(Preshow) Registration (Where you Sign up IC)

[Harlan Higgs]

New King on the Block

The weather on Tier 5 had been set to rain, big fat droplets falling from the clouds like nature's little suicide bombers. Harlan paused in the doorway of the Luxor Social Club, looking back through the cracked door at his right hand man Charlie, talking animatedly to some of the fellas, the sounds of chatter and merry making emanating from inside the building. The Ravnos couldn't help but grin. He'd been pretty successful in rebuilding a slice of his old life, the Gentleman Jacks having become local players in the Tier 5 gang network. The Westside and the Ork Mafia could wait until he returned. Besides, he earned a "vacation", and for a Kindred such as himself, who thrived on risk and danger, what better vacation than something billed as "The Ultimate in Reality Television"?

He though about it as he walked through the misty streets and alleyways, a chimerical umbrella shielding his suit from the rain. Dante's Abyss...the event was something of a tournament that drew all sorts from every corner of the Omniverse. Heroes and villains, all competing to put on a show for the citizens of their new home, and perhaps even the Big Man Himself. Harlan could get behind an idea like that, even if he didn't want the notoriety. He was big on gambling and chance, and the conman had been preoccupied with making sure his power base was secure. A habit left from the old days with his Sire. "Don't take the car out if the garage is half finished." He used to say.
But now Harlan was going to go have some fun. Charlie could run the day to day of the Jacks. With fifty or so members and new recruits every week, if he couldn't handle being in charge then the vampire would have to find a better majordomo when he got back. Harlan hadn't left Tier 5 since his arrival down here, the pull of home feeding his very soul as he waved his hands and pulled his strings. But now he was heading back topside, the DA sign-ups placed right on Tier 1 to take advantage of that booming tourist trade Coruscant saw so frequently.

Into the elevator stepped Harlan Higgs, Boss of the Gentleman Jacks, noted pillar of the community, and scary motherfucker to bump into in a dark alley.
When it arrived on Tier 1, an entirely different man stepped out. Sure, the face was the same general shape and color, but "pale white guy with scars" was hardly unique in a large civilian populace. His clothing had changed too. The snazzy gray suit had been replacing with a blue workman's button-up, with a white and red nametag sewn into the breast that read "Vic". His pants were now greasy slacks, and a lightly outfitted toolbelt hung from his waist, sleeves rolled up like a man who wasn't afraid of getting his hands dirty. 
Victor Hendy had been busy on the lower tiers doing legitimate work, of course. Mechanic and handyman jobs. At least, that's what all imperial records would say. Harlan was no stranger to having numerous identities, and good old Vic Hendy was one of his favorites. He'd had to retire this one back home, but no one in the Omniverse was aware that Victor Hendy was a fake.

The booth wasn't far from the elevator, and the bored looking Syntech representative looked up from his newspaper as Vic approached the stand. "This is the sign up for Dante's Abyss, sir, the city information guides are three booths down."
"Oh, I know that, friend." Vic replied cheerfully in a slightly southern drawl. "That's what I'm here for."
The attendant shrugged. "Long as you're a Prime. These contests are rather lethal, as I'm sure you're aware." He handed over the sign up sheet and a pencil, and the man known as Victor Hendy got to work filling it out in a thick, bold scrawl.

What is your name?

Well, that one was easy. Victor Hendy, he wrote.

How long have you been in the Omniverse?

Shoot, how long had it been? Felt like weeks...but it really had only been a month.

Where do you live in the Omniverse?

Why, down on Tier 4! Affordable, safe(ish), and plenty of honest work for a civilly minded Prime.

What is your current job?

Hmm...how to phrase it? Mechanic, handyman, and problem solver. A fixer, really.

What was your life like back in your own world?

Well, it was pretty fast paced. Victor Hendy had a long history of automobile expertise, fixing up vehicles for anyone who brought one to him. Of course, that led to some shady and interesting characters, and more than a few wild adventures he'd been dragged along on.

Why are you joining Dante's Abyss?

The thrill of the competition.

Victor Hendy handed the sheet back to the representative, while the Syntech rep read it over and nodded, placing it in a pile with a few others. He motioned to a flat pad behind him and waved a lazy salute. "Bon Voyage, Mr. Hendy. Good luck."

The blur of the transport pad activating hid Harlan's fangs from view as the Ravnos smirked a ghoulish smile.