02 - Public / Video

[domesheriff]

[Linda comes onto the network today actually dressed casually rather than in her patrol uniform; she's wearing a red T-shirt under a gray sweater jacket over jeans and boots. her hair is pulled back in a braid, and the ever-present engagement ring is on her hand. today of all days, she wants to be wearing it. because despite the dome and her relocation, she's still counted the days, and she knows that if none of that had happened, this would be it--this would be her wedding day. and having realized that, it's a thought she can't get out of her head]

Hey, is anybody free today? [her tone is casual, but there's something a little anxious in the way she's standing. she has her hands in front of her and is unthinkingly playing with the ring as well] I'm off, and I don't want to spend the day sitting around alone. I'll take you to lunch--my treat. Or...I don't know, a walk in the gardens, or even some games in the arcade? Maybe a drink at Pugsy's tonight. Sound good to anybody?

[she smiles, but it doesn't reach her eyes. still, despite the feelings she's fighting, she's determined not to spend today moping. she's going to distract herself with new friends and fun instead]

Comments

[what_ho_jeeves]

Never a day goes by that I am not eager to take a stroll around the gardens or put on the old nosebag with good company. But I could not, in all good conscience, allow you to pay. It would not be preux.

[He should probably introduce himself, oughtn't he. He tips his hat to her.]

Bertie Wooster, at your service.

[domesheriff]

[she can't help looking slightly taken aback by this very...proper and British man. he's definitely not the type of person she's used to encountering, and her first question is a rather confused:] Old nosebag?

[but then she recovers herself enough to say:] Uh, Linda Esquivel. Nice to meet you.

[she'd repeat his name, but she can't decide in this case whether to call him by his first name, which is her instinct, or if someone like this should be "mister" on...some sort of principle related to meeting strange well-dressed people from foreign countries]

[what_ho_jeeves]

How do you do, Miss Esquivel.

[Bertie chooses his mode of address based on the rules of society that he grew up with and are second nature. One of which is that you don't address an adult lady by her first name unless she invites you to.]

Yes, putting on the nosebag, like a horse feeding, although with knives and fork and not actually a bag at all.

[domesheriff]

[she raises an eyebrow at his description, but as he continues her expression finally settles into understanding] Lunch, you mean? Sure, that'd be nice. [she gives him a slightly uncertain smile]

Linda's fine. [now that she's had time to consider it--and heard him use her full name--she decides to try to get him to be informal if she can] Where would you want to go?

[what_ho_jeeves]

In that case, Linda, call me Bertie. All my friends call me Bertie. [One friendly conversation and being on a first name basis is enough to qualify as a friend in Bertie's book. Two friendly conversations and one graduates to "good friend."]

The hotel restaurant has a menu that is very pleasant on the old tongue.

[And is a bit expensive, but Bertie rarely notices money because he always has it.]

[domesheriff]

[her eyebrows go up at his suggestion, but since he's already insisted that he won't let her pay, she figures there's no harm in accepting the offer] Okay, Bertie. How about we walk around the gardens and then head that way?

[what_ho_jeeves]

Right-o! An ankle around the gardens sounds like just the thing. I usually enjoy a stroll 'round the grounds between breakfast and lunch. There is no better way to work up an appetite.

[Back home a walk around gardens with an unmarried lady would usually end in him being accidentally engaged by the time the walk is finished, but he has had much better luck avoiding that here.]

[most_feared]

I can't promise I'd be real good company, but I go to the diner about every day if you'd like to join me today.

[domesheriff]

[her boss is not someone she was expecting to respond to this request, but she appreciates it all the same]

Sure, if you don't mind. When are you thinking?

[most_feared]

Usually at lunch or in the evening after work, whenever is most convenient. What time'd be better for you?

[domesheriff]

[not wanting to make her boss rush off for lunch in the middle of a shift on her account, she suggests:] What about dinner? When's your shift done?

[most_feared]

Sure. Things have been pretty slow so I'll probably be able to clock out early. [Other than Belloq, really, things have been.]

[domesheriff]

Okay. [she nods] Give me a call when you're off, then. I'll meet you there.

[una_persson]

[Una's been busy. She feels terribly drained, but is putting on her best brave face, and smiles at Linda.]

I'd be happy to join you for a drink.

Una Persson. A pleasure to meet you.

[domesheriff]

[Linda feels a little awkward that multiple people she doesn't even know are being so quick to step in to help; she'd rather their first impression of her didn't end up melancholy. then again, she tells herself that just means she has to make sure she enjoys today, setting regrets aside]

Linda Esquivel. You, too. [she smiles] How about I meet you at Pugsy's later?

[una_persson]

All right. Sometime after dinner—say about eight or nine?

[domesheriff]

Sure! I'll see you there. [and after a pause, she adds:] Thanks.

[true to her word, Linda arrives at Pugsy's around 8:45, scanning the bar for any sign of the woman she spoke to this morning]

[una_persson]

[Una's been there a little while already, contemplating how she has probably jeopardised her standing as a Travel Agent for the sake of her own wounded pride and a rough sense of justice—but she hasn't got much in the way of regrets. She's just hoping the inevitable dressing-down gets overwith quickly.

She glances up and sees Linda, and waves.]

Hello there!

[domesheriff]

[Linda herself is rather hoping that Belloq hasn't had to suffer frontier justice because of Niko's refusal to have him arrested. she isn't the sort of person to confront him herself--she might have for an explanation, but she doesn't know him well enough to distinguish lies from the truth even if she did--so she's left it alone]

[she waves back at Una, going over to join her with a smile] Hey. Hope you haven't been waiting too long. [she checks to see if Una has a drink because if not, she'll buy her one. that was part of her offer, after all]

[ratkicker]

Sure, I'd like to hang out some time. I don't get a lot of people at my shop around lunch.

[domesheriff]

[Jade's response is a surprise, as Linda had gotten the initial impression that she didn't like her for some reason. but, always willing to reach out the hand of friendship, she nods with a smile] Okay! How about I meet you at your shop? [since Jade mentioned being a photographer before, she's actually pretty curious to see what she has for sale] What one is it?

[ratkicker]

[Linda seems like a nice person, and Jade needs to spend some time outside of work.]

Northern part of town. A couple streets west of The Rising Sun. Just ask around for Jade' Photography and most people'll know what you're talking about.

[domesheriff]

Great. I'll stop by around lunchtime. [she figures Jade won't mind if she peruses the shop a bit before they actually head off. her room is very bare right now since she had no chance to get anything to bring with her when she left Chester's Mill in such a hurry, so she thinks maybe buying something to put a little personality into the place will cheer her up, too]

[and, accordingly, it's about midday when Linda finds her way to Jade's Photography and enters the shop]

[ratkicker]

[The front waiting area isn't too interesting. Several photo samples are hung on the wall: a faraway picture of a lighthouse, several shots of alien animals, and a photo of the inside of a bar, which seems to be populated more by animal-looking aliens than humans.

There sounds of someone walking are heard from the back room.]

[domesheriff]

[what is remarkable to Linda is that this shop seems fancier than she was expecting. she hopes Jade sells some photos that aren't too expensive]

[when she hears the sounds in back, though, she calls:] Jade? It's Linda.