Who: Faith and Winston Frost What: Making deals for deliveries Where: Some fancy restaurant. When: recent Status: Complete Rating: Pg
Winston had always prefer to employ hand couriers for some work. Sometimes, the personal touch was just what was needed, and sometimes, it was safest. So it was today as he waited at the restaurant. He might not be there long, but he liked to treat with those he made business deals with, and this was one of his favorite places, a restaurant most could never dream of affording entering. But he was here allowed because of his past service, not his wealth.
He hoped this young courier would accept the job, a simple in person courier assignment, and do so agreeably. He was prepared to pay quite a handsome price.
So he waited, and sat, ordering a light white wine, and sippng it, the bottle chilling in a ice bucket next to the table.
Faith walked into the restaurant, feeling at once underdressed. She'd cleared some time this afternoon for the meeting but hadn't realized it would be such a place. She ruffled her hair, then tried to make herself look presentable. She didn't own many dresses, and certainly never wore any on a run.
Winston didn’t care she was underdressed. Knowing she was there to meet him, not a person there would say a thing to her. He rose and lifted a hand to wave to her, even as eh asked the waiter for another cup. “Miss. Welcome to the Mata Hari.”
“Nice place,” she said, walking over to him, light on her feet. She had a clear runner’s build, though it was hard to tell in her cargo pants and running shirt. “Mr. Frost, right?” She’d done some research, but there wasn’t much to tell her about the man.
“That’s correct. Please, sit, order anything you like.” He nodded to the seat opposite him, waiting for her to head for it as he offered her his hand.
“It’s good to find professionals still around in this age.”
Faith took a seat. She couldn’t help but fidget a little, though it was less from nerves and more from a need to be moving. She shook his hand. “Thank you, sir.” It was impolite to avoid eating, so she ordered a salad with chicken on it. Light, and hopefully inexpensive, it wouldn’t weigh her down later.
He ordered the crab rangoon, and a light spritzer. “You come very well recommended. Wine?”
he waved a hand at the bottle.
“Thank you, but I’ll pass. It’s not good to be wobbly with some of the shortcuts I take.” She’d had one employee break his back because of something like that. She’d stopped letting most of them do the short cuts after that.
“Of course. Whatever makes your work easier.” Winston believed in letting the experts do what they did and not asking questions unless they did something very bad. He was not there to micromanage her.
“The job involves traveling to across the city, and hand-delivering documents and a single package to the recipient. You may open them all, as long as nothing inside is touched, without danger or negative reaction.” He did not ask anyone to carry unknown things.
Most of the time.
“As long as it doesn’t make me sick or anyone else, I’m willing to move just about anything,” she replied. She wouldn’t knowingly move something that might hurt people.
“It won’t do either of those. It is an agreement, with some details that could quite simply change certain industries. If it goes through, it will bring business to two towns that are on the downhill slide, and in turn, increase my ability to do such things.” He nodded and pressed a fat manilla envelope over to her, as well as a small box. “The box contains a gift, part of the agreement, as the man comes from a rural part of Japan, an area where such is a tradition.”
The folder contained the documents as he had stated. The box contained a hand-carved jade dragon with quartz for the eyes.
“Any time frame?” She paused, then clarified. “Or rather, is there a time period where it would be too late in the evening to arrive, and best to wait until morning.”
“The man in question leaves work around seven in the evening, and arrives sometime before eight a.m., no later.” Winston nodded to her as he sipped his wine. The food was delivered then, and Winston waited until the waiter left before holding out a small passport like case. “This id will get you in as a courier, this one time.”
She reached over and took the case, smiling at him. "Thank you. If I can't get it before seven tonight, I'll get it in the morning. But I pride myself on my ability to get things on time." She'd be pissed at herself if she didn't make it.
Winston nodded. “Thank you. If you do make it by this evening, there will be a bonus in your account.” He smiled. He rewarded good work. It was one way to ensure you got it again.
“I’m glad I picked a lighter lunch then,” Faith replied, winking at him. She put the case into her messenger bag. She didn’t sound like she minded the challenge.
Winston nodded and then dug into the food. This had been a good choice. Now, if she was as good as her word, he would have more work for her, much more.