Gathering Information

Kisho and Hiro agreed that they needed to meet with the most people as quickly as possible and that meant only one thing. Going into the bar. Most newcomers arrive in or near the bar. Many stay there; some even living at the hotel built above the smoky watering hole. The two men took off in that direction.

Samurai walk with a perfect equilibrium to each step that would allow them to draw a weapon and remain balanced for attack. Their gait was an odd rolling step that permitted them to be always ready for death. Ninja were trained for stealth. Their step was light and noiseless. Always. The two men walking toward the bar may have looked a little funny to a futuristic eye when seen from behind, but they were certainly menacing when viewed from the front.

Ninja wear all dark clothing when out at night, white clothing when stalking through snowy landscapes. But in the daylight, both men were dressed relatively the same in traditional early 17th century Japanese clothing. While Hiro's armament was more visible, Kisho was also carrying deadly weapons – hidden.

They talked very little on the way to the bar. There was no point in trying to formulate a cogent plan until they had more information to go on. What they needed at this point in time was facts, and they were few and far between.

They entered the dark, smoke-filled bar and stood silently in the doorway for a moment while their eyes adjusted to the gloom. In those few seconds, most patrons turned to see who was entering the place, many hoping for some turmoil, or at least some excitement.

"We are looking for a man called Ralph Stevens. Does anyone in here know about him or know anyone who does?" asked Hiro in his most non-threatening voice. It was still a powerful sound and echoed through the now silent bar.

There was no immediate response. A few people turned to look at their friends. No one spoke.

"This man is a known serial rapist-murderer. He attacked Cassie. I believe some of you know her," Hiro added.

Immediately there were murmurs throughout the bar. Cassie was a nice, if slightly ditzy woman. She didn't seem to really know who or what she was, but she was kind and cheerful. She had not created a horde of enemies, these people would help.

The largest spider Hiro and Kisho had ever seen came scuttling up to the pair. "Is she all right? I've heard about this Ralph man. He is bad. Very bad. Is Cassie all right?"

"Yes, he is very bad," agreed Hiro. "Cassie is bruised and scratched. She was not harmed further. She is okay, but she wants Ralph removed from society. He cannot be permitted to attack again."

A rather indistinct, common woman walked up to the two men. Tears were silently running down her face. "Is she really okay? I'm Con. I guess we are sisters of a sort. We have the same Boss. How can I help her?"

While the two men might have liked to help Con, they really wanted to help Cassie. "What we need is information." Kisho pushed past Con and returned to the spider/waitress. "What do you know?"

"Many people don't like spiders. So when I serve drinks, they mostly just ignore me. I hear things that way. There is a man here, a cop, named Sam Shovel. He was the person trying to chase down and capture Ralph in the original manuscript. He was unsuccessful in the chase. The Boss couldn't figure out how Sam would capture the murderer and dropped the story."

"Do you know where this Shovel guy is?" asked Kisho.

"He drinks too much. I believe that was part of his problem while chasing Ralph, but I know it is a problem here. He is probably passed out somewhere. Either in some dark corner in the bar, or up in one of the rooms."

"Anyone see him in the bar?" shouted Kisho. All the patrons helped to peer into all the dark corners. Sam wasn't there.

The two men headed for the stairs that led to the hotel rooms.