39. The Fixer Hierarchy
"How did the talks go, Carl?"
Jack watched Carl approach, glancing at Blanca as she headed for the Afterlife Bar's entrance. "What's the employer's job about?"
"It's not urgent. We can talk about it properly when we get back."
There were too many eyes and ears outside the private room, and Carl had no intention of discussing the job in a place like this. "By the way, what were you and Oliver doing? I saw you two talking to the bartender earlier."
"Seems like all the famous drinks at the Afterlife use recipes left behind by legends. Oliver and I were thinking of reserving one for ourselves in advance."
"Reserving one, huh?"
Carl sat down beside Jack. "But isn't there a saying that all Night City legends are in their graves?"
"That's not exactly accurate."
Oliver said, "I know of two living legends in Night City right now, and we happen to have had some contact with both of them. Adam Smasher, and the owner of the Afterlife Bar—the legendary fixer Rogue. You can't say they aren't Night City legends."
"That's true."
Sitting at the bar, Carl curiously asked what recipes Oliver and Jack had left behind.
"A glass of vodka, ice, lime juice, ginger beer, and, most importantly—some love."
That was Jack's recipe, but hearing it, Carl could not help thinking:
"Isn't that just a Moscow Mule? All you did was add some inexplicable love at the end."
"Love is the most important part, Carl."
"Fine."
Carl looked at Oliver. "What kind of recipe did you leave?"
"For mine, thirty milliliters of whiskey, a small glass of Drambuie, and some ice."
"A Rusty Nail? You copied one too? Where's the personal touch?"
"What personal touch do I need? Once I'm famous, anyone buying that drink