Pre-Game Catchall | the grass grows greener on the other side

[graftage]

Who: John Steinbeck + people who are unfortunate enough to talk to him
Where: everywhere and anywhere
When: time is a construct (various)
Summary: pre-game CR catchall time
Restrictions/Warnings: steinbeck is his own warning (will update if needed)

[This log is for pre-game CR closed prompts catchall! If you're interested in getting CR with Steinbeck, just PM or hit me up in a PP over at vampirize and I'll write out a prompt for you!]

Comments

[refactor]

[ Jack's eyes narrow further when Steinbeck refuses to leave, but that offense is simple. People don't tell Handsome Jack "no," and he's considering the quickest way to make sure this asshole Scarback understands that, but his clarification stops that thought quickly. Jack's expression doesn't change hardly at all, but just barely, his jaw sets more tightly.

He twirls the pen around his thumb again, but this time, it comes to rest in his fist after the whimsical motion. He's holding it more like a weapon, but he doesn't stand. Jack is well known for being amiable and over the top, but when he speaks, his voice is icy. ]

Get the hell out of my office.

[ Because if there's something Jack hates more than the scumbags that come through this place, it's himself. Or at least, his old self, and his dear old grandma was a part of that. ]

Or, y'know, I'll break your hands. To start. You ever look to see what happened to the guys that came before you?

[graftage]

Oh, I know.

[He says it with a sense of cheer, as if he's saying something akin to "oh, yes, I did notice the magnolias were blooming well this year, thanks for reminding me!". He doesn't even budge when Jack's tone darkens - the only change is a slight narrowing of his eyes, the edge of his mouth slightly moving upwards.]

Jack, please, I'm not here to fight, or try to make you into a believer. She wants that, but honestly, I'm not going to waste my time with it. She doesn't want hear that I've failed where so many have done so before, though, so I'm just here for...well, for the sake of being here and telling her what she needs to hear.

[There's a long pause. Talking to his grandma, he got a very keen sense of just what type of man Jack is. He's not going to waste time trying to persuade him, no...he knows he needs to do something Jack will approve of only because it benefits him, in the long run. He needs this connection. He can't let this drop, now, not when he needs it most.]

...If you send me out, Jack, you know she'll send more in my stead, right? And unlike me, most of them will talk your ear off about our faith. And I'm sure you wouldn't want that, right?

[refactor]

[ There's anger coiled in Jack's gut like a tightly wound spring, and he makes no real effort to hide that. It might seem unwise, because it makes it clear that Steinbeck has stumbled upon a particularly sore subject, but Jack isn't thinking that far ahead. All he's thinking now is the quickest way to get this Scarback to leave, and secondary to that, if it's worth it to shoot him in the back when he turns. Killing Scarbacks is frowned upon, but oh, it would feel so good to do it that he's seriously considering throwing caution to the wind.

His pistol is sitting nearby, just within reach, but he holds off on that desire for now. Jack's fists clench where they rest on his desk. ]

Yeah, you ever heard of lying? You- You really don't have to be here and come interrupt my goddamn day.

[ He listens to Steinbeck's suggestion, though it may not be clear, considering his ire doesn't soften in the slightest. ]

Because even if you're a shit Scarback, you're still one of them. You really feeling so charitable as to actually listen to an old woman and risk me shooting you in the throat?

[graftage]

Oh? And what would you like me to do, tell tall tales of a man I barely know? You know her, Jack. She's not the type to just take someone at their word, and I'm hardly a good enough liar to try to convince a woman like that.

[She was quite the case, he had to say. She had her own vision of the world that nobody could even dare try to change. You couldn't reason with her.]

[At Jack's question, Steinbeck just lets out a short laugh, his shoulders going up in a shrug.]

No, this isn't charity. I'm not going to play pretend here. That would just be insulting someone as smart as you. [He folds his arms, letting out a slight sigh before he continues.]

I want my people to stop coming back injured every time she sends them to you. I'm willing to put myself in this situation so they don't have to deal with this. And I'm sure you want your grandmother to stay out of your life as much as possible. [A pause - he lets a bit of insistence creep into his tone, though his voice is still level.] There's a mutual benefit here, Jack, that's what I'm trying to say. All we need is a quick chat every so often so that she'll be satisfied. That's all.

[refactor]

[ Jack's expression doesn't change in the slightest. He seems about a second away from grabbing his gun and shooting Steinbeck in the chest, but luckily, he doesn't have that power. He's not some kind of CEO ruling the world in such a way where no one can question him. While the Company looks the other way when he puts down bad people, there's no excuse he can muster here to cover up killing someone that's dug up a sensitive and volatile spot in Jack's history.

His fingers are truly itching for that trigger, and his laugh comes out almost like a bark when Steinbeck gives his flattery. ]

Yeah, flattery will get you everywhere, kid, but this?

[ This is not a situation Jack likes. He taps his fingers against his desk, but then sits down and sits back with a sound that's more like a growl. He's talking almost through gritted teeth, but he's at least giving this a try. He doesn't say that he accepts the terms, because he's really not sure if he even is yet. Consider this a trial period, he figures. ]

So? What're you wastin' my time for? Get to chattin', cupcake.