Roleplaying
2004 Archive
2005 Archive
Seminars
| When: | 15 March 2005 |
| Who: | Andrew, Bronwen, Galen, Ravid (as Ray), Sandra |
| What: | Ravid and Andrew discuss human nature, city politics, and who wins while a strike-based riot occurs outside of Fado's. |
Fado Irish Pub and Restaurant
Fado's has become a hotspot for many of the locals. The place is split between three different sections, the bar and tavern in one room, another room for the restaurant, and an outside patio area as an extension of the restaurant; all of which are no smoking. The owner, Tyrr Ceallaghan, opened Fado's two years ago and has advertised and made enough deals to watch it grow.
The bar and tavern room has a counter top bar where any of the patrons can sit and talk with the bartenders or their fellow patrons. Near the bar there are a few tables where anyone can sit with friends, share a drink, and just have a good time.
The restaurant and patio area is your classic walk in dine-in restaurant, with different celtic elements on the walls and in the way the rooms are built. The waitresses and waiters are dressed in all black, and always very courteous, as the owners insist on top quality customer service.
Galen stops dead, attempting to assimilate ... bangers ... mash ... "That a new band? They gonna be playing at No Dinero soon?
Ray Vaughn meanders into the restaurant glancing curiously over his shoulder at the display of mob mentality outside. He comes dangerously close to making a facial expression -- a corner of his mouth quirking in a slight smirk. That flurry of emoting taken care of, he makes his way toward the bar to locate himself a vacant seat.
Andrew is on the way to Fado's for the second-most important qualification of a lawyer: high alcohol tolerance as the noise attracts his attention. He pauses near the doorway, puzzled.
Sandra blinks at Galen. "No. It's a food dish. It's Irish. The proprieter gave myself and the panther free food, however she has wandered away, and I feel it would be a shame to waste it. Even if I suspect it was in the manner of a bribe. But you cannot be bribed for something you know nothing about, and therefore, it should be okay. You should try it."
Lyman and his bodyguards make for a limousine that waits outside the office building. Unfortunately, they are too slow, and their place is brought to a stop by the protesters as they converge on their employer's position. "Move a side!" one of Lyman's aids yells authoritatively. Yet, even for a man of his size he is unable to intimidate the crowd. They have strength in numbers.
Galen scrutinizes the plate of food with a suspicious eye. "Hey, its free food, who'm I to refuse, eh?" Galen takes up position to Sandra's left, perching ridiculously on the tiny barstool.
Galen notices the activity outside. "I need to go keep an eye on this."
Galen says, "Sorry about this, I'll be right back."
Sandra hmmms. "It might be best to let them have their say," she suggests. "They may have legitimate issues, and they certainly seem to be passionate about the subject." But she makes no move to stop the man.
Andrew hmms and steps into the bar more. "When did all this start?" he asks of the hostess, loud enough to make it a general question.Vaughn watches the larger man depart, giving his head a bit of a shake. "Eager to get involved, is he not?" He turns his attention to the task of flagging down the bartender for a drink. "I'd never get anything done if I paid attention to every little drama unfolding within my range of hearing."
Sandra turns to Vaughn, and then smiles in recognition. "Ah! The contemplative lake. I..." she turns her head back towards the window, "I believe it has something to do with a developer." She raises her voice to catch Andrew's question, "They just arrived a few minutes ago. At the moment, it seems a peaceful protest, if an angry one."
Andrew walks towards the sounds of sweet clarification, and nods to Vaughn, who he knows vaguely. "Pardon my interrupting, but do you think it's safe here? Groups don't gather this quickly and loudly without something driving them."
"Angrily peaceful?" Ray quirks an eyebrow upward, "An oxymoron at first hear, but considering how often peace is found through war... not all that uncommon a contradiction." His drink arrives and he diverts his attention to picking up the glass and giving it an idle circle or two, stirring the liquid. His eyes track back up to Andrew, "Safe enough, I suppose."
Sandra gives Vaughn a little half-shrug. "Well, they seem angry. However, I can't imagine that they'd actually attack the man...angry does not always mean violent. But I don't know the situation, I fear." As a cop car drives by the window, however, she murmurs, "Although I could be wrong," and makes to stand up.
Andrew smiles, "Safer than it was, at any rate," he says disarmingly. "Besides, attacking would just be poor for their cause, and they must know it... though I don't understand their purpose, so that's an uneasy hedge, at best."
Vaughn casually glances out at the events unfolding, "To guess... The developer is developing something the people don't want developed. Maybe he's going to tear down a building that's the sole nesting place of the rosy-rumped pigeon, maybe it's a Historical Landmark, who knows..." He takes a sip from his glass, "Don't guess the details all that relevant at the moment -- The general effect is familiar enough."
