Participants:
| Scene Title | It's All In The Comic |
|---|---|
| Synopsis | Cat and Claire touch base. |
| Date | August 18, 2009 |
The Verb, Cat's Penthouse
Arriving by any of four elevators, visitors will find they open into three foot corridors facing wide double doors made from sturdy southern pine which swing outward and have the strongest locks available. The stairs lead to single doors, also outward opening, at the end of three foot corridors. Entry requires both a key and a keycard; other security measures are a video camera and voice communication terminal at all doors. The 4th Street side has floor to ceiling windows interrupted only by the access points. Cream colored curtains are normally kept closed.
This level has enough space for sixteen apartments. There is an office space with reception area, conference room, and executive office; a room for archery practice and other forms of physical exercise; a very well appointed kitchen and dining area; a music zone with an array of instruments, electronics, and amplifiers; an entertainment area with an HD set covering an entire stretch of wall from floor to ceiling; a locked room where security footage for the building is recorded and can be monitored; a laundry room; a staircase for roof access; central air and heating; the main bedroom and a few smaller guest rooms; plush deep wine carpet everywhere except the kitchen, laundry room and bathrooms; and track lighting everywhere overhead. The light levels can be lowered or raised in the entire place, or selectively by segments. The overall decor suggests the occupant is a woman.
Tuesday morning, around 09:00, might be very early for Claire to be awake. Cat is also awake. Miss Bennet has been asked to come see her in the penthouse. She's waiting in the entertainment area for the regenerator to arrive with a laptop computer open and displaying the directory where her data files are. There are items which weren't in there before.
If Claire chooses to join her, she'll find the doors across from the elevator she takes slightly ajar as a prompt to enter and Cat herself in a Brooks Brothers suit with skirt and heels as if she's going to do some attorney work. There is, also, coffee.
Coming out of the elevator with a duffel bag in her hands, a still bleary Claire notices the door across the way ajar. Dropping the bag next to the door, she moves to peek through the it. "Cat?" She calls curiously, "I smell coffee."
"Over here," her voice calls out just before Cat herself steps into the open area of the penthouse so she can be seen, "and yes, you do. Got some of it for you. Thanks for coming up." Then she ducks back where she came from and settles into a seat, hands smoothing the skirt beneath her in doing so and crossing legs at the ankles. She then works at the finishing touches of putting her hair up so it doesn't fall past the bottom of her collar in the back and glances at the briefcase on the floor in front of the table with that open laptop.
Claire's duffel is glanced at but not commented on. Yet.
"Looking good there." Claire says with a smile. "I guess you have some business today?" she moves for the coffee, "And it's no problem, I had something I wanted to tell you about someone." She doesn't look at Cat as she pour a mug and then lifts it to inhale. "So what's up?"
"Thanks," Cat replies with a laugh. "I'm planning to visit the Suresh Center today. My sessions on ethics are Mondays and Wednesdays, but it's good to be around on other days too." She taps the briefcase. "They don't test for abilities, don't ask any questions about that sort of thing, and I carry this to act like I don't have the memory I do." While speaking she turns the laptop so Claire can see the screen and points out the newer tabs on Humanis First, Refrain, the Moab Escapees, and Norman White. Claire's comment on wanting to address something doesn't go unnoticed, but isn't spoken of yet. She'll get there soon enough.
"Ethics?" Mug held in both hands, Claire moves to peer at the laptop. Frowning a bit, her eyes move over the screen and a hand reaches out to touch the finger pad; she looks over the stuff. "Refrain?" she murmurs, glancing up at Cat. Her brows lift a bit, "New drug. Wow." she shakes her head slowly. A few moments more looking at the other things before straightening.
"About using powers, basically. When it's right and wrong. Things like, say, the use of telepathy. When, if ever, we should tolerate cops using it. How to handle it if a person uses it without the other person's consent. And how to go about proving it in court." She lifts her cup and sips from it before adding "The basic idea is sounding out ideas on how people with and without our abilities can get along, how standard law can be applied, and to show we don't need secret prisons. We can be handled in the normal way just like anyone else, and powers can be used against us for crimes too."
