Balthazar Quentin: Good God. When will they realize it doesn't matter if they have a gun or not? I need a new suit. This one has... blood on it. Oh. Dear. This will never come out.
A few hours later, on the street; New London, Britannia:
Ms. Dvorak (to Balthazar): Balthazar, is that you!?! When did you get back in town, darling?
Balthazar (to Ms. Dvorak): Oh... You know. When I got back. Margaux. How are you?
Ms. Dvorak (to Balthazar): Quite lovely... Even, more for running into you, dear. Care to catch up & have a nip with me? I know a wonderful place.
Balthazar (to Ms. Dvorak): Yes. Of course. Lead the way.
A short time later, at the Longfellow Inn; New London, Britannia:
Ms. Dvorak (to Charles & Balthazar): Hello Charles! Can you please find a nice secluded table for my friend & I, dear? Oh, George sends regards. I apologize for George's absence of late, we've been quite busy with work.
Charles (to Ms. Dvorak): Oh! You have? Oh good. I was worried that... Please pass along my regards to, um, to Mr. Fitzroy as well.
Balthazar (to Charles): You a fruit, kid?
Charles (to Balthazar): E-excuse me?
Balthazar (to Charles): You heard me. A fruit? A queer? Look, I don't care if you suck cock or not, we just want a goddamn table.
Ms. Dvorak (to Charles): Ignore him, Charles. He's been abroad... (to Balthazar) George is my assistant. My female assistant, dear. Stop giving the boy a hard time.
Charles (to Ms. Dvorak & Balthazar): I, uh, I... Yes, Ms. Dvorak. I'll just see to your table then, shall I?
Balthazar (to Ms. Dvorak): Sorry. I forget. We're supposed to-- play at manners in the Empire. It's been a while.
Charles (to Ms. Dvorak & Balthazar): I have your table ready. If you would follow me, please. This should be to your liking, Ms. Dvorak.
Ms. Dvorak (to Charles): It's perfect, Charles, thank you. (to Balthazar) You're going to put me in such a state acting like that, Balthazar.
Balthazar (to Ms. Dvorak): Well, I wouldn't want you in a state. Last time you were in a state, you stabbed me. I'll be tame. Like a pussycat.
Ms. Dvorak (to Balthazar): Good to hear, dear... Have some tea.
Balthazar (to Ms. Dvorak): It seems ridiculous, doesn't it? ...What is it I can do for you, Margaux?
Ms. Dvorak (to Balthazar): Oh well, I heard a rumor that you were doing some work for Greymalkin... Is that true, dear?
Balthazar (to Ms. Dvorak): You know I can't answer that. That's not the way we play this game. Just like I'm not asking what your interest is in Greymalkin. Thanks. For the tea.
Ms. Dvorak (to Balthazar): Oh fine. Be that way.
Charles (to Ms. Dvorak): Here you are. I thought you might need something from the bar. Are you alright, Ms. Dvorak?
Ms. Dvorak (to Charles): I'm fine, dear. Just a bit miffed at myself. Thank you for asking... and for the drink.
Charles (to Ms. Dvorak): Very good, miss. I just wanted to be certain. Your friend seemed-- um, like a very interesting man.
Ms. Dvorak (to Charles): To be quite frank, Charles, he's an ass. But, one can hope that time & distance will soften some people. Clearly, he's not one of those, dear. I was hoping to discover some information the easy way but it seems that is not to be. C'est la vie.
Charles (to Ms. Dvorak): I wouldn't say he's an ass, ma'am. Not to his face, that's for certain. ...Um, may I ask you a favor, Ms. Dvorak? Would you mind terribly taking this letter to George. I-- I mean, to Mr. Fitzroy?
Ms. Dvorak (to Charles): Oh, of course, dear.
Charles (to Ms. Dvorak): Thank you, ma'am. I really should get back to the kitchen. Good afternoon.
Ms. Dvorak (to Charles): Goodbye, dear boy. I'll be sure to give this to George as soon as I get home.
Several hours later, in a pub; East Garden, New London, Britannia:
Balthazar (to Nathaniel): So. I don't suppose you'd tell me if you were named Nathaniel Jones. Would you?
Nathaniel (to Balthazar): Nope. Sorry. If you're looking for an underage piece of ass, you're gonna have to look elsewhere.
Balthazar (to Nathaniel): You little motherfucker... Do I look like a queer to you? Do I!?!
Nathaniel (to Balthazar): You really want me to answer that? You don't wanna fuck, I don't wanna fight, so shove that gun up your ass and fuck off.
Balthazar (to Nathaniel): Put your hands up.
Nathaniel (to Balthazar): No.
Balthazar (to Nathaniel): I have a fucking gun.
Nathaniel (to Balthazar): Yeah. I realize that. I believe I told you to shove it up your ass. If you were gonna shoot me, you'd have done it by now. So unless you're planning on dropping to your knees and blowing me, fuck the shit right off.
Balthazar (to Nathaniel): Ha ha ha! I like you, kid. Even if you are a cocksucking homo. You're right. I can't do shit in this crowded pub. Too many witnesses. Enjoy your beer, Nathaniel. I'll be seeing you.
Nathaniel (to Balthazar): Yeah, yeah. Consider my fucking shit thoroughly disturbed. Later, Old Man. Try not to have a damn stroke. Or, you know, DO.
Joseph (to Nathaniel): What the fuck was that all about?
Nathaniel (to Joseph): Holy shit. That was some Deerhunter shit right there. I have NO fucking idea. I think I made it onto someone's fucking list.
Joseph (to Nathaniel): ... I take it that's not a good fucking list, huh?
Nathaniel (to Joseph): Judging by all the homophobic shit coming outta his mouth, and how many fucking weapons he had on him, I'm guessing not.
Joseph (to Nathaniel): Well, shit... What do we do now?
Nathaniel (to Joseph): We hang out here for a while. Where there are witnesses. There's a chance that whoever gave him my name said I was a skipper. If worse comes to worse, we can open a portal outta here. You alright?
Joseph (to Nathaniel): Yeah, 'course. I date Persephone. You don't think this is the first time I've been threatened in a pub? Happens a lot.
Nathaniel (to Joseph): Ha ha ha! No. No, I do not. Probably not even the first time this week.
Joseph (to Nathaniel): I think it's the third time this week. She really wants to fucking prove something.
Nathaniel (to Joseph): Heh. Yeah, no shit. Look at the family she comes from.
Joseph (to Nathaniel): Heh. You're preaching to the choir.
Nathaniel (to Joseph): Right. Looks like no one is paying attention right this minute. C'mon, Joe. Let's get the fuck outta here.
Balthazar: Well. That's certainly interesting. I think my hourly rate-- it just went up.
