A Product Like Any Other

But not only have you made your fortunes from these doodads, you have lit the path for me as well.

[sanctamater]

  The barest trace of a smile appeared   on  rouged  lips,  serene  as  ever. Of   course   he   did;   not   many  had  the   courage   to  deny  their  Holy  Mother.           “As it stands, I merely wished to know the current levels of production.                          — Call me sentimental, but I miss looking over statistics.”

[solutiontoyourproblems-blog]

「ℒιℴℵ」

A chuckle leads to a flicker of warmth cast upon his face, though fleeting and never reaching the eyes. Grace, he found, is always for sale.

                                  ' Curious, are we? Well, what can I say?                  Curiosity resurrects the precious feline to roam 'round the hills,                                littered with field mice and a storm brewing.                                                 Walk with me, my lady. '

[columbianheir-deactivated201503]

+4

❝ ––I-I’m sorry, I didn’t hear you. Do you mind repeating that?❞

[solutiontoyourproblems-blog]

「ℒιℴℵ」

' My word, girl! We're talking protocol here. One misheard word leads to a false step, tumbling down and suffering from an injury in this factory. For your sake, I'll be generous: the door's locked for a reason. What were you trying to accomplish? '

[baneofcolumbia-archive]

“You again. Whattya want? I don’t go sharin’ shots with people aimin’ at my head, so why you chummy all the sudden?”

[solutiontoyourproblems-blog]

「ℒιℴℵ」

' I'll let you in on a secret, Mr. Dewitt: forgiveness. It's an amiable friend or a lethal foe. And if I recall correctly -- do bear with me -- you took an aim at my head. But! I am of the forgiving sort. I've an offer you can't refuse. '

[solutiontoyourproblems-blog]

►lutecea◄

  “Perhaps that may be case, but unfortunately, neither         my brother or I will find ourselves indulging on alcoholic         beverages as of now, Mr. Fink.”

「ℒιℴℵ」

' Oh ho! Is abstinence the newest trend to walk the beloved streets of Columbia? --Or are you simply following brother dearest's words? I never pegged you for a lamb, doctor. '

[sanctamater]

  “—I am sure you can make time for me,                                                 Mister Fink.”

[solutiontoyourproblems-blog]

「ℒιℴℵ」

     ' Nonsense, Ma'am.            I've oodles of time for the Prophet's wife. '

[solutiontoyourproblems-blog]

「ℒιℴℵ」

' Care for a drink? I find that a drink forges an everlasting bond. ‘

[solutiontoyourproblems-blog]

「ℒιℴℵ」

' ₮alk is cheap. unless you've business, move along. '

[asinglechromosome]

Desperate? I wouldn’t worry of that, Mr. Fink; there’s nobody here to observe any acts of desperation, were that even the case… which it isn’t, as yet.

I have never desired the world, only the means and time to practice my chosen field. I suppose I should be considered a fool not to embrace an expansion of those things? But you must remember, sir, I have a partner, with whom I consult in all matters… especially those which stand to affect our mutual affairs.

::A slight gesture of allowance with one hand, straightening his shoulders and leaning back slightly.::

I can hardly give you an answer without first proposing the matter to my sister. You understand.

[solutiontoyourproblems-blog]

-Tries to repress the aggravated quirk of his brow.-

...Naturally, Doctor. Consult your dearest sister and be sure to report-- ah, notify me about her humble opinion.

It's a pity, Son. If your ambitions soared like my own... Why, perhaps we would have more to talk about. A businessman and a scientist holding a conversation sounds like the beginning to a tasteless joke, does it not?

-Raises a hand, as calm as can be.-

I've kept you long enough, I suppose. The worker bee is a busy individual.

[differingsemantics-deactivated2]

“Quite,” she says, “Remember your card, place it back in the deck.”

It’s hard not to recognize the man, his look is something of a caricature and it was painted in every corner where there was room. Everything about him is signature- he needed no introduction or small talk. Everyone in Columbia knew the look of Jerimiah Fink.

Rosalind Lutece, however. possessed the astonishing ability to vanish from sight and mind. An extraordinary talent of standing in a crowd and being unrecognizable despite all oddities about her. The lack of a wedding band, her witchy red hair, her business manner.

It was either easier to recognize her by her brother, or it was more difficult to ignore her.

She supposed it a bit of both.

[solutiontoyourproblems-blog]

Brown eyes scan the card, greed ever prominent in his gaze. A bony digit taps the small, square sheets. The red suit burns in his memory.

Rather humbly, Jeremiah Fink slips the card back into its proper place. He stands tall, confident--as if he has already won this wicked game. Grinning at the woman, the entrepreneur tilts his head.

"My fair lady, are you going to propose a bet?"

Should you do so, I will win and take everything.

More, more, more. Something was never enough for a man of avarice.

[asinglechromosome]

Hardly begging. The very thought pains me - and not merely as a scientist. Consider it more of… a need for substantiation.

::Raises a hand to his chin, lightly rubbing beneath his jaw as he listens.::

I believe I take your meaning, though I wonder what it is you might have to offer that supersedes our current benefactor’s means… and what exactly you hope to uncover with a new source of information, as you say.

::A slight tilt of his head and the briefest upward smirk at the corner of his mouth.:: Hmm… No doubt the details of that depend on my agreement.

Though of course, you must realize the decision is not mine alone to make.

