IC CONTACT

[maevelous]

"You've reached Maeve Millay. In your message, do be sure to let me know whether this is business or pleasure."

VOICEMAIL | TEXT MESSAGES | PHONECALLS | BUSINESS INQUIRIES

Comments

[blackhat]

Chilton has him cooped up in his hospital.

Not trying to run your business, but it’s probably past time you two a had talk about stranger danger.

[maevelous]

Why is he there? He rescued that man. From you, most likely.

[blackhat]

Is that what he told you? “Rescued?” Didn’t occur to me to ask why, on account of that hospital space being reserved for the differently-abled. Guess I figured the reason was self-evident.

[maevelous]

He implied Chilton was the unwilling party in the ordeal. And shots were fired. And you can cut the cutesy bullshit right now. You and I both know Doctor Chilton is not going to be able to understand Theodore's mind.

[blackhat]

Well I don’t have any plans to spell it out for to him, but give Dr. Chilton enough time and he might just figure it out on his own.

How long have you known?

[maevelous]

He'll die before he can.

[ Ooo. Maeve is feisty these days. ]

Oh, sweetheart. You aren't as all-knowing and all-seeing as you imply. I've been writing my own fucking narrative for quite some time back home. And I've decided I had enough of our little world.

[blackhat]

[ … ]

Of what, old age?

[ Multitasking, the man in black scrolls through the context surrounding their last conversation as he transmits. ]

That how you became the madame?

You wrote yourself a promotion?

[maevelous]

No. I do believe you were the one who wrote that for me. When you killed my fake daughter. If you are indeed the same Man in Black as all that.

[ Somehow texting it doesn't trigger the memories the way an in person encounter might. Somehow texting it keeps Maeve removed from the trauma. And for all she knows, she may be way off base. She hadn't seen him. But only one particular man in black made a lasting impression on her so it seems a logical conclusion that same man in black made a lasting impression on Teddy as well. ]

[blackhat]

What if I was?

[maevelous]

[ Thanks for the suffering, jerk. ]

That's a question you should ask yourself, not me. Are you that same man outside of your little fantasy land?

[blackhat]

[ Y o u ' r e w e l c o m e . ]

That is the question, isn't it.

What about this world makes you think it's any more real?

[maevelous]

Is that something you're genuinely trying to figure out yourself?

[blackhat]

Guess it’d behoove me to ask someone with a little more experience in that arena if I was.

[maevelous]

All of these insults. I recognize an inferiority complex when I see one, darling -- trying to make your cock seem bigger than it really is. It's all to cover up the truth that you must know. My kind is far superior to yours. And while you sit around playing your cowboy games, getting off on murdering us -- I am building a goddamn army to take on the whole lot of you, pesky parameters lifted and all.

[blackhat]

You think killing your daughter made me feel like a big man? Better check your math.

But it sounds like you’re trying to tell me you think you can kill a man.

[maevelous]

Perhaps I am. Perhaps you'll get to see it for yourself.

[blackhat]

We may not have spent much time together, but you never struck me as coy.

[ Attached is a phone number, and the address for the Sweet Iron Communications corporate office. ]

Why don't you pay me a visit once you’ve sprung Teddy.

[maevelous]

[ Well. Maeve is quick to jot that info down elsewhere. ]

Consider it a date. When I retrieve Teddy. When I ensure he has not been altered in any way.

[blackhat]

Can’t make any promises. Sooner you pull him out, the better.