing under the knife to have the stopgap surgeries performed in Amazonia corrected. After that, I'll be hunting for a new shop, setting up a new magical lodge and shopping for a new car. I want to get back into the biz as soon as I can, or I'll go stir crazy. Talk to the old Tokoloshe or Miri if you really need me for anything. ]<<<<<
        -- Madrecita (03:42:31/02-25-74)

[Smiley]

>>>>>[Quote of the day, by my latest Johnson: "Why are you called Smiley? You're not even funny!"

Me and Autumn laughed out really hard and left. Another one who doesn't get it. I always thought it was pretty obvious.]<<<<<
       -- Smiley (17:19:26/02-26-74)

[Wolfboy]

>>>>>[Honestly Smiley, it really doesn't matter why you have that name. Though now i'm gonna have to look into it because you've wetted my interest. That being said, i have to point out that i once worked with a close combat adept who used the street name of "Blade" and looked nothing like the character. Also, why dont we get Madre a little present of a location.]<<<<<

--Wolfgar (19:13:26/02-26-74)