InsaneJournal

parker succeeds by stealing the success of others (inafivepoundbag) wrote in colligo_threads,
@ 2009-10-14 02:28:00

Entry tags:

eliot spencer, noah bennet, parker, peter petrelli

WHO: Leverage Team (Nate Ford, Sophie Devereaux, Eliot Spencer, and Parker), Claude Rains, Noah Bennet, Peter Petrelli, and Mark Davidson [NPC!bank manager]
WHAT: The Bank Heist Job
WHEN: Early morning - around 9AM
WHERE: The First National Bank of Colligo
RATING: TBD
STATUS: In Progress
NOTES: Given the size, and intricacy, of this scene, it's going to be done in sub-threads as various characters are needed at various places within the scene, at different times.

The sun rose in a clear blue sky, the start of a new day. New opportunities. And, for a handful of the displaced people in the city of Colligo, a new con.

The plan was simple enough, in a very Nate sort of way. Everyone knew their roles and everyone present was professional enough not to deviate from them unless necessary. The paperwork announcing Parker as the new bank teller and Eliot as the new security guard were in order and being gripped firmly in Mark Davidson's shaking hand as he stared at the picture of the guard. The fact that it was the same thug from before - the one whose boss wanted his money back and wanted it now - told him that something was amiss. His time was running short, if not up. He had to get that money, and fast.

Quickly, his gaze flickered to the blond bank teller's picture. She didn't look familiar. She could just be a new transfer from another branch. Or possibly one of the temps he'd hired at random a week before. Or she could be a plant just like the guard. Anything was feasible when dealing with these sorts of lowlifes, Mark was sure. And as he wiped his hand across his sweaty brow, he knew that no matter what, putting this off anymore simply wasn't an option. He needed cash. He needed it fast. His gaze strayed toward the vault of the very bank he was entrusted to run.

Just like that, the mark was in place. The trap was set. Now it was time for the game to begin, with the Leverage team doing what they did best - and this time, with a few new people in their midst. And as the clock at the church down the street began to chime nine times, signaling the start of a new day of banking, one by one they began to arrive with the manager none the wiser of what lay ahead, for both him, and his bank.

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inafivepoundbag
2009-10-17 03:36 am UTC (link)

Parker's mood had soured slightly at the idiotic woman who had taken forever. Then the man behind her had cheered her up a bit but also made her a bit uncomfortable with his constant compliments. She was starting to worry he was going to do something really bad, like make a pass at her or ask for her phone number or something, but he seemed to either lose his nerve or change his mind by the end of his transaction. Then he was gone, and the other girl was talking, and...

Oh good, Nate was still moving to her. She wasn't quite sure how that had happened, but the smile was a sincere-while-still-carefully-fake one as he stepped up to her window.

"Hello, sir," she greeted him, just like the other tellers had told her to greet all male customers (with 'ma'am' for females, of course). "How may I help you today?"

Finally. It was time to get the ball really rolling. If she wasn't trying desperately to remain 'in character', Parker probably would have done a happy dance right then and there.

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	honestman 2009-10-17 04:25 am UTC (link)
	"Hello, miss." Nate said, that nervous smile back. "I'd like to make a withdrawl." He said tapping on the paper he'd already placed in front of her. Then his smile widened. "For a ring ... please." Now the show would really begin. (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

inafivepoundbag
2009-10-17 10:28 pm UTC (link)

Parker kept her smile in place and glanced at the form. Just as she'd been instructed the night before when going over the finer points of the plan, she paused. Counted to three. Then glanced back at him. "If you'll give me just one moment," she said before stepping away from her window and making her way - withdrawal form in hand - to the manager.

This was the tricky part. Dealing with the mark directly wasn't something Parker was looking forward to. He was slimy and mean and she just plain didn't like him. However, she did manage to smile as she approached his desk and her tone wasn't too automated-sounding as she repeated the script she'd been told to memorize earlier.

"Sir, I need you to open the vault please."

"What? Why?" Mark's eyes narrowed suspiciously as he eyed the blond. She was the new girl. A possible plant. His hand tightened around the pen he held as he stared at her with mistrust shining in his beady eyes.

Parker never missed a beat but instantly responded, "Because the gentlemen over there would like to make a sizable withdraw." She paused. "For a ring, he says."

