recognize_an_opportunity: (Or I could just shoot you)
Meyer Lansky ([personal profile] recognize_an_opportunity) wrote in [community profile] tampered2013-08-24 09:54 pm

I've got 500 in twenties and I've got a ton of great ideas...

When; August 24, late afternoon
Where; Somewhere sketchy
Rating; Could definitely be R, for violence and language at least!
Characters; Meyer Lansky & Al Capone
Summary; Al sees a side of Meyer he's never seen before, and has no idea what to do with it.
Log;

He doesn't much enjoy these places -- questionable bars with even more questionable back rooms, the narrow alleys outside of them, the places people go to do the kind of business that shouldn't see the light of day; the City might not be much like New York, but it has its fair share of dangerous places, too. Sure, he does just fine in places like that, knows how to handle himself, knows how to conduct himself in an appropriate manner, but that doesn't mean he spends more time than he needs to in these seedy areas. The casino's a legitimate business, as far as anyone is concerned, and he'd like to keep it that way. But there're other businesses he's involved in, businesses that necessitate meeting in odd places, businesses that involve meeting with unpleasant people.

That's where he is now. Behind some nondescript building in the Underground, having what would appear to be a polite conversation with another man, were it observed from afar. If someone was listening intently, though, if they could get close enough to the two men to hear what they were really saying, it would quickly become obvious that, although the conversation is hushed, it's anything but pleasant. Polite, perhaps, since Meyer's almost always polite, but there's something threatening in his voice, too. He doesn't like it when business doesn't go his way. And he really doesn't like it when someone tries to cheat him.

As far as he knows, there's nobody listening. He'd be wrong about that.
makingastatement: (♠ READY FOR A FIGHT)

[personal profile] makingastatement 2013-08-25 05:32 am (UTC)(link)
Unlike his business associate, Al has no problem with the more questionable places in the City, including the Underground. It's not that he has a preference to his business dealings per se, but he knows he never has to worry about anyone contesting his business endeavors. Even the bravest of critics could be put in their place quickly.

After finalizing some collections, he's had a few drinks before he decides to head home. It's not the time of day that dictates these things, but the work you do to earn it. When he passes the alleyway, Al hears the familiar voice and begins to wonder about his sobriety, but there's no mistaking that face. Meyer is having a private discussion and that's enough to get him curious. He settles against the brick of the building, shielded by the wall and continues to listen in hoping the shady section of the City can stay quiet long enough for him to hear just a bit of the conversation.
makingastatement: (♠ DARMODY)

[personal profile] makingastatement 2013-08-25 05:50 am (UTC)(link)
The words might not be crystal clear, but the tones speak volumes themselves. It's surprising to see the two men alone, neither thinking to surround themselves with company to make their operations appear larger or to guarantee no underhanded tactics. Their methods of business and negotiations may be different, but it's clear there's something sour in the air.

He steals the occasional peek down the alley, pretending to be lost in a far-off stare. This situation has the potential to go downhill and fast. While he feels no real duty to involve himself physically, Al's already drawn in enough to excuse himself now.
makingastatement: (♠ LISTENING)

[personal profile] makingastatement 2013-08-25 06:23 am (UTC)(link)
A wince and a short laugh at Meyer's expense follow the thud. It's like listening in on a boxing match-- heated and involved but still distant. He's not entirely without sympathy, but the school of hard knocks is a lesson one must learn on their own from time to time.

The next glance around the corner lingers longer than he wishes, but he has to confirm what he's seeing. It's Meyer throwing his weight around and that's unexpected. His viewing habits are more conspicuous now, though he still has the cover of the wall. It's always good to learn about people and their capabilities. This is proving to be a fountain of new information.
makingastatement: (♠ AUTHORITY)

[personal profile] makingastatement 2013-08-25 06:45 am (UTC)(link)
"Please, ow," the guy gurgles behind the flood that was previously his nose, "listen-- just listen! I can fix it. I can talk to some people soon, real soon, and get this fixed. Just let me go find them. Just let me go right now."

His excuses seem to have run dry, but there is some negotiation skills left in him, anything to spare himself another punch to the face. The man assumes Meyer will be willing to abide by these terms and, mixed with pain and fear, he begins to try and wriggle free from where he's pinned.

There's definitely a sense of overall approval from Al in these methods of business, but he wonders how far Meyer is willing to go with them. How extensive is his temper?
makingastatement: (♠ FUCK IT)

[personal profile] makingastatement 2013-08-25 07:16 am (UTC)(link)
Fighting dirty, while effective, can only be a spectacle for so long. Al takes one last glance at the street to ensure privacy before stepping into the nook himself. He watches the tussle up close for a second, gauging where to intervene before the guy's head meets the ground. It's then he steps back just once, realizing the situation is pretty well resolved.

