[[SCENE! Samurai and Lending Men?! A Fate Worse Than Debt!]]
Cody: *it's the end of the day at Destrade Jr. High, and Cody and Wocky are getting ready to leave- Cody managed to get out of detention because the substitute they had thought his antics were 'cute', so he's actually leaving on time for once* You know I hear in Japan if the teachers are sick they just cancel school?! That'd be so much cooler than lame subs.
Wocky: *walks beside Cody as they go to get their backpacks out of the cloakroom at the back of the class* That don't happen, yo. They just work without a teacher 'til their hands fall off or somethin'. That's what Big Wins said but he was prolly just tryin' to make me do my homework.
Wocky: *takes his backback off his hook and points to it* Yo my folks be pickin' this up in Japan for me when they went last year you know. *Wocky's backpack is blue and covered in little bumblebees and honey pots, with words like "you are bees knees" written in yellow*
Wocky: It ain't gay or nothin. It's tight, yo. Kinda like your mom.
Cody: My mom...? *tilts his head before picking up a black backpack with a red, shadowed Nickel Samurai on it* I wish I could go to Japan, it'd be really cool to go get a whole bunch of Tonosaman stuff that they don't have in America..! But my mom'll never be able to pay... *and at that, he makes a face that can only be described as 'D:'*
Wocky: *slings his bee backpack over his shoulder* Oh, you should be takin' out a loan or some shiie boyo. I know a girl who can set you up with somma that green.
Cody: *does the same with his NS pack, heading towards the door* R-really?! That'd be awesome...! Can she really lend me that mu- ...Wait, can I get a loan if I'm still just a kid?!
Wocky: *shrugs, heading out of the class with Cody* She usually be requirin' some collateral... And you ain't got no job. Just put it in your pop’s name or some shiie.
Cody: Collateral, huh? *thinks for a sec* What kind of collateral? Should I give her, like... my Nickel Samurai Ultimate Trident replica...? That's awesome...
Wocky: I dunno. We can work out somethin', she an' I are pretty tight.
Cody: Okay... maybe you can bring me there?! I'd like to go check it out at least! Is it on the bus line, or do we need to walk there? 'cuz I need to be home by 6 and if we have to walk far it might not work out...
Wocky: Yeah, we can get there on the bus. It's over by Vitamin Square still I think...
Cody: *nods, swinging his backpack all the way onto his back instead of just on one shoulder* Okay let's go then..! *And at that he walks over to the bus stop, looking at the schedule for the bus that goes to Vitamin Square*
Wocky: *a short ride on the bus and Wocky is pulling the cord right before the Vitamin Square stop. He and Cody get off the bus and Wocky leads Cody down the street and towards a little shop called the Tender Lender*
Cody: *looks around, watching a bird fly around the area- it's been a while since he's come down to this area* So what's this place like?! Is it like the Lending Man in Steel Samurai 24?!
Wocky: *purses his lips for a moment, as if he's attempting to remember that episode* ... yeah, sure. Whatevs.
Cody: Alright awesome...! *Cody grins, preparing himself for the shop- after all, if it's what he's expecting, it'll be full of dancing rabbits and epic battles... and while he's daydreaming he nearly runs smack into the loan shop's door* So, uh... is this it?
Viola: *whether by demonic forces, a chance gust of wind, or some sort of electronic sensor, the Tender Lender door swings inward upon their approach, with a loud creak*
Wocky: *stares for a second at the door creaking open* ...Y-yeah, this be it. C'mon. Looks like she been expectin' us an'... shiie.
Cody: O-okay... *despite himself, Cody is a bit nervous- the only comparison he has for loan shops is the Lending Man, after all, and this isn't Neo Olde Tokyo* Should... should we go in, or should we just... wait here for it to tell us to?
Wocky: *claps his hand on Cody's back and pushes him inside* Move on y'coward! Don't be no pansy or some shiie.
Cody: *and with that push, Cody falls flat on his face, halfway inside and halfway out- he glances up and looks around before getting to his feet and walking the rest of the way inside* Uh... this place is a little... weird...
