Hypocrites Paradox

William must deal with some obstacles in the way of progress

William swept his hand under the ragged counter and again failed to retrieve anything other than dust. His thighs had begun to ache from remaining squatted so long, yet the strange alien seemed to give no reprieve. The language barrier had become insurmountable, and the two had sunk to using hand and facial gestures to communicate. William had gathered that the alien, the one who rented him his room, had lost something under the counter, a key card perhaps, and was unable to retrieve it either because of his declining age or some other unknown debilitation.

William was in the midst of yet another sweep when the com in his pocket vibrated. He waited before answering. One vibration was a message. Two was a call. The first vibration ended. Silence. A second began. William stood up quickly and reeled the com from his pocket, making sure to use gratuitous gestures so the alien renter/slave driver would understand. A quick peripheral scan divulged a shady alcove, almost made to conceal someone in need. William was in need. He slipped between the walls and answered the call
“Hel-” He began, wanting to sound as suave as humanly possible.

Ellen's crisp voice cut him off “ 56:24 at the Raiim den. You know it?”
“I can find it” he replied

“Come armed. I can't get through to Hook”
Silence
“Do you have a location”

“ He was staying at a place named the Hypocrites Paradox” she replied slowly, sensing where the conversation was headed
“I was going to suggest I go get him, but I almost feel like he belongs there” William smirked
Silence
Regret “I'll find him.” And then the call ended.

William reemerged from the dark crevice and made a beeline for his room. He quickly entered and grabbed his weapon, a 236-RD, a medium sized one hand pistol capable of discharging 236 amps of concentrated electricity into a target; enough to stop even the largest of foes. William checked the meter and dialed it into a pleasent 0.02 milliamps. Enough to stun someone. He then grabbed his spare shirt and wrapped it about his head, concealing everything but his shaggy brown hair and his eyes. A quick check proved that everything was in it's place, save the Dirty Corner, who appeared to be making a land grab as the room door pushed air in and out with it oscillation.

He was at the door and brushing past the temporary landlord, before he was consciously aware his feet were in motion.

“I've got to go” William said, holding his hands high in apology, yet not bothering to stop. The door slid open wearily and the sound of an angry alien died with the humdrum of an active city. The second moon was high in it's rotation, but it couldn't be seen it through the clouds. Patters of rain on William's head as he skimmed through the ever crowded streets reminded him of his sanity. It was in there somewhere. That didn't make any sense. William took his pills.

The Hypocrites Paradox was a cesspit. Whether the name disclaimed that fact or not, William wasn't sure. He'd given up on trying to figure it out half way there. The key indicator that this was the right place was the fact that a large hand painted sign by the door clearly displayed “Humans Only”. Hook's prejudice betrayed him.

Upon entrance of the building, Will found the place even more revolting. Mice roamed openly in the lobby, while trash lay upon the floor. A scholarly looking fellow worked the desk, periodically stopping to observe William's meandering of his spectacles.

“Excuse me,” William said eventually

“How may I help you?” replied the man, with a voice only given to those who find themselves superior.
“I'm looking for a Mr. Hook.”

“ We don't have a Mr. Hook here” the man replied, looking back down at his consoles, as if disappointed with the questions mundanity.

William turned and walked briskly into the man's personal space. Everything was intentional
“You don't have” William hesitated letting the words sink in “A Mr. Terrowin Hook?”

“Oh. A Terrowin. Let me just check that again” He said as his cheeks began to redden “Yes we have him. Or had him, rather. He's taken his departure and his room is off limits.”

Twitch.

William pulled his com out of his pocket, called Ellen and set it to amplify audio externally.

“Will?” She answered

“Any word from Hook?” He asked.

“No.” Will ended the call and placed the com back in his pocket.

“What's his room number.”

“Unfortunately” The spectacled man began, licking his lips “ Mr. Hook has requested that information be kept in privacy.”

William groaned and pulled out his com once again, and once again, switched the speakers to external output

“Ellen, I'm having trouble at Hook's place. Permission to kill desk clerk?”

Pause. Then “Granted”

William drew his pistol and pointed it at the clerk, savoring the sound of energy particles charging.

“Wait!”

“Now we're getting somewhere” William grinned, intending to lower the pistol, but prematurely releasing the safety trigger and firing a small ball of energy into the clerk.

Oh S**t. Will scampered over the desk and found the clerk completely knocked out, but alive. It was a good thing William lowered the dial to stun before he left the hotel.

Accident or not, he couldn't waste this precious opportunity. It took a rough five seconds of scanning a dossier to find that Hooks room was number B14.