Al watches Meyer carefully, inspecting him as if the two were of an entirely different species rather than strangers.

"What the fuck was that?"
makingastatement: (♠ WHAT THE ACTUAL FUCK)

[personal profile] makingastatement 2013-08-25 07:32 am (UTC)(link)
There's a degree of uncertainty that he doesn't care much to display, but it shows through accompanied with the shock. Between the crazed look in Meyer's eyes and the slightest trace of blood left on his teeth, the very same teeth that smile through a plethora of bullshitting, shit-eating and otherwise jawing on a daily basis, Al is not inclined to offer him a hand up.

Instead he crouches where he can still keep an eye on Meyer, inspecting the damage as if to validate it for himself. After a wrinkle of his nose, a laugh follows. It's a bit choked, but otherwise pleasant.

"Looks more like you were trying to rearrange his face and chew off his hand. Jesus."
makingastatement: (♠ WHATEVER YOU SAY PAL)

[personal profile] makingastatement 2013-08-25 08:03 am (UTC)(link)
He stands, dusting himself off for good measure, and watches the procedure at work. It's methodical, much like Meyer's usual methods, and too familiar to attribute to simply good sense. For a guy that previously struck him as someone who doesn't like to dirty their hands personally, he knows his way around pickpocketing.

A thought is given to indicating to what looks like a good chunk of flesh near Meyer's chin and he starts to raise his hand to his own face to oblige, but given the state of the rest of his upper body, Al doesn't find much sense in following through.

"Whatever it was, he definitely won't be giving you any more problems."
makingastatement: (♠ FALLING INTO PLACE)

[personal profile] makingastatement 2013-08-25 08:24 am (UTC)(link)
"I got my own business down here," that's a negative, Meyer. Al is a busy man, after all, and doesn't have any reason to have you followed-- yet. There's certainly, as this encounter has proven, something to look out for should their business relationship ever take a sour turn. The way things have been, Al hopes this is not the case any time soon.

"Seeing the show? That was just an unexpected surprise. I didn't know you had it in you."
makingastatement: (♠ UP AND COMING)

[personal profile] makingastatement 2013-08-25 08:40 am (UTC)(link)
The short sniff of a laugh and silence are more of an answer than any long-winded explanation could give. Al is aware of the presentation of the businessman, the reasonable and cool-headed one that is both well-crafted and maintained, but to see the other side? Needless to say, his assumption was wrong and that too can remain unspoken.

"Not to part ways with the great company you're keeping here, but it might be in our best interest to move on. You probably smell like a snack to some of the things down here."
makingastatement: (♠ YOU'RE ALRIGHT)

[personal profile] makingastatement 2013-08-26 04:04 am (UTC)(link)
Not that it's his mess to clean up, but the decision to leave the man to his own devices and his fate in the hands of the out-of-the-way alley is a welcome one.

"Long day. I'm headed back."

He indicates to the back alleyways, familiar enough with them to know the path and finding it a reasonable solution to drawing too much attention to themselves.

"Mind the company? I could use some protection."
makingastatement: (♠ REWARDS)

[personal profile] makingastatement 2013-08-26 04:43 am (UTC)(link)
What he has witnessed is certainly something to consider-and while he can exploit the humor of his surprise, it does leave an impression. He can respect a man that can hold his own, even if it boils down to scrapping. It's fortunate he himself doesn't have the urge to shortchange Meyer for any better offers or a better profit for himself. Not here, not now.

"Not a lot, no." Truth of the matter is, while there's plenty of business to be capitalized on in the underground, the City atmosphere is more lively and pleasant for him.

"They've got boxing matches down here on the weekends. The real deal, not those powderpuffs that barely slap each other around."
makingastatement: (♠ SMUG)

[personal profile] makingastatement 2013-08-26 05:13 am (UTC)(link)
Meyer isn't wrong, but there's more to the matches. Even Al understands that profit keeps the world turning, but without a little fun in the mix the ride isn't worth a damn thing. Things are different here from their own world and it's easy to recognize. While there is a looming, dictating presence in the City, overall everyone gets by and restrictions are lax. There's still supply and demand, but the business isn't cutthroat-- not yet anyway.

"If someone catches my eye, I help 'em out."

Witnessing this, Al sees a crack in the well put-together exterior of another poor kid from a shit neighborhood. He wonders what it takes to push Meyer to his limit, but isn't eager to find out first-hand.

"It's one guy against another guy. There's tricks, sure, but it all rides off how hard one can push the other before it's lights out. You can't always predict that."
makingastatement: (♠ QUESTIONING)

[personal profile] makingastatement 2013-08-26 05:45 am (UTC)(link)
"What's that supposed to mean?"

