Black Market Merchant

As everyone was approaching the gate and the metal wall looming ahead, it started to feel even more imposing. When they were just arriving within sight of the entrance, John decided to take his leave.

"I'd had some encounters with the gangsters before. If I get recognized by them it would cause problems." John said as he turned down an alleyway. "I will be near the gate in case something happens inside. You can count on me to deal with the guys out here."

"That's good to know." Lisa replied. "We will be sure to keep Hanna from harm. With every bit of luck, no one will even bother to notice her."

Lisa motioned for Hanna to come over to her. As Hanna came closer Lisa took off her black Yankees hat and pulled out a square black cloth from a small pouch on her belt. "Here, take my Yankees hat and put on this face mask. This way no one will recognize you at all."

Nodding Hanna took the items and put them on. The hat was a tad too big, but after a bit of adjustment it fit nice and snug. The face mask was at first awkward to ware, but after a few moments Hanna got used to it.

Benny chuckled seeing the young girl’s disguise. "That will work just fine. Even I can hardly tell it's you."

"Besides, the gang thinks you’re dead, so they won't be suspicious of you." John commented softly. "Are you sure you'll be ok, seeing them again?"

Hanna, in all truth, did not feel ready at all. Her anxious stomach felt like it was in knots and her knees felt shaky. But she knew she must go on! The flicker of revenge was still lit inside her heart.

Nodding slowly Hanna managed a reply. "I am fine. I just need to point them out. There's no way I want to be near them anyway. So, I'll stay as far as I can from them."

"Alright then." John said giving a sigh. "I'll leave you all to it."

John then turned to continue down the alleyway and get to wherever he intended to wait for them. The rest of the group started for the walls entrance. It was then Lisa noticed Benny's pistol tucked in its usual place at the small of his back.

"Benny, that gun is going to be noticed. They do a pat down at the entrance." Lisa said to him in a low voice. "Let me hide it. They won't bother checking a Match Fighter, at least not the way I plan on dealing with them."

"If you are sure…" Benny replied after thinking it over. "How are you going to hide it? Your outfit is rather, uh, slim." He then asked looking her up and down.

"In my boots." Lisa replied pointing down at her shin high, red laced boots. "I can slide the gun and your extra clip in them for the pat down."

Benny glanced at the boots and scratched his chin in thought. Then giving a reluctant shrug he handed over his pistol and an extra magazine. Lisa carefully slid them into each boot far enough that they wouldn't be seen or that they would be rubbing on her legs to hard. At the entrance there were only four sleepy looking gangsters. They must have been there all morning and had groggy expressions. Seeing the group coming towards the entrance they stood up to confront Lisa and the others. It probably wasn’t often outsiders came to the gate.

"What are you all doing coming here?" The tallest of the four gangsters asked.

This was Sadie's turn to handle the situation. "I am the Match Fighter Manager for the Fighter, Queen. I am sure you know her, and we're coming to participate in a Match today." Her voice was clearly not nervous, as she had been living here before and dealing with the gang. From experience Sadie knew that the gangsters were not really all that strict.

"Got an ID or something?" The man replied.

Sadie held up a badge that showed that she indeed was an MFA manager and affiliated with the gang. Apparently, the symbol for the gang on the badge was legitimate and the tall gangster nodded approvingly.

The speaking over his shoulder he said, "Go ahead and check them boys. If they're clean, let them pass."

Sadie was checked first and then let in. Zane was next, followed by Benny and Hanna, of which they all passed with no problem. However, when the tall gangster came to check Lisa, she held up a hand to stop him.

"No need to check me." Lisa replied matter of fact-ly. "As a Match Fighter, you know I'll have weapons on me. Just let me through."

"I know you do; I just need to see them. No projectile weapons are allowed for outsiders." The tall gangster retorted and moved towards her.

In a seamless move Lisa's blade appeared from nowhere and was hovering just under his chin. "Can you see my weapon now? I won't be touched by the likes of you." Her cold voice sounded dangerous, as the man gulped audibly.

"I see it. You're g-good to go." The tall gangster replied clearly nervous.

"That's better. Be sure to let the others know. Don't mess with Queen and show some respect." Lisa said putting the refolded blade back on its magnetic sheath. "If you can do that, we are sure to get along just fine. Also, you better bet on me in the upcoming fight. You're going to win big."

Lisa walked boldly past the four men to join the others. They all seemed surprised by her brazen reaction to the gangsters.

"Wasn't that a little over the top?" Sadie whispered to Lisa as she joined them.

"Not really. This way it will be able to remember me better." Lisa replied brushing it off.

Benny, Zane, and Hanna looked around the beautiful compound entrance. They definitely didn't expect a place run by gang members, to actually be so orderly and aesthetically pleasing.

