56. Business card
Leonard retrieved the muscle car and safely handed it over to his client, Matthew Dyson. Nothing was wrong except for Max, who was riding a high-end supercar for the first time.
There were gang members who were displeased with the killing of the gang, especially Martin Osvan, an executive, but the car thief’s phone conversations, memory chips, and on-site records were clear evidence, so they did not come and argue. In the end, it ended with an accident caused by a low-level organization member who had lost his cowardice due to a quarrel between middle officials.
“The fixer is the weapon the client used. A man who gets angry with a gun is a psychopath.”
‘Broker’ Jake reports the results and transfers the commission fee of 7,800 credits. Leonard moved the lollipop into his hand and opened BrainChip’s account.
“I just need to send credit, but why do you come to visit me?”
“The request to catch the thief became an internal struggle within the gang, so I have to apologize.”
“If you’re really sorry, can you cut the fee?”
“That is difficult. There is such a thing as equity.”
It was a plausible excuse since there were several other fixers besides Leonard, but it was just an excuse. The broker looked around and changed the topic.
“Isn’t it time to change that coat?”
“this? why? Is it useful?”
“…Try to say it again without the subjectivity.”
Summer weather was not a problem. Leonard has a high implant ratio, so he doesn’t sweat and regulates his body temperature well. It didn’t matter that it was old and smelly. The residents of Junk Town are just like that. Therefore, functionally, there is no problem, but aesthetically, it has reached the limit.
Apart from the frayed sleeves and collar, there were three bullet holes on his left shoulder, one on his right lower arm, one on his side, and two bullet holes in the hem of his coat. Leonard put a finger in his shoulder hole and admitted some.
“You’ve been working hard lately.”
“You’ve earned credits, why don’t you spend some?”
The broker threw a hologram business card. It’s a square plastic like an old credit card, but when I scanned it with the implant eye, the text and pictures came to mind like a 3D image. It was a luxury that white town rich people would like.
“After hanging out with a businessman, I became a rattle.”
“Well, someone took care of it and brought it.”
Leonard stood up his business card and looked straight at it. It wasn’t a business card for a fixer broker. An arched phrase shimmered above the tuxedo and dress hanging on the hanger.
“Reservoir?”
The name was unusual for a clothing store. The broker scratched his cheek and explained.
“It’s a newly opened clothing store on 7th-7th Street. President O’Neill Draper said that he had a partnership with Schneider’s research and development team and a partnership with Lenox City’s cutting-edge designer, saying that he was saying something, but it is clear that he made good clothes without making noise.”
Leonard twirled his business card between his fingers and shot it.
“You can wear anything, like clothes.”
Max, sipping a drink at the table, stared sharply at him. The 20 credits outfit wasn’t anything. The broker also disagreed.
“If it’s just clothes, I wouldn’t recommend it either. It is a place that makes special clothes tailored to the taste of entrepreneurs. Something like a bulletproof suit or a dress that changes color freely.”
I picked up the business card again. I was interested in clothes like that. The broker acted arrogantly with his arms behind the sofa as if he knew it.
“It’s a bit pricey, but it’s cheaper than paying for implant repair every time you get shot, right? Well, leave your thanks.”
@Max got out of the passenger seat and kicked the front wheel roughly.
“This shit car!”
It’s not a pickup truck that’s going to be damaged by an adolescent boy’s kick, but the owner wasn’t in a good mood.
“That’s harsh. To someone who has lived twice as long as you.”
“So shit! Can’t we change it to something like a muscle car or hair?”
“After a ride in expensive tea, the taste went away.”
7-7 Avenue was the main street of White Town. There was a large floating population and administrative facilities were gathered. In a place like that, full of bullet marks… I drove a junk town pickup truck, so I was a bit exaggerated, so I was checked once every block. It was a bonus to ridicule that this too would roll. I was just angry at Max, whose self-esteem has soared while doing his part recently.
“You earned a lot of credits, so I picked a luxury sedan.”
“I will! I won’t give you a ride even if Mr. Leonard asks for a ride just once!”
“You, walk home.”
Everyone stared at the already outstanding fixer duo, even fighting over each other. It was embarrassing to stay long. Leonard scanned the holographic business card again to get directions.
“This way?”
The shops in White Town are clean and sophisticated from the outside.
Instead of flashy neon signboards, hologram images were placed on classic wooden boards, and the entrance was decorated with special glass that does not adhere to contaminants.
“Come to think of it, this is my first time going to a clothing store in White Town. The junk town store I bought these clothes from was also quite classy…”
“This will be especially so. They make special costumes.”
Leonard pushed open the glass door and went inside. There were no ready-to-wear items that are commonly associated with clothing stores. There are a few samples hung as decorations for show windows, but other than that, it looks like a reception room at a hotel. There is a dainty tea table on a long sofa, and old-world landscape paintings and statues are elegantly placed.
O’Neil Draper, president and designer, came out when scanning the security system for occupational disease. Her carefully combed hair made it look like she was saying ‘I’m an artist’.
“Welcome to. Have you made a reservation?”
“I came after being introduced.”