Mark leaned back in his chair and looked past her, to Nate. Then he looked up at Parker and finally nodded, all but snatching the slip of paper from her hands as he rose to his feet. "Fine," he grumbled, clearly unable to deny her request in lieu of angering the customer. He fiddled with his keys as he made his way to the vault.

It took a few seconds but he managed to get the doors open. Once he was finished, he thrust the paper back at her. "Hurry up," he snapped then bumped his shoulder against her as he pushed his way past and stalked back to his desk.

Parker stiffened, eyes narrowed, and an image of grabbing him by his arm and twisting it until it broke flashed in her mind. After a second she exhaled slowly, muttered a barely audible, "No attacking the mark. No attacking the mark." And then made her way inside the vault.

A few seconds later she returned, the cash that Nate had requested in a bag. She could only assume that Claude was in position, inside the vault by that point, or at least hoped so as she shut the gate, and then the door, to seal the area off once more.

"Alright, if you'll give me just a moment," she told Nate as she re-approached the counter.

Typing into the system (or at least giving the impression that she was typing) she hesitated and then frowned. "I'm sorry, sir," she finally spoke again, gaze flickering back to him. "According to my information, there isn't enough money in the account to cover this size of a withdraw."

Pointedly, she took the bag of money she'd taken from the vault and set it on the shelf beside where she stood. Well out of his reach.

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honestman
2009-10-18 05:37 am UTC (link)

"What do you mean there isn't enough money to cover--"The confusion was obvious in Nate's voice, as was the slightly increasing impatience in his voice. "What kind of bad joke is this? This a bank. I put my savings in, now I'd like my savings out. And I've been saving up for this ring for quite some time. There should be money in that vault!" With each sentence Nate's voice increased and pretty soon he was gathering murmurs and attention, however, his attention was solely on Parker. Like a man in his position more than likely would have, he was taking his frustration out on the person closest to him. The current "face" of whatever was denying him what he needed.

"What's in that bag?" He demanded, eyes flickering towards it before glaring back at her.

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inafivepoundbag
2009-10-18 04:34 pm UTC (link)

Okay. Showtime. Parker could do this. She could. She just had to play meek, mild, and tearful. She could manage it. Really.

"Sir, please, if you would lower your voice," she said, first and foremost. Hey. She actually sounded sincere, too. Go her! Fighting the urge to grin, well aware that all eyes were now upon them, she instead let just how uncomfortable she felt at having to act shine through. It came across as uncomfortable with the situation, and Nate, which was precisely the plan.

"It's your withdrawal," she admitted in a wavering tone, glancing around nervously before tightening her hold on said bag. "However, your account clearly shows that there isn't enough money. I'm sorry, but there's nothing I can do."

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honestman
2009-10-18 05:10 pm UTC (link)

"There's no -- I will not lower my voice! I have been saving for that ring for months! My savings should be in there! My account should show enough money." Nate yelled, jabbing his finger into the counter to make a statement.

"If it's not in there where did it go? Huh? Tell me that. WHERE IS MY MONEY!?" Nate practically roared, tone of a man frantic, both angered and desperate. "I'd like to speak with your manager. Now!" He enunciated, even though his voice had lowered slightly, his tone was still one of a highly upset individual and there was no mistaking what he'd said.

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thecompanyman
2009-10-18 06:07 pm UTC (link)

Noah knew that Parker was going to have trouble crying. He knew her well enough to realize that the situation, and the way Nate was acting were too amusing for her to actually cry. Glancing at Peter, he spoke over the comm, knowing the others would hear too, but not really bothered by that.

"Parker," he said calmly. "Remember the hypothetical situation we discussed. Nathan is going to to take your money and burn it. Because he's a terrible, terrible person." It was said dryly and with no real emotion, whereas most people would have been laughing at that point. "Now, how does that make you feel?"

Peter looked over at him, his expression a mix of confusion and amusement. He got the feeling this Parker girl was stranger than anyone he had ever met. Was that actually supposed to make her cry? He couldn't see how that would possibly work.

