Unknown Location, Tuesday



"Shikagane is going to be here shortly with a pizza." Answered the host.

"What flavor?" Asked Doctor Kane as he took his head off the table.

"Tuesday flavor." Answered the host, while lighting up a cigarette.

"What on earth is tuesday flavor?" Asked Doctor Kane.

"The topping we only order on tuesday. Its our off day."

“Both of you?

"He's my employer afterall" Answered the host, as she puffed her first smoke.

"He's under the big boss?"

"More like we’re contracted by the big boss, Shikabane has his own venture that spans all over the region. But he always pays his tribute to the ruler of the city whenever we need to complete a contract, as with wherever we go.” Answered the host, looking outside the window.

“You seem to gain an understanding of him.” Doctor Kane faced the host.

“….Shikabane, one of his many professional names, is a solipsist. He believes that the entire world is a dream of his own creation, and all the people are fragments of his own rich imagination. Which may explain why he would come off as merciless.” Recalled the host, drifting off to her own narrative. “His ego is so large, he cannot picture the world without him in it, and so in his mind he "can never be killed." If he does die, he'll simply 'wake up' from his dream. His solipsism has led him to eschew the idea of immortality, as "it can do nothing for him". As with everyone, our perspective places us in the center of the world, clearly he takes pride in being so.”

“Fascinating.” Remarked Doctor Kane.


“Shikabane immensely dislikes it when people attribute his skill to God or natural talent.” Said the host as she took another puff, and points her cigarette at Doctor Kane. “He emphasizes that he worked extremely hard to improve himself, and he wishes people would acknowledge the effort he put in rather than dismissively calling him a prodigy.”

“I have to say that I pine for him a bit.” said Doctor Kane

“Pardon?” Responded the host, quite interested.


“He seems like he does not know where he should release his emotions and so piles it all up inside himself therefore,” he shuffles to sit at the sofa, “he turns all the bloodlust born of his tragedies and hypocrisies towards himself. He has no common sense when it comes to other people's hearts.”

The host looked at Doctor Kane, and looked down a bit to recall some shady memories of her employer.

“That man… He operates outside the law through his own warped sense of justice. He is considerate of those he deems innocent, going out of his way to ensure the safety of people who are not his targets and/or pose no danger. He takes pride in his work, and takes his responsibilities seriously.” She presses the cigarette to the ashtray, and moved to grab another glass of brandy. “Which is why he had gone through lengths to ensure that you are safe from that swine. That man, he is so troubling.”

“And I am grateful for it.” Responded Doctor Kane, nodding when the host offered him another bottle of water, “I’m sure your big boss would mind that he had gone out of his way.”

“I can’t imagine he wouldn’t,” said the host as she threw the bottle towards Doctor Kane. “The big boss really wants to keep things neat with RIM when they took over the city. No silly business and all that. He knows we’re hiding you, and he withheld such information from the captain for reasons I couldn’t see just yet.”

“Perhaps you can give me an insight on the man?” Asked Doctor Kane upon opening the bottle.

“For our operations in Kinjishi, we pay our tribute to the big boss, the man is what you may call the man of the people. When the whole fight broke out he made sure that the population of Kinjinshi are well fed, well cared for and protected.” Recalled the host. “A godfather figure that participated in black market deals to ensure the survival of Kinjinshi. Where we are right now, is just one of his many apartment blocks where his members and their families can live for free, with benefits.”

She continues to ponder about him, looking at the television screen in the room.

“He is however quite mysterious considering his… benevolence.” She continued.

“What else?” Doctor Kane asked.


“Honestly I’ve not a clue on who the man is.” She admitted, “when Shikabane expanded his role as a contractor for the black market in R.I.M, we had to report to him. We only saw his silhouette, let alone a name or a date of birth. What I do know is his mannerism,”

She leaned on the table filled with charts, like a cat on a laptop.


“Mild mannered fellow who doesn’t speak much, preferring to let his subordinates to the talk but he commands the air of respect. He also has an impeccable sense of hygiene, in that he would fire people for being unclean.”

“A termination of work, or a termination of life?” Asked Doctor Kane

“Either, or both.” Responded the host, with a straight face. “Anyway, if RIM are to get out of Kinjishi, he would definitely be the one to ensure the city’s survival, one way or another. It’s his hometown of course.”

“Do you know what he deals in?” Inquired Doctor Kane.

“He’s quite expandable in that aspect,” responded the host, as she took another sip. “He’s definitely one that would want to accept opportunities.”


