A Cloaked Warlord Walks Into a Bar

Log Title: A Cloaked Warlord Walks Into a Bar

Characters: Blast Off, Encore, Megatron, Slugfest, Starlock, & Swivel + IRC

Date: March 21 2023

Summary: Megatron decides to try and socialize like a normal person, but his cloak doesn't fool anyone.

The Rollout Bar - Toraxxis - Cybertron[]

The Rollout Bar's interior is designed to accommodate the widely varying scales of the universe. On the bar itself there's a section designed for humans, Junkions and those of similar scale, with their own bar which can be served either by the main bartender or a bartender of their own scale, should one be on duty. A spiral staircase grants access to the bar's surface for those who are small enough to use the secondary bar, with barriers high enough for most transformers high enough to notice protect those making their way from the doors to the bar itself. There are a series of bar stools of various sizes along the bar, allowing most Transformers to be able to sit comfortably at the bar.

Next to the bar, there are two doors marked "GAMES ROOMS". They are roped off, and from the other side, the sounds of building work can be heard. Warning signs mark them as "UNDER CONSTRUCTION"

Beside the doors sits a large stage, protected by energy fences should it be required. A fairly decent stack of amplifiers and speakers allows music of almost any kind to be performed there, by any species - space for a five-piece band of Transformers, or an entire orchestra of human-sized beings. There is a dance floor in front of the stage, and surrounding that one will find a series of octagonal tables with adjustable seats around them. Each table has a spiral staircase for those of human-ish scale to access the table top, where there are seats available.

The wall opposite the bar is lined with booths that allow four large Transformers to sit comfortably in relative privacy - and again, there is access to the table-tops for those of human scale. Each booth has its own window out of the bar, which can be closed with a curtain should it be required. They can also be enclosed within top-of-the-line privacy fields - Encore is trying to build a reputation at the Rollout Bar for absolute discretion and neutrality.

One wall is entirely taken up by a changing holographic vista, showing beautiful places from around the galaxy. The other wall is labeled "THE NEWS WALL", and is a huge bank of screens showing news broadcasts from across the galaxy, including Autobot News, Free Cybertron Press, and the Decepticon Propaganda Network, among countless others.

Encore himself usually tends the bar here. A sign behind the bar reads 'BARTENDERS WANTED: APPLY TO ENCORE'

<irc.dal.net> <Soldier> You know what.

<irc.dal.net> <Soldier> Im going to go out and drink. Publically.

<irc.dal.net> <Voidwalker> that odda be intresting

<irc.dal.net> <Soldier> I hear the rollout's a good bar.

Starlock comes into the bar, struggling to keep her optics open, she's making her way to the bar though, huffing as she keeps an eye on that datapad of hers.

Megatron comes into the bar shortly after. Hes wearing a hooded cloak probably to hide his appearance and not scare everyone out of the bar. He moves to sit at the end of the bar, looking around to see who is all here.

<irc.dal.net> <Soldier> This may be a bad idea. Eh.

Whistling a merry tune, Swivel is perched on a stool by the bar. She had been polishing glasses as instructed, but got a bit tired of it and has moved to polishing other new and exiting surfaces. She has enough sense of appropriate behaviour not to polish patrons. Yet.

Each time she hears someone enter, she turns and smiles. But when she sees a large, imposing, hooded figure step in, she just stands there for a moment, optics blinking on and off a few times. She then eases back into a smile - for all patrons are equal here! Perhaps that smile lingers a bit too long, and she almost missed Starlock's entrance just before, giving the medic a belated smile and wave.

<irc.dal.net> <Interrogator> It is a bad idea.

<irc.dal.net> <Maat> Don't frag up the Rollout.

<irc.dal.net> <AnzacPoet> Getting drunk is usually a bad idea on some level.

<irc.dal.net> <Soldier> So is staying sober. Your point?

<irc.dal.net> <AnzacPoet> Usually harder to get into trouble whilst sober but a lot of people manage it quite well!

<irc.dal.net> <DaChoppa> Whats this sober thing you guys are talking about?

Starlock gives a exhausted grin at Swivel, but gives a two finger salute in greeting, she takes her seat with some struggle to get up on the taller chairs but she manages. "Know me and my tea." She chuckles.

Megatron stays by himself at a seat at the end of the bar. He waits until a tender comes his way. "What do you have..thats fairly strong?" he asks in his familiar raspy voice.

Starlock's finial flicks in recognition of the voice, but says nothing, she respects Encore's bar, and knows the bat had mentioned being okay with Megatron trying to come in here before, she nods, and also eyes the karaoke stage... No.. no she can't she'll fall asleeeep. "

Don't fawn. Don't ignore. Act perfectly natural. What is natural? No, Swivel, you can do this. This internal pep talk goes on as Swivel remains standing there with a plastered smile on her face. She almost misses the mention of tea, but quickly returns her focus to Starlock. "One amethyst tea comin' up!" Swivel declares.

She then slides over to Megatron. Stools with wheels are an amazing thing once you get used to them. "Perhaps a Big Hammer? Or perhaps When World's Collide? Either kin give a roight wollop!"

Megatron pauses. "Worlds collide." He says, holding his head a bit and trying to hide his face under his hooded cloak. He doesnt want to instill fear tonight. He just wants to quietly drink.

Starlock smiles. "Thank you Swiv." She'd beam and yawn, before stretching out her arms. "Uhg... frick." She'd mutter and glance over to Megatron. "Ello." She greets with a nod knowingly.

Encore quietly polishes cubes at the back, watching Swivel quietly. Megtron gets the traditional barman's greeting; the upwards nod. With a slight smile at the idea of Megsy getting his brain stoved in on Big Hammer and Fluff. "Good choice. I'd recommend you use the Benzin fer tha', y'want a nice good and shite engex for Worlds Collide, something wit' bite and rasp, fizz tae, and an aftertaste of th' feedstock, it pairs well with the more expensive ingredients. Green container, shaped like a fuel can." Of course the key's in the name; worlds collide. Rich and poor, Rough and smooth, good and bad. A tricky drink to mix, to get the proportions right, but not the hardest the Rollout makes.

The door opens, and the most magnificent shuttle this side of Cybertron makes his entrance- according to HIM, at least. Blast Off has his nose in the air and aloof manner plastered upon what's visible of his face, but his violet gaze shifts around as he searches for a certain small femme student of his. Oh, and whoeever else is here, too. He notes another femme of good standing, Starlock, being a fellow classy spaceship, and is about to give her a nod when he catches sight of the large, hooded figure that SURE LOOKS LIKE MEGATRON IN A CLOAK. The shuttleformer stops and stares. Frag.

