Eminence Front // TFATWS

10

The four landed outside Madripoor and changed their clothes. Bucky was to be the Winter Soldier and Mary was to be the twisted Vintovka.

Sam frowned and said, "Look, we have to do something about this. We have to fix this. I'm the only one who looks like a pimp."

Zemo let out a sigh and shook his head. "Only an American would assume a fashion-forward black man looks like a pimp. You look exactly like the man you're supposed to be. The sophisticated, charming African rake named Conrad Mack, aka the Smiling Tiger."

"He even has a bad nickname."

Zemo took out a photo of Conrad and Sam looked at it before saying, "Hell, he does look a lot like me, though."

"You smell this?" Zemo asked.

"Yeah, what is that?" Sam wondered. "Acid?"

"Madripoor," Zemo replied. "No matter what happens, we have to stay in character. Our lives depend on it. There's no margin for error." A car came up to them, turned and stopped in the middle of the bridge. "High Town's that way. Not a bad place to visit, but Low Town's the other way."

Sam made his way to the other side of the car. "Let me guess. We don't have any friends in High Town."

Zemo remained silent as he climbed into the passenger seat. Bucky opened the door for Mary and the two got in, Bucky after his girlfriend, and Sam got in from the other side. As they drove to the island, it began storming.

As soon as the group reached the island, six motorcyclists drove around them; two in front, two beside, two behind. Mary noticed guns and knives, quickly realizing they were armed. They pulled into a tunnel and the music grew louder as they drew closer to the bar where they planned to find Selby.

Once they got back onto the street, Bucky took Mary's hand once again as the two walked behind Sam and Zemo. Bucky held Connie's hand tighter as they passed people holding rifles and others participating in drug deals. They came up to a neon sign that had a purple monkey.

"Here we are," Zemo said, leading them through a crowd of people. He spoke in Russian to Bucky and Mary. "Ready to comply, Winter Soldier, Vintovka?"

As they walked through the crowd, people turned to look at them and someone asked, "Is that the Winter Soldier and Vintovka?"

The four walked up to the bar and the bartender walked up to them before saying, "Hello, gentlemen, lady." He turned to Sam. "Wasn't expecting you, Smiling Tiger."

Zemo shrugged and put his hands on the bar before replying, "His plans changed. We have business to do with Selby."

"The usual?" The bartender was still looking at Sam skeptically and Sam nodded. He took a snake out of a jar and cut it open.

"Ah. Smiling Tiger, your favorite."

Mary grimaced as the bartender took out one of the snake's organs and put it in the shot glass of alcohol before placing it in front of Sam.

Sam picked up the glass and said, "I love these."

"Cheers, Conrad," Zemo replied, clinking glasses with Sam.

Sam smelled the drink and grunted. "Mmm." He brought it to his lips to take a drink, but stopped himself. "Mmm." He decided it best to take the shot and slammed the glass down once he'd done so. Bucky gave a nod of respect while Mary grimaced again. Sam gave the bartender a thumbs up.

As the bartender walked away, another man walked up to the four and said to Zemo, "I got word from on high. You ain't welcome here."

Zemo looked at the man before saying, "I have no business with the Power Broker, but if he insists, he can either come and talk to me..." Zemo glanced at Bucky.