At the Continental Hotel in New York, Smith Doyle and Fox entered after handing two gold coins to the doorman. Instead of lingering in the lobby, they headed straight for the underground bar.
Charon, the hotel's front desk attendant, noticed them and promptly picked up the phone. "Manager Winston, Smith and Fox are heading to the bar," he informed.
"Got it," Winston replied, pondering their presence. "Are these Assassin's League folks planning something at my hotel?" he mused. As the manager, Winston was familiar with the League's reputation. They had stopped their random assassinations 18 years ago, focusing instead on targeting genuinely evil figures.
In New York, several gang leaders and notorious killers had fallen to the League, with no failures reported. Despite complaints to the High Table, nothing changed, and Winston had heard rumors of the League being offered a seat at the High Table, which they declined.
While many killers from the Continental Hotel had been victims of the League, as long as no one was harmed on hotel grounds, Winston remained unfazed.
Smith and Fox entered the underground bar, paying another two gold coins. The killers in the bar glanced their way, some raising their glasses in acknowledgment. However, several black assassins quickly turned away or hid their faces upon seeing Smith.
Fox observed, "You're quite the hunter, Smith. Look how the black assassins fear you."
Smith smiled back, "Our duty is to cleanse the world of its filth. We eliminate them all without error."
Fox, understanding Smith's disdain for Africans, noted that the League hadn't recruited any since Smith's preferences became known.
Reaching the bar, Smith ordered, "Two Thunder Bourbons, please," from bartender Eddie. Eddie, pouring their drinks, joked, "Business takes a hit whenever you visit, Smith."
"I wish they'd all come here for refuge," Smith chuckled, "since killing is prohibited."
Handing Eddie a drawing of a Dragon Ball, Smith instructed, "If anyone inquires about this, direct them to me."
Eddie nodded, "A crystal ball with stars? Got it."
Fox, curious, asked, "What's that about? And the good show you mentioned?"
Before Smith could answer, Winston approached, greeting them warmly. "Mr. Smith. Ms. Fox," he said, offering them a drink from his 1972 Macallan whiskey collection.
Smith responded, "Winston, this Macallan isn't cheap."
"Good wine is meant for heroes," Winston replied with a smile.
As they enjoyed their drinks, Winston broached the topic of the Assassin's League. "Platforms like ours aren't targets for you, right?"
Smith shrugged, "We're not here to take down the Continental Hotel. I respect its rules."
Relieved, Winston thanked him.
Fox suddenly chimed in, "The Continental Hotel just posted a $2 million mission. Is this the excitement you mentioned, Smith?"
(End of Chapter)