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Post by Jordanna on Nov 8, 2008 22:46:05 GMT -5
Proteus gave a sympathetically wincing laugh and shook his head. "Well, I guess it's better than leaving the bills unpaid... At least, I hope it is."
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Post by skybright on Nov 8, 2008 23:28:11 GMT -5
She smiled. "I guess as long as those Mutant Citizens Front people don't try anything violent, it will be."
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Post by Jordanna on Nov 9, 2008 23:38:42 GMT -5
"So what's on the schedule for today, Miss Secretary?" Proteus asked, shifting to a more businesslike tone--which was nonetheless softened by a small grin.
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Post by skybright on Nov 9, 2008 23:43:03 GMT -5
She shrugged and smiled crookedly. "Same as usual, I guess. Sit around here and look busy, answer the phone and bounce nosy reporters your way."
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Post by Jordanna on Nov 9, 2008 23:56:45 GMT -5
"Joy." Proteus did not need to make an effort to look pained--he was quite concerned about doing Beaudry's job without arousing suspicion. Then too, there was the matter of whether Cole would have Health Department agents on the doorstep that day.
Forcing down his flash of worry, he shrugged. "You know if anybody's made any appointments for sure? I was gonna make some calls today--seeing if I can get in a couple auditions next week. Y'know, it'd be kind of embarrassing to have a reporter walk in on a conversation about a role in a cat food commercial."
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Post by skybright on Nov 10, 2008 0:00:02 GMT -5
"After all those people you fielded yesterday, you really think there's a single news outlet in New York that hasn't talked to you yet?" She replied with a faintly teasing grin. "Just don't get caught phoning out -- you know how Voegel feels about that."
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Post by Jordanna on Nov 10, 2008 22:50:04 GMT -5
"Yeah, but there's not much else to do except worry about my next job." Proteus grinned. "I oughta look at the newspapers. See how I came across, what I can polish up. Who knows--if I can't make it in pictures, maybe I've got a chance in public relations."
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Post by skybright on Nov 11, 2008 22:42:55 GMT -5
She smiled. "Maybe other companies will start hiring actors to do their front work, huh? I guess it could happen."
From out in the front room came the faint sound of the door opening and closing, and after a few moments a blonde, somewhat nondescript man poked his head into the room. "Good morning, Steph. Beaudry." He stepped through the door and moved towards the coffeemaker.
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Post by Jordanna on Nov 11, 2008 23:00:53 GMT -5
Proteus suppressed a smile--it was nice to have "Susan's" real name handed to him. Now he hoped the same would happen with this newcomer. More importantly, he needed to know whether this man was another actor, or a real employee of the clinic.
"Morning," he replied, with a polite smile. "How's it going?"
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Post by skybright on Nov 11, 2008 23:06:53 GMT -5
The newcomer shrugged eloquently and poured himself a cup of coffee. "So long as no more mutant terrorists deface this place between now and when we're supposed to open, it'll be going just fine." He remarked.
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Post by Jordanna on Nov 11, 2008 23:10:41 GMT -5
"I hear that," Proteus replied noncommittally, with an inward frown--the man's words had not been informative. "What's on the agenda for today?"
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Post by skybright on Nov 11, 2008 23:23:33 GMT -5
The man frowned slightly at Proteus. "Same as usual." He replied.
Then he glanced at Steph. "I'll be in my office if there are any calls."
She nodded. "Right, Mister Voegel."
The nondescript man nodded, glanced once more at Proteus, and then left the room.
Steph raised an eyebrow at the man she thought was Beaudry. "What was that about?"
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Post by Jordanna on Nov 11, 2008 23:32:14 GMT -5
"Maybe he didn't care for me trying to be friendly. You know how he is..." Proteus temporized, gazing after the man thoughtfully. From what Steph had said, he was obviously one of the real researchers--and he just as obviously wouldn't take well to inquisitiveness.
If all else fails, the shapeshifter mused, Vance's people could pick him up tonight for a little talk.
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Post by skybright on Nov 11, 2008 23:36:05 GMT -5
Steph snorted quietly. "I sure do -- I was more wondering what you thought you'd accomplish trying to be friendly. You usually give him the widest berth of any of us."
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Post by Jordanna on Nov 11, 2008 23:49:04 GMT -5
"Well..." Proteus shrugged. "I guess I've been thinking too much, with the vandal attack and everything. I dunno... I wanna know more about what's going on around here." He grinned feebly. "I think I do, anyway."
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Post by skybright on Nov 11, 2008 23:55:54 GMT -5
She blinked at him in faint puzzlement. "What, you mean the science stuff?"
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Post by Jordanna on Nov 12, 2008 0:01:55 GMT -5
"Well, yeah." Proteus shrugged. "This mutant thing is all so complicated... I dunno. I guess I'm starting to feel like I want to know all the facts about what they're working on here--since I'm kind of an accomplice to it, after all."
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Post by skybright on Nov 12, 2008 0:11:13 GMT -5
Steph frowned at him curiously. "Out of all of us, I figure you're probably the one who knows the most about any of that, though. I mean, you're the one with the script for the reporters."
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Post by Jordanna on Nov 12, 2008 0:25:03 GMT -5
"There isn't much to learn from that," Proteus gambled--he actually had read one of the clinic's statements in the paper that morning, and judging by it, he was certain the "script" was primarily double-talk. "Most of it is just PR, human-interest stuff about how we're trying to help mutants, how the clinical trials are gonna work, all that kinda thing. They don't say much of anything about the real science."
He was silent for a moment, a genuine hesitation, as he considered how much he should risk saying to the girl. Finally he glanced toward the open doorway, and lowered his voice.
"Besides... they can say they're working on anything, can't they?"
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Post by skybright on Nov 12, 2008 0:29:47 GMT -5
The redhead's expression of puzzlement grew even deeper. "Well . . . I mean, yeah, I guess, but . . ." she shook her head. "I don't get it. You don't think those terrorists are right, do you -- about the cure being meant to hurt mutants?"
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