jigokulogs | open: boogie nights

Who ⬤ Harry and the unfortunate people he crosses paths with
What ⬤ Substories and Begging
When ⬤ Mainly the first week of arrival
Where ⬤ Around town
Content Warnings ⬤ Mentions of drug use

I. Money, please! (night after the partying)

[ Harry is in a bind, one which he only thinks is fifty percent his fault. When you break down the math that percentage makes a lot of sense! He had a fifty percent chance of doubling his money, and a fifty percent chance of losing almost all of it. He just fell on the wrong side of fifty because the fates are cruel. The more logical part of his headspace urged him to not gamble it all, but they couldn't stop him from gambling period. History repeats and he's in the same predicament as when he woke up to reality for the first time a week or so ago.

Luckily, he has a time-tested approach to getting more cash. One he readily employs as he looks out for people who look like they at least have some spare change and asks: ]

Hey, you look well to do. I'm a little down on my luck at the moment - can I have some money?

[ Who wouldn't say yes to a 40-something man with *incredible* handlebar facial hair who looks like he's coming down from a day long hangover? Please say yes. ]

Substory: High Definition

[ The rabbit's drugs are surprisingly potent considering his tolerance. The first time he took it he rationalized it as doing it for the advancement of scientific research. The surface level truth was he wanted a hit after being sober for almost a couple weeks. His body still aches from the gunshot to his hip, but that pain is flattened by the first time he takes the drug. When he reports his survey and asks if he could get more, the rabbit tells him all he has to do is report his experiences again.

The next drug he takes turns the whole world black and white, no different than the grainy film reels he (apparently) loves to watch. A voice in his head tells him of the low-budget adaptations of Dick Mullen novels looking just like this, steeped in a gritty *noir* aura that is irresistible to anyone with a passion for genre fiction. It seems only fitting then that he should play up the part. Digging around in the trash nets him a musty old brown overcoat (with a few faded stains on it that he doesn't notice) and his meager cash is enough to buy a cheap novelty detective's fedora to sit on his head.

With that he takes to the streets, notepad and pen in hand, approaching people with a simple "Evening. Mind if I ask you a couple questions?"

The yokai he asks twists her head to a 180 degree to meet him, back still turned, and barks a laugh in his face before continuing on her way. Harry shrugs, knowing this is part of the process, then looks to his next target -- you. ] Hello. I need to ask you some questions, if you have a few minutes to spare?

Substory: Sweet Jacket

[ Now this man's jacket is not *nearly* as sweet as Harry's FUCK THE WORLD leather jacket (which, sadly, did not make the trip to Hell with him) but he can respect a man's right to his fashion choices. As such, he volunteers to chaperone the man across the bridge as a bodyguard. They don't make it more than half-way before three men rush up to them and threaten to kick Mr. Cool Jacket's ass. No way to get past them either. Luckily, Harry has a plan guaranteed to work: ]

Look, over there!

[ Apologies to the poor soul he is pointing at - if you stop he's about to say something *very hurtful* about your fashion choices as a diversion. It's enough for the three men to look with him, even if they have no idea what the big deal is. ]

[ ooc: if you want a special prompt or to plan anything out, feel free to PM me. would especially be interested in an atrocious karaoke thread with one or two people who want to party. ]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[ HAND/EYE COORDINATION - Your hand acts on its own will as he takes the first step, snatching his wrist.
REACTION SPEED - Do *not* let him talk to the authorities. ]

Not sure if you've heard, but cops are rotten assholes who only care about protecting the status quo! They won't be able to help me. Besides, my robbers aren't the sort that would ever hand back the cash.

Edited 2022-03-09 23:36 (UTC)

[ oop, he just got yoinked back. oya? ]

Really, now.

[ he may sound awed, of course shylock knows that, like the harbinger of chaos that he is. it's just in his western nature to mess with humans, no matter how down they are with their luck. ]

How much did they steal from you, then? I might not not have much money on me at the moment.

A good lot. Nearly all the allowance I was given by my clan to start with. [ He smiles sheepishly, trying not to sound *too* desperate. People don't like desperation, as he has learned the hard way. ] Even just a couple dollars would be helpful!

Are you certain you only need a couple of dollars? You look like you need more than that.

[ regardless, he is going to fish out his wallet and grab... hm, that's right, this world uses a different kind of currency here. ]

Would this suffice? I'm not quite sure if this is enough, but. [ here's a 500 yen coin for your trouble. ] And let me treat you to some coffee as well. You look like you need one too.