"And yes," she answers in moving on, "Refrain. It's one of the things I'd like you to keep your eyes open for out on the streets. To report anything you hear or see. These Humanis First people are good to keep watch for also. I… I have to think they may know about this place," she comments with a scowl. "You might've seen the video of Peyton Whitney, heard about the ultimatum. She was here for a while, Brian brought her in and we advised her to stay put. She didn't." Her head shakes, showing Cat's opinion of the intelligence that move showed. "So I can't be sure she hasn't been tortured for information."
"Mmm.. Good topic." She comments softly, moving to lean on the edge of the desk and sip her coffee. "Yeah, I'll keep an ear out about that drug." She sets the mug next to her, "Humanis First… She should have stayed, I don't think some people really understand the protection they can get here, Though she was at the bar when she was taken wasn't she? Not much that could be done there." she sighs softly. "Speaking of not staying, I'm moving out for the time being."
"It was explained to her," Cat answers somberly, "but I don't think she quite believed. Her ability had just kicked in, she was scared and confused. People aren't always the most rational at first. Peyton's certainly learning the hard way, not that it matters. If the police can't find her, she's dead tomorrow. The Suresh Center won't close. And they're right not to." Something in her demeanor now very much says she's been in the position of making that decision before and is affected by it, but she doesn't elaborate. "What bar?"
Aaaaaand… "Where're you heading, Claire?"
"Bar? I don't remember. I just remember the news story mentioning she was at a bar before being abducted." Glancing down at the laptop again, she turns thoughtful. "I'm going anywhere that isn't here. I had a place offered up as temporary shelter for now," Claire explains with a shrug, she turns and waves a hand, "Not cause of you all… well, okay maybe partially, but only cause I'm moving to keep Magnes away from here." She takes a deep breath and lets it out slowly, "He's Company."
"She may have been tortured by HF," Cat remarks, "and given the place up, there's no way to know. So it may not be safe anymore anyway. I just hope she makes it out alive. But that hope is faint. They'd kill her anyway even if the Center closed, just because they feel like it and she's like us."
Claire's last two words then cause Cat to study her face carefully. "He is?" Eyes close and her head shakes once before they reopen. "That'd explain his alleged pardon."
"Don't… go spreading that around. He didn't want me to tell anyone." Claire murmurs, she gives Cat a smile. "Only reason I found out was cause Cardinal told me. Who I will be staying with." pushing away from the desk, she shakes her head. "I don't think he'll intentionally give everyone away, I don't want to risk it. So I figure I'll stay away for a little bit and see how it goes. Once I'm sure, I'll come back, unless I find my own place."
"How much does he know?" Cat asks first. "And is it safe to let the man know just what's he's linked himself with? I'd worry he won't be able to keep his mouth shut about knowing all that and get himself thrown into a deep dark hole just for having heard it. Or a giant chunk of his memories raped away." She begins to open files on the laptop, the one relating to Primatech Paper, Inc, and another file for Claire's reading.
"I haven't told him a thing about what's going on here." Claire assures, moving to watch Cat, "He just knows I live here and that I couldn't bring him in cause of my roommate." Resting a hand on the desk, her eyes scan the file. "Interesting, well trust me.. I grew up with the Company being a part of my life. My family constantly had their memories wiped. I told him about that." she sighs softly. "Doesn't sound like he really wants to be there, but the pardon is keeping there."
Nodding slowly, Cat replies "Then it isn't a real pardon, as I've suspected. It's more of a 'work for us, do what we say or we lock you in a deep dark hole' deal. If it's really a pardon, he's free and clear with paperwork from the President to prove it." There's a hint of restrained anger forming behind her eyes as she mutters "The man acts to help Hiro and his sister, gets in a fight with one of Adam Monroe's goons, and this is his reward."
"I'm guessing something like that as well." Claire gives a sudden chuckle. "He just doesn't seem like the type they normally hire. You know?" she frowns a bit and then shakes her head. "I want him out of there. The Company will eat him alive, Cat. I don't want him to end acting like my dad did. My mother ended up with health issues form too many mind wipes. Just not sure how to get him out of it."
