press pass?

[billsmithbackjr]

The man who wanders through the door of the Mansion seems notable for little other than the pencil with a dulled point in one hand and the notepad in the other; in fact, it's almost comical how much he resembles the stereotypical Hollywood newsman

Comments

[nubesprocellae]

"Terribly unfortunate, isn't it? Some of us are liable to starve." She smiles -- she hasn't seen him in his proper element before (though we assume she's aware of what to expect thanks to Nora) and it's, well, classic Smithback. "Hello, Mr. Smithback. It's lovely to see you again."

[billsmithbackjr]

Bill smiles back, surprised but happy to see a familiar face. "Viola!" He pauses and remembers her station, wondering if perhaps he ought to at least pretend to be a little more formal. "That is--Miss Maskelene, hi. Starving, huh? There's bound to be a story in that."

[nubesprocellae]

She waves off the formality (the observant reporter might notice that simple but definitely new silver and emerald ring on her hand) with another smile. "Please. If you of all people started observing formalities, the world as we knew it might end." And she can't help a laugh. "The starvation epidemic in the mansion due to a drastic snack table shortage?"

[billsmithbackjr]

"All too true!" he agrees heartily, grinning a little more obviously at the ring. "And it tries to do that enough without my help."

He pulls out the pencil and notepad again, though it's done with a good-natured, almost teasing air. "Exactly! Sounds terrible. Should I call up and get them to save me the front page?"

[phantomofthefbi]

"I am quite certain you'll manage to procure one anyway, Mr. Smithback."

[billsmithbackjr]

He definitely does a double take, as last he heard Pendergast had disappeared rather suddenly-- and while he likes the guy, Bill can't deny that his life is in jeopardy an often lot less when he isn't around.

"Agent Pendergast," he starts, suddenly wondering if he should be worried. "Something going on that I should know about?"

[6before]

Excuse me...have you seen the jam? I can't seem to find it.

[billsmithbackjr]

"Er." His hand falls to rub the back of his neck and he glances around, as if for help. "No-- jam? No, sorry."

[6before]

*seeing him his neck* Oh, is your neck going to get injured?

[minaharker10_2]

*she looks baffled at his terminology, and at the cell phone he holds, but decides not to comment on it (that would be rude!) and instead merely says* Welcome, sir.

[billsmithbackjr]

"Thanks." He tries not to be thrown off by the sir, since she isn't a waitress or butler or anything like that. "I'm Bill. Smithback. The one with the Times? Nice to meet you."

[minaharker10_2]

Ah, a reporter. That doesn't make his terminology any clearer, but it makes him clearer. I'm araid I haven't heard of you, but it's quite nice to meet you nevertheless. *smiles* I'm Mina Harker.

[stonedoncinema]

"There's close enough. You can probably find whatever you want in the closet over there," Violet says, gesturing vaguely at the plothole. "I take it you're new."

[billsmithbackjr]

"In the closet?" he asks, following her gestures with a little bit of confusion. "I may be new, but I'm not that gullible. Usually. How come the snacks are in the closet?"

[stonedoncinema]

"Good question. I've been trying to figure it out for a while." She shrugs. "Pretty much everything's in the closet. But almost no one, interestingly enough."

[billsmithbackjr]

"It isn't even a very large closet, or it doesn't seem to be. But I guess that depends what you mean by everything... Hm." His brain, as usual, takes a moment to catch up to his ears; when it does, he's easily distracted. "Welcoming place, is it? --I'm married."