David's bunkhouse friend suffers a strange reaction to his card sharping, but this brings unexpected new opportunities.
Angel and May is an audio-only podcast, produced by a not-for-profit group of community theatre supporters.
See more on our website: www.angelandmay.com
Please support us through our Patreon page as we have no other source of income.
David's bunkhouse friend suffers a strange reaction to his card sharping, but this brings unexpected new opportunities.
Angel and May is an audio-only podcast, produced by a not-for-profit group of community theatre supporters.
See more on our website: www.angelandmay.com
Please support us through our Patreon page as we have no other source of income.
G01-E03 - THE MAGICIAN
SUMMARY
Storyline is about the arrival in New London of GANDER
(DAVID Kosciolek) age 33 on the 6th of May 2052 (23 years
before the main Angel and May series) and the slow climb
up the slippery pole of power in the Bencubbin. This
first instalment details the time up to his/her purchase
of the Retrograde Inn from the Bencubbin Mafia.
GANDER, BLACK BEAR and COBO move down the street to
MOMO's Palace, which is clearly a house of ill repute,
but one with some elegance. Replete with beautiful
curtains and furnishings and huge glass chandeliers, not
to mention stunning girls and boys. They play a blackjack
and GANDER beats the house. COBO and MOMO pick up that he
is card counting, but let it run to see how good he is.
They find out that GANDERs uncle was the famous KOBOLD, a
card expert worshipped by COBO and he has passed his
knowledge down to GANDER. BEAR is beaten and retires and
falls asleep. GANDER shows COBO some tricks.
BEAR and GANDER walk back to Black Bears, with COBO in a
an electric cart fast asleep.
GANDER awakes to COBO's snoring as he slowly comes out of
his hangover induced sleep. COBO is moaning about his
head and then reacts badly to the loss of cash to GANDER
with self pitying prose. GANDER play mum and suggest that
they will feel better with some breakfast. COBO then
pukes up but confesses he may have information about
GANDERS father.
COBO and GANDER take breakfast, whilst COBO absorbs large
amounts of coffee to elevate the hangover. GANDER is
yearning for information on his father. COBO relates the
unfortunate news that GANDER father is dead, killed by
the mob. This hits GANDER hard, and he breaks down a
little. COBO is sympathetic, but offers a potential way
to gain retribution. He tells GANDER that he is actually
a long con artist and that he has a con that might get
some payback for GANDER. He also cast doubt on the
suspiciously easy win that GANDER had a cards!
GANDER meets with MOMO to talk about his father. He
discovers that MOMO did indeed have a relationship. He
discovers that his father was attempting to bring GANDER
out to join him, but that the mafia extracted so much
'protection' money that each time he built up funds they
stole the money and could not afford the flight.
Eventually his father stood up to them and was forced to
sign over the lease before being killed.
GANDER and COBO are out for lunch. GANDER indicates his
willingness to do anything to get back at the mob. COBO
outlines the nature of the potential grift without giving
all the details other than its targeted at Vincent
Gambino the current owner of the Retrograde Inn
INT. BENCUBBIN STREETS - MICE AND MEN
BEAR and GANDER walk back to Black Bears Hotel, with COBO
in a an electric cart fast asleep.
BEAR
What's up with him? That booze
knocked him for six!
GANDER
I think he had an emotional shock,
loosing to me. (Pause) How much
did you give to the house?
BEAR
100 Credits and the rest.
GANDER
Reach into my back pocket, take
the money.
BEAR
Really? DAVID, you don't need
too, its my loss.
GANDER
I'm restoring the balance. Besides
I feel guilty! You put me up, so
I'm paying you back!
BEAR
Thanks, I really appreciate that,
I'll make sure the cleaner does a
special job on your room.
GANDER
Oh, shit, look, he's drooling now,
some of its on my jacket! BEAR
he's too heavy, well never get him
back like this.
BEAR
I have an idea! I'll grab a
utility cart from the Casino. Wait
in this doorway, stay out of
sight!
BEAR runs back to the kitchen entrance and flicks a note
at the security and then grabs an electric cart used for
unloading trucks.
ELECTRIC FLOAT
BEAR
Psst, David you still there, its
me!
