Log:Family Ties, Scene 2

Family Ties 2011/01/13 	 Kuroko Ray DiNunzio Shane Machlan 2

The Slipper is a three story building in one of the seedier sections of the Artist's Quarter. The club itself is on the ground level, and the upper floors are apartments, hinting back to the days when the structure might have been a residential/commercial space. There are no windows on the ground floor. A red neon sign display the name of the establishment, with a neon outline of a high heeled slipper with a woman sitting in it.

Kuroko flicks off her sunglass and pushes open the door. She stand in the doorway for a moment, letting her eyes adjust.

Just inside the door is the cashier's desk, a bouncer stands in front of the door that leads from this small entry area into the rest of the club. The bouncer looks Kuroko over...

There's a bored looking girl sitting behind the cashier's desk. She looks up at Kuroko from a book.

"Ten dollars," the girl behind that desk says. The bouncer eyes Kuroko warily. "What's going on," he says. He's spotted Kuroko's carrying case, and he's a bit on edge now

Kuroko pulls out her PDA, slowly. "Thank you young lady." She sets the PDA to credit mode and swipes it by the sensor. "Sir, I am meeting a colleague here. I certainly hope that there you find no difficulties with that proposition?"

The bouncer glances up to a security camera in the corner of the room before answering Kuroko. "What's in the case?"

Kuroko slowly slings the case off her shoulder and unties the top flap. She puls down the cloth to reveal her shinai, "It is a shinai, a bamboo sword used in kendo."

"Yeah..." the bouncer says, "You're gonna have to leave that out here."

Kuroko bows slightly, "Of course. It customary to surrender weapons when one enters another group's territory with peaceful intent."

Kuroko she ties the flap closed and hands the shinai to the bouncer.

"Terrority?" the bouncer asks. He takes the shinai and props it against the wall behind the cashier's desk. "Enjoy your night," he says.

Kuroko smiles thinly

The bouncer pulls open the door for Kuroko, as he readies his walkie talkie with the other hand.

Kuroko strolls into the club.

The club is a long room. A bar runs the length of the room, and behind the bar is the main stage where a stripper does a pole dance. Opposite the bar, separated by a little bit of open walking space, as a set of booths. At the far end of the room a couple steps lead up to a ropes off area. Back there, DiNunzio sits with a couple of his guys, partying with a few girls.

The place is dimly lit, with loud rock music playing.

Kuroko loosens her tie and saunters over to DiNunzio, giving the stripper an appreciative look as she walks.

The stripper smiles back to Kuroko. There's another bouncer guarding the rope that leads up to DiNunzio's table, and he's listening to his walkie talkie. He watches Kuroko as she approaches.

Kuroko stops in front of the bouncer, "Yo."

"Yo yourself." the second bouncer says. "What do you want?"

Kuroko points at DiNunzio, "Got business with DiNunzio."

"Ray ain't expecting anyone. Who are you and who sent you?" the bouncer asks.

Kuroko says, "Name's Kuroko Kurado. A client of mine wants me ta work a deal wit DiNunzio."

The bouncer listens to Kuroko's message. He turns and leads towards the railing that separates the VIP area from the rest of the club. One of DiNunzio's guys gets up and receives the message. He relays it to DiNunzio. DiNunzio looks over at Kuroko and eyes her for a few minutes. He nods.

DiNunzio and his associates shoo away the girls. The bouncer opens the rope for Kuroko to pass.

Kuroko nods to the bouncer and slouches over to DiNunzio. She flops down on a chair opposite him, "Yo."

Ray DiNunzio says, "Alright -- you've got my interest. What's your name again? And who's this client?"

Kuroko says, "I'm Kurado. I'm workin' for a guy called Frank Ochoa. You ain't heard of him. Buy ya have heard of his sis, La Lunachica. He wants a chance ta talk to his sis. Nice and simple. What's it gonna take to make it happen?"

Ray leans back, "Luna, huh?" He smiles. "I'm not saying that I'm in touch with her. What would it be worth if I passed the message on?"

