[SCENE -- It's SUPER SPY science! With Ema and Phoenix~]
Wright: *wanders down a couple of streets downtown--he looks a bit tired, as if he's been meandering around the city the whole day. Passing by a park, he stops and glances at his watch, estimating that the last period of classes should roughly be starting. He takes out his cell phone and dials Ema's number*
Ema: *The girl is busy grumbling to herself as she forces her way through the crowded halls of her high school--nearly missing her phone as it begins to buzz and ring in her backpack* Excuse--- uck, I SAID excuse ME. *She elbows her way out of the crowd, finding a relatively empty space near the water fountains to dig through her bag, snatching up her phone and answering it without bothering to check the number first* Hello?
Wright: Hey Ema, it's Phoenix.
Wright: *glances over the park scenery as he talks, looking at the people in particular*
Wright: You up for skipping class today? *grins a little*
Ema: Oh! Mr. Wright! *She laughs weakly for a moment* Sorry about that-- I didn’t check who was calling at first…
Ema: *again she checks the wall clock-- cracking a grin of her own* But yeah, I'd totally be up for that~
Wright: Great. I'm at Expose Park right now. Is that near your school?
Wright: I could come pick you up there instead.
Ema: Mmm... *She taps at her chin* Yeah! I think it's a few blocks away.
Ema: I might get caught if I'm hanging around outside the school-- I could walk to the park pretty fast though.
Wright: I'll meet you here, then.
Wright: *turns, something seeming to catch his attention from the corner of his eye--but it's nothing*
Wright: ... Are you sure you can slip off without getting caught?
Ema: Oh psssh~ Of course I can. *She smirks, eyeing the lingering crowd of students with only the -smaaallest- bit of contempt*
Ema: I'm gonna head out now, kay? I won't keep you waiting long, Mr. Wright.
Wright: Alright, see you.
Wright: *hits disconnect on his phone*
Ema: *Ema clicks her phone shut with a happy hum, holding her head up high as she saunters on back through the hall.*
Wright: *stands around and really, looks like he's loitering around the park grounds*
Ema: *It's easy enough for Ema to recognize the man-- and before too long she's calling out to him, swinging her backpack as she walks* Heeeey~! Mr. Wright! Long time no see, huh~?
Wright: *waves back, grinning and heading up to her* Ema! Yeah, it's been a while.
Wright: ...Wow, you've uh, grown!
Ema: *She laughs* I guess so~ You should have seen Lana's face when I got back, too!
Ema: I hadn't really been able to send her many pictures while I was away... *she grins sheepishly, rubbing at the back of her neck*
Wright: *is pretty much doing the same* I'll bet she was glad to see you again. She isn't being too strict, is she?
Ema: No, not really... I mean, she really wants me to get a job soon, but I keep telling her that I don't -need- one. I'm just going to quit it anyways for my -real- career once this school year is up.
Ema: *For a moment her gaze flickers away from the man* But... you know. Speaking of jobs and all... you're... looking for other work now too, huh, Mr. Wright?
Wright: Huh? Oh, yeah. *looks off towards a nearby phone booth* It's pretty complicated, but I'm coming to terms with it. *smiles, a little forcedly* I'm not exactly interested in the same field as you are, so you don't have to worry about competition, heh.
Ema: *Ema, however, does -not- laugh this time* ... That's not funny, Mr. Wright. *Instead, she fiddles quietly with the strap of her backpack*
Wright: *his expression grows serious* ...Sorry. It's been a long day.
Wright: *nods over to a couple of benches in the shade* Lets head over there. I'll... answer any questions, if you have them.
Ema: *She nods in return, and before long is plopping herself down, setting her backpack down onto the ground*
Ema: Huh... It's kind of funny. I don't even know what to ask first. *she admits this with a fresh frown*
Wright: *sits down beside her, running a hand--a bit vainly-- through his hair spikes* Yeah, I know. I've... had to explain it a few times already.
Wright: I guess I could just start from the beginning.
Wright: How much do you know, exactly?
Ema: Only what I've read on your online journal... *she gives the man a small shrug* Which is not much, really.
Wright: Yeah, I didn't think it was the best place to mention everything. Especially considering some of the people who've been replying...
Ema: I can understand that. *she mumbles, thinking less-than-fondly back to her own journal*
Ema: *A short pause, before she's continuing* I thought you were trying to make a stupid joke or something at first. I mean... when you were talking about all the other places you were looking into working at.
Wright: No, I was being serious. *rests his arms on his knees, sitting a bit hunched forward* They're... not very good options, but I need something that will give me the time to take care of Tru, and to investigate.
Wright: I... recently got a different offer though, so I might be working in a law office again. Just... *looks embarrassed* not in the same way.
Ema: No offense Mr. Wright, but I don't think you'd make a very good secretary. *The girl says rather bluntly, nodding her head in his direction*
Wright: ....... No, I don't think I would, either. *winces*
Ema: But... investigating? What do you mean by that?
Wright: Oh, I'll explain the whole thing, I guess.
