poly_chromatic | [ 99th consult

There are always a few of these - curses that seem to come around with some kind of regularity, almost like traditions. I can't imagine making sense of exactly why it is some of them become annual events and others come and go, essentially forgotten. The theme of violating personal boundaries and dragging up memories for public viewing is hardly unique to this curse, but here it is again.

Of course, this one does have a potential bright side, if you're lucky enough to have the City issue something that's worth hanging onto instead of mass producing your best Risky Business reenactment. We all have moments we don't really want to share, that we don't want to be made public for scrutiny, but we also have moments we look back on and wish we had captured, people we wish we had reminders of with us here. It honestly can help to remember that it's a mixed bag out there.

[And switching it up from being too serious, he gives one tongue-in-cheek addition:]

There is also a risk of paper cuts, so you might want to take an umbrella if you go out.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

Hey, it's my own fault for calling it a "very long time."

Sure, I'll take it back. Might as well see it for myself.

C'mon, you're not that old.

Where should I meet you?

Well, thank you for that.

Oh, I don't know - is there anywhere specific that works for you? I wouldn't want to take you out of your way.

Nah, it's my day off, so I can be wherever. I could come by the hospital if you're there.

Well, I'm not yet but I am about to head in - so that would actually work out perfectly. Meet you there?

Sure, I'll be there soon.

[And he is; by the time Wilson arrives, he'll probably be loitering around waiting for him, trying not to look suspicious.]

[So guess who happened across a photo on his way over to work - one that actually could change this into a trade rather than a handoff. Given their conversation about Jimmy's family, though, he doesn't have it visibly in hand when he walks up, a tight, small smile in greeting.]

Jimmy. Good to see you, weather aside.

[He nods in greeting, one hand holding Wilson's picture, the other shoved deep in his pocket.]

Good to see you, too, doc. This seems like just the kinda shit that the City likes to pull, so I guess I ain't surprised.

It's far from the first time it's done it, and I seriously doubt it will be the last.

{He arches a brow as he glances at the picture Jimmy's holding - a younger, far more impulsive version of himself. He doesn't need to see it to know the exact context.]

You know, as luck would have it, I actually happened to find something of yours on my way in.

You did?

[A pause, because he doesn't want to sound overeager or overly concerned -- what if the picture shows something illegal?]

What, uh, what kinda thing did you find?

[A slight nod to confirm - lucky for Jimmy, nothing illegal here.]

My guess would be that it's your family.

[And he produces that photo from his large coat pocket.]

I saw it and figured I would pick it up, in case you wanted to have it.

Jesus fuckin' Christ...

[He has to restrain himself from practically snatching the photo out of Wilson's hands.]

Yeah. That's... that's my family.

[He certainly doesn't need to; Wilson lets it go easily.]

Good for you to have it, then. I hope it's one of the photos that makes it past midnight. There are always a few that seem to.

[Honestly, he's not displeased this has taken the focus off of his photo.]

Yeah, it's...

[He takes a deep breath.]

I wanna keep it. It just ain't that easy to look at, y'know?

I think that's more than understandable. And it's all right, if it stays and you keep it and can't look at it very often. I still think... having it is important. Knowing that it's there.

Yeah? You think so? I guess maybe it seems like the kinda thing most people'd, y'know, display proudly.

[A shrug.]

You gonna keep your picture, if it sticks around?

Most people probably would, but it's your family, and it's up to you to decide what you want to do with the picture.

[He gives a slight smile at the question.]

I don't know about that... for the most part, it's a reminder of the poor impulse control of youth.

Yeah? Can I ask the story behind it, or is it private?

No, it's... it's fine.

[A small breath as he pauses, gathering up where to start this one.]

I was just out of school, at my very first medical convention, and... as timing happened work out, had just received divorce papers from my wife.

[The legal envelope is even visible, unopened on the bar. He hadn't let it out of his sight all weekend.]

Oh, shit, really? I didn't know you'd been married.

[He shakes his head.]

I'm sorry. That ain't easy.

I was.

[He gives a slight shrug, rather dishonestly implying that it doesn't bother him anymore. Nor do the second or third - right, Wilson?

But he moves on.]

But that's why I wasn't in a particularly good mood to begin with - and certainly not once someone decided to play the same song on the jukebox, over and over.

'n so you decided to handle it the way any reasonable guy would. You started throwin' things.

[It's not actually said with any sarcasm; that's how Jimmy would have handled it -- still does handle things, if you really want to be specific about it.]

Can't say I blame you.

[He actually cracks a smile there.]

Well, the cops did. I didn't even hit him with it, just... for the record.

C'mon, we both know cops ain't always right.

[A pause, then the obviously important question at hand.]

So, did you get arrested for it? I mean, if you didn't hit him...

[A little pause, there. He opts to... not mention the giant antique mirror he did hit. Besides, he paid for it.]

The way they saw it, the fight that broke out in the bar after that was my fault.

Re: Action

trenchknives - 2013-05-20 06:20 (UTC) - Expand

dr_conscience - 2013-05-21 21:11 (UTC) - Expand

trenchknives - 2013-05-21 23:02 (UTC) - Expand

[ 99th consult | voice ]

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