[ SAVOIR FAIRE - You need *a lot* more than that, but he does not strike you as a bourgeois man willing to fork over the riches of his coffers.
RHETORIC - Even if he was, you doubt he brought his wealth to Hell. Take him up on the offer. ]

Oh! Thanks, I appreciate that. [ He feels a *little* pathetic in the moment, but he also loves a good cup of coffee. ] The shops here are pretty pricey compared to where I'm from. Wonder if the inflation is by design.

Aren't they? We must be at the more expensive part of town. There are much cheaper options if you know where to look.

[ most likely at the sutoku-owned areas. shylock's used to the high-end stuff from his world, and this world is no exemption.

that being said-- ]

Ah, but I must apologize. I still have somewhere to go myself, so I cannot sit in a coffeehouse with you for not. I was actually talking about that.

[ he points behind harry, where a vending machine full of hot and cold drinks await. surely it will do for the time being. ]

[ INLAND EMPIRE - You have seen these machines before, but not here, and much smaller. Red metal containers with a window into looking at all the colorful candy that could be yours. Only ten centim for a turn to get a handful. Shove them in your mouth and feel your teeth rotting as you suck on them.
RHETORIC - You don't have a word to put to them, but the basic idea is the same. Only for beverages. ]

Whoa. [ Harry looks to the machine wide-eye, walking up to get a better look. A variety of *canned* coffee? He looks back to Shylock. ] Wait, how does canned coffee even work? It wouldn't be fresh and hot anymore.

I assume that they are being heated up inside this contraption.

[ "contraption", because he honestly doesn't know what these metal machines are called either. he's seen enough of them around town, and despite his ambivalence towards modern technology he couldn't help but be curious regardless.

and also, he's thirsty and he's in the mood for coffee at the moment. so it's convenient! shylock hums in thought as he considers what kind of coffee he should get, then turns to his companion here. ]

Why don't you choose first?

[ THE MACHINE - You approach the refrigerated windowed contraption, a wide selection of canned beverages prepared to be dispensed with purchase. The cheapest selections are 200 yen, the most expensive 500 yen. There are two rows reserved solely for several different brands of canned coffee.

SAVOIR FAIRE - Even in Hell, the free market reigns supreme.
RHETORIC - The free market reigns supreme *because* you are in Hell.

THE MACHINE - With quick glances you make the decision to select a *cold brew* can. It seems coffee really can be cold here. ]

There's something called cold brew here. I think I'll try that one. [ He doesn't know if it'll be good, but it should be interesting. That matters more in the moment. ] What about you?

I'll have...

[ his fingers hover over the buttons, still indecisive on what to choose; he can easily make coffee for himself if he wants to, and he's not about to be defeated by some gross machine, okay! but he's staking out the competition and so--

he presses a button at random, and out comes a can of macchiato. all right, then. ]

Something like this. [ he pops it open, and extends his can towards harry. ] Shall we have a toast?

Sure thing! A toast to...

[ HALF LIGHT - Hell.
ELECTROCHEMISTRY - Caffeine!
INLAND EMPIRE - The abyss. ]

Actually, why don't you decide what we toast to? All my options are bad.

[ now, what was he even thinking of giving a toast to in the first place? this man really must be down to his luck to not even think of the positives. ]

All right.

[ besides, it doesn't have to be complicated. he softly clinks his can against harry's and smiles. ]

To your future endeavors.

[ whatever they may be. ]

And to yours.

[ INTERFACING - You pull back the metal tab of the can between your thumb and index, a soft click accompanying the open of the hole.
ELECTROCHEMISTRY - Then, you sip. The taste is a shock. It's *really* coffee, but pleasantly chilled, taste preserved. Holy shit. ]

Holy shit. It's real! [ He rotates the can, glancing at the labeling as if it could be trying to pull a fast one on him. Then he looks at Shylock. ] It actually tastes good. How did they do it?

[ shylock cracks his can open and takes a sip, and... oh. now, isn't that refreshing. his eyes also widen in surprise, but not to the extent of harry here. his reaction is already cute enough on its own. ]

You weren't actually expecting actual bean water, were you? [ a soft chuckle. ] There must be a refrigeration device inside this machine. As for the quality of the drinks themselves, it must depend on the manufacturer itself -- much like how there are different brands of wine despite using virtually the same ingredients.

[ another sip, this time to savor the flavor. he blinks. ]

...That being said, I could make a much better cup of coffee than this.

open: boogie nights

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