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]

[ 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.