Wocky: *rolls his eyes and follows Cody* You're such a wimp, there ain't nothin-- ...*starts to look around at the decor*
Viola: *Tender Lender has... gone under a bit of redecorating since changing ownership. The place, formerly with warm stone walls and ceiling... is now draped everywhere with black crepe. Instead of the rich red rug there is an expensive looking black one in the center of the room, and both the Japanese memorabilia and the punching bag once hanging in a corner have been cleared away--in fact, the only remnants of the former loan store are the giant framed quote at the back of the room, "Win Through Compromise" and the giant garish golden desk that, cleared of any papers or accessories, looks much too like an altar or giant metallic sarcophagus. Finally, at the back of the room, hanging in a corner, is a giant wooden crucifix*
Viola: *aside from the furniture...there's nothing else--no person to be seen in the room*
Cody: W-Wocky... are you sure that this is the place? *even years of watching adventures through the Evil Magistrate's lair didn't prepare Cody for anything like this, and he shows his nervousness in his voice* This... this doesn't seem like a loan office...
Wocky: Y-yeah, this is her place I think... *looks around and clears his throat before calling out* Mizz Cadadervaninini??
Viola: *there's a sudden presence behind the two boys as Viola appears from seemingly out of nowhere... or, more possibly, from behind the door--but why would a lady of her age and stature hide there just to startle a potential client or guest?* *softly, with the faint hint of a giggle* ...Welcome...
Cody: *is, perhaps unsurprisingly, startled by this, and whips around to face her while at the same time jumping back- the overall effect is something like him jumping and twirling in midair* W-w-w-w-w-where did you come from?! G-get back, d-demon! *pulls his sword out of its sheath and readies himself for combat, his knees quivering beneath him as he looks to Wocky for support*
Wocky: *the same time Cody jumps, Wocky does the same -- jumping, turning and making a loud squeak of terror as he brings his hands up to his face, staring in horror for a moment at Viola. He clears his throat and straightens out the minute Cody looks at him though* Relax Lil C, this be Mizz Cavadanenerinini.
Viola: *giggles quietly, a hand to her mouth* Little Kit...! And you... brought a friend... *smiles softly at Cody in greeting* 'Cadaverini' - a little corpse... not a demon. Hee... Hee... Hee...
Viola: ...What can I do for you two...?
Cody: A... little corpse? That's... uh... cool...? *sheathes his sword after he realizes that she's not going to eat him, but steps back a bit so he's hiding behind Wocky a little* Uh, Wocky? Could, uh... you explain, maybe? I-I... forgot?
Wocky: Oh, uhh... *Wocky clears his throat and scratches his chin a little, looking away from Viola* Uhhh... we came by all... an'... shiie... like... Uhhhh... Oh, right. Lil C here was lookin' for a loan...
Viola: A loan...? ...Oh, for business... *gestures to the desk--though there's only one chair there, on the other side of it* Please...
Cody: *just stares at the table setup for a moment before going and sitting on the ground in front of the table, cross-legged* U-uh... like this?
Wocky: *struts over to the only chair and sits down in it, putting his feet up on top of the table, leaning back in the chair with his arms tucked behind his head* So, Mizz Cadavernini... How's your grampa doin'? He aw-ite?
Viola: *seems all too amused by the differences in the two boys' actions as she walks over to a small table hidden in one of the corners of the room, retrieving a plate laden with dark chocolate cookies* He's well... he thanks your parents for the flowers they sent... when he was ill... *walking back to the desk with the plate, she sets it down near the center of the polished golden surface* Cookies...?
Viola: *pats the table as she looks down at Cody--seemingly inviting him to jump up*
Cody: *nervously glances at Wocky, then at Viola, before nodding and climbing up on the table. He sits cross-legged again as he takes a cookie and waits for Wocky to respond to Viola*
Wocky: *sits up and leans over the table* Aw hells yeah!! You make some tight cookies, Mizz Cadavaderinini.... *grabs a cookie and pauses* ... Wait these are the good cookies, right? Not the... Cookies for the deadbeats, right?
