"You know what I could never stand about you? You can't be bought."
" oh is that SO? "
What a bombastic and joyous laugh to follow such an outward response. Bought. Now why would Nathaniel Essex need to be bought out by Sebastian Shaw? No, no, why, he wondered--or perhaps was it possible that...?--would Shaw debate such a thing. If anything--if anything--Nathaniel would find far more of a benefit in buying Shaw. Not the other way around. No amount of monetary value could be enough for Essex, not truly.
Not that he ever needed it. His ambitions in sight, just in reach. How he could hold them in his hands, tightly and never let go. Nails like claws digging into them, refusing to loosen.
" no, no, i'm afraid i can't! but why would you want that, shaw? do you? do you want me? do you want my help, perhaps? have i sparked your needs! have you finally seen my usefulness? "
Just like you, Shaw. Though Nathaniel has seen Sebastian's use for longer than he could imagine.
