ArchivedLogs:Effective

Effective
Dramatis Personae Lucien, Steve, Theo
In Absentia	2017-09-07 "I just find creative ways to play the hand I'm dealt."
Location <NYC> Times Square
Lights and billboards scattered over the skyscrapers that line Times Square. A gaggle (murder?) of tourists are spread through the square at all hours of day and night, gawking at the tall buildings and taking photos of nothing in particular. Times Square is a place of theatre, certainly, but mostly it is one giant tourist trap that no self-respecting New Yorker would be seen in for longer than it takes to leave. It's a sunny, balmy afternoon, and the air already tastes like autumn (not /entirely/ owing to the return of pumpkin spice lattes, though it probably doesn't hurt). Times Square is choked with foot traffic as always, though given the hour, a not insignificant percentage of it is just harried locals trying to get from work to the subway. Steve has just emerged from one of the less flashy skyscrapers bordering the square. He's in a light blue dress shirt with a silver tie embossed with five-pointed stars, smart charcoal slacks, and polished black Oxfords, looking for all the world like just another corporate drone but for the iconic red, white, and blue shield slung across his back. He has a smartphone in one hand and is looking up from its screen, pale blue eyes searching. There are already tourist cameras being turned his way, but he ignores them and wades into the crowd with many quite 'pardons'. Lucien -- this far removed from /showtime/ and in the helpfully obscuring halo cast by his far more famous companion -- is slipping neatly and blissfully unmolested past the excited throngs and hopeful press of cameras. Already holding a thermos which he sips from slowly, he is dressed fairly /down/ -- dark jeans, a crisp green button-down, Chelsea boots, casual but still neatly tailored to fit him. He waits for Steve to get decently away from the initial rush before bothering to approach, tucking himself seamlessly in by the other man's elbow. "Does it get better or worse by the end of the day?" Out of the subway and onto the street, Theo has returned to the Big Apple after a number of years absent. He glances up at the billboards, straightening his jacket. He is dressed in black slacks to match the light black leather jacket that is expertly tailored. A crimson dress shirt accents the outfit, silk and soft. The cameras and cell phones training on Steve catch his attention and he looks over his shoulder, spotting the red, white, and blue. It's a sight seeing day for Theo, but with purpose. Advertisement is on his agenda, and behind him ambles a small robot, round in shape with four legs carrying it around. It draws not as many eyes as Steve, naturally, but a few people are glancing down at the little bot, which has "Effective Staffing" written in a company logo across the back. "Hero of the day, huh?" he says to himself. He walks closer, following the crowd and isolating Steve's phone. Nosy? Maybe, but he has learned it is good to know what is happening in the superhero department of the city. "Worse. /Much/ worse." Though Steve actually sounds rather cheerful in this reply as Lucien joins him. To Theo's senses, Steve has actually two phones. The one in his back pocket is in some kind of low-power standby mode and has exceptionally advanced encryption that renders its contents not easily accessible -- definitely not the sort of thing you buy an Apple store. The one in his hand, though also uncommonly well-secured, is at least just a very high-end civilian phone with a custom OS, And none of its encryption is all that much help against Theo given that it's currently powered on and unlocked. The app in the foreground is Signal, open to a conversation in a mix of English and French with one Lucien Tessier: (Steve --> Lucien): I'm on my way down. {Pray I do not get intercepted, I saw Coulson lurking in the hallway.} (Lucien --> Steve): I have counted no less than five Captains America in the vicinity. In a pinch, perhaps we could throw Coulson off your trail with a convincing substitute. (Steve --> Lucien): No need, I have evaded him. (Lucien --> Steve): {Ah, I can see you already gazing down down me. You look oddly more judgmental than I remember.} (Lucien --> Steve): {Also, larger.} (Lucien --> Steve): [An image follows of a new billboard in Times Square, part of New York City's public health initiative. Captain America encouraging families to remember their children's vaccines, entering the school year. For AMERICA, no doubt.] (Lucien --> Steve): Perhaps I am overly critical. Your expression is fine. The appropriate amount of judgmental. (Lucien --> Steve): I am downstairs, by the way. Outside, {gods help me.