Participants:
Scene Title | Networking |
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Synopsis | Winters and Tracy meet, Brian offers her a card. |
Date | July 26 2009 |
The Orchid Lounge, owned by the mother of Senator Nathan Petrelli, is an Asian-inspired martini bar lit by candlelight and the soft glow of wall sconces spaced evenly throughout the room. Although there aren't any employees at the door to check for identification, it's unusual to find anyone in the college-aged crowd at the Lounge, which caters to young professionals with plenty of extra money to burn. During the day, the plush burgundy drapes affixed to the windows are used to filter out the sounds of traffic and at night are drawn back to allow passersby a glimpse inside.
Seating is simple: clusters of rectangular tables fashioned from white marble, each with two leather benches parallel to the longest sides. Silk pillows in varying shades of red, brown, yellow and orange lend a splash of colour to the Lounge, vivid against the pale walls and black-painted cement floor. On one wall is a giant mirror with an intricately carved frame that reflects almost everything in the room and makes the space appear twice as large as it really is. Clearly, the proprietor of this establishment wanted to get her money's worth - real estate in this part of town isn't cheap!
Strange day for Ms. Strauss. Meeting with Adam Monroe, then the girl in the park…but now, she's settled in at her old favorite lounge, the Orchid, just looking for a relaxing evening of familarity. But even if that were going to happen, her mind won't let her rest. Sooner or later, it will come out that no one's running this country.
And she doesn't know what to do.
Winters isn't fond of dallying. Especially when he's presented with a challenge. This challenge might take him some time. So he needs to get things done in a timely manner. Research was done hastily and the first target was presented. Tracy Strauss. He's taken first to hounding people who know people who know her. Then snooping out 'stomping grounds' as it were. And luckily, sooner rather than later he's stumbled upon her. A click is made under his black jacket as another picture is snapped. She's familiar. Someone he's seen before. In Company records.
Slipping the camera into his pocket from across the room, Brian raises up and crosses the room. Time to make an acquaintance. With the help of a few bills put down, the young man finds himself seated rather quickly and quite fortunately very close to Tracy. Though for a moment, he avoids eye contact.
Tracy couldn't care less who is sitting near her. She's lost in her own world. Luckily, no one around seems to be trying to read her mind. If they were, dirty, horrible secrets would come pouring out. Two Nathans, fighting to the death, bursting through her window. Imagination taking her through the realization the country will come to after their president is gone. The media's going to start to notice. White house offials. It's amazing the secret's been kept this long.
Those photos of her will show her in an emerald green cocktail dress, with thin sleeves and very simple. Always? Pearls.
Brian glances over at Tracy, tilting his head curiously. Then looks again. Then allows himself to look for a rather long time. But it's not looks he's trying to hide. He wants her to see him looking. And his looks are with brows slightly narrowed as if he was trying to figure something out. Partially confused. The next time a wainter comes by, Winters raises his hand. "Her next drink. On me." He murmurs before waving a dismissive hand. He is dressed the part, as he is usually these days.
A crisp black suit with a starch white shirt underneath the top two buttons undone. Taking his first drink he goes to tilt it into his mouth.
Tracy does notice. He's not the only one to stare. He's not the first. He certainly won't be the last. Turning, Tracy does offer him that I'm-hiding-something smile behind her features. "Thank you," she says, accepting the next martini with a nod. She was almost done with this one anyway. "I'm not sure how much good company I'll be this evening though, I think I left my mind at work." Her sparkling white smile turns slightly apologetic at this little gem.
A dismissive hand. "I'm just trying to figure out where I know you from." Brian lets out from his own table. "Are you from here? You look very familiar. But I'm from California, so I don't know how.." He trails off, allowing her to speak should she wish it.
Second time to day her face has gotten her recognized. Maybe she shouldn't fight it so hard. "I'm on the news sometimes, but just for talking. I'm not a movie star or anything," she explains, sipping her martini with a somewhat tired sigh. She's not even putting on her A-game tonight. Or her B. Maybe her C-game. "But you mightk now me from here too, I used to come here a lot. Getting back into it again." It feels safe again.
"On the news? For your work ? What do you do?" Winters asks, tilting his head as he scoots forward in his chair. Though with a frown he grabs his own drink and stands. "Mind if I join you?" He asks, taking a step forward as if going to join her already without waiting for her okay to it. Pulling back a chair he goes to slide in. "Brian." He offers with a smile, offering his hand over the table.
Tracy takes the offered hand, placing her hand in it and giving it a light shake. "Tracy. No, I'm in public relations." She should dismiss it, say that it's really not that important or something. but she'd be lying - her work is very important, and she loves it. But, instead, to turn the conversation, she decides to keep up. "And what is it you do, Brian?"
"I'm in protection." Brian offers, giving a shrug. "Security consulting, handling bodyguards. Doing some freelance protection work, stuff like that." He gives another dismissive wave of his hand. "Nothing important like you." He says with an admiring smile. "Who do you relate with, publically?" He grins a bit. "I mean, ah, who's your boss or who do you work for, I guess?"
Tracy is just going to keep this going in order to keep the man at bay. "The government," she expresses vaguely, pausing to sip her martini again, and taking anotehr moment to consume her olive. "Why, can I ask who you work for as well?" She asks, a playful smile working it's way across her features.
"The government. That's pretty broad." Brian says with a grin. "I have many clients. I do a good job if I do say so myself. So business in good. Especially in this city, with something blowing up every other week. People shooting, terrorists." He waves his hand again. He smiles a little as she eats the olive, doing his best to play the part of the enamored man. Propping his elbow on the table, he lets his head rest against his hand as he gazes at her for a bit.
Tracy gives him a little smile, a bit more controlled than the last. "Well, I'm very good at my job, if I do say so myself. So bravo to us." she lifts her glass to him for a taost, glancing away a moment. Staring men are so off-putting. Still, he bought her a drink, and she has the need to be properly attentive to him until the drink is over with.
"Bravo." Brian repeats, letting his glass clank against hers quietly before pulling it back to his lips. Taking a little sip he goes to set it down. "I apologize for being.." He hesitates a moment then shakes his head. "I'm not generally like this. You're just very.." Hm. Cheeks flush a bit as he looks the other way. "I'm sorry. I should probably just go."
Tracy continues to smile, though she does her best to make it look apologetic. "No, I'm sorry, it's my fault. Like I said, I left my mind at work and it's really stuck there. I just came in to try and get it to shut off so I can go home and go to bed. But thank you for the drink." she lifts it up in a little salute to him. "It really is much appreciated."
Giving an apologetic nod, Brian reaches into his coat and produces a small business card. His protection agency, apparently. "If you ever need a little extra reassurance in this crazy god damn city.I would be glad to be of service." The card is slid across the table as he stands, takes a sip and steps back. "Very nice to meet you, Tracy."
Tracy will accept the card, of course. It's called networking, and as a Washington insider - even if she's out of her dear Washington - she still knows how very useful it can be. "Thank you, Brian. I really appreciate it. And thank you for the drink, again." She lifts the card in a little wave before sliding it into her purse.