My Time With The Lollipop Gang

This week on The Corpo and Streetkid, Brian and I unpacked one of the most iconic quests in Cyberpunk 2077: The Pickup and The Information.

This episode was a wild ride through tension, tech, and testosterone, and honestly, it left me with more questions about Jackie, Maelstrom, and why the hell anyone would trust a guy named Dum Dum.

We started with that awkward-yet-hyped phone call from Jackie, who couldn’t wait to get into the gig. Brian and I really dug into Jackie’s motivations. Is he in it for the eddies? The prestige? Maybe both—but I’ve always felt he’s chasing the legend.

Jackie’s got that sparkle in his eye when he talks about Morgan Blackhand and the Afterlife, and I think deep down, he wants that legacy for himself.

Then came our run-in with Meredith Stout—our first real taste of Corpo life (if you didn’t start as one).

"Meredith Stout." Picture from Cyberpunk 2077, CD Projekt Red.

Let’s be real: that encounter is all sharp edges and zero trust. She’s cold and calculating and comes with a zip-tied executive in her trunk like it’s just another Tuesday. However, her little “gift”—a Militech credit chip with a built-in virus—adds complexity to the quest. Do you use it, wipe it, or walk away?

Of course, things really pop off once we walk into the meatpacking den of Maelstrom. I mean, who opens the door to two strangers and just trusts them? But that’s Maelstrom—chaotic, unpredictable, and bristling with chrome.

Dum Dum invites us in for a smoke and some negotiation, and Jackie? He’s ready to blow. I love the tension at that moment. Do we keep it cool or start swinging?

"Dum Dum & the Flathead." Picture from Cyberpunk 2077, CD Projekt Red.

The payoff is satisfying whether you talk, sneak, or shoot your way out. The showdown with Royce can be a boss battle or a bloodbath, and we talk through both outcomes.

Oh, and hey, shout out to Brick—the only Maelstrom member who feels remotely grounded.

By the time you escape the factory, Flathead in hand, and the Militech cavalry rolls in, you’re left wondering: was this about the tech, the mission, or something deeper? That weird convo with Jackie at the end left me unsettled.

In the next episode, I’ll explain why I don’t take this route anymore—and how the order of your choices reshapes the narrative entirely.