Wright: A couple of months back... I took on a last minute case and got disbarred in the process.
Wright: My client was Trucy's biological father, and... well, he disappeared in the middle of the trial. I guess she and I found each other through the whole mess as well.
Ema: *Ema sits herself up, gaping intently at the man* D-Disbarred? -You-?
Ema: *She frowns, averting her gaze to the ground* That... I'm sorry, but that doesn't make a whole lot of sense to me, Mr. Wright. I really don't see you as the type to do... anything to really deserve that...
Wright: *firmly* I didn't. I was set up.
Wright: I presented some evidence in court, something I had just received minutes before the trial. The prosecutor was ready for it, and to prove that it was falsified. And... yeah.
Wright: The hearing afterward found me responsible for the forged evidence.
Wright: *realizes after a moment what that might mean to Ema, and turns to look at her*
Ema: *Ema keeps her gaze away from the man, a stern glare instead directed at the concrete sidewalk beneath their feet*
Ema: I believe you when you say you didn’t know it was... fake, Mr. Wright. I do.
Ema: And... I think it's horrible. I'm sorry for thinking before that you... had quit for some other stupid reason or another.
Ema: I never would have thought it to be something awful like that...
Wright: It's alright. In fact... I think I prefer that some people continue thinking that way.
Ema: That's what you've been investigating though...?
Wright: Right. I've been trying to figure out who did it.
Wright: *looks down, seeming embarrassed*
Wright: To be honest, I haven't really found much...yet.
Wright: But that's where I wanted to ask you a favour, actually.
Ema: *A deep breath, and she was straightening her back, nodding firmly* Anything to help, Mr. Wright.
Ema: Because if I know you like I think I do, -you'll- be able to figure it out.
Wright: *grins* ...Thanks.
Wright: I've been talking to... quite a few people. And wandering over the city. One dead end after another, really...
Wright: But I'm finding it hard to keep track of everything, especially when I'm at a place where I can't record notes on the spot.
Wright: *sits up and scans around the park briefly* Sometimes, I get the feeling that I'm being followed or watched, too... so I need something discreet.
Ema: *scratches at her cheek for a moment* Yeah, people still look at me kind of funny when I whip out my notebook sometimes...
Wright: *chuckles* You still do that, huh?
Ema: Of course! *she beams proudly in the man's direction*
Wright: *raises an eyebrow-- though he speaks teasingly* You'll keep all this confidential, though?
Ema: *she swats at the man's arm lightly, rolling her eyes* Nope. Gonna write it allll down in my journal right when I get home,
Ema: starting with letting Lana know that I ditched last period of school.
Ema: Anyways... *She shakes her head* What you need isn't a notebook, Mr. Wright. If you're doing -serious- undercover investigation, you'll need a hidden camera or something.
Wright: *nods* I was thinking about something like that...
Wright: But I don't know much about them, or how I'd keep one hidden, exactly. ...Which is why I figured I should talk to you.
Ema: *Another proud smile lights up the girl's face* Well! You came to the right girl then!
Wright: *smirks slightly* Ema Skye has a scientific solution?
Ema: Of course. *She replies instantly, though the answer she gives... isn't quite scientific at -all-*
Ema: See, buying one won't be much of an issue for you-- but hiding it... *she gives a small pause, looking thoughtful* Well, you'll wanna keep it up higher on your body… No use keeping it too low-- you won’t catch anything that way!
Ema: ........ *another pause, and she’s now eyeing the man’s hair* ... Ever thought of maybe.... I dunno. Starting to wear hats, Mr. Wright?
Wright: *rather vainly* Not really. It messes up the hair.
Wright: ......
Wright: But I guess if it'd work best, I'd look into it.
Wright: *runs a hand through his hair reluctantly*
Ema: *She raises her own brow* I'm just saying-- you're not a girl, Mr. Wright. In movies they can always hide spy tools down their shirts or places like that. Behind brooches and the like. Men don't have as many options. *she says in a knowing tone*
Wright: ...In movies? *makes a face* But wouldn't the lens need to show through the hat, somehow? The cloth would block it off... right?
Ema: Not necessarily... *she frowns slightly* These cameras can be -tiny-... you could probably hide it -in- something on the hat... like a button or a pin or--... hmm... now that's an interesting idea...
Wright: What is?
Ema: A pin. On the hat. That's not terribly unpopular these days, right? And... it'd have to be something... familiar to you...
Ema: Otherwise the person who's tailing you might take notice, too.
Ema: You know what I mean?
Wright: *nods, tapping a finger on his chin in thought*
Wright: Well, you had those pins on your lab coat when you were younger... still got any of those?
Wright: - *at the approach of some footsteps out of his peripheral vision he turns his head, noticing a passing food cart vendor, and--seeming rather relieved--turns back to her*
Ema: *claps her hands together with a happy gasp* Oh, I do! In fact, I have a couple on my bag now because they said I couldn't wear my labcoat to school anymore-- *she rambles on, reaching for her backpack, oblivious to his momentary scare*
Wright: Heh... You've got your pins on there?