} Steve is tucking the personal phone away in a pocket, too. "I'm not needed down at Foley Square for at least another two hours, but since we're expecting opposition I really ought to have supper early." Then, after a beat, "{I don't look all /that/ judgmental.}" Squinting up at the billboard. "Two hours? I am sure we could rustle up supper enough even for you in that time." Softspoken, a small hint of a smile warming his eyes, a noticeable francophone accent in his words and a /very/ skeptical look now turned toward the digital billboard high overheard: contextually, clearly, this must be one Lucien Tessier. He shakes his head slightly at the picture above them. "C'est vrai. It is my own bias. {The stars and stripes must just read as inherently judgmental to me these days.} How do you feel about Ethiopian?" He pauses, just shy of ducking away from the main congestion onto an arterial street, Theo's robot catching his eye on the turn. One forefinger taps against his chin. "Do you think it a sign I have spent too much time down in the company of your neighbors that I now find that rather precious? Excellent pup. Following its programming," he points the bot out to Steve, deadpan, "like good puppers do." Upon realizing that it is simple casual texts that Steve is looking at, Theo refrains from diving deeper, everyone is entitled to keep their personal lives out of public eye at least a bit. He does quirk an eyebrow up slightly as Lucien points to Proto, and glances down at his little robot. "I think that's your cue. Looks like you have an audience." And, as if on that cue, the little robot tucks its legs in and rolls as a ball over in the direction of Lucien. /More publicity than I thought, let's not waste it./ The basketball sized robot zips across the street between cars and comes to a stop in front of Lucien, and the legs pop back out. A snake like camera extends and it looks at the dark haired-man. One leg lifts to wave. Meanwhile, Theo chooses the more conventional crosswalk, which conveniently changes to green as he reaches it. He is still several yards away, but surely enough following the little robot to its destination. Steve's mouth presses into a grim line. "It is a very reasonable bias. But, Ethiopian sounds delightful." He follows Lucien's gaze to the little robot , and smiles despite himself. "I prefer the furry sort of pup, but B and Spence would adore it, I'm sure. I haven't seen one like that..." He trails off when the robot starts rolling, his posture stiffening. When it becomes apparent that Proto is headed for them /specifically/, he pulls the shield from his back and steps in front of Lucien in one smooth motion, dropping his stance low. "Get back!" he bellows, and the crowd parts, though not in alarm so much as confusion and automatic obedience. When the robot fails to explode or produce any obvious weaponry, though, people start to move back in, cameras and phones out to record the dramatic standoff. It takes somewhat longer for Steve to relax, and he does not actually put the shield away even when Theo has finally caught up to his robot. "Oh uh..." He blushes faintly as he looks from man to machine and back. "Apologies. Is this yours?" Lucien takes a half-step back, drawing in a slight breath as Steve steps on to guard him. There's a fainter tension through his shoulders, though no discernible change to the quiet calm of his expression. His green eyes shift past the robot -- to the crowd, first, ultimately picking out the man following after it and watching Theo curiously. The small smile he wears eases into a more proper one, soon enough. He takes a small step -- out from behind the shield, shifting once more to Steve's side once his friend has relaxed. "Extending its proboscis-camera of greeting," he says lightly. "Like a precious pup." One hand tips out toward the bot, though it's Theo his brows are lifting to. "What does it do?" Theo turns bright red as Steve pulls out his shield and calls for people to avoid the danger. He glances at the various cameras pointed in their direction before answering with a grimace. "Yes, I suppose you could say that," he answers. "The mistake is mine. I probably should have seen that response coming. Proto here is still working on manners. I never wrote his AI to think about how he should introduce himself to a hero such as yourself." Proto, for his part, makes no reaction to adjust his behavior from Steve's defense except to swivel the camera toward him, and wave again before returning to a neutral stance. "It