Payload: Endangerment

        "Let's head to some fast food place. I'm kinda hungry," said Michael. "Alright. I know this great place we can eat at," replied Spark. They headed out and walked down a few streets. They stood in front of what looked like a fast food place. "This is?" asked Michael.

"It's Hays n' Stuff."

"Hays n' Stuff?"

"Yeah, it's a great place to grab a quick bite."

"Okay sure."

        They both walk in and walked over to the cashier and ordered some food. They took their food and sat down. As they began to chow down, they spoke. "So," said Michael. "What drew you to become a merc?" "Well," replied Spark. "I took a lot of other jobs. First one was plumbing. Didn't go down to well. Then there was being a janitor. Didn't turn well neither. Next, was pest exterminator."

        "What happened there?"

        "Sprayed some poison on my face. Couldn't talk for a week!"

        Both of them started laughing. "So, what drew you to being an assassin?"

        "Hitman, I prefer, but what drew me to it was really about my family. My dad left my mom. Them she became a drug using addict. From then on, I felt my life wasn't important. So I killed. Kept killing and killing. That is, until I met Octavia. "

        "Oh, that one mare from the airport?"

        "Yeah. Once I met her, I had to stop. I wanted to anyways. But, my reputation got the best of me."

        "What do you mean?"

        "I got the letter to come here. I basically thought 'no', so I was beaten."

        "What? I didn't know that..."

        "Never mind that. So, you said you know where the president is going to have his speech?"

        "Yeah, it's a thirty minute trip."

        "Alright. Let's just finish eating and let's head over there."

        "Sure."

        They ate their food. But, as they were about to leave, Michael's phone rang. "Hello?" he said. "How is it over there Michael?" asked Octavia.

         "Pretty well, just enjoying the sights and everything. How's it back home?"

         "Ugh. Boring. Vinyl is too busy working on something and I'm still doing nothing. The concert isn't coming up until a few more days."

         "Don't worry Octavia. It'll get there in a matter of time."

         A doorbell stopped both their conversations.

         "Oh. Well I better check who that is."

         "Alright. See you then."

         "Love you!"

         "Love you too. Bye."

         Michael hung up his phone. He turned to Spark and said, "Where to?" "Let's hail a cab," said Spark. Once their cab rolled in, they got in and headed toward their destination. Upon arriving, Michael saw the surrounding buildings. They were quite tall and looked very tidy. Up ahead, he saw a large flat grey platform being set up by construction ponies. It was obvious to Michael that this was going to be the place where the speech was going to be held. "Come on," said Spark. "This way." Michael tagged behind. They turned into a dark alleyway. Spark turned to Michael and pointed up at a ladder. "Here, go up here. This should give you a decent vantage point of the place. Watch out though, the ladder is very rusty." Michael climbed up and Spark followed behind him. As Michael got to the top, the ladder gave way. It fell apart only giving Spark enough time to grab hold of the ledge. "Damn! I could use a little help here," exclaimed Spark.

"Yeah. I got you."

Michael pulled Spark up very slowly. Then both of them glanced over the ledge.

"Hey, thanks. I owe you one."

"Well," said Michael. "There's no way we're gettin' down from here. Anyways, this looks like a great view."

"Yeah. But you won't be able to even get out your sniper without getting caught. Here, follow me into the building. There's a room set up."

"Okay, but how are we gonna get back down and how can I get back up?"

"L. R.'s men could handle it."

Michael nodded and both of them proceeded into the house. The inside was less pleasing than it's outer walls. There were cobwebs everywhere and the wooden floors creaked. The smell of beer filled the air. "This place is horrible," said Michael.

"Well, you're probably lucky they didn't give you the other building. It's basically fallin' apart!"

"Heh. I'd drink to that."

Spark opened up a door. There was a semi-boarded up window with a table carrying an astray and a few empty bottles of whiskey. There was also a small sofa couch that looked extremely dusty. "Alright. This room is where you'll be at," said Spark. "In case you get spotted and need to stall the police, drop that metal bar by the door and lift the couch up. There is a loose plank that you can fit under to get to the bottom floor."

"Cool. Thanks. Good thing I got some extra time to prepare. Hopefully though they can get that ladder fixed."

"Don't worry. You can trust them on getting it done."

"Alright, well I'm gonna get settled in. I'll meet you back at the motel?"

"Got it."

As Spark walked out, Michael took out his phone and dialed Octavia's number. Michael heard beeping for a while. There was no response. Must be busy. Thought Michael. He shrugged and began dusty and fixing up the room.