savetheearth | Entry #B-1: "B" [November 19, Video]

Entry #B-1: "B" [November 19, Video]

[The man appearing onscreen this morning is haggard, somber, and distracted. Clearly, he's been awake all night, something he's been doing far too often lately, sitting curled in the middle of what appears to be a cleaned up but ancient school gymnasium's basketball court with his chin on his knees. A few feet away is a blue tarp hiding something sizable and lumpy.]

I know Albero's people are striking Espresso Yourself, early on the morning of Sunday, November 23, at 3:15 AM. They will be there to raze the building to the ground and they do not intend to take prisoners.

[He bites his lip, glancing away from the camera. The calmness he's affected since Anthony's death slips for a second, revealing something like fear. He swallows.]

I've been waiting for a pulse. I was hoping that maybe my other's experience and knowledge could help me, in this regard, but up to this point... it's been all quiet on that front.

[He rises slowly, moving towards the tarp and drawing it away from what it conceals. There are many pounds of dynamite stacked in the middle of his gym, along with several ominous looking canisters.]

I have dynamite and nitroglycerin. I think...

[He takes a deep, shuddering breath.]

I know we can kill a lot of them. Part of me really wants to, and I can't be the only one. But I know... I know that's not what we're fighting for, a criminal record of our own and another reason to be driven out of this city. So...

[He sits again, hard, on the floor, eyes and posture conveying a distinctly dazed quality.]

I think maybe it would be better to use this information to get the FBI on this and catch them in the act, with no blood shed. I'm prepared for both of these scenarios, but honestly... I don't know what's right. I'm so tired. I trust all of you, so... please help me make the right decision.

EDIT: I've been informed that Nick knows about another upcoming opportunity, a chance to hit the Mafia where it hurts. There's to be a meeting of higher-ups in the near future; further details are forthcoming.

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[The stern-looking woman addressing him has a way of making him feel thoroughly admonished before she says anything at all. He glances away from the screen, but listens closely. He asked for direction, input and help, and she is offering it, with the honesty and candor he needs to hear. Rather than coloring it emotionally, she is, like Toushirou, putting it in terms that are impossible to muddle with highly subjective morality, where he tends to falter.]

The last thing I want is to make Albero look like a martyr.

I'm very certain of the information; gathering it was a pain and planting the wire was the most ridiculously complicated thing I've ever done, but that's when it's happening, confirmed in English and Sicilian conversations I've overheard. So if we can do significant damage just by making them look guilty as hell... that's what I want.

[Saretha does feel a certain amount of respect for him. They are fellow business owners, after all - how would she feel if people in her employ were murdered so ruthlessly? If that was used to get at her? As much as she might want to claim otherwise, she knows she may not be taking it that well either. Of course, Saretha had removed herself from that equation by removing herself from Locke City.

Not that she has any real criticism of him staying, either - he'd done well for them there, all of them, as a group.]

Good, then that is the precise sort of thing that we need. The exact sort of thing I was hoping to find when I started inquiring about other methods to bring him down. We know where he's strong, we know where he clearly has his fingers dug in. The thing we need is leverage.

This can give us a lot, potentially. Even if our name in the public eye isn't yet repaired, it will send a very good message to the authorities we want on our side.

Edited 2014-11-20 04:14 (UTC)

I have the names of some trusted police contacts, and I will make them aware of the information I have before the hour is over.

[The prospect that this can potentially give them a lot of leverage seems to hearten him; L's great fear is being ineffective, unable to protect himself and his own, and so far his fears have not been unfounded.]

Does that sound like a plan, for lack of a better word?

It does at that... but I do rather hope that other bit of information goes to them, as well. Higher ups meeting like that... It would be a chance to catch them with their pants down, so to speak. Proof.

Absolutely. It's Nick's call, since he procured this information, but I agree. If they take the issue with my shop seriously and react desirably, then I think that increases the chances dramatically for them going after those higher-ups.

I guess it's what you'd call a win-win situation...

If there's something we can do by hand as well, that too would be good, but...

If we can do it with the cooperation of the FBI, as it's been done int he past, such as with the Vegas kidnapping... We could make tremendous waves in the right direction.

Edited (icon) 2014-11-28 05:52 (UTC)

If we could, yes... but a lot remains to be seen. My priorities are keeping Numbered lives safe, and the second it looks like that sort of cooperation isn't possible, I'll do what I have to.

Our priorities are similar, then.

[At one time, she looked at the Numbered as simple "resources" to use towards her own gain. Though the principle of that she realizes is still sound - every person was a valuable resource - she'd learned to attach a great more value to the lives in question.]

It seems wise to take the appropriate steps where possible. Should those not bear fruit, then... it is another thing entirely to dismiss them. But the attempt must first be made.

I am pleased to hear we'll be able to work together, since I admire your way of getting things done... and, for that matter, your way of evaluating a situation and discerning the most logical outcome before the time comes to act. That's valuable, no matter what capacity you're exercising it in.

[There's a decided smirk at that.]

It is appreciated. As far as you go, you have done well to safeguard our interests and consider the outcome of your actions. Neither are exactly easy, in our situation.

[He returns the smile with a taut, deliberate one of his own. He didn't expect such a compliment from someone like Saretha, but he'll accept it, even if he's not sure he's quite earned. Like many of his personality type, L is his own worst critic, and part of what drives him to do more is the feeling that he isn't doing enough.]

You give me too much credit, truly. I do my best, like everyone, and make the best guesses I can on the frequent occasions I am not sure. On days like today, I'm glad I don't consider myself above asking for help.

I believe quite a few of us are thankful you came to us for it, as well. That too is a sign of at least some sort of wisdom. At the very least, things would be very different had you made other decisions up until now.

I'm an effective person; I know that much. But being effective in the right direction is just as important as being effective, and having been effective in the wrong direction before, I'm determined to do everything in my power to prevent it again. What's the point of having these abilities if good isn't accomplished with them?

That is precisely the right outlook. Learn from your mistakes. Do not settle for just being effective - choose what you deem to be the right direction, and always strive for that and nothing less.

There are a lot of unscrupulous things one can take away from what I've learned about business and the world surrounding it growing up, but... I think that much can be taken and used by anyone.

That's good advice; thank you for it.

What kinds of unscrupulous things? Things that you purposely do not follow?

Large businesses, corporations... They're incredibly cutthroat. My parents did not make their millions by being nice, let us say.

...there was a time when I thought that might be the best path.

So what changed, Saretha?

[The people of the Network.

Some specifically, but... the simplest answer works.]

This place, if I am to be entirely honest.

You may be being completely honest, but that's not the complete truth, is it? What about it changed, specifically, to alter your views?

It allowed me to understand people on a different level, I suppose. To know that they are not simply tools or... "resources" to be utilized.

It's difficult. We're told our entire lives that we're a communal species and we need to cooperate to get anything worthwhile done, but then we're told that it's bad to "use" others.

What's the difference between a leader and a user? Is it a matter of respect, or something else?

Respect, and... If someone in command sees those beneath them as disposable, as merely a tool and not a human being. One thing I have learned here, if nothing else...

People are more effective when they care, as stupidly sentimental as that sounds.

It sounds sentimental, but not stupid.

I've done more in the last year than I have in my entire life, because for the first time, I do care.

...hm.

[She looks down, thinking to herself.]

You may be right on that. [Perhaps it just took her longer to realize she does.]

I'm uncertain about a lot of things today, but that's not one of them.

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Entry #B-1: "B" [November 19, Video]

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