GANDER
Where the flip do you think I
would be! BEAR I like the
transport, classy!
BEAR
It's this or we drag him back!
INT. BLACK BEARS - ROOM 3-15 - BAD DREAMS
GANDER awakes to COBO's snoring as he slowly comes out of
his hangover induced sleep. COBO is moaning about his
head and then reacts badly to the loss of cash to GANDER
with self pitying prose. GANDER play mum and suggest that
they will feel better with some breakfast. COBO then
pukes up but confesses he may have information about
GANDERS father.
HEAVY SNORING, THEN
COUGHING, THEN
GROANING
COBO
Ohhhh!
GANDER
Quite finished, need a pick me up?
COBO
Ahhhh!
GANDER
I'll take that as a yes!
SOUNDS OF GLASS
WATER AND PILL
COBO
Ahhh! My Head! What a night, MOMO
has some fine wine!
GANDER
Well, not any more, I think you
drank most of it!
COBO
That bad hah.
GANDER
Yes, that bad.
COBO
I had a weird dream, something
about a loss at cards to a sharp,
that looked like a vampire.
GANDER
Really, how terrible? It must be
bad Champaign. I thought you where
the expert at cards? How could
that happen?
COBO
I'll have you know I'm an expert
card.
GANDER
And yet you still lost to a
vampire! Well, you can't win all
the time!
COBO
Oh, shit! It was you!
GANDER
Are you confident in that
accusation? Are you sure?
COBO
Oh, god! Yes, yes, my mind is
clearing! You're the evil nephew
of the great "Kobold"!
GANDER
You're not going to start that
again! Yes he was my Uncle, yes
he taught me cards, and yes I beat
you fair and square!
COBO
Oh, I'm finished, washed up, a
failure!
Then leaf subsides to leaf, So
Eden sank to grief, So dawn goes
down to day. Nothing gold can
stay.
GANDER
Please, stop this self pity, its
not a good look! MILTON you're
great at cards, its just that,
well I'm better! It's the
hangover talking. You'll feel much
better after breakfast.
COBO
Oh, dear me!
PUKING NOISES
GANDER
That didn't sound good! How do you
feel?
COBO
Rough! So you have cleaned me
out, what next?
GANDER
Relax, I took pity and stuffed
most of it under your mattress.
Its not just about the money!
COBO
Oh, thanks!
GANDER
Don't worry breakfast is on me.
Look you can have it all back, its
not important! I value your
friendship more. BEAR's now very
happy too!
COBO
BEAR? Why?
GANDER
I gave him back the money he lost,
its only fair!
COBO
What are you the Arc Angel
Gabriel!
GANDER
No just someone with a moral
compass. Lets freshen up, go grab
a light brekkie, then I have
coffee session booked with MOMO.
She is going to tell me about my
father!
COBO
I can tell you about your Father
as well, I've heard a few rumours,
just hand me the towel!
INT. SCALLYWAGS BREAKFAST BAR - HARD TRUTHS
COBO and GANDER take breakfast, whilst COBO absorbs large
amounts of coffee to alleviate the hangover. GANDER is
yearning for information on his father. COBO relates the
unfortunate news that GANDER father is dead, killed by
the mob. This hits GANDER hard, and he breaks down a
little. COBO is sympathetic, but offers a potential way
to gain retribution. He tells GANDER that he is actually
a long con artist and that he has a con that might get
some payback for GANDER. He also cast doubt on the
suspiciously easy win that GANDER had a cards!
GANDER
Two for breakfast please, thank
you. (Pause) Why didn't you tell
me you knew my father?
COBO
I didn't know him directly, I just
heard rumours. Also, I had only
just met you! I was waiting for
the right time.
GANDER
Well, spill the beans MILTON, what
do you know!
COBO
Not much really, just that the mob
tricked him out of his ownership
of the Retrograde and then
disposed of him. That's all.
DAVID I'm sorry to tell you this,
but I think your father is dead.
GANDER
I thought that might be the case,
but its hard to have it confirmed.
COBO
No one saw the body, so its not
definitive, but I have to tell
you!
