Re: Episode 1.05: The Clip Show
Later that day, Hornsby gathered everyone for a meeting where he informed them, “Ms McLean has safely arrived at her new assignment. She seems to be a perfect fit for the position. However, initial assessments appear to have been a touch short. Ms McLean’s assignment will have to be extended, I’m afraid. There are indications that it could become long term. The situation is volatile at best. Be assured, she is safe, but progress will be slow.”
“Matt Gardiano has been briefed and is aware that you could use some assistance on your current endeavor. To that end, allow me to introduce Mike Gonzalez. Mr. Gonzalez has an extensive background in detective reasoning and procedures that should prove to be most useful."
"Wait, what exactly do you mean by extended assignment?" Raven did not like the way this sounded. "Iona's coming back, right?"
Hornsby nodded his head affirmatively. "Yes, Dr. Cantrell, that is the plan for Ms McLean to eventually return after her assignment, but that timetable is now unsure, extended significantly, at least from our initial estimates."
And just like that, the team had a new house-mate. Mike moved into Iona's old room, the two bedroom suite shared with Alex.
After Hornsby left, Dren informed the group about what he learned from Gonzo. After some discussion, Raven said, “We appear to have a preliminary plan. Pieran and Mike will case the casino. Perhaps while they’re doing that, Johnny can search the internet for information on the boat. Find us a layout, or other pertinent details. Dren can see if he can get anymore specifics about the game itself from Gonzo and start working on some high roller identities for himself and Johnny. Alex and Iain can see what they can dig up about Pistone. I’ll get together with Marco and learn as much as I can about the mirror.” It was pleasantly convenient that Raven’s assignment was going to mean spending time with Marco.
"Since we're going to have two players at the table, one of you should loose early, so that you can steal the mirror," Raven continued. "The other stays at the table and makes sure that Chorro wins enough to stay in the game until we're ready to leave. I’m certain that with our mutual experience with antiques that Pieran and I will be able to come up with a passable fake. The copy could keep his security from noticing it's gone while we're sneaking out with the real one."
That's when the new guy, Mike, made an observation. "You know, it just hit me," he said, as he looked at Pieran. "You look a hell of a lot like this chef we busted once. Rousseau. He worked for Chorro. You like, family of his? Or are you his double from another dimension, or something? Does that sort of thing happen? Sorry, I'm still trying to deal with this alternate reality thing."
“Apparently Johnny is a girl named Jean in this reality," Raven said. "So I suppose anything is possible.”
"Andre Rousseau?" Dren asked. "Gonzo said Chorro’s bringing in a new caterer called Andre Rousseau, to prepare the food."
"If we could intercept this chef and… delay him, detain him… something like that," Raven said. "Then Pieran could take his place, giving us somebody on the inside.”
"I need to know what he sounds like –his voice, his region," Pieran said. " I need to know his mannerisms, his eccentricities. If he’s been hired to cater this affair, then his menu is already in the works, and he has a crew!
Mike shrugged. "I busted him a few times. His crew won't be a problem. He's a real A-hole, can't keep help for more than a few weeks. He'll probably be looking for new people for the new job. In my reality he had some videos out, Cooking Channel kind of stuff. Might help you get a head start on the whole copycat thing but, we got other problems" Mike went on to describe what he knew about the casino's security. "You can turn off the alarm in the surveillance room, but you can't get to the surveillance room without setting off the alarm. And we have to actually control the surveillance room, unless you want Chorro to have color pics of whoever grabs the mirror. Here's the real kicker: you have to be undead to be able to go inside."
Iain sighed: "I guess Mr. Hornsby neglected to mention that detail... We do have an undead on staff."
Dren shook his head "Damn, y' might actually be useful fer somethin'."
"The game's in 10 days," Dren continued. "Raven needs t'start lookin' inna this mirror. Pieran needs t'be watching th'Food Network. Mike needs t'get us a floor plan. Maybe Johnny can find somethin' on th'computer. Fer now, those are th' most important elements. Without these in place, we can't form a plan. My information from Gonzo on the Chef is that he is new, being hired for the first time. Chorro hasn’t met him in this reality s'Peiran's performance dinna need t'be spot on. We could still use some info on 'ow Rousseau plans t'come t'town an' maybe keep tha' from happenin' as well as some information on Vito."
“After Pieran has had a chance to get the basics of this chef down," Raven said. "Maybe he and Mike could pay an advance visit to the casino. Mike could be the chef’s assistant, body guard, agent, or something. It seems to me that it wouldn’t be outrageous for the chef to want to look the kitchen over as well as the room where he’ll be serving. That could give the two of you a chance to case the place."
"I like th'idea," Dren said. "But jus' t'be on th'safe side I think we should Google 'im. Find out about any Mike Gonzalez in this world. Would 'ate t'learn tha' he's a cop who's tried t'bust Chorro before. If it turns out th'Bizzaro Mike is Mall Security then w'got nothin' t'worry 'bout."
"Dare I suggest a Plan B," Johnny said. "Involving showing Mister Pistone the sharper end of a hand-carved oaken stake?"
"Plans 'er a dime a dozen," Dren said. "We can make them tell th' sun comes up - th'trick is making ones that we know will work. If Chorro is as big an' bad as we think, then y'can bet Pistone is as well... Unless y'think Chorro's not a force t'worry about. In which case I'll ask ya once - Ya wanna fight me? Cuz I can assure you, I'm no tougher than a self-evolved, mystery, vampire tha' we know no weakness or level o'power to. But I like th'way y'think - just too early in th'game."
"If Pistone is Chorro's equal, then we need to stay the hell away from him, at least for now," Alex said. "Its bad enough that someone as dangerous as Chorro is in our playground."
"I think we've covered everything we can for now. I want to thank all of you for your willingness to help out in this matter. Both Marco and I appreciate it a great deal." Raven stood up. "I need to go get ready for my dinner date. I'll be sure to ask him for any other details he can provide about the mirror. Again, thank you," she said as she walked out of the conference room.
Dren waited and watched as Raven left the room. "S'much fer th'rule o' not mixin' business wit' pleasure," he mumbled as quiet as it was spiteful, before tossing back the large portion of drink he had remaining.