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Post by Deleted on Apr 21, 2021 11:44:44 GMT -8
Archie was a busy man - but he made the time for two things, business and his Motley. In this case, it was a little of column A, and a little of column B. His life had gotten bleak. His spark was waning. He was ready to throw in the towel and say so long to the Lost community once again and head to the fringes once more and let people sort their own messes out. Heck, maybe even make the move to L.A. and accept certain fates. However it never came to that. Linden had come and spent the night - showing Archie that they had his back. Riley sat down and tried to make him aware of what his current path would lead to but the entire time not backing down from standing beside him the entire way. They were rocks in his life, and gave him a reason to continue. So, he needed to repay them. However, he didn’t just want to give them something. He could always give them gifts, he could always make it a regular exchange. But he wanted to give them something meaningful. Linden’s strength, Riley’s brightness...It was time for them to see Archie’s Savvy. Public School 702, Summerlin - patio where a nice little block of seats had been reserved for them but would have fit 12 easily. The price of privacy. Archie had a pair of gold framed Ray Bans, and a nice and light mint green collared and button up shirt with his sleeves rolled up, and a pair of dark purple slacks. He sat at their nice square table, one seat taken by him, another by a briefcase, and he was busy scrolling through his iPhone 12 Pro Max while he waited for the rest of Afterparty to make their entrance Linden Riley Sorsa
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Riley Sorsa
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Post by Riley Sorsa on Apr 21, 2021 12:29:20 GMT -8
Recently, life had been rough for Riley. They were working themself ragged for the troupe, for only the smallest measure of success. As long as Naomi the understudy still was in the wings, Riley was never going to be welcome. Meanwhile Archie was spiraling lower in his morale, and Firebringer was in the hospital recovering from gun wounds. Two people they cared about were shot, their work was hell, and the moth had several other projects gnawing at their focus. Yet, looking at the Brightone you would never know. Every thing was fine. Riley came in wearing their favorite pair of large zebra sunglasses, straight leg brown cotton pants, a white button up shirt with a mesh bottom, and a dashing purple tie that was tied loosely around their neck. The look was finished off with neat black dress shoes, and their signature cow skull belt buckle. “Arch!” They say waving with a smile as they approach. Crossing the patio they gave the Fairest a hug. They noticed he was a bit more presentable than he had been the last couple of weeks, but the bowtie was still noticeably missing. “How are you doin’ today? Has Linden arrived yet?” Riley shot a glance towards the briefcase. The darklings curiosity pricked by the object, but they didn't ask yet. Instead they pulled up a seat, kicked up their legs over the arm of their chair and grabbed a menu.
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Linden
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Post by Linden on Apr 21, 2021 13:16:08 GMT -8
Tall, a little underdressed and nonchalant- yes, definitely Linden's silhouette across the way. Unsurprisingly they lingered at the bar, chatting with the person behind it and one of the servers. After a few moments, drink in hand, they headed for the patio. Glass raised slightly in greeting, they grinned. "It's called a Study Hall, I'll tell you how it is."
Their gaze took in the fact that neither of their friends had drinks yet, and the fact that the fourth chair was taken by a briefcase. "Is this...business?" They were mostly making fun of themself for the lobster roll misunderstanding, but there was a real question in it. Archie could've just been on his way home from some other meeting, who knew.
Regardless of the answer they gave both of the motley-mates a firm hug and back pat, and settled easily into the free seat.
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Post by Deleted on Apr 22, 2021 9:26:08 GMT -8
“Riley - I am getting by, busy as always. And not yet - but I think I see Clint coming over the horizon as we speak.”
First hug was returned for Riley, and Linden’s squeeze was returned with all the gusto his noodle arms could muster. It was still foreign, more than a handshake...A meeting without a firm goal...drinks for the sake of drinks...Trying to breach the veil that was 24/7 work and using it as a safe space to simply not deal with anything or anyone.
“Business in the front, party in the back? Or maybe a teaching experience? Hah, I didn’t think about it like that - Public School, lessons, but with a bar - my kind of lesson!”
What was Archie going on about?
“Anyway,”
He flagged a server,
“As good as the Study Hall looks - Gin Shorts for me.”
He let Riley snag their choice of drink while they all settled in. A few sips before they needed to worry about food.
