The last remark earned the bare edge of a smirk. “I wouldn't dream of it.”
He drew out his cigarettes, lit one, tilted the pack toward Zsasz; he couldn’t recall whether the man smoked, but the offer was open. The simple action helped clear his head a little, and he took a drag.
“If the urge to dive back in overwhelms me, you'll be the first to know.
“My guess is you’re the only one in the city worth working for, anyway.”
It was an honest observation; Daud didn’t bother with flattery unless he had to. It was clear Zsasz had connections to the more interesting jobs. And working for Zsasz would mean better odds of not pissing off the wrong people. Would mean tackling assignments on his own and not being stuck dealing with strangers. And Daud didn’t doubt that the pay would be good.
Then, too, he wasn’t foolish enough to pit himself against the whole of Zsasz’s operation. If the man was deadly alone, he’d be nearly unstoppable with a well-funded network at his back.
This would have been a good moment to end the conversation. Assurances had been given, Zsasz probably had the basics that he needed, Daud didn’t feel like the man was going to send anyone after him. Quick and to the point, and he could be on his way right now.
Only he was already here. Zsasz’s company wasn’t unpleasant. The information he was gathering would be useful in determining how to navigate the city. And maybe, maybe there was a little more to be gleaned. More that might tell him whether to leave this city before nightfall. Besides, with his head cleared, he felt less prone to making bad decisions. He could do this: have a conversation, leave without bending from his purpose. It wouldn’t be so hard.
“How’d you end up working for this Penguin? Or is that none of my business.”
no subject
He drew out his cigarettes, lit one, tilted the pack toward Zsasz; he couldn’t recall whether the man smoked, but the offer was open. The simple action helped clear his head a little, and he took a drag.
“If the urge to dive back in overwhelms me, you'll be the first to know.
“My guess is you’re the only one in the city worth working for, anyway.”
It was an honest observation; Daud didn’t bother with flattery unless he had to. It was clear Zsasz had connections to the more interesting jobs. And working for Zsasz would mean better odds of not pissing off the wrong people. Would mean tackling assignments on his own and not being stuck dealing with strangers. And Daud didn’t doubt that the pay would be good.
Then, too, he wasn’t foolish enough to pit himself against the whole of Zsasz’s operation. If the man was deadly alone, he’d be nearly unstoppable with a well-funded network at his back.
This would have been a good moment to end the conversation. Assurances had been given, Zsasz probably had the basics that he needed, Daud didn’t feel like the man was going to send anyone after him. Quick and to the point, and he could be on his way right now.
Only he was already here. Zsasz’s company wasn’t unpleasant. The information he was gathering would be useful in determining how to navigate the city. And maybe, maybe there was a little more to be gleaned. More that might tell him whether to leave this city before nightfall. Besides, with his head cleared, he felt less prone to making bad decisions. He could do this: have a conversation, leave without bending from his purpose. It wouldn’t be so hard.
“How’d you end up working for this Penguin? Or is that none of my business.”