Joel Kulseth (aviatorshades) wrote in remains_rpg, @ 2016-07-15 14:24:00 |
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Between interrupted council meetings -that hadn’t been going great to begin with- and the typical stressors of his work days lately, all Joel wanted to do when he clocked out for the night was make it clear of the Capitol building without another fire popping up that would need his attention. Pretty simple thing to ask for, he thought. He was focused on keeping a low profile, his exit out a side entrance barely noticed, his vehicle only feet from him as he pushed his aviators up his nose. He thought he was close to succeeding. The only thing he wanted was a peaceful night in with his wife and Kaisha. Although he should have assumed it wouldn’t be that easy, with how things had been happening lately, because as soon as he thought success was within his grasp, it was derailed. “Chief Kulseth,” the woman greets him, with the kind of air he’d learned to sniff out as ‘reporter’ years ago. She was early thirties, brunette, and didn’t look like trouble. But if she was waiting to ambush the way she had, she probably was. “My name is Abby Edwards, and I was wondering if I could get a statement about the Hellhound incident today?” Goddamn, he hadn’t thought word would travel that fast. Sometimes he wondered if there wasn’t just a sieve that information seemed to get lost through. Not everything made its way to the public thankfully, but more than he would have liked. Leaked information made many things more complicated. As for the Hellhounds, they had barely sorted it out themselves; he was nowhere near ready to make any kind of public statement. He doubted it was his place either. “I don’t think so, Ms. Edwards,” Joel answers firmly and politely, starting to move down the sidewalk again towards his vehicle. He hoped that would be the end of it. “The public wants to know.” But it looked like the only way he would be able to shake Ms. Edwards was closing a car door on her. Sighing inwardly, he resigns himself, and is reminded of why he’d never sought a higher rank before Nina asked him to be chief. Reporters were the kind of headaches he preferred left to someone else. “Doesn’t change my answer.” Joel was firmer and less polite a second time around, but still professional. His car was closer too. “If you’d like to ask again you can speak to my secretary to set up an official appointment.” Karen, he assumed, was much better at fielding these things than he was. Ms. Edwards looked perturbed at the repeated brush off, but he had very little sympathy for her, and even less patience for her methods. He hit the key fob in his hand to unlock the doors. “I’m not asking for a lot, just a statement of reassurance for the public,” she continues, her resolve apparently still intact. She even places herself between him and the drivers door. If he wasn’t so irritated with her he would have appreciated the balls she had to keep pestering for her story. Persistence like what she was exhibiting was usually a good trait. Usually. Not today. But he couldn’t move her. So instead he gives her a stern look and tells her, “Continuing to coerce me won’t change my mind. Although, it will make a conversation with your editor necessary.” If only she’d identified who she worked for. But Joel thought it would have the same effect anyway. “I’ve had a long day, Ms. Edwards. Please move and call my office in the morning.” She opens her mouth to respond, snaps it shut again and steps aside. For that alone Joel gives her a weary smile. She’s persistent, but also smart. “You said your secretary is named Karen?” “Yes. You can reach her by phoning the department.” Joel slides into the front seat of his car, hesitates closing the door, and adds, “Have a good night, Ms. Edwards.” He’ll worry about the possibility of an official interview tomorrow. |