It’s dark out, John and Ben walk together out of an alleyway onto a busy street. Hundreds of people are walking along as street vendors and entertainers can be seen standing around, Spanish music can be heard playing as John turns to Ben who’s on his cyberdeck.

“Looks like she usually goes this way.”

Ben points in a direction as John begins to move forward.

“Stay close.” John says.

They move deeper and deeper into the city, slowly making their way into the red light district, Ben looks around at the bright neon signs and lights.

“So, this is Night City.” Ben says.

“Never been?” John turns to look over at Ben who stares at a group of girls that walk by.

“Yeah, it’s my first time.” Ben says looking over.

“Mmm… So, what do you think?”

“It’s not as bad as I thought it would be.”

“Yeah, guys like these don’t like to leave their dirty laundry on their front door. Anyways, anybody or any place that she’s stopping by to talk to?”

Ben turns towards his cyberdeck.

“Uhh… Yeah, got a list of places and people she seems to have been talking to on and off. Most of it seems business related, but there’s a few that are a bit more personal.”

“One of her last messages she sent seems to be in a group chat with a few names, talking about a party after the New Years. Sounds like she was going to go there before meeting up with Destiny.”

“Great, let’s check that out first. Lead the way.”

Ben walks forward as John follows from beside him.

Slowly, they make their way to their first club of the night, Punk Rock Cafe, it’s a more modern building with neon strips and blacked out windows. An electric guitar solo can be heard as they walk towards it.

“Girl we’re looking for is named Deja.” Ben says as he walks up towards the club with John.

“Got it. Let me handle the talking, you just try to relax.” John says.

Similar to most clubs, the area is poorly lit as hostesses can be seen wearing neon lit jackets and clothes, the aesthetic here seems to focus more on punk look that’s accented with a more plasticky feeling. At the center a band plays rock music as people watch from their seats while talking to others.

The feel of the area is a bit different, the staff consisting of almost entirely women, even most noticeably the bouncers. John looks around as a few of them look over at him, then at Ben as they seem to scoff.

A hostess makes their way over towards them.

“Just looking around or looking for a seat?”

“Just the two of us.” John says.

The hostess smiles, as she waves for them to come with her. Carrying a tray in her hand, she places two drinks onto another table as she stops in front of an empty one.

“Is this your first time here?” She asks.

“Yeah.” John says as he begins to sit down while Ben does the same holding his hands in front of his waist, anxiously looking around.

The hostess looks over at Ben then at John.

“Just so you know, we have a few basic rules. No touching the girls without their expressed permission, no unusual requests like wearing special outfits, no gifts that aren’t on the list of gifts that haven’t received approval. Got it?” She says.

“Yeah, I get it.”

“Good, is there anyone you’d like to meet? If not, we have a list.” The hostess says, holding a tablet in her arms.

John looks over at Ben who seems to already be tweaking.

“No, can I have a look at the list?” John says.

“Here.” She hands it to him.

“The number below their name is their hourly rate. You can click on them to see more about them if you want, we’ve got everything, gamers, jocks, girl next door. Oh and, first time’s always talking only. No touching.” The hostess finishes.

“Yeah, yeah.” John says as he begins to look through the tablet.

On it, we’re greeted to various women, unlike other places it’s a surprisingly diverse list. Similar to other places as well, the omission of Asian women. John clicks on one to see more information as a detailed list shows up, height, weight, body size, along with details such as their personas and preferences. John cringes as the hostess waits in front of him.

Scrolling through the list, he stops at a name. Deja, she’s a black woman in her late 20s. Clicking on it, he reads more about her. It’s hard to read. John scrolls through it as he clicks hire. Looking back at Ben he scrolls down a little more to show recommended partners, picking on the first one, he hands the tablet to the hostess.

“Great, they’ll be out with you in a moment. I’ll just need a card from one of you and you’ll be good to go.” The hostess says as John quickly hands her a card, she scans it.

Putting another tablet on the table, she looks back.

“Oh and one more thing. You can order some drinks there if you want.”

“Thanks.” John says.

“Most girls have a drink they like, so make sure you read up on them!” The hostess waves as she starts to walk away as John ignores her, he turns to Ben.

“How many other places are there that we need to visit?”

“Two, maybe three?”

John takes out his phone as he starts up a text, it’s to Destiny.

