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Tweak says, "goddamn BEES"

Stephen Neil (gotoguy) wrote in axis_city_,
@ 2009-07-08 14:42:00

Characters: Stephen Neil & OPEN
Setting: Coffeeshop
Content: Likely tame!
Summary: T.B.A. - random run in?

Stephen had more than his fair share of vices. Probably the most innocuous of them was gourmet coffee, really. He could use his abilities to simulate the same rush the caffeine gave. But that was no substitute for the taste, and the warmth of it, or the feel of the cup in his hand. And while he was old enough to find the price of a cup of coffee ridiculous these days - something he'd been known to complain about, now and then - he was more than well off enough to afford it, so he was rarely went a day without a latte unless he was busy with other matters.

Today his afternoon was free. He intended to head in to check on a few things later, but for now he went through the line, got his coffee, added a healthy amount of cream and sugar, and then sank into a seat by the window, leafing through the paper. At home he had a number of handheld devices - blackberries and readers, a pricey laptop - but they stayed home, for the most part. His cell, at least, he always had with him and knew how to use, for the most part. Technology wasn't Stephen's strong suit, and he much prefered the tactile feel of a newspaper in his hands. He left it to his employer's younger and more tech-savvy people to keep up to date online with a wider range of news. Stephen's information came from those who worked for him. He read the paper for the sake of reading how the news was being slanted. It was more entertainment than information.

The small coffee shop was filling up, and Stephen looked up to see a few people milling as if they'd like a seat, he leaned back in his chair, pushing the chair opposite him out a little and clearing the paper to his side of the table, leaving it open for someone else to take if they wanted to.

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gotoguy
2009-07-08 10:19 pm UTC (link)

Stephen tended to take his work ethic from his boss. Even when he wasn't expected in, he was on-call and never expected less, or complained about it.

He looked away from the young girl who'd sat opposite him, motioning for her to excuse him and picking up the phone, answering it evenly. "Stephen Neil." He'd seen who it was, but on the off change Moretti didn't want to be identified as speaking to him in public right now, he didn't acknowledge that fact just now.

He did look down at his watch, double checking the time, just in case. He was right - he wasn't due in this afternoon. He'd intended to go by anyway, but Stephen was reassured that he hadn't missed anything he was already slated to be doing.

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mediamogal
2009-07-08 11:06 pm UTC (link)

It was perhaps an unfair imposition into the private lives of his staff, but Moretti was a man who normally did not pause to consider the sleeping pattern or other needs of his staff, especially when he hardly slept. He considered himself the soul of the business, the driving force behind it all, the puppet master, and if he did not have control, then the company had no direction and therefore was going nowhere. "Out and about are we?" Moretti asked, "No doubt buying more coffee. I would have thought that with so much of it in your system, Stephen, you could simply just recreate it. Replicate it. But I suppose that doesn't help when you craze the taste."

He didn't miss a beat but completely changed subject within a second, "I know you're out but I need you to look into something for me. Subtly, and without letting dear Morgan know what is going on. Or Rachel for that matter, understood? This is a little something between us, for the time being. I want you to find out everything you can for me on one Aiden Adams. A-I-D-E-N A-D-A-M-S. About his divorce, what his ex-husband is doing now, where he grew up, the name of the surrogate mother, everything." He said, voice dropping as he held the phone a little closer. "By tomorrow morning, if at all possible." Stephen at least could be trusted to keep it quiet and not gossip about it.

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gotoguy
2009-07-09 12:36 am UTC (link)

Unfair imposition or no, it was part of Stephen's job, and he'd long since adapted. He half smiled at the question. "It's not the same though, is it?" he asked philosophically.

Information gathering wasn't Stephen's strongest gift. He was better with less intellectual jobs. But he was more than capable. His methods were less modern than crawling through the internet, though he'd do his best there too. But there were a lot of things Stephen's less than legal sources could find out.

He grimaced a little at the time frame offered to him, but nodded, though Alexander couldn't see. "I'll take care of it, sir," he answered. Stephen had been in Alexander's employ long enough that he could use his name, during informal moments, and rarely used the "sir", save when he didn't want to let on who he was speaking to. Later, he'd likely ask if there was a reason they were keeping things from Morgan and Rachel, who were both loyal and more than competent, in Stephen's experience, but for now, he just accepted what he was told.

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mediamogal
2009-07-09 01:44 pm UTC (link)

"I suppose it isn't the same, no. But we do have coffee in the building, Stephen. You don't have to escape work to find it. You could always send Morgan on an errand." He said, conversationally, wondering if Morgan would pout at the request or undertake it happily, using the opportunity to flirt with the other patrons of Stephen's gourmet coffee houses.

He shrugged to himself, thoughts moving on and he smiled, pleased with the affirmative answer. Stephen Neil was a man of actions, not words, and no doubt would be wondering why he, a man not usually requested to do paperwork was being asked such a thing. The answer was simple enough. Moretti did not want Morgan or Rachel interfering. Morgan would put Aiden off straight away, unintentionally or not, and Rachel, well, she had a habit of invading people's minds and for the moment that was something he did not want. He hadn't yet formed a solid plan of action for his relationship with Aiden and for the time being only wanted to enjoy it without being pestered. "I might also need you to pay a visit to Aiden's ex-husband in future, depending what we discover, so keep your diary free for the time being. I’m sure you’d enjoy that more than snooping.”

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gotoguy
2009-07-10 11:12 pm UTC (link)

Stephen took the comment as a hint to spend more time in the office, and grunted a bit. "I'll be sure and let him know I had your permission to send him out for coffee," Stephen answered, a little amused. He usually had too much respect for Alexander's assistant to send him on anything petty. Though Morgan's reaction might be amusing.

"You know I'm usually up for that," Stephen answered, still keeping his words vague, but he grinned just a little predatorily. That sounded a bit more like his usual line of work. Stephen was comfortable with his job niche, for the most part. He'd do his best with the less. . . physical job though. "Anything else I should know before I head out?" he asked. To anyone listening, he might have just been asking if they needed milk, really.

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mediamogal
2009-07-12 09:40 pm UTC (link)

"Glad to hear it, Stephen. I'll see you in my office in the morning then." He said, pleased that the offer of more suitable work had seemed to improve the man's outlook on the primary task he had been given. "Morgan will fetch you coffee, I'll make sure he's aware of it. But don't abuse the privilege. Rachel has that blonde PA of hers to fetch and carry too." He said.

"There isn't too much else. I don't want Mr Adams frightened, Stephen, or for him to even realise. He has a little one and I really don't want anything disrupting my plans. I'll discuss it with you more in the morning. Enjoy your coffee."

And with that he leant forward and discounted the call, leaning back heavily and considering what he'd just done. Well, could he be blamed? No doubt Aiden was reading everything ever published on him, and his family. If that wasn't enough to put the boy off, nothing was.

OOC: I thought you might be interested in playing out their meeting? They don't have to discuss Aiden or whatnot, but I thought it would be nice to get some interaction going before Stephen manages to stop that break-in at Moretti's apartment...

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