Empty Building

[Administrator]

A completely empty building. No one lives here, but the door is missing. Multiple floors and rooms make it a great hiding place, or for a game of hide-and-seek!

[Philip Murphy]

Murphy had stopped playing hide and seek long ago. He was actually on his way out of said "empty building," after finishing up a deal with a Frenchman. The man called him Émile for the entire conversation, which was just the way that Murphy liked it. "Au revoir" he called into the building in a perfect inflection and accent. Perfect, that meant another good 100 weapons that he was going to be able to control of all kinds, guns, knives, and clubs, axes, and even a few Japanese swords. Never hurt to have a wide collection. Plus, with 100 more in his power, it just meant more money. The whole world was looking to get rid of their weapons, and those who weren't, were looking to buy. That was Murphy's life philosophy.

Proud of his accomplishment for the day he lit a cigar that he'd been saving for a good day, and today was truly a good day. The man loved a good smoke, and would only occasionally go so low as to light up a cigarette, but he could smoke a pack of those in an afternoon. Not near as satisfying as his, more expensive, but more delightful cigars.

He took in a deep breath of the sweet stuff and blew out in a thick grey cloud that he allowed to float up towards the twilight sky. His friends would probably be proud of him for what he'd accomplished that day, not that it mattered all that much if they were 'proud,' but all the same he thought they would be. He leaned against a wall, simply enjoying the cigar for now and letting the night enter the city in a slow and beautiful way.

[Luke Gallagher]

Luke was leaning against the wall outside the building waiting for Murphy to show just like they had agreed at McGinty's the night before. He was smoking a cigar and finding a patch of sun to stand in because the cool evening air had a bite to it, he pushed himself into standing when he spotted Murphy. The man had been hired to investigate them a few years ago, but had come to his senses and been well liked enough to stick with them and ditch his old trappings. Luke was glad of it, Murphy was a good man to have at your back and always with a wealth of weapons at his disposal that came in handy in a variety of ways - Luke did enjoy useful people.

"Right on schedule," He commented to Murphy, stepping forward and falling into step with the man, blowing out a steady stream of smoke as he looked over the building. "Fine place you found here, easy enough to find, won't be noticed by those who it would matter." Luke nodded and smiled at the other man, sticking out his chin as they lapsed into a comfortable sort of silence. "Let's see what you've got," He said after a few moments had passed, Luke was eager to see what Murphy might have procured and curious if there was something that might strike his fancy.

[Philip Murphy]

As the grey smoke circled to the sky he looked at Luke and smiled. "I never miss a deadline," it went against his loose code of honor, but this much was true. He was never late.

Murphy turned and led Luke towards the empty building. "I was rather proud," he said the french accent still tingling on the edge of his voice, but it would disappear soon enough. "When I wandered across it I took a look inside. Didn't seem anyone had been in it for years, and yet the electricity still works like a charm... I might have to find out who owns it and try to take it off their hands. I could use a storage house," he said with a sly grin.

He slipped into the front door, cigarette still between his lips as he walked over and pulled a string on a light above a table. The table was covered in different types of guns. "What exactly are you looking for around here Luke?" he asked. "I've got just about everything, and each one of good quality and in working order," he promised. He never picked up anything that he thought wasn't well made, or wasn't going to work like he wanted. He tested the guns, swung every sword, checked the strength of every knife. He could spot problems a mile away. He started walking towards another table that had nothing but trick knives, pocket knives, trigger knifes, dangers things that could be hidden in pockets, books, traps, and other various life threatening places.

[Luke Gallagher]

"Talk to Finn, he might be able to help you arrange the funds for such an acquisition," Luke commented, looking around the open space as they walked into the building and found that he agreed with Murphy's assessment. Certainly looked like it had seen better days, but was hugely unused and the working electricity was a definitive bonus. "Especially if we're going to be set up in the city for awhile, might be good to have a base in Manhattan." Luke's eyes moved along the strong walls and swept across the room and lit on the table when Murphy pulled on the string, revealing an array of artillery that would make most turn green with envy.