"How could this be kept so well hidden from everyone in town? I knew that the gangster’s compound was impressive from the rumors I heard, but this is more than I anticipated." Benny said with a grin. "They even have a working fountain."

Zane's mind was a buzz of questions. "How can this place be so clean? How can they afford to have all this? Is this really a place run by gangsters just like myself? I am starting to feel foolish thinking that the Back Rats could take this place."

Then speaking aloud in a hushed tone Zane said, "Our base was nothing but a rundown Motel! We are nothing compared to these guys."

"Alright now, close your mouths guys. You're going to let the fly in if you’re overheard." Lisa said clapping her hands together. "Sadie, take Benny and Hanna to the Arena to get them used to the place. Zane is coming with me. I want to look around the 'market' for a bit."

Then she rested a hand on Hanna's small shoulder. "If you see someone you remember, stay calm, don't cry and let Benny know right away. Do this and you will be alright. I can figure out the rest."

"I'll do my best to." Hanna replied shakily. She then put a timid hand into Benny's.

"When do I start betting? You haven't given me the money yet." Benny asked patting Lisa’s shoulder.

"You'll be betting with anyone nearby in the stands when the fight starts. Getting people to bet in the heat of the moment is usually the best chance at getting easy wins." Lisa replied. "I'll give you the cash right before the fight."

"Very well then. Sadie, lead the way please. I haven't the slightest idea where to go." Benny said turning to Sadie.

"We are going right into the Arena to check Lisa in with my boss and then we will just wait in there." Sadie said as they left Lisa and Zane behind.

Zane looked at Lisa and gave an exaggerated shrug. "So where to now boss?"

"There is a type of marketing place outside of the Arena. I want you to learn more about it with me. In the future you are going to be buying very expensive things and places from here or areas like it." Lisa said with an enthusiastic grin.

"Buy places?" Zane asked furrowing his brow. "What do you mean?"

"I mean exactly that. This marketing place apparently sells entire businesses, companies, and merchandise all over the country. I know it's hard to understand, but you will later on once you see it." Lisa said as they approached the huge warehouse building.

Zane craned his neck back to view the massive structure as they approached. "I never knew buildings could be so tall! Could humans really have made this?"

Lisa chuckled hearing his comments. "Of course, this building is actually not very tall. There are thousands of buildings reaching hundreds of stories high all over the world. Come on let's go inside."

Zane followed Lisa into the entrance of the massive warehouse. He was even more impressed by what he saw inside. The polished wood flooring appeared to be quite clean and there were rows of white desks and tables with many items on display. Everything was near, orderly and clean. The people working and buying things here were far more than he expected and judging from their extraordinary clothing, he could tell they were very wealthy.

As they approached the center of the market, Zane noticed the same kind of things as Lisa had. The items for sale were far too few. Yet he could see someone just ahead making a purchase of a single car tire and was taking it with him after handing over a staggering amount of cash.

"What are they actually selling here? This is such a strange place." Zane said leaning towards Lisa so he could be heard over the crowd, all while still looking around.

"Those items are merely symbolic." Lisa explained as they approached the closest table. The person working there was talking with another customer now, so Lisa had time to point things out to Zane.

"This can here." Lisa said pointing to a blue soup can. "This represents a factory that either makes cans or the products that go in it." Below the blue can was a small device with a lit-up screen. "This here explains what it actually is."

Lisa tapped the screen and some words and figures appeared. "Chicken Noodle Soup, factory in South Toledo, Ohio. Price: 12.56 million dollars, US currency."

Zane nearly screamed seeing the insane number of the price that the blue can represented. "Are you serious! How can anyone have earned that much money!?"

Stifling a laugh, Lisa replied, "It's actually not that much compared to many of the ultra-rich. The world is far larger than you seem to know and so is the distance between rich and poor. I plan on closing that gap and you're going to help me earn that much and many times that amount!"

"How?" Zane asked with a gulp.

"Easy small steps." Lisa replied. Then reaching into the largest of five packs on her belt she pulled out tight roll of green cash. "We need to make a bet, win it and repeat. Now let's go make one!"

…

“Xander.”

Xander looked up from his security monitor at one of his overseers that was walking his way. “What is it?”

“Queen has come back into the Market and has a guy we haven’t an ID for yet. I thought I should report it.” The Overseer replied.

“Is that so. Well, as long as she or that man is not doing anything bad, they are fine. Continue with things as they stand.” Xander said waving dismissively.

Looking back to his security monitor Xander switched the camera over to one that showed Lisa on it. After looking at her and the man walking through the various stalls heading for the Arena entrance for a few moments, he couldn’t shake the uneasy feeling that was creeping into his thoughts. “There is something different about you, Queen. As for what, that remains to be seen.”