GANDER
Yes, thanks,. (Sniff as he tries
to hold back tears). I just wanted
to say hello, you know. To be
killed over something as shitty as
that inn.
COBO
MOMO knew him much better, I was
"away" at the time.
GANDER
Did you meet him at all?
COBO
No our paths never crossed, I had
friends that knew him. They liked
him!
GANDER
So he wasn't a bad man then?
COBO
No, but then he wasn't an angel
either, but his heart was good.
GANDER
I have this image in my mind of
what he was like. I spent ages
working out what I was going to
say on our first meeting. (Breaks
down into sobs)
COBO
David, I'm so sorry.
GANDER
Thank you. That's good of you, we
hardly know each other. (sobbing
and sniffing)
COBO
Waiter, another coffee over here!
With some brandy!
ROBO WAITER
Certainly Sir! Bleep!
COBO
Look DAVID, this is not the time,
but they are things we can do, to
get back at his killers. I know
revenge never fills the gap, but
it's something.
GANDER
Thank you MILTON
COBO
It will involve a grift, and its
not risk free, it never is!
GANDER
Let me sleep on it. Who else might
be involved?
COBO
Two other colleagues. Trusted
colleagues, with long histories in
the grifting business.
GANDER
No offence MILTON. Grifting at
cards is one thing, but stealing
from the mob is another!
COBO
Your right. Which is why cards is
just a beloved hobby to me, like
train spotting!
GANDER
Oh, so what do you really do, I
thought you were a professor of
English
COBO
I am a Professor of English, but
that doesn't mean I can't be
something else as well!
GANDER
What then?
COBO
DAVID, you are looking at one of
the last long con artists. We are
a very rare breed.
GANDER
They're rare because their mostly
locked up!
COBO
No, not true at all, the bad ones
are locked up, the good ones, you
never hear about!
GANDER
So I suppose you count yourself in
the later category?
COBO
Of course.
GANDER
Come on, really?
COBO
I am encouraged by your suspicion!
I would not have it any other way.
A nasty, devious, paranoid mind is
what will keep both of us safe,
and out of the way of the greasy
hands of the law! Look at the
time? You better go, you don't
want to keep MOMO waiting, she has
a wicked temper!
GANDER
Yes, I don't think I would want to
be on the receiving end of that!
COBO
Absolutely, not recommended!
GANDER
Really, so you have been in her
bad books then?
COBO
Never you mind, now run along
Madam MOMO is waiting!
GANDER
MILTON, don't take that tone,
we'll chat later! I will hear what
you have to say! Worse case it
gives me something to do, and best
case may deliver my retribution.
COBO
Good I was hoping you would say
that. DAVID this con is fully
costed, and I have plenty of
funds, I don't need any of you
money! Before you go, just exactly
what system were you using last
night, its bugging me! I was
trying to figure it out? It was
quite successful, your position
against the house was getting
interesting!
GANDER
That's for me to know and you to
find out. Suffice to say its a
variation developed from one my
Uncle taught me. Before you ask
its not in his book! If you're
good and I like you, then I might
teach you one day! Understand,
I'm am not out to fleece you or
your friends. I just needed some
immediate cash to survive.
COBO
I have a question for you to
ponder!
GANDER
Yes, go on?
COBO
How confident are you that I
didn't stage the whole show last
night, so I could give you funds
without you feeling like it was
charity. Are you feeling confident
about your card playing skills?
GANDER
Yes, Ahh, you son of a bitch! No
you not going to twist it, I
really did beat you!
COBO
Really?
GANDER
Yes really!
COBO
Well if you say so dear boy. So on
a scale of one to ten, how
confident are you?
GANDER
Bugger off, look I have to go!
COBO
Chill, I've called you a robotaxi.
Now where was I? Oh yes,
potential grifts. New London, and
more specifically the Bencubbin
has all the right ingredients for
some epic work. Point number one,
Camera's and Surveillance are very
minimal, if they try to put them
up, the locals tear them down.
Point two the area is riddled with
crime and police corruption.
Point three its full of greed, and
the Point four the location
provides suitable ground cover
with sympathetic locals.
GANDER
Cover for what, what the hell are
you planning?
COBO
Justice my friend, sweet justice.
