Specialty Services Brokerage
Owned and run by Muammar el-Saadeh, the Specialty Services Brokerage is a discreet shop down an unassuming laneway in Ka-Tepi. Its thick whitewashed walls show nothing beside a small plaque beside the door bearing the shop's name.
Entering the store, visitors are met by cool air, delicately perfumed and with a slight mist of dampness from the large fountain burbling in the centre of the main room. The noise of the fountain makes it very hard to hear quiet conversations more than a few paces away.
The main room is ringed by several well-spaced booths. Each is surrounded by gauzy hangings making it impossible to make out more than vague shadows within, allowing customers to have discreet meetings. Servants move around noiselessly on slipper-clad feet, bearing refreshments and message slips or pouches. They are famously discreet and completely loyal to el-Saadeh, who pays them well and rewards their reports of attempted bribes. If anyone appears to be trying to overhear a meeting or loitering in the shop as if to identify another customer, the servants will appear at their elbow and quietly usher them away.
A pair of guards sit at the back of the store, seemingly intent on a board game but actually watching visitors carefully. If anyone starts to cause a problem or resists the guidance of one of the servants, they will be on their feet within seconds. Both are ex-military veterans and former caravan guards and bouncers, well versed in dealing with troublemakers. Should they have difficulty dealing with any problems, more guards are within shouting distance in the next room.
Brokerage owner Muammar el-Saadeh keeps a series of notebooks carefully locked in his office with records of skilled individuals who can provide specialty services, as well as people looking for something which cannot be immediately fulfilled. Should anyone come into the store looking for an individual to provide a service, there is a very good chance he can put them in contact with a skilled person or group who can meet their needs. In exchange for this service, he receives a fee from the hirer and a commission from the employed individual.
Specialty Services offers many different services, ranging from fast and discreet couriers to security experts, trap-makers or -breakers, bodyguards to assassins or counter-assassins. el-Saadeh's lists contain the names of many individuals with esoteric skills and knowledge to answer unusual questions or solve difficult problems, and he charges a premium for providing swift solutions to a wide variety of problems.
Type
Shop, Generic
Parent Location
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