[SCENE] Ron and Lana in: "Truly a DeLite"
Lana: *Tuesday afternoon-- Lana Skye is alone in the second story-office of her investigative agency, waiting for someone from Grossberg's law firm to show up for a meeting. There's a fairly large murder trial about to go to court, and this is not the first time the old, ample-framed attorney has requested her PI services to prepare for a case. Whomever Lana is supposed to meet with, however, is running late, and so Lana occupies herself by sifting through the latest batch of resumes-- idly circling typos and other peculiarities on one paper, before moving quickly onto yet another*
Ron: *there's a rapping at the door that dies down with each knock*
Lana: *glances up, setting aside the files currently on her desk and rising to her feet* It's open-- come in.
Ron: *opens the door and takes a step in. He's got a discreet manila envelope in hand, and he's slightly out of breath as though he's been running* Afternoon, Miss-- *glancing back at the name on her door* --Skye!
Lana: Good afternoon. I'm sorry, but-- *studies him carefully, then the manilla envelope he's holding, then the badge pinned visibly on the front of his vest... seeming quite visibly surprised at that last detail* Oh, are you the attorney from Mr. Grossberg's firm?
Ron: *closes the door* Yes, ma'am. My name is Ron DeLite. I have some documents Mr. Grossberg would like for you to look over for this job.
Lana: *frowns slightly at the name, as if trying to identify it. After the briefest of moments, however, she smiles and gestures to one of the chairs in front of her desk* Please, have a seat Mr. DeLite. Would you care for some coffee, or tea?
Ron: *walks in and sits down, neatly folding his hands on his lap* Oh, no thank you. Caffeine would give me the jitters right now -- see, I'm already kind of pumped up, so....
Lana: *hides a slightly more amused smile behind a hand* I see that. Just some water, then. *steps to the small side table at the corner, where there's a pitcher of water--she prepares him a glass, and fixes a cup of tea for herself* Were you running late?
Ron: Yes, and I'm very sorry! *lowering his head* I'm usually more punctual than this. I was raised not to waste people's time, and that means not making them wait for you. I tried my best. I really did...
Lana: *the smile returns again as she steps over to Ron, offering him the glass* It's quite alright. You'll find that waiting for others is quite a regular occurrence outside of the courtroom, amongst attorneys. *returns to her seat, sipping from her own drink* Now--shall we talk about the case?
Ron: Wait wait! Let me explain why I was late. *takes the glass and drinks from it* It was the darndest thing! I was on my way here, waiting at a stop light in my car...you'll never guess who I saw when I turned and looked at the car next to mine!
Lana: *blinks, setting down her cup* Who?
Ron: *happy* No, really -- guess!
Lana: *stares a little* ..... Ah... Your wife?
Ron: *disappointed* No. You're wrong.
Lana: ....... Well, it's a little difficult to guess, given that we're likely acquainted with two very different groups of people. *hesitates* It wasn't Mr. Grossberg himself, certainly?
Ron: ...Okay, I'll just tell you!
Lana: *stares* Who was it?
Ron: Mr. Mistretta! *beams* You know. From the case?
Lana: *holds her hand to herself in surprise* Mr. Mistretta?...That is some coincidence indeed. It's a shame you were both in different vehicles at the time.
Ron: A big coincidence! Anyway, I thought to myself, hey...maybe this is a sign! These things tend to happen for a reason, you know. So I took the chance and started following him!
Lana: You... followed him. *adjusts her position in her chair* Ah, hence why you were late.
Ron: *cocks his head* I didn't have to follow him for very long. He stopped at a pub and went inside, so I parked my car and went in, too. It was all smelly and I was wondering why a man like him would go in there...
Lana: *straightens her teacup on the table rather impatiently* And did you find out why?
Ron: I took a seat and grabbed a menu --just how they do in the movies! *points this out with some pride* -- and watched him sit at the bar for about four minutes. Then, you'll never guess who...well, I'll just tell you. In came Mrs. Sutherland!
Lana: What?! *frowns, all business when she leans forward* And did she speak with Mr. Mistretta? She claimed she didn't know him at all in her statement to the police-- do you know what that means?
