Chapter 125 - 125

Words : 1707 Updated : Sep 17th, 2025

The movie was okay. The plot was middling and the characters were 2 dimensional. It truly would have bombed if the movie had released with enough time before the world ended. However Adam hadn't gone to the movie theater to watch a movie. Well okay he did. But honestly he went for the experience, it was an activity that he had thought would have died alongside all the people from the bombs. But here it was, cinema, surviving even now. It really did make the entire event magical, so he had a good time. He decided to head to The Oasis now, and chat with Eve for a bit. After all, while it might be early he wanted to at least fill her in on what was going on. If nothing else he felt like it might be good to be social for a bit, Deccanus wasn't the most active social partner he could have had. Then again neither was Salvatore. So maybe that's why he was always seeking out Eve who could chat with him all evening. Damn, he really needed more friends. Upon arriving at The Oasis he noted the black suited men standing outside the door. Mr. Cantelli must be in. He submitted himself to the search for weapons, during which he willingly gave up his pistol. After the guard was confident he wasn't smuggling in weapons he walked in to speak with Eve, taking a seat at the bar in his normal place. However Eve was not there, instead it was a man, non robotic, tending bar, dressed in an all black suit wearing a white tie, similar to how Eve looked. "Excuse me?" Adam asked softly. "Yes? What can I get for you sir?" He said as he turned around. "Ah, well I was actually looking for a friend of mine, Eve?" "Ah, Eve." He said as he paused to think. "I'm not sure where she is tonight, she has the day off and I got offered the shift. Not that I'm complaining, I need the caps." He laughed softly. "I can tell her you were asking about her the next time she is in." He offered. "Ah, no, that's okay. I appreciate it." Adam said as he got up, having lost interest in chatting. Instead he decided to head to a table nearer to the stage to actually watch the band sing for once. The lady was back singing again alongside the whole band. Considering the fact that Mr. Cantelli was here, it confirmed Adam's theory that she came when he was here. Or perhaps he came on the days she was singing? In either case they went hand in hand. The song she was singing was a female rendition of Fly me to the Moon. Adam preferred the Frank Sinatra version but he found himself quite taken by her version, it truly captured the essence of watching a Frank Sinatra show live. Only if Frankie had more curves. However while Adam was sitting there, considering what to order to drink while he watched the show, the black suited man who was standing at the entrance to the second floor walked up to him. "Mr. Baxter, the Boss would like to speak with you." He said, like in the past giving no room to say no. Adam wasn't exactly thrilled at being at Mr. Cantelli's beck and call but he was a powerful and important man here, it was certainly not a bad thing to be in his good graces. Adam just had to be careful not to get too far into bed with him. Right now their relationship was transactional, that was good enough for him, being on good terms with him was positive, he just needed to make sure it didn't go beyond that. "Alright." Adam said as he stood up. "Lead the way." The two of them began to walk to the doorway that hid the flight of stairs leading to the second floor and the VIP box where a person could look out through floor to ceiling windows at the stage. Adam was gestured up the stairs while the man took his position again at the bottom of the stairs. Once upstairs he found the second floor was not too different from the first floor. The couches looked a bit nicer, though that was mostly because they looked less worn in. The tables were the exact same, even the wallpaper was the same. However the space was much cleaner and spacious, there were also speakers suspended in the corners that would play music from the stage. Mr. Cantelli sat at a half circle couch watching the singer, not yet noticing Adam approach, or at least, probably not noticing. "It's convenient you frequent this place, Mr. Baxter." Mr. Cantelli said without taking his eyes off the singer. "I am quite fond of this little bar, in fact it was thanks to me that this place could even open. The resources needed for renovations came out of my pocket after all." He then turned to Adam and smiled. "Then again, I could say the same about more than half of Midway." His grin grew a tiny bit malicious as he gently gestured to the otherside of the couch he was sitting on for Adam to join. "Please, sit with me, Mr. Baxter." Adam obliged and took a seat. "What can I do for you today, Mr. Cantelli?" Adam asked, calmly. "Do I need a reason to invite you up here? Can't an old man simply enjoy some company once in a while. A good drink…" He held up his scotch glass, assumedly filled with scotch, "...good music, and a nice relaxing time." He said with an almost warm smile. Adam wasn't sure what to say to that, was he really invited up here just to relax with the boss of the Guild? So much for not getting too close to him. "But you are right, I didn't just call you for a social hour." He continued as he took a puff of his cigar. Okay, that's good. He was just fucking with him. "I have another problem that you might be able to solve for me." He said as he turned his attention back to the singer again. "Oh?" Adam sat up straighter as he listened. "You see, we have an… arrangement with the folks at The Pier, they supply us with fresh fish, meat, and other… amenities, and we buy it off them wholesale. This has been our deal for years." He paused to take another long drag of his cigar before continuing. "However recently those caravans have stopped, no more fresh fish, fresh crab, nothing, that is hurting business." He turned to Adam again. "I want you to find out why." He said with a serious tone, it was clear he was pissed, but obviously not at Adam. "Do you have any leads?" Adam asked, trying to learn more about this task before he jumps on it. "No." Mr. Cantelli returned, bluntly. "That's why I want you to find out." He leaned back on his seat on the couch. "For all I know it's another of that bitch's schemes. Or it could just be raiders. I need to know, that's why I'm coming to you, understand?" He said, still serious. "Yes, I understand." "Good." He grinned again. "I'm glad you are quick on the uptake." He took another puff of his cigar for a moment. "Nothing I hate more than dealing with dullards." He snuffed out the cigar and put it down. "You find out why this is happening. I will pay you 1000 caps… each." He added at the end, remembering how Adam wanted Deccanus to be included. "Plus if you manage to solve this little problem for me I will give you the greatest reward you could ever ask for." He grinned. "I will grant you one favor." He chuckled darkly. "What kind of favor?" Adam asked curiously, not fully understanding the scope or implications. "Anything~" He grinned wider. "So long as it's in my power I will give you anything your heart desires. Women? Done. A home on the third floor? Easy. Perhaps you want to be famous?" He spread his arms wide open and gestured around. "I will make you the most famous man in Chicago." He smiled widely now, a dark edge still present. "You tell me what you want and I'll do it for you." Adam was a bit taken aback, this was… huge. This kind of thing was worth more than any money he could ever earn, with the influence Mr. Cantelli wielded there was no telling what he could get, but there were so many options he could only find himself stuck with decision paralysis. Ultimately, after a moment to think it over he replied simply. "I would need some time to think that one over." He replied, slowly. "Of course." Mr. Cantelli said, still grinning. "I wouldn't expect you to have something already on your mind. I don't mind waiting weeks, months, or even years if you want. If you solve this little problem for me, consider the promise made until you are ready to use it." He took a drink of his scotch. Adam nodded in understanding. "When do you want this done by?" "Well the sooner the better, obviously." He grinned. "The people will be pretty mad when they realize all the fish are gone." He chuckled darkly. "But I'm not going to light a fire under your ass, just get started on this within a week, but I don't expect miracles from you so if it takes a whole month for you to finish your work, so be it." He shrugged gently. "Alright, consider it a deal, Mr. Cantelli." Adam said as he stood up to leave. "Ah, Mr. Baxter." Mr. Cantelli said as Adam was turning to leave. Adam turned back around to look at him and saw him raising his glass towards him in a saluting motion. "Pleasure working with you again." He grinned.

Chapter 125 - 125

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