Just some stuff about everyone’s favorite assistant.
words:1508
Summary: Lacy goes about her day, and all the while thinks about life, her community, and her favorite opera singer.
Warnings: All Lacy, all the time
Lacy woke up, stretching and yawning, rubbing her eyes and showering quickly. It was 5 in the morning. The water, at least, was warm this time. She got dressed in a green and white themed ensemble, typical for her, as those really were the only colors she thought she looked good in. Of course, Pearl said she looked good in just about anything, but...well, we can all agree to disagree sometimes.
Lacy got to Wick’s around 7:30. She started with his schedule. “You have an appointment with Mr. Church at 9:35 AM, and at 10:35 AM you have a phone call from Thomas Winston about road base. Then a break for lunch, and at 12:40 PM Miz May is coming to discu-”
“How’s your girlfriend?” Wick asked. The question stalled Lacy. “...we’re fine.” She continued. “After that at 1:15 you have a meeting with Ralph Quilton, and-”
“You sounded mad, are you sure you two are fine?”
“We’re doing quite well but being who we are it can be stressful.” She said. “At 2 you have a quarry inspection, which, in a perfect world should have you just in time for your 2:30 with Hiram Bennett, but I’ve told him to allow a half hour for-”
“She’s not treating you poorly?”
“I’m glad one of us is taking this seriously, Mister Sable.” She was in no mood.
Truth is, things were...not very great. She didn’t see her lover, Pearl, nearly enough. She was busy, Pearl was busy, and if they did anything in public? Christ, they’d be chased out of town. All they had were the short few moments they could be alone on weekends, and it was draining on them. Wick just nodded. “I’m...sorry for interrupting.”
“It’s fine, I shouldn’t have snapped.”
At 9:30, five minutes ahead of schedule, Lacy opened the door for Edmund Church. “Morning, Mr. Church...he should be inside.” While the two discussed business in their office, a maid walked past Lacy. She walked over to her, leaving her hamper in the corner. “Morning, Eleanor.” Lacy said, casually checking her nails, mulling over some newspaper, reading an article by that Calvin boy. “Morning, Miss Hardt.”
“How’s that Anna girl?”
“Great! She’s working today, though.” She said. “How’s Pearl?” Most of the staff here were gay, and it was just about the only solace Lacy could take these days. “She and I are...well, we’re having a bit of trouble.”
“Not enough contact?”
“Afraid so.” She said. Eleanor patted her shoulder. “You know what I do when that happens with me and Anna?”
“Hmm?”
“I just take the day off and spend it all day in her apartment.” Lacy huffed. “She’s not even there, is she?”
“Well, no, but it makes me feel better. Alan does that, too, I took it from him.” Lacy nodded slowly. “hmm...I guess I could try and take a day.”
“I know I can’t take a day today, Mister Sable’s girlfriend is coming today...always brings more laundry.” She got up and walked off. “Take care, Lacy!”
“Likewise.” A bit more time passed, and the door swung open.
“...which is why this just seems so suspicious, I mean, when’s it gonna fall in?”
“Hell if I know...well, I should get out of your hair. Have a good day, Wick.”
“You too Ed.” They, of course, didn’t actually say goodbye until they got outside. Wick walked back in. “Who’s next?”
“Thomas Winston on the phone in…” She looked at her watch. “5 minutes. Best be at your office.”
“Actually...it’ll just be some things to write down, could you take this call?”
“Of course, Mr. Sable.” She walked to the office and waited in the chair, drumming her fingers on the table. She picked up as it rang. “Office of Wick Sable, this is Lacy Hardt, how can I help you?”
“The secretary? Uhm...sure, I suppose. You can write, yes?”
“...I’m a secretary. I can write.” She seemed more confused than insulted...really? Can the secretary write…
“Well, write down 28 tons, May the 3rd, and...uhm…”
“Is it your business address? I have that on file.”
“Yes, yes...sorry if I’m slow, I just got rid of my secretary.”
“Could she not write?”
“Night botanist.” Oh. Lacy sighed. “Hmm. Well, I’ve got that all written down.”
“Do you?” Lacy rolled her eyes. “Yes, I have it all written down. Is that all?”
“Yes.” He said. “I must be going...so long.” He hung up. Lacy did, as well. That man really fired the girl for...that. That was a little infuriating. Lacy handed Wick the sheet of paper she’d written on. “Here’s the numbers, Mr. Sable.”
