thedifferencebetween

[Yes, of course it's a coded message. He's taking the rules in the Rocket handbook seriously.]

Thank you. I can provide my resume, [once he retypes it from memory] although I suppose the references won't be much good in another world. I understand that I'll need to work my way up to actually being on the air, of course, but if you could find something in the newsroom if possible or as reception if not...

Uh....

[Oh. Oh fuck, the dude wants an actual job in the radio tower, that wasn't just a clever way to let Jack know he's a Rocket.]

Yeah, resumes don't mean much here. Not when you don't have work experience in this dimension anyway! Little issue with the whole set up...but don't worry about it. We care less about what you used to do and more about what you're gonna do for us.

[Well, he can probably make that happen? All he's gotta do is talk to somebody, right? Or submit a form? Whatever, he'll figure it out.]

Of course you do.

[... this is a criminal organization, isn't it? Which probably means...]

You'll let me know if there's anything I need to do in return?

[There's a very brief pause before he adds,]

Should I come see you in person? Preferably where we'd be free to talk more?

[So they don't have to take around all this Team Rocket b.s.]

I mean, yeah, sure, if ya want. I'm guessing you're in Goldenrod.

But you do realize this is a private secure line, right? Nobody else can hear this. Unless you're in public and other people are physically around you. I dunno about you, maybe you're that kind of super rude asshole who makes phone calls where other people can hear them.

Don't do that.

Don't be that asshole.

...

[On the other side of the phone, there's a soft, frustrated groan as Steven pinches his brow.]

My god... No. No, I didn't realize this is a private and secure line and no, I'm not that kind of asshole.

And yes, I'm in Goldenrod, in the dormitory for new Rockets and currently alone in the room. I really do mean it that I'd like to be able to take a position in the radio tower if possible, because I'll be damned if I resort to common day labor again when the criminal organization I've been press-ganged into has ties to broadcast media, and I am very much willing to do what I need to in return for your help. I'm told you're the highest ranking non-native in the organization and that you've helped the other non-natives before.

Edited 2020-02-14 20:39 (UTC)

Yeah buddy, you're just talking to me. And I? As far as the rest of the world is concerned, I'm a law abiding and well established businessman. Nobody's watching me. Nobody's trying to tap my lines.

Yeah, that's me! I've been here....god help me, years now. Got a personal commendation from the big bosses once, in front of everybody. But sure, I'll see what I can swing for ya.

You'll owe me one.

Oh, I knew I would. That's how things work, after all.

[At least, that's how it works with Changelings and it's likely to be how it works with organized criminals too.]

My congratulations on keeping your nose clean. It's my hope that I'll be able to as well. Any advice to keep from being caught?

Oh good, you're not a complete idiot.

Yeah, a lot. You need a whole public cover, somewhere your money's coming from. You need to keep your Pokemon teams separate - you have your public team and you have your Rocket team, you never use your public Pokemon when in uniform, you never use your Rocket team out of it. Disguises are key. I am talking level of a celebrity chef infiltrating restaurants to spy on them disguises. You can't look or sound like you. But be smart, have like maybe two different ones so people recognize Rocket-you as a person. You're basically creating a whole identity under which to do Rocket shit.

I've already put in a request for prescription contacts for Rocket work. I think I might also be able to do a bit with hair gel as well. And posture... I think I can do a lot with posture. I'll see what I can do with my voice.

As for the public cover... if you can get me work in the Radio Tower, hopefully that will serve well enough to explain where my money's coming from... especially if I can work my way into the actual broadcast itself eventually.

It occurs to me that it might not be a bad thing to manufacture reasons for our public personas to meet, given that you're my superior within this organization. What is your public cover?

That's a decent start. Me, I got four different wigs of the same length and color of hair in slightly different styles and a bodysuit for under my uniform so I look thirty pounds heavier and have a completely different torso shape. Plus a fake beard.

Effort, kiddo, this requires effort.

Me, I got a greeting card and assorted novelties company. Pictures of cute as shit Pokemon with dumb sayings, people eat'em up.

[Dryly,] Of course they do.

Huh. I'm no more than average as a photographer, but the fuzzy bat the Team gave me is oddly adorable. I could provide you with photos of him? Or, better yet, if you have a photographer in-house, bring him in to model for you. On paper, it would be freelance work and you'd be paying me. In actuality, you could funnel the money you claim you're paying me elsewhere and we'd do whatever Rocket business we need to while William is getting photographed.

[He chuckles.]

It wouldn't have to be just me. That excuse would work for practically any of us you'd need to meet with. Or if you need to meet with more than one of us at a time--just set up a photography session where we each bring in a Pokemon. People just love those pictures where you have two different cute animals together. Especially if you add something trite like 'BFFsies 5-Eva' in sparkly letters.

Ya know something, champ? I like the way you think. I dig your brain. Not too many people around here got one.

Cuz I use freelancers already - it's a legit company, that's the key here. And been around a long time now, it's established. People know me, they know the Hyperion brand.

Certainly not on Team Rocket, anyway. You, I, Carly, Connie, and Orange Guy aside, that is.

[If there's anyone else worth knowing on the team, he hasn't met them yet.]

Well, then. I think I've already begun to pay you back for helping me.

Edited (I FORGOT HE DIDN'T KNOW DIRK'S NAME YET) 2020-02-19 09:13 (UTC)

Yeah and notice we're all transplants. Orange has his shit together, Carly listens good, Connie seems pretty eager and I get the idea she's one of those overachiever types. There's another kid, too. He...

I mean even a hunk of rock has got potential to the right sculptor, and he knows how to steal. So I'm not writing him off, but I give him a lotta shit.

Is that all of us, then? All the transplants on Team Rocket?

That's us!

And you see why I'm essentially Transplant Boss. Luckily for you guys I know what the shit I'm doing and I look after my team.

Well. It's good to know you have our backs.

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