In reply to James E. Beauregard (msg # 64):

"Yes sir. Your position on this matter is clear. I will capitulate." The dark-haired man is courteous and genuine in his words.

Coop had been listening to the discussion unfold before speaking his own piece.  "Right, let me get this clear in me head," he interjected.  "We're being asked to rescue some girls for the Chinaman at much risk to ourselves and we ain't even asking for any reward for doing so?  I ain't a fan of slavery meself but this will make us unpopular with some faction in the city most like and we ain't even gonna profit from it?  You guys have a big score before you come here or somethin' that mean you don't need to work for a living?  You've been holed up here for weeks not earning nothin' so you must be mighty rich to not need a reward."

It was clear that Coop felt that he needed one himself and was surprised that others didn't.

Jake gave JEB a hard look when the Missourian butted in before Cole had an opportunity to respond to the Texan's comments. When Cole began speaking, the rifleman gave him his attention, and nodded his understanding when the wrangler was done.

The Texan also nodded when Coop began speaking, then turned to JEB. "You can come on as high-handed as you want 'bout this, JEB, but yer 'I'll do this an' I won't do that' don't carry no damned water with me."

"Coop, here, has the right of it. Git us some fair compensaehunn for this undertakin', or count me out."

In reply to Jake Richardson (msg # 68):

ENS finally chimes in.

I tend to feel the same as the Sheriff on this endeavor, but the others make a fair point and I have no objection to asking for fair compensation on behalf of the group. I will only accept compensation for expenses since, as Mr. Coopwood inferred, I have other sources of income.

ENS pauses to rub his chin.

As to the matter of Cole's situation, he was attacked by a Chinese gang so we'll certainly be working in the right area... any questioning done could encompass both problems. Since his criminal charges were dropped simultaneously with the attack, it seems certain that the powers in question colluded with the gang to ensure Cole never made trial; and since we know from Cole that these 'powers' already oppress the local Chinese population, it seems fairly likely that they may be involved in the slavery trade as well.
This message was last edited by the player at 15:49, Fri 31 July 2015.

Cole's face darkens as he responds in a low tone.

I surely hope so...

In reply to Jake Richardson (msg # 68):

JEB returns the Texan's glare with the hard look of a Missouri bushwhacker.

I will pass on your request.

"Glad to hear it," Jake replied to JEB. He now wore an expression of poker-faced neutrality, having elected not to ramp up the staring contest with the Missourian. That kinda stuff is for teen-aged boys who like to think that they're some tough hombres.  I reckon me an' JEB've both seen the elephant way too many times to be affected by such folderol.

"This Celestial is a bizznessman, an' it strikes me that he understands that you don't git sumpthin' for nuthin'. Matter of fact, I 'spect that he'd think us mighty foolish to agree to such a deal. I also think that he's not havin' an' easy time findin' local talent to take on these hard-cases, which is why he's comin' to us -- and that means that we're surely providin' sumpthin' of value to him."

"Now, then -- we need to git down to brass tacks afore we leave this room."

Turning to Coopwood, Jake asked, "Did ye 'ave a number in mind for yerself, Coop?"

In reply to Jake Richardson (msg # 72):

Seizing the moment, Conway quickly tears a page from the back of his notebook. He writes on the page and folds it.

The dark haired man hands the slip to Mr. Richardson. "A starting point."

Jake unfolded the note that Charles handed him and took a moment to read it. Then he re-folded it, nodded, and handed it back to Charles.

"Gentlemen," Jake said, "Mister Conway's got a solid pro-posal, I do believe."

"I ask that we give him our attenshunn, keepin' in mind that he most likely unnerstands the Celestial mind better'n the rest of us, an' that he's also got a better grasp of what the local market'll bear than the rest of us."

Glancing over at Coopwood, the Texan added, "Charles's got us covered, Coop."

In reply to Jake Richardson (msg # 74):

"But sir," Conway urges, "I only advise these quick figures based on the exceptional risk we will encounter, hush monies needed, supplies, sundries and the unforeseen. The decision is for you to debate--I have already told Mr. Beauregard I will no longer advocate for compensation."

In reply to Charles Conway (msg # 75):

Jake grunted and looked a little surprised at Charles's respone. After a moment he shrugged and turned towards JEB.

"All right, then. JEB, our suggested startin' point for neegoesheae-shunns is Sixteen Hundert Dollars compensation, and Two Hundert-Fifty Dollars in expenses."

Glancing over at Coopwood, the Texan asked, "That sound good to you, Coop?"

In reply to Jake Richardson (msg # 76):

ENS is a bit taken aback by the price Jake states, but he holds his tongue and lets the scene unfold.