‘Found her phone, looks like she hasn’t been home for days, looking for more leads.’ He sends.

John looks down at his phone as he receives a message.

‘Unable to send message, Recipient out of service.’

“What?” John says.

“What’s wrong?” Ben asks.

“It’s nothing.”

Walking over towards their booth, two women make their way across the floor. It’s Deja who’s in her late to mid 20s and another girl who seems to know her somewhat who’s younger as they talk together.

“Heyyy” Deja says as she seems to enthusiastically stand in front of the table.

“I’m Deja, and this is Shireen.”

“Hello.” A women with a strong Irish accent says.

“We just wanted to say, thanks for choosing us. And hope you enjoy your stay. Now which one am I going to talk with today?” Deja asks.

John raises his head.

“Oh, shy?” Deja seems to joke.

John shakes his head as he tries to not laugh. Shireen looks over at Ben who can’t seem to look her in the eye as she seems to aggressively sit down next to him.

“What’s your name?” Shireen asks.

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“S-sorry, I don’t know what you’re saying.” Ben replies.

“That’s alright.” She says.

Seeing John look over at Shireen, Dejas seems to be a bit anxious as she slowly walks into the booth, he takes out his hand as if giving her a hand shake then takes it back.

“Ah, right. Sorry about that.” John says.

“No, it’s okay.” Deja replies.

John sighs.

“Truthfully, this kind of thing, I really don’t like it.” John says.

“That’s fine, you hear all the horror stories and all that, but we’re different, entirely owned by women for women.” Deja points to a poster that’s hanging ironically on the wall. It’s a picture saying, ‘We Can Do It!’.

John begins to laugh as Deja seemingly imitates it.

“Didn’t they lose that war?”

“It’s not about the war, it’s about the message.” Deja says.

“I’m going to be honest with you Deja, the only reason we’re here is to ask you about something. Are you alright with that?”

“I I- mean plenty of guys like to get to know-”

“No, not like that. It’s about your friend, Lucia. Ring any bells?”

“Yeah, I know her.” Deja nods.

Over with Ben, Shireen begins to laugh as Ben seems to anxiously stand around blushing as Shireen touches him.

“Wow, you’re cute. And it’s your first time. You know, I’d really like a drink, maybe some-”

John looks back at Deja.

“I know I’m taking some of your time, is there anything you’d like? Something to drink?”

“Is Lucia doing okay?” Deja asks.

John doesn’t respond, he just smiles.

“I think you’re going to want that drink before we talk more.” He says.

“I don’t drink with first timers. Personal rule.” Deja smiles back.

Walking over to the booth with glasses of water and drinks, the hostess places them on the table as she looks over at both Deja and Shireen who quickly grabs up two glasses for her and Ben as Deja gives the hostess a look before looking over at John.

“Enjoying your stay?” The hostess asks.

“Look, I don’t want any trouble.” John says.

“Oh, okay.” She says as she begins to walk away.

“Are you going to tell me more about Lucia?” Deja asks.

“She’s missing. Her friend Destiny, sent me to go find her.” John comes clean.

Deja seems shocked but not too surprised.

“If you know anything it could help me out a lot.”

“How do I know that you aren’t a stalker or someone else looking for her?” Deja asks.

“Well, according to her phone, there wasn’t anyone like that.” John takes out a phone as he hands it over to her. She looks at it and looks over at him in fear.

“Went over to her place earlier to see if I could find anything.”

Turning on the phone, she looks through it.

“It’s hers… But I just talked to her the other day.” Deja says.

“Can you remember where or when?”

“It was the day after New Year’s Day. We were all getting together for a party. I saw her leave, she went home early, alone.” Deja says.

John leans onto the table as he looks at Deja.

“Anywhere specific?”

“Around the Heights, you know, by Brookyln.” Deja says.

Taking out his phone, John begins to write it all down in his notes.

“Thanks, that really helps.” John says.

“Is there anything else I can help you with?” Deja asks.

“No, that’s it.” John looks over at Ben who seems to be looking over at him as Shireen seems to be talking into his ear.

“So, you’re a netrunner, huh? You know, I’ve got a few places that that cord of yours could be filling. I don’t usually say this to all the guys I meet.” She whispers into his ears as his face turns completely red as she begins to giggle.

