John Krugman

John Krugman
Male
Street Level
Solo Villain

Background:
I'm glad you made it. Yes, that's my voice coming from the monitor, I couldn't be here in person. Can't have my face all over town.
I apologize for bringing you here under false pretenses, but we really needed to speak. I'll get to the point soon, but first I have some things to lay out for you. If I can just borrow your ear for a few minutes.
Ahem.
Torture: Noun. The action or practice of inflicting severe pain on someone as a punishment or to force them to do or say something, or for the pleasure of the person inflicting the pain.

Personality:
Everyone uses it. Supposed heroes like the hounds, supposed villains like Asura. Even the U.S. government uses it, though I'll let you decide which end of the spectrum that bunch falls on.
So many people rely on it. Torture is where they get their information, it's how they inform so many decisions, and how they induce others to follow their whims.
And they're absolutely moronic for it. Torture brings out the worst bits of information. Maybe it works on the weak spirited, those who hold nothing above themselves. But most often you still get muddled truth at best, and more likely you get someone spewing lies just to get you to stop pulling off their fingernails. And while people are generally quite attached to their fingernails-that pun was indeed on purpose- there are better ways to get what you want. I'm talking, of course, about incentives.

Communication rank 1, (2)
No, no. I'm not referring to incentives like that's a mighty fine tongue you have there. That would just bring us back full circle, wouldn't it? I mean real incentives, what people really respond to. What people want, or what they're really not willing to lose. A crook can be swayed to your side by the dollar, or by making your own gang the most attractive.

Commander rank 2, ranged, multi-attack, (8)
I've amassed my own force of young ruffians through such means. And I have managed a reputation for an easy detail. Guard some shipments, make sure I don't get killed by any of the city's maniacs. All I really need is enough intimidating men to make someone looking at taking over my operations think twice. Few of the bosses in this town are willing to lose all their soldiers to best me.
A few young men with machine pistols is enough to keep your own interests in check after all. The average, USDA grade bad egg can be bought by the dozen. Arming them with decent black market weapons is really the most expensive part. Well, the second most expensive part.

Polymorph rank 1, (10)
There are of course some in this fine city who would not be intimidated by a few guns. There's a need for a different kind of power in this town. Strange things happen with the common criminal here. A man running from police easily jumps a 6 foot fence. Or a hooded individual wrestles out of the arms of multiple officers. Do you think the average crook you might meet has such strength and agility?
Not without something extra. A small syringe, filled with all the things that make a man fast and strong. It has two real advantages to it. The first is that my men are just generally better than any other in town. The second goes right back to those incentives. A little extra power really brings in the bodies.
Bear with me, this is all going somewhere.

Detective rank 1, (12)
Now, it should be obvious that the common criminal is easy to bring under your control. Money and power is enough for most. But what about those people you need who aren't of the criminal element?
Sure, it's easy to get a dirty cop in your pocket, either through bribery or extortion. You can always find a skeleton in a dirty cop's closet. It's the good ones who require some real work. You see, the righteous will not be swayed by money, and the truly good don't have any dirt to dig up.
But maybe there's something else to incentivize them. You just need to find out what it is. Perhaps their child is undergoing cancer treatments, and they need the help of a back alley medic to keep the pain at bay. Maybe they can't afford the treatments, not everyone's insurance is great. There we can fall back on money.
It's nice to be able to give to someone. Not only do we both come out with what we want, but it makes a person that much more likely to be willing to work with you again. Of course, for some people it's only the threat of taking something away that makes them cooperative.

Emotion control rank 1, (14)
And that's where we are tonight officer. If you'll turn your head to the screen, you can see where this conversation has been headed. Your son is rather good at soccer, isn't he? Your wife is quite pretty, despite the bump in her belly. I'm sure you'd like them to stay happy and healthy, and out of the scopes of my men.
You have two options. The first is to attempt to find a way around my request. I hope I've made it clear that's a bad idea.
The second option will work out much better for us both. You see, there's a simple way for you to keep everything right. One of my boys is in hot water, and I need him out. You're just the man to help me. All I want is my man back on the street.
Now tell me, do you feel properly incentivized?