[center][h3]A Gamble[/h3]
Collab between [@Solokolos] and [@Old Amsterdam] [/center]
[hider]
After about fifteen minutes a man sat down next to Hermes, not in the same table but close enough to be noticeable. He was on the taller side at 6 feet even, sporting a tan on Caucasian skin, short dark brown hair with matching eyes, sideburns, and beard. He was moderately built, leaning casually in his chair. [Color=orange]”Our friend stressed getting done in a timely manner,”[/color] his voice carried just enough to reach Hermes while he continued to look in a different direction while sipping on a drink.

Nodding his head, James looked over and spoke. [color=ed145b][b]"It’s more suspicious for you to be sitting over there talking to no one than sitting next to me.”[/b][/color] He said, [color=ed145b][b]"It’s your prerogative though.”[/b][/color] He glanced back to his food and continued eating. Had (probably) Furnace watched too many spy movies/TV shows? Regardless James found it silly.

Furnace switched tables easily. [Color=orange]”Didn't want to surprise you. Jerry Stein,”[/color] he said with an offered hand. He was dressed casually, and if Hermes took the hand the handshake would be firm. 

James finished chewing before shaking the hand. He wiped his mouth before cracking a smile at the introduction. [color=ed145b][b]"James Scott.”[/b][/color] It was weird saying his name like that, it had actually been a while. Civilian identity had mattered a lot less when he had become Jaunt. Same with becoming Hermes.

[Color=orange]”Whenever you're ready, then!”[/color] came the reply with a brilliant smile. [Color=orange]”I've heard rumors that the man has been less than inconspicuous lately, which given his track record…”[/color]

James gave a nod, enjoying the positivity that Jerry absolutely radiated. [color=ed145b][b]”Lay it on me. If all goes well I’d like to finish this tonight.”[/b][/color] He said. The thought that the megaphone of a man was being less conspicuous than normal was quite amusing honestly.

[Color=orange]”Yes, that would be great. Our friends wanted to be contacted soon. Okay, so!”[/color] he stood up smoothly. [Color=orange]”Last I heard he was staying to the edges of the more populated sections, mostly off of downtown. Nothing serious, but still….I find his behavior a little odd. Not the same man who broke into the [I]Pentagon[/I]. Any ideas on what might've happened?”[/color]

[color=ed145b][b]”A man who broke into the pentagon with a power that does literally all the work for him.”[/b][/color] Regrettably he glanced down at his food as he stood up. He had wanted to finish it, but the rush was understandable. Glancing up at Jerry, he spoke again. [color=ed145b][b]”Where are we headed, specifically? Or are we just gonna scout?”[/b][/color]

[Color=orange]”I don't have an exact location, but word on the street is that he'd been been spotted downtown near El Chapultepec last night. With a little luck and our combined talents I'm sure we'll be able to approach him without spooking the guy.”[/color] The explanation was smooth as they walked outside. And then, with a hint of amusement in his voice, Jerry asked,  [Color=orange]”You don't mind walking, do you?”[/color]

An uncomfortable laugh escaped his lips at the question. [color=ed145b][b]”You might’ve guessed I’m out of practice. It’ll be good for me though, so I really don’t mind.[/b][/color] James said. [color=ed145b][b]”Hopefully he hasn’t moved too much recently.[/b][/color] He wished out loud as he kept pace with Jerry.

Jerry was mindful, keeping them at a brisk pace without pressing on too much for James’ sake. [Color=orange]”Sounds like he sticks around for a day or two before going somewhere else. Some noise complaints. Nothing really problematic. You're familiar with his power, right?”[/color]

[color=ed145b][b]”Not the specifics honestly. He has supreme luck sometimes is what I’ve heard, but that’s the extent of it. I’d love to know more though if you do know?”[/b][/color] James seemed pretty happy to learn something new in this situation while admitting his own shortcomings  It definitely helped that he liked Jerry. He honestly was a bit bad at walking right now, the long distance already making him breath heavy.

Jerry nodded to himself for a moment as he collected his thoughts. [Color=orange]”I don't have access to the files of the PRT but there were plenty of reports. Definitely luck based, potentially to the point of granting superhuman capabilities temporarily, and made him formidable enough to break into and hack the Pentagon itself…. By himself.”[/color] He slowed down a little. [Color=orange]”Rumor had it that he took out the entire squad transporting him when the Jacks broke him out?”[/color] He looked over for confirmation.

Thinking, James looked a bit more concerned. If his power always gave him luck this would be a much harder problem, but if it had to be activated it could be dealt with with a surprise attack. Considering he had been captured, it was pretty reasonable to assume his power was not foolproof. [color=ed145b][b]”So we try to surprise him and incapacitate him as fast as possible?”[/b][/color] James said, nodding at Jerry. [color=ed145b][b]”Think it’ll work?”[/b][/color]

[Color=orange]”Yeah, I don't see a problem with that. A bit of recon, catch him unaware, should be easy enough. Just can't let him get away from us.”[/color]
[hr]
Most of the rest of the walk passed with mild pleasantries between the two, until they came to the club in question. Sure enough they could faintly hear a relatively loud yelling of general gibberish from the alley, the line of people to get in laughing at whoever was making a scene. Jerry motioned for them to get closer, carefully.

