Year: 2231.05.22
Quadrant: Hetaera
Hour: 0125

Operative: Addiction

The streets of the large red light district were lined with large foreboding buildings, each of them overcrowded by the suggestive posters and advertisements as well as the knowing red lanterns that adorned the walls of brothels and love hotels. Midnight only began the night rush, which was evident in the music and chatter from escorts and their prey.

He was standing in the doorway of one of the largest brothels around, familiar with the women and men around him and yet, he still stood out. Perhaps it was the sunglasses he still wore in the darkness of night, or his charmingly devilish good looks. 

He didn't know.

"Honey, what are you doing on the steps all alone?" 

A sultry, but unfamiliar voice. This was new. 

He turned to face a young woman, probably no more than 20 slowly making her way to him. From her silk dress and intricate hairdo, she screamed of La Belle; but what business would an escort of that class have on the street? 

"I'm doing fine by myself, darling," he replied as she came close enough.

"Are you the proprietor of this.. fine establishment?" 

He looked up at the building behind him and then smirked, "Sweetheart, if there was a proprietor, he'd be dead before dawn."

"So how bout we do something before your death sentence?"

"In your dreams precious."

The words, though harsh, flowed off of his tongue delicately and entranced her. His tone, his smile, the way he leaned against the frame, everything about him drew her in the more she noticed about him.

"Come on, sugar, I'll even throw in something for free."

He almost laughed at the poor soul in front of him, she had obviously never been outside the walls of her establishment. 

" Oh my dear, I'm never the one that pays in this business."