“So I figured now that we are all running in this race together, it would maybe be beneficial if we tapped all of our collective skill sets right? Like...We are here for one another but obviously Linden can stare down a Panzer Tank, and Riley can mingle with sharks, so these are a little easier to apply. What I am trying to say is, I want to be able to help out more than just be a wallet and I know neither of you see it that way, but I want to know I have done more.”
As he chatted, and basic responses were mulled, drinks arrived.
“So, and I don’t want to sound like a jerk, I was hoping maybe I could show you guys some of what I do at its basest level and the way I go about it so maybe when you don’t think Linden’s steely gaze, or Riley’s charm is the right answer maybe just maybe Archie’s nonsense could help out?”
He wasn’t going to jump right in, he didn’t want to force the matter. These were his friends. Something he wasn’t used to. Clients? They paid for the point to be made, but he wanted to see if the other two were on board.
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Riley Sorsa
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Post by Riley Sorsa on Apr 22, 2021 10:18:25 GMT -8
"Hey Linden! That drink looks great." Riley smiled as Linden approached, getting up to give a quick hug before sitting again. When the server approaches, Riley puts an order in for a Study Hall before looking to Archie as he broke into the business.
"We know you're more than a wallet" Riley rolls their eyes as their drink arrives. They take a long sip of it.
Riley was aware that Archie was a network powerhouse, almost anyone in show biz he knew or knew someone that knew them. But The moth wasn't sure what exactly Archie wanted to share this day.
"Alright, mullet rule. What's this Archie nonsense ya wanna show us?" They flash a teasing grin.
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Linden
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Post by Linden on Apr 24, 2021 9:22:28 GMT -8
Leaning back in their chair, Linden sipped as Archie spoke. They had already benefitted from Archie's 'nonsense', though the assurance that he knew they didn't view him as a wallet twinged a little; it was comforting, to know their friend had so much money. There was little chance of him encountering a medical bill he couldn't pay, or being left in the lurch if his weird-fancy car broke down. And selfishly, while they didn't want to ask their friend for money, they knew they probably could.
But money wasn't a skill set. "We talking networking, business... etiquette?" The last one was a bit of a reach, but Archie hosted a lot- maybe he had recognized the real possibility that Linden would say the wrong thing to the wrong person. Or use the wrong title at a formal event.
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Post by Deleted on Apr 24, 2021 17:59:52 GMT -8
“All of the above, Linden. And more. The lesson in itself is simple - almost pointedly so, and its frustrating to have it be beaten over your head. However in our lines of work, in our community, and in our situations, there is great value in keeping the mantra close to your heart, and seeking to apply it appropriately when moments of doubt creep into your heart.”
Sitting back in his seat he removed his glasses, setting them on the table while his nursed his drink with his left hand. A new practiced habit. The cold didn’t do any favors. All this was a tease, wasn’t it? Letting them hang on the idea of simplicity and purpose. He wouldn’t lie, watching Riley perform as of late had given him a sense for the dramatic and to revel in the timing.
“Everything has a price.”
He tipped his glass to the other two before knocking back and downing probably half of his own beverage, letting the juniper linger in the back of his throat.
“Everything you do, could do, may be asked to do - there is value. Every choice is a determination of risk and reward. Everything is as much investment as it is a gamble. Fleeting moments where bills leave hands for a moment of attention, or when palms are greased hoping to open the door, these are how we see things in the lives we have lived. But it boils down to everything smaller than that, and everything larger.”
He placed his glass on the table before falling back into his chair.
“When everything boils down to it, currency can be force, attention, blood, sweat, or good old fashioned gold. All of these things though, thanks to Adam Smith, can be converted to and boiled down to a single thing.”
He reached into his breast pocket and pulled out a crisply folded bill, placing the one dollar note on the table and pushing it into the middle.
“One American Dollar.”
He raised his hands to the two, as he wound down his dramatics. He was doing Riles, he really was - look at this man put on a show. Here was hoping that Linden didn’t just roll their eyes and decide to cut him off and bounce him here and now.
“What I aim to try and teach, is how to live the simplest example of the American dream, and learn what you can make happen with a few dollars so you can start to understand the weight of just how far you can take things when determining a price you are willing to pay, or could be offered to you.”
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Riley Sorsa
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Post by Riley Sorsa on Apr 25, 2021 6:53:07 GMT -8
Riley holds their drink in hand, watching as Archie began his dramatic presentation with mild amusement. Their feet kick idly as they hang over the arm of the chair. The Moth popped an eyebrow as the speed moved towards the value of an individual.
