5/12/2025 Kick Recap - "Piece Of A Much Bigger Puzzle"

Lang and CJ get food from the noodle stall, Bazim thanks them for returning it. Lang runs into Saab who asks about the shop, Lang believes Arush did it over the weekend. They return to the Forge, Saab and Lang have a catch up meeting. Saab tells him about their 'cartel drops' where Sofia speaks spanish and he translates. Lang is impressed that they've already worked out a system and sold some fentanyl. They change the Blarney's Gauntlet from a spectator event to a participation event, Lang will speak to the monkeys and still gain their assistance (because he speaks fluent chimp). Lang wants to a have a crew meeting, but not many people are around.

Lang, CJ, Jonah, and Saab gather in Blarney's making small chat. Jonah has 44 bricks of fentanyl, Lang get's retold the story about ADMC breaking up. Saab tells them that Ray's new gang, Exodus, has turf over by the old Mandem block. Lang calls Arush to see the deal they got, Arush got 10% every week for 3 months, which he'll split 50/50 with Lang. Raia calls Saab looking for tires and bricks, they eventually believe that Saab misheard her. They drop off some cash at a club and start a fentanyl hot run.

They get a few drop offs done, Lang reminds Dante to do the opposite of what Saab does. Bazim calls and offers to decorate for Lang, but Lang believes he's part of the Besties. Bazim pings him to a property for Lang to check out, Lang arrives (mid run) and takes on Bazim's Dungeon. Lang completes the dungeon and chats with Bazim after, Bazim wants to own a new property to build more dungeons like this - Lang has an idea. Skipper calls to chat now that the run is over, Lang meets him at the Liquid Library while the crew does Bingo.

Skipper tells Lang that a Chicken Man stole the Rooster's Rest book from the Liquid Library over the weekend. Skipper twatted out looking for him, Gloryon called Skipper to warn that the Chicken Man is a demonic entity of Norman Bones. While they were in Cypress, the Chicken Man pulled up to Skipper and Jonah, threatening them with his large figure and red headlights (mfWarlock still experiences crashes, so he comes and goes sporadically). Skipper shows Lang the photo he took of where the book was stolen from.

Lang gets a call from the Russian cartel to meet, so he leaves (Cuddles because she didn't anonymous ping). Lang meets Cuddles in disguise who is interested in selling the cocaine that Lang has found over the past few days. Lang questions how she knew all this information, but she claims that the IAI organization has been involved in other similar exchanges before. She offers 50k to start the negotiations, Lang changes it to 150k for half a key. Lang thinks they sound desperate, but she believes Lang's old reputation still precedes him. He leaves, concerned that they want the cocaine he lost when he went to jail. Lang pulls Saab aside at the Library, telling him the story. They remember CJ and Luciano always had cocaine. Lang calls Luciano to see if he has any, but he claims he doesn't have any yet. He's working on it actively, Lang offers to be his first customer.

They all return to Cypress and chat outside the Forge about the Blarney's event changes. Jonah has new parlay odds, but he doesn't want to say where he got it from. They press him to make sure he didn't use chatGPT for it, he agrees. Clark calls to meet, they head up the water tower to chat. Clark informs Lang that they just bought in Sam, and then discussed who's next on the list. Harry is recruiting for the CFC, but might spin them into Cypress associates. Clark offers to take a less amount of money on his next win to change Blarney's name to Clarney's. Lang agrees only if he wins 5 million dollars in one bet. Lang tells Clark about the Russian Cartel, they discuss what a cartel is. Clark's connect is Luciano, but they both know he's dry for now.

-
Lang is spooked by some noises, Clark get's Lang a beer and looks around. Clark thinks the Faceless trust him more than Edgar, and while Edgar is doing time, Clark is the leading asset. Lang tries to convince Clark to give him one of the chips he gets on the job, but Clark is beginning to have doubts about things. Lang reminds him that he should go so deep with the Faceless that even Cypress questions his loyalty. Clark finds it hard to believe that things have become that serious, and that Lang actually wanted more than just information. Clark thinks the Faceless want to bring him in deep, Lang tells Clark that he's the only help he's got now that Edgar fell apart. Clark spirals a bit, wanting to know more about Lang and Edgar's relationship - Lang convinces him that Edgar was expendable. Lang explains to Clark that he's a tool, a piece to a much bigger puzzle. Clark is frustrated with the stakes always being raised, but he commits to the agreement. Clark shares how much they would laugh at Edgar for how poorly he dealt with the Faceless. Lang re-iterates how important this task is, claiming that it's bigger than everyone, including himself.

Lang goes to a spot nearby that pinged him, he finds a book from Dark Stone. There is a note inside that suggests that they will be an ally for Talon because the share the same enemy. Lang joins Eliza and the Kifflommers at Liquid Library for a "Phone Guy" community service event. Everyone shares their different experiences being terribly distracted by their phones, CJ tries to share that she's improving, but Lang calls her out for lying about it. Diego calls CJ to test her, but announces that she proved him wrong. They practice a few group exercises, Diego admits that he's so addicted that he has two phones. Lang tries to goad someone into throwing their phone in the fire, but they refuse. Lang returns to speak to Eliza, but she's having a 1 on 1 with someone who wanted guidance.

Lang and Eliza chat about how useful these meetings have been for him. She wonders what his perfect life would look like, he compares where he was (in 3.0) and where he is now. Lang asks what she knows of him, she reflects on him being a "shadowy" business tycoon, but is impressed with the person she's been interacting with so far. Lang offers her a place in the world outside of this, but is happy to entertain the conversation more later.

Lang stops by the Cave to check on the USB, he finds a new transport job listed for Friday. He returns to the Rest and leaves the note from Dark Stone in the basement before heading to bed.