I will lay it out shortly over
lunch, and after you're little
MOMO chat.
I feel we are both in need of a
little gustatory reinvigoration! I
have the perfect location. Your
paying!
GANDER
Well then, I might need to steal
some more cash from you! Do you
play HOLDEN.
COBO
Run along now, MOMO is waiting!
GANDER
Gospondin, I have my eyes on you,
watch out (laughter)!
COBO
I'm counting on it! (laughter)
INT. MOMOS PALACE - JOE K
GANDER meets with MOMO to talk about his father. He
discovers that MOMO did indeed have a relationship. He
discovers that his father was attempting to bring GANDER
out to join him, but that the mafia extracted so much
'protection' money that each time he built up funds they
stole the money and could not afford the flight.
Eventually his father stood up to them and was forced to
sign over the lease before being killed.
MOMO
DAVID come in, sit down.
GANDER
No hard feelings about last night?
MOMO
None, you deserve what ever you
can grift. Coffee?
GANDER
Yes please, thank you!
MOMO
DAVID I know what you're going to
ask!
GANDER
How could you?
MOMO
No I really do. You're going to
ask if your father and myself had
a relationship?
GANDER
Well, did you?
MOMO
No actually we did not. He was a
purely a friend.
GANDER
Did he decide not to pay?
MOMO
No of course not how could ask
such a thing, that's actually
quite hurtful?
GANDER
Well, sorry, but given this
location?
MOMO
Look, I might run this grand house
of ill repute. However you need
to mind you manners, this house is
essentially a type of social
service. Its a way to extract
money from those that have it, and
then give it to those that don't.
A small attempt to shine some
light in the Bencubbin. I started
it because there was no other way.
GANDER
I sort of assumed that, RUDI
alluded as much. MILTON also told
me that you act as something
called a warren house sponsor, for
the local street kids.
MOMO
Yes, I collect a few of them, and
try and steer them out of a life
of crime.
GANDER
Any luck?
MOMO
Only partial I'm afraid! Now back
to the matter in hand. Yes I had a
relationship with your father. We
met at the local business support
meeting. At the time he had just
bought the Retrograde which was
completely run down. He was
explaining that he wanted to
renovate and take the place up
market. At first I thought he was
crazy, but over time I saw the
steely determination. Piece by
piece he scraped off the rust and
put on a fresh lick of paint.
GANDER
Why did he run out to the belt and
leave me and Mother? How could he
be so heartless.
MOMO
Heartless, no, desperate maybe. He
was a loving man. The plan I
believe, was that he would come
out here and set up, and then get
you and your Mother. He just
needed to establish a viable and
safe home. Unfortunately the
universe had other plans.
GANDER
I have spent years hating that
man. I'm sorry MOMO I can't just
turn off the hatred.
MOMO
Well, you should, without him you
would have been homeless. After
your Mother was killed he arranged
with your Uncle to look after you.
He sent him money, even when he
had none. Did you know that?
GANDER
No, not at all. Shit.
MOMO
At the time he was struggling to
bootstrap his operation. That's
where I got involved. I lent him
some money so he could at least
get started. Install some bar
equipment, get a single bar
running. Over time that started
to bring in just enough money to
continue the clean up.
Unfortunately the mob got
interested.
GANDER
Let me guess they could see he had
some cash and they wanted in?
MOMO
Actually no not really. What they
were after was the gambling
license that coincidently went
with the Pub. They came in
initially with demands for
protection. At first it was small
beer, but each time they ratcheted
up the amounts. Every time he got
enough cash to bring you out, they
screwed him over. On the third
attempt he stood up to them. I
guess he had just had a bellyful
and they got impatient. They sent
in the Sidereal Gang. They planted
explosives and blew the fuck out
of the place. Caused a riot and
got a lot of folks killed. He
survived two days, long enough for
them to get the ownership from him
and then it was a bullet to the
head or a walk out of an airlock!
GANDER
Shit. (Sobbing) He really did
want me with him after all.
(Change in voice from grief to
anger) Those fuckers. I'm going
to kill them. Going to kill them
all!