"Oh Murphy, you've done fine work here," Luke said, a slow smile spreading across his face as he walked around the table, picking up a gun and testing the weight of it in his hand, pointing it across the room at an unseen target. "Fine work indeed." He didn't doubt the quality for a moment, Murphy never presented anything that wasn't of the best makings and always offered his friends the best. For that Luke was grateful as he replaced the gun on the table, tried another one and then moved onto the knives.

Reaching into his pocket, Luke pulled out his knife and turned it over in his hands, comparing it against the ones of the table. It had been good and gotten it through a bit of trouble when it had mattered most, but he'd noticed a dullness lately that just wouldn't do. "Need a replacement for this baby." He held the knife up so Murphy could get a look at it - no one knew the inventory better than the man beside him. "Suggestions?"

[Philip Murphy]

Talk to Finn huh? He might have to do that. Having a place to hole up in Manhattan, and store a few things never hurt anybody. And even though he was all for paying for part of it himself with the money from his weapons, he wasn't sure he was going to be able to cover it all himself. Perhaps it could be a group owned territory, he saw nothing wrong with that.

Of course he'd done well. He always did well. But all the same, he did love hearing it so. He stood there hands on his hips, pushing back his suit coat as he watched Luke with a close eye as he inspected the guns. Murphy was all for helping his friends, but he wasn't stupid, and he knew people to turn on a dime, and on their closest friends, so as he stood there hands on his hips, one hand was just above his gun. One could never be to careful. He trusted these guys more than any in the city, but at the same time, he reached his age by being cautious.

"Lemme see," he said as he took the knife from Luke and took a pair of glasses out of his pocket. He wanted to inspect the knife closely, and while he didn't usually need glasses, he liked using them as almost a magnifying glass as he examined knives that had small print, or could have small flaws. He studied it for a second. "You used to pocket knives too much to part with the idea... or do you think you'd like a switch blade?" he asked. "Now, I say this, because," and he hurried around to the other side of the table, he loved showing off what he knew, "Shrade-Walden makes these little beauties," he said. He picked up what just looked like the handle of a knife but then flicked the blade out. "It's like a pocket knife, but a little harsher, a little sharper... and a little longer." You could tell he was interested in keeping one of these himself, and he probably would, though he preferred guns, all the same, these things were amazing. "However, if you're married to your multi-bladed pocket knife..." he said with a shrug, "There's good ones, but nothin' beats a switchblade these days." And no one carried these things but thieves and crooks. They were practically outlawed.

[Luke Gallagher]

The truth was, Luke rather liked Murphy, despite his rather auspicious beginnings with the Five Points, he'd more than proved his mettle. He'd come through in the clutch with weapons such as this before, but even more Luke liked him as a man and had found he'd rather begun to trust the man the way that he did the others. It was saying something as far as Luke was concerned. He watched as Murphy inspected his knife, trusting the man's judgment and knowing he wouldn't steer him wrong - the consequences would be dire and there was no reason for Murphy not to be clean with him.

His eyes practically glowed as Murphy showed him the switch blade, the sharp edge of the knife glinting in the low light and Luke reached out to take it from him. "Well now, this is a thing isn't it?" Luke pushed the blade back into place and then tested it's mettle with a flick, wanting to know how easily the blade was made at the ready. Guns had their place, and Luke certainly had a few of his own - one nearly always on his person - but his chosen weapon was a knife, preferring the closer proximity and art that was required in being adept and wielding one. Years of practice had made him an expert.

"Lighter too," Luke commented as he tested out some moves, slashing the air with practiced ease. "I think I have myself a new blade," Luke announced with a grin, adjusting his grip on the handle and then snapping the blade back into place. "If you can find something to do with that..." He motioned towards his forgotten old blade, now rendered unnecessary by his new prize.

[Philip Murphy]

The longer Murphy was with these 5 points guys the more he trusted them too. The girls were adorable, and the boys would be boys, but he felt like he could and would happily protect them all, and he mostly felt this way because he felt they'd do the same for him, in most cases. You couldn't expect them to save your life, but in a pinch, they'd give you a hand.

That was the look that Murphy lived for. The look in a buyers eye that said without a word being spoke, 'I want that, no, I need that.' And that was the look in Luke's eyes at that moment. Murphy stood there watching him try it out. "That's top of the line too my friend, best one on the table," he promised him.

