[Geminex]

Johann entered through the back door, unlocking it, then locking it behind him. He could have gone through the front entrance, but that would've meant interacting with the crowd, having to greet his associates, pretending to enjoy himself, but he was in no mood for social interaction. So back door it was. He paused as he entered the Speakeasy, letting his eyes adjust to the light, seeing who was present, who wasn't.

He spotted a few Contacts sitting at the bar, near the door. They weren't directly involved in the Speakeasy, but they could be useful to those who were. The fact that they were here usually meant that they either wanted to make him an offer, sell information, or report on an assignment. He'd have to meet up with them later. But first, a report of his own. He had seen Art sitting at his table, and now, moving silently, went over and sat down next to him.

"Good evening. I'd comment on how the night seems to be going well, but I bear... regrettable news. You are familiar with the... account I'm working on at the moment?"

The "Account" in question was a former customer, now a competitor. He ran a Speakeasy himself, but up until a few weeks ago he had been buying the booze he sold from Art. There had been some competitive pressure, but since they were his suppliers, they had still made money. No more, alas. The Account had found his own contact in Canada, and decided it'd be more profitable to run his own alcohol. Johann had met with him twice so far, had not managed to elicit any concessions. He was scared, Johann could tell, but he was still standing up to them. Very annoying.

"It seems as if we're not making any progress... We could either simply close the account" (This would mean giving up on the customer and involve murder (owner) and arson (his Speakeasy) "Meet his challenge" (engage him in a price war, sabotage him, bankrupt him, buy his premises, and then kill him) "or, of course, target the source directly..." (He had good information on the identity of the individual supplying the competing speakeasy with booze. Elimination of this source would force him to keep buying from them, or put them out of business. "I'd prefer the latter option... Perhaps we could send Eels. This job calls for inefficiency."