TheStarsAreRight:CarlNote2
REDLAND
Redland gives a light tap on Carl's door.
CARL
Surprisingly, Carl answers the door after 30 seconds or so. He is in a hastily donned robe, and rather disheveled, having gotten out of bed to do so. He seems surprised to see Jack.
“Oh! Good morning. You’re early.” Glances behind him. “Apologies for the mess. Come in.” He opens the door wider.
The room is pretty much as you left it last night. Even the tea things are still here, on their tray, cold. Nothing has been tidied up, and Carl’s things from yesterday are tossed neatly over one of the chairs. A notebook lies on the table by the other chair.
Carl removes his stuff from the chair. “I didn’t expect you for a couple of hours. Is something wrong?” He gestures to one chair, and sits in the other, watching you with concern.
REDLAND
Redland sits down and squirms around a little bit.
"Er, sorry to bug you so early. Oh, and there's nothing to worry about, everything is okay. I just figured that you might be able to give me some advice... about some things..."
He continues to be pretty fidgety.
"You see, back in Los Angeles I met this girl... and I've been sort of thinking about some... things, and, well, anyway, I figured since you're married, you might be kind of an expert in this area..."
CARL
Carl pauses, not sure what to say for a moment.
“Hardly an expert,” he murmurs, then laughs. “But I’ll be glad to help if I can.”
He tips his head a bit, examining you. “Did you sleep all right? Should I send for some tea?”
REDLAND
"I slept alright. Thanks for asking. Hmmm. Yeah, I rarely turn down a cup of tea."
Pauses.
"Anyhow, if I wanted to ask a girl out to say a cinema... er, that might not work... let's say a symphony, what would be the best way to go about that? I was thinking a letter, but is that bad? Would in person or a phone call be better? Something else?"
CARL
This makes Carl smile.
“In person is always best,” he says. “Just a moment.” He rises, picks up the phone, orders tea and toast, and asks that the previous night’s tray be taken away.
“Now,” he adds, returning to the table, “let’s see. Do you know the sort of things your young lady enjoys? Heck, Jack, when did you find time to meet somebody when we were in Los Angeles? “
REDLAND
"It was when I did the whole Communion thing. I met this really nice girl named Alanna."
Jack looks really sheepish.
"I was trying to mislead you. I don't know why. I guess I'm just kind of embarrassed. Sorry to be so stupid. I don't know what my problem is... It's just that after my whole experience in Los Angeles, with Alanna, it got me to thinking about.. stuff.. that I hadn't really considered before."
He gazes at his feet for a few moments.
"You don't like Meridon, so I didn't want you to know that I've already asked her out on a date tonight. I don't really know if it's even a date. Anyway, if I'm asking you for advice, I should really be honest. I've made a mess of things again.. should I leave?"
CARL
“Oh.” Carl is nonplussed. He stares at Jack sadly.
“Why do you feel you have to make things up, Jack?” There is both regret and a kind of dark humor in his tone. “I’m not your father, I’m your friend. You know, the kind who helps you bury the bodies?” He raises his eyebrows.
“In any case, I didn’t say I don’t like Miss Kaine. If anything, I’d say she doesn’t like *me* -- but our relationship has always been professional, I don’t really know her at all. When we met, it was … before the Fae. She was different then. They all were.
“So you’re headed out tonight? That’s why you wanted to be back early?” He smiles. “You didn’t send her a letter, did you?” Waves it away,
“Never mind. How can I help you, Jack?” Earnestly.
REDLAND
"I have no idea why I make things up, especially when I'm so terrible at it. Maybe at some point I'll finally learn that no good ever comes of it. I guess this time I didn't want to be embarrassed if... I don't know..." [He trails off a bit] "...and yeah, because I'm an idiot, I sent her a letter.
"She has agreed to meet me tonight to go to a concert. I guess I'm just not really sure what I'm supposed to do at this point... How do we get there? How do I dress? Do I bring a present or something? Is there any way I can avoid making a complete fool out of myself?"
CARL
“Of course there is, Jack! And this being – what? Friday? We have time to do this properly.” Carl seems pleased.
“What are you going to see, and where?”
REDLAND
"We're going to Smetana's 'The Bartered Bride' at the ***, which starts at 7:00 PM. Um.. here's the note she sent back to me."
He pulls a letter out of his pocket and hands it over to Carl.
"Dear Mr. Jack;
It would be a great pleasure to attend the performance with you. Please call my office and speak to my service today with the specifics as to time and place.
I look forward to seeing you this evening.
Sincerely
Meridon Caine"
CARL
“Opera! Well, then! In that case, you’ll definitely need proper evening wear. Just a moment.” Carl turns to the telephone with a grin.
