It was raining lightly by the time I made my way to see Laci that evening. The dark was broken by the piercing headlights of cars reflecting off the water runoff in the street as commuters returned to Alameda like the tide.
In the end, I'd opted to leave my car in Bernal Heights. Kris had been apologetic, but unable to leave the backlog of work she'd apparently been accumulating. Feeling guilty, I told her it was fine, I'd make my way home on my own and pick up my car tomorrow when we all met up.
While she was apologizing, I used Travel to go home, which had the unfortunate side-effect of dropping the phone call. Apparently cell towers don't like you switching that quickly across such a distance. I called Kris back immediately.
"Sorry about that, I accidentally disconnected the call." I reached out and flicked on the hall lights so I wasn't standing in the dark. Iter moved toward the front room as I started shuffling off my coat.
"You almost gave me a heart attack!" Kris exclaimed. I thought it was a bit dramatic for a dropped call. "Are you safe where you are?" I guess given recent events, her concern was unfortunately warranted.
"Yeah, I'm sorry, I'm fine. I'm actually home now, so everything's okay" I replied, trying to allay her fears.
"You're home? I thought you said you were at my place?" I could imagine the confusion on her face from the tone of her voice.
"It's a bit complicated to explain. Hero stuff, I guess." I made my way to the front room as well. "I'll tell you all about it tomorrow." I could tell Kris was reluctant to let it go, but she relented after extracting a few more assurances.
When I ended the call, I looked over at Iter who was sitting expectantly on the couch.
"I'm heading out right away to see Laci," I told him. "Do you plan to stay here, or… " I trailed off. I wasn't sure why I was offering. Talking with Laci would probably be easier alone, especially since Laci was being somewhat cagey. But my chest tightened at the thought of him disappearing again. I chalked it up to the sense of melancholy I'd felt being alone earlier today.
But Iter smiled at my inquiry and shook his head. "We shall remain here." There was an awkward pause as I expected him to elaborate, but he remained silent. His eyes were calm and serene, and I felt the constriction in my chest relax. He would be here when I came back.
"Well, okay, if you're sure," I replied after a beat, then added, "No more guests, though! No more gods, elves, or other supernatural strays!"
Iter pursed his lips to hold back a grin, and nodded solemnly. "We assure you, We have no such intention."
I looked at him warily for a moment, then nodded once and turned back to the hallway.
✦ ✦ ✦
I grabbed a heavier coat on my way out, since the rain had started. It was a thigh-length, dove gray, North Face parka with a hood to keep out the weather. It was actually a bit of corporate swag from Complyze, and their logo was embroidered subtly on the left shoulder. I felt a mild annoyance at the association, but it was by far my most comfortable outdoor coat and I wore it quite frequently during my winter commute. It was a good coat, despite the provenance. I put it on. I also switched into some knee-high boots to protect my legs, and hurried to Laci's store.
It was a fairly light rain during my walk, but the wind had picked up. By the time I arrived at Epic Encounters at a little after 7pm, the knees of my jeans were damp where they were exposed to the rain. The electric 'open' sign was off when I entered, but it wasn't unusual for there to be games running after that so the door was still unlocked. Sure enough, a group of people were in various states of standing up and picking up their things around one of the tables in the back. They were all smiles and laughter of post-session reminiscences as they broke up into pairs and trios. I wasn't familiar with any of their faces or the books and accessories they were putting away, but I could vicariously experience the feeling of comradery and excitement that followed a game.
I looked around for Laci, and saw him at the counter by the register, listening to something Jan was explaining. Standing side-by-side, the father and son duo was heart-warming. I'd never really thought about having kids myself. Despite my age and the preponderance of acquaintances entering that stage of their lives, children always seemed like something that happened to other people. It wasn't that I disliked kids or anything, but it just wasn't on my radar. Seeing those two together, though, for the first time I thought it might be nice to have a daughter or son of my own. Someday. Maybe. I shook my head slightly, and approached them.