Reaching the line they could make out the words. [Color=gold]”They're fucking lying to all of us. The PRT wants the conflict between Capes, they want the terrible an the bad, they're trying to make children soldiers and you all just laugh!”[/color]

James acknowledged the signal from Jerry, trying to act casual as he rounded the corner, trying his best to read the crowd. They didn’t seem upset in any way, just interested. [color=ed145b][b]”We act like he’s schizophrenic to draw him away from the crowd, like he’s a friend or something? Some 90’s shitty comedy movie stunt?[/b][/color]  He suggested quietly, keeping an eye on the crowd.

[Color=orange]”Careful not to draw too much attention, but it could work. The crowd doesn't seem overly invested in his antics,”[/color] Jerry replied quietly. [Color=orange]”I can make a scene at the door, distract the crowd so you can move him, then catch up quickly.”[/color]

Jerry’s idea seemed easier to execute without a hitch than James, so he nodded. [color=ed145b][b]”You do yours, I’ll play up mine for anyone who stays,”[/b][/color] He said, shifting forward to push slowly through the crowd. He tried not to make it look too obvious he wanted to be at the front, but people moved out of the way for people like James.

Jerry strode forward confidently alongside the crowd, whistling merrily, before he stopped in front of the bouncer. [Color=Orange]”I believe my brother is waiting for me.”[/color]

As his conversation quickly became heated with the bouncer, egged on by Jerry, most of the crowd did indeed turn to the new developments like toddlers to a brightly colored and flashy television show. Only a few paid any direct attention towards Gamble, and even those were more cursory glances than not, but he continued his tirade without pause.

[color=ed145b][b]”There you are, cmon, you’re bothering the nice people. Have you been taking your medicine?[/b][/color] James said, hamming it up as he put his arm around Gamble, his attention half divided between the crowd around him, and the volatile explosive under his arm. James started walking away from the crowd, pulling Gamble along with him.

[Color=gold]”What, no. Who are you and what do you think you're doing to me?”[/color] Gamble growled, reaching into his pocket for his cellphone. [Color=gold]”I'm not going, I don't care who you are!”[/color]

He swung a fist at James’ face, winding up almost comically far beforehand.

 James kept pulling him along, moving his head out of the way of the punch that was visible a mile away. [color=ed145b][b]”Wow there, you don’t recognize me? Christ you’re fucked up, how much have you drank?”[/b][/color] He said, pulling him a bit harder to throw him off balance momentarily, before catching him. [color=ed145b][b]”You can barely walk!”[/b][/color]

[Color=gold]”What? Are you mad? Let go of me,”[/color] came the reply as Gamble stumbled. He pulled his head back and tried to headbutt James forcefully, pulling against the grip that held him.

[color=ed145b][b]”Not mad, but a little disappointed,[/b][/color] James said, again moving his head out of the way of the incoming attack. Was Gamble not going to use his power? This was way too easy. He was almost at the corner, at which point he could probably teleport depending on the foot traffic.

[Color=gold]”Whatever fucker, who hired you? I can pay double.”[/color] He got his phone from his pocket, finally, quickly sliding it unlocked.

[color=ed145b][b]”That sounds absolutely wonderful,”[/b][/color] James lied as they finally rounded the corner. He checked to see if anyone was behind him, and how many people were on the street.

Surprisingly enough it was, at the moment, clear. A few people were facing away, walking and chatting amicably, as a lone car waited on them to make a left. Gamble, meanwhile, pulled his head back again as his fingers pressed quickly on the phone..

Seeing the lone car made James stopped momentarily, before switching gears and hoping it was related to Cauldron. Shrugging, he quickly, grabbed both of Gamble’s hands, putting his knee against the mans back and taking him to the ground. It wasn’t hard to tell that he was an ex-cop at that moment. The phone would probably fall out of Gamble’s hand, but James wasn’t really paying attention to it. [color=ed145b][b]”Let’s get this over with.”[/b][/color] He said, half to Gamble and half to himself. He helped him back to his feet, holding him by his two wrists and forcing to either fall over again or continue walking forward towards the car. James found it strange, not having cuffs to complete this process.

Gamble put up a mild fight, but he was obviously outmatched by James. The phone did indeed fall, an unsent text message on the now cracked screen as they moved away. The car, now that the people were gone, turned onto their street, and stopped exactly in the path that James was walking.

With a quiet efficiency a man exited the driver's seat when James got near. Slipping a gag effortlessly into place he took Gamble with a quick slap of a restraint on his wrists.

Jerry came up, looking at the phone, and stopped when he saw the exchange. [Color=orange]”That's that, then?”[/color]

The man in the suit nodded absently, pushing Gamble into the backseat. As he got into the driver's seat, he looked at them for a moment.

“That's one, each. We'll be in touch.”
[/hider]