appears that it strikes fear into the heart of the public," Theo laughs uneasily. "He is supposed to promote my company. A bit of a mascot. Theodore Fegenbush." He pointedly reaches out to Lucien to shake first and then Steve. He has to at least pretend that he's not too excited to meet the Cap himself. Steve finally returns the shield to its harness on his back. "I doubt it would strike too many people as threatening," he allows, smiling at last though his cheeks are still flushed. "I'm no hero. My reflexes are just a bit...combative." He studies Theo, shaking his hand with a firm but oddly careful grip. "Steve Rogers. Would you mind if I take a picture of...Proto, you said? Some of my friends are very interested in robotics." "Oh, his manners are delightful." Lucien is waving back to the robot cheerfully. "Steve is just burdened with perhaps a small excess of caution when it comes to the safety of --" Perhaps unconsciously, the wave concludes with a slight flutter of fingers -- vague, outwardly directed, more or less encompassing the whole of the crowded square. "His friends. I'm not quite so well equipped in the defense department -- not, it seems, that there's any need for it this time around." His handshake is firm, brief. It comes with a subtle barely-there whisper of happiness, a quiet uptick of mood that coincides with his warm smile. "Lucien Tessier. Enchante, Theodore. What sort of --" He's peering at Proto curiously, "staffing? Company? Is it that you run?" Theo visibly pauses at Steve's question, as if weighing a few possible responses, but then seems to restart and nod. "Of course, but only if I can get a picture of you with Proto as well." He gestures at Proto as Lucien sees the logo. "Yes, Effective Staffing Solutions. At the risk of sounding too liberal, I believe that if those with certain special abilities must register themselves as such, they should also be able to market their talents. I help those with such marketable talents to find ways to capitalize on them, and companies can benefit from more effective solution to their various needs." Pitch complete. "I sound like a commercial still when I say it, sorry about that." Proto whirrs and starts wandering back and forth, looking at Steve still. He looks at the shield, and his shoes, etc., then turns his attention back to Lucien, giving the same examination. "Proto, don't make it obvious you are examining, remember? People can get self-conscious." Theo's scold is quick and offhandedly delivered, as if he has had to say it before. Steve chuckles. "I usually reserve photo ops for small children and dogs, but, as Lucien pointed out, Proto is pupping rather well for all its lack of fur." Though here he does glance sideways at Lucien with a slight uptick of eyebrows. "So long as this doesn't end up in promotional materials, I have no objection." To Theo's pitch, he raises his eyebrows higher. "I feel that people should be able to use their skills however they choose so long it does not infringe upon the rights of others." His tone is resolute but not harsh. "Registration shouldn't be a condition for that, in philosophy or practice." His head inclines slightly. "Though I do not disparage anyone /for/ registering or making a living off of their talents, and I imagine you have legal issues to consider. Are you headquartered in the City?" Lucien's brows have creased only just faintly, hand dropping to curl fingers loosely into the crook of his opposite arm. The slight tilt of his head does not quite resolve into an actual shake, forestalled -- though the crease does not leave his brows -- by Steve's qualification as to the photo op. "That sounds like something of a risky venture, non?" is his only comment, now, mild. "I think we are of like mind, then," Theo answers Steve with a nod. "I would love to use you in promotional materials, but if not, I'll just have to settle for a picture on my office wall I suppose." He tilts his head to one side as he regards Lucien's statement with a mock frown. "It is. Anything that will be great is at one point risky. Otherwise it wouldn't be great, would it? I had to hire a very competent lawyer to navigate just starting the company. We have had a few placements in Michigan where I headquartered, but I'm currently getting the office here set up as the new central location. There are more companies and individuals we can connect here. I can't say that I like the registration either, but I don't write the laws. I just find creative ways to play the hand I'm dealt. If I can help others play it creatively as well, all the better." "It was a lifetime ago, but I've had my fill of