Black Glass by Meg; Mundell Page A

Journotainment unit: Damon | senior editorial staff]
    â€˜So you shoot, you cut, you talk. Got your own gear?’
    â€˜Everything. I’m all set to go.’
    â€˜Your reel wasn’t bad, Damon. Bit folksy in places, but I know good stuff can be scarce out in the Regions.’
    â€˜That’s true. You really have to keep your contacts healthy. The material’s there, it’s just buried a bit deeper.’
    â€˜I believe we’ve run some of your freelance work before — that two-parter on the reptile smugglers?’
    â€˜Ah, yes, that was mine. I had to pixellate a couple of sources, but most of it went okay.’
    â€˜When did we run that?
    â€˜Back in May. That lizard-cam number. You edited the damn thing, George.’
    â€˜Ha, yes. Of course. Nice images. Police busted them pretty fast I recall. Pity.’
    â€˜Got a certain look, haven’t you, Damon — with the hair slicked back and so on? And your, ah … I remember your face, is what I mean.’
    â€˜Yes, I guess so. I’ve always worn it that —’
    â€˜Diana programs our series. But mostly we need more immediate stuff. You’d know about our story output. We rely on partnerships with security firms, government contra deals — cash very rarely. You’ve done most of your work solo, I take it?’
    â€˜That’s right. But I mix well with all sorts.’
    â€˜I assume you speak Beige? We have arrangements with Polbiz high-ups, business conduits, mid-ranking coppers. We need someone who can maintain those strong links. It’s easy to grab bites from your basic bystanders and snitches, but that won’t carry you far here.’
    â€˜I understand that. Those more complex relationships, that reciprocal work, that’s exactly what I’m looking for. And I’ll talk to anyone.’
    â€˜Rochelle here handles that side of things. We can usually provide freelancers — productive ones, that is — with a few hook-ups. Say one government partner, a data agency source, someone from the security industry.’
    â€˜Sounds good.’
    â€˜Right, but let me state this up front: I just do the intros and oversee budgets. It’s the consultant’s job to foster those ongoing relationships. That takes time and patience, not to mention social skills. And you can forget that old line about separating work from life. What’s your trust quotient like?’
    â€˜Pretty high, over eight on most tests. I sent the transcripts with my —’
    â€˜Ah … yes.’
    â€˜Brian? Did you want to ask Damon anything?’
    â€˜I’ll be honest. I’m concerned about the transplant issue.’
    â€˜What — his source base?’
    â€˜That’s part of it. It takes a long time to know a city, Damon, and you’ve only just transplanted to the big smoke. The other thing is the accent.’
    â€˜My accent?’
    â€˜Don’t take offence, but it’s just a shade bumpkin. Don’t you think?’
    â€˜That’s easily fixed, Mr Rosslin, I’ve developed a few variations. And I’ve been down here most weekends with the express purpose of building contacts. I’ve already got bartenders, casino croupiers, a dog handler and someone from the middle rungs of interdepartmental liaison. Plus a brothel receptionist and a junior morgue technician. And I’m working on a street grifter and a geek.’
    â€˜Not bad, nice little bunch of fixers. And the man can speak tidy when the need arises.’
    â€˜Got any story leads?’
    â€˜I’m already following several. The Big Bang: the truth behind the methamphetamine shortage. Blood Money: illegal aliens in blood-trafficking racket . Who’s Your Daddy: tunnel kids and brothel bosses …’
    â€˜Hm. Sounds alright for a start, I guess.’
    â€˜I like your tie, Damon. Is it silk?’
    â€˜Ah, yes, thanks. An airport number, I have to