Viola: *smiles a secretive smile as she heads back to the small table, and returns with two glasses of milk, setting them in front of each boy* They're the kind... good for little growing kits... and their guests. *a little more sharply* Though you'll have to try harder with my name... or else I'll start adding other ingredients... Hee... Hee...
Cody: Th-thanks. *picks up the milk, washing down the cookie- she really DOES make good cookies* Uh... s-so do you give all your customers cookies, Miss Cava... Cada... Miss?
Wocky: *shoves the cookie into his mouth and chugs back some milk before grabbing another cookie* I'm workin' on is, mizz Cadaverinini...ni. I just donno when it ends. *chomps down his second cookie and gestures with his milk glass to Cody* Cookies for deadbeats have chopped up bits of their familes in 'em.
Viola: *grins particularly ominously, though she does not otherwise confirm or deny the allegation. Walking over to Wocky's side of the desk, she opens a drawer and takes out several papers, straightening them* ...So... as you're eating... tell me what you need this loan for...
Cody: *just stares at Wocky for a moment before realizing he's being addressed, and hastily swallows the cookie in his mouth* Well, I wanna take a trip to Japan! I hear they have lots of Steel Samurai stuff over there that they don't over here and it's a pain to import everything. So I wanna go over there and buy all of it and bring it home and have the biggest SS collection ever made by an American so I can get into the Global Book of Global Records! *stops for a breath before taking a drink of milk* It's the most prestigious book any Samurai fan can own.
Wocky: *looks over to Viola* Lil C's pretty lame Mizz Caviardiniini... Don't let that be reflectin' bad on my cred, aw-ite??
Viola: *reaches out and pets one of Wocky's 'fox ears'* ...Don't worry... it won't.
Wocky: *says nothing as Viola strokes his fox 'ears'. His cheeks do redden a bit as he turns his head a little, grinning over at her*
Viola: *turns back to Cody* We have a... special 'Friends and Family' rate loan that should fit nicely... How much would you like to borrow...?
Cody: *scratches the back of his head, thinking for a sec* Well, Mom paid about $200 when we drove to Arizona, so since it's farther away, maybe $220? That should cover it, right?
Wocky: *scowls* Shiie, Lil C?! It be costing WAY more than that -- you gots an ocean to cross too! Gotta remember you be needin' to rent a boat. You be needin’ at least $240. *gives a sage nod*
Viola: *smiling softly* And what about your expenses... when you reach the country...?
Cody: Oh, right, I didn't think of that. Uh... *counts on his fingers, talking softly to himself* Maybe $280? I hear that every ten-thousand yen is one dollar, and I need like 400 thousand...
Viola: The exchange is... a little worse than that these days... *retrieves a pen from inside of the desk, and starts writing down a few figures*
Viola: You've remembered to include... food and hotel costs...? If you don't... you'll be starving on the streets... with the rats...
Cody: Uh, why would I need hotel or food? I'm only gonna be there for a couple hours to go shopping. *looks at her quizzically before looking over at Wocky with a face that says 'Does she know what she's doing?'*
Wocky: *gives a shrug, no longer paying attention to Cody as he grabs another cookie*
Viola: *glances off to the side, hiding her mouth under a closed hand again* My mistake...
Cody: So yeah, how much would all that be? I can't really keep track of numbers in my head very well. *grabs another cookie, leaning back on the table... as much as you can on a table without going fully horizontal*
Viola: Hmm... *writes down a few more figures--she has a good head on her frail shoulders, and she also knows roughly how much the actual amounts should be for a trip Cody would want. When she's finished writing, she offers the slip of paper to Cody-- the final number is in the low thousands*
Cody: *takes the slip, his eyes bugging out when he sees the number* I... I think you wrote the number down wrong, Miss Cavadedeni... This is a lotta zeroes, did you add too many or something?
Wocky: *scowls and sits up, reaching to snatch the paper away from Cody* You must be readin' it wrong or somethin'. *looks at the number, staring with great interest for a moment* ...Yo, Lil C. Gmme your bus pass.