“Hullo? Yes. This is Mister Ellis in suite four-ten. Would you please send up a tailor? And a selection of tuxedos, in, let’s see …” he looks Jack briefly up and down, “… forty and forty-two long? Black tie, yes. ….No, that’s fine. No. Yes, that’s perfect, we’ll look at both.
“We’ll also need shirts, shoes and accessories; the gentleman is going to the opera tonight. Yes. Excuse me? About a ten, I’d say… just a moment.” He catches Jack’s gaze, covering the mouthpiece with one hand. “What’s your shoe size, Jack?” Carl passes on the information. “ Ah, yes. Is five o’clock possible? Good, good. No, that won’t be a problem. Splendid, thank you.” He listens a moment longer.
“All right. Within the hour then. Thank you so much!” A thought strikes him, and he winks at Jack. “Oh! One more thing. Would it be possible to arrange for a car and driver for the evening? Anytime after five.” Another pause. “Lovely. Yes. That’s it for now, I think! Thank you again. Goodbye.”
And he hangs up, looking satisfied.
“The tailor will be up here in a little while to get your measurements. Everything will be off the rack, I’m afraid, but I’m sure you’ll look smashing. In the meantime, we can talk about the rest of it; I’ll bathe and change while you’re being measured. If Miss Caine lives up to my expectations, she’ll be dressed to the nines, and you’ll want to fit in.
“Is this all right, Jack?”
REDLAND
Redland looks rather bewildered.
"Er, yeah, whatever you think is best. I see I came to the right person!"
He stands up and then just sort of sits back down again.
"I... I put myself into your hands. What else do I need to know?"
CARL
Brilliant smile. "Well... For one thing -- this isn't the opening night, is it?"
REDLAND
"Ah. No. Probably lucky for me.. I doubt that I could have picked up tickets otherwise! Would I have to do something special had it been?"
CARL
"It merely warrants a slightly nicer outfit, that's all.
"All right." He clasps his hands together, more seriously. "Here's where it gets tougher.
"Just what did you intend for this night out, Jack?" A bit hesitantly. "I mean ... is this supposed to be a romantic evening? And how , ah, serious are you?"
REDLAND
[Feel free to assume that throughout this entire thread that Redland is awkward and nervous.]
"I guess the answer to your questions would be... hard to say... I don't know... I'm not really sure. But I suppose that is not overly helpful...
"It won't surprise you to know that I've thought a bit about all of this, so let me try to lay out my thoughts in a reasonably ordered fashion.
"I really enjoy talking to Meridon. I just get this sense that she... understands me... or something. Looking through my notes, I've noticed that I'm always trying to find reasons that I'd have to meet with her again.
"She's obviously really smart and interesting. She also seems sort of.. sad. Sometime, when I make one of my stupid little jokes, she'll get this sort of half-smile and it makes me happy.
"On the other hand, I don't, of course, really know her all that well. Her life is here in New York, while, once I leave on this Pentheus mission, who knows when I'll ever come back. Also, as you know, I've made a lot of dumb and dangerous decisions and I pretty much assume I'll be making more of these in the future, so I could also be, uh, dead or somesuch fairly soon."
Redland continues rattling on.
"On her end, well, I'm not the world's most observant fellow, but...
"I believe she's quite a bit older than I am. She could very well view me as silly and naive. I understand she's had a difficult past and she may very well prefer to be left alone.
"On the other hand, she did seem happy to see me last time I visited her. She also mentioned that we should have dinner sometime. Er, last time we talked she told me that if anyone tried to hurt me I should let her know.
"I just.. I don't really have any experience with this kind of situation. I don't really know what I'm doing or what I should be doing. I guess I'm just really confused, Carl."
CARL
Carl nods, listening seriously.
“I’m not sure I can, or should, give you proper advice about this, Jack. I really am not much of an expert,” he smiles, “and everyone is different. Do you see?
“It seems to me that this is not a situation where you ought to plan much, really. She’s seen you as you are, and that’s the man she knows. If she’s happy going out onto the town with you, then,” he spreads his hands, “you don’t have much to prove, to her or to anyone else. She’s there, with you, because she wants to be. The clothes, the show, the car, that’s, well, it makes the night more special for you both. Enjoy it. Share it. Dismiss the car if you like, and take a walk through the park.
“I know you’re worried about your own future, the things we do, the dangers. Don’t forget she has her own career, her own worries. Maybe this is a stolen moment for her also. There can’t be all that many fellows she can go on the town with, where she can simply be herself, hmm?