Sandra mmms. "No, Ms. Howard mentioned a Mr. Lyman, and it's about a strike that isn't, or...something." She waves a hand and takes up a position where she can see out the window a bit easier. "I hope they all keep their heads out there."
Andrew ahs, nodding, "Yeah, this bizarre stalling case? Quite the water cooler talk, that, though it seems it's moved beyond the 'did you hear' stage?"
Galen waves to Sandra, knocking over a bus-boy in the process.
Andrew flinches momentarily as things go clatter-clatter, but his expression smooths back to normal quite quickly, before he turns and gives a glare at the newcomer, shaking his head.
Sandra looks away from the window to frown at Galen. "You knocked that man over," she says, severely. "I hope you plan to apologize to him." Her foot taps.
"Hrm. Still... not a lot of difference in the end result. Not to any significant degree, at least." Ray gestures vaguely toward the window, indicating the disgruntled persons chaos outside. He takes a sip from his glass, leaning back against the bar. "I'm betting the officers resent this. From what I hear, they're on a bit of a manhunt -- undoubtably this is a more strongly unwanted distraction than it normally would be."
Galen looks sheepishly at Sandra, then at the bus-boy. He lifts the bus-boy up by his armpits and deposits him back on his feet. "Sorry, bud." He produces a fin and slips it into the busser's shirt collar as he straightens it.
Andrew ohs at that last portion from Ray, Galen dropping from his personal universe as Sandra scores a politeness point, while Andrew takes another look at the crowd. "On a manhut? That psychopath from earlier, or something else?"
Sandra smiles to Galen. "Very good. How are things out side? I hope the protestors are not in any danger? Or posing any?" She adds the latter after a moment's thought.
Bronwen steps into the main part of the restaurant just in time to hear the racket of dropped crockery. "Stones and staves, *what* is going on out here?" she growls at Kurgan, the bartender. "Can't a person get a bit of decent downtime once in a while?" The sight outside the front windows has the dark-haired woman jerking a thumb towards them. "Dare I even ask?"
"Headline read, 'Citywide Manhunt for Cop Killer', so I'm assuming that implies they're taking it seriously. I can imagine they dislike being drawn away from -that- bit of justice to keep a bunch of arguing protesters from getting violent." Vaughn cants his head to one side, watching the events unfold outside as he nurses his drink.
Galen sidles across the room, to the stool beside Sandra again. Taking up his former ludicrous pose on the tiny stool. "Ya, they seem to be just yelling and stuff, nothing being broken at all." he seems a touch dissappointed. "Them bangies and mush still need eating?"
Andrew clarifies quickly for the one from the back room, "Protestors on the Dupont issue. Lyman's stalling for some reason, so they MUST have him over a barrel, but he can't admit it."
"That Tyrr man said the cop was dirty," Sandra muses. "Although I imagine it doesn't matter to the other police so much, considering..." She nods absently at Galen, her eyes still on the window.
Ray's expression does not change as the crowd begins to get violent, "And there. They. Go." He doesn't seem to have an opinion on the matter of a violent mob just outside the door. Instead he glancees back to Sandra, "Did he have anything to back that up, or...?"
Andrew looks around the room, as if surprised at the sudden burst, and frowns. "Someone just got stupid, I think, but cops stick together, which means we're reasonably safe in here, as they should hold the line. Unless someone got very stupid."
Galen begins wreaking abject devistation on the plate of sausages. His fried opponents are devistated utterly in seconds, leaving only a greasy stain to mark their passing.
Roll by Ravid: (2) (4) (4)
Galen whispers to Sandra. "You seem very worried with what happens out there, but you don't go get near it. Why?"
Bronwen raises a hand to pinch the bridge of her nose. "They better be following their training," she mutters under her breath, easily weaving through the tables to haul open the front door. "Don't forget what you were taught! Call for backup! Get more uniforms out here to subdue the worst pockets!" After offering those helpful words of advice, Bronwen turns back to the restaurant, pulling a cellphone from her jacket and flipping it open. "Just how long has this been going on?" The question doesn't seem to be directed to anyone in particular.
"I don't know," Sandra says to Vaughn. "He has lovely tattoos, however." Sandra drums her fingers against her thighs, and then sighs, rising up on her toes. "I must go out there. There might be something I can do. Take care." She motors towards the door, sliding through the confused and anxious crowd with eel-like agility. She tries to duck under around Bronwen on her way out.
Andrew nods in approval at Bronwen's quick actions and says, "It only just got ugly out there, but they were meeting for a few minutes at least before the police arrived. Then the mood of the crowd, er, changed, you see."