Cody: *reaches into his pocket, finally pulling out his bus pass* What're you gonna do with it? *He hands it to Wocky as he asks, confusion plainly on his face*
Wocky: *takes the bus pass and pockets it, handing Cody back the slip of paper* Thanks, always wanted one of these.
Cody: H-hey! *unsheathes his sword and points it at Wocky, standing up on the table* I-I need that! How else am I gonna get home?! Even with this loan I'm only gonna have exactly enough money to go to Japan, I can't afford bus passes..!
Viola: *giggles at the back and forth transpiring between the two kids, not at all about to step in*
Wocky: *looks over to Cody* What bus pass?
Cody: Y-you..! *drops his sword and jumps off the table in a full-on tackle towards Wocky*
Wocky: *the force of Cody tackling him causes the chair Wocky's in to tip back and crash to the floor. Wocky grabs Cody's wrists as the boy flails at him and pushes him off* Get off me, busta white! I oughta steal you one for that! You gots t' behave infronta Mizz Cadaverinini!!
Viola: *standing beside the fallen chair, she doesn't look startled so much as... amused* Please.. no fighting. *her words become tinged with dark humor* Or else it'll be you two... who will be the little corpses...
Cody: *stops in the middle of trying to kick Wocky in the groin, and looks sheepishly at Viola* O-oh. S-sorry, Miss Cadaverni. *climbs back onto the table, returning to his previous spot and settling down again* S-so... it's really this much for a trip to Japan...?
Wocky: *stands up and tosses Cody back his bus pass, muttering something about how Cody is "jockin'" his "style" as he picks the chair up and flops back down into it*
Viola: *smiles at Wocky approvingly, though she addresses Cody* It is... and I assure you... you'll want to stay for more than one day. ...Even if it's just to see the samurai...
Cody: ...I guess staying for longer would mean I have more time to buy stuff! *grins, looking at the paper again* ...Do I have to pay all of this off at once, though?
Viola: Of course not... *offers him another sheet of paper, this time with quite a few words printed on it* You qualify... for our friends and family plan... Meaning that you can repay this in very... reasonable monthly installments. Interest is a modest 20% compounded per month...
Cody: *takes the paper and just stares at it, barely comprehending it but pretending he understands it fully* ...um, what would the monthly installment be?
Viola: That... can be up for negotiation... How much is your allowance....?
Cody: *takes another sip of milk before answering* Uh, $5 a month. Unless I do really well in school and get $7, but since school's out just $5.
Viola: *there's.... is there something like sympathy in her expression?* That's... it? ...You may be taking some time... to repay this loan. Are you sure you would like to...?
Cody: W-well, it's the only way to get to Japan... but I guess it is a lot of money... *he's obviously conflicted* Wocky what do you think?
Wocky: *shrugs* Gettin' the friends an' family deal is hella tight... But you prolly won't be makin' the kinda green to pay back this sorta loan 'til you is like... Thirty? *looks to Viola* Thirty-two-like maybe?
Viola: Possibly... even thirty-five. Though that depends what sort of job you'll be working in the future... *a pregnant pause* ..... You could write down one of your parents as the borrower, however... *and there's a rather mischievous grin*
Wocky: *gives Cody an equally mischievous grin* Yeah Lil C. Your pops got all that cash to be droppin' on his otaku junk, I bet he wouldn't mind in th' least, yo.
Cody: ...But what'll happen if he doesn't pay? Will... will I get turned into cookies?!
Viola: *sounding somewhat surprised, if also amused* .... No, of course not... you're my Little Kit's friend. We'll be looking around... for another target.
Cody: A... are you serious?! *his eyes widen as well, more in horror than anything else* That's... that's against Bushido! You can't kill someone who doesn't know you're gonna kill them...!
Viola: *unconcerned* Oh... they'll know. *takes a step towards Cody, smiling rather ominously* And... I'm a yakuza.... not a samurai.
Cody: Y... *his eyes widen further, and he jumps off the table in shock* A yakuza?! But they're, like... the anti-samurai! Aren't they?! Right, Wocky?! Right?!
