Day 30: West Rooftop

[the_head_doctor]

The sky was blue and the sun was shining brightly, though all aspects of the good weather didn't fit the Head Doctor's current mood. His arms were crossed and his face was creased into a scowl; his eyes were sharp and although he wore his usual brown suit and tie, both were wrinkled as if he'd slept in them. His hair, usually combed and slicked

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[mister_radio]

What could Jack say? He'd had a busy night, and he'd needed a nap. Martin could wait. Martin was the one who wanted this little tete'a'tete, after all.

Jack strolled out from behind one of the roof's many large vents, cigarette dangling from his lips. He too was dressed in the same clothes as he had been wearing when last seen, a dark sweater and faded jeans. His own hair had that just-woken-up-look, and a fine layer of stubble coated his lower jaw.

There was no rest for the wicked.

Jack paused a moment, just looking at the other man. Tsk, tsk, time had not been kind. His expression was guarded, unreadable as he took in Martin wholly and completely. And then he grinned, an expression with little mirth to it.

"Been waiting long, Marty?"

[the_head_doctor]

And there he was, trying to make a dramatic appearance, trying so very hard to be the image of nonchalance. The very sight of him made the Head Doctor sick, and his eyes narrowed as he appraised his former colleague.

"It's been long, Alec," the Head Doctor returned. His voice was low, cold, and though he was taking obvious efforts to hide just how rattled the recent turn of events had left him, the fist clenched at his side let on just how furious he really was. Dr. Doyle was still living the lie of a new-age hippie freak, though that was entirely predictable. After all, it had been his self-righteousness and weakness towards outside opinion that had gotten them into this mess. A rebel he wasn't; a follower he was.

Dr. Landel paused, then smiled in a way that was wholly humorless.

"Perhaps you can tell me in detail how these futile pranks stroke your blinded ego."

[mister_radio]

"Oh Marty, Marty, Marty." Jack sighed and shook his head. "Is that any way to greet an old friend? And here I thought we could have a civil chat. You just live to disappoint me, don't you?" He took a long haul on his cigarette and shoved his other hand into his pocket, looking out over the lands beyond the institute.

How long had it been, really? Since they'd stood together, talked together, regarded one another as living beings? Without the cloak and dagger routine, and without the veil of soundwaves to shield them...

God, it wasn't like he'd thought it would be.

"You know this was more than a prank," he finally said, his tone serious. "And you know it wasn't futile. I'm gaining ground on you. So what are we gonna do?"

[the_head_doctor]

The Head Doctor's eyes stayed fixed on the radio jockey's every movement, trying to anticipate whatever underhanded trick he might try to pull. Dr. Landel wasn't going to fall for anything, and he most certainly wasn't going to let the deluded man's words intimidate him.

"Ground? Gaining?" The Head Doctor laughed, shaking his head at his old partner's foolishness. Did he seriously think a small blackout was signaling a turn of events? Was he really saying he had a chance in hell of disrupting the Institute's routine after this day?

"My, my, Alec, you're far more foolish than I even imagined." The doctor crossed his arms and smirked. "I, for one, am not going to do anything. There's nothing to do besides stop your ridiculous charade."