Participants:
| Scene Title | Unwelcome Reunion |
|---|---|
| Synopsis | Sebastian runs into someone from his storied past, unaware that his neighbor Veronica is watching. |
| Date | April 5, 2009 |
Central Park has been, and remains, a key attraction in New York City, both for tourists and local residents. Though slightly smaller, approximately 100 acres at its southern end scarred by and still recovering from the explosion, the vast northern regions of the park remain intact.
An array of paths and tracks wind their way through stands of trees and swathes of grass, frequented by joggers, bikers, dog-walkers, and horsemen alike. Flowerbeds, tended gardens, and sheltered conservatories provide a wide array of colorful plants; the sheer size of the park, along with a designated wildlife sanctuary add a wide variety of fauna to the park's visitor list. Several ponds and lakes, as well as the massive Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis Reservoir, break up the expanses of green and growing things. There are roads, for those who prefer to drive through; numerous playgrounds for children dot the landscape.
Many are the people who come to the Park - painters, birdwatchers, musicians, and rock climbers. Others come for the shows; the New York Shakespeare Festival at the Delacorte Theater, the annual outdoor concert of the New York Philharmonic on the Great Lawn, the summer performances of the Metropolitan Opera, and many other smaller performing groups besides. They come to ice-skate on the rink, to ride on the Central Park Carousel, to view the many, many statues scattered about the park.
Some of the southern end of the park remains buried beneath rubble. Some of it still looks worn and torn, struggling to come back from the edge of destruction despite everything the crews of landscapers can do. The Wollman Rink has not been rebuilt; the Central Park Wildlife Center remains very much a work in progress, but is not wholly a loss. Someday, this portion of Central Park just might be restored fully to its prior state.
The park is as busy as ever this afternoon, with people milling about, walking dogs, taking a bike ride, or jogging. Sebastian is one of the walkers today, though he has no faithful canine companion at his side. Dressed more business-like today, he wears a gray suit, the jacket fitting him nicely, the shirt beneath a simple white button-down. His tie is off, and the top button to the dress shirt is left open. His pants match the jacket, and on his feet are a pair of black dress shoes. He's currently headed to the west - likely towards home - and seems to be in his own little world, hands thrust into pant pockets, head down, milling along slowly.
Veronica is also dressed today in something besides skimpy running garb: Pinstriped trouser pants and a white blouse that, while emulating menswear, shows off her feminine form. Her eyes are hidden behind sunglasses, but there's a certain posture that suggests she's looking for someone, and someone in particular: Not Sebastian, however.
She's approaching him but doesn't seem to notice him — it's hard to tell, of course, with the dark shades on her eyes, but the tilt of her head seems to suggest her focus is far off in the distance rather than in what's right in front of her. She holds a cup of Starbucks coffee as well, the twenty ounce cup steaming in the chillier air.
Seb's own eyes are hidden behind dark sunglasses, and he clearly doesn't recognize you in 'everyday' clothing. He moves along without really seeing, his path would likely intersect with yours if you're not paying enough attention.
As he goes though there's a voice from not far off, "Seb?!" It must be familiar because he stops dead and lifts his head, turning to find the body to go with the voice. The person he spots is younger then him by at least a good five years, probably more, and wears a rather hoodlum outfit - hoodie and all. "Seb man! Who'dve thunk!? What the fuck you doing in New York? I thought you'd go back to colds-ville when you got out, man!?"
Sebastian just stands there, looking a bit like a deer in headlights before he puts on a forced smile and peers about before turning his gaze back on the approaching youth, "Jesus… Kyle? Is that you?" His hand lifts and takes off his glasses so he can see the other better, "I thought you had years left??" His voice is uneasy, his body language uncomfortable - but since they seem to be alone out here so no harm to talk…
The shout brings Veronica's unfocused attention to those nearer to her, and she glances at the shouter, and then 'Seb,' the name clicking along with the face. She keeps walking however, until she is past her neighbor, tilting her head away from him up at the sky with a shadowing hand so that he won't notice her, as if to peer at the clouds and contemplate the weather. Once past, she moves to a park bench, pulling out her PDA, pushing some buttons and scrolling the track ball, though her attention is not on the small device at all.
"Ya - good behavior though man. Got out on probation. Doin' that job search thing." He looks Sebastian over, and snorts, "Damn, you seem to do good tho." He pats Sebastian's shoulder with a friendly touch, and takes a step back, keeping a distance between them, "You still boxing?"
"Oh. Well… part of the new job. Gotta dress up…" He grins then, something a bit more real, "Oh… nah. I haven't been in awhile. You?"
The youth nods, "A bit, there's a gym in the Bronx - not bad. Guys are cool. You'll fit in, I think - it's on East 166th." Once again the youth looks over Sebastian and says, "Actually… don't wear that there." and he laughs, "Hey, look, I can't stay - I gotta get to that job or my parole officer's gonna kick my ass back in…" He waves and is then off, trotting away.
Sebastian nods, muttering some comment about being sure to check it out, though he doesn't sound quite like he means it. "Ya man. Good luck…" He turns, watching the kid run off and shakes his head, a muttered curse under his breath. He puts the shades back on, and turns to move back towards home, perhaps a tad faster than before. He doesn't notice the voyeur at all.
The woman watching waits until Sebastian has passed her. Interesting. She slips her PDA back into her pocket and stands. Whatever she was looking for isn't here. She heads in the opposite direction, toward the east, to find her way out of the park.
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