For a moment, the Moth felt a ping of defensiveness. 'Everyone has a price,' it wouldn't be the first time a wealthy person tried to explain the world to Riley. The Darkling had seen and lived, what it meant to put a price on most things others never would. Their pride felt brief sting and they wanted to sting back. They had the urge to call out against Archie, tell him they knew this already, but they caught themself. Archie was trying to be helpful, and he had different experiences than The wisp did. Riley swallowed their pride, releasing the tension in their shoulders and took a sip letting their manager continue without interruptions.
Riley glances over to Linden as the routine came to an end, examining what the Ogre had felt about it before looking back to Archie.
What is economics 101? Riley kept the snarky line to themself.
"I 'ain't one for the American dream, but I'll bite. But " The Twilight dancer glances towards the one-dollar bill in the center of the table, raising an eyebrow to Archie.
"But what exactly are you hoping we make happen?" Riley dug deeper, trying to get a better sense of what the Fairest was getting to.
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Linden
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Post by Linden on Apr 25, 2021 19:03:10 GMT -8
Linden watched Archie like he was a teacher they were still trying to decide if they liked, glass pressed thoughtfully against their chin. Money was a means of control: who was dependent on whom and how could they yank that chain. Which was certainly part of what Archie was saying, but their approach was more to try and avoid it completely. Survive, take what you could on your own terms, and make it through.
Which, they imagined, was a large part of why he wanted to give this lecture.
"I'm with Riles, the American Dream eats people alive. But...?" They were going to hear him out, almost no matter what.
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Post by Deleted on Apr 26, 2021 18:51:18 GMT -8
“I know it sounds stupid, and I really don’t want to make it sound like the two of you haven’t gone through the ins and outs of basic spending, and the most basic of buy low, sell high. More so I wanted to press the importance of commoditization and learned how to stretch your singular dollar to make it wider or taller.”
He leaned forward on the table and linked his hands together to grace himself as if he was going to shoot up.
“This is understanding all the outside factors on your dollar, and the transaction at hand. Look at abstract things like the cost of violence? End of the day, three hundred to five hundred dollars? I can get an average roughneck to walk up and fuck with an average joe. But that is the market, sure I can shop around, or just try to haggle for all its worth - but what if I just make my dollar taller? This goof is wearing the wrong thing, or making the type of joke that incites? Soon my money is just a bonus and the catalyst to exploit an existing situation. It's the human cost of supply and demand.”
He leaned back and sighed.
“You can do it with items, services, and anything in between. I want to try and help you understand what in abstract vacuum what may be asked of you and be able to assess the cost to you, the gain, the loss, and the value of applied pressure or opportunity. Often we say we didn’t have a choice, but that is really a situation where someone was shrinking our capital and enforcing their economics on us.”
He reached over and popped the briefcase open, and inside were some files, but two zipped up leather bags with a lock on the end with some keys on them.
“So before we get down to leveraging self worth and everything in between why don’t we practice with something less important.”
He dropped a bag in front of both of them.
“Three thousand each. Cash. So you don’t have to worry about receipts. How about a month? At the end of the month - I get three thousand back from each of you but you keep anything above and beyond. Along the way I will happily assist, offer advice, and do what I can to help. I am not going to just toss you into the deep end - just the medium.”
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Riley Sorsa
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Post by Riley Sorsa on Apr 28, 2021 19:24:06 GMT -8
Riley’s eyes were nearly the size of dinner plates as the bag was placed before them. Their mind raced at the idea that before them sat 3k in cash. Riley had seen cash before, in the clubs you could tell who won a jackpot or who dealt in more illicit affairs. Carrying cash like that either meant you were an idiot, or you weren't to be fucked with.
The moth mouth felt dry as the anxiety struck. Picking up the drink they took a long sip glancing at the other tables wondering if anyone heard the statement. Seeing it was clear Riley cleared their throat.
“Ahem- thats, thats alot Arch” They glance over to linden to see if they had similar thoughts.
The darkling bug brain activated and all Riley could think to do was cut open their mattress stuff inside and wait out the month.
“I- I have no idea where to even start.” they admitted.
The amount of money if they were lucky to make in a month was often used up in rent, food, and other basic needs. Expendable cash always went towards work, new outfit, clothes. What could they possibly do to invest this amount of cash?