When Luke claimed the blade for his own Murphy nodded proud which was the signal that it was his to keep and do with as he should see fit. He picked up the pocket knife. "Hmmm... might sharpen it up a bit and maybe find a use for it yet. Never know... everyone is lookin' for a blade these days," he said with a smirk. "Thank you kindly for the trade good sir." He put the pocket knife on the inside of his jacket pocket, the weight of it there would remind him it needed his attention and detailing.

"Let me show you what else I've managed to get ahold of," he said as he walked to another near by table. "Swords," as he turned the light on, "from Asia. These are more collectors items really. I mean good for fighting but so obvious, except this one..." he picked up a walking stick and unscrewed the top showing a dagger hidden in the handle. "Outstanding, agreed? I've got 5 of these dangerous things, and I'm trying to decide who needs them most," he had been thinking about Nick, he thought Nick should carry a walking stick. "and if you think you do... well... by all means investigate."

He kept walking. "Antique crossbows and... this might be my favorite," he pulled up a rather large device. "A flamethrower... a brand new design, straight from Germany..." he grinned wickedly. "I never thought I'd get one of these, and believe you me, this sealed the deal on this collection. Cost me a penny or two, but worth it."

((Note: the technical modern flame thrower was invited in 1901 and in Germany, however there were many different types before then, so it's not totally unheard of. Just a fun side note!))

[Luke Gallagher]

"I wouldn't expect you to give me anything less," Luke commented when Murphy promised him the blade in his hand was top of the line. He admired the blade once more and then pocketed his new prize, knowing there would time enough to examine it later and perhaps if he was lucky, to test it out as well. The measure of a blade's true test was in it's execution and though Luke had no doubt this would more than suffice, he also knew Murphy would provide him another if he wasn't satisfied.

He followed Murphy over to another nearby table, more than willing to survey Murphy's loot; it served a duel purpose in getting him apprised of the wares and first choice but also letting him know what was running free on the market these days. It was an impressive collection to be sure, every measure of weapon imaginable and Luke imagined that as much as this all might have cost Murphy he would get it back tenfold if he handled it right. He stopped at the canes, brushing a hand over one and then picking it up and testing it himself, grinning when the blade revealed itself. "Should show those to Tully, they might be of interest," Luke mused, considering the options and setting the cane back down.

He moved on behind Murphy at a slower pace, studying the occasional weapon, picking them up when the mood struck him or simply admiring their design. Crossbows were lovely works of art and these were beautifully crafted, but hardly practical for a man on the move as much as Luke was. "Flamethrower? I've heard of these but to see one?" Luke nodded his head impressed and then grinned at Murphy shaking his head. "You're just full of surprises, old man, you know that?"

Reaching into his pocket, Luke's hand closed around his own offering that he'd brought to the meeting, having felt generous when he stepped out this morning. "For you, my friend," He said, holding out a cigar from the prized collection he kept stashed away with his belongings. It was a vice he knew both Murphy and he shared and considering the offering it was the least he could do. "To honor your great work."

[Philip Murphy]

Old Man? Compared to all these kids he ran around in their early twenties, he really was an old man. Only being 7 years older than Luke himself, but a lot happens in 7 years. To Murphy it was a compliment. It reminded him that he'd made it that long, and that was fully okay with him. He planned to live a long time beyond "old man."

True, not everything the man had picked up would be of the best use to the world. The crossbows were more of his private collection of old weapons. They still fired, still functioned, but were silly really. But weaponry was one of his favorite ways to decorate his residences. It made him feel safe. And he had everything from a crossed sword coat of arms above fireplaces, to fully loaded and functioning crossbows on the walls ready to trigger and kill at any time. However, if someone was willing to offer him more money than he had paid for something, he'd sell it in a heart beat. Just because he liked his pieces didn't mean they weren't worth money.

"Well I do make an effort to surprise," he said with a smirk. "I dunno what we're gonna need this for, but I think a little fire comes in handy sometimes, don't you?" he asked with a smile.