Swivel listens carefully to Encore's instructions. It's both terrifying and reassuring knowing he is there to make sure she doesn't mess this up. Swivel immediately goes for the green container and assembles all the fixings for the requsted drink, double and triple checking portions. Before mixing, however, she quickly grabs the brewing enertea and sets it before Starlock. "Glad yer here fer first response if I flub this," she says quietly with a wink.

Swivel returns to her assembled ingredients and begins to mix, occasionally glancing at Encore for any sign she is going wrong. How nice it is to have a mentor. And now there are two. Swivel's hand hangs there a moment, ingredient in hand about to pour, when Blast Off walks in. She gives him her customary smile and tries not to suddenly feel like she is under double scrutiny now. Alas, Megatron might have to wait a bit longer than necessary to get his drink. But he is getting frequent glances and reassuring smiles that all is well and he's not forgotten!

GAME: Swivel PASSES an INTELLIGENCE roll of Above Average difficulty.

Encore watches calmly and impassively, not letting anything show on his face. But that's a good sign, right? He's not interrupting.

Starlock perks up and looks back and gives Blast off a friendly wave and a smile, she's sitting at the bar, not to far from.. well.. Essentially, Megatron in a trench coat, hoping she puts the shuttle at some ease?

She'd snort over at Swivel. "I always have medical supplies with me if that does happen." She'd grin, and take a sip of her amethyst tea.

Megatron oddly enough doesnt seem to mind waiting. Or at least hes not bellowing. Thats behaving for him. He holds his temples a bit. "First time, eh?" he says in his telltale raspy voice. "Figures I'd get the bartenders first night."

Blast Off gets no response from Megatron- good, maybe he hasn't been spotted, maybe he can just discreetly turn around and ....oh. Now Starlock has definitely seen him, and ahhh, there's Swivel. If Blast Off leaves now, he might look like he's *afraid* of Megatron, and that wouldn't do either. So.... maybe he can just sliiiide over to an empty table, sit down, hold up a finger to call the waitress (hi Swivel) and not be noticed.

"Sorry fer the wait!" Oh. Blast Off is here. SWivel's smile remains, but she adjusts her posture and her tone slightly shifts. Swivel sets down the broody beverage in front of Megatron quietly. At his remark, she laughs, not taking any offense. "Well, it was my first toim making that drink. Again, my apologies. Enjoy." Swivel then remmebers Encore is also there. And she's got to fit the role of bartender, which means NOT being a proper ponce. Oh dear, it is now Swivel's worlds which are colliding. Swivel gives a nod, smile fading ever so slightly.

Seeing Blast Off's finger raised, Swivel glances around, catching Encore's optic a moment. "I'll move on to takin' orders at ther tables if you dun moind takin' over at the bar. Looks loilk we'll be needin' yer experienced hands tonoight!"

Swivel gives Starlock two attached thumbs up - looks like her medicl knowledge won't be needed just yet! Swivel has avoided blowing herself up.

Megatron looks in Blast Off's direction and gives a nod. He sees him, alright but isn't going to mock him tonight. Hes here to drink it seems. "Well lets see how it is." he takes a sip. "Good. Nice for your first attempt."

A mech slams down his fist on the table, but settles down as the staff prepare to toss the blighter.

Starlock chuckles at them and takes a breath, relaxing there. "Well, seems calm tonight.. which is a good thing, all things considered." She muses as she sips on her tea in thought, glancing up at Megaron and back. "Hm..--" she about jumps a foot in hear seat from the slam and looks back cringing. "Eeesh.."

Whew, so Megatron's not going to call him out or something. Blast Off did his time, frag it all! But he's still not sure where he really stands with the warlord, especially after losing him in space (oops) and that whole rebellion thing *cough*.

Otherwise, he spends his time waiting for Swivel to take his order and glaring at the noisemaker over there, slamming fists on tables.

Encore only gives Swivel an approving nod once the customer has given his approval. "Nicely done, Swivel." He says, pouring himself a Targon Joker.

Megatron barely even reacts to the slamming. He's a Kaon mech. If the bar isnt rowdy, then thats when he'll wonder if somethings wrong. He isnt yelling, insulting or setting anyone on fire, so he must not be that angry right now. For him its downright peaceful. He sips his drink again. "I'll have to remember this place. The drinks are good, the fights are just loud enough to keep things entertaining without ruining the night."

Swivel's optic ridges raise and she watches the cloaked Megatron take his first sip. She goes very still, as if expect him to spit it out and declare it sludge. But instead her efforts are praised - which takes Swivel by surprise. The shock doesn't dwell long on her face before a much more genuine smile floods in its wake. "Thank you," Swivel chirps merrily, not too proud to snub praise from a suspected Decepticon warlord. "We do try to keep a good atmosphere." But he is left to enjoy is drink in peace.

Swivel beams at Encore, giving him a playful salute before she heads off to take a few orders at the tables. She shakes her head as the one mech makes Starlock jump, but has her rounds to do. Of course, she saves the best for last. That being Blast Off. "And what can I get you tonoight, sir? We have some nice vintage chalcedonny, unless you'd loik something heavier?" Swivel gives just the slightest glance towards the cloaked patron, and then back to Blast Off, her trademark smile on full display.

Encore takes the last dregs from the shaker and has a sip from the dregs in there himself behind her back, nodding with approval. Not bad, not bad at all.

Starlock grins over at Blast off and Swivel knowingly as she sips on her tea. "Would be playing with the karaoke machine if it where not for the fact i could end up falling asleep mid song. and causing all kinds of a panic." She'd vent a defeated huff, but ther ewas a smile on her face.

Megatron looks at Starlock. "You should be sleeping or something. " he says. "Everyone is exhausted, disgusted or terrified these days. Makes it hard to drink you know."

Encore frowns a little "Well iffen y'find anything that works on it th' bug transmitter on top of th' place is open. Reaches all of Cybertron if I give it full wattage!"

Blast Off isn't extra pleased as Swivel approaches, of course not, you totally imagined that. *ahem* He sits straighter as she does, looking oh-so-poised. "Ah, that sounds delightful," he responds, though he glances over as she gives Megatron a look and gives her a knowing-but I might need something stronger soon- look in return. Then he hears something about- "Ugh, no karaoke, how do people *stand* that racket?" TSK.

