Ted Holloway (darthted) wrote in ourtrueselves, @ 2010-02-14 15:43:00 |
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Ted knew as he shrugged into his coat that he was going to need a good excuse for making the jump to London. It was his day off. He'd be a fool to think that his movements on the MTN would not be tracked, or that he'd be able to dodge pointed questions if he appeared in someone's office and started poking around. He'd need a cover - someone he could plausibly approach. Preferably someone weak-willed and susceptible to influence. To his dismay, he was fairly certain he had someone in mind. Juli Cooper. CORE paper-pusher, 'head receptionist,' and resident busy-body. Her job was to sit at the desk out front and track comings and goings; Ted wasn't sure how he was going to get information about Ainsley, but he hoped that he'd learn something useful. He was fairly certain he'd caught her eyeing him as he signed in and out on the Agency register, and he was equally certain that she'd respond positively to some attention. ...he was going to wind up on a Valentine's date with the nosiest woman in CORE. He just knew it. "Hey, Juli." Ted drawled, even as he willed himself to be casual. Forearm on the desk, leaning in? Too cheesy? Just right? He hesitated then went for it, 'corny' be damned. The brunette behind the counter gave a start; she wasn't much older than Ted, but the dated Peter Pan collar and cardigan aged her. "Holloway." Juli closed a window on her computer and snapped her head up. "You're -- you're here, wait, you're not in until Wednesday, what are you -- I mean, hello." For an instant, Ted felt a little guilty about what he was planning to do. Juli's floundering hit a little too close to home. But, well, for the team and all that. "It's Valentine's Day. My roommate's out, my best friend's out, even the guy down the hall who hangs his wet socks in the common room? Out. So I asked myself, 'what are you still doing in the dorm, Ted?'" Juli stared blankly. Ted's stomach did a flip-flop. "What time are you off?" Silence. Oh no. He didn't even really want to go out with her, and he was still going to be shot down. "Eleven," Juli finally stammered. "But that's an hour away, yet, you're going to lurk in the lobby until then?" Aha. Opening. Ted reached out through the Force and put a little pressure on Juli; to emphasize his point, he attempted what he hoped was a cheerful smile. "May I see the schedule?" "...sure?" Juli's expression clouded; she looked a little confused. Addled. Oh, he was so completely going to Hell. Ted reached out to accept the paper and gave it a once-over. Perfect. It was the complete support-staff schedule, down to fifteen minute breaks and who was to be covering the zones while various staffers were away. "Paul's off in thirty minutes and no one relieves him. We could sneak out once Martha comes to take your place." "I don't think --" "Or I could just go to the lounge, have a cup of coffee, and wait?" "Oh, don't do that, the coffee's dreadful." "Coke, then. It's just an hour. But if you don't want to, that's okay, I could just hop the MTN hom--" "No, Ted, an hour's fine." "Awesome. Here, let me give you back the building schedule." Ted reached down into his pocket and pulled out a Tube schedule. He slid it across the counter with his palm on top, effectively masking it from the view of any security cameras above. Juli's eyes went unfocused again. She reached up to accept it. "See you later, Juli." Going. To. Hell. |