maskormenace | 001

[The video feed pans on to a well dressed, perfectly presented guy offering a winning smile as he sits in the booth of some fancy bar, all wood and leather, while nursing a glass of whiskey. Someone else is holding the camera and there's enough shaky cam and unfocused zooming to make the Bourne franchise jealous.]

Hey there. Do you like watching a ridiculously good looking man do law stuff? Want to watch him play some nondescript puzzle game on his phone for an entire hour? If yes, then have I got a surprise for you. If no, watch it anyway because apparently I need the ratings.

Jeff Winger here, Lawyer at Large and city hero bringing you a brand new series about me. [Another oh-so charming smile and a dramatic point to the camera.] And law!

Danger! Intrigue! Thrills! These are some things you'll probably never see in my show, but watch it anyway because hey, you might just strike it lucky. And ladies, you might just strike it lucky with me.

[Smirk smirk smirk, pause and then a glance off camera to someone, smugness replaced with a curious furrow of brows.] You guys do know I was disbarred ri-- [And the feed ends.]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[If there's one thing that Jeff's generally good at it's appealing to the masses. In the past he's managed to win virtually unwinnable cases just by charm, persuasion and just a touch of manipulation. His knowledge of law may be lacking, but his way of twisting words certainly isn't, and he can only hope to have the same success here. Trying to be the good guy in law hadn't worked out for him, he'd tried the nice guy, pro bono approach and it virtually bankrupt him. Nice guys came last in a game like law and in a place like this, with a new start and no friends holding him back with nice guy guilt, he could be unstoppable. Insert maniacal laughter here...]

Hah. And here I thought you meant the way we manipulate and make people reliant on us.

[Slow, smug sip. He doesn't seem to mind the comparison at all, but then again Jeff's under no belief that lawyers are good people. And psychiatrists? Well, psychiatrists get people paying money for emotions. That's pretty fucked up in his eyes.]

I'd never really considered it, no. Then again, the only other therapist I know is an anarchistic high school drop out who doesn't know her id from her egos.

[Chilton glanced at that, as Jeff no doubt anticipated he would. No comment on that form of manipulation -- perhaps some subjects were too sensitive even for Chilton. At least, they were when he wasn't the one administering them.]

Does she really qualify as a therapist, then?

[Needless to say, it was that line that provoked a judgement. Chilton, obviously immersed in skepticism, drew his lips together tightly.]

Or was this simply another one of your conquests?

[That first comment of Jeff's had been enough to get a reaction, however minor it was, so he seems satisfied enough. But that satisfaction is quickly replaced by the slightest drop in brows, resisting the urge to furrow them. There's bristling at Chilton's questions, just slightly, but enough to be obvious in the slight puff of his chest and the lowering of his head.]

She's still learning- Psych student- and she's helped a lot of people.

[No one's allowed to judge his friends from back home but him. So what if Britta is the actual worst? She's his actual worst, not Chilton's, and totally not a conquest except she kind of was once upon a time.]

Sometimes the best therapists are the ones you can talk to without judgement.

How reminiscent of Alana Bloom. [It was unclear if that was a compliment or not, but Chilton probably would not have said it had Bloom been in their present company. Probably.] I won't deny that many of the profession begin as idealists. That often changes, once someone handles actual live, human patients.

[Not that Chilton himself suffered that transformative event; he maintained a particular disdain for most people most of all his life, but especially before subscribing to psychiatry.]

Do you hope she comes here?

[Alana Bloom isn't a name he's familiar with, but in context he can assume she's close to Chilton in some manner, good or bad.

The mention of idealists drags a small scoff of amusement from him though. It's the same with lawyers. There's always the kids joining up thinking they can make an actual difference for the greater good and it never works out that way. It's almost endearing... maybe that's why Britta's attempts are so entertaining.]

Here? Nah. I don't think that's good for her or me. It's a new start, right? Why let the memories of back home tie you down?

Rather entrepreneurial of you. New beginnings are better viewed without the net loss, aren't they? [Entrepreneurial. That was a kinder word than aggressively repressed, wasn't it? Of course, Chilton could only assume repression based on the indicators of Winger's deflection and slippery nature; such was fairly trademark for an emotional rogue.]

Well -- I'm afraid I'll need to make my way out. But, Jeff, I do hope we can meet again socially. [Chilton emphasized the last word, in case his company suspected any professional curiosity. Just in case.] Accompanied by alcohol, of course.

Exactly. [At least Chilton understands about new beginnings! And also understands Jeff's desperation to cut ties and repress all memories in the vague hope he won't get feelings about missing friends and all that gross emotional stuff. Emotions over other people just get in the way of his own personal gain, it's just not a healthy thing.]

So soon? Hey-- [Quickly necking the last mouthful of his drink before casually lifting the empty glass vaguely in the bar's direction.] I can get another under your name, right? Think I'll stick around this place for a little longer, I like it.

[The possibility of free aged scotch and those women by the bar are a persuading factor.]

I'm putting a cap on the tab. [He obliged Jeff, yes -- one never knew when the good graces of a defense attorney would come in handy. It seemed both the men had mild plans for the other. Chilton glided his gaze back to the women, as if anticipating Winger's evening aim.]

Try for the redhead, if you can. Perhaps she's psychologically compelling.

[Chilton immediately earns extra points for allowing more drink, even if there is a cap. Generous but not a push over, a good combination. Jeff won't take advantage of it anyway, if only because he hates to feel like he owes others. These drinks will be repaid in time, once he's got his feet properly on the ground and some actual money in his pocket. Don't worry, Chilton, you haven't got a mooch on your hands, just a narcissistic, ego fuelled liar who gets jealous a little too easily, but a mooch is way worse, right?]

'Psychologically compelling'? That's just another word for crazy, right? I mean, she is a redhead. [Thoughtful stare at the ladies.] Probably gonna be the pick though, unless I can get more than one.

[Grin?!]

I'll see you around, Doc. I appreciate you taking the time out to come over.

[Keep 'em sweet. Never know when you might need someone for something.]

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