The house octanefeline hops onto a table, threatening to knock a cubit of engex off the side.

Starlock snorts. "please this is one of the rare days where i am doing something /other/ then sleeping." She states proudly and smiles at Encore. "Working on it still, see there is a code left behind by the transmission, that sends us right into sleep lock if we just outright block the signal." she explains, tapping a finger on the counter. "So i am getting a coder on it.."

She then slowly turns her helm with a gremlinesque grinning look on her face.

Swivel bobs her head. She's completely unaware of Encore checking her work behind her, but that is a-okay! She has customers to attend with te vim and vigor typified by the teal minibot. "Roight you are, sir!" Swivel takes the order. But at the outcry about Karaoke, she looks up briefly, tilting her helm. Her smile falters. He heard her sing karaoke once. Was that the racket he was referring to? Well... maybe it was. Lesson learned. Swivel glances at the karaoke stage. Never again will she go there. Recovering from her lapse into self-consciousness, she lifts her chin. "Singing drunk is all part of a bar experience," Swivel opts to say instead. "I'll be back with you're drink, sir."

Swivel heads back to the bar, seieng that mischief is brewing already. She giggles a little and waglges her optic ridges at Starlock, before asking, "Can I top you up?"

Encore blinks and nods "A'reet, understood." he washes out the shaker happily, throwing a cloth at Jonesey, the octofeline, as he starts threatening to go after cubes. "Ge'rout of it."

Megatron shrugs "Not drunk enough for that myself. I'm here that's about as far as socializing goes for me tonight."

Starlock grins. "I'ma need it, if I'm gonna be memeing it up." she'd grin, slapping at her cheeks in a bid to wake herself more. Mischief was indeed brewing, she started sorting through the songs. "Sfiine." She'd grin.

Starlock receives a radio transmission.

"Right," Blast Off says, and is that an acknowledgement or a correction or both? The shuttleformer nods, then notices the faltering smile and blinks, but is silent as he isn't quite sure what that falter was about. Is it him? He glances at himself, his heat shields, nothing amiss that he can tell? Hmm. *ahem* He goes back, then, to looking around the bar, noting Encore and the octofeline before his gaze drifts to Megatron once more... and Starlock, she has a glint in her optic. HMM.

Swivel's giggle revives with renewed vigor as she watches Starlock. "Roight up!" Swivel hurries to provide Starlock with that extra needed boost, and then she goes to fetch Blast Off's drink. While pouring she looks up at Megatron, giving him another smile. "Need anything else?"

Megatron pauses "A second one. Make it a double." he asks, continuing to watch people talk as he polishes off his first drink.

Starlock's grin widdens impishly as she finds the perfect, and it truly is perfect, to be out there enough to get people dancing, laughing, or singing along, or all three! hopefully the added bonus of making Blast off blush!

Course its a rock/metal cover, but the beat is unmistakable as Starlock adds a bit of flare to it as she starts dancing along, also attempting to help in staying awake.

"Where have all the good men gone? And where are all the gods? Where's the streetwise Hercules To fight the rising odds?"

"Roight you are!" Swivel says, giving a bob of her head. Swivel makes a meal out of her scrap of confidence to improve on her speed at mixing Megatron a second drink and sets it in front of him, with a smile. "Enjoy. And sounds loik we're about to be entertained!" Swivel says, eyeing Starlock.

Finally, Swivel gets to pouring Blast Off's drink as Starlock steps up to the stage. Swivel laughs softly to herself, and sets a drink down gently in front of Blast Off. "Enjoy! Even if there is a racket," Swivel says, tapping her foot to the beat.

Megatron blinks. "What racket. This is a quiet night." he looks over at Starlock, watching her sing quietly, almost studiously.

Encore watches Starlock sing, cleaning the empty cubes. "She's got a nice voice."

"Isn't there a white knight upon a fiery steed Late at night, I toss and I turn And I dream of what I need."

She plays it up a bit, putting the back of her hand on her forehelm, before she lets the note hang a moment before the bass drop comes in. "I need a hero! I'm holding out for a hero 'til the end of the night He's gotta be strong, and he's gotta be fast And he's gotta be fresh from the fight!"

She's definitely having fun with it, despite her own embarrassment, noticeably trying to keep her eyes forced open, but she definitely has the voice of a harmonexian, and a given, one self taught.

"I need a hero I'm holding out for a hero 'til the morning light He's gotta be sure, and it's gotta be soon And he's gotta be larger than life Larger than life"

Blast Off watches with approval as Swivel pours him his drink, but then he starts seeing just *why* Starlock was grinning over there and ... *huff*. The shuttleformer sighs, placing his head in hand, elbow on the table, and half-peering through his fingers towards where the other spaceship is *SINGING*. WELP, there's karaoke after all. JOY.

Swivel notices that elbow on the table. She COULD swat him and give him a taste of his own medicine. Instead, Swivel goes up on her tippy-peds, leaning towards Blast Off, whispering, "Sir. Elbows!" She then draws away. She looks over at Starlock's performance, tilting her head, foot still tapping.

There is a clattering and sound of things being knocked over, and a tiny stego erupts from the cellar, scampering up the stairs and running to a bar stool! Then he LEAPS onto a seat, pulling himself up while kick-kick-kicking with stubby hind legs.

Encore blinks and looks at the trap-door. A four-barreled turret appears and spits some binary cusswords after the little Stego, before Scrat descends out of sight again, pulling the trapdoor closed behind him with an irritated slam

Starlock lets out an impish cackle at Blast Off's reaction, mission accomplished! during the instrumental she brings the mic up. "Could been worse, I could have picked something from Crazy frog." She'd snort, before spinning back off into her song, now that the threat was issued!

"Somewhere after midnight In my wildest fantasy Somewhere, just beyond my reach There's someone reaching back for me

Racing on the thunder And rising with the heat It's gonna take a Superman to sweep me off my feet, yeah~!"

"Oh!" Blast Off scurries to straighten himself up, elbow knocking into the table before sliding and scuffing across it and - THERE. Tucked back all proper-like. *ahem* "Uh...yes. Yes! Very good, Swivel, I did that just-just to see if you'd catch that, yes." *cough*

AHEM. Blast Off now sits like a gentlemech should before reaching for his wine and giving it a taste. Then Starlock is talking about Crazy Frogs and the shuttle's optics widen. He'd like to pretend he doesn't know what that is, but... he shudders. "That....that won't be necessary," he gulps, before taking another swig of the wine. "....Maybe I should have gotten something stronger, after all..." he glances back at Swivel forlornly.

