(no subject)

[allucinator]

[Jack appears on the network. It looks as if he isn't aware he's being filmed at first; he glances around him nervously, his eyes darting from place to place.]

So-- right. You guys don't got no newsies, yeah? But I'm grown outta that business anyway, so I figure, I'll do somethin' else anyway.

[And now he focuses on the camera. His eyes are a little sunken in; his cheekbones jut out sharply from his face. The entire effect is unpleasant; he looks like he hasn't slept or eaten in quite some time. Carefully, each movement deliberate, he takes a cigarette out of his pocket; his gaze focuses on that as he speaks.]

I draw pictures. Real good, if I do say so myself. Do paints, too. You want your picture done? You want your wall painted? Maybe you're in theater, you want some sets done, or maybe you want somebody to put a, a, a mural on your wall. If it's somethin' to do with art, I can do it. I don't give a damn what it is. I'll paint you and your stupid girlfriend if you want, 's long as you pay me. Name's Jack Kelly.

[He nods sharply, once, and lights up the cigarette.]

An' in personal business, a couple thin's: this gun's good an' all, but I'm in the knives business, meself. Anybody sellin' any good blades? I don't mean no stores, all right, I ain't lookin' for no directions to no weapons shops. I'm talkin' about the good stuff, the stuff you get on the streets. I don't got much money yet, but like I said, I got a few skills I can exchange.

An' speakin' o' them: I hear I got some roommates. Miss, uh, Galadriel and some guy named Guy? Well, I ain't gonna be in at all. Not for sleepin', anyway. So don't trouble yourself with that, when you don't see me come in.

[A deliberate pause. He exhales a lungful of smoke and watches it drift upwards before adding:]

Asano Rin. I got a bone to pick with you, and I think you know why.

Comments

[allucinator]

Can't run a boardin' house on only kindness. And some days the papes didn't sell so good.

[He shrugs.]

Wasn't so bad.

[legal_eagle]

Sure. But you preferred a roof over your head.

[allucinator]

Who don't?

[legal_eagle]

You, now.

[allucinator]

That's different.

[He sighs and sits up.]

Why the hell are you askin' all these questions, Ms. Lawyer? You'd get a better story outta the library.

[legal_eagle]

Maybe I've read all those before. Maybe I'm more interested in something immediate.

[allucinator]

I'm not here for your damn entertainment.

[legal_eagle]

No, you're not.

So why do you think I'm interested?

[allucinator]

Cuz you keep askin' questions you shouldn't.

[legal_eagle]

Not the question I asked, Jack. That would be the answer to how do you know I'm interested. I'm asking why you think that I am.

[allucinator]

It's the same answer!

[legal_eagle]

[She laughs and leans back.]

I suppose I shouldn't match wits with a drunk man. Okay. Why do you think you might be interesting?

[allucinator]

Because I'm half-starved and beat up and I'm an artist, so what the hell's that about.

[legal_eagle]

Maybe I like artists.

[allucinator]

Buuuuuullshit.

[legal_eagle]

But you're all so dear and passionate.

[allucinator]

You're bein' an idiot again.

[legal_eagle]

[She raises her eyebrows and smiles ambiguously, but says nothing.]

[allucinator]

And that's it? We're done?

[legal_eagle]

No. I just wanted to see if you'd figure out how stupid it is to call me an idiot.

[allucinator]

Or you'll act like you don't got a brain, lovely.

[legal_eagle]

Jack.

[allucinator]

[He raises his eyebrows.]

[legal_eagle]

You don't want to speak that way to me.

[allucinator]

[Somewhat surprisingly, that makes him laugh. Not at her, just-- in general.]

You know how many times I been told that over the past few months? It don't work on me no more.