(no subject)

[suckersgame]

The thing about sins you'll never be clean of, no matter how tiny a fraction of your lifespan they make up? Is you get so much done with the guilt.

Case in point was Hob's latest investment. Robbie Gadling had just bought up block after ravaged block of 'Alphabet City' in Manhattan. And he was rebuilding them. He had the technology -- well, the vast amounts of carefully-squirrelled-away money, sometimes involved in buying technology. He could make them better, cleaner, more up to those building codes that were all the rage these days. And sustainably affordable? Oh, he could do that. Not like he needed to turn a profit on this.

Sir Robert Gadling still owed civilization and decency that much. He'd never stop owing, and though he'd moved on well enough most days, the nightmares kept Hob remembering.

Comments

[suckersgame]

Hob listens.

...and listens. "Definitely better this way around, yeah."

[eyes_of_green]

"So... now you know at least a bit of my story. What brought your attention this way? You don't sound like you're from around here, but the ring isn't placing your dialect and accent."

[suckersgame]

"I'm English. The accent's taken a beating from travelling. I'm in the States most of the time, these days. There was a quick shot of this place on the news just as the mood for a new project was striking."

[eyes_of_green]

"You've got your work cut out for you, as projects go. If you're going to get any return, its going to take educational and security resources too. Drugs, alcoholism, poverty, gangs, high dropout rates... and much as they claim to, the police don't usually go past the edges of Avenue B. Believe me, I'm not trying to discourage you. I just know the culture here, and how difficult it is to change. But from the sound of it, you've done this sort of thing before."

[suckersgame]

"Oh, I understand the wet blanket thing is nothing personal. And I've done it, yes, but not in New York, so information never hurts. So security, maintenance, general nuisancery. What sort of educational resources do you suppose the place could stomach, Travis? I've built schools before, but not where there already were some that weren't working."

[eyes_of_green]

"The first thing, honestly, is providing some kind of economic opportunity that isn't tied to the drug trade or other crime. Trade school, social programs... anything that gives hope for a different economic base. The schools here are a tough call... but even some new books, or some type of secured computer facility with basic research options... but equipment that's too old to be worth stealing... would help. You might be able to make some headway on two problems by building this up partway - to the point of having some trade options, and try and bring in apprenticeship programs. Invest the capital, then train people to do some of their own plumbing, wiring, repair jobs... as a start."

[suckersgame]

"Getting to the point of being able to hire local for that sort of thing was just what I was figuring. As for facilities that are well-equipped enough to work, but too old to steal..." Hob smiled. "I've got just the thing. Girlfriend's been wanting me to get rid of my collection anyway." Hob was normally the exact opposite of a packrat, but computers were... just too much; he was never done being /amazed/ by them by the time they were obsolete.

[eyes_of_green]

"With something to actually contribute to now, I might be able to find one or two people who might be willing to contribute - and I'll be around now and then to help the work along." And the next bit, while true, might have just a little indication of his own thoughts on the situation. "Having some kind of detox center, possibly with its own educational resources, for the literally captive audience, might not hurt either."

[suckersgame]

Hob listens, nods. "Give them my card. And ... yeah, not a bad idea to reserve some space for."

[eyes_of_green]

"I'll do that. Thanks for everything." He's still curious what this guy's game is... but right now, definitely someone he wants to keep in touch with while he sees how the restoration of his home goes.