Speaking of fire coming in handy Murphy was pleasantly surprised as Luke handed over one of his best cigars. "Oh Luke," he said as he took it from him in a breathy tone. "Do you know what you're giving away my friend?" Chances were good that yes, Luke really did know what he was handing over. The two of them were quite fond of cigars, and it was something they had in common. "Thanks," he said sincerely. "Looks like the flame thrower might come in handy," he joked as he pocketed the cigar. He'd save it for another time, after all, he still had one that was smoking up the room at present.

"So, while we're here you can pick up a few extra things if you like, or perhaps you'd prefer to have a Japanese sword fight," he teased the younger boy. "Or perhaps you can tell me what you've heard floating around the city?" he asked. "Why dun cha pull up a chair and tell me of your recent adventures?" He always like listening to how the others worked as well. They were like a well oiled machine, each part being essential to the process, and doing it's job flawlessly.

[Luke Gallagher]

"It's nothing," Luke waved off Murphy's gratitude, there were plenty more where that one had come from and Luke was willing to part with it on the account of Murphy being a good friend and business associate. He held up his role in the Five Points well and for that they were all grateful, being aptly armed made Luke's walking the streets much easier. He considered Murphy's offer to further deepen his pockets, examine the wares and find something else of note, but there was no place for it in Luke's life at this time. "I think I have what I need from you for now, but let me know before you let that number on the end go." He indicated the gun he'd first picked up with a tap of his finger. "I may reconsider."

Business concluded, they could now move on to other topics and relax a little bit. Something Luke always looked forward too - he worked hard and played harder, finding joy in the celebrations but know he had to earn them. It would be good to sit and talk with Murphy, a rare feat to be sure with as busy as they had all been. "I think you are apprised of most things, Finn has been in contact about the police job for Nick and Lia, hasn't he?" Luke smoked his cigar thoughtfully for a bit, envisioning the trip he and Finn would make once they had a list of dirty cops.

"My recent adventures?" Luke arched an eyebrow and grinned around the cigar in his mouth. "You know the usual Murphy, walking the streets finding out what I can from the unsuspecting. Had a successful harvesting just yesterday, little speck of a girl was free with information about some of the dames in Brooklyn. Had some information on the Bronx as well. Could prove useful."

[Philip Murphy]

Though he couldn't remember every weapon he moved, he did remember the ones that he gave to his friends. He could spot them a mile away, and even so, if they should ever lose one, or get one taken away, he'd recognize it even then. It was a rather useful ability, for it would help him figure out if a friend had been hurt, or worse with his own weapon. Though occasionally the weapons get sold, but for the most part his friends let him know when they were doing that, and it was rare they would sell his weapons. He thought it bad form after all, when they could just come back to him and trade up for free.

When asked if he was up to date on the current workings within the group he nodded. "Yes, I've got a few things in mind, and a few weapons in mind for our good undercover friends," he added as his mind was whizzing listing off things in his head that he wanted to give Lia and Nick. Pocket knives, switch blades, trick knives mostly, and possibly a few small guns for Nick. He was excited to show them what he had for them. Plus he planned on giving one of those cane's to Nick.

Murphy chuckled and put his head in his hands. "Oh, some of these girls on the street will say anything to a man who looks like they can be trusted... so long as they have a pretty face and nice eyes." He shook his head. Murphy wasn't a flirter, he didn't look for young women, or older women, he didn't really look for any women, he just looked at them. He didn't have any goal to be a dirty old man, so he just avoided the situation all together. He'd rather be a smooth player anyway, and he didn't look for that to happen any time soon. "And I'm sure she was just positively infatuated with her. Think you bled the girl dry, or has she got more to tell?" he put the cigar in his mouth and let it sit there for a while, just enjoying it.

[Luke Gallagher]

"Lia and Nick will be naturals," Luke commented, more just in general than to Murphy specifically, Nick knew how to pull a con better than the lot of them put together and Lia had charm in her little finger that others only dreamed about. They'd no doubt have the police station in the palm of their hands before long, and then they could work on the department. Luke looked forward to that part, tracking down the dirty cops and persuading them to see things the Five Points way - might even give him that much desired opportunity to test out the worth of his new knife.