Megatron is sitting at the end of the bar, listening. He shakes his head a bit and raises his glass to Starlock. "Its good someone is starting the songs. Its a good way to release emotion." he seems amused oddly enough. He frowns after a bit, an idea troubling him. This world. The outsiders world. Its so different from himself. The cloaked warlord looks at his drink a moment. People just singing to sing. Just drinking to socialize. He is an outsider to this world. One he can never truly be a part of anymore. He downs his second drink, shaking his head as he watches.

Encore watches the bar quietly, grinning at the Crazy Frog comment. "The Axel-F version he did wasnae dreadful. But what they got in Germany instead wa' better."

Starlock gives a threatening 'meb, meb' into the mic when she gets a break in the lyrics, cackling like a made femme as she goes on with the song, by the end she's laughing, and panting, hands on her knees.

Encore, when Starlock has finished singing, puts something on one of the big screens. It's what Germany got instead of Crazy Frog https://youtu.be/U2wtIIT9hMU

Swivel gives a shake of her head as Slugfest makes his trademarked entrance. But the sound of a mild clatter draws her attention back to Blast Off as he corrects his posture and makes his excuses. Which Swivel nods to. "Ever the teacher, sir." She looks back to Slugfest. "I better go make sure he's not left messes fer me ter clean," Swivel says hastily, her old accent returning.

Swivel scurries back to the bar, looking at where Slugfest has been with a scrutinizing optic. While passing, she does give Slugfest a friendly pat on the flank. She glances at Starlock, who appears to be having a ball.

Megatron's comments, or perhaps his tone, catches Swivel's attention. She peers at him. Picking up a glass, and beginning to polish it, she looks up at the cloaked figure. "Everything alroight?"

Slugfest yays and is patted, and puts his front feets on the bar counter and clamors for energon! He looks a little dusty, as if he'd tried napping in the cellar.

Encore takes over the bar while Swivel checks the kitchen, pouring Sluggy his usual shallow bowl

Starlock bursts into laughter, tears in her optics. "What the fuck is that?!" She laughs. "Oh my god, who let that sheep design get past sensitivity filters?!" She wheezes.

Encore chuckles and shrugs "I dinna ken but the music's good."

Slugfest yays and slurps the energon that Encore has brought him in a nice shallow bowl that's easy for tiny stegos to drink out of. He wags his tail happily.

Megatron murmurs. "Fine fine. Just sometimes a good drink is needed. Another." he says, putting down a hefty tip on top of his tab. He pauses as he hears the Ievan Polka and is very quiet for a while. Then he does something more frightening than anything he does when hes not drinking. He laughs.

Encore nods and pours another Worlds Collide, carefully mixing the high and low-grade, shaking it together with ice and pouring. He grins at Megatron's laughter... that's new. Megsy's laughing and the walls are free from some poor bugger getting the Silver Shouter's Jackson Pollock treatment.

"Yes, well, I... try," Blast Off replies to Swivel, patting himself off all self-satisfied, then eying Slugfest as he scrambles up to a seat. THEN it's back to eying his leader, who is now.... laughing. Somehow that IS scarier than usual. "...."

Then, despite himself, his purple rocket thruster foot starts tapping to the music, softly.

Megatron then says quietly. "That's so inane." he says, actually relaxing a bit. Oh the power of strong energon. "I like it."

Starlock throws out her hands laughing. "Its still in Japanese!" She snorts as she shakes her head and heads back to her tea to take a swig of it after that singing.

Encore chuckles "It is, isn't it?" He grins. "But that's what's wonderful about it. It's inane, it's stupid, it's a wee bit in bad taste but it's also harmless fun. World needs more of it if y'ask me."

Swivel's optics glance to the cellar door a moment, then she looks at Slugfest, then down at the glass she'd started polishing. She places it back in its place. "I'll be back."

Swivel opens the cellar door and peers down giving a cursory glance for any Slugfest messes. She heads down for a longer look, mop at the ready. Eventually, she returns from her investigation, oversized mop in one hand, to catchy music, strange animations on the screen, and a laughing warlord. Swivel isn't sure what's funny, but she joins in the laughter as she sets the mop back in its place. Really. The humour here is lost on her, but why let that hold her back?

Megatron murmurs "Isn't that a fact." he says. "This is much better then most conversations have gone for me lately. Just inane for the sake of inane. No politics, no trying to talk me out of things or anything else that slags me off. Just. Stupid. Sometimes it is necessary."

Encore motions around "This is a bar, sir." Encore explains, warmly. "People come here to relax and those who find politics a relaxing subject dinna generally tend to be found in bars... and if they come t' mine, there are privacy booths where they can talk politics till the sun burns out and it doesnae bother any bugger and if they dinna get the message I've got something tha'll give it to 'em." He nods to the bagpipes on the wall.

Blast Off sips his wine, still glaring at Megatron. "Yes, Primus forbid we speak of politics..." he starts muttering, "....or how they affect everyone, everywhere." His wing elevon twitches and he rolls back his shoulders before drinking more deeply.

Starlock chuckles. "That animation was so bad, couldn't do anything /but/ laugh." She grins, kinda glad for the broken tension. Well most of it, she grins at Blast off. "Enjoy your second spa trip?~" She'd purr.

Encore gives the bagpipes on the wall a warning poke at Boff's words. They emit a faint, but vaguely distressing squawk.

Swivel glances over at Blast Off. No, the aloof winebibber has not been forgotten. She tries to gage the fullness of his glass before she wanders over, now that Megatron is in Encore's capable care. The sound of the bagpipes, however, causes Swivel to jump and echo its squawk with on of her own - though it sounds more distressed than distressing.

Megatron murmurs "Every slagging time." he scowls again, finishing off his drink. "As if I could wave my hand and all of the troubles could be over." he shakes his head. "Not that kind of inane. I can get that anywhere." he looks to Encore. "You run a tight ship here. I approve....Encore is it?"

Blast Off looks up at Starlock, optics shining, then hesitates as he glances towards Megatron once more. He can't talk about getting free spas from Autobots in front of MEGATRON!? The shuttle coughs down into his lap, muttering something about "We can discuss that *later*...." Then he lifts his head once more, only to flinch as Encore pokes those bagpipes. The shuttle squeaks and goes back to silently drinking. HE SAID NOTHING. NOTHING!!

