Office #5 | All Day

[charming_thief]

As far as Neal was concerned, this gig was just about the perfect job. All he had to do was teach one class a week -- and about his own favorite things, no less. That was pretty much perfect. And the students weren't awful. Today he was finishing setting up his office. Once he'd put up a couple paintings and a few little trinket-type things, he was all set up. He took a seat with his feet up on the desk, lazily stirring a cup of coffee that had gone cold an hour ago. Maybe more kids would show up to badger him about being his assistant. That'd be fun.

Peter had no idea what he'd signed him up for. This was awesome.

Comments

[charming_thief]

...Wow.

Neal took it, amused beyond belief. She was something, this kid. "And I'm doing contract work now, am I?" he laughed.

[regretiz4suckas.livejournal.com]

"You could be! I mean, one class a week, that's gotta leave you a lot of free time." Kenzi beamed at him, totally pleased with herself. "You could even fancy it up, put a copymark or motto on the back to make it even more official."

[charming_thief]

Neal didn't even know where to start with that. He decided to go with this: "Rule number two of tricks and cons," he informed her, leaning in, "is that evidence like business cards, no matter how good the card stock, isn't such a great idea. Word of mouth is better. It inspires clients' trust."

Not that he was even planning to do anything. He had told Peter he'd be good. And he -- well, he might. Come on.

[regretiz4suckas.livejournal.com]

Awwwwww. Kenzi looked crestfallen for a second, then rallied. "Well, but maybe you teach by appointment?" she suggested, lips quirking up. "It's kinda vague! But I get your point. Hmm." Damnit.

Of course, making flyers for something that was mostly legit was still cool, right?

[charming_thief]

Sometimes?

"The good thing about word of mouth, though," he said, aiming to fix the whole crestfallen thing, "is that people will sometimes just decide you're offering a service, even if you're not, if they happen to have heard of you, which saves you the trouble of having to spread the word."

Like anyone who had read about him in the news. Ahem.

[regretiz4suckas.livejournal.com]

"Ooo." Now Kenzi was perky again. "So, like being headhunted for a job, and saying, 'I can totally do that' and then making it work even if you hadn't tried it before. Score!"

[charming_thief]

Huh. Interesting analogy, but yeah.

"Basically, yeah," Neal agreed. "Or kind of like doing something cool so people can see, and then getting recruited to do it without even offering."

[regretiz4suckas.livejournal.com]

"Hmmmmmmmmm."

Thanks for giving her so many ideas, Neal.

"So. Do I get this job?"

[charming_thief]

"That depends," he said, plucking up the fork she'd given him to go with the cake. He scooped up a forkful of it and tried it, nodding approvingly. That was damn good cake.

"Yeah," he said. "You get the job. I take Italian roast coffee. Cream, no sugar."

Enjoy the job, Kenzi.

[regretiz4suckas.livejournal.com]

"Yes!" And again the happy dance!

"...riiiiight."

Damnit. This was gonna be some kind of dues-paying thing, wasn't it? Ah well.

"Coffee coming up, boss."

[charming_thief]

Neal being Neal, and as such possessing a tendency to milk things for all they were worth, he plucked a coffee cup off the desk. (So he'd stolen it from Peter. What? It was a memento.) He dangled the cup in her direction.

"Twice a day should work."

DEAL WITH IT, Kenzi.

[regretiz4suckas.livejournal.com]

Which got him a narrow-eyed look and: "My name's Kenzi, not Coffee Woman. And if you're not here when I come by, I'm drinking it myself."

BACK ATCHA, MR. CAFFREY.

[charming_thief]

"And what makes you so sure that with all my experience, I didn't develop an immunity to a poison powder that I used to line this coffee mug just so people wouldn't drink my coffee?"

...He hadn't.

...Yet.

[regretiz4suckas.livejournal.com]

"How do you know I won't poison it so I can steal all your cool stuff?"

That one chick in Toys as Weapons class said she knew from poison! It was a place to start!

[charming_thief]

"And how do you know I won't be immune to whatever poison you use?"

This was getting childish. Also enjoyable.

[regretiz4suckas.livejournal.com]

"How does anybody know anything?" Although okay, he might know more, being older. Maaaaybe. "Guess we'll find out, hunh?"

[charming_thief]

Well, hey. What was the point of an assistant who didn't keep you on your toes?

Neal's standards for hiring were different from most.

"Guess so," he said, and held out his hand for her to shake. "Congratulations, ah..."

Whoops. Had he ever gotten her name?

[regretiz4suckas.livejournal.com]

Hahahahha, points to the apprentice, yes!

"Kenzi. Last name not important. I'm maybe changing it when I turn eighteen anyway." She grinned at Mr. Caffrey. Neal. "Thanks, dude. You won't regret this."

Much.

[charming_thief]

"Not if my coffee arrives on time, anyway," he said dryly, but he was grinning nonetheless. "See you, Kenzi."