Marion
Human
Departed
Posts: 119
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Post by Marion on Jan 25, 2008 5:09:49 GMT
Marion watched him carefully. The young man was struggling, that much was plain. It seemed more nerves than anything - nerves could be worked with. Chances were, he simply needed training, and from his file, Marion glanced down and up again before she began to speak, he just hadn't been in Los Angeles long enough to develop a mean streak. That was okay, she had plenty when necessary.
"I am very selective about my caseload, so I have to warn you up front, you're not looking at a huge firm here. There's me. If you decide you like it here enough to stay, and maybe go for the bar fully later, we can talk about a branching out. That's my ambition speech. Usually, people leave right after that, but I think, and I think correctly so, that you're not looking to step on people on your way to a huge salary."
When his eyes widened at that, she simply waved a hand and sat forward in her chair, regarding him quietly. "I defend people I think are worthy of it. I also have one client that gets priority over all. You'll hear about him later, but most of the work we do is for him - the rest is police work. I'll tell you now, they call me The Bulldog over there." She smiled, then opened his file.
"All the work I'd need you to do you have listed in your file as more than adequate, and your references checked out. What I ask of you, before you accept the job, is that you trust me, and that I can place my trust in you. When I think you've earned that completely, I'll let you in on the rest of the job responsibilities you'll have."
She grinned slightly. This applicant was more than perfect - and she would never have alluded to Cole if she hadn't have wanted him to accept. If she was right, Archie wanted to make a difference - and he was a good man - and that's who she wanted.
"As for the back room, you can move in immediately if you want - and if you can make a good cup of coffee, I'll up your salary." Her brown eyes looked at his face, firmly and seriously. "What do you say, Archie?"
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Archie
Human
Departed
You vitriolic, patriotic, slam, fight, bright light, feeling pretty psyched
Posts: 35
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Post by Archie on Feb 9, 2008 20:04:08 GMT
He wasn’t a suspicious man by any means – his mother’s had often worried about that and told him he had to start being even a little more cynical and less trusting if he was ever to make it in any field of life, but Archie liked to trust people and believe in them, more often than not being rewarded for his faith. Even so, part of him couldn’t help but wonder if the whole thing was just too good to be true, the speed of the interview and the offering of the job making his head spin slightly. This was not exactly the way he had thought this would go, even in his most positive rendition of the interview.
It was all very mysterious as well, Marion touching on the subject of her ‘one big client’ but not actually telling him anything about it, or really about the job. Normally, that would have been enough to send him running in the opposite direction but something about the request that he just trust her about it made him pause, the young man chewing slightly on his bottom lip as he considered it all.
Her reputation helped calm him slightly, Archie having done a little background work on his potential boss as soon as the invitation to an interview had appeared, young man diligently searching through all the archives of cases he could find and being more than happy with the results even if further research had uncovered the Bulldog nickname. That spoke of determination and the ability to be down right scary when the need arose and Archie could only hope that he wouldn’t ever be on the wrong side of her when that part of her personality came out to play. She was right about him not wanting to step on any toes or make himself more important and powerful to the detriment of others, part of him inwardly glad that his morals were actually paying off this time, even if he was going to have to make a snap choice, a gamble, instead of carefully weighing the facts off against each other before coming to a choice.
It was no choice really, because chances like this didn’t come round often and Archie knew he was going to take the job even before his opened his mouth, hoping that not only would his trust in her prove to be well placed but also that she wouldn’t have place to regret hiring and trusting him. They would never believe him back home when he told they about this, Archie mused. “I… thank you Marion. I’d like that-this. I’ll try not to let you down.”
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Marion
Human
Departed
Posts: 119
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Post by Marion on Feb 13, 2008 22:52:28 GMT
Marion hid the relief at his answer. He was a candidate in a lifetime, and she was relieved that his answer was what she wanted to hear. "Then its settled. You can begin by assembling the usual forms for your employment - insurance will be covered, I'll just place a call this afternoon and we'll set you up. Dental's been added, so its complete." She rubbed her eyes with one hand, and then looked at her other one. It was red, but seemed to be fine otherwise - thanks to his quick thinking.