Sure, he likes to keep himself busy. He doesn't particularly care for sticking to one line of business-- he's seen family members whittle at one thing for their entire lives and have nothing to show for it. This way he can cover all his bases.

"I wouldn't answer if they asked," he replies with nonchalance. Two guys babbling on about a nosebleed? If anyone gives them any trouble over it, it's almost worth dishing the nosebleed out and dismissing the concern entirely.
makingastatement: (♠ IF THINGS TURNED OUT DIFFERENT)

[personal profile] makingastatement 2013-08-26 06:30 am (UTC)(link)
There's a nod. It's hard to distinguish where he should go into detail and what he likes to keep to himself. He wouldn't go so far as to say he's comfortable with Meyer, but it's nice to have a focused associate readily available in the City.

"My evening's free."
makingastatement: (♠ ATTENTIVE)

[personal profile] makingastatement 2013-08-26 06:41 am (UTC)(link)
"You sure you're gonna need the help?" The conversation comes full circle and he can't help but grin at the idea of it again.

"I'd hate to see what that bastard back there did to get you riled up like that."
makingastatement: (♠ UP AND COMING)

[personal profile] makingastatement 2013-08-26 07:02 am (UTC)(link)
He's familiar with the sort himself. Somehow they get the notion that squirming or dressing up conversation will buy them some time or slack when it just ends up wasting time.

"Let's hope this trip goes over smoother."

Meyer's client-base isn't one that he's familiar with yet, but he imagines being as high-strung as the casino owner is, they must have someone willing to vouch for them.
makingastatement: (♠ SUCH DISRESPECT)

[personal profile] makingastatement 2013-08-28 05:28 am (UTC)(link)
Say what you may about forceful business tactics, Meyer, but even you can't deny that it feels good to lay one down on someone that deserves it.

"How far's your reach?"

If he's going to be involved in the business, Al figures he might as well get to know it. For just discovering the product in the back, he only knows its quantity dissipates over time before it is miraculously replenished. Who it goes to, when and how he has no mind of nor how hands on Meyer himself is in the endeavor.
makingastatement: (♠ HOW IT IS)

[personal profile] makingastatement 2013-08-28 07:49 am (UTC)(link)
Figures as much. The answer lacks satisfaction, an endeavor that interests Al. It's true, the City is nothing like back home, but it's a fair challenge to speculate how lucrative the trade could be in a purgatory between worlds.

"Who doesn't? Still, it's always got people dropping in for one thing or another."

It's rough around the edges for a reason-- nobody worth much seems to want to stick around for long.

"Selling your goods in a place that turns on its head on a weekly basis-- it's either guaranteed to be a hard sell or a genuine enhancement to the experience."

No matter where one ends up, the world will inevitably always be a crazy place. In that, there will always be people looking for some adventure or to drown their sorrows.
makingastatement: (♠ FALLING INTO PLACE)

[personal profile] makingastatement 2013-08-31 04:58 am (UTC)(link)
Anything to make a few bucks and leave a reasonably happy customer. It's certainly one way to secure business and he's not opposed to that.

"You usually make the deliveries yourself?"

From Meyer's description of the trade seems to be a small racket, how small he still doesn't fully know. Even so, a confirmation of this speculation would surprise him. Meyer doesn't strike him as a hands-on type of guy or one that gets too involved with his base of customers. After obsessively running a casino-- really, how would he have the time anyway?
makingastatement: (♠ YOU'RE ALRIGHT)

[personal profile] makingastatement 2013-08-31 06:25 am (UTC)(link)
"Good tactic until the guy with as much zip as a cheetah or some kid with a good sniffer finds the drop first."

There's more of a twist to the City than the law. Al's constantly coming across new information, whether from another time or world entirely. He retains as much as he can, turning a handicap into an advantage-- it's adapt or become obsolete. Some of the learning has been more painful than others, but he passes up no opportunity to show it off.

"But you're still finding your footing."

And along the way he'll be more than happy to pitch in his share of suggestions, solicited or not.
makingastatement: (♠ I GOT THIS)

[personal profile] makingastatement 2013-09-03 12:05 am (UTC)(link)
There's plenty of things he's willing to do, most because he knows that he's capable but some, perhaps the boldest, because it's something to do. A wicked impulse that is the ultimate high. It just feels right: purposeful, and if he can make a buck off of it then even better.

"I'll make the deliveries with you tonight-- see what you've got going on. If you're willing to part with a little product after that, I can see how it takes off in the spots I'm thinking of."

The casino is one place of business he might regard Meyer as of more authority, but this? This business is the kind he takes seriously, the kind that he demands more liberties. It's easier to be crafty on his terms than anyone else's.