It was then the bell rang, and Doctor Kane took his gun to prepare for a probability for a breach. He walked silently towards the door while the his friend stood by with a knife, ready to be thrown to one’s throat. Doctor Kane looked through the peephole, and took a breath of relief. Upon opening the door Shikabane came inside with a box of pizza.

“Oh good, you’re still alive.” Responded Shikabane, unfazed with the gun pointed on his head.

“I appreciate the gesture.” Thanked Doctor Kane.


“I can’t make more money out of you if you’re dead my fellow.” Admitted Shikabane.

“Did you bring the pizza?” Asked the host to Shikabane.

“Tuesday flavor.”

---

“Wine?” Offered Shikabane
“I would take coffee.” Answered Doctor Kane
“I reckon we eat this pizza at peace upon the time we say grace,” said Shikabane, “and once then we can discuss on the plans.”
“Agreed.” Said Doctor Kane.


The three of them sat in silence with drinks on the table and chews of the pizza. Doctor Kane ate the pizza with his hand, while Shikabane ate it with a fork and knife. The femme fatale however, ate the pizza with just a spoon. The only thing passing through Doctor Kane’s mind is trying to guess whatever the topping of this pizza truly is.

He spent his time guessing until the entire pizza is finished. It was then that Shikabane took the plates from the table and washed them, while the femme fatale took the drinks to the coffee table. Doctor Kane threw the pizza box away and wiped the table clean. It went in silence and without unnecessary noise, almost unnerving to be honest.

“Detective.” Said Shikabane, with a tone that broke down the silence “perhaps I can now hear what both of you have got up your sleeves?”

“Well my friend. I certainly do not wish to meet this captain figure.” Responded Doctor Kane as he drank his cup of espresso. “He doesn’t seem to be one to be reasoned with, and his high horse doesn’t leave me much favor with him. I do think it would be better to negotiate with the big boss.”

“They call him “The Broker” in these parts.” Responded Shikabane, sitting down with the chair facing the other way, “Runs things in Kinjishi's underground, and he'd prefer to maintain smooth ties with the RIM. being at war with the law is bad for business. setting the city ablaze will also draw his ire.”

“I’m sure he’s scolded you much huh?” Asked Doctor Kane.

“Damn man!” Shikabane shouted, banged his chair and stood up, shuffling around the room in irritation. “So what if I'd spare you? In my mind, it's the certainty in myself that I possess which allows me to have that kind of mercy or compassion. There's no wavering on that point. It's fixed like the stars. The fact is, I'm never gonna be killed!” He began to shout, “So remember this when they tried to threaten my ass: Mercy and compassion are virtues that only the strong are privileged to possess. And I...am strong.”

“Stop it, you’ll give yourself a tummy ache.” Said the host, as she smacks Shikabane’s head, forcing him to sit back down.

“What would the Broker want in exchange for my escape?” Asked Doctor Kane, slightly interested.

“He is pretty chummy with the captain surprisingly, so what he wants to know are why the city has dead foreigners, who killed them, and if they were spies what information they possessed.” Answered the host.

“Other than that,” continued Shikabane, “unlike me, he perhaps would like classified military secrets, diplomatic coverups, blue prints for prototype technology/weapons, and damaging information on the Peony or Underground mobsters/syndicates, WMDs. etc.”

“The Peony?” Asked Doctor Kane, “why her of all people?”

Shikabane gave a slight chuckle, “Come now, you can fool the captain, but you’re not fooling us, especially once we’ve seen what’s underneath that disguise of yours. You are of Peonic origin, despite I know for sure you are no spy of hers.”

“I’m under employment by neutrals.” Answered Doctor Kane, “That is the only thing I can explain to you.”

“Well my friend, he would be willing to advance his agenda in exchange for your freedom.” Explained Shikabane, as he took another sip of whisky. “Thing is, how can we minimize unnecessary casualties?”

“…..” Doctor Kane was left a bit speechless.

“You can make the decision concerning it my friend.” Answered Shikabane, he clasped his hands. “Now, when do you want to contact the big boss?”

“Tonight.” Answered Doctor Kane.


“Alright, then get dressed.” Ordered Shikabane as he flicked his hands, “Chané, can you borrow this man one of my suits?”

“This way, detective.” said the host, now lovingly known as Chané.

As Doctor Kane took another shot of espresso, he made his way to Shikabane’s room. It was then that Shikabane took his cellular, and dialed for the number. A special number to contact the broker.

“Toudou? The detective wants to talk to him.”