Ron: *excited* I know! But I saw it right there with my own eyes! They talked and had some drinks, and they even shared potato skins! I thought to myself, boy I bet those are really good. So I ordered a plate for myself! And I was right!
Lana: *sharply, with both hands on the table* And the conversation? What did they say?! Did any items exchange hands? Did they leave together?!
Ron: I couldn't hear them, but I was able to take some photos on my Blackberry as proof. I took a video of them leaving together, too! *takes a drink of water* After that, I went to the bartender and asked about them, and the potato skins. He said they used to come in there pretty often until a few months ago. He also said the potato skins are a secret recipe and can't disclose it.
Lana: *slams a hand on the desk* That--that's hardly relevant. Do you have the footage on you right now, Mr. DeLite? That could be essential for the trial!
Ron: *proudly* I do! ....Oh, but before I forget, here you are. *hands over the envelope* The details of the job Mr. Grossberg would like to assign you to.
Lana: ... *takes the envelope, opening up and scanning the page* ............ *flatly* "...surveillance to establish a connection between Mr. Mistretta and Mrs. Sutherland".........
Ron: That's the funniest part! *brings the glass to his lips and laughs lightly* It's the darndest thing, isn't it?
Lana: ........... You knew about this, beforehand? *it's not quite a statement, but there's something rather offputting about the way she asks it*
Ron: Yes, of course! *happily takes a sip of water* If I didn't know, I wouldn't have followed him to see if I can get anything on him. *matter of factly*
Lana: And yet you didn't think of telling me this, at the very beginning of your story?
Ron: ...*meek* I-I'm sorry. I was too eager to talk about what happened, and... *trails off*
Lana: *her voice rising* Mr. DeLite--did you not express that you should not waste people's time right upon entering this room?!
Ron: *starting to get rather scared* I-I said I'm sorryyyy! *smiles weakly* W, well, if you'd still like something to investigate, I'm very curious about that secret potato skin recipe....?
Lana: ............
~~~
Lana: *five minutes later, Lana is standing outside of the washroom door just outside of her office, rapping at it loudly with her knuckles* Mr. DeLite. Mr. DeLite? You're taking an awfully long time in there. *and with considerably less intensity than she has been using for the last few minutes* ...Is everything alright?
Lana: *when there's no response again, Lana tests the door handle. To her surprise she finds it turn, unlocked. A breeze ruffles her hair; the washroom's window is open. They're two stories above ground, but Ron DeLite, an attorney, is nowhere to be seen*
Ron: *there's a rapping at the door that dies down with each knock*
Lana: *glances up, setting aside the files currently on her desk and rising to her feet* It's open-- come in.
Ron: *opens the door and takes a step in. He's got a discreet manila envelope in hand, and he's slightly out of breath as though he's been running* Afternoon, Miss-- *glancing back at the name on her door* --Skye!
Lana: Good afternoon. I'm sorry, but-- *studies him carefully, then the manilla envelope he's holding, then the badge pinned visibly on the front of his vest... seeming quite visibly surprised at that last detail* Oh, are you the attorney from Mr. Grossberg's firm?
Ron: *closes the door* Yes, ma'am. My name is Ron DeLite. I have some documents Mr. Grossberg would like for you to look over for this job.
Lana: *frowns slightly at the name, as if trying to identify it. After the briefest of moments, however, she smiles and gestures to one of the chairs in front of her desk* Please, have a seat Mr. DeLite. Would you care for some coffee, or tea?
Ron: *walks in and sits down, neatly folding his hands on his lap* Oh, no thank you. Caffeine would give me the jitters right now -- see, I'm already kind of pumped up, so....
Lana: *hides a slightly more amused smile behind a hand* I see that. Just some water, then. *steps to the small side table at the corner, where there's a pitcher of water--she prepares him a glass, and fixes a cup of tea for herself* Were you running late?
Ron: Yes, and I'm very sorry! *lowering his head* I'm usually more punctual than this. I was raised not to waste people's time, and that means not making them wait for you. I tried my best. I really did...
Lana: *the smile returns again as she steps over to Ron, offering him the glass* It's quite alright. You'll find that waiting for others is quite a regular occurrence outside of the courtroom, amongst attorneys. *returns to her seat, sipping from her own drink* Now--shall we talk about the case?
