Johnson, Siskel & Brown (Beamer)

[Galadare]

The intersection of Ross and Lamar is the kind that is busy regardless of what the clock says. A tall building bearing the label "Johnson, Siskel & Brown" dominates the corner. It would have been an impressive sight alone, but nearby rivals that were even larger shunted it into mediocrity.

The interior was more impressive. The lobby was done in marble and olive wood, an expensive combination. Furthermore it was decorated with historically significant sculptures. They were reproductions of course, but still impressive.

A terminal in the lobby tells you that the law offices were on 78, 79, and 80. With only 78 accessible from the lobby. After a brief ride in the elevator, you find youself in another lobby, where the receptionist on duty asks: "Can I help you, sir?"

[Beamer]

"Yes, I am looking for Mr. Richard Leroy Brown. I was to meet him here to discuss a settlement." He looked around at the decor. Too elaborate for Beamer's taste. 'These boys must be overcompensating for lack of their imaginations.' Though he was impressed with the quality of the reproduced statues, as he studied the statue of the only president of the United States to successfully stay in office for twenty four years due to his ability to keep peace with international leaders and steer away from attacks, most believe it was due to his prankster childhood,President Ashton Kutcher. "That is a man that all mothers would want their little boy to become." He looked at the list of his five wives, three of which lived with him at the same time, and thirty seven children. Reading the names Andrews remembered that most of them went onto political and scientific careers. Only his daughter from Demi would seek a entertainment field.

[Galadare]

The receptionist presses a button on her desk."Mr. Brown, there's someone here to see you sir."

"Send them up," the desk responds.

The receptionist points you to Browns office.

Inside the office, you find Brown behind his desk typing something on his laptop. On one side of the desk stands a bust of Ashton Kutcher, on the other a bust of Josef Stalin.

[Beamer]

"I like your taste in idols. When you left the cab, I realized I had not given you a fair chance to explain yourself. I had been given some rather disturbing news earlier this week and have been on guard since. It is no excuse for my actions, and all I can offer is my appology." He was firm in his statment. Never once did he waiver. Though he remained silent until there was a response.

[Galadare]

Brown explains: "Stalin symbolizes the Soviet Empire. The Bolsheviks saved Russia from Czarist oppression, only to replace it with poverty and oppression of their own. The Soviet government managed to keep an entire species on the edge of war for fifty years. Stalin reminds me of the folly of keeping too much control."

He turns to the other bust: "Kutcher, on the other hand, shows me the folly of too little control. He managed to keep the United States out of war for twenty years. He put an end to Bush's War and brought American troops home. While the people enjoyed America's policy of non-intervention, the rest of the world fed upon itself. Africa and the Middle East experienced wars unparalleled in human history.

"Even worse, under his administration the military was allowed to deteriorate. Security became lax. When Julia Robins defeated him in his sixth race, it was discovered that twenty-seven of the United States' fission bombs were missing. Six were recovered, but the remaining twenty-one fell into the hands of terrorist groups. Their activations are known to us as the Nuclear Holocaust.

Bush's War began anew, with vigor. But if you follow the news, you'll find that it's been six hundred years and we still haven't killed them all.

Stalin was a cruel, petty tyrant, and this world still bears the scars of Kutcher's presidency. But they say that mistakes that are forgotten, are repeated."

He fixes you with a cold stare: "Is there something I can do for you, Mr...?"

[Beamer]

"Captain Jonathan Andrews." He extended his hand. "You are correct, Kutcher should have exterminated the enemy. Though his lack of forsight is what kept him popular, and he was the most eligable man in the world at the time. If you read the Jackson report you find that he was given bad information as all leaders of that day. He was just more foolinsh than most. Coming to the point, I simply wanted to square things with you since I was rude earlier and as much as I do not admit it, I may need legal advice in the future." He winks.

[Galadare]

"Earlier?" Brown raises an eyebrow. "I'm sorry, I don't think we've met. Unless you represent one of my clients...

"If not, I'm afraid I'll have to ask you to leave. If you need an attorney, speak to Miss Mortensen at the front desk to set up an appointment."

Brown ushers you out and closes the door behind you, locking it so you can't get back in. He returns to his desk and muses to himself: "Well Petie, I hope this kid is half as intelligent as you say he is. But I have to admit, I'm not impressed."

[Beamer]

Jon doesn't even look back, his concious felt better, he was square. He walks to the elevator, pauses and heads to an elevator that goes up higher. He looks at the lock. "I bet I could get past this." He thinks about the simple device in front of him. "Though I should probably go look around this city. I am likely to be stuck here for some time and without Bitty I am likely to be back to basics." He decends through the elevator, and looks at his attire. "This will not do for a soldier." He turns on his recorder. "Captain Jonathan Andrews. Log 0.0012.1427.208.27122685 (year of rank, day of rank,time,Skadi year,relative date) I am now placing myself on yellow alert status. Earth has been quarntined. I have not tried to contact Skadi yet. I want to know more about the situation before I give any information over the link. The flu has been found in the north/east corner of this continent. I have not studied enough to know where else it may be found. The leauge has rerouted all incoming flights to Mars, Canyon City. My mech is circling above this planet now, unless they have rerouted it by now. I do not know, this planet seems to be in the dark. I was approached by a strange man claiming to be a lawyer. His name is to remain anonymous. I have just appologized for my behavior and hope that he will be of use to us later. I offered a ride to a young lady, Nightwolf, from Mexico City into Hildalgo. She was last heading toward the Happy Beaver with fifty credits, that is to be taken from my salary upon return to base. We are staying in Towers in Dallas until things clear up, or we need to move. I do not have enough information to give a solid report, so as of now it is unconclusive. I will go to the local University and start my questions in the college crowds. I am doing this due to the recruiters that are always on the capuses across the galaxy. I should have no problem blending in. I will find what information I can and report my findings if they are useful. End Log."

The elevator opens on the ground floor. He heads back out to hail a cab, only to find that the same driver is still there. "I must be a good tipper, here is $15. Use it toward the next person you pick up." With that Beamer waves the Driver on. He is not too sure how much he can trust other members of this world. His brush with Mr. Brown was enough to keep him on weary.

Another cab pulls up and he says, "The University please." Paying 15% extra for the fair. He sits quietly observing the city while until he arrives.