Galen jumps up when his buddy leaves, and tracks after her, not quite so gracefully, but manages to make the door soon after her. "Pardon me" he says to Bronwyn. "Cant let a little thing like that get near that crowd all alone."
Ray stops sitting aloofly sipping at his drink, then gets to his feet. He doesn't bother explaining or making his polite goodbyes... Vaughn could definitely make use of some of those 'people skills'. He makes his way toward the door.
Andrew watches them go and holds up his hands, "I'm not planning to go out there," he mutters, "Too easy to succumb to a mob mentality out there. But if you'd like, officer, I'll get a heavy chair and stand by the door if anyone nasty comes inside," he volunteers.
Bronwen shifts slightly to block Sandra's escape. "Are you sure you want to go outside? It is not pretty," she comments before directing her attention back to the phone. "Officer requesting assistance in mid-town, across from Fado's. The crowd's getting worse outside and the boys could use some extra backup." She listens to the dispatcher on the other end before nodding and disconnecting the call. "Detective, actually. And while the offer is appreciated, Kurgan can keep it in line. He's a bit protective of the place, y'know?"
Roll by Sandra: (1) (4) (5)
Roll by Sandra: (2) (4) (6)
Ray pauses, finding his progress outside impeded a bit. He looks at Bronwen, his stoic expression nearly registering surprise as his eyes widen a bit at the woman. She's... -stopping- me? He blinks, "Detective..." He glances past her, outside. He focuses his attention on the chaos for a moment, narrowing his eyes a bit -- He seems to forget he was going to say something to her.
Sandra smiles briefly up at the officer, and it's almost apologetic, and then the black woman goes from a walking speed into a close impression of greased lightning, moving in a way that is just...unnatural, as she slides around Bronwen and out the building in a flash.
Galen blinks. "Um."
Roll by Bronwen: (4) (2) (3)
Andrew is far too experienced to shake his head and facepalm at that particular bit of silliness. He instead focuses on Ravid as he starts heading out, "Sir. Are you sure that's a good idea to leave Fado's?" He pushes on his internal Symphony at the word, "And increase the madness?"
Roll by Andrew: (2) (1) (1)
Roll by Ravid: (3) (5) (5)
Galen looks at Bronwyn, almost tearing up. "Lady, I gotta get out there, my buddy might get herself hurt. I wouldn't be able to forgive myself if she did!"
Vaughn does something rather uncharacteristic... though it's likely none present know him well enough to realize it... and hesitates. He cocks his head to one side, his normally stoic mask actually producing a frown. The place -does- need protecting, though... No more or less than those outside. He blinks, giving his head a shake, and glances back outside. "Perhaps I don't need to..." He narrows his eyes again, watching the scene outside unfold.
Roll by Ravid: (3) (6) (1)
Andrew nods, and says, continuing calmly, "The police will get this under control. No need to go make yourself a witness or get yourself added to the paddy wagon. I mean, Sandra is almost certainly looking at interesting questions from one source or another..."
An audible groan can be heard from Bronwen as Sandra simply... disappears. "Bright blades, another one. This has got to be a trial of patience," she mutters under her breath before swinging back around to head out the door. "Someone better watch her ass before it gets smeared on the ground. I'll be back soon." Galen's words get a scowl of a reply. "Sure, what's one more to join the chaos out there? Don't come to me if you get hurt."
Galen bumbles out the door.
"Hrm." Ray's face relaxes somewhat as staring at the crowd and pondering it didn't seem to have any particular effect. His eyes track back to Andrew, "Inconvenience is not a relevant concern. Questions I can answer." He contemplates the man for a moment, cocking his head to the side. "Why concern yourself with my actions?"
Andrew shrugs, and gestures outside, "There are people out there being quite foolish, marking them, as it were, for all time as far as an already angry police are concerned. I'd prefer not to let people just get swept up, and attract attention to local property and its values, if I can avoid it."
Roll by Ravid: (1) (5) (4)
The sidelong glance is fueled by an abrupt increase in attention as Ray turns to full-on face Andrew. "Property values? I don't think that's the central point of your focus, or rather -should- it be, but..." He gives his head a slight shake, "Not the time to debate that point." He quirks an eyebrow upward, "Though... it's not an issue. Let them have their dispute, already past the point of aversion anyway." He gestures casually back toward the bar, "A Word?"
Andrew points out towards the slowing riot, and explains, "Oh, yes. Everyone seeing this location as... run-down can only be dangerous for Austin in general..." He shrugs, and follows along, "Certainly. More interesting than fighting."