"Before we start on the forms - of course before that if you'd like you can move your things into the back room - " she cleared her throat - "Your salary will be contingent on how good you are with coffee. I failed my first attempt this morning, you're up." She paused, then said - "Welcome to my Barnes Law, Archie." She extended her hand.
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Archie
Human
Departed
You vitriolic, patriotic, slam, fight, bright light, feeling pretty psyched
Posts: 35
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Post by Archie on Feb 25, 2008 20:28:33 GMT
He nodded intently as she spoke, filling away everything in case he would need it later. The forms and contracts required were mostly the typical ones that came with any sort of job although Archie had no doubt he’d have to sign at least one confidentiality waver, if only to protect the company. He still wasn’t sure how he felt about moving in, although his family would certainly be relieved to hear that he was out of the motel and into somewhere a lot more stable, safe and somewhat less likely to have drug dealers
“Thank you.” He reached out, taking the offered hand and shaking it firmly, hoping that his palms weren’t sweaty or something disgusting like that. It would be just his luck to fall at the last hurdle because he had grossed her out.
“Gourmet coffee is certainly something I can do,” Archie assured her. Not for the first time he was grateful for his mother and the hours she had spent teaching him how to cook and make not only meals but drinks as well, even if some of them were things he could only smell and never risk tasting. When it came to coffee it was all in the preparation and with a shy nod and smile at her, he stood, intending to get to work on the drink at once.
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Marion
Human
Departed
Posts: 119
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Post by Marion on Mar 2, 2008 12:02:38 GMT
Marion sat back, happily running the last of the applications through the shredder. She had not enjoyed interviewing this time - not in the slightest. It wasn't simply that the new aide would have large shoes to fill - it was that each applicant had been so lacking in what she wanted. She looked idly out the window, her head filled with swirling thoughts. It was a far less than perfect world, and she wondered if dealing with the dirt day by day had made it harder for her to find the gems in the world.
Though gems like a certain Jonathan Colby had found her. She'd not heard from him in a few days, and she wondered if she should call him. Shaking her head once, she returned partially to the present. Speculating about a cowboy cop she'd had dinner with once with a friend was not important now. What was important now was finishing her work.
A cup of the most divine smelling brew appeared on her desk. She was interrupted from her thoughts by a completed cup infront of her. She sipped - "Ohhh yes." She closed her eyes. "You are so very hired. You can start immediately. Or tomorrow. Whatever is best for you, Archie. And please, let me know if there's anything I can do. Tomorrow we'll get down to brass tacks."
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Archie
Human
Departed
You vitriolic, patriotic, slam, fight, bright light, feeling pretty psyched
Posts: 35
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Post by Archie on Mar 2, 2008 16:24:09 GMT
His mother Beverly had always told him that just because there was an art to making coffee, didn’t mean there wasn’t also a science to it. She approached cooking and making things in that way, drawing together the strands of art and science as though they were always mixed and you could have one with the other. The science of coffee making included the measurements, the times to leave the liquid brewing but the art, the art complimented that and gave it the flair that upgraded it from just good coffee to great coffee.
Or so Archie hoped as he placed the cup down in front of Marion, shifting nervously from one foot to another as she lifted it. It was more than just the job at stake, it was knowing that all those hours hadn’t been spent in vain, Archie typically having to reply on others to test his drinks. The caffeine content of coffee was generally too high to include in his diet except on special occasions when he worked round it as best he could. Thank heavens for the wonders of de-caff, Archie already making a mental note to buy some for the kitchen, enjoying the taste more the buzz people claimed it gave. He smiled at the appreciation, glad that it had proven to be a hit.
“I think everything I need will be covered tomorrow when we go over the papers,” Archie replied. “At the moment I can’t think of anything utterly pressing.”
Continued at: Parking Lot
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Archie
Human
Departed
You vitriolic, patriotic, slam, fight, bright light, feeling pretty psyched
Posts: 35
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Post by Archie on Mar 8, 2008 3:33:08 GMT
Continued from: Parking Lot
Archie moved through the office with a confidence and determination that hid the fact he had only been in the room once, walking as though it was a place he knew intimately, navigating any obstacles as he reached for the phone, snatching it up and punching at the required number with slightly more force than was probably necessary, glancing back behind him as he did. The idea to go behind Marion’s back and call the ambulance anyway didn’t occur to him as he waited for the call to actually connect.