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Linden
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Post by Linden on Apr 29, 2021 20:53:23 GMT -8
"Christ, Arch, you've been walking around with that on you?" Linden didn't worry so much about being mugged themself, but the talent scout wasn't nearly as tall or as wide. The idea of someone carrying thousands of dollars around made the Ogre nervous, as if now that they knew everyone else in the bar did too. Like they'd be able to smell it.
"I don't- I pay my rent, I eat, I go out. I'm not extravagant. But dude, if I fuck this up, do you know how long it'll take me to pay you back? This is- it's terrifying, I can't commit to this." He had already said he would help, he would be their guide. But anxiety and fear were woven into their relationship with money so deeply that just the thought of trying to master it made them balk.
"What kind of investments turn out in a month anyway?" It was a real question, though their tone was uncharacteristically clipped.
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Post by Deleted on May 2, 2021 14:37:48 GMT -8
“Yes Linden, cash is king in Vegas, and sometimes plastic won’t cut it. Money talks, but cash sings.”
He shrugged as their server came back, and Archie let everyone put in an order - for the Fairest? Chicken and Waffle, Buffalo Style.
“So this is called sticker shock. Yeah the number seems pretty big when we are looking at it as a raw stack - but there are people in town who put more than this on a single hand, or roll of the dice so it is all relative really. However, you need to learn to keep your poker face strong. When I am dealing with certain folk a big tip, a couple hundred, goes a long way to see how they take it. If they are over the moon I now have an idea of what kind of offers make them jump, what percentages are viable, etcetera, etcetera.”
They both had their freakout, that was a lot of money to them.
“A good poker face and suddenly people can’t feel out what they are dealing with when it comes to cost. The cooler you play it the higher the offers start.”
He even chuckled a little at Linden’s statement.
“Alright, alright, sorry for playing tough guy - I mean who am I going to call to collect? You? Hey Linden, Linden hasn’t paid up. If I don’t see it though you are paying for it with a Star Trek marathon - even the bad episodes and seasons.”
Wink.
“And where to start indeed? Do we want to trade goods? Services? Game a system maybe? I am a fan of subletting.”
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Riley Sorsa
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Post by Riley Sorsa on May 3, 2021 11:42:32 GMT -8
"Ceaser salad with chicken, thanks," Riley said to the waiter before moving their attention back to the Motley.
" I ain't worried about poker face," Riley says with a smile and shrug. Playing it straight or show people what they wanted to see was one of the Moth's skill sets. But even with that, they were out of their depths here.
The idea of Linden being their own collector brought a chuckle from the-wisp. "Watch out, Linden, Lindens coming." Then hearing the Star Trek, Riley stuck out their tongue. "Ugh, that's bad. Look, Archie, sublettin', services? Trade goods? I wouldn't know where to start with any of that. It's not like that amount is goin' to let me open a club, a show, or an escort service."
It was clear Riley had never taken the time to consider this sort of moving of money. Money hadn't been Riley's real currency for some time; they rub the bridge of their nose for a moment easing the frustration. It was a case of blank page syndrome.
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Linden
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Post by Linden on May 4, 2021 21:13:31 GMT -8
"I'll-" Linden scanned the menu without really registering it and ordered the cheapest thing they saw first. "Let's do the bacon cheddar tots, please." They gave the waiter a thin smile, not intentionally odd or unpleasant.
The Ogre rolled their eyes at Riley's ribbing; somehow it almost made them feel worse that Archie wouldn't be hurting if he was $3,000 out of pocket. Which was selfish, or something- it wasn't that they wanted their friend to be less well off, more that they were feeling a particular chasm more keenly. It seemed to skew their perspectives in wildly different directions.
He'd done a lot of nice things for them: clothes, food, all smaller sums that were easier to accept because they didn't look like just straight up money. There was a lot of pride tangled up in money for them, and they would try to get past it for their friends, but it wasn't going to be smooth. Sucking in a breath, they let it out slowly and took another sip to try and ground themself.
"Okay- so, I can't sublet. Not enough space. Goods is out, I don't have anywhere to store them. So I guess it's either services or good old fashioned gambling. I guess I'm struggling to imagine a place I'd want to put money that I think would also make it back." Community services always needed more funding, but that wasn't a monetary investment.
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