DISPATCH FROM THE CITY
Something's always happening in Noir City. Most people keep walking. Investigators notice. Make your choice. See what happens.
The Delivery Guy
You pick up your delivery order and head across town. You pull into a warehouse district and slow down.
You check the number on the slip and on the building. They’re a match. This can’t be right.
You grab the order and walk to the door. There’s no bell, so you knock. A small panel slides open. A pair of eyes looks out at you.
“I have a delivery.”
“Who sent you?”
“Angelo.”
The panel slams shut. You hear voices on the other side, and then several locks turn. The door opens. A man motions you inside.
You follow him through the warehouse to a man sitting at a table with two others. He looks at the bag in your hand.
“What’s that?”
“Eggplant parm.”
The men look at each other.
“That’s my favorite. Angelo knows that. Why would Angelo be sending me this?”
“You ordered it.”
The man studies you.
“How did Angelo find out so fast? It only happened half an hour ago.”
You shrug. “He has a pretty good system.”
“A system?”
“Yeah. He usually knows what’s happening right away.”
The man glances at the others.
“He has to. Otherwise he’d lose business.”
The man looks at you nervously, almost apologetically.
“Tell Angelo I’m good. I don’t need the delivery.”
“I can’t do that.”
“Why not?”
You shrug. “Once I’m sent out, there’s no going back.”
The man stares at you.
“Please. Tell me what I can do to make this right. Anything.”
WHAT DO YOU DO?
You think about the drive out here. The time you’ve lost. The deliveries waiting in your car.
“How about a tip?”
The man nods.
“How much?”
You hesitate.
Twenty is pushing it, but your other customers aren’t going to be happy.
“Twenty.”
The man looks relieved.
“That’ll make us square?”
“Works for me.”
He turns to one of the men.
“Get him the twenty.”
A few minutes later, the man hands you a small bag.
You don’t bother looking inside. You’re already late.
You get back to your car and race across town to finish your deliveries.
By the time you get home, you’re exhausted. You empty your pockets and start counting the night’s tips.
Then you remember the bag. You open it.
You count the money once, then again.
You’re holding twenty thousand dollars.
You stare at it.
Best... delivery... ever.
“Actually, you could do me a favor.”
The man looks wary.
“What?”
“Call Angelo. Tell him I did a good job tonight.”
The man stares at you.
“You want me to call Angelo?”
“Yeah.”
“Personally?”
“Yeah. Angelo’s old school. He likes hearing from people. He’s a people kind of guy.”
The man thinks for a moment.
“It would make him really happy. He’s having a rough night. It would definitely cheer him up.”
Reluctantly, he takes out his phone.
“Do you need the number?”
The man shakes his head and starts making the call.
“Gotta go. See ya.”
You head for the door.
As you leave, you hear the man’s voice crack.
“Hey, Angelo. Long time no speak.”