poly_chromatic

Entry tags:

boardwalk empire - meyer lansky

Video

[At least, for once, this is an intentional video. He is, however, much more casually attired than usual -- which, in this case, means with no suit jacket, no tie, and sleeves rolled up to his elbows. And he appears to be leaning on a car, cigarette in hand, as ever, and an errant smudge of grease or two on his face.]

I have two questions for the City at large. Call it... research.

[One of those tiny, polite smiles, and then...]

First of all, if there were one thing you think this city is lacking -- and "a means of escape" isn't a valid answer here, I'm afraid, since we all want that -- what would it be?

[A long pause.]

Second of all, I've been informed that I'm in need of at least one "modern" outfit, whatever that means. Is anyone here willing to assist?

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Most worlds are lacking that, I've found. And unfortunately, it's hard to market those.

[His lips curl into a little, self-deprecating smile.]

I've been informed that I need to be more adventurous. To branch out a bit. I thought I'd see what it's like to be "modern" for a day or two.

Unless you can market miracles. And even those come with strings attached.

[ The frown deepens into outright bemusement. ]

But ... why would you want to dress modern? Most people these days think pants sagging to their ankles and T-shirts with obscene slogans are stylish.

[ Spoiler: Li is a dork and dresses terribly. ]

Apparently, it would make me look slightly less "uptight."

[You can practically see the air-quotes around that word.]

Personally, I'm unconvinced, but in the spirit of trying new things, well, it can't hurt to give it a shot.

What's wrong with looking... uptight?

[ He seems legitimately confused. ]

How else are you supposed to make people [ fear you ] respect you at work?

I believe the suggestion was related directly to my days off.

[A pause.]

Which is utterly ridiculous, because I almost never take a day off.

[ Join the club. ]

There's nothing wrong with that. [ Really, Li? Really? ] Some people are happiest when they're busy. If there were less workaholics in the world, nothing would get done.

[ So many assassinations, such little time. ]

I agree. I can't imagine doing nothing, yet so many people suggest just that.

[A shrug.]

Besides, I'm taking part of a day off right now.

[To... work on a car. Which is still work. Oh well.]

[ Hei spent years as a child soldier, and still more as a mercenary. No one offers you paid vacations in those spheres -- unless they're in the form of outright elimination. It wouldn't ever have occurred to Hei to walk away from the work, take some down-time. ]

[ Work keeps you centered. Dawdling doesn't. ]

A half-day is still something. That's when I get my [ shady projects in the Underground ] household chores done.

[ Clearly, you two are soulmates. ]

Precisely. My schedule allows me plenty of time in the morning and afternoon for that sort of thing, as well as any leisure time I might want.

[Which he... doesn't want, apparently.]

The casino's open from five in the afternoon till two in the morning -- it's not as though I never get the chance to do anything for fun. Apparently, though, my choice of attire suggests otherwise.

[ Ffft. Leisure time. Another word for procrastination. ]

You'd think working in a casino would be fun enough. And anyway, if your friend's so worried about your choice of clothing, maybe you can just get a collection of funny ties.

[ Don't listen to him, Meyer. He offers dreadful advice. ]

It can provide entertainment, yes.

[Throwing people out of the casino is always oddly satisfying, at least.]

One of my employees bought me a funny tie for my birthday. Oddly enough, I haven't worn it yet.

[ Nothing like that resounding crack when their skulls hit the pavement? ]

... I think that depends on what's on the tie.

It's not particularly offensive, it's just a rather... garish mixture of colors.

[ ... ]

Like the color-combos on a horrible Hawaiian shirt, huh?

Edited 2013-11-06 05:00 (UTC)

Something like that. And perhaps I should add horrible Hawaiian shirts to the list of modern things I don't intend to try out.

Avoid the gangbanger T-shirts too, while you're at it. I'm pretty sure if someone's an actual gangster, they wouldn't announce it with all that glitter.

[ doot doot ]

Or 'bling-bling,' as it's called.

[ Casual mentions of gangsters? Clearly just an innocent coincidence. ]

[What.]

Glitter? What does glitter have to do with gangsters? What do these t-shirts look like? I'm having a hard time imagining all of this.

[There were so many confusing things in that sentence, and then there was that casual mention of gangsters. Hm. Best to ignore it, for now.]

[ Welcome to Conversations With Li. At least one party, if not both, end up with little interrobangs dancing around their heads. ]

We-ell.

Since you asked...

[ He fiddles a moment with his device. Incoming spam. Cover your eyes, Meyer. ]

I...

[He's apparently lost for words.]

People actually wear... that's not a joke?

[ Dammit Li, look what you did!!! ]

It's very popular. Especially with the younger crowd. There's a whole ... um, lifestyle that goes with it.

If lifestyle's the right word.

What possible lifestyle could that be? Sheer idiocy? I wasn't aware that had a particular fashion to go along with it.

Yes. Well.

Apparently this lifestyle comes with its own soundtracks. And lingo, if names like Phat Ugly Gat Slinga and Cow Tippin' Hoochie Momma are anything to go by.

[ Li. Li, stop. ]

I refuse to believe all of this is... serious. Surely it's all an elaborate joke.

I wish it was.

But judging how popular the whole ... lifestyle is, I think it's us the joke is on.

Well then, congratulations, you've effectively rendered me speechless. That's unusual.

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mortemscintilla - 2013-11-08 01:54 (UTC) - Expand

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