WtL Mailbox

[jumpthegun]

1201 Sugar Plum Grove

Comments

[devoutish]

If I want something from them, yeah, but I'm not gonna do it to humor them. I'd have more interest in seeing if all this affects their ability to have a productive meeting with us. I'd like to try that again.

[jumpthegun]

You want to play diplomat again? Aren't they gonna remember the whole shooting and burning thing? Reckon that did stick with them. Or are you thinking negotiations via fear? Because you'll need the right people with you for that, and not someone pulling in a different direction from you.

[What he's saying is you need the right kind of muscle, Alfie.]

[devoutish]

I think knowing what we're capable of might affect things, yes. If you wanna call that negotiations via fear, that's your business.

[jumpthegun]

[John hums as he finishes up with the tea and offers Alfie a cup.]

I'm not trying to dissuade you, just maybe don't take Flynn with you next time. He's got a very different idea about how things should go between us and them. Or at least don't contradict each other. A united front makes for a stronger one.

[It's the military in him that demands that sort of thing. Even when he hadn't agreed with certain decisions from his commanders, he'd always stood in support of them when the time came. Disagreements about tactics should happen behind the scenes, not out in the open.]

[devoutish]

I'm thinking about going on me own, actually - because if you recall, you and I have also got very different ideas about how things should go between us and them.

[jumpthegun]

I do actually know how to keep my mouth shut, Alfie. And what d'you think should be done with that lot now? Might be we're not as far off when we're not in the middle of stopping them stealing things and the like.

[devoutish]

Is this you telling me you really would like to come?

[jumpthegun]

You should have back-up, just in case.

[Not that he doesn't think Alfie can't deal with more than one Beetle, but if there are twelve of them, sheer numbers are working against him.]

[devoutish]

Royce is good backup.

[Obviously when he said he was thinking about going alone, he was including Royce in the plans.]

[jumpthegun]

If you're bringing Royce, that's not 'alone,' Alfie.

[devoutish]

[He throws up his hands, not really exasperated but sort of playing at it.]

I meant alone without others besides him. Royce coming along was implied.

[jumpthegun]

Not really. Use your words, mate. They work better for you. Or is implication how you're planning to negotiate?

[devoutish]

Well, why don't you use yours, then. "Alfie, Alfie, I would very much like to tag along on your adventure."

[jumpthegun]

I'm not-

[John can feel his embarrassment picking up. He'd like to see a little action, yes.]

I could go and negotiate with them on my own, as well.

[devoutish]

But that's not what you said, is it?

[Says Alfie, thoroughly enjoying this.]

You wanted to be my bodyguard and all.

[jumpthegun]

Clearly you've already got a bodyguard. [He realizes that's tacit agreement and hurries to amend.] And I wasn't offering that. Just- back-up.

[devoutish]

Partner.

[He and Royce bodyguard each other, thank you.]

Would you carry a gun?

[jumpthegun]

[Is he being bullied? It feels a little like he is in a very Alfie way. John could just not answer and shut the conversation down. He glares at the other man, puts down his tea and pulls his service pistol from the back of his trousers where he has it hidden. The gun is shown for a moment, then put away.

Stupid question. He always carries a gun.]

[devoutish]

[Alfie shifts, then flips up the hem of his own shirt, showing that he has his tucked away, too. Great minds think alike, eh, Watson?]

[jumpthegun]

So, you don't need my help. That's really all you needed to say.

[He knows Alfie's probably making a point about them not being so different, but he's going to ignore that for the moment, thank you.]

[devoutish]

I've got a knife, as well.

[He flips up his hem on the other side, showing off the hilt of a very ornate-looking ivory dagger.]

But that's not what I said. I'm having a think about it.

[jumpthegun]

So've I. I'm guessing Royce has fifteen knives on him at any given time.

[There's a switchblade knife that he pulls from his pocket briefly.]

And it already seems like you've got it covered. What are you thinking about?

[devoutish]

Thinking about having you along regardless. You've been the police; why not try the other side of it, eh?

[Inviting him over to sincerely mend fences, and then immediately instigating: it's the Alfie Solomons way.]

[jumpthegun]

I've worked with the police, Alfie. I've never been a police officer.

[devoutish]

Yes, yes, yes. Do you think you could menace a beetle with a gun, if you needed to?

[Now he's definitely trolling.