Coop looked at Jake with the mild confusion of someone trying to work out in his head, and failing, what his share of a very large amount of money was going to be.  He felt that this job deserved some form of recompense but that figure was so high it made Coop worry that they were pricing themselves out of the market.

"Sounds great to me if we get it," replied Coop finally to Jake, "but I'm worried we're asking for too much.  What'd my share be?  Right now a hundred dollars in me pocket'd be great but I'll take more if we can get it."

He turned to Charles, partly confused why he'd said he'd do this task for free.  Coop presumed that he had another angle on the deal, probably to do with favours as Charles was a shrewd businessman.  "Mr Conway, how d'ya come up with that figure?  It's mighty big and I ain't sure who's sharing it."

In reply to Alfred Coopwood (msg # 78):

Anyone taking a moment to look in Cole's direction can be fairly certain money is not at the top of his current list of priorities.

In reply to Alfred Coopwood (msg # 78):

"The sum represents many aspects of this endeavor. The expenses figure is a simple calculation of fifty dollars per day for the five days Mr. Xu believes it will take for the slavers' ship to arrive. It is an aggregated amount." Conway is comfortable presenting to this room full of people. He is sure of his topic and is demonstrative in his gestures.

The dark haired man pours a glass of water. "The reward amount is a more visceral response to the great risk we will undertake. We each bring specialized talents to this consortium--talents which will come to bear at varying times. But a single truth resides within whatever agreement at which we will arrive--our risks are many. Not only do we have the high likelihood to encounter one or more of the Tongs, but other clandestine elements are at play. Coop and I call this city home. This affair may well affect the lives we have created. We may cross some very powerful people--people we might not want to know our names or faces." Conway casually sips his water.

"So, you ask how I arrive at such a number? Maybe two-hundred dollars is what my life costs right now. So I assigned the same value to each of the seven of you to total sixteen-hundred. But there are three cardinal rules of negotiation to consider: don't be the first to propose an amount, have your counter-offer ready without delay, and know your bottom limit. I propose we take no less than one-hundred fifty dollars per man which translates to twelve-hundred dollar total compensation. The expenses should remain fixed as they are."

Conway crosses the room as he speaks. "Now I understand the trepidation some or all of you may have with asking for such a sum. I truly see the desire to undertake this task without any compensation whatsoever--the altruistic hero who saves the day and gains the admiration of the townsfolk. We don't live in some constructed fantasy. This is real life where real enemies wish us harm.

"What any of us does with the money is that man's private decision. But, it is also the right of each man to be compensated an amount he feels fair."
This message was last edited by the player at 05:13, Tue 04 Aug 2015.

In reply to Charles Conway (msg # 80):

ENS listens carefully to Conway.

Very well said and sensible Mr. Conway. I accept your premise though I will probably still allow my share to be spread among the group... but perhaps I'll change my mind before this is all done.

...the last is said with one of ENS' typical grins.

Coop nodded in agreement at Charles' explanation but said nothing further.  The fee would be the largest Coop had ever earned for anything, presuming that it was agreed to, but then it was probably the riskiest thing he'd ever undertaken since the end of the war and he had been young and cocky then.

He'd also noted that Charles had given everyone the same share and that pleased Coop as it placed them all as equals.

In reply to Alfred Coopwood (msg # 82):

If we're done discussing compensation I'll deliver our proposal.

JEB pauses for a minute to allow for any more comments and if none rejoins the chinaman in the other room.

In reply to James E. Beauregard (msg # 83):

Jake nodded his agreement with JEB's statement.

In reply to Jake Richardson (msg # 84):

Just one thing Sheriff; Mr. Jing mentioned that "The perpetrators are many...". I think we need to press him on whatever details he knows on this; specifically what groups or persons, Chinese or otherwise, are actively involved in this slave trade.

Glancing in JEB's direction, the Wrangler speaks in a grim voice.

Ask him if he knows anything about who killed Rojas and Randy.

The men rejoin their guest in the apartment's front room. Mr. Xu stands near the table, waiting patiently. He retakes his seat when JEB enters and does the same. For the most part, the men gravitate back to the positions they had found themselves in earlier.

The Chinese merchant awaits JEB's words.

In reply to Judge Messalen (msg # 87):

JEB takes out his trademark cigar, bites the cap off and lights the stick. He offers one to the chinaman expecting a polite decline and breaks the silence.

"We accept your request for aid, but there is the matter of compensation for expenses and risk incurred that must be agreed upon before we proceed with the details of the task at hand."

In reply to James E. Beauregard (msg # 88):

"What are your terms?" says the Celestial, through the professor's translation.

In reply to Xu Jie Jing (msg # 89):

Expenses are fixed costs simple enough to determine - $250 is sufficient. Risk adjusted return is market driven on the other hand. You are familiar with the risks involved. What do you consider fair remuneration for our exposure?