It had been a risk baiting the Blondie, but Katze was far from fond of them, even one who had been Iason’s closest friend. It was rather surprising to hear the implication in Am’s tone, as if he’d thought Katze had meant sex. My, someone was obsessed. The dealer took a slow drag on his cigarette, not responding, just listening.<br/><br/><em>"I'm not here to reminisce or chat. I have a business offer for you, so I'll be short about it. It wouldn't look good for me to stay long. I have a meeting with Iskis Lain about his pet in an hour. I need a laborer. The pets I create are not fit to do the work and most of the citizens here in Midas are too...lazy...to do it. I need a mongrel."</em><br/><br/>The man finally turned away from the computer screen to look at the Blondie, listening to the requirements of the youth as he scrubbed the ember of his cigarette into the full ashtray, breathing out the last of the smoke from his lungs. And then – the last requirement. Was Am asking for punishment from Jupiter?<br/><br/><em>"I'll pay you now for all this. He'll need IDs and paperwork. I had to decommission a Furniture a few weeks ago that had those features. He was supposed to get the same citizenship privileges as you, but Jupiter...well, the paperwork is filled out. I just need someone with a close enough appearance...and don't even start with the 'I can't do it', because I know you can. Iason kept very little secret from me. I know more about you than you would probably like  me to know. I also know that business has probably been slow for you lately and the money would be very helpful." </em><br/><br/>Katze clenched his teeth, annoyance at the dead man rushing around him, dark and bitter. He half wished Am had simply wanted to talk about Iason, now. But he was right, work had been slow, profits had been merge and money was in short supply. “It’s more difficult now. Tighter regulations. You know that as well as I do, Sir Am. More expensive.” He wasn’t even trying to be that extortionate, it was simply much more risky for all involved.<br/><br/>“A few questions before I agree – ‘like Riki’ how? In his looks, in his personality? Or is simply being a dark haired mongrel ‘like Riki’ enough for you?” He wondered for a moment if the Blondie was asking for someone to act as a surrogate for the punishment he wished to inflict on the deceased Pet, for the part he played in Iason’s downfall. It would be a rather miserable and brief life for whomever he gave over to the man, if that were the case.<br/><br/>“And you say you are using a Furniture as a cover. Shall I have him castrated as well?” That question was said with the same hard efficiency as the first, though he didn’t know what he would do if Am said yes. He could let a stupid mongrel die under the hand of a Blondie without much remorse – their lives belonged to anyone who desired to take them. But to remove another’s manhood? He would not.<br/>