Chapter 2:
"The problem," said John as they left the elevator, "is that the building is old it was built in various stages, so we can't just take it out in one place. We have to go after at least several of the main power lines in the building. But I don't know which ones go to the main ball room audio/visual room so we are going to trace it back from there. I also want to make sure that the power is out to the other building where most of the guest hotel rooms are and see if we can shut down the water too."
"How are you going to shut down the water? Water is usually all controlled through gravity and water pressure, it's not like there are electric pumps or anything." Max said.
"I know. It may not be possible to do it. I will have to see." John didn't think Max had that kind of knowledge about buildings. He would have to be more careful about what he said in the future. "You don't want to know all my plans right? We have to keep things separate in case one of us gets caught."
They made their way past a row of small conference rooms, to the service hallway leading to the media center that controlled the sound and visuals in the main Marriott Ballroom. The door was closed and locked. They knocked but no one answered.
"So, what now?" said Max.
"So, we have to break down the door, or get a key or wait until someone comes to open the door so we can get in." John paused wiping more sweat off his lip and forehead. He realized sweat stains were starting to form under his jacket arm pits too. "Max, can you go get soda for me and get something for yourself too. I need to think about this."
"Sure. Money?" said Max.
John handed over a $20 bill, happy to be rid of Max, while he figured out what to do next. In John's mind it had all gone so smoothly. It would have been like a scene in a spy movie where a man was entering or leaving the room just as John wanted to go in. Then he would make some excuse for why security needed to be in the room, meanwhile stealthily stealing a key card to be allowed in later. Getting the security uniforms had been hard work and John's heart had pounded when he went into the locker room to get the ones he needed.
He decided to wait a little while and see if someone would eventually go into the room. He went to an alcove with a clear view of the hallway so he could monitor the entrance to the audio/visual room. The hallway didn't get a lot of traffic, so he could relax and not worry about being questioned.
Max could not wait until he was out of sight to get on his walkie-talkie. He pulled it off his belt and called Mike, his partner. "Where are you? I need a key. Yes, the room is locked and there is no one in there, and we have to get in. Who knows? He doesn't know." He had reached the mezzanine and looked over to see his partner on the main floor below. "Yes, 15 minutes. I have to buy some drinks. Meet me in the Pub. Not the bar." Max went down the escalator and walked to the Pub. He had to walk past one of the guys from the elevator who was looking at him in a strange way. Max really hoped the guy was not going to proposition him. He hated that.
He went into the Pub and ordered a coffee and coke to go. He had learned exactly what John liked and disliked on the way to the hotel. It had been an 12 hour trip that would have taken him 9 hours if he had been alone. John liked to drink a lot of coke and seemed to have a bladder the size of a squirrel. It had been a long tedious trip listening to John rant about Brietbart while Max egged him on. It had been one of the least tasteful parts of this mission. Max had been managing John for 6 months and had never managed to be amused by the process. John was almost too smart so Max had to be constantly on his guard, but John was the person who had been there when Max needed someone, so it had to be done.
Max took his drinks to a booth to wait for Mike.
"So, how is he holding up," said Mike as he handed over the key and slid into the booth.
"Ok, I guess. You should have seen him sweating when he came back with the uniforms. He almost tried to put on mine." Max grinned a crooked smile as he remembered practically having to wrestle the smaller uniform out of John's hand. "Then he made me climb out onto the balcony to talk because he thought the rooms might be bugged." said Max. "If he baulks, I will just drug him and put him in position. Although that is not going to be easy with all the people. I may need your help. Jesus, there are a lot of people here. I thought this hotel would be bigger, but it is small compared to the number of people attending this conference."
"Yeah, it's crowded but when it comes down to it, that is going to help us," said Mike.
"How is it going on your end?"
"Good, I have everything working. I met with everyone this morning. All on schedule."
"Ok, I guess I have to get back to John, I will be back in touch at the regular interval." said Max sliding out of the booth. "Aren't you coming?"
"I am going to stay and have a drink," said Mike. "A beer," he added noticing Max's disapproving face.
Max forced a smile on his face and said, "Mike, this is my last payday, and it's a big one. If you fuck this up for me, I swear I will kill you. Ok, buddy?"
"I got it, Max. Don't worry. You know I can handle it."
Meanwhile, John was practicing some deep breathing exercises as he waited in the alcove. He was sweating less but his stomach felt sour, which meant his breath would be awful. He didn't have any tums with him, he would have to go to the hotel lobby gift shop to see if they had any.
Finally Max entered the hallway and John got his attention from the alcove. "I have to go get some Tums from downstairs." John said, trying to direct his breath down into his coat jacket. "I will be right back. Keep and eye on the door and let me know if anyone comes or goes."
"Hey, want the drink?" said Max.
"Ok, right. Sorry." said John, blushing a little. "Can I have my change?"
"Sure, here." said Max. He handed over the money. John was not making eye contact because he seemed to be breathing down his jacket front. Max was starting to get worried.
When John left, Max opened the audio/visual room with his key from Mike. The best part of the room was the window to the ballroom two floors below. This is where Max would direct the teams who would capture their target.
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