Wocky: Lil C what you flappin' yo gums about now? *tilts his head and scowls* Mizz Caddvarini is a real O.G., just like me.
Cody: ...O.G...? You're... you're Ogre Gods?! *he's very freaked out now* How can you be gangsters and ogre gods at the same time?!
Wocky: *leans across the table and smacks Cody upside the head* Original. Gangsta. Lil C, you are trippin.
Viola: *laughing quietly, she reaches into the desk for another set of papers* So.... how about it.....? ...The loan...
Cody: ...Y-yeah, let's do it... my dad can pay for it I'm sure!
Viola: *smiles darkly* Good... *places the paper on the desk, in Cody's direction, and hands him a pen* Write your father's name... here.... and sign... here.... and here....
Cody: *takes the pen and signs 'Kauf Hackins' where his dad's name is required, and in the other spots writes his own name- the handwriting is nearly identical on both, although he makes an attempt to write his father's name more fancily* Is that all?
Viola: ...Not yet... *reaches into the pocket of her dress and pulls out a small, pen-like object. When she takes off the cap though, there's a long, sharp needle point there instead of a nib* Give me...a finger...
Cody: ...A-are you serious?! That's... that's... ...Fine. *holds out his hand, extending his pointer finger- he closes his eyes and turns his head away, hoping that it won't hurt as much as he presumes it will*
Viola: *takes his hand in one of hers, pressing down on his index finger firmly, and kneading it forward so that the blood flows to the very tip* ...This will only hurt... a little... *and with a practiced precision she jabs the needle down, removing it a second later*
Cody: *cringes a bit before looking up* That... actually didn't hurt as much as I thought it would. *despite this he jams his finger in his mouth, sucking on it to relieve what pain there is*
Viola: ...... *giggles quietly* ...I still need that finger, little boy...
Cody: ...o-oh. Right. *he takes the finger out of his mouth, placing it back on the desk- it's still bleeding a bit, although not very much*
Viola: *kneads his finger again-- the part that he hadn't stuck into his mouth--working the drop of blood on his finger to a larger size. Then, she guides his hand to the final portion of the paper on the desk* Press it down... here...
Cody: *does so, proceeding to jam his finger back in his mouth afterwards* I-is that all, now?
Viola: *grins toothily* ...Give me your finger again...
Viola: Hee... Hee... Hee...
Cody: A-again?! *hesitates for a moment before begrudgingly putting his hand on the table yet again*
Viola: *reaches into her pocket, this time pulling out something round, a cylinder. She tugs on a flap protruding out from it--it's white--a strip-it's bandage cloth. She carefully tears a small segment and wraps it around Cody's finger, tying a secure knot to finish it off* ...There...
Viola: Make sure it doesn't get infected... or you could lose it......
Cody: *totally wasn't expecting that kind of kindness from the ogre god, and he blushes a bit* O-oh... t-thanks, Miss Cadvariani. ...So is that all that's left to do?
Viola: ...Yes... Now, Just a moment... *turns and walks to one of the walls of the room, pushing aside the black crepe drapery-- there's a giant safe there, set into the wall, and carefully she turns the dial on it, back and forth*
Viola: *presses down the lever and tugs open the safe--really, it's much larger than a girl her stature should operate. The door swings open, revealing... countless and countless stacks of dollar bills, completely filling the interior of the safe. Casually, Viola takes out a stack--they're all relatively small bills, nonsequential--and carries them over to the desk. Placing them there, she carefully counts out the amount note by note, for the sake of her borrower*
Wocky: *sits back in his chair, not too interested in Viola counting out the money -- he's seen that kind of cash before. He idly starts to open the drawers of the desk, wondering if he'll find anything interesting... but keeping sharp in case a bat flies out at him or something*
Cody: *Cody, however, is rather stunned by the amount of money- he's never seen more than $20 at a time- and he voices this* W-whoa... that's a lotta money.
Viola: *finishes a few moments later* ...There.... Would you... like a bag...?
