2019-09-14 - As Promised on the Contraband Tin

Joey called up Cristobal Cruz on Felix's suggestion and asked for him to come on buy. Little business, little social. It's not so unheard of that the two elements may be entirely related as it's no fucking secret tat Joey's in and out of the club on the regular to get paid and bring back what is owed to Mr. Monaghan. The later he takes every bit as seriously as the former such, lately, there's been a small changing of the guard.

When Cristobal gets there Duarte looks the guy over as he's getting the gym back in shape and points back to the office. Let's be clear this thing has stuff accumulated from every owner it's ever had. And then there's the fetch hound himself and what looks like a tournament matrix in front of him being scribbled on the plexiglass with a china pencil. He is greeted by the boxer with a hand out. "Sup. Joey. Don't think we've had a chance to talk before but Andre and Felix vouched for ya. Have a seat. Avoid the coffee. My receptionist has been out a couple days. I wouldn't trust it."

Despite being relatively new to town, Cristobal is familiar enough with Kelly's Gym. It's the sort of place he looks like he fits right in - a boxing gym - if the scowl on his features and the muscle to back it up is any indication. He gives a little up-nod as he walks up, eyeing the chart more than the man creating it. Absently, he reaches out to shake Joey's hand briefly and firmly before his blue colored gaze finally swivels away from the matrix. "Yeah, I'm sorta new to Gray Harbor." His arms band over his chest, saying a quick, "I'm good." To both the offer of a seat and the mention of coffee, even if it was to avoid the latter.

Joey fits his vocation that's for sure. The invitation wasn't to posture or impress though and he dives into it not sitting back down. Rough fingers scratch at the edge of his jaw while he listens and the news that he's new seems not at all surprising. "Yeah I gathered that much. Guy like you's hard to miss in this town to be blunt. I'd figure we'd catch you in here sooner." The tone from the gruff man is kept at conversational cruising speeds. "You're workin for Monaghan now." Statement, not a question. "I was talking to him about a business venture I'm cleaning up and he, being the fantastic fuckin employer that he is, must fuckin like you cause he recommended I take you and Andre on when you are not, otherwise, busy with whatever it is he needs you to do. So. That's what this is about. Extra bank in your pocket if you're interested " He pauses to let that sink in not blinking and not budging. "I trust his recommendations, so here we are."

At the first mention that Joey knows he's working for Monaghan, there is twitch of Cris' jaw. Thankfully he relaxes as Joey further expounds, and that his information comes directly from the man himself. "What can I say, I'm a likable guy." Says the man who hasn't shown a lick of personality since he entered beyond dull as ditchwater. "I'm always open to a little extra lining in my pockets, what is it you've got going on? I'm assuming you don't need a bouncer for your housewife half price Tuesday or whatever it is in suburbia."

Joey remains on standby during the processing and for all purposes doesn't react to the faint defensive reaction. Good. he's thinking. Careful is a good sign. The eyebrow goes up and he murmurs, "Must be. So here's the quick and dirty cause I got no fuckin time for foreplay. I got a 4 o'clock comin in." Abrupt may be the new business language, but it's delivered as facts, not ire. The glib comment pulls a wry grin from him though, "Ain't no housewife put up with the likes of me if they're smart, man." Two fingers flick out to the window of the office and the room beyond, "Got fights starting back up. High risk, high reward, good profit, and likely to put hives on de la Vega's cranky ass. To make this happen I need a couple guys for security which, Mr. Monaghan is so graciously referring, but also, I heard you have some pretty mad skill, wouldn't be against you stepping in if you're looking to take a bigger bite out of things. With me so far? "

Cristobal allows a small smile to tug at the corner of his lips, but that's as far as he's willing to let it form. "I'm not quite as dumb as I look." He unfolds one of his arms from its tuck, scratching the side of his nose with his thumb nail. "de la Vega's on my list." Which list, however, he doesn't exactly offer explanation. Maybe it's just an acknowledgment that he can see this whole deal showing up on the Captain's radar. "Count me in for both. I used to fight Mixed down in El Paso. I'm not a ringer, but I might turn a profit for the House. Just don't ask me to take a fall, or we'll have words. Unless there is a big stack of bills involved. As far as security, it'd be a nice change of pace from bouncing guys for pulling their dicks out at my girls. So yeah, you want me. I'm in."

Joey says in dry humor, "Well I get hit in the fucking head for a living so I like to know I still make sense." when the watch list is brought up theeeeere is that slow nod "He's on a lot of lists, seems. SO long as we don't wind up on his, do what you gotta do." His hands come up in a circle and he breaks down the overhead minutiae a bit, basic figures which is pretty much standard fordoor security, fighting gets its own cut, etc. "Few things gotta happen. One we make sure we have our security on the up and up. I don't want anyone carryin. Someone loses a lot of money on a bad bet that can turn into a bad fuckin day." Also standard.

"The second finger comes out, "I got medical on stand by. Couple EMTs on payroll that kinda owe us a favor. No one fuckin touches em. But as for the fighting? I don't like fixed fights. I ain't a businessman like that. I love the god damn sport. It's how I survived and for a lot of us, I'm sure you know, they're lookin at a way to get up and out of whatever situation they're in like they're the next Oscar de la Hoya and I don't blame em." There's a look that pulls the very blunt conversation to a pause. In earnest he tells Cris, "Everyone wants to make some bank. What I don't like is seeing a guy unable to come back in two weeks and do it again either. This ain't a safe gambit but it can be a smart one. Smart keeps people in the game longer. I like keeping my staff on board with that. So. Yeah. That's where we tand, and I'd like to have you on if that all sounds good to you."

Cristobal listens to the breakdown without so much as batting an eye at the split or the subsequent rules. "Protect the business. Easy enough. It's one thing to have a taboo rap, it's another to have a bad one. No violence in the audience, everyone walks outta the ring, keep off the heat and safeguard the help. You got it. You gonna be ref'ing or fighting? Because you can't do both before people start complaining shit's rigged." That seems to be his only qualm.

Joey nods as Cris sums it all up in one tidy fucking box. The last? That gets a shake of his head in the negative. "I ain't ref'ing. I even told de la Vega I look bad in stripes." Of course that was to evade arrest. It's still true.

"We got a guy for that. Good rep. Known in the circuit and been doing it a while. It never pays for the guy hosting to also decide the outcome. That's straight up fucking armature. Lemme tell ya I DO, at some point, very much want to step on in a ring with you if you're ever game. I get get to fight MMA guys all that often. But no, in Gray Harbor you touch the money, or the ring, never both. So no worries there."

"I'd lose respect for you, if you didn't want to at least go a few rounds." Cris finally cracks a grin at that, holding out his hand again. This time instead of for a shake, his elbow is crooked so if Joey takes it, it'll be in a bro-clasp. "Good, so we're square. You've got my number now. Text me when the fun kicks off. And this damn well better mean I get the employee discount on your gym membership fees."

Joey grabs the arm with a wolfish grin, "Yea, I'll give you staff perks. Just don't drink the coffee until the receptionist gets back. That's for your safety. You know few of us practice on Tuesday nights. You're welcome to drop by. Trust me I know Poe's gonna want a piece of you. You'll love it. " Because if there's one thing they all fucking have in common it's being an action junkie. You don't get into fighting to sit still. Looking out the window at a patron out there finishing up on rope he says, "Right there's my 4 o'clock. You got my number. You get stuck or need a hand? Fuckin call me man. I'm not a big fan of problems, but I'm pretty fucking emphatic about solutions." And with that he lets Cris out of the office and grabs the sparring pads to meet the client awaiting their coach.