Begrudging Friends // TFATWS

10

The six landed outside Madripoor and changed their clothes. Bucky was to be the Winter Soldier and Delia was to be the darker side of her moniker.

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."

Nia smiled as she took Sam's hand. "But a handsome one."

Jamie pretended to gag. "Save it for the bedroom."

Delia frowned. "Please don't give me those images."

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," Sam said.

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 Delia and the two got in, Bucky after her, and Sam, Jamie and Nia 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. Delia saw 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 Delia's hand once again as the two walked behind Sam, Nia, Jamie and Zemo. Bucky held Delia'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 Delia. "Ready to comply, Winter Soldier, Oracle?"

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

The six walked up to the bar and the bartender walked up to them before saying, "Hello, gentlemen, ladies." 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."

Delia covered her mouth and looked away 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. Nia grimaced and glanced at Sam, silently wishing him luck.

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 and Jamie gave a nod of respect while Nia gagged slightly. Sam gave the bartender a thumbs up.