A Job Interview

[origamiguardian]

WHO: Maggie (origamiguardian) and Marco (idsay)
WHERE: The Lost World Bookstore in the Village
WHEN: August 15 at 3 pm or thereabouts
WARNINGS: None
SUMMARY: Maggie is looking for detective partners and is talking to Marco about his skills.

Comments

[idsay]

Marco stepped into the bookstore only two minutes early. He greeted the shopkeeper with a nod, then wandered off to look like a customer, despite his utter lack of funds. That's what he was here to change, with any luck.

While he had little idea what this Maggie looked like, he made a careful and practiced guess based on what he knew: young, female, perhaps small in stature? Of course, his guess was aided by the fact there was only one other customer in the establishment. Bingo.

"Ms. Maggie, I presume?" he chimed as he approached her in an aisle, a plastic coke bottle swinging between his fingers.

[origamiguardian]

From where she was crouching by the books, Maggie rose to her full height of six-feet-one-inch, denying Marco's earlier presumption of "small."

She otherwise matched her appearance in her video post: Asian, scruffy hair, crimson eyes, early 20s. She clutched in her hands a dusty copy of The Old Man and the Sea.

"Mr. Marco?" She returned. He had only his voice to go by, but it sounded right. "Thank you very much for meeting me."

[idsay]

He paused, unable to hide his surprise when the woman stood, eyes wide and words absent. He soon shook it off, his laugh on the nervous side. He tried to judge her age or nationality based on this new information, but set his curiosities aside for now. Marco reminded himself it was unwise to make assumptions. Especially in this world.

"It's no problem," he said. "Is there somewhere you'd like to talk? It's a bit cramped in here, I'd say."

[origamiguardian]

If Idsay was well traveled, he might pick up a few intonations in her speech that suggested she was from Hong Kong, most likely.

She in turn appraised Marco--glad at least he was not wearing a mask like the gentleman who tried to partner with her last time--assessing physical capability and whether he was armed.

"We could go to the coffee shop next door," she said. "I'm just going to get this book first," she indicated the book in her hands, and brought it to the bored looking young shopkeep, who remarked on her purchasing a bunch of Hemingway only last week. She smiled nervously and counted out exact change from her pocket. She waved toward the door politely. "Shall we?"

[idsay]

[He spies the title on the book with a smile, commenting as he holds the door on the way out.] An interesting choice of reading, miss. The classic struggle between a man and death, if I am not mistaken.

[origamiguardian]

[smiling, pleased he knew the work] Yes. Mr. Hemingway is one of my favorite authors. [pockets the book in one of the compartments in her cargo pants]

[asks quietly, so random passersby don't hear the odd question] So I would take it you're from some version of Earth?

[holds the door open to the cafe indoors. Full of hipsters and tourists and cozy couches. Only the last are to be sat upon.]

[idsay]

[First, refreshments! Marco buys himself a cola, then turns toward her.] Yes ma'am, not an alien. Can I get you something?

[origamiguardian]

Uh-- just a coffee, please. Thank you very much. [humble, yet won't turn down free stuff]

[sits down at a table, where the bustle of the cafe would keep anyone from listening in]

Anyway, as I said in my post. I need some assistance. But I'm not very good at finding clients on my own.

[idsay]

[He places her order and joins her at the table, shrugging his jacket off in the process.] Mm, here starts the interview, I'd say. Are you looking for someone to help you find jobs, or someone to help you do them?

[origamiguardian]

Ideally, both.

I'm used to working as part of a group. My sisters. But my big sister always took care of the business arrangements. She's... very personable. I'm not.

But we also all worked on cases together. Each person has talents the other doesn't. For the kind of work that comes to a private investigator, teamwork can be important. I realize, however, you may not be used to the same paradigm.

[idsay]

[He takes a drink of his cola, shrugging when she finishes talking.] I'm an independent man, but I appreciate working toward a goal. But if it's an attractive personality you're after, wouldn't you say I fit the bill?

[origamiguardian]

"You're very charming," Maggie replied matter-of-factly.

"Honestly, my main concern with you is I'm sure you're used to 'glamorous' work--corporate spying and the like. While my sisters and I at home have gotten what you might call high profile cases--Ah, or very, very low profile ones--often the work is mundane. Finding pets and lost items that aren't the compressed soul of a fallen immortal," she adds in a firm deadpan.

sorry I am such a slow butt about this!

[idsay]

[laughs, waving a hand dismissively] If "glamourous" is synonymous with "dangerous," then I will be just fine with the "mundane," I'd say. Not a fan of mortal peril, myself.

No worries, just carry on as you have time to

[origamiguardian]

[nodding] Out of curiosity, what kind of work are you most interested in?

[idsay]

Information gathering. Weakness and how to exploit them-I'm experienced at finding that out, I'd say. Mn. [pauses to take a sip of cola] As an ImPort, I may have a new advantage concerning that, as well.

[origamiguardian]

I think our skills could work well together. Although the "information gathering" I was originally taught involved gathering literal documents.

A gift from the Porter?