“Thanks, Lacy.” He smiled warmly. “Well...took a lot less time than we thought, yes?”
“Yes, indeed.” She said. “I have to pick up on some accounting...pulling double duty isn’t so bad as long as I’ve got time, y’know.” Wick smiled. “Mitzi does mean to say thank you for all the extra help, but I dunno if she knows how to say it.”
“I take cash or checks, Mr. Sable.” Lacy winked and walked into her own little broom closet of an office. Wick could be playful and fun sometimes...sometimes.
She sat and ran through some numbers, and by the grace of god, managed to balance Mitzi’s books. Mitzi was wonderful but she wasn’t so good at keeping organized...some of these looked like they were done by Rocky. She wasn’t sure Rocky knew basic mathematics. Much different from all of Wick’s clients and receipts...those were much easier to keep track of. After all, they were legible.
A meeting here, a meeting there, and one successful, surprisingly timely quarry inspection later, Wick was done for the day. But Lacy certainly wasn’t. “Lacy? Could I ask you a huge favor?”
“Yes, Mr. Sable?”
“I hate to do this, but...I learned from Edmund this morning that I can write Bix’s services off as a business expense.” Lacy furrowed a brow. “You...weren’t aware?”
“Well, it’s not as if I can write off my laundress, I figured all of the staff was like that. But that means gas, tires, repairs….I’m terribly sorry about all this, I-”
“It’s fine, Mr. Sable, I’ll take care of it...on one condition.”
“What’s that?”
“I get tomorrow off.” Wick crossed his arms. “Lacy, you know if you take tomorrow off I’ll be unable to...unable to work…”
“All that time to play golf, Mr. Sable…” She winked. “So can I have the day off?”
“Of course!” Wick nodded. “Now, at the very least get started on those numbers.” Lacy nodded and went back to her little broom closet...it was cramped. Her desk contained her notebooks, several pens, a lamp, and a picture of Pearl cut out from a newspaper. Pearl was in one of those gorgeous gala dresses...she liked to imagine she’d get to wear one of those one day, but maybe not. For now, she was writing down every single thing she could find on the gas prices and spending from that year, how many tires were bought, that time that Wick got too excited behind the wheel and ended up attaching his car to the side of a fence...she finally came up with the number and knocked on Sable’s office.
“I...have it.” She said. Wick took it and whistled. “Phew...that’s a lot more than I thought.” Lacy smirked. “Isn’t it? I was surprised too, I had to go back and check…”
“One last thing for you to do.” Lacy slumped. More?
“Yes, Mr. Sable?”
“Kiss Pearl for me.” He patted her shoulder. “Enjoy your day off tomorrow...I sure will!”
Lacy trudged her way back to her apartment, exhausted. She called Pearl. “Pearl? I’ll be over in 30 minutes...I could walk. N-no, you don’t have to-...well, if you insist.” She sat back in her chair and waited. Pearl’s chauffeur was coming to get her. She got into his car when he pulled up, and when she got to the front door, she collapsed into Pearl’s arms. “I’ve missed you.”
“We’ve been in the same city, y’know.” Pearl said. Lacy looked up at her. “It’s been 2 months since I actually held you in my arms, we may as well have been on different continents!” Pearl laughed. “Lacy...c’mere.” She kissed her deeply and brought her inside.
“Pearl?” Lacy said.
“Yes, darling?”
“I’m...sorry I’ve been distant.” She said. “I just have so much to do these days, and it’s difficult to keep up...for a while, I...even considered breaking things of...but only just for a whi-”
“Lacy…” Pearl held the girl’s chin in her forefinger and thumb. “Distance would never make me love you less, be it physical or otherwise.” Pearl’s grip evolved into a hug. “I love you, Lacy Hardt.”
“I...love you too, Pearl Smith.” And for the first time in a long time, Lacy felt right at home.
You approach Pearl and Maze. They're standing by the main stage. From what you've seen, they don't seem like the type to be dangerous, surely it won't be their bloodied knife, but maybe they'll have an idea who's it might be...
*tries to pick up a pencil but can't because of the extensive amount of rings she has on* I don't know if you should have given these all to me at once.
Pearl: You know, you could take one of them off, jus-
Lacy: Really? Just...STOP WEARING a gift from YOU? What kind of unaffectionate hussy do you think I am!?