“I asked you before what you wanted, what you intended. You don’t have to tell me. Just think about it, decide for yourself. And then enjoy the evening.”
REDLAND
"Hmmm. Yeah, that makes sense. I mean, there's nothing I enjoy more than overthinking an issue, but I think I just lack the necessary data to properly analyze the situation. I'll just go out there and play it be ear and see what happens...
"That being said, and leaving the 'big' issues aside, are there any other 'little' things I need to keep in mind? Would she be likely expecting to go to eat something first? Even if things go well, what is the appropriate time for me to leave? Stuff like that...
"Sorry to be so dense, but I just don't know the conventions... or can I just feel free to ignore these things?
"Oh, and if you need to do something in particular to get ready to go to New Jersey, feel free to kick me out. You've already helped out a lot."
CARL
“Oh, no! Don’t worry about that! Our tea will be here in a moment, and the tailor’s on his way; I’ll simply go bathe and dress while they’re taking your measurements.”
Carl sits back in his chair.
“The desk says they can have your clothes ready by five o’clock, so we need to be back here to get you cleaned up by then. The car will be waiting at five also, but no hurry, just ask the bellhop, he’ll send it round front when you’re ready.” Carl frowns. “The real concern is the time. Your show’s at seven o’clock? Sunset isn’t until about 6:30, so you may have trouble making the opening curtain. Save dinner and cocktails for after the show; many do.
He thinks a moment.
“I would call her, if I were you.” He pauses. “See what she wants to do. Offer your car, she’ll appreciate the thought; but most likely she has her own that is better suited to going out in the light.
“As to little things? Well… that depends on you. A small gift is nice, if you have something you think she’ll like. I don’t know her tastes of course – but even for one of the Fae, I imagine flowers go over well.”
REDLAND
Redland pauses. It seems as though something has struck him as odd. However, he then carries on.
"That sounds reasonable. I'll do as you say and try to give her a call. However, getting ahold of her service may be the best I can do. If so, I'll just have to push forward and hope for the best!
"And a late dinner would probably be alright.
"As for a gift, I was thinking 'His Last Bow' by Doyle would be fun. I thought it was quite good, myself. I was thinking 'On Liberty', but that just seems too much like homework. Hmmmm, do you think a book is too presumptuous?"
Redland relaxes a bit.
"Maybe this'll work out okay after all. I guess I just need to avoid getting myself killed in New Jersey... that would be pretty rude of me."
CARL
“A book? That’s lovely.” Carl seems pleased. “You have good instincts, Jack. I think you’ll do fine.”
Carl relaxes in his chair, then an idea occurs to him.
“Do you think you might want a toast, on the way to the theater?”
REDLAND
"Sure, I might enjoy having some toast on the way there." He winces. "Sorry, that was beneath even me.
"Hmmm. I'm not sure. Is that something that people typically do? I thought that was only done at weddings and whatnot."
CARL
“Depends on you, really. I only asked because, if you’ve a mind for it, we need to make sure the hired car has the goods.”
REDLAND
"Ah. Alright. Well, let's give it a pass, then. In some ways, I'm probably best served to keep it as simple as possible. I'm glad you're thinking about these things, though. This is stuff that would never occur to me."
CARL
Carl chuckles. “Pal around with Tony Grimaldi long enough, and you get used to planning for all sorts of alternatives.”
There is a moment of companionable silence (unless Jack has something immediate to say); then comes a knock at the door, which proves to be the tea.
REDLAND
[If you see something amiss in this summary, let me know, and we can change it up a bit.]
While Carl and Jack sit drinking their tea, Carl attempts to put Jack at ease by asking him questions about economics. A short while later, there is another knock on the door, and Carl gets up to admit the tailor. Wisely not trusting Redland to the task, Carl again fills the tailor in on the details of what Jack needs. The tailor begins poking and prodding at Redland, who tries to be helpful in his usual way, causing the tailor to suspect that he might be some kind of moron. Once Carl sees that things are going alright, he heads back to prepare himself for the trip to New Jersey.
After the tailor finishes up, Jack calls out to Carl that he's going to run a couple of quick errands and that he'll be back here by ten for their trip.
At 10(ish) the two meet back up and head out towards New Jersey.
"While driving out to the site, Carl glances over at Jack.
“We rather lost track of things back there,” he says, “but I did want you to know. Nothing is certain, but right now, as things are, I do intend to undertake the restoration of Emma Hamilton as we discussed.
“Thought you ought to know. Since you asked.”
Redland responds, "Ah. Excellent. That means I can proceed with the plan to break Rebecca's bond without feeling like I'm cheating Mr. Usher."