promoting, besides," Steve adds with a crooked, rueful smile, "I like my PR manager much too well to subject him to more headaches." He scuffs his chin thoughtfully with his knuckles. "I imagine the personal risk would be greater for your clients than your business, but honestly... Well. The corporate world is a /bit/ like another planet to me." His brows gather slightly. "I know several people who contract out the use of their own powers, or just employ their powers at work in various ways. If you have a business card or some such, I can pass it along -- I'm sure some people in my housing collective would be interested." Lucien's fingertips touch lightly to his lips, his head tilting slightly forward, mildly wider eyes focused on Theo with evidently keen attention. "Oh, goodness, I admit I've little enough mind for business but I --" His fingers flick to Steve indicatively. "Rather meant it seemed risky for your clients. Even given the most stringent of vetting of each company you contract with and assiduous continual follow up with every one of your placements -- which," he's quick and earnest to add, "I've no doubt you do, it still seems like opening the door to more potential abuses than I could enumerate before I'm due to put a meal into this one." A light nudge at Steve with one elbow. His eyes drift over Theo briefly -- lift back to the man's face with an easy smile. "It does seem to be working out well for you, though. Creativity suits you." "Yes, that is a problem that we are sure to face. Talents to discover those hurdles can be useful inside of my company as well as for my clients. The safety of my placements is of my top concern, and something those who live with discrimination already are familiar with." Theo taps his temple and adds, "It is certainly easier for a person to fight discrimination with a well established legal team and corporation at their back to do it on their own. In many ways, it enables me to level the playing field a little. At least they aren't flying solo anymore. My lawyers hate it when I say that." He suddenly starts, and then moves to indicate Proto. "Oh, let's let you get that picture before we forget, shall we?" At Theo's assurance about his concern for his clients' safety, Steve relaxes visibly -- it might look odd, as it does not seem as though he had tensed up so much as he never wholly /un/tensed from when Proto approached. "That does make sense," he concedes, "though it is not necessarily the kind of mutual aid I am familiar with. There are so few businesses willing to even take a stand on the rights of mutants, much less ones that focus on helping them thrive. Ah, right." He fishes his personal phone back out, unlocks it, and hands it to Lucien. "{If you please?}" Then takes a knee next to Proto. "No hard feelings over mistaking you for a weapon, I hope?" he asks the little robot amiably before turning back to face the cameras and putting on a /very/ well practiced smile, bright and neutral and just a touch boyish. "You are certainly not wrong on that. Judging by the news of late, I've no doubt that a solid legal team would help -- quite a number, of that community." There's a certain dryness to Lucien's voice at this. He takes the phone from Steve with a small inclination of his head, taking a step back and lifting it. Adjusting it -- just so, perhaps, to avoid some hopeful would-be photobombers clustering beyond Steve. "Do robots say cheese. Ah, well." Click. "Welcome back to the city, then." He is turning to Theo as he says this, returning the phone to Steve. "Perhaps we can look forward to seeing great things from your corner." Proto gives an indifferent sounding electronic grunt in response to Steve, and one of the feet raises with a peace sign for the picture. On 'cheese' he doesn't say cheese, but there is an electronic tone that sounds which resembles the way people often say it. Theo grins. "Well, with time there will be more companies willing to take a stand for what's right. Mine has started by rejecting the term 'mutant', or the equally back raising 'evolved'. Just people with marketable talents, like everyone else." He pulls two cards from the inside pocket of his jacket, and then a fancy gold fountain pen from his shirt. He individually flips each over and scrawls a phone number on the back in blue ink before extending one to each of them. "My cell is on the back. If you learn of anyone who may benefit from a conversation, let me know and I will be happy to reach out to them." He returns the pen to his pocket, and adds, "Oh, be certain to text me that photo, too," he adds with a smile. "It is great to have met you both."