"She mentioned my eyes specifically," Luke commented with a wink, leaning back in his chair and tapping ashes from his cigar onto the musky floor of the building. "Though I think the smile had a lot to do with it too." He winked at his friend and then shook his head, remembering his conversation with the Bronx girl. "Bled her as dry as I could, didn't want to push, a lot of what she had was a case of sour grapes. Seems she's tangled with a few of Brooklyn's shecats, was more than willing to cough up some names when I showed some concern." He rubbed at his chin and leaned forward to rest his elbows on his knees as he smoked thoughtfully for a few minutes. "It's a start anyway, want to get ahold of Derek and see if the names ring any bells for him and see if we can't both dig deeper. I'm going to work the streets some more and see if I can find another willing source."

His sources rarely if ever realized they were actually sources, Luke drawing information with carefully choreographed conversations and perfectly poised questions that he'd had years to perfect. It was all in the subtly he had learned and he had mastered the art - the results, he noted with smug satisfaction, spoke for themselves. Derek was more reserved and inside man in the best of ways - he had a quick mind and deep pockets that sometimes could reach to places that Luke's smile could not.

"You hear anything? You get deeper underground these days then I can manage," Luke asked, his work in New York keeping him on the street and talking to people - whereas some of the others, like Murphy, were more inclined to deal with the underbelly of the city.

[Philip Murphy]

Well the man did have beautiful eyes, and a great smile. What dame wouldn't notice that? All the same it made Murphy chuckle as Luke spoke of the small Bronx child who probably thought him some grown up super star. Little girls were always infatuated with pretty men. And Luke was definitely one of those. He and Nick had the marked cornered practically. However, as Luke spoke of willing sources, something Nick said flashed through Murphy's mind about having a potential buyer for him. He'd need to look into that for one. And for two, there were a few place in New York he'd been meaning to check. He had heard a few things, now that Luke mentioned it.

He shrugged slightly. "You know me," he said taking the cigar out of his mouth. "Not a talker and more of a listener," and his friend did know. After all, used to be hired to do just exactly that. "Walkin' around New York, you'd be amazed what you hear in passing." Murphy had been an eavesdropper since he was a child, that was how he started learning all the languages in his repertoire now. As for the newsies? The last time he got any good real information or dirt on them had been the strike. He hadn't thought that he would need to be taking them down any time soon, so he hadn't exactly been keeping his ears open for information about the small work force of New York City. But he had heard onet thing. "The streets seem to be buzzing with news of people's return. Here, there, everywhere, by train mostly coming back. So that means that our newsie friends are gaining more. I dunno if these people who come back are sticking with the newsies, or not, but it seems every time I turn around someone else is sayin' that they just got back, that the hadn't seen them in ages, that sorta thing." And it was true, people seemed to be coming into the picture left and right these days. "Something tells me these newsies are like ants. You see a few out on the street, but you start lifting up rocks and you're bound to find a whole mess of 'em, everywhere." It got him thinking, if they planned to take down the youth work force of New York, perhaps they should start by moving some rocks first. He'd have to talk to someone about that.

"Other than that it's been the normal fare," he said. And it was no lie, there wasn't much for conversation or happenings going on around these days. It was kind of boring out walking the streets. Finding a good undercover job, he thought, would be hard these days. Good thing he was in a new line of work.

[Luke Gallagher]

"Heard something of the like myself," Luke commented as he listened to Murphy talk about what he'd picked up on the streets. Luke never doubted the shrewd businessman's ear, not only for money and weapons, but also when it came to the business of words. A listener just like he proclaimed himself to be, Luke knew that oftentimes Murphy could pick up things that the others couldn't since they were so far in the game. It was a useful tool to have on their side and Luke wasn't willing to overlook it. "Makes you wonder what has them crawling back..." He mused, turning over the possibilities in his mind. It could have been the human trafficking and child labor case that was going through the court system - Luke knew that several Newsies had been caught up in that, or perhaps it was something else entirely. Worth looking into to be sure.

He laughed at Murphy's last statement, shaking his head a little as he looked down in the cigar in his hand and then across the room at the tables laid out with enough weapons for a small army. "There is nothing normal about our lives, old man." It was a true enough statement, Luke's life had taken a hard right turn outside of normal sometime in his teens and with his brother by his side he had never looked back. But Luke had a taste for such things and considering Finn had led the way, he imagined that it ran in the family. "But I suppose that's part of what keeps things interesting, aye?"