[Mirikon]

>>>>>[The blade has already been handed over a contact of mine with the Peace Forces. Most likely it is already inside the Tir.

Predator, I missed Wolfgar's plane because of the delivery, so you can fly with me. A private party is letting me use her jet to get to Pensacola in exchange for acquiring some pictures that had been taken of her without her knowledge. We leave at 1AM.]<<<<<

--Iceblade (23:07:22/12-22-74)

[All4BigGuns]

>>>>>[Thanks, I'll be there.]<<<<<

--Predator (23:15:02/12-22-2074)

[The Wyrm Ouroboros]

>>>>>[ Oh, with the Peace Forces inside the Tir?  Even better.  Thank you. ]<<<<<
          -- Shivowtnoe (01:42:55/12-23-2074)

[Kot]

>>>>>[ I can't do that any more, Wolfgar. It would be like asking a blind man about colours. I couldn't do that anyway, it's like pulling teeth to even talk about it. Besides, I get hellish headaches from sensory overload whenever I visit any civilized place. Good thing my current "job" doesn't take me anywhere even remotely civilized. A few days ago I'd be cussing, and fretting because of the low signal quality. Now? I'm pretty sure that works to my advantage. I found some old stuff that still has some uses. I can see why Bull still clings to it - everything from before the crash isn't taken into account  by most modern corporate and independent codemonkeys. Only the shadow matrix players, and warez dealers with mileage make their ICE immune to old nutcrackers. Heh... Seems like the festive spirit has got me, or it's that emotional swing the doc said will kick in as soon as the drugs run their course. Either way, I'm in for a ride. Audio feed on.
***silencer muffled shot*** ***shouts in the distance*** ***chaotic return fire in the distance***
Yep, I still got it. Merry Christmas, Chummers. Have fun on your party. I'll keep up the good work...
***sirens in the background*** ***street sound system plays "Jingle Bells"*** ]<<<<<
          -- NiSayer (07:11:12/12-23-2074)

[Mirikon]

>>>>>[If you got the pull to get it out of whatever deep dark hole the higher ups in the Peace Forces put it in, more power to you. My responsibility ended when I got it to someone who could make sense of it and keep it out of the hands of people who know just enough about such things to be dangerous. I don't know where the blade is now, and I don't want to know. Assensing isn't my strong suit, but Shark smelled blood in the water when I held it. Might be my imagination, but I'd almost say the blade was asking to be used. Take that for what you will.

Predator, if you want to get back into the high society circles, the easiest way is to be a mistress of someone already in, though it might not be the way you'd like to do business. Otherwise, start by getting enough money so that you can be a regular at Dante's. Rub shoulders, shake hands, that kind of thing. Sometimes you can get a surprise, and see one of the high rollers in Seattle eating or sipping drinks on one of the higher levels, instead of in Hell. They like to think that no one would ever expect someone like them to be in full view of the public and blah blah blah. Its an ego thing, really.]<<<<<

--Iceblade (07:59:22/12-23-74)

[Devil]

>>>>>[I'm still not sure where it's at, but if you wanna split fuel costs and you live in Sea then I could probably pick you up. I'm not really all that connected to the shadow community, so I don't really know who you guys are. I stumbled across this node when I was drunk. I think I was trying to order socks. Funny how none of us seem to have anything better to do on Christmas than attend a party like this. It says a lot about the sort of people that get into this line of work. Wolfgar, wheres the party at? Woot woot!]<<<<<

--Joker (8:43:36/12-23-2074)

[All4BigGuns]

>>>>>[These days, going to Dante's isn't that much of a problem. About the only area I don't really get into much is that lowest level. I'll definitely keep an eye out for those movers and shakers next time I'm there.]<<<<<

--Predator (13:34:37/12-23-2074)

[The Wyrm Ouroboros]

>>>>>[ God, Dante's.  Don't go to Dante's.  Everybody who's trying goes to Dante's.  This is Seattle?  Go to Matchsticks.  Or if you really want to make an impression with the serious players, find Cobalt Marie's and get in good with the management there. Iceblade is right; the serious people who seriously matter don't like to be seen going out and relaxing, and private clubs like Matchsticks, or private and secret ones like Cobalt Marie's, are how they do it. ]<<<<<
          -- The Wyrm Ouroboros (18:00:00/12-23-2074)