Ron: Wait wait! Let me explain why I was late. *takes the glass and drinks from it* It was the darndest thing! I was on my way here, waiting at a stop light in my car...you'll never guess who I saw when I turned and looked at the car next to mine!
Lana: *blinks, setting down her cup* Who?
Ron: *happy* No, really -- guess!
Lana: *stares a little* ..... Ah... Your wife?
Ron: *disappointed* No. You're wrong.
Lana: ....... Well, it's a little difficult to guess, given that we're likely acquainted with two very different groups of people. *hesitates* It wasn't Mr. Grossberg himself, certainly?
Ron: ...Okay, I'll just tell you!
Lana: *stares* Who was it?
Ron: Mr. Mistretta! *beams* You know. From the case?
Lana: *holds her hand to herself in surprise* Mr. Mistretta?...That is some coincidence indeed. It's a shame you were both in different vehicles at the time.
Ron: A big coincidence! Anyway, I thought to myself, hey...maybe this is a sign! These things tend to happen for a reason, you know. So I took the chance and started following him!
Lana: You... followed him. *adjusts her position in her chair* Ah, hence why you were late.
Ron: *cocks his head* I didn't have to follow him for very long. He stopped at a pub and went inside, so I parked my car and went in, too. It was all smelly and I was wondering why a man like him would go in there...
Lana: *straightens her teacup on the table rather impatiently* And did you find out why?
Ron: I took a seat and grabbed a menu --just how they do in the movies! *points this out with some pride* -- and watched him sit at the bar for about four minutes. Then, you'll never guess who...well, I'll just tell you. In came Mrs. Sutherland!
Lana: What?! *frowns, all business when she leans forward* And did she speak with Mr. Mistretta? She claimed she didn't know him at all in her statement to the police-- do you know what that means?
Ron: *excited* I know! But I saw it right there with my own eyes! They talked and had some drinks, and they even shared potato skins! I thought to myself, boy I bet those are really good. So I ordered a plate for myself! And I was right!
Lana: *sharply, with both hands on the table* And the conversation? What did they say?! Did any items exchange hands? Did they leave together?!
Ron: I couldn't hear them, but I was able to take some photos on my Blackberry as proof. I took a video of them leaving together, too! *takes a drink of water* After that, I went to the bartender and asked about them, and the potato skins. He said they used to come in there pretty often until a few months ago. He also said the potato skins are a secret recipe and can't disclose it.
Lana: *slams a hand on the desk* That--that's hardly relevant. Do you have the footage on you right now, Mr. DeLite? That could be essential for the trial!
Ron: *proudly* I do! ....Oh, but before I forget, here you are. *hands over the envelope* The details of the job Mr. Grossberg would like to assign you to.
Lana: ... *takes the envelope, opening up and scanning the page* ............ *flatly* "...surveillance to establish a connection between Mr. Mistretta and Mrs. Sutherland".........
Ron: That's the funniest part! *brings the glass to his lips and laughs lightly* It's the darndest thing, isn't it?
Lana: ........... You knew about this, beforehand? *it's not quite a statement, but there's something rather offputting about the way she asks it*
Ron: Yes, of course! *happily takes a sip of water* If I didn't know, I wouldn't have followed him to see if I can get anything on him. *matter of factly*
Lana: And yet you didn't think of telling me this, at the very beginning of your story?
Ron: ...*meek* I-I'm sorry. I was too eager to talk about what happened, and... *trails off*
Lana: *her voice rising* Mr. DeLite--did you not express that you should not waste people's time right upon entering this room?!
Ron: *starting to get rather scared* I-I said I'm sorryyyy! *smiles weakly* W, well, if you'd still like something to investigate, I'm very curious about that secret potato skin recipe....?
Lana: ............
~~~
Lana: *five minutes later, Lana is standing outside of the washroom door just outside of her office, rapping at it loudly with her knuckles* Mr. DeLite. Mr. DeLite? You're taking an awfully long time in there. *and with considerably less intensity than she has been using for the last few minutes* ...Is everything alright?
Lana: *when there's no response again, Lana tests the door handle. To her surprise she finds it turn, unlocked. A breeze ruffles her hair; the washroom's window is open. They're two stories above ground, but Ron DeLite, an attorney, is nowhere to be seen*