And speaking of nothing, Megatron is still ignoring him. Perhaps just as well, he was stupid to say anything. He decides to go back to suilence- it befits a gentlemech, after all, and he has to be an example to Swivel, after all!

Encore nods "Aye, Encore it is." He agrees. "My little oasis of engex for all to enjoy."

Starlock smiles. She nods at Blast off, her diversion for Blast off passed, she;d look to Encore. "It is fun here, I remember when I used to do Karaoke at Macc's." She'd chuckle. "Glad to have that back."

Swivel laughs at herself when she recovers her wits. She pauses, glancing over to Starlock. "I'm glad you made it through both songs! I always loik to hear you sing!"

Swivel turns her attention back to Blast Off, looking up at him. "Anythin' more you need, sir?"

Megatron pauses. "Its been so long since I've been to a neutral bar.. I can't remember. And no one ran in fear, just continued their business. I know I am an outsider here. "I may have gone to Macc's at one time. But I doubt it." he says. "Good singing, Starlock. Its nice to hear. And Blast off. You can relax. This is an off duty night. I'm not going to bite you or shoot you or anything. Nor do I want to. Combaticons will be Combaticons." whatever that means. He works on his third drink.

Slugfest finishes his bowl and then jumps off the stool, then scampers around!

Starlock beams at Swivel. "Thank you, I know I'll never be as good as Banshee, she's on a whole other level, but i'm glad its good enough to not get booed off stage ya know?" She chuckles as she sips on her tea she then tilts her head at Megatron, knowing he's.. well he's not sober! That's for sure, and unsure how genuine his words are.

"You're a lot more pleasant to be around then you let on most the time." She muses as she sips her tea.

"Uh... maybe something a bit stronger, Swivel." BLast Off replies, then glances up and over at Megatron. He tenses as he's addressed, then pauses.... then lets out a soft sigh, finally relaxing- just a tiny bit. "Ah." He looks like he isn't sure what to make of that, but whatever it is, it'll have to do for now. His face pinches in but he simply says, "....Understood, Sir."

The shuttle goes back to his drink, listening to the talk about singing. "...." He finally gazes up at Starlock. "You're... not too bad a singer, no."

Megatron rubs the bridge of his nose, scowling again. "Theres no need...ahh, nevermind. I know I cannot mingle. Do as you people will." he says, his eyes darkening as he looks to his drink. "Just pretend I'm anyone else. Or I'm not here. And no thats not an order." he says. "Can the next one be a double?"

Swivel tilts her head. "Not sure I've heard Banshee so I'll take yer word for it. Either way, yer singing usually makes me smoile," Swivel reassures.

Swivel nods to Blast Off. "A bit stronger?" A bit. So probably not Nightmare Fuel. "I think I got just the thing!" Swivel proclaims eagerly as she turns to head back to the bar.

While getting an Unholy Rush together, in all its purple sparkly glory, Swivel peers over at Megatron. "Minglin' across classes or ranks is always gunna be hard, iffin when folk say they've overcome it. I'm not gunna say dun take it personal, but it's notter prollem you alone face."

Encore chuckles "They ken I won't take any trouble." He says. "Unicron's avatar hisself could walk in here and I'd ensure tha' he got to drink in peace. And if he didnae want to, I'd ensure everyone else got t' drink in peace. That's th' bartender's solemn oath. All are welcome to take a load off." He grins at Swivel. "Allow me, if you would lass?" He cracks his knuckles. It's time for the Rollout's special, the Altihex Sunset.

"Yes, please," Blast Off nods to Swivel, then awaits this concoction. Though Swivel's GRAMMAR towards MEGATRON of all people does make him wince, and he finds himself whispering across the table, "*SWiivel*going*to*PronounceyourwordsCRISPLY*RemembertheROCKS*!" He huffs, still murmuring about "NOT A!" *Sob* "ThisismyBOSSbeonyourBESTbehaviorforPrimussSake....*

Starlock smiles. "Thank you Blast off, i know your not a big singer ya' self~" She'd smile and glance to Megatron and huff. "....She's right ya know.. takes a few tries, but it gets easier." She'd smile and pause in thought. She snickers at Blast off lightly and she starts singing again, must softer and slower a tune.

"Oh, when a difficult day goes by Keeping it together is hard, but that's why You've got to try You've got to try

And when there's a thundering storm outside Underneath the covers, you huddle and hide..

Open your eyes Open your eyes It's the true, it's the true, It's the true kinda love It's the true, it's the true It's the true kinda love."

"Gladly!" Swivel steps aside, allowing Encore to work his magic with the skillful layering of the Altihex Sunset. She moves to manage a few other tables, dodging a certain scampering stegosaurus as she does so. She pauses by Blast Off, long enough for him to rail into her. She brings a hand up to cover her mouth. She glances over at Megatron, and then back to Blast Off, and then to Megatron. Starlock starts singing again, but Swivel is still feeling a bit too mortified to smile at the song just then. Swivel goes on her tippy-peds, whispering back, "I'm sorry sir! I'll do better! I jus' thought, that, maybe, well, talkin' not loik meself would make him uncomfortable and we're all about the comfort, but now I see I've made you uncomfortable so I'll do better!"

Megatron shakes his head and finishes the last of his drink. "I don't know why I bothered to come out here. As far as some people are concerned, I am worse then the avatar of Unicron. I think my presence is disturbing everyone else's night. Perhaps I should finish this and go." a bar in a neutral zone is an alien world to him. Hes beginning to wonder why he decided to go out drinking in public, away from his territories of all places. He must be losing his touch. He turns to listen to Starlock again, almost thoughtfully.

"Stuck in the middle of fear and shame Everybody's looking for someone to blame Like it's a game Like it's a game

And now I am better than "win-or-lose" There's a new direction that I'd like to choose It's called the truth It's called the truth"

Starlock smiles, glancing one open optic up at him.