[Devil]

>>>>>[ Matchsticks is a great joint for runners, as long as you don't start any trouble. If you do then you wont be allowed back in. It's membership only, but they just want to be able to charge a door price basically, so anyone with a little extra cred can get in if they aren't blacklisted. I find the membership requirement keeps most undesirables out though. The live Jazz and the Film Noir atmosphere keep customers coming back, since it makes even a boring sitdown seem exciting and makes drinking alone seem almost stylish. The place attracts all kinds, making it easy to blend in, especially if you own an overcoat or fedora. ]<<<<<
          -- Joker (17:25:33/12-23-2074)

[The Wyrm Ouroboros]

>>>>>[ Seriously?  Their system for becoming a member has gone right out the window, then, because it sure as hell didn't used to be that easy.  Must be a change in management. ]<<<<<
          -- The Wyrm Ouroboros (18:45:00/12-23-2074)

[Devil]

>>>>>[ Ask yourself this: If they let someone like me have a membership, how hard can it be to get one? ]<<<<<
          -- Joker (18:13:15/12-23-2074)

[Mirikon]

>>>>>[Wyrm, you know you have to work your way into the exclusive clubs. If you don't have money or a title, you gotta get in with someone who is already on the list. Dante's, on the other hand, is an easier mark if you're looking to move up in the world. Sure, more prime movers can be found at the 77 club, but getting a membership is much more difficult than getting your face known at Dante's or Infinity. However, once you find an in, then you are able to get introductions to the private clubs. Just don't embarrass the person who sponsored you, or they'll get you blacklisted all over town.

As for Matchsticks, the cover charge for guests is as loose as ever, and the membership isn't as exclusive as it used to be. Which means the important people will be moving to more exclusive places, natch. Except for when they want to be seen having fun on the town. Because unlike what Wyrm says, the important people have an image to maintain. While you won't find the likes of Brackhaven partying at Infinity, you will find simstars and celebrities who keep their names fresh by being seen having a good time. They're usually your best way in if you want to get into those circles. Impress them at the more 'open' events, and you'll get brought along to the more exclusive ones, where you can run into people from other circles, and work on getting your name on the lists on your own. It takes work, time, nuyen, and often doing some acts of questionable morality, but it is a surer way of getting in than, say, trying to hack in and put your name on the list. These clubs have money to spend on spiders talented enough to notice the changes, even if they don't catch you in the act. And to protect their image, they aren't above using violence to send a message. Last week, a young punk thought he could hack his way into the VIP rooms of Infinity. Unfortunately for him, they spotted the fake, and had a couple bouncers waiting for him in the back, where they proceeded to 'educate' him on what he'd done wrong.]<<<<<

--Iceblade (19:43:22/12-23-74)

[Devil]

>>>>>[That would be true if Matchsticks were more popular. I'm pretty sure it's become less exclusive in order to gain more patrons, but it still never really draws a huge crowd. It's pretty niche, and it hasn't seen a lot of new blood, despite the changes, since that string of wannabe film noir trids a couple years ago. Buncha posers. Still, it's nice to see some new faces there, I suppose. Unfortunately most of the beauties still go to the modern clubs. Anyway, I always thought people valued the place for secrecy and atmosphere, not exclusivity. ]<<<<<

--Joker (19:52:57/12-23-74)

[Crunch]

>>>>>[Unfortunately for Matchsticks, the Jazz is very conventional and more than a little dated. It's a pleasant place to spend an evening, and from time to time they get some truly stellar players, but for the most part this is a place for people interested in being seen listening to Jazz rather than actually listening. An occasional high point is offered by the midweek shows featuring the Lab band from Udub ]<<<<<

--Mr. Fabulous (20:05:57/12-23-74)

[All4BigGuns]

>>>>>[I'm sure that all of them have their high-brow personalities that still go to them. Dante's probably is the best place to start though with the lack of membership--which is just another section of data trail to follow. If you can get me access to this Cobalt Marie's though, Wyrm, it'd be appreciated. I'm always up to try a new place to relax.]<<<<<

--Predator (22:24:27/12-23-2074)