Something's rotten in the Hamptons

[laughing_mage]

While the glittering elite of the business world are gathered together inside to pay homage to the Josephs John is smoking on the balcony with what appears to the untrained eye to be Angelina Jolie. Trading information and formulating a plan

Comments

[jla_extras]

"The kiddies have your eyes." remarked Constantine.

Those same deep green eyes dance with mischief.

"Midnight made a serious error in assuming the children were of Ken Joseph's issue."

[laughing_mage]

Constantine smirks a bit at that.

"He makes a lot of errors luv. Like assumin' even with the hold he has on me that he could control me." He's glad more than his protections will watch over the kids, he's not got a lot of concience in some ways but mucking with children always was a bit outside his comfort zone.

"So I'll finish up here, but I'm thinkin' we need t'teach him a lesson in mindin' his work a bit better don't you think?"

[jla_extras]

She nods and smiles.
"I agree. Let me tell you a secret."

She leans forward and whispers her name into his ear. The children have nothing to worry about.

[laughing_mage]

He chuckles under his breath and looks quite pleased.

"Perfect, luv. I think maybe you should be chasin' after our bokor friend after this an give him a reason t'call on his servant again. Meanwhile I go give the head of the household a tweak to his tail an break up this disgustin' little attempt at a social club."

[jla_extras]

Her smile shows teeth now.
"You can count on it."

Putting out her cigarette she comments in one last breath of smoke,
"The chains these people have made for themselves are hammered from coins of gold."

and she's gone.

[laughing_mage]

With a smile he crushes out the silk cut and goes back inside, nodding and making chit chat along his way he makes stops to make sure that Mrs. Joseph and the infant have their share of the ashes before walking straight into Ken Joseph's inner sanctum past startled glances and exclamations.

John plucks one of the cigars from the fingers of the nearest crony and settles himself in a seat like he belongs there with a dark grin etched on his face.

"Do us a favor Squire an pass the brandy."

[jla_extras]

The noises of disapproving aspersions roll in low muted 'harrumphs' through the room as the uninvited Englishman enters the room. Oly the inner Circle are allowed here, however Constantine is not ejected. The supernatural charisma he wears tonight is a social lubricant that defies the codified traditions of this decadent gathering.

Mr. Joesph, his blue eyes so pale that they could almost be white raises an amused eyebrow. The others are ruffled but he is king here and he can afford to humor a fool.
Pouring himself a brandy, he swirls the liquor as he enjoys a cigar from Havana.
"And who might you be? An aspiring hopeful? I know you're not on the guest list."

Several shocked and unfriendly faces appear in the room at this. Even still there is no action. Constantine's carefully laid enchantments give him the time and space he needs to work his social legerdemain.

[laughing_mage]

He snorts and rolls his eyes a bit.

"Wouldn't want in the club mate, doubt you'd have me any road." He reclines in the chair and appropriates himself a brandy.

"Names John Constantine."

[jla_extras]

There are murmurs in the room from a few. Apparently 'The Constantine' is not unheard if in this Circle. Magnified by his charms of Charisma, the name causes a few faces to blanch. Though they have heard the name, concrete facts are few and far between. The intruder's unknown nature leads to a sense of trepidation

[laughing_mage]

"Nice t'be recognized. Isn't that right mate?" He grins slightly at Ken, looking more like a shark assessing a meal than a friend.

"Looks like you enjoy a bit of recognition yourself, nice little gatherin' of social refuse you have here." He dismisses those that hang around them with a lazy wave of his hand.

John makes sure to gaze at each one that looks uneasy just to make sure they know that they are noticed by him, reputation does come in handy sometimes.

"Just thought I'd stop in an be social with the new talent an all. See how you're doin' so to speak."

[jla_extras]

Constantine notes Mr. Joseph's tie pin and the obscure talisman worked into it's design. The uninformed would assume it to be a piece of expensive jewelry. John knows better. If he had doubts about who was really running the show here before, they're gone now.

Unconsciously touching the talisman as if to be certain that it's still there, Ken narrows his eyes and regards John.

"Not all here may have the experience you do Mister Constantine, but not all of us are novices. It would be unwise to casually throw disrespect about in this place." he says coldly.
"Especially with our patron so close at hand." he adds meaningfully.

[laughing_mage]

John chuckles, he noted the unsure touching of the talisman, it's nice to know where the man's teddy bear is.

"That would be assumin' I gave a rats fuck about your patron and what he thought of me mate." Deliberately throwing in the harsh language to rattle them.

"I was bein' nice with callin' you talent. Truth is you're a bunch of amateur fuckwits who are gonna get t'be a high cholesterol meal for a demon before too long."

[jla_extras]

The rest are cowed, and inside Mr. Joseph the flow of fear begins to unfold, but ego and pride rankle as well. Outwardly he maintains an impressive mien of indignant authority. He stands abruptly.

"You dare?!" he booms.

A gesture of his hand and the double doors allowing entrance to the room slam shut.

Constantine feels no whisper of magic in the act however. A savvy and veteran con artist himself, he sees the tiny glint on metal hidden in Mr. Joseph’s palm. The dramatic gesture had been achieved by technology.

The talisman however sparkles with deep red and gold light. John has someone's attention.

[laughing_mage]

John does everything but yawn to show how little that impressed him. "I can rig automatic doors too, save the tricks for the rubes in your inner circle, they're obviously too inbred and vapid t'know better." He leans forward more intent.

"Did you tell them what happens t'those who fuck up? What the demon does to you when you aren't wanted anymore...we all know you'll feed them to him t'keep your place but do they know what t'expect or do you just spin fairy yarns about money and power?" He looks at the most nervous of the bunch with a sly smile. "Looks like this one could be findin' out shortly, want me t'clue him in on the fun?"

[jla_extras]

The fellow Constantine singles out turns a deadly pale and Constantine can smell the hint of urine in the air now.

Joseph feels his command of the situation evaporating like water in the desert and he plays his last card. Clutching his talisman he intones in a harsh voice.

Invocare maelkuth ansana ittoto Mammon!John immediately recognizes the incantation for what it is...bullshit

[laughing_mage]

Demons...they always have to make an entrance.

"Didn't get a thank you card Mammon...someone needs a refresher in manners I think." He leans over and hands his brandy to Ken.

"Drink up mate you look like a landed fish. Someone might decide t'fry you up with chips if you keep it up."