Black Market Merchant

Frank Sellers was a rather calm fellow, even after seeing his Match fighter, Gaston, get beaten just moments before. The whole time he spoke with Lisa, he had remained calm and collected. Like a true merchant.

"Metal and construction materials? Perfect!" Lisa said clapping her hands together. "I will definitely need your help in the future. If my plans do work out, I assure you that we can make some good money together."

Frank raised an eyebrow skeptically, "How so? Not many people have an interest in construction materials here in this town. Also, I was only here to buy scrap metal from the Mad Dog gangsters. So, if you are also considering selling me metal, I'm afraid you are going to have a dangerous competitor."

"That won't be a problem. I won't be selling scrap metal to you, but rather, I intend to buy copper and tools for repairs." Lisa said brushing off his warning.

John and Richard were sitting at a nearby table right behind Lisa. They glanced at each other and the look they gave meant that neither of them had any clue as to what Lisa could talking about. The initial goal was accomplished, now why was she talking to some random merchant about trade stuff?

Then Lisa continued, "I will soon have access to an opportunity to acquire electricity. I intend to get this town back and running in no time. So, I will need your copper to rebuild power lines and transformers. As for the tools, those will be obviously for fixing machines to continue my plans." She smiled her charming smile again, but still retained a serious look at the same time.

"Hmm, now this is interesting." Frank said tapping his fingers on the table in thought.

Lisa thought too herself while waiting for his answer, "Every merchant has a tell, for when an opportunity interests them, or they hear a good deal. His has to be him tapping on the table, its kind of obvious."

Then she spoke to Frank again, "Even if my plans don't work out or take a while to happen, I won't hinder your deals with the gangsters at all. So really this promise won't hurt your current profit margins in the slightest. In fact, it only begs the chance for you to gain even more."

"So, if I agree to provide the resources to you, how much will I be getting out of my investment? Also, how long until you need these materials? I won't be here in town for much longer and it will take me two weeks or more to return to my business to the south." Frank said opening his hands matter-of-factly giving a shrug.

"Great questions." Lisa nodded understandably. "As for the price of your cut, that will start out with full purchase of materials and tools. I will only buy what I can afford or need at the times I need them. I can assure you it will be worth your while." Lisa paused for a moment. Then she turned to the two men listening behind her. "Can one of you get me a drink please? All this talk after the fighting has made my mouth dry."

Richard nodded without a word and got up to head to the bar. The room was still a mess and he had to watch his step as others were clearing out the room. John, however, whispered back to Lisa, "What is going on? What do you mean get electricity? How are you going to pay for all this!?"

"I'll explain later." Lisa whispered back. "It's all part of the original plan we have, you'll see." She then turned back to Frank before John could ask another question. Still confused John sat back and continued gleaning for information as the other two spoke.

"Sorry about that. They are with me." Lisa reassured Frank with a nod. "Let's see, ah yes, as for the time of the purchases it will be whenever you return to town next. I won't pressure you to comeback if it's too inconvenient for you. How long does it normally take for to return back here from your business?"

"One month from when I leave my business." Frank replied. "This is the farthest up North I am able to trade too. Anything above the dam is currently out of my reach."

"That time frame won't be an issue. I should have things ready for when you return." Lisa said just as Richard returned with a large mug of water and she nodded to him thankfully. She looked inside the mug and fortunately there was nothing floating in it, as was likely going to happen in such a place.

She took a sip, wetted her lips and then continued, "When you return to the town just come back here or ask around for me and I'll come right away. So, do we have a deal?" Lisa said while standing up and reaching her hand out for a handshake.

Frank also stood up and straightened his purple jacket before accepting the handshake. "Sounds good to me. Considering for now I won't be losing anything for the moment. We can talk prices and more details later."

"Glad to hear it." Lisa said cheerily. "Also, let me apologize for beating up your Match fighter, Gaston. I though he was with the gangsters."

Frank sighed. "It's all right. I didn't expect you to challenge him barehanded. Most people challenge an opponent with a weapon. Gaston is quite a capable fighter with his war hammer. But too clumsy for hand to hand combat." Frank said gesturing to a huge hammer at his feet.

