The last stragglers were making their way out of the Elbow Room, and Ashton Lee was helping close the place down.  It had been an average evening:  he confiscated a knife and a small pharmacy of drugs, broke up two fights, and “escorted” five assholes out the door.  No one gave him too much trouble.  Despite his easygoing nature and his effort to conceal his “gifts”, he scared the hell out of most people he met these days.  The just sensed something different about him.  That alone was usually enough to head off any trouble in the club.

Well, it was a job.

He said goodnight to the bartenders and staff, and headed outside to find a cab.  As he stepped out of the door, a black limousine pulled up to the curb and a door opened in front of him.

"Mr. Lee, or shall I call you 'Bouncer'?  I wonder if you would be interested in hearing a proposal."

Ashton fought off the reflex to stiffen as the mysterious voice spoke from the interior of the darkened limo.  It was not everyday that strangers called your name from inside such luxury.  Being in the bouncing business, you learn not too trust anyone at first glance and always follow your gut.  Ashton made like he was relaxed and ran a gloved hand through his hair, and responded in a cool, non-committed tone.

“That depends on who’s proposing what.”

He listened to the rhythm and tone of the speaker’s response trying to gauge what was going on.

However, Bouncer didn't notice anything in the stranger's tone that suggested he was being threatened or lied to.

The voice inside the car laughed softly at Bouncer's posturing.

"Could anything that I proposed be less promising than your current occupation?  However, if it will put you at ease you may have my assurance that all I wish is to speak with you.  If you don't like what I have to say, then my driver will drop you wherever you like."

The voice paused briefly.

"Ask yourself, Mr. Lee... what do you really have to lose?"

Ashton spread his arms out in a wide shrug.

"I've gotta admit, you have a point."

He set aside his reservations and climbed into the limo as cool as a cucumber.

His thoughts raced, as he entered the limo.

Is this it?  Could this be what I was waiting for?  Do I really want to know the answers?

Ashton sat in the limo's cushy seats and leaned his head back against the head-rest eyes half-closed.  He made no move to look at the face behind the mysterious voice.

As Bouncer sat down inside the car a dim light was switched on.  He saw a large black man sitting across from him.  It was difficult to tell in this position, but the man seemed to be well over six and a half feet tall and solidly built.  He would have looked like a prizefighter except for his fine, black silk suit and cane that sat in his lap.  He wore dark sunglasses and his long dreadlocks were pulled back in a ponytail.

"Allow me to introduce myself.  I am Mr. Talent.  As you may have surmised by now, I am like you... Gifted, as we say.  I'm sure you have little knowledge of just what that means, given your current situation.  However, I may be able to provide you with that knowledge, as well as certain financial rewards, if you might be willing to help me with a little task."

Ashton remained unimpressed, maintaining a neutral reservation.  He looked around the limo's interior, now lit by the dim light.  Such luxury was not the norm in his life, so it was with some effort that he stopped admiring the leather interior.

"Well that covers the 'What's in it for you', and 'What's in it for me' questions.  Gifted eh?  Heh, that does sound better than freak.  All right Mr. Talent, you have me curious.  What kind of  'little' task could be worth that sort of information...and  financing?"

The man called Mr. Talent smiled at the response.

"You do a fine job of projecting confidence in a most uncertain situation, Mr. Lee.  I suspect that I was correct in seeking you out.  Unfortunately, all that I may tell you now is that I am offering knowledge and substantial financial rewards in exchange for your assistance in accomplishing a task that suits your particular talents.  I will discuss the details of my proposal tomorrow evening at my offices."

He handed a card to Bouncer.  On one side was typed simply "Mr. Talent".  On the reverse side an address had been written with a time: 9:00 PM.

"At that time you will meet the other individuals who will be assisting in this task.  I will explain the requirements and your compensation.  I understand that someone in your line of work isn't prone to loose conversation, but I wish to stress that your complete discretion in this matter is expected."

With that, Mr. Talent tapped the glass separating them from the car's driver.  The limo pulled over and Mr. Talent stepped out as the door was opened.

"My driver will take you back to your home, or anywhere else you may wish to be dropped.  If I do not see you tomorrow evening, I will assume you have changed your mind and that our paths will not cross again."

He gave a slight bow with his head, turned and strolled away.  The sound of his footsteps and the cane tapping the sidewalk could be heard fading down the street.

Ashton let the driver take him home, his mind swimming with the possibilities.  After returning to his appartment he let out a sigh as he threw his coat on the rack, and began to unwind from the day and think about Mr. Talent's proposal.  He took a shower, and went to sleep fitfully...his decision unmade, his fears conflicting with his curiosity.

Come the dawn, Ashton awoke to the new day with one realization in mind.

Opportunity doesn't wait...this could be my only chance to learn anything about my...'Gift'.

And so he decided to meet with Mr. Talent that night, for good or ill yet unknown.

All words, pictures, characters, tiles and just about everything else was created by and is copyright Stephen Rice and Electric Comics, 1996

Bytes and Bandwidth by Saturn5