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inafivepoundbag
2009-10-18 06:27 pm UTC (link)

Parker had thought she was doing well. She really had. Then Nate began yelling and jabbing his finger and, well, it was just too funny. Knowing who Nate was, knowing that he wasn't actually posing a thread, and the way he was acting, was far too amusing for her. She was going to laugh. She could feel it. Bubbling up inside of her, there was no way she could avoid it and she certainly couldn't start just crying because-

Noah's voice stopped the mild panic that had begun to swell inside of her. Their earlier conversation came rushing back, along with the feelings she had at the thought of anyone - especially someone she cared for and trusted like Nate - burning her precious money. Almost instantly her eyes welled with tears as a wave of sorrow washed over her. She sniffled, quite miserable at the thought of being penniless because someone would burn her hard earned (well, stolen, but still) cash.

By the time another teller had made her way to her side, Parker was already starting to cry. First a few tears trickled out, and then a steady stream as a sob burst from her throat. She turned to the other woman and all but buried her face against her shoulder, making sure to keep her mouth snapped shut unless she started bawling about burnt money rather than the mean man at her counter.

The other teller gave Nate a dirty look before her gaze cut across the bank to the security guards stationed near the doors. Raising one hand, she motioned for one of them to come over and then fixed Nate with a hardened look.

"Someone will be right with you, sir." The venom was clear in her tone as she slid down the window separating Parker's counter and the lobby of the bank. She then wrapped an arm around Parker's shaking shoulders and, murmuring soft words of encouragement, led her away from the mean, verbally abusive customer and to an available chair.

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doesntlikeguns
2009-10-19 01:11 am UTC (link)

By the time Nate had arrived, Eliot had been ready for the show to get going. His annoyance wasn't directed at any of his teammates, but at the guard he was on shift with. If he had to hear one more damn story about the fishing trip gone wrong or the hundred ways his wife could mess up a pot roast, he was going to strangle the man right then and there.

What did help was focusing on the growing arguement between Parker and Nate. He had to admit that Parker's acting ability had improved since they'd become the temporary grifters at the embassy. At least no one had been stabbed with a letter opener yet. All it took was the threat of destruction of her money.

Between her and Nate, everyone present looked convinced. The guard beside him started to move but Eliot put a hand on his arm. "I'll handle it," he said quickly, faking a grin. "Might as well start out on an easy one, right?"

He'd only gone a few steps when the teller motioned for a guard to come take care of the unruly customer. Eliot moved quicker, reaching the front of the line. "Sir, I'm going to have to ask you to come with me," he said to Nate, making sure that anyone else in hearing range heard it as an order, not a request.

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thecompanyman
2009-10-19 02:33 am UTC (link)

Peter, meanwhile, was baffled. He never would have anticipated that this was the way to make Parker cry. He looked over at Noah, reminding himself again how ridiculous it was to underestimate Noah Bennet in anything. "How did you know that would work," he asked him, still struggling to contain his shock. He turned his focus back to the computer, keeping an eye on how things were going.

"That," Noah said calmly, "is what I do." He knew people. It was just an inherent skill for him. He wasn't a huge fan of staying back while other people did the work, but in this case he was glad for the opportunity to help Parker with the social aspects of the job. "How are you holding up there, dear?" he asked her over the comm, wondering if she'd escaped the woman comforting her yet. And yes, he had just called her dear. Because he was sort of evil like that. "Just remember that you're upset and don't attack her if she tries to hug you. And don't try to respond to me if she's still around. You're supposed to be upset, not schizophrenic. Granted it'll get you out of work, but much more noticeably."

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honestman
2009-11-02 07:10 pm UTC (link)

If had been anyone else but an expert, they would have ended up dying laughing ... or at least been a bit amused, and that would have shown on their faces. However, Nathan Ford was an expert and his muscles didn't even twitch at what Noah was telling Parker. As it was, he managed to be impressed. And there weren't many outside of his team that managed to impress Nate. Not that he'd tell them that.

Nate managed to look a bit shocked and wavering, when Parker started crying, even a bit contrite, but his own features hardened. "Look. I didn't mean to snap at you. I just want my-" He stopped his train of speech, when Eliot spoke. "See, I don't think so. I am not leaving here without my money." Though his tone managed to be not as demanding as before, though it was obvious to see the stubborn set in his shoulders. "I demand to speak with your manager!"

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