Ema: They're -special- to me, Mr. Wright. So I keep a couple on this now-- *she says, slightly distracted as she unpins one of the larger ones from the front of her pack*
Ema: Here! *She motions for the man to hold out his hand, all the while smiling in excitement* Take this one, it'll work great!
Wright: *holds out his hand, grinning a little at her enthusiasm*
Ema: *She passes the pin over to him* See that it gets put to good use, okay Mr. Wright? I'm... sure you won't look -too- bad with hat hair... *she tries hard, and fails very badly at suppressing a bit of laughter*
Wright: ...Thanks. *the words are genuine, but he grimaces slightly at her laughs*
Wright: *slips it into his pocket* ...I'll have to dress down as well-- I don't think any hats really go with suits. Not that I have any reason to wear one anymore, really...
Ema: Suits are expensive, too. So... think of it as cutting costs? *she supplies with raised brows, intending to be helpful*
Wright: Well, I guess you have a point there. Without dry cleaning and hair gel, I'd save up some extra cash each month... I guess. *gets up and stretches slightly, sighing at the thought*
Wright: Thanks again, Ema.
Ema: *The girl is quick to stand as well, smiling bright as she gives him a playful pat to the back* I know it may sound kind of silly and all but... I really do have confidence in you, Mr. Wright.
Ema: You'll be able to make it right again. But-- if you need help, I'm here, okay?
Ema: I may still be in high school and all, but not for much longer now.
Wright: *clasps her arm gently, smiling* Alright. Keep in touch now that you're back in L.A.
Wright: I'll let you know how the camera works out.
Ema: Good! *she says enthusiastically, before reaching back down to scoop up her backpack once more*
Wright: *glances down the path again, and spots the same food vendor. He nods at him and his cart to her*
Wright: You want anything to eat? *looks rather sheepish* ...I haven't had lunch yet.
Ema: *she grins* If I say yes, will it be your treat~?
Wright: Sure thing. *flags the vendor down, and pulls out his well-worn wallet*
Wright: *looking over the list of items* Hmm. Since you haven't been back to the States in a while, you should try out these fried dough cakes they sell here.
Wright: *asks for two bags, pays, and offers one up to her*
Ema: Oooh, really? They sound pretty good-- *She makes as if to take the bag-- but falters slightly, a concerned expression tugging at her features* ... Uhm. Mr. Wright...? These won't... Well...
Ema: Last night there was this really stupid guy on the journal thing and mythighswillNOTgetfatfromthese, right? *she asked, glaring hard at the man*
Wright: ... *recoils in a bit of shock at the exclamation* ...W-well, not if you just have a bag, no.
Wright: *glances down Ema's figure* ...You shouldn't worry about your appearance though, Ms. Skye.
Ema: ...... *After another pause, a slow smile curves at Ema's lips, and she plucks the bag away from Phoenix* Well, thank you, Mr. Wright~ Careful though, you know my sister wouldn't be too happy with you if she heard you say something like that~~
Wright: H-ha! Well, I guess I'll have to ask you to keep another secret from your sister then, along with your cutting class. *grins and starts eating from his bag*
Ema: *Ema laughs, before turning to her own bag, and munching slowly on one of the cakes* Ooh... Oh hey, these are really good..! What are these things again?
Wright: Fried dough cakes. *eats a couple at a time* ...I haven't gotten them in a while, actually; I've been cutting down the amount of snacks at home now that Trucy's there.
Ema: Whaaat? That's terrible, Mr. Wright! All little kids love snacks! *she says in a mock scolding tone*
Ema: Every little kid needs snack foods. Lots of them to choose from, too.
Wright: Oh...? *rubs the back of his head awkwardly* Heh, I didn't know that...
Ema: Lana never kept many snacks around the house when I was younger. I -hated- that.
Wright: I thought it'd be best to cut out junk food snacks and eat healthy. ... Though I haven't exactly read anything that supports that.
Ema: Oh, pfff. See? You need -real- scientific facts before you can follow any of those diet plans, Mr. Wright.
Wright: *raises an eyebrow doubtfully, munching* What sort of scientific facts would these be, exactly?
Ema: ... Very important ones-- I... I wouldn't want to bore you with the details though~ *She says in a rather evasive tone this time around, before popping another treat into her mouth*
Wright: Mm-hmm...
Wright: *glances down at his watch* Well, you've got to let me know some other time, Ema. Classes are about to end, and I've got to go pick up Tru.
Ema: Aah, okay. *Ema adjusts her backpack, flashing another smile up at the man* Thank you for calling me out here, Mr. Wright. For everything. I really... really mean that.
Wright: *shakes his head* Thank -you- for the advice. And the pin.
Wright: *turns to leave, smiling* I'll see you around, okay?
Ema: *The girl fidgets for a moment-- almost as if to hug the man, or say a bit more* Later, Mr. Wright~! *She settles for waving instead, smiling wide in the man's direction*
Wright: *looks back over to her, and waves briefly with the hand that isn't holding his snack*
Wright: *wanders off towards the direction of Trucy's elementary school*