♗ IC CONTACT

[waiting]

"You've reached Bradbury. I'm out, so leave a message if you need me."

Comments

[enigmaestro]

What are you doing?

[Pressing matters, first.]

Are you having a party? Did you not invite me?

[waiting]

It's not my party. You didn't see the invite on the Network?

[ He's only in on this because April dragged him to it, though. ]

[enigmaestro]

Some of us are too busy for impersonal Network invitations.

[So, no, he didn't.]

Well. [A touch coldly:] I wanted to discuss how well Lillian has been adapting. Have you gotten much chance to interact? I try to keep her busy.

[waiting]

Hey, I didn't even know there was going to be a party until I got dragged here.

[ He huffs softly, but as Eddie's tone shifts, so does his, becoming a little brisker. ]

As far as I can tell, she's settling in pretty well. Doesn't get into too many fights with the rest of the team, there's still a few things in the routine she needs to get the hang of, but that'll work itself out in time. [ And a touch dryly: ] No complaints about the uniform, either.

What's the deal? [ He can't imagine Eddie's making this call for Lil's health. ]

[enigmaestro]

There's no reason to complain about the uniform. I'm sure even you appreciate its aesthetics. [A hard drawl on that first syllable, making more an assthetics sound.] But really, Mr. Bradbury, you're rushing. Rush, rush, rush. Take a moment to enjoy the discourse you're presently elevated with.

[Patronizing ego-stroking, or blatant attempts to divert Rick from the festivities?

But then:]

I want you to inform me if anyone gives her trouble.

[waiting]

[ The roll of his eyes is all but audible from the other end, but before he can snap back, the last bit captures Bradbury's attention and interest quite effectively.

Huh. He can't help the creep of wryness: ]

Looking out for you's supposed to be her job. You know that, right?

[enigmaestro]

Rhetorical questions don't flatter you, Mr. Bradbury.

[waiting]

What are you gonna do if there is trouble?

[enigmaestro]

I'll fix it. As I always do. [His tone is resolute, unerring.] But I'd have to be informed of the matter, first. Hence why I'm making inquiries, with you.

[waiting]

[ He huffs. ]

If I hear anything that's outta my jurisdiction, I'll let you know. Fair enough?

[enigmaestro]

I suppose.

[An for an abrupt shift.]

Do you like her?

[waiting]

[ The shift in tone catches him off-guard, as his perplexed tone suggests. ]

Wouldn't have recommended her to be your bodyguard if I didn't.

[enigmaestro]

Sexually. Do you like her sexually?

I can't believe I have to clarify.

[waiting]

What? No. She's married. [ He sounds vaguely squicked, like he can't believe Eddie's even asking, but-- ]

Was married. And she's seeing someone else.

[enigmaestro]

[A long.







Skeptical.




Vaguely agonized.


Beat.]

Yes. She is.








[The things he does for Lillian.]

But that doesn't preclude your admiration for her physical form.

[waiting]

[ For a moment, he almost thought Eddie dropped the connection. ]

Hadn't really thought about it.

[enigmaestro]

Wow. You hadn't thought about something?

[An unnecessary degree of dryness follows.]

I'm so entirely shocked.

[waiting]

[ Equally dry: ]

Yeah, like I'm shocked you're actually talking to me.

Didn't have anything better to do with your weekend?

[enigmaestro]

Really? Lillian's happiness isn't worth a ten minute conversation to you?

[waiting]

Gonna take more than ten minutes to work out what'll make Lil happy.

[ He doesn't think even she knows the answer to that, truthfully. ]

[enigmaestro]

That must be so frustrating to people without my particular vein of power.

Are you eating anything? At your party that I wasn't invited to? You seem like a sausage sort of fellow.

[waiting]

What, you setting me up for another Q&A session?

I was drinkin' a beer.

[enigmaestro]

How appropriately masculine. [Spoken so dryly.] Is Mitchell with you? Maybe I'll accumulate his company, if you don't want to play ball.

[waiting]

Who do you think dragged me out on a Sunday? [ Screw not drinking on the job, it's Memorial Day weekend. In any case, Eddie said no more rhetorical questions, so... ]

I can see him, if that counts as bein' with him. The usual.

[ a.k.a. Mitch is hobnobbing like the social gadfly he is while Bradbury keeps an eye out for trouble. ]

[enigmaestro]

Oh that's typical, while I'm here chiseling this legislative proposal -- and the battleplan behind it! Robbing banks was less thankless.