“Come on, come on, come on,” he muttered under his breath, shifting anxiously from one foot to another, trying his best not to think about how he could be accidentally aiding in a manslaughter if Owen died and they found out no ambulance had been called. Well, at least I know a good lawyer if that happens… he found himself thinking almost hysterically, part of his mind having a little mental freak-out, separated from the rest of his thoughts and actions by sheer experience. He was only too used to panicking in part of his brain and having the rest of him acting normally, almost sagging in relief as the phone finally started to ring on the other end.
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Owen
Rogue Werewolf
Advertising Executive
All my talk of starting over, these words were never true.
Posts: 44
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Post by Owen on Mar 8, 2008 3:58:20 GMT
Continued from: Parking Lot with Marion.
How could he possibly be okay? Still, even with the shaken disbelief regarding Marion’s words, he just didn’t have it in him to argue with her. That didn’t change the fact that he far from believed her. He was leaving an unmistakeable blood trail in his wake, and there was no way he could lose the amount he had and live to tell the tale. He just didn’t believe it, couldn’t wrap his head around it. He was still reliving the chase and attack, and that hardly helped attempts to think coherently.
And yet he’d still managed to find himself panicking over ruining Marion’s couch.
Unable to keep from flinching, albeit sluggishly, when she touched a hand to his face, he only realised as he looked at her that he was having trouble breathing. Yet more evidence to support his grim ‘theory’, or rather conclusion. Oh god, he didn’t want to die. So when he opened his mouth and found himself shakily saying as much, he couldn’t even find the stubborn pride to be ashamed of the fear that filled his words and no doubt showed clearly on his face.
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Archie
Human
Departed
You vitriolic, patriotic, slam, fight, bright light, feeling pretty psyched
Posts: 35
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Post by Archie on Mar 8, 2008 4:05:18 GMT
The man on the other end of the phone had been surprisingly calm about the injuries Archie had described, as though it was something he had seen more than once. In fact the biggest surprise had been the fact that it was a man calling instead of Marion herself. He returned the phone to the desk and allowed himself a single breath, a long exhale of air and a single moment of blank panic before the determination returned and he headed towards the couch where Marion had managed to place their visitor – victim – lucky – unlucky man?
“Nate’s on his way,” Archie told Marion softly, words calm despite the manta of panic that was threading through the back of his mind. “Where do you keep your first aid supplies?” Exactly what he thought he could do with the average and in this case woefully inadequate kit, Archie wasn’t sure but it was clear that they had to get started on trying to keep Owen patched together and his insides from completely spilling out until Nate arrived and could take over.
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Marion
Human
Departed
Posts: 119
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Post by Marion on Mar 8, 2008 4:11:53 GMT
Marion kept her eyes on Owen's face, thumb stroking his cheek over and over again. Who she was soothing at this point, she wasn't sure. "Owen, its okay. It looks horrible, god I know it does, but you're going to be okay. I promise you that. C'mon, I need you to be okay, you're my safety net here at the Colony - so stop bein' selfish."
Telling him the truth now? Not an option. Not in the slightest. "You're going to have to work off the blood stains on this couch, don't you know. I need you to breathe in Owen - breathe in, gently, please." Her eyes fixed on his face.
Archie's quiet approach and his words gave her strength. "First aid kit's under the coffee machine. Towels there too, and put the kettle on to boil again." Blood covered her own burned hand, but she didn't notice as she began to tear strips from Owen's already ruined shirt. "Owen - don't think about it. I know its hard, but tell me - what did you have for dinner? Talk to me - tell me - what was dinner? What did you do today?"
Hang in there, god, please...soon as Nate gets here, I'm calling Cole.
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Owen
Rogue Werewolf
Advertising Executive
All my talk of starting over, these words were never true.
Posts: 44
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Post by Owen on Mar 8, 2008 4:25:19 GMT
It was bizarre. Marion’s words almost made him smile or laugh, he wasn’t sure which, but it hurt too much to breathe and anything beyond that was exhausting and excruciating, and his brain deemed such things unworthy; he had to get his priorities straight. Survival instinct made his brain tell him that breathing was more important than anything else if he intended to keep living, and therefore, everything else could and should be ignored.
