ArchivedLogs:Arbitrage

Arbitrage
Dramatis Personae Emma, Norman
In Absentia	2013-04-12 After Goblin, Norman calls.
Location ???
Emma’s phone would, at some point during the day, start to ring. Ringring. Ringring. Ringring. Number: UNLISTED. "Emma Frost speaking," comes the greeting when Emma finally picks up. “Ms. Frost.” Norman Osborn’s voice is dark. Displeased. A low growl swells up from a gravel pit up to the other end of the phone. “You are unharmed, I presume? I apologize for my colleague’s... unexpected visit. We need to talk. Now.” "I am unharmed. He did not touch me." Emma replies coolly, tone hard as ice. There is silence on the other end of the call as she takes a deep breath. "I'm listening." There is a similar stretch of silence on Osborn’s end - before he begins: “First. Let me assure you that I am taking steps to insure you won’t be meeting him again. Not for some time. Second. I wish to stress that working with him - in any capacity - would be highly counter-productive toward your /interests/.” The unusual stretch on that last word speaks volumes. “Third. I wish to propose a counter offer.” "A counter offer? Then he told you about my special skills." Emma's tone is rife with dry humor. She is quiet for a moment and then bids him, "Please, continue." Norman doesn’t respond to her question. But: “I require the services of someone capable of ‘shoring up the walls’, so to speak. To keep my colleague subdued. And, eventually,” Norman’s tone takes a turn for the darker, “I will require the services of someone capable of /shutting him down/. If you can provide this - find me those who can. There might be a place for you. In Oscorp. Or, if you prefer,” he adds, “among the administrative board of the Osborn Institute.” "Are there conditions for this agreement? I understand your privacy is an extremely important, to the institute, your company, and especially in your private life. You will wish to protect that. I will need to know the perimeters of how many people I can consult and to what degree you will feel comfortable with me discussing your situation." The sound of clicking indicates that she is using her computer for some reason. "Additionally, I would like assurances that when this entire endeavor is over, I will not become expendable or a liability. And while I understand your desire to keep tabs on me and my work, I also do not appreciate the feel of snipers over my shoulder at all times." “That is not how I operate, Ms. Frost. My colleague, as you may have noticed - “ A verbal tic, here? A subtle spasm of the mouth; Emma can /hear/ the way the lips stumble over the next phrase: “- is /insane/. I...” He draws in a long, heavy breath. Reasserting control. Calm. Steady. But /persistent/. “Yes. Of course. We can discuss... long-term options. As to my privacy - my name is not to be mentioned. At all. If physical contact is required - we will make preparations for maintaining my anonymity. And if /anyone/,” the emphasis on that word is particularly poignant, “decides to get curious - decides to push in places they do not belong... well, Ms. Frost. I do everything in my power to keep my associate locked away... but, as you’ve no doubt noticed, I /do/ remember where I put the keys.” "I have seen what your associate can do under your control, Mr. Osborn. I understand your meaning." Emma inhales deeply and considers, silence on her end of the phone. "Your offer is by far more enticing than his. We will have to arrange a meeting to begin the process, to see what I can do for you and then what options I can provide to start. I assume that you will arrange security for my protection, as a contingency? Have you had a specialist of my talents examine you before?" “No,” Norman says, and now he sounds - extraordinarily tired. “I’ll set something up. Send it to you for approval.” There’s a pause, before he adds: “You really haven’t, Ms. Frost. Seen what he can do. When he is under control.” Then, rather quickly: “I’ll arrange a fax to be sent by tomorrow. Good evening, Ms. Frost.” "To be honest, I have very little desire to see what all he can do." Emma admits, voice calm, collected, but a little hollow. "I will await your fax. Good evening, Mr. Osborn."