Leonard flicked the hologram business card. These expensive business cards doubled as invitations.
“This is the business card I gave to Mr. Jake Goodman. Are you Leonard Walker by any chance?”
“Do you know me?”
“I didn’t know until this morning. He told me to take care of him because he might become a VIP customer.”
I don’t know if I should like it because it’s so honest. The boss’s eyes flashed blue. Of course, it was an implant eye with a scanning function.
“Oh, it’s from Lenox City. I’m seeing some modules for the first time. Did you make them specially? Maybe military?”
“Does this store steal bodies without customer permission?”
“Oops, sorry. It’s like a designer’s occupational disease…”
You may have wondered if your guests would be able to pay for it. When he learned that Leonard was the ‘top class’, he acted more sternly.
“Which outfit would you like me to match? cutaway? dinner jacket? Or are you looking for comfortable everyday wear?”
“It’s a body armor.”
Leonard lifted his coat to the side. Through the bullet hole, I could see the scenery outside the window. The boss nodded.
“I guess you have a job to do. Then we have some good stuff.”
The boss bowed his head, apologized, and entered the store. It didn’t take long to bring a piece of fabric.
“The outer fabric will be treated with cashmere or alpaca, but the important thing is the function. It is a bullet-proof fabric made by nano-processing silicon carbide ceramic material and combining it in three layers. It’s a bit stiff because of the material, but it’s lighter and stronger than Kevlar. It doesn’t budge from 7.62mm rifle rounds.”
Leonard touched the fabric and nodded. These were the clothes worn by real rich people even in their hometown.
“How much does it cost?”
“It depends on the design.”
“What if I make a coat like this?”
Leonard trimmed the clothes and showed it to me. Like an expert, I managed to find out the original shape of the mop.
“It’s a trench coat. It’s not a trending style these days, but it’s important that customers like it. Gabardine is better than wool for the outer material.”
“There is no need for epaulettes, and please remove the waist strap.”
“Then it’s not a trench coat…”
“Just do it. And attach a hood with that bulletproof material.”
The president opened Brain Chip’s notepad and wrote down the request. Leonard’s taste was unique, so there was a lot to write about. And finally, the proud time has come.
“37,000 credits if you create from what you ordered.”
“…how much?”
“This is my first transaction, and it is a discounted price because you have been introduced. If you doubt the performance of the product…”
It seems that you know Leonard as a very rich man. I wasn’t surprised by the low price.
“Let’s try to guess again from the beginning.”
The fabric and design were reset. The outer material was changed to synthetic fiber and the bulletproof part was reduced as much as possible. There was a reason the price was insane. ‘Why do you plate buttons with gold?’, ‘That’s a trend these days…’ After a scuffle, the president raised a new estimate.
“That’s enough for 19,000 credits.”
His voice became rough. Now, it seems that he has properly grasped the customer. Leonard opened the account and thought about it some more.
“Are you paying in installments?”
@Unfortunately, there is no installment payment, but I managed to entrust the production by paying half the down payment and promising to introduce an acquaintance. I spent all the commission fee I received from ‘Dirty’ Hancock and the Blast Gang commission fee.
“How can you sell out Noah Lucas!”
“You sold me first. Have you already forgotten?”
I heard ‘Leonard Walker’ for the first time today, but I didn’t feel good because I knew ‘Noah Lucas’ well. Of course, it wasn’t because of that that I handed over my contact information. It was just revenge.
“Is this how you can pay the hotel balance? 285,000 credits left?”
“Life is short. Don’t worry too long.”
“Wow, I shouldn’t be such an adult.”
I personally educated myself on what an intelligent person who is well versed in ancient history is. Max raised his finger and questioned again.
“Even if you pay off the hotel balance slowly, you have to pay for the bulletproof coat next month. The monthly rent is also going out. I need to earn at least 10,855 credits, what are you going to do?”
“…It’s been a while since I took off the multiplication tables, so the calculations are fast.”
It’s because I didn’t have a formal education, so my head was very good. Leonard rubbed the top of his head as a sign of praise.
“Can’t the best solver in Sodom City get a job?”
“Eight! You can’t pick it up! You can’t pick it up, so you always do what they give you!”
“It’s because of my beliefs.”
Half of the reasons for finding a fixer were revenge, but there was not much I could do because I didn’t receive a contract. Besides, there were other real concerns.
“Today’s work is a secret from Sigma.”
“You don’t like it? Are you going to do it all?”
“If I can afford it, I’ll tailor a suit for you. Since you’re small, it won’t be long. Wouldn’t a vest be cheaper?”
“If you have the credit for that, we’ll start with implants.”
“…do you want me to teach you how to drive?”
Anyway, it was just putting off the nagging. I had to get a new order. However, the guy called ‘work’ came when he was busy, and when he was free, he didn’t even show his nose. Just as the carefree Leonard showed signs of impatience, a customer came to the 11-1st office. He was an unwelcome guest from afar.
“It’s been a while, Master Leo.”
He was a guest of ‘Leonard Walker’ from the underground city.
Although the person looking for it is not Leonard Walker.