So they all say.

[Yaoquizque]

"An easy job, for a fair reward..."
His voice slowly faded off before his attention transfered to the pet that was giggling on his left.

Carlin looked askance at him while taking a generous swallow from his pint.

He was one of those grubby men who were seemingly spending their lives in those crowded dives. Nathaniel was of course trustworthy... As much as a Junker could be. Carlin himself took advantage of many fools... But Carlin wasn't a fool himself.

It all went down to the 'recommendation' Nathaniel gave, in the end. Between a rudeness and a banter.

"'Lawrence' Smack might have some work for you...".
But that disturbing smile... Carlin didn't like it. At all.

Carlin took his time to swallow the awful booze they were serving here. It gave him some time to study further that suspicious-looking contact.

He eventually grimaced. Bornholm wasn't known for its rum, after all. But Carlin didn't exactly mind. Those two little mischief pits on the man's face were concerning him quite more right now.

"Nice joke. We both know how much that kind of work is paid nowadays..." he finally said in a bored tone.

"Come on..." started to say Laurence "It's the time when you try your luck getting the best out of the deal, right..? Alright. I'm giving you five thousands more credits. Happy now?"

"No." grunted Carling. "We will do it for at least Twenty five thousands more."

Maybe he was stretching it a bit... The man's laugh confirmed it.

"Five thousands. No more, my friend. If you aren't happy about this deal... Well, you can still go try your luck with my friend Samuel Jonns right there..."

Lawrence friendly waved at a man leaning against the wall on the other side of the bar, while carrying on with his tirade. He couldn't repress a satisfied grin when that man replied with an obscene gesture, obviously angered by those so-called marks of friendship.

"And besides..." He then added "I saw your ship, friend. I'm surprised Junker didn't try to board you when you approached the station... I mean it just looks like an useless piece of scrap..."

Carlin shrugged. He couldn't really belie. Betty had know better days... Despite Brett's valiant efforts.

"... And i would be stupid to throw credits at someone who would have little chances to do the job... And i'm not stupid, am i?" He asked to the wrench wriggling on his left. She giggled again.
"See. Even Pamela agrees."

Carlin ignored the veiled offense, contenting with staring at the man. The latter shrugged.
"How boring you are. How many words did you utter so far? Ten? Anyway... What's the deal? Do you take or do you bugger off."

Carlin was tempted to tell that fool to go to hell and to just walk away with dignity. Totally a rip-off. But... Well.

They needed the money.

After having mumbled something, he finally nodded.

"Ha! I knew we could work together." emitted Laurence while grinning exultantly. That deceitful smile suddenly disappeared from his face, however.

"A quarter of it now. The rest when the delivery will be done. Good luck."

Carlin finished the awful booze and got up. He repressed a sigh as he was walking back to the docks.
Moira would hate that.

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