The fact that Marion was encouraging him to do that very same thing helped, of course. The idea of talking? Not so much. Nevertheless, he hadn’t gotten to where he was in his career by laying back and not making an effort, and it was that determined streak that shone through to allow him to at least initially focus his eyes on her face, even if only in fits and bursts, when the world wasn’t swimming around him, the walls, floor and ceiling all wanting to blur and bleed together.
Marion’s question didn’t make sense in his thoroughly jumbled mind, and he supposed it showed. Trying not to look at his own torn body, he kept his attention on her face as much as possible, trying to think, attempting to remember something so stupidly simple and yet evasive in that moment. What had he had for dinner? “I, uh…” Owen made the mistake of looking down. As pale as he already was from the loss of blood, his face whitened a few shades more at the grisly sight of his own body.
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Archie
Human
Departed
You vitriolic, patriotic, slam, fight, bright light, feeling pretty psyched
Posts: 35
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Post by Archie on Mar 8, 2008 4:41:34 GMT
Growing up, his sister had always accused him of walking like a cat, being the quiet butler that could weave in and out of places with as little noise as possible. For some reason her words came to mind now as he hurried towards the coffee machine. It seemed right somehow that he should be moving quietly, so not to disturb the conversation between Marion and Owen, and so the sound of him flicking the machine on and collecting the first aid kit didn’t break the wounded man’s tentative grasp on concentration.
The towels were flung over his shoulder, Archie opening and rooting through the kit as he headed back, pulling out the things that he knew would help the smaller of the wounds although he doubted there was anything in here that could deal with the larger ones. It was a start at least and better than leaving Owen to bleed on his own.
“Here,” Archie crouched down next to them, placing the kit on the ground between himself and Marion while passing her one of the towels, masking the worry on his face as he took his first look at the full range of injuries.
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Marion
Human
Departed
Posts: 119
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Post by Marion on Mar 8, 2008 4:47:24 GMT
Marion sharpened her voice just a little, accepting the towel from Archie gratefully. "Owen, stop it." She forced his face to hers a little more roughly. You didn't treat someone who was going to die roughly, she hoped it would get through his haze. "Do not look down. Look at me. You're not answering me." She tried another tact. "How is Zo? Tell me how she is." Rapidly she covered the leg wound away from his line of sight and gently pointed Archie to the wound in his chest.
"Zo needs you. I'm a lawyer. I can't look after her. When do you see me walking? Good god, its Los Angeles. Tell me Owen - how's Zo?" Her fingers pointed Archie to the spots that needed pressure and her ears strained for Nate.
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Owen
Rogue Werewolf
Advertising Executive
All my talk of starting over, these words were never true.
Posts: 44
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Post by Owen on Mar 8, 2008 4:56:15 GMT
If he hadn’t been in shock, he might have taken offence to the tone or the wording, but as it was, it worked, and he looked to her when she directed him to do so, having to take his time in order to register what she’d said and figure out what the simple words meant. His brain just wanted to shut off, take solace in darkness and silence, and frankly, that sounded like a good idea. Or it would have if he hadn’t thought he would never wake up again…
That, and Marion would probably get mad at him.
“She doesn’t bark in the night anymore,” was what he finally ended up saying, having to frequently replay Marion’s words in his head so he wouldn’t look down. She’d told him not to. “She’s good.” He swallowed against his dry throat, grimacing. “She’s a good dog.”
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Marion
Human
Departed
Posts: 119
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Post by Marion on Mar 8, 2008 5:03:18 GMT
"She is a good dog. You're a good owner to her." Marion let out a tiny sigh of relief. "Good. I'm glad to hear that. Now stay with me." She watched Archie worked, quietly impressed. Ah ha. Another tactic. "Now I'm not going to get mad at you, but you're being awfully rude. You've not introduced yourself. I'll do it for you - just this once - "
She adopted a bright tone, moving her hand to stroke Owen's hair in a seeminly absent manner. "Owen Filby - this is my new assistant, Archie. Archie - meet Owen. He lives in this building and occasionally has takeout with me. We rent movies too. Which movie did we get last week, Owen? The one you bullied me into watching..."
If she could just keep him hanging on. Archie was a godsend for the moment, but they needed help, and help would take time.
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