Atticus Chambers, a kindly older gentleman sitting on a massive pile of wealth. He lived on his own on a large stretch of land, in a rather large house. The sleek, modern design included an open floor plan and a personal bar. It was nearly midnight when Atticus heard a knock at his front door, he had been enjoying the view from his balcony at the time, and hurried to open the door for his guest.

      “On my way!” Atticus called out, hurrying down the stairs and opening the door, “About time, old friend, you’re late!” He laughed, “Come in, come in.”

     Atticus swung the door wide open, leading his guest through the living room and towards the bar, beginning to pour him a glass of whiskey.

     “You know, I was just having a lovely chat with Donna about the game last nigh-!” The glass slipped from Atticus’ hand as a knife tore through his neck, shattering against the floor. Atticus clutched his throat and slipped to the ground, smearing blood against the wood paneling of the bar as he fell.

     As his guest turned to leave, they paused. Reaching into their pocket, they withdrew a single guitar pick, tossing it haphazardly next to Atticus before making their escape.

-

     “It’s never quite as hot as you need here…”

     DN-144, Diana, stepped out of the shower in her small apartment. She dried her short black hair and brushed the bright blue tips out of her face. Checking her face in the mirror, her glowing blue eyes betrayed her synthetic nature as they carefully studied her features. Satisfied, she tied the towel around herself and stepped out of the bathroom, into her small apartment.

     The apartment was long and rectangular, ending in a curve which held her bathroom and what could charitably be described as her bedroom, a small area she had sectioned off with a black and white shoji screen, including a wardrobe near the entrance, a twin-sized bed on a simple black frame, a large, soft blue rug and a full-length mirror. She draped her towel over the back of her blue armchair and pulled on her clothes for the day, a pair of grey jeans and a blue tank top, under a black jacket.

     Her OI, or Optical Interface, popped up in her eyes as she made a mental note to buy a space heater, recording her thoughts in a small window for later. She stepped into her office space. A small, neatly organized desk in front of the only window in the apartment, and a filing cabinet against the far wall. She barely had time to sit down before someone knocked at her door.

     “It’s open.”

     A man slowly opened the door and sheepishly made his way inside. He was a few inches taller than Diana, and the first thing she noticed was how keen he was to hide himself. He wore a long black trench coat and a matching fedora, with a black mask over his mouth.

     “Diana, I presume?” The man asked.

     “Naturally. Please, take a seat.” Diana offered, gesturing to the two chairs that sat empty in front of her desk.

     “No, thank you. I have a case for you, which I will be happy to expand upon in a more… neutral setting.”

     “A very suspicious proposal, Mister…?” Diana stood up from her desk and turned to look out her window, enjoying the view over the office building across the street.

     “Alexander, and I can offer five hundred up front.”

     “Well, why didn’t you lead with that?” Diana asked, a smile stretching across her face, “The Dreaming Nook, one hour.”

     “Of course.” The man tipped his hat and left, shutting the door gently behind himself.

     Diana gave it a minute to make sure he was gone before turning away from the window, making her way to the bedroom section of her apartment. Getting down on her knees, she pulled a cardboard box out from under her bed. Inside were two carefully stored guns, an AMT Hardballer and a Colt Detective Special. Not feeling the need to bring her Hardballer, she took the Colt and stowed it inside her jacket, hiding the box once more.

     Taking the elevator from the fifth floor, Diana unchained her bike from the stand outside and began cycling to the meeting. It was an overcast day out, not uncommon in New Symitris. Despite being quite early in the morning, the city was already bustling, with cars and busses shuttling people off to work. A few people Diana recognized waved to her as she passed, her OI popping up to give her their information as they did.

     It was beginning to drizzle as she slowed to a halt, and Diana took in the familiar front of her favorite pub, The Dreaming Nook. A small, dark wooden building nestled between two shops, with large purple windows of faux-stained glass decorating its front. She chained her bike to the rack out front and stepped inside, the Dreaming Nook was much quieter than the busy street outside. In the center of the pub was a square bar, with a pretty, young man in a waistcoat serving soda to the few patrons at the bar.

     Booths lined the outer edge of the building, separated from each other by thin walls, with dark red curtains allowing the patrons within a hint of privacy. On the left wall were two larger tables reserved for poker games, with simple wooden chairs and a door behind them leading to the kitchen. Diana ordered a glass of water from the bar and made her way to the corner booth, where Alexander was waiting.

     “Now then… care to enlighten me as to the details of this job?” Diana asked, pulling the curtain shut.

     “Of course.” The man glanced furtively around, ensuring their privacy, “I am a lawyer, representing Ethan Miller, who you may know as Diode.”

     “The rockstar?”

     “The very same. You see, I’m afraid Mr. Miller has become the primary suspect in a rather high-profile murder.” Alexander slid Diana a manilla file.

     “The Chambers case?” Diana raised an eyebrow as she read the file.

     “You’re familiar?”

     “I may not keep up with the news, but it’s passed through my circles.”

     “Then you are aware of the punishment my client faces should he be found guilty.” Alexander placed a stack of cash on the table, “As I said before, I will offer five hundred up front to take the case, and another five hundred when you complete the job.”

     Diana scratched her chin, weighing her options. A thousand dollars was a big payday, but it only made the likelihood she was entering a losing case higher.

     Taking a deep breath, she held her hand out, “Mr. Alexander, you have yourself a deal.”