Cody: Nah, I think I'm fine- lemme make a little room in my backpack. *pulls his backpack off his shoulder, setting it in front of him and moving a few things around in it* I think I've got room in here!
Viola: Help yourself... *takes the pen again and writes quickly upon a sheet, offering that to him too* Here is... the reminder of your terms. You may want to give that to your father... *a smile* Unless you want him to be surprised...
Cody: *takes the sheet and stuffs it in his pocket, then starts to shove the money into his backpack* Thanks, Miss Cavadadaverni.
Viola: ...Oh, you're quite welcome....
Wocky: *leans back in the chair and looks at Cody and Viola, figuring the transaction is over* Yo, Lil C, you go on up ahead, aw-ite? I wanna hang back and talk to Mizz Cadaverni for a bit.
Cody: Yeah, just a sec. *crams the rest of the money in his pack, zipping it shut- it's bulging quite a bit, with that many bills in it, and he has a bit of trouble lifting it- but he does, and jumps off the table* I'll see you at the bus stop, it leaves in seven minutes! Don't be late...! *does some sort of samurai handsign and runs out the door*
Viola: *watches Cody leave alone with some surprise-- but after he's gone, she smiles pleasantly at Wocky* It's been a while, Little Kit... hasn't it...?
Wocky: Shore has, yo. What's been haps in the hood Mizz Cadaburvini? *straightens the chair out* Has bizz-nazz been as usual? *grins wide* Ain't you glad I be findin' you a new client?
Viola: *walks over to Wocky's side of the desk again, stooping down to his eye level* Business has been... quiet. Which is why I'm glad you visited.... and yes... brought a friend...
Wocky: *clears his throat a bit and puffs out his chest, trying to look tough and cool* So, uh I was wonderin' somethin' Mizz Cadvaberini... Since I like spendin' time wit you an' you like spendin' time wit me an' all... I think it's kinda stupid and shiie but one a my boos says it's important-like so... You wanna be my 'special someone'?
Viola: *blinks in surprise, a closed hand raising to her mouth* Your... special someone, Little Kit...?
Wocky: Yeah, like... you know. My special someone. *Wocky blushes a little and looks away for a moment* Y'know. The person you like spendin' time with an' bein' around an' all dat.
Viola: *giggles quietly, a smile forming on her lips* I do like being with you... and we really don't see each other enough. *reaches forward with a hand, and taps his nose lightly with a bony finger* Alright... I'll be your special someone if you want me to...
Wocky: Damn skippy! You means it for true?! *grins excitedly but stops, clearing his throat again and trying to play cool* Aw-ite. That's cool, yo. Mizz Cadvarinini is my special someone now. I likes the ring that be havin' to it.
Viola: *teasingly, it seems... but with a hint of malice* ...Don't try to 'play' me... or else you'll be very sorry... Hee... Hee...
Wocky: Aw don't you be worryin' none Mizz Cadavini. I got lotsa boos but only one special someone and that be you, aw-ite?
Viola: I'll hold you to it, Little Kit... *after a moment of consideration* You should come visit Grandfather soon...
Wocky: Straight up, yo! I ain't seen yo granpappy since th' talent show, yo. I'll get ma to make some red bean buns, boo.
Viola: *nods* He would like that...
Viola: *glances towards the door and then back at Wocky, teasing one of his fox ears again* ...You should... go rejoin your friend now...
Wocky: *nods* Aw, aw-ite. Will do! *gets up out of his chair and twirls his hair around a finger* I'll catch you on the flip, Mizz Cadaverini!
Viola: ...Yes... *stands up straight, following Wocky to the door before she places a hand on his shoulder, stopping him. Then, she leans down and gives him a light kiss on the forehead. Her lips... well, they aren't ice cold, but they're a little too eerily close to it for comfort* ...Stay out of trouble, Little Kit...
Wocky: Aw shiie girl, you know I will. Stay frosty now... But not too frosty, yo. *grins wide and there's a bit of a spring in his step as he takes off, running towards the bus stop to wait with Cody*
Viola: *shuts the door behind him, smiling quietly and returning to the desk to prepare for the next visitor of the day*