"Hey, you, show me that solvable problem We can get through this I'll do the hardest part with you"

Encore takes several bottles off their various racks, setting up a tall cube. The golden-yellow desert floor is poured first, of course, and then Encore sets up a small martini-cube on a clamp-stand, tilted at an angle so it forms a little mixing bowl, the back of a bar spoon forming a spout of sorts that Encore can control with one hand. A small, glowing yellow fruit rests in the bowl o the spoon. With hi other hand, Encore keeps the mixing bowl topped up with various engex spirits and energon mixers, controlling the flow down the back of the chilled spoon to fade the drink from sunset amber to the sparkling purple-black of the Unholy Rush at the top. With a deft flick of the wrist the fruit is dropped into the drink, its backspin pulling juuuust a little bit of the cocktail along with it on the way down to give the 'sun' a beautiful halo. The drink is then slid over to Megatron with a little tropical umbrella in the top and a straw. "Your Altihex Sunset, sir."

Megatron waves his hand "I think Blast off needs that more then I do. Its more his speed. It's starting to look like a straight up Nightmare Fuel night for me."

Blast Off exhales a vent, trying to calm himself, and reaches for his drink again. Yes, that's better. Then he eyes Starlock, pulling himself up and huffing softly. "I beg your pardon, who said I can't sing?" His hand comes to his chest as it puffs out. "I have a NICE singing voice. You could say it's magnificent, even." Because of course it is! Not that he volunteers to belt it out, and instead sips his wine as Starlock sings again. The shuttle's head tilts at the song, face pinching again. Hmm. He glances towards where Swivel went, then back to Starlock, then...

Oh. Swivel is having a full on panic attack near him now. He stops and blinks at her. "..." Then Megatron is apparently less than happy too. Frag. "Wait, no. We, uh." He looks from one to the other, then oh- here's his drink, right? He reaches for it, Except no, it's scooted off towards Megatron and.... "WHAT." Both hands come down on the table as he stares, fish out of water, suddenly wishing he were back in space, starting to rise in his seat. The shuttleformer sits like that, optics squinting, then Starlock is singing about TRUTH and his optics flicker, glance towards Swivel, and he quickly sits down again.

Then Megatron is offering his drink, after all. "No...uh, Sir, that is alright...."

Starlock chuckles. "Its fine, relax, this is just how Blast off is." She smiles softly. "He means well, its just a matter of translating it from huffy." She nods sagely.

Megatron nods "I know." He says. "He needs a few more drinks. I think we all do." he relaxes a bit. "I just hope Im not making everyone nervous..." he pauses. "What am I saying. Of course I am. These are stronger than I thought."

There is a small squeak of dismay from Swivel as there was, perhaps, a teeny miscommunication. But rather than dwell on it, Swivel marches behind the bar with a look of resolve on her face. She fights back the embarrassment of her oversight with a correction to the issue. One more Unholy Rush in the making. Swivel glances over to Megatron. "Well, I'm glad you came out drinkin' fer a treat. We all folk..." Swivel slows down. She said she would do better. Shoulders roll back. "...need a break from our normal, sir." Swivel smiles again. She then takes the purple beverage and sets it before Blast Off.

Slugfest wanders around, poking his nose under random tables, perhaps looking for dropped energon treats.

A femme returns from the washroom, and notes her drink has vanished...

Encore waves at the bar. "Folks aren't too nervous." He says. "It's my half of the oath. I provide a place that's safe for all to drink, aye?" He pours Megsy a cube of straight Unholy Rush.

"Well, maybe a bit, you /do/ have a reputation after all, but..Hmm" she tilts her helm at him tapping her chin. "But its never to late to change." She hums in that same tune before. "And don't take it the wrong way, I say that to be honest and not... sugar coat it, honestly would be an insult too ya'." She nods

Blast Off watches Swivel, giving her the finger of approval as she corrects herself. Better, better! He nods and then looks down as she delivers a drink. Hmm. He looks over at Megatron, "Well, not *I*. *I* am perfectly fine!" Totally! *cough* He reaches for the purple drink and gives it a sip. "Hmmm. So what is this?"

If Blast Off doesn't take his offered drink, Megatron will take the Altihex sunset he didnt want and puts on the floor where a certain Stego can conveniently get drunk and entertain him. "It is true, I do have one. And its not one that needs changing until my work is done." he says "Thank you. Honesty is a rare thing and its refreshing to hear it, even when its harsh." he doesnt seem offended at all. He listens to Starlock sing some more, settling back into his seat as the Unholy Rush is delivered. "Thanks. A good bartender always knows whats needed." he hands over a bigger tip. Hes tipping generously tonight. thats downright benevolent for him. "You know. I've been thinking." he says. "I'm going to put this place on the do not target under penalty of Megatron's wrath list."

Encore shrugs a little. "Tis a wee bit high-class fer the wee stego but he'll enjoy it." He chuckles, looking to Megtron. "I'd be honoured, sir, thank you. The place is fortified of course, it's held up to a few raids, and had the Fallen come a-knocking but I'm grateful not to have to lock it down more often."

"I try to be, its why I call out when your just trying to placate me, and such in conversations, I rarely ever use deceit unless necessary. "She nods as she finishes off her second mug of tea.

She then glances up. "Is that anything along the lines of Des's no smash list?" She'd smirk.

Megatron tilts his head "this Des has a no smash list? Ah. I forget thats what people call Deathsaurus." he says. "He will never admit it but...he's a lot like me in many ways. If it wasn't for him being such a primitive, such a beastformer. Maybe one day he'd grow to greatness." he shrugs. Maybe he just wants to see a drunk Stego. "Well how is he supposed to learn class if hes not exposed to it. Plus. A drunk Stego might make the night better."

GAME: Swivel FAILS a COURAGE roll of Above Average difficulty.

With a smile, Swivel chimes in "The Unholy Rush, sir." Swivel glances over with rather keen interest when Megatron declares the bar essentially under his protection. She considers no word uttered while inebriated is binding, but will wait and see if it holds up post-hangover. Nope. She's not going to say anything. Starlock can take on the world with her honesty, but Swivel will survive it with her silence.

Which becomes harder when Swivel sees the drink given to Slugfest. At first, she smiles. "Aw..." how sweet. But something begins to stir. Something begins to bother her. Something... like a memory. And a parallel. Getting someone smaller and less intelligent drunk just for entertainment. She rubs her upper arm, her smile falling off her face. She wants to protest, but she can't speak. Instead she stands, silent, and just turns towards the bar, focusing on a spill or something to clean.

The thought is funny, thankfully if it does go too far she's there to help Sluggy. "...I mean, yes, but also, no, he's.." starlock looks thoughtful. "I dunno how to put it, has nothing to deal with him being a beast former, fairly none of our alt-modes defines our intelligence or lack there of." She'd nod.

