The Oracle of Battery City

[Alexander Ludovico]

*I sip my coffee, watching the Oracle instead of looking at Riley. I'm surprised he's just asking like that, instead of trying to find anything else out about the man... but then again, perhaps he is. I'll have to ask him later, when I'm reasonably sure the Oracle can't look in on us.*

[Zachary Knight]

*I hold up my arms, pulling at my sleeves, and shrug.* Do I look like I have any cameras on me right now? I don't know where they are. And, honestly, I'm not sure that all of them are employees. Then again, I make it a policy not to go through the employee files unless a subject is particularly interesting. Like you two. The globetrotter... *I gesture to Vico with a slight smile* and the Exterminator-medic-Controller here. Maybe among other titles, I forget.

[rileywilson]

*I mutter a mhm, thinking about the 'globetrotter' comment. Vico certain is an enigma... but Oracle's other comments have failed to impress me. I'm beginning to know how much he actually knows... I take a swig of my coffee and think for a second*

So, what can you tell me? Do I tell you what I need and you get back to me? Seems like a lot of trouble...

*I half-think about signaling security to arrest this man*

[Zachary Knight]

You're not happy with me. Shall I pay for our coffees and go, or turn myself in right here? You're losing an informational source and a company employee, but it's your choice. I have never heard of Monsieur Haider or Mademoiselle LeBre, and am beginning to suspect that they do not actually exist, but Madame Massemburg I can recite a few basic things for. Nurse, I believe? Worked here for four or five years, married for two, one child? *I pull my wallet out of a trenchcoat pocket and count out enough for the coffee and a nice tip.* Quite sorry to disappoint you, good sir.

[Alexander Ludovico]

(co-writing for Wilson, with permission)

*I feel a twinge of unease when he mentions me, but just slightly. It doesn't matter how skilled a hacker he is if there aren't any files to be hacked. The employee bit, though... so he /does/ work for the company. That narrows it down. Of course, half the city is employed by Better Living in one way or another, but the way he said it makes me think he's in the Tower. In any case, I don't think Riley will turn him in quite yet. There's too much still unknown about the Oracle, and things that aren't known can easily turn into threats. Interrogation is always an option but in this case it seems more prudent to let the Oracle stay on his track. There's a chance we could find out how he runs his show.*

*Riley and I leave a few minutes later, after he agrees to consider payment once the Oracle gets the requested information. I glance back as we step onto the sidewalk, still wondering about that globetrotter comment. I wonder if Sandra's come up with anything yet.*

[Zachary Knight]

*I sit still for a few minutes after they leave, then sigh and get up, leaving my payment on the table. I mutter under my breath a bit, filling out the "crazy" profile quite well.* Well, that's going to be the torture rooms for me. I give it a week. They're sharp people, could probably narrow down the field in a few days, snap up all the possible subjects and beat them until they get their answer...let everyone else go and send me to...rehabilitation. *I start to develop a small headache. There's a sensation of something I'm missing, a piece of information I should have remembered but did not, just at the edge of my mind. This happens all the time.*

*Oh, well. Back to the complex for me. Run up the stairs, sling the coat over a chair in my base of operations, throw the sunglasses away. I'll have to buy those fancy ones with computers built in. They're new, very high-priced, and rarely used by the masses (who are almost constantly on pill-based vacations) but would help greatly if I survive to be given pop quizzes in the future.*