MOMO
DAVID, How? How are you going to
kill them? They run this place,
they have men, money, weapons and
the political connections. I have
been whittling away for years to
no affect. You have no chance.
GANDER
(Anger rising) Well, we will see
about that.
MOMO
Just calm down. Wait a minute,
think!
GANDER
Oh, don't worry MOMO I am
thinking. I'm fucking icy calm.
Make no mistake, even if it takes
years I'm going to destroy them,
one piece at a time.
MOMO
Well you better be a genius level
grifter, or own a private army,
and be a good shot with a laser
rifle. I've been racking my
brains out for years trying to
figure how to take them down.
(Pause) Look, sit down, you going
to wear a hole in the carpet with
the pacing. You want a whisky, its
early but I think you need it!
GANDER
No MOMO, thank you! I need a
clear head. The first thing I'm
going to do is have a little chat
with MILTON. I know he is
planning something, perhaps you
have given me the motivation!
After all I'm going to need money
to get this together and I
suspect he is the fastest means
service that requirement!
MOMO
Well, be careful, I'm not sure
MILTON is capable of servicing
even his own requirements.
However don't let me stop you,
I'll even help you within my
limited means.
GANDER
Thank you!
MOMO
Now don't go getting killed,
you're far too young and too
pretty for that. After all I've
lost one Kosciolek, I don't need
to loose another!
GANDER
Pretty? Even with this bashed up
face!
MOMO
Makeup dear, hides a multitude of
sins. Besides I know your secrets,
your father told me. I just want
you to know he was proud of you,
whoever you want to be.
GANDER
What?
MOMO
The DRAG shows, DAVID. I know
about the 'uncertainty' Look take
it from this old bird, life is
terribly short and you just have
to be yourself, otherwise what's
the point of living.
GANDER
I see. MOMO it might be better if
you kept that too yourself.
MOMO
Of course dear, my lips are
sealed. I'm sure MILTON knows, he
is terribly perceptive.
GANDER
That's all I need!
MOMO
No really! It won't matter. His
brother was gay, until he was
beaten up. He fell and broke his
neck.
MILTON spent two years setting up
a con that crippled the two
bankers that did it.
GANDER
Shit, does everyone here, have a
terrible life story.
MOMO
Pretty much, otherwise they be in
the owners Area drinking fine
port.
GANDER
That figures!
MOMO
The reason I bring up such
delicate matters is just to let
you know this might be a good
hiding place. I was thinking you
might use your experience as a
useful disguise. Loose yourself in
amongst the fauna so to speak. I
just wanted to let you know I
would support you!
GANDER
Thank you MOMO, I'll bare that in
mind, but only as a last resort.
Now if you please, I have a war to
plan!
INT. WIDMANSTATEN SQUARE - THE PROPOSAL
GANDER and COBO are out for lunch. GANDER indicates his
willingness to do anything to get back at the mob. COBO
outlines the nature of the potential grift without giving
all the details other than its targeted at Vincent
Gambino the current owner of the Retrograde Inn.
GANDER
MILTON I'm not a professionally
trained intel officer, but if I'm
not mistaken you have deliberately
picked this spot. Clear view of
the front door and outside, near
to the back door via the kitchens.
Are you always so careful?
COBO
(Chuckle) Sorry old habits and all
that. I see your not as green as
you make out. How did the chat
with MOMO turn out?
GANDER
Good. Quite emotional actually, up
and down, but it allowed me to
make some important decisions.
COBO
Do go on!
GANDER
Well, I've decided to destroy the
Italian Mafia and liberate the
Bencubbin.
COBO
(Choking on drink) Well, is that
all! Then we need an angel, or a
drink! Red or white?
GANDER
Red. Just like blood!
COBO
Jeez, lets hope we don't see too
much of that! There are better
ways. You seem determined?
GANDER
Believe it. I know what happened.
I need to even up.
COBO
Yes dear boy don't we all, but as
they say revenge is a difficult
dish, its best served cold. Like
Gazpacho! Which I recommend by
the way, delicious! Hot heads
don't get revenge, they just get
dead!
GANDER
You think I don't know that. No
this has to be carefully planned,
deliberately executed all with
plausible deniability. I just
don't know how to do that at the
moment! (Pause) Why all the secret
squirrel stuff, are you on the
run?