John looks over at Deja.

“You know what, how about a few drinks?” He says.

“Feel bad for your friend?” Deja asks.

“He needs more experience with the other sex. That’s all.” John replies.

Deja begins to laugh.

“Alright, you’re money, not mine.”

She picks up the tablet as John waves her aside.

“I meant for you, I can’t drink.” John says.

“Where’s the fun in that?”

“Medical reasons.”

“Oh.” Deja nods as she begins to tap on the tablet.

“I hope you don’t mind if I order something expensive, well not that expensive.”

“Go ahead.” John says.

After a bit sitting together in silence, John looks over at Ben as he seems to at very great difficulty is able to converse with Shireen.

“You know, I always wanted to learn more about computers. It seems easier than doing this every day, think someone like me could learn?”

“Actually, I’ve been struggling to find a job until John here took me in. Well, it wasn’t him who-”

Shireen thinks to herself as she slips him something.

Back over with John and Deja, the same hostess comes over carrying the drinks as she sees them just sitting next to each other. It's an awkward environment but not the worst she’s seen. Placing the drinks she walks away.

“Sorry about that.” Deja says.

“Don’t be.” John replies.

Taking her drinks, she begins to drink from one as she awkwardly looks around before turning to John who just gives her a plain look.

“So… Are you a detective… private investigator…”

“Street Samurai.”

“Huh, didn’t know you guys did something as small as this.”

John waves his hand as he looks away.

“Doing it as a favor, Destiny’s a friend of my friends. Think they grew up in the same neighborhood or church or something.” John says.

Deja nods.

“The Black Panthers.”

“The what?”

“It’s a community group.”

“Huh, never heard of it before.”

“Worked on getting free lunches into schools.”

“Sorry, I’m not really from here. From Michigan.” John says.

“The other side, huh.”

“Yeah.”

The conversation naturally fizzles out.

“So… What about you, how’d you end up here if you don’t mind me asking. I know most people-”

Deja stops him with her hand as she downs a glass.

“It’s okay. I don’t mind sharing. I was studying to be a nurse. But the program only had so many seats. Ten thousand applicants, only a hundred open positions, after spending four years and trying again in the next wave, I gave up.” Deja says.

She sighs.

“One thing led to another and a pimp offered me a job, typical stuff told me I’m pretty. Said the other guys would love you, then that was it. Wasn’t even 23 when they took me in. Then the abuse, threats, but now I’m here. Have a roof over my head at least.”

“That’s some story.” John says.

John taps a sip from a glass of water as he looks over at Deja. Who stares back at him. Taking a look at his phone he checks the time.

“Well, it’s already been a few hours, Ben you ready to call it for the evening?”

John looks over at Ben who’s listening to Shireen talk.

“Huh, yeah.”

Shireen whispers something into Ben’s ear as the two girls begin to stand up. John watches as they begin to leave as the hostess begins to walk over.

“You two have a good night?”

“Yeah.” John says as he begins to stand up, Ben stares over at Shireen.

“Come on, Ben. Let’s go.” John says.

“R- Right.”

Ben gets up as John begins to start to head out of the club.

----------------------------------------

Just outside, John waits for Ben. The streets are packed as John takes out his phone as he begins to dial a number, it’s Jamar.

“Hey, John. What’s up?”

“Got a lead and was going over to check it out and wanted to know if you wanted to join us.”

“Ah, can’t. It’s late, probably take too long to meet you there.”

“So, how’d he do?”

“Did just fine, even took him to a club for some investigating.”

“Oh, investigating?”

“Yeah, it wasn't too surprising given Lucia is a hostess. Met one of her friends at a club, had to take in an extra, the kid seemed to hold his own, sort of.”

“Huh, didn’t know people like him could do that.”

“Me neither. Looks like he’s coming out now. Call you back.”

“Peace.”

Walking out of the club, Ben looks over at John as he gets off the phone. He seems a little hurt but seems to smile at John.

“I thought you’d wait for me outside the bathroom.”

John shakes his head.

“I said outside. It’s not a big deal.”

He begins to walk along the street as Ben watches for a moment as he follows.

“Wait up!” Ben shouts.

“Where are we going?” Ben asks as he catches up to him.

“The Heights, ever been there before?”

“No.” Ben shakes his head.

“Me neither.” John replies.