Vaughn eases into a seat at the bar...returning to his formerly-abandoned scotch. "Rather obvious display by the lady, wasn't it?" He takes a sip from his glass, resting an elbow upon the counter, "And I'll contest a point -- Not -always- more interesting. I've had conversations that would be downright offensive to call 'interesting', but... More productive, usually, at least."
Andrew says, "It'd have to be quite the display for me to find it interesting. Assault cases don't bring in the money to really compensate any victims in the matter, but, yes, someone is going to have a talk wtih the lady sooner or later, I'm sure." He nods to Kurgan and after a few beats, asks for a "Manhatten, please."
"Already in the planning stages, fear not." He glances down at his glass, "Though the odds would imply that your reasons for having a word with her would differ from mine." Vaughn reaches up a hand to idly tug at his goatee, casting his eyes skyward for a moment of contemplation, "Suppose a gaggle of police brutality suits just sprung into being outside. Whining about the consequences of their original intent to whine, and so forth."
Andrew blinks, "I doubt seriously police brutality will be called into question. This is a calm neighborhood. Normally, though it's a tad noisy outside right now. They honor the police, respect and fear them. And, the police were merely setting up a cordon. Containment. Law separating chaos and foolishness from stabilty." He sighs and puts his head against the bar as he hears bullets. "Make that TWO Manhattens."
"It always escalates..." Ray doesn't seem remotely surprised, "They let their passions run rampant and inevitably..." He jerks his head toward the window, indicating the gunshots, "...destruction. It happens over, and over, and over, and they never seem to learn." He gives the hint of a sigh, "No doubt any one of those people, under different circumstances, could see the reasonable course of action. Then they start running on impulse and..." He snaps his fingers.
Andrew says, sipping, "Oh, it's like a whole number of powder kegs, and, frankly, showing off superiority in some area will just lead to further disruption. I decided to forgo the temptation..." He looks Ray over, appraisingly, "And working to stop others as well as a public service, though I'm afraid I only got the conversationlist, not the fighters, it seems."
"I suppose it would seem so." It's not a complete agreement, but it will take the place of one for the moment. He takes a sip from his glass without bothering to elaborate, "Conversation tends to have more lasting end results, in any case. Sure, could go shoot a few people, 'regain the peace', but... You said it yourself. Further disruption."
Andrew says, "It really just makes stuff harder to track. This country has an excellent court system for resolving the disputes. I put my trust with the people," he intones...
"Precarious place to put it, I'm afraid." Vaughn doesn't seem overtly impressed by the trustworthy aspect with regards to people. At least he hasn't used the phrase 'unthinking animals' today. "Have any detail on what the entire fiasco outside is about?"
Andrew cocks an eyebrow at Vaughn but ignores the first part of the statement. Instead he lists off, "Just what I read in the papers. Union and the company aren't meeting. Not sure why they're not meeting, but it seems the company rep won't meet with the union's. And so, lockout."
"Labor disagreement degenerates into gunplay." The man's face varies from expressionless just far enough to indicate distaste, "Foolishness." He glances back outside, "Seems to be calming down a touch, though. Suppose this won't do much in the way of negotiations, hm?"
Andrew says, "Well, perhaps Mr. Lyman will finally allow them to proceed, now that he's established a position of weakness for the opposing side."
Ray nods, "Indeed. He didn't seem the least bit distressed about the way events were unfolding." He glances back over to Andrew, "So. About yourself. What do you do when not admiring the court system?" Enough small talk, it seems.
Andrew shrugs, finishes his drink, and stands up. "Oh, I do good work for God... if you're on the south side, I could introduce you to my church, if you'd like."
"I'll keep that in mind." Ray offers a bit of a nod, "I'm interested in at least a more precise explanation, at the least." He drains his glass and settles it lightly on the bar, "Sorry if that sounds nosy, but... I suppose it's in the job description. I'm partial to details."
Andrew shrugs, "Ray, I'm a lawyer. I'm married to my work, almost literally, considering how much of my money and time have been invested in my firm. What I don't spend there, I like to come up here where things are calm and normally sociable. You don't get many assault cases from drunkenness that got their start in Fado's.
"Your excitement earlier wasn't related to the legal profession." Ray offers, keeping his eyes on his empty glass. He doesn't seem overly inclined to press the issue at the moment, however, "You're right, though. This place is rather peaceful. Good environment for contemplation."
Andrew notes, "Right, though I think it may be a few days before I feel comfortable showing up again right around outside. There's a ceratin delight police get in interrogating defence lawyers..." He shakes his head, and shrugs, "Silly, really. I'll be heading out now that the street's are calmer. Have a good evening."
"Pleasant evening," Ray intones, seeming to more deeply contemplate the empty glass before him.
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