Frustration ((46)) [open]

[amanika]

Heavily perfumed smoke rose in a long column from a cigarette in a dark brown paw, clad in fingerless brown leather gloves. The owner was seated casually on a pile of discarded pallets, leant forward with his elbow resting on one knee.

Outwardly, the Siamese tomcat, dressed today in brown slacks and a half undone shirt, looked relaxed and to be enjoying the rare bit of sunshine on a morning that was unusually bright for the time of year, though barely warmer than the weather had been.

In fact, Genghis was brooding, he'd been at the docks since five, doing paperwork and going through reports in his office, each one leading to his mounting annoyance, until finally, he'd decided to come outside and take a break whilst he mulled over his frustrations. The main one that kept returning to him was that damnable Hidden Paw. Since loosing an expensive cargo to the cat's gang a few weeks ago, where they had simply stepped in and unloaded his delivery and made off with it, bold as brass, he had been determined not to have the wool pulled over his eyes in that way again. Partly he was furious with himself (not to mention those who had been in charge of the cargo) for having let such a theft happen so easily, and more than that, he was annoyed that all of his quests to catch the gang in the act a second time had come to nothing.

He'd twice had a seemingly unguarded cargo left waiting for collection at the docks, in the hopes that the Hidden Paw might strike again so that an ambush would be possible, but no such luck. Either the Hidden Paw was wise to the ruse or had no interest in repeating such a raid. Genghis actually hoped it was the first, because if the first theft had merely been on a whim then the Siamese liked it even less, it meant the Hidden Paw clearly thought he could toy with him. The idea of that infuriated the chocolate point.

Genghis sighed, it looked like he would have to find other means of getting information on the most recent power in the city's underworld. Well, he decided, if that was the case, then he'd at least finish his smoke in peace first.

((Open for any character to drop in here, I can think of a few who'd be interesting, but I'll play with whoever wants to. ))

[kragjorgensen]

Arthur made his way down to the docks, intent on doing a bit of maintenance on his boat. He was in his greasy overalls, work shirt and flat cap. He held a cheap corncob pipe in his teeth, which was smoldering a bit.

In his hands was a wooden box containing replacement parts for his trawling winch. The engine had gotten a little sticky and some of the gears were a bit worn.

"Sometimes I wonder if that tub is really worth the money I paid for it" He said to himself through his teeth.

Arthur took another puff, but found that the pipe had gone out. A very mild sigh came from his nostrils.

Setting the box down, the fishercat reached into his pocket and took out his cigarette case. He worked the rusted latch, and removed the last match. He struck it against a rough surface and let it go for a little while to burn off the sulfur (which imparted a bad taste). As he brought the match to the bowl of the pipe, a slight breeze blew it out. A slightly louder sigh escaped his nostrils.

He picked up the box again and continued walking, his nose caught a whiff of perfumed tobacco. He followed the scent to Genghis.

"Hey, buddy, can you spare a light?" He asked.

[amanika]

The Siamese tom looked up, momentarly surprised by the interruption, but, after regarding the tomcat before him for a moment, nodded. Taking out a rather attractive lighter from a pocket and handing it over.

[kragjorgensen]

"Thanks." Arthur said, setting down his crate. The contents of the box clinked a bit as he let go. He accepted the lighter, "Fancy" He said quietly to himself as he lit it and brought the flame to the bowl. He inhaled and blew a small puff of smoke out of the side of his mouth.

"Where'd you get a fancy thing like this?" He asked offering the lighter back to its owner.

[amanika]

Genghis took the lighter, "India, for a good bit less than I'd have paid for it here." He knew, he'd imported plenty of similar items since.

[kragjorgensen]

"No tariffs there, eh?" Arthur asked, taking a puff on the pipe, letting the smoke sit in his mouth for a while before letting it out.

[amanika]

"And plenty of populace who work for a pittance." Genghis replied, he shook his head, "I would not go back."

[kragjorgensen]

"You can find people to work for almost nothing anywhere." Arthur said. "Hell, you can find people like that here. I've been in positions like that before."

[amanika]

Genghis nodded slowly, "I suppose that is true. Though I'd like to think here it is easier for those who wish it to demand a fairer rate. Or at the very least, better conditions. Some things there are unimagineable until you have seen them for yourself."

[kragjorgensen]

Arthur shrugged and puffed his pipe. "In my line of work, rates are determined by the market and conditions are what you make for yourself. A ton of cod is a ton of cod whether caught by line or trawl."

[amanika]

The Siamese considered this for a moment, "That is true enough. Certainly I enjoy being my own boss. Though I also try and ensure reasonable conditions for those I employ, I find a little decency may go a long way." a healthy fear of the consequences of scewing up went a long way too, but so long as incompetence was not an issue, Genghis did at least believe in giving his staff a positive reason for their loyalty too.

[kragjorgensen]

Arthur shrugged slightly "I treat my hands good. Everyone gets a fair share, of the pay. Of course, I get a bit extra to stash away for things like that." The tom pointed to the crate. "Kinda' glad I have a diesel boat and not a sailing boat. Diesel is cheaper than another hand."

[amanika]

Genghis arched an eyebrow towards the indicated crate, he'd heard the clink when it was set down, but politely ignored it. "Faster when the wind's bad as well." he remarked.

[kragjorgensen]

"Damn straight." Arthur said with a curt nod. "I've worked Smacks and Ketches before. Those were some of the most two-faced things on the water. One minute she'll glide across the water like a bird, the next minute, you'll be stuck in irons and she'll steer like a pig in cement."

[amanika]

The chocolate point nodded, inhaling the last of his cigarette deeply and blowing the smoke out in a steady billow, before he stubbed the thing out. A wry smile came to his lips at the other cat's choice of words, rather enjoying how accurately he understood them. "You're in the fishing business then I presume?"