♗ IC CONTACT

[waiting]

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

Comments

[viced]

[ He sighs a little. ]

It's alright, er, imports in general mean it's bound to happen. I'm just trying to fix my schedule and take advantage of the extra time. [ Hoping that 'take advantage' sounds more like 'busy myself', and less like he's a cold, heartless machine. ]

[waiting]

[ Rick tends to assume Mitch is emotionally stunted anyway, but he's not going to kick the guy while he's down. Still, work's his normal coping method, and what would Mitch do with time off anyway? ]

Shit, boss. [ He says it again, since there's really no other way to react. There's the tell-tale sound of him scrubbing a hand through his hair. ] You need me to come over there?

[viced]

Er, what? [ There's another momentary stretch of silence, like he's gesturing. ] No, I just need the schedule to be revised! I'm fucking fine.

[ Emphasis on fine, like he wasn't. He was. ]

[waiting]

[ This call is possibly the worst idea you've ever had, Mitch, what the fuck made you think this was going to be okay? ]

Due respect, sir, but fuck that.

[viced]

[ He figured if people would start talking about how she disappeared, Rick would set them straight. ]

What? No, I'm serious, I'll be alright, I just need to get these holes filled, and things will fall into place.

[waiting]

Look, I get that it's not like you were in love with her, but-- [ He breaks off. ]

When did you find out that she was gone?

[viced]

[ He does not need to hear that word. He pauses, did his sigh sound a little rougher? That was all a part of the ruse, pal. ]

Today, yesterday. Something like that.

[waiting]

You told anyone else yet?

[viced]

No, I-- I'm going to let the PR staff know on Monday, so they can let the paparazzi know before they start drawing their own conclusions.

[waiting]

I'd say the paparazzi are the least of your worries right now.

[viced]

Maybe not, but it has to be a priority. I don't need them coming up with a Ted Kennedy solution, or some shit like that for why she's not around.

[waiting]

Guess not.

So what are you gonna do now?

[viced]

Same thing I do every weekend, probably. Work my ass off.

[waiting]

Like hell you are.

[viced]

What the fuck? What's wrong with working?

[waiting]

[ There's the unmistakable sound of him moving around his apartment -- ]

Nothing, except that it's fucked up that you're spending Saturday night with nothing but your coffeepot and your cellphone.

Come on. We're going out.

[viced]

What? [ Noooo, he makes a note of disapproval, like he has a choice. ]

I'm not-- I'm working!

[waiting]

You've got ten minutes.

If you don't open up, I'm breaking in.

[ You know he can, Mitch. You know he can. ]

[viced]

Motherfucker, you can't let me stew in peace?

[waiting]

What kind of friend would I be if I didn't make your life fucking miserable?

Ten minutes.

[ And he hangs. Up. ]