"I know, I'm a doctor." She'd huff. "...But, I think he's.. making his way down his own path."

Three mechs enter together, one of them loudly calls for a cubit of engex for each.

Encore listens to a sound from the cellar "I'll leave you gentlebeings in Swivel's capable hands, I've got to go change some kegs."

Blast Off can't help but stare a bit forlornly as Megatron takes the Sunset drink and GIVES IT TO SLUGFEST. TSK. *sob* But... it's his drink, he can do what he wishes with it, and Slugfest is a loyal Decepticon, so.... WELP. He sighs a little longingly before looking back at Megatron talking about HONESTY is a GOOD THING. The shuttleformer's armor plates suddenly bristle at that, optics narrowing. "...." But he won't say anything, no, nothing at all. He does glance at Starlock, almost gratefully. His fists clench a bit before relaxing, though.

Ah, right. The drink. He turns back to Swivel. "I see." The shuttleformer stares into the liquid. "Well... thank you. It is a ...satisfying followup to the enerwine." He takes another sip, then glances to Starlock as she speaks of alt modes. "Well, unless they're space shuttles, naturally."

To Encore, he nods.

As a few more patrons come in, Swivel robotically gets them the cubes of engex they order, though her smile seems unusually stiff. It takes Swivel a moment to realize Encore has gone back to the cellar. Leaving... oh. In her capable hands. Swivel hazards a glance at Slugfest then quickly look away. Blast Off's voice is there, but to her seems distant, as if spoken under water. But at the tail end, it comes into crisp focus and she looks over at him. "I'm glad you loik it, sir." Laughter from some of the patrons causes Swivel to jump and look over at them with a slightly fretful demeanour, and she finds her hand fidgeting with a rag. No. Fidgeting is forbidden. Swivel goes back to being still, almost rigid, letting the conversation just happen around her.

Stalrock snorts. "Trust me, i've met some dumb shuttles, one of them being my brother." She nods and glances back. "But no one is more dumb then another based on our alt-modes." She'd nod softly.

"I know.. your inebriated at the moment, and likely have no filter right now, so i wont ask now, but i do have a lot of things I do wish to talk too you about." she nods.

Blast Off watches as Swivel... stiffens? The shuttleformer tilts his head again, pondering. "....Everything satisfactory, Swivel?"

He glances towards Starlock, huffing. "Fine. I suppose there is always an exception." He pauses as something she said strikes him. "You have a *brother*?"

"Had." Starlock corrects. "Younger brother, name was Starshield, warrior cast." She'd nod, her optics lowering. "He's.. gone now."

Slugfest yays, slurps the drink Megatron gave him, and becomes drunk sleepy stego. zzz

Swivel had continued to work on cleaning various surfaces in silence. But at Blast Off's question, she halts. She looks over at him, momentarily seemed a bit dazed, but then that wooden smile she'd been using on patrons that last little while softens into something more genuine. "Oh... yes, satisfactory. Or. Is now." Swivel rolls back her shoulders.

Swivel looks over at Starlock at the mention of Starshield, her expression softening even more. Swivel also lowers her head somberly. She then walks over, placing a hand on Starlock's shoulder.

Megatron looks up from his drink for a while. Before comments. "Youve never met a beastformer or rotary have you? They act a certain way. Especally if thats their root mode/ No offense, thats just the way it is." he says. "Im not being functionist or anything." he says. "You have a brother? Interesting."

A few mechs, getting a bit rowdy, fumble their way through a drinking song.

"Yes, some have some noticeable traits." Starlock can't argue with rotors, the adrenaline junkies! Still though... "But their not exclusive, and again your drunk so the filter of knowing what your saying is off, so..." She'd huff and smile at Swivel.

"Yeah.. Full sized mech." she would roll her shoulders. "...Died evacuating people in Harmonex, under Trypticon's foot." he voice goes hollow, but she's keeping it even.

Blast Off blinks as Starlock responds, his optics paling somewhat. Oops. He stares at her a moment before glancing down. "Ah. I... apologize. My... condolences, then." He immediately hides in-er, nurses his drink. "..."

As Megatron talks of beastformers and rotaries, the shuttle lifts his drink. "Hear, hear.... I think *all* rotaries are bron with a few screws loose... and I would know." WOE is HIM, having to work with one. WOE, he says.

Swivel's hand, feeble as it is, offers a reassuring squeeze as Starlock tries to keep it all in. Swivel's there.

"Its okay." Starlock smiles to Blast Off tiredly. "I'm.. still getting used to talk a loud about him." She'd smile with knitted brows and brings her hand up, placing it over Swivels in thanks and comfort.

"We were not twins, like most siblings, but just considered ourselves such with how close we were... Sides, being born in the same city is enough, yeah?" She'd nod.

Megatron pauses. "Just lightly buzzed." totally drunk. "And beastformers. Some are smarter then others but a lot of them rely on instinct. Perhaps too heavily. I mean. Blot." he says as if thats a perfect example. "Sorry to hear about your brother. I hope Im not the one who killed him." Yep. Drunk and filter's off.

Aaand Starlock facepalms.

Swivel just stares at Megatron a while. He's... inebriated. Swivel doesn't know how to respond so she just focuses on Starlock instead. She clears her vents, smiling and giving starlock one more pat on the shoulder as Starlock gives herself a pat on the face. Swivel prudently decides to stay out of this particular conversation and goes to tend to the needs of other customers.

Starlock sighs and then... ooh, she swoons, and the chair does with her as her optics go dark.

Blast Off nods to Starlock, some real empathy flickering across what's visible of his face before the aloof mask returns. The combiner team member knows how it would feel to lose one of his mates.... He lifts his drink, "To your brother, then." and takes a sip before placing it back down. Then he winces as Megatron speaks, "Ugh, Blot. Why did he have to join OUR side?" Ew. Then Megatron says *that* little gem and even Blast Off has a clue that THAT was ....not super-classy behavior. He looks at Swivel, never be ike that ok? Then he goes back to his drink.

Except WAIT. "Starlock!?" Not that he's WORRIED, mind you.

Megatron sees Starlock fall "Well. Im not the first one to pass out drunk. She handled herself pretty good. For a minibot."