"Hi Laci," I started, holding up a hand on greeting. "Hope it's not too late."
Laci turned his head and smiled his trademark wide-toothed grin. But I could see creases around his eyes of concern. "Mai! No, you are come at a perfect time. But this is no place for conversation. Jan," Laci turned back to his son. "I am to be going out. You can lock up, yes?"
"Alright," Jan replied airily with a small smile.
"Very good," Laci clapped an arm on his shoulder, then moved to a coat stand by the wall cabinets and pulled down an old fashioned looking trench coat and a fedora, and shrugged them on. "Tell your mama I am going to a business meeting. I will be late for dinner."
"Uh huh. Mama will be mad if she has to carry you home, so don't drink too much." Still sleepy-eyed, Jan smirked at his father.
"Bah. You are sounding like her more all the time." Laci made shooing motions at him with his hands, although he was the one leaving. "I see you at home."
With that, Laci guided me out the door and down towards Santa Clara Ave. "Have you eaten?" he asked against the background of traffic and rain.
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"No,"
"Well, we can get a bite at the Juniper together," he nodded, smiling. "Then we talk."
The Juniper Tree hadn't had that name for a few years now, having rebranded as the Gimlet with new ownership some time ago. But old habits die hard, I guess. The Gimlet was an analogy of the island itself, as the older residents gradually either aged and left Alameda or passed on, and a newer, younger generation moved in. The Juniper Tree had its heyday in the 60s and 70s, had faded in the 80s and 90s, then had become an eyesore by the turn of the millennium. The original owner had retired not too long ago, and it was experiencing a renaissance now under new ownership, a new name, and new clientele. But the bones of the past were still there in the polished but chipped wooden bar and old-fashioned glass shelves, and curved arches and pillars reminiscent of a cross between art deco and mission architecture. The new owners had embraced that aesthetic, and nods to that era were present in the pair of now-vintage lounge sofas alongside low, hammered metal tables toward the back, with mid century, counter height upholstered chairs lining the bar.
Laci walked in and made his way immediately toward the back through a light crowd of early evening-goers, returning waves of greeting to the bartender and servers. "Hey Laci! here to see Kim?" one of them called out to the older gentleman, all smiles.
"No, no, not today," Laci replied above the bass vibrations of a recent remix of a Tom Jones classic. "Please, bring my bottle to the back, if you would? And a menu or two would be appreciated."
Like most bars, the lighting was dim, but Laci expertly navigated us to a nook in the back corner containing two overstuffed high-back chairs that were unoccupied and relatively secluded from the rest of the floor. In a strange way, Laci fit right into the scene of the bar, though he obviously had a few decades over most of the other patrons. Almost as if he was part of the retro ambience and decor, like a backdrop character in a historical re-enactment.
"They have bottle service here?" I asked curiously, settling into my chair. "I wasn't aware there were any bars in Alameda that did that anymore."
"It is a bit of a kindness the owner makes for me. I helped her with some minor difficulties when she was getting started." Laci brushed away the topic like the drops of rain from his hat as he removed it and set it in front of him. "But I must thank you for making time to see me."
"Not at all," I responded. "I was surprised to hear from you, though." Distracted as I was at the time, it was unexpected to hear from Laci.
"Yes, I must ask that you forgive an old man his meddling. I was curious about the program and company you were making, and asked a few friends I still know in the industry." He fiddled with his hat, looking down. The server arrived at that moment with a big smile, and carefully set down a caramel colored bottle with a broad base and what looked in the dim light like a couple of apricots or similar fruit at the bottom. The lettering on the bottle said Apricot Pálinka. Two tulip shaped glasses were placed in front of each of us with a deft motion.