COBO
No of course not, well unless you
count poverty as an advisory. No
just simple precautionary
measures. Walls have ears and
this is a jungle after all.
GANDER
So what sort of raid are you
expecting. The CIS to burst in
and then interrogate you as to why
you order your steak well done?
Pepper steak, why did you not
order the Diane! Shit even I might
crack under such extreme
questioning!
COBO
(Chuckle) No officer, I'm not a
savage, I don't eat uncooked
flesh, I just like my steak rare!
Please, no, not the gas torch,
arghhh!
GANDER
(Laughter) yes exactly. MILTON we
haven't done anything yet. So what
have we got to hide?
COBO
Oh we have lots to hide, you just
don't know yet. All this is
paranoia, precautionary measures.
Expect the worse and plan ahead.
Its kept me out of jail for a
number of years.
GANDER
Really, I thought you hadn't been
in jail?
COBO
Well, I did a two stretch. But
that was early on, and the judge
didn't like my red jacket, he
thought it was 'revolutionary'. I
was young, inexperienced, stupid!
Shared a ceil with an interesting
fellow though!
GANDER
I guess its not a matter of
choice!
COBO
At first I was rather repulsed by
him, to be honest, but as I got to
know my cellmate I warmed to his
charms! Namely brute force and
tenacity. I think you might like
him!
GANDER
It doesn't sound promising!
COBO
Now, now, don't be prejudiced, not
every one has an easy path to fame
and fortune, and you shouldn't
judge a book by its cover.
Sometimes the application of force
is a necessary evil!
GANDER
I bow to your experience as an ex
con and jail bird? Now, what's the
grift?
COBO
Patience. You youngsters have a
really short attention span.
GANDER
Yes and its running out!
COBO
Don't be so negative! (Pause). So
what do you think of the chow?
GANDER
Your changing the subject! But,
its good, actually very good
MILTON. Where the hell do they
get the fresh vegetables from?
COBO
The Dirkson lanes, its the central
cavern, tiered, entirely given
over to oxygenation and food and
farming. You know they even have
cattle!
GANDER
That's wasteful, on a space
habitat. Why don't they use vat
grown meat?
COBO
Oh they do, 90% is VAT grown. The
real stuff is for the more
deserving. i.e. The Rich.
GANDER
So how come its on our plate then?
COBO
Think of it as my investment in
you, dear boy!
GANDER
That's worrying! COBO why am I
here, I'm not a long con artist!
COBO
I need help with something,
something illegal and I need
someone with your brains.
GANDER
But I don't have any experience in
grifting!
COBO
I know, but MOMO insisted that you
be included and she has a good
sixth sense. Plus I owe her some
money.
GANDER
But why me, why now?.
COBO
Well, I need someone I can trust,
someone I can train up, and will
help with organisation. I think
that you, might be the right man.
Its that simple. Now are you
really sure you want to go up
against the most dangerous bunch
of villains in New London?
GANDER
Who are they?
COBO
The Gambino's, the guys who killed
your father!
GANDER
Then that's easy. The answer is
100% yes. I think I really have
developed a deep hatred of them.
COBO
I'm starting to get the picture.
Don't let this hatred get the
better of you. I need a cool
head, no impetuous moves. OK?
GANDER
OK, I'll be as cool as arctic ice!
MILTON I know this is a set up,
between you and MOMO. I've just
been a willing puppet, whilst
you've been pulling the strings.
Get the young boy motivated, push
him the right direction, etc.
COBO
That obvious hah?
GANDER
Yes. Obvious in hindsight. Look
your pushing on an open door, so
lets just get on with it.
COBO
Well OK then. It's obviously a
grift, but it's also a favour for
a friend, and a recovery
operation. The mark is a Vincent
Gambino, "Bambi" to his friends.
He runs the Retrograde Inn. They
have a deal with the Russian mob,
who sit at the top of the Dark
Table. The Italians have the
franchise for the Bencubbin, but
there is no love lost between the
Italians and the Russians. There
is always low level jockeying for
status. Bodies get found!
GANDER
I see. MILTON, I have one slight
concern?