Swivel's syncope senses tingle! The minibot femme whirls around as Starlock collapses and darts over to her, setting her upright. Swivel glances over at Megatron. "Oh, I think it moight be ther sleepin' sickness, sir." Swivel gives her uninformed medical opinion as she props Starlock upright. Swivel steps back a moment, hands out ready to catch her if she falls to either side. "I'm going take her down below to get some rest. Blast Off - swear on a shuttle's honour you won't let anyone raid ther bar whoile I'm..." Swivel is suddenly aware that she just had the audicity to order her teacher around. She hesittes, but decides not to abort the mission. "...getting Starlock comfortable."

Megatron nods "Alright, as long as shes safe here." when did he care? When he got drunk thats when. "I think its time I head home." he stands up to go. "If anyone important sees me drinking in a neutral bar, it'd be embarassing."

Starlock... is asleep, yep, sickness got her again.

Blast Off stares at Starlock, not sure what to do, but fortunately Swivel is there to actually do things like TOUCH others and like... DO things. Good. He sits back in his seat. "Sleeping sickness?" Then Megatron starts to get up and Blast Off begins to bid him a good night, but then he is basically called UNIMPORTANT, which causes the shuttle to stiffen and go back to focusing on Swivel and Starlock. *huffff*

But yeah. Right, Swivel... Swivel is surprising him, a bit, and he suddenly stops to stare at HER a moment. "......." There's a looong moment there. Then....

"....Very well. Shuttle's honor." Huh. So does that make him in CHARGE here for now? Heh. He loooks almost pleased.

Swivel's optic ridges shoot up, her purple optics flickering for a moment. "Yes, sir, safe," Swivel assures. She's still not sure what to make of this, but has determined not to make anything of it and let it just... be. Swivel takes a moment to consider how best to carry Starlock safely down the cellar steps, reassured by Blast Off agreeing to keep an optic on things in her brief absence. Finally, Swivel adopts a fireman hold, fanning out her back fires somewhat to help add extra balance and dsitribute the weight. With a few small grunts, Swivel carries Starlock to safely store her in the room Swivel often uses. She then returns, looking around for a certain Slugfest, working on relocating him to a comfortable box. She looks over at Blast Off. "Thank you, sir. It's always noice to have folk to rely on."

Under the table, a soft chainsaw-y snore can be heard!

Swivel follows the sound of that snore! Aha! Gently, and minding the blades, Swivel lifts Slugfest by scooping him under his legs and brings him to a box behind the bar where he can finish his nap out of everyone's way.

Blast Off is sitting at his table, somehow managing to lord it up in his brief stay as ruler of this realm. "That's enough racket from YOU!" he waves imperiously at some rowdy mechs across the room, then leans back as Swivel reappears. "And YOU," he murmurs towards Slugfest before finishing his drink. "Another drink, please. I deserve a reward for manning the fort while you're gone, I would say!"~ He then leans slightly in and says, much more quietly, "Will she be alright?"

The rowdy mechs are unimpressed with Blast Off's imperious behaviour and talk amongst themselves quietly about a reprisal. However they are too drunk to focus and soon forget who they were plotting against, instead rising to go looking for trouble rather than incubate it further in the Rollout.

Swivel looks over at Blast off as he requests another drink, and she smiles. "Sure thing," she says in her chipper voice as he provides him with another Unholy Rush. Swivel looks up when Blast Off quietly expresses his own concern. Swivel doesn't challenge it or make a deal of it. She just nods it, taking it for what it is. "This isn't unusual for those with the sleeping sickness." Swivel glances over her shoulder, then looks back to Blast Off. "Once my shift is over I will make sure she's taken somewhere to be properly looked after."

That look of concern flickers across his face once more before he again masks it, returning to take a sip of his drink. "...Good. I-I mean, not that I am *overly* concerned for an enemy Autobot, you understand, but...." He glances towrads the door where Megatron has left. "But... you know, as a fellow spacecraft, we sort of... have to look out for one another, right?" He *ahems* and returns to his drink, watching as the rowdy mechs leave. Then he watches Swivel. "Spacecrafts, or... teachers and students!"

Swivel looks up at Blast Off very steadily, and says quietly, "Oh, I do understand." Something in her tone emphasizes she understands a great deal more than what he's hinting at. She glances at the door again, and then picks up a glas and begins polishing it as Blast Off continues to speak and further explain. She nods to him frequently, but keeps her optics ont he glass. She gives him a sideglance when he brings up teachers and students. And then, if one were watching very carefully, they'd see the little imp emerge. It starts with a slight hue shift of her purple optics to a warmer shade, and then a playful tick at the corner of her lips, trying nt to smile. Her chin bows, her optic ridges rise, then lower. "Yes, teacher's 'n students. S'woi I feel so safe... here in th'bar, under Encore's tutilege." Swivel gives Blast Off a side glance, but immediately feels repentant of teasing him so. She quickly adds, "And you and I look out for each other, too."

Blast Off eyes Swivel, then slowly *hehs* to himself, nods, and lifts a glass to his bartender. He gestures a toast, then takes a sip to silent understandings. And then his chest puffs out, bigger and bigger, as Swivel speaks of how *safe* she feels....

Aaaand there it deflates. With ENCORE? The shuttleformer turns to look at her, optics flickering, but before he can sulk and deny Swivel adds that last little impoprtant bit and...ah. There. Blast Off settles in, looking more pleased now. He gives her a nod, almost chuckling to himself, before continuing his drink. He'll stay put for just a while longer- the company is nice.

Swivel grabs a random, half empty glass that someone left behind to lift in toast... then sets it back down. She's not going to drink it. Heavens no. That's be unprofessional. Instead she takes it and gathers others like it, the soft tinkling of glasses adding to the cozy atmosphere. Indeed, the company i nice, but the company also goes about her work, trying to be present, but not slacking.

After a while, as the patrons thin out, Swivel looks over to Blast Off. "It's almost closin' toim, and once me shift's over, I'll be needin' to take care... care of Starlock." Once again Swivel does the slide from old speech patterns to new mid-sentence.

Blast Off eyes her as she slips, then corrects.... nodding as she does. "I can take a hint~..." He stands up, posing a bit dramatically. "You don't want me around, I get it! No, it's no problem, my magnificence is a *lot* for most people to handle, after all...." Woe, woe.... He then relents, chuckles softly, and stands more normally. Apparently HE is just a bit... loosened up from the drink, himself. His finger comes up, though, as he looks down at the much smaller femme, and he bends down to be more on her level. "But that won't excuse you from your next lesson! I expect you there promptly..." He grins under the faceplate as he starts heading out the door.