[solutiontoyourproblems-blog]

-Emits a deep, shaky sigh, as if it takes every ounce of his being to refrain from snapping.-

You're beginning to make me look like a desperate man, Dr. Lutece. I don't take too kindly to that.

-Tips his top hat, sinister shadows lapping at his skin.-

I can provide you with anything, should they need arise. Here you are, however, prattling on about the specifics!

You see the power I possess in this city. Is it not enough for you--or is the world not enough?

...Perhaps I was wrong to assume that we see eye to eye. Oh, how I loathe admitting such a thing!

[solutiontoyourproblems-blog]

* The Handyman's wires sparked involuntarily. His eyes darkened. It was a very unnerving sight.* " Yes, well, I had the question of whether or not I and the fellow metal workers could have a night off. Nothing terribly big, but it has to do with a few newcomers. We want them to feel...welcomed, I guess you could say."

At first, Fink assumed that the Handyman was joking. His chest bounced with jovial laughter before calming down altogether. A serious expression came into view, the lines of age smoothing out. A thumb traced over the curve of his mustache.

"Time is money, Son. If I give you the day off, then that would greatly hinder my company. You wouldn't want to be an inconvenience for me, would you?"

[solutiontoyourproblems-blog]

" Mister Fink, do you have a moment? I need to ask you a question."

"Son, this better be worth my time." Fink fidgeted, toyed with the bottom of his jacket. "Make it quick. Time is money, after all."

[solutiontoyourproblems-blog]

Poverty Breeds Prosperity

A young boy, sporting a cap scurried into Jeremiah Fink's office.

“Papa! Papa! You'll never believe how much I sold today.”

The coins glistened in the lad's palm, an arm extended for the prize to be revealed. In Fink's eyes, it was never enough, but he smiled and maintained his ruse.

“That's my lil' entrepreneur.” Fink chuckled heartily, patting the boy on the head. He stood tall and adjusted the lapels of his suit. The businessman broke out into a languid stride, walking and talking. He spoke with his hands, fingers wiggling and wrists flicking.

“Now, see here. You've gotta make 'em work hard. So hard, in fact, that they no longer see the light of day.”

The palm of his hand slapped the boy square on the shoulder. His son reeled from the motion, head spinning.

“Son, I'll show you a kingdom of riches.”

If that meant exploiting his own child, then so be it.

All Fink ever knew was an empire derived from poverty cloaked as prosperity.

[differingsemantics-deactivated2]

+ solutiontoyourproblems

The woman preens a deck of cards with her fingers, quite there, indisputably there.

“Care to pick a card?”

[solutiontoyourproblems-blog]

One finger ghosts along his curled mustache, brown eyes glittering like a gem in the sunlight. Almost greedily, he plucks a card from within her nimble grasp.

"Oh, I do believe you've won my heart. Games define a man, you know."

[gingerguildenstern-blog]

Oh, don’t be quite so pretentious. We both know why I cannot call myself by the title I deserve, as you were kind enough to point out, Mr Fink.

/She shakes her head, pursing her lips ever so slightly./

He’s where he belongs. In the laboratory. Where else should he be? Against what seems to be the common idea, we are able to exist independently of each other. We are not required to be together at all times. 

[solutiontoyourproblems-blog]

Hoh hoh! Temper, Ms. Lutece! It's none too charming to see a woman lose her composure.

-Chuckles, flashing a hint of a grin.-

Well, I always assumed you two went hand in hand. A--what's that fancy, scientific term?--symbiotic relationship?

Hm. Reckon I was wrong to believe otherwise. How terribly rude of me.

-Places a hand on his chest in false sincerity.-

[asinglechromosome]

I’d have no fear of that. I daresay even if Columbia put her greatest mind to it, it could now no longer rid itself of your name.

Are darker matters of the heart and mind now suitable for daylight conversation? I suppose being overly engrossed in one’s work causes one to miss certain societal developments… but I’m afraid I hardly know where to start.

Mr. Fink, perhaps you might care to offer an example.

[solutiontoyourproblems-blog]

-Wrinkles his nose and curls his lip in a sneer.-

...Well. Ahem.

They most certainly are, given if the price is right. What difference does night and day make? Time is money. I have learned this as a young lad and firmly believe it. Each minute is another dollar spent.

An example, an example... -Folds his arms across his chest and taps his temple.- You scientific types always beg for more. Very well. Then, I will oblige.

Consider this: A company starts off small with nowhere to go. This company is stuck in one place. No hope of expansion, but then they receive an offer. A simple contract. If they sign this contract, then a small amount of their profits goes to another company. A symbiotic relationship forms. The company eventually expands overseas. Do you know what that spells, Son?

Success.

I offer you the same: a simple contract. I provide you with supplies or whatever you require. So long as you keep me informed.

[asinglechromosome]

Logic, reason, rationale - the next time you tell it, you may as well call yourself the proverbial Jack-of-all-trades and save the time and trouble.

::A brief wrinkle of his nose that resolves itself again just as quickly, his jaw shifting slightly.::

And supposing I entertain the idea of this exchange… just what, exactly, did you have in mind?

[solutiontoyourproblems-blog]

I cannot deny the truth; now, can I? Hoh hoh. A man with a million trades. I built a name for myself and I intend for it to stick in this beautiful city.

-Twirls his curled mustache, seemingly lost in thought; all good humor fading from his face in the process.-

Talking business, are we? All the better. Dear boy, that depends on what you desire! I guarantee that I can grant your darkest wishes.