Looking closely Lisa could see that the massive hammer might be made of compacted metal parts wrapped up with twisted rebar. Its handle looked like it was also made of metal, but it was wrapped up with cloth, so it was hard to see what it really was originally. However, its size was rather large and unnerving, that much was clear.

"You can fight with weapons?" Lisa asked with some surprise, as she sat back down.

"Why yes. Didn't you know that? I mean you are a Match Fighter after all." Said Frank sitting down as well.

Lisa laughed a bit embarrassed, "Actually no, I didn't know that. This was my first Match fight. I hadn't even been to a Match fight before this. Back in Salt Lake City, where I was trading before, I knew of these fights; but never learned about them."

"Your first Match fight!" John and Frank said at the same time in surprise. Richard too raised his eyebrows in surprise. From her strength and skill, everyone thought she would have been in some kind of Match Fight.

"So that's why you fought bare handed." Frank said leaning back in his chair to dab a handkerchief at his brow. "Let me explain some of the rules for you then."

"First, the fight can be started at any time, by any challenger. However, no sneak attacks are technically allowed. You must announce your intention to fight before engaging and have a witness. Otherwise it won't count as a Match Fight."

"Secondly, you can fight with any weapon except for guns or laser guns. Crossbows and bows are allowed though, but only in rare cases. The challenged party is the one that declares what weapons are allowed to be used in the fight. This helps to make things slightly fairer."

Lisa nodded attentively as she listened to the merchant talking. John and Richard were also listening in intently. They too didn't know all the rules.

"Next," Frank continued, "There is no time limit or limits to the number of Match Fighters that can participate in a fight. So be careful when challenging an opponent. If you challenge someone that has a lot of fighters and you don't specifically say who your challenger is, then they could send as many people as they want."

"Additionally, is that any written contracts, spoken deals or bets made must be upheld after the fight is over. But if the looser still has more Match Fighters, they can challenge again to avoid this. Be sure to avoid this instance by agreeing, at the start, that no additional challengers can join in."

"Lastly, the fight will not always have a referee. So, the way a fight is decided is when one declares that they lose, if they are rendered unconscious or if the opponent is killed." Frank finished explaining and cleared his throat, which made his chubby neck wobble.

"That was very helpful indeed." Lisa said. "I am glad you're helping me with this."

"Don't mention it." Frank replied waving his hand dismissively. "Think of it as payment for your win and as some friendly advice to a new business partner. There are more rules and personnel to explain, but my time is running short."

"Well this has been a most successful trip." Lisa said getting up again. She downed the rest of the water in the mug with one gulp and left the mug on the table. "But it's time we get going too. It was nice talking to you. I hope to see you soon, Frank."

"Likewise." Frank said giving a quick wave as Lisa turned to leave the tavern. Then he looked down tiredly at the messy room. "Now to figure out how to wake up my friend here..."

John and Richard quickly got up to follow after her. People were still crowding the tavern entrance and they had to squeeze their way out. When they did get outside, John couldn't keep quite anymore.

"What is going on already Lisa!" John shouted loudly.

"Well at first it was just to fight some of the gangsters to get a reputation. I think that part went well." Lisa trying to calm John down. He looked like he was about to blow a fuse.

"Yes, I get that part." John continued still simmering. "But what about that merchant, Frank? How are we going to get electricity or money to buy anything for that matter? Aren't we getting revenge for the Marshals?"

Lisa motioned with her hands for him to calm down while she explained her actions. "First, we need to get our hands on a computer. We can try to get one by betting against Jerry, once he comes back with a challenger and I beat whoever it is. Then I can use the blueprints I collected of the dam, and get the dam running once again. We can get people pay us for the electricity and hire or extort other that can help us deal with the gangsters."

"This is crazy talk!" John said throwing his hands in the air. "Hire people to fight the Mad Dogs?"

"Don't worry John, I know that's a crazy idea. If things get to hard, you don't have to be involved with me any longer. But I also can't continue to rely on you guys all the time for food and housing forever. This doesn't even need to be the final plan, but it's a start." Lisa said calmly to John. "I still promise that the gang boss will pay dearly for what he did to Hanna and her parents. This will always come first!"