"It'll take some time to think on and construct a plan," Cat muses. "Legally, he doesn't need a pardon in the US. He didn't commit what's been called a crime here, after all. But he could be extradited to Japan and have some deep trouble there. They are, or were, very fond of the Shibuya crosswalk and it got wrecked in the fight. But… he's not a lawyer, and faced with badges, possible trouble, he'd not have known to show some spine. Or the sense to demand an attorney, for that matter. If he had, he could maybe have gone back to Japan and faced the charges, beaten them on the grounds of aiding two Japanese citizens. And I'm sure Hiro would've backed him with family money. I'd have to read up on Japanese law, but I think it could've worked."
"Shit. I can't tell you how glad I am neither you or he saw me that day I found you on the roof. He knows me by another name, no trouble there I hope, but if he knew I was associated with this place. Can…" Her voice trails off, brows furrowing, as she thinks things through a little. "Can you find out the details of this alleged pardon? Who he met with, who authorized it, if he has any related documents?"
Giving a small nod Claire says, "Yeah," softly. "I'll see what I can find out from him. No guarantees. I don't want to risk him getting tossed in that hole after all." She gives a small smile. "Oh.. By the way, I saw the comics. It was…. freaky. Seeing everything there, from when my life stared getting turned upside done. Looks like they covered other people as well, not just me." she yawns suddenly, covering her mouth. "Sorry, not use to waking up this early."
"The comics?" Cat asks, curiously. "What comics feature your life, Claire?" This is news to her. While waiting for the answer she opens the briefcase and pulls out an envelope with money in it. Enough to cover her pay from the time she agreed to take the job Cat offered up til now. It's held out to be taken. "And hey, how'd it go with Sable?"
Claire gives Cat a wide eyed look. "You haven't heard? Oh God, Cat… there is an old series of comics that were drawn by a precog. I only just found out about them myself." she gives a small shake of her head. "Things I thought were secrets…. In those comic. He has all the books up to the point that Sylar came after me the first time."
"What're they called?" she asks, curiosity increasing a bit. Precogs will always catch the attention of this Cat. She's also wondering where to find them and still holding out the envelope of money, as well as wondering about Sable. But she'll ask again soon enough.
"9th Wonders. Covers several people actually, including Hiro. Do you know there is a cover of me on the medical examiners table? " She sighs softly and gives Cat an apologetic look, "No Sable yet.. Soon." Claire adds after a moment. "I'm also trying to catch up with that guy from Old Lucy's."
"Ninth Wonders," is repeated with a nod. Cat will definitely seek it out. "Who wrote and drew them?" And her head tilts. "You died and got autopsied, Claire?" Stories after stories with this woman. Innnteresting. "I once saw the insides of a President-elect while Abby and I were putting them back into his body so she could heal him," the panmnesiac relates. "It was just like Grey's Anatomy said they'd be." And she snickers a little, having the memory of Edward Ray losing it come up.
"Who's the guy from Old Lucy's?" she asks as an afterthought.
"Split wide open," Claire says, fingers tracing in the slice patterns and then acting like she's spreading the two halves apart. "And had to hold the flaps together so they would knit back together." She gives a shudder. "I hope I never have to do that again."
"The guy from Lucy's.. Aaron… Aaron something." Claire sighs and shakes her head. "I don't have your memory, that's for sure. I should ask Abigail about him, she might know."
"How'd that happen, Claire? I mean, if you were on the slab and were cut, woke up that way, wow. You must've died and stayed like that for a while? Something kept you dead somehow." Cat's questions are calmly asked. She lifts her coffee cup and sips from it carefully before placing it back on the table.
"It's all in the comic." Claire says mysteriously, as she moves around the desk. She has a feeling Cat will have to sate that curiosity… she is Cat after all. "Look. I gotta get going. You got my cell number. I'll call you when I get something." She promises with a smile. "With hope, the Company won't come knocking at the door. Especially without Magnes hanging around the roof."
"See you, Claire," Cat replies while rising to walk with her to the door as she departs with her pay. The temptation to ask if Claire and her boyfriend use protection in a teasing manner is restrained.
Some time later she leaves The Verb to head for Roosevelt Island, but not before stopping at the nearest comic book store to buy all the issues of 9th Wonders she can find.