COBO
Only one?
GANDER
Yes.
COBO
Well go on then, what is it!
GANDER
How do we stay alive?
COBO
Yes that's the grift part of the
operation. It highlights the most
important part of any job.
GANDER
What's that?
COBO
Making the mark think that its not
us.
GANDER
Sounds tricky. Are we stealing
something from them?
COBO
Yes in a roundabout manner? Look,
think about a con. Where does the
word originate?
GANDER
I don't know?
COBO
Confidence. The skill is not the
theft, although that's not easy.
No the skill is to give the mark
the 'Confidence' that they have
the upper hand. That they are in
fact stealing from us. When they
are absolutely certain they have
you by the balls, then we have
them.
GANDER
Yes I see, but how do we do that,
they're not stupid thugs!
COBO
Its not about intelligence, its
about using their greed to blind
them. Look don't worry, this is a
simple grift really. We have a
watertight exit strategy.
GANDER
Isn't that what all thieves say?
COBO
We are not thieves DAVID, we are
artists playing an instrument. In
this case the instrument is
Vincent Gambino. He will
willingly give us what we desire.
We will do everything to try and
make him take the money, but I
guarantee he will refuse! In fact
he will insist we take the loot.
You'll see.
GANDER
Come on, really!
COBO
Absolutely.
GANDER
Well, if you say so. I'll need to
see it.
COBO
There is a code. The grifter
code.
GANDER
What, you can't cheat an honest
man, is that the code.
COBO
Well its rule number one. If you
do cheat an honest man, then the
mojo gets poisoned!
GANDER
Jeez, superstitious nonsense.
What's rule number two?
COBO
Getting away with it!
GANDER
Well that's bloody obvious?
COBO
You'll see! Now eat up we have to
go and visit an old friend, to
finalise the details, and that
means taking an electro cab to
container city.
GANDER
Container city, isn't that worse
than the Bencubbin?
COBO
Only on certain days! It's perfect
for concealment. I just have to
make a couple of calls. There is
some setup to prime the mark and
gather materials.
GANDER
What makes the mark the right
person?
COBO
Motivation! Grandfather Gambino,
an unpleasant son of a bitch at
the best of times, gave his
favourite grandson a toy as a test
of his mettle, and he has not done
well.
GANDER
Toy, what are you talking about?
COBO
The toy is the 'Retrograde Inn'.
So for the Gambino's its a small
part of the empire. Its a nice
little cash generator for the
family but not core business.
Unfortunately Vincent has been a
very, very, bad boy, and has drawn
the attention of the local
authorities. Grand pappy is not
pleased.
GANDER
What did he do?
COBO
Nothing really, well nothing that
he hasn't been doing for a long
time, Cheating, whoring, illegal
high roller poker with local
politicians, bribing the local
coppers. The norm.
GANDER
Sounds typical for these parts!
COBO
Yes , but the authorities recently
received some complaints, there
were suggestions of funding for
anti government activities.
GANDER
Wouldn't Vincent just drop some
cash in the right pockets to make
the issues go away.
COBO
Of course, everyone has a boss
DAVID! Vincent has his evil
grandfather. The gambling
commission have their regional
headquarters on 16 Psyche. Even
the local CIS guys have very
serious men on Earth, who don't
want political troubles in the
belt?
GANDER
Ohh! I don't like the sound of
that! Shit, the CIS!
COBO
Complaints have been made in the
highest quarters.
GANDER
How the hell do you know that?
COBO
Oh that's easy, I know, because I
made them! I also let the two CIS
agents see some bank transfer
documents. Forged of course. Now
they are all as twitchy as fuck,
and watching the Retrograde 24/7
Naturally with all this attention,
Grandpappy is not pleased with his
son!
GANDER
(Laugh) Nice one MILTON, cops
watching cops. Hang on if VINCENT
is the mark and he is at the
Retrograde and its being watched
24/7, how does that help us?
COBO
It sets the tension. You'll see.
Its an important part of the con.
GANDER
It doesn't sound promising MILTON.
COBO
No, actually, its perfect. The
best bit is that the surveillance
helps our safe get away.
