[ IP ] Walking the Lower City

`` Shit day, huh Murph?'' 
 
 The man was always here on the docks when Murph left for home. He did n't much like the look of him, sallow and pale-faced, too eager to talk, but he made interesting conversation at least. 
 
 `` What? Yeah, yeah... boss's on my case, think I might be laid off soon.'' 
 
 `` Ouch! Lots of places losing employees- all the industry's moving out to the colonies, Y'know?'' 
 
 `` I suppose.'' Murph stood on the platform, waiting for the bus to swoop down from the stream of traffic above. He looked over at the pilot, eyeing him. 
 
 `` How did you know my name?'' The two men had talked in the past, but never more than small talk. 
 
 `` Looks like our ride's here!'' The man perked up as the automated bus arrived, spitting fumes out it's sides as Murph covered his nose. The two got aboard, payed the facsimile of a driver at it's front. Murph did n't' notice, but there was no one else aboard. 
 
 `` Listen, Murph, I work for some.... individuals who have taken quite an interest in you.'' The bus turned, away from Murph's usual destination and lower into the city's grimy, smoke-filled underbelly. 
 
 `` What?! Who?'' 
 
 `` Does n't matter! Listen, Murph, I can make your work problems... go away, shall we say? The accident was n't your fault anyway, you should n't be carrying that blame!'' 
 
 `` How do you know about the accident?'' The bus had stopped, far below traffic lanes but high enough above the ground that Murph would n't like to jump. 
 
 `` Intuition. Now, my employers wanted to let you know, Murph, that your boss has crossed them.'' The man crossed over to sit across from Murph, and his face lost it's cherry appearance. 
 
 `` Crossed who?'' 
 
 `` Bad people. People who can hire people like me.'' The sallow-faced man drew a gun, and twirled it around his fingers with the expertise of a professional. 
 
 `` So your boss wo n't be on your case anymore, and you'll likely take his place, Murph. So I want you to know that my employers want to have a healthy, cooperative business partnership with your factory. Can you make that happen, Murph? Because if not I'm going to have to ask you to step outside the bus.'' 