Kuroko leans forward, "Why's it gotta be worth somethin'? This is family. You guys still respect the family, right?"

Ray chuckles, "You're taking on this job for the brother out of the goodness of your heart?"

Kuroko shrugs, "I charge a little bit. Gotta pay for wear an' tear on mah suits. I can split the fee wit' ya if that what it takes."

"What's wrong?" Ray asks, "Why's the brother need to hire someone to talk to her?"

Kuroko says, "He ain't got any connections. He's just some guy. His sis' she left wit' out givin' him a reason. Figures she went back you you guys, so you'd know how to get him in touch wit' her."

Ray nods. "The brother, he's a working stiff. You won't be able to buy too many suits for what he's paying you." He's quiet a bit, in thought. "Look... I wish I had Luna working for me. Soon as she got out, I asked her about coming back, joining the operation. She wouldn't go for it." He shrugs. "She was set on going straight."

Kuroko nods, "I appreciate that. That's what she told her bro, but then she ran off one night, left a note saying she was going back to you guys. But you say you got no idea where she is?"

Ray shrugs, "Fifteen years in the pen and she didn't say a word. I figure she's paid her dues to the family. Yeah, I don't know what she's up to now."

Kuroko hmms and thinks for a bit, "Looks like I gotta earn my pay check on this one then. You got any idea if she might have sonme unfinished business from before she got sent up?"

Ray shakes his head, "Nothing I can think of."

Kuroko sighs, "If ya hear anything, maybe you could send word over ta me at Bianchi Investigative Services. As a personal favor."

"Bianchi, yeah? I'll remember that." Ray says. "No promises."

Kuroko nods, "Thanks Ray. I owe ya one." She gets up to leave.

"I'll remember that too, Kurado!"

Kuroko chuckles and strolls away.

After leaving the club, Kuroko realizes that she's being followed by a car.

Kuroko keeps an eye on the car and drives casually to the warehouses by the port.

The black car follows along. The driver isn't bad at shadowing - he does it all text book style.

Kuroko pulls behind a random warehouse and gets out, seemingly to look over the building.

The car drives past, and it pulls over a block up, a spot where he can see Kuroko's car in the rear view.

Kuroko walks out of sight and then climbs to the top of a warehouse to get a look at the car.

On the street below, the driver steps out of the car. He checks around carefully and walks quietly up the warehouse. Kuroko can see this from her vantage point above the warehouse.

Kuroko steps into her own shadow and reappears behind the man.

The man tenses sensing the sudden presence of something behind him. He spins and reaches for his gun, in a holster on his waist.

Kuroko whispers, "I wouldn't, if I were you."

The man manages to get his gun into his hand and he turns it on Kuroko. Seeing who it is, he lowers his aim. "Jesus... Scared the crap outta me."

From this close, he's a White man in his thirties, fit, black hair with a receding hairline.

Kuroko smiles thinly, "If you don't mind, may I ask why you were following me?"

"I'm a police," he says. He pulls open his leather bomber jacket to show his badge on his belt. "The name's Machlan, Organized Crime Task Force."

Kuroko nods, "I see. How might I be of assistance to you Detective Machlan?"

"You've probably guessed it by now," Machlan says, as he tucks his gun away. "I'm looking for Luna."

Kuroko nods noncommittedly, "I see."

He says, "So I started with the brother, who led me to you. She's in serious trouble if I don't find her soon. What did DiNunzio tell you?"

Kuroko hmms, "I'm sorry Detective, I can't comment on an ongoing investigation without authorization from my client."

Machlan chuckles, "Sure you weren't a cop in a past life? She's missed a meeting with her PO, and right now, I'm the only thing sitting between her and parole violation. Frankly, I think she's up to old tricks again. Either way, I aim to find her as quickly as possible." He zips up his jacket.

Kuroko smiles faintly, "No, I wasn't a police officer. However, I will tell you that I, too, wish to keep her out of trouble and reunite her with her brother."

Machlan hands Kuroko his card. "If you find anything, contact me."

Kuroko takes the card, "Thank you." She hands him her card in return.