GANDER
How long have you been working the
set up. I thought you lived at
BEARS?
COBO
Are you out of your mind, that
malodorous dump! No I usually stay
at more salubrious venues, the
Hemsley or the Livingstone. The
only reason to be at BEARs is its
location and that BEAR is on the
crew!
GANDER
So this beatnik poet thing, is a
disguise?
COBO
Of course dear boy, what do you
take me for?
GANDER
Well...
COBO
Not another word! Now all you
need to know is that poor old
VINCENT is under a strict good
behaviour bond from grand pappy
and we are going to make full use
of that fact.
GANDER
So he is under pressure from grand
pappy, so what?
COBO
Look its all about motivation. He
needs to show a success, this
provides a forcing function. We
can exploit that function. (Pause)
Like I say the set up is perfect.
Now DAVID cast your eyes out the
window. Look down the street.
What do you see?
GANDER
Well, a poor slum district.
COBO
Yes but anything in particular.
I'm teaching you cold reading.
(Pause) Can you see the front of
the Retro?
GANDER
Just.
COBO
You see those two guys, one
selling Oxi-tabs, standing by the
multivendor machine? Describe
them!
GANDER
OK, ugly buggers, tall, they look
like cops. Not sure I would
purchase a tab from them.
COBO
Exactly! They are the CIS agents,
they have an Oxy-tab round which
conveniently passes the site. The
cart contains the surveillance
transponders. They set up outside
the building and then the micro
cameras inside are picked up and
rebroadcast using that cart.
GANDER
Wouldn't Vincent twig this
immediately?
COBO
Yes absolutely, particularly since
I anonymously sent a note.
GANDER
Shit! You're playing both sides,
one power block against another!
Dangerous if it backfires!
COBO
It won't. Its just applying the
right amount of pressure. Poor
old Vincent knows he is being
watched both by the authorities
and his Grand Pappy. Its a rock
and hard place situation.
GANDER
Do you think that Old Gambino took
the inn from my Dad and gave it to
VINCENT as a test?
COBO
That's my best guess. The
explosion that killed your father
was almost certainly the
Gambino's. They got the insurance
monies and then could refit the
inn at zero cost to them. It was a
big blow to the neighbour hood.
Apparently the Retrograde was very
popular before they took over.
Used to be a real nice little pub,
the heart of the community. They
turned it into a bent casino!
GANDER
I'm going to really enjoy taking
it off them.
COBO
I'm not sure how that's going to
happen, but I admire your
ambition!
GANDER
My father tried to resist and they
just snubbed him out.
COBO
Not before a suspicious property
transfer.
GANDER
I'm going get that inn back and
restore my fathers name and make
it the heart of the Bencubbin once
again.
COBO
Good for you, a noble cause, but
what ever you decide to do its
going to take cash, and a lot of
planning. Look I need to tell you
something before you figure it
out. I need to come clean and I
don't want to jeopardise the grift
later.
GANDER
OK, go on!
COBO
I have a contact, he always feeds
me the port incoming passenger
lists. I recognised your surname.
I decided to intercept you, to
stop you going the same way as
your father. That cab driver was
working for me. I got RUDI to
look out for you in Volcanic's. I
got her to recommend BLACK BEARS.
In other words, our meeting was
not a coincidence.
GANDER
Hang on, how did you know I was
going to go in the cafe?
COBO
I didn't but, I had RUDI ready to
do a street pickup, if you didn't
take the cab drivers advice. Like
I say plan A, plan B, plan C. One
of them is going to work.
GANDER
So what about the street robbery?
You didn't plan that did you?
COBO
No, that was just bad luck, but I
did get RUDI to put a watch on
you.
GANDER
My god, I've been manipulated from
the moment I stepped off the boat!
COBO
Manipulation is a strong word. I
was just looking out for you.
Like I say I recognised the name.
I didn't know any other way to
check you out. I'm sorry if you
feel manipulated. It wasn't meant
to be that way!
GANDER
This place is doing my head in!
COBO
That's normal, but, I know you'll
fit right in kiddo. You've got
your Dad's DNA and he was the
centre of the community in this
part of the Bencubbin. You'll do
good by him I can feel it!
END