[Center]Present day[/Center]

Mercator sits in a small office in the rear of his shop, The Shadow Bazaar, as a couple of his goons run things out front. after the fall business has become vastly more difficult, no online transactions, no stock exchange, Mercator had hoped to amass wealth like the corporate CEOs did. Alas, with the fall very few businesses exist and the ones that do only span two or three outlets across the city. Mercator smirks to himself, "thats why being a crime lord is much more profitable" he says aloud, but to nobody in particular. 

one of the Shadow Bazaar goons knocked on the office door, "Sir, uh. Mr. Smith is here to see you." Mercator rose and opened the door, and looked to the malnourished Mr. Smith while carefully hiding any emotion behind a mask of good cheer, but thinking the entire time 'I hope he has his payment this time' then Mercator "Come in! come in! welcome." as Mr. Smith came in and as he closed the door to the office. the moment the door latched shut the good cheer evaporated, "Mr. Smith" says Mercator in a much more serious and grim tone "do you have you payment for this week?"

Mr Smith shifts uncomfortably in his chair, "w-well, that's why i'm here, i just need a couple days extension. i got a job lined up, should make me enough to pay, i just need a couple extra days." Mercator closes his eyes even before Mr. Smith finishes, he has heard it all before. a thousand times even before the fall, and a thousand more after. "yes, i am sure that is all true... but think of the position that puts me in Hmm? i cant have it known im letting you off easy, or Ms. Acer will be asking for extentions, and maybe Grumm will just stop paying. we cant have that now can we?" asks Mercator whos only reply was a terrified shake of the head. "now, i will give you the rest of the week, which would put you a full month behind, if you havent payed up by then... well, you will pay your pound of flesh. Understand?"

Mr. Smith nods and immediately leaves. Mercator marvels at the humans scurrying about in this way, so easily manipulated and coerced, then the though occurs. if Mr. smith pays up, in full, ill only make $8000 if i take him to that back alley butcher, i should make a tidy $20k from his organs... ah well. cant kill everyone for the quick buck, need other people to maintain the economy.