"Ah, thank you, Sandy," Laci smiled at the server, who smiled warmly back at the older gentleman before leaving as silently as she arrived. "She is a good child," he said to her retreating back, before looking with obvious pleasure at the bottle she'd left behind. "It is not easy to find this beverage in a drinking establishment such as this, so they let me keep my own here. Please," he said, lifting and uncorking the bottle and pouring the clear liquid into the glass in front of me. "It is better enjoyed with friends." He finished pouring a healthy amount into both cups, and set the bottle down. A strong floral aroma of apricot and alcohol stung my nose. He raised his glass and held it up expectantly, and I lifted mine in response. "Egészségedre!" he toasted. I echoed, enjoying the feel of the unfamiliar language, and we both drank.
The floral aroma I smelled was strong on the tongue, but the overall experience was smooth and warm. It reminded me of a spiced pear brandy I'd had before, though obviously this was apricots instead. I could feel a pleasantly lingering finish as I swallowed the liquor and felt the heat down my throat. It was definitely sweeter than what I normally drank, and thought it would make a better dessert beverage than an aperitif. But Laci seemed to relish it, his eyes closed in satisfaction.
"But enough of my dawdling," Laci said, setting down his glass and looking at me directly. "There are snakes already circling your company, my friend. One of them has already taken a bite."
"What do you mean? We've barely even started talking about this a week ago." The idea of anyone antagonistic to our as-yet-unnamed company was absurd. We didn't even know what we were doing yet, how could someone try to undercut us?
"I do not know. But when I asked my friends about you, circumspectly you may be sure, they told me you were doomed before you began. Someone has locked you out of the market for AR hardware." Laci's mouth flattened in a hard line, his eyes concerned.
Well, shit. I thought. We hadn't gotten this far yet, but it made sense that selling our program as a standalone software product would be difficult. AR glasses were still the domain of hobbyists and enthusiasts like Laci right now, so if we wanted to reach a broader market, the better option would be to bundle the application with AR glasses in a single package. That would mean a more complicated pricing structure and business model, but it made sense. Only, now it was clear that relying on a third party was also a critical dependency and risk – and a weakness another party could exploit.
"What do you mean, 'locked us out'. Us specifically?" I asked, my forehead wrinkling as I put together the pieces.
"That is what I was told. AR glasses are sold by many suppliers, but they are manufactured currently by a mere three companies. And all of them have been 'persuaded' to avoid any dealings with you or young Ms. Patel."
"How would all three manufacturers lock us out? Aren't they competitors? Isn't that illegal?" I asked, incredulous at the implications. I gripped the arms of my chair as if to keep me from leaping out of it. What was going on?
"Legal is about what you can prove and what you afford in this business," Laci sighed, and refilled his now empty glass. "And in a small market such as AR, the companies are more interconnected than you might think. They share suppliers, partners, and even investors. It is not hard to think of ways each might willingly or unwillingly be moved to act against you." He swirled the liquor in his glass, looking down at it with an introspective frown. "Especially for an unknown, unfunded, and unconnected newcomer such as yourself."
I deflated in my chair. Laci was right. We were no one, we had no influence or power to speak of. We didn't even have a name.
"I wish I could help you, my friend," Laci said softly, barely audible over the music filling up the bar. "I do not enjoy being the bearer of bad news. But," he said, looking up at me, "I would save you this heartbreak if I could."
"Can I ask who you talked to about this? How accurate is this information?" Before I took any action, I needed to verify this. It's ok. Breathe. Figure it out, then figure out what to do.
"I spoke to one of the executives of the AR hardware vendors," Laci replied, taking another sip. "We worked together in the past, and he still owes me a favor or two," he chuckled wryly, 'but sadly, not enough to affect this circumstance, I am afraid."
As I sat there, mouth set and mind racing for options or solutions, Laci reached across the table and filled my un-empty cup. "I am not here to tell you want to do next, to give up or to fight." He then moved the bottle to refill his own. "But I will say this is not a problem you can solve at the moment. For now, drink. And let us talk together, and enjoy the Pálinka, you and I." He lifted his glass and held it out to me, sitting upright supporting his weight with his other hand on his thigh. Lacking any other plan, I did the same.
"Egészségedre."
Clink.