She's a bit surprised at the spontaneous voicetest...

[gatorfights]

Well well well, this sure is something. Not sure what, but something.

Didn't think you'd do it, to be honest. Didn't think you had it in you. But here I am, and I guess I might as well make the best of it. And I need a drink, which means I guess you might as well make yourself useful. Looks like we've both got something to do.

Comments

[element_wizard]

Was it a bad idea for her to do it?

Yup.

Hence she did it.

[gatorfights]

Well now, I don't know if it was a bad idea. That remains to be seen.

Who're you, anyway?

[element_wizard]

Of course it was a bad idea. It's always a bad idea.

I'm Alec, helpful instigator of some bad ideas. My sister is sort of not really kinda well not at all dating Jimmy... I never cared enough to get his last name... at a game.

[gatorfights]

Jimmy. Right. Never met the kid myself, but he's up here in her head, too. Causing trouble, I don't doubt, just like the rest of them.

[element_wizard]

Wasn't sure. I'm not really familiar with your canon. I tend to bug Andrew and his "friends" more than your folk.

As far as I know he is. So what is it that you do... besides fighting alligators?

[gatorfights]

I'm not usually the one fighting the alligators myself, although I'm flattered that you think I could manage. They fight each other. I just watch. Place some wagers.

[She lights a cigarette.]

I own a speakeasy down in Tampa. What do you do, besides bugging folk?

[element_wizard]

I don't see why not. I know a lot of women who can do it.

[Wrinkles nose.]

Ugh. Tampa's awful in the summer. Um. That's pretty much it. I mean... I own an inn and do some other stuff, but I'm really just good at bugging people.

[gatorfights]

Careful now, I happen to like Tampa, myself, alligators and all.

[Probably because she has a shotgun and knows how to use it. Probably.]

I know a couple guys who'd list bugging people as their main talent, too. Works out okay for some of 'em.

[element_wizard]

I grew up in the mountains where there wasn't much humidity. I never even saw the ocean until I was fourteen or fifteen. So, it's not the place, it's the weather that gets me.

[It's okay. He'll be fine if shot.]

It takes a remarkable amount of skill to make it work.

What's a speakeasy?

[byanyname]

[Aw, wait, really? Really?

He probably shouldn't get ahead of himself. Is there a Nucky around? There's always a Nucky around at the worst moments, creeping around, just waiting to butt in. It's a fact of life, and usually Mickey wouldn't even think about the possibility, but after the cane incident, he's a little wary.

Also not entirely sure how he feels about Sally. She did turn over pretty easy... But in Mickey's experience, that's nothing new. Just another fact of life.]

Is it a ghost? A mirage? Or is that Sally Wheet I see, come to us from afar?

[gatorfights]

I'm no mirage -- I'm just as solid as you are -- and the last time I checked, I wasn't a ghost, either. Unless you know something I don't. In which case, don't tell me and ruin the moment.

[That'd be concerning. She'd rather not be a ghost. She hadn't exactly expected to see Mickey around, but then, why not? And as far as she can tell, there's no Nucky around, either. She might as well talk to him.]

[byanyname]

[It isn't as if he's seen or heard enough of her to know one way or another. Since she didn't come around anymore after that night, not without Nucky. For all Mickey knows, Nucky's decided he's had enough of Sally and decided to pitch her away. Probably not in a murdery way; that ain't usually Nucky's style. Besides, Mickey's pretty sure Sally could take whatever Nucky might throw at her.]

Gal like you? I gotta figure you could live through any kind of crap, ehhheh. I thought they bred 'em strong in Tampa.

[He's being friendly. Nothing more (mostly), because he's still wary. Because ain't it just his luck that Nucky's bug-out eyes'd come after him again?

She has a nice voice, though. It's just as nice as he'd remembered.]

[gatorfights]

They do.

[She regards him for a second, eyes narrowed. Measuring him up. Wondering if his friendliness is something else. Wondering if she minds if it is.]

You're pretty brave to talk to me again, after what happened last time. Can't help but be impressed by that.

[byanyname]

[He giggles, because how the hell else is he going to respond to that? Because she's bold enough to come out and say it. Because seeing the way she takes stock of him, Mickey decides he can't back out.

Besides, what're the odds that Nucky'll show up? They can't be that great, right? And it ain't as if Mickey's trying anything funny over here. Er, not necessarily. Yet.]

Yeah, well. Courage is my middle name. It's a little known fact about me.

[It absolutely is not Mickey that is a lie.]

[gatorfights]

[She kind of likes that giggle. Call her crazy. It might be her middle name, in fact.]

Mickey Courage Doyle, huh? It has a ring to it. What's Mickey short for, anyway?

[With Nucky, the odds are always in favor of him popping out of nowhere. Better be careful, Mickey.]

You want a drink?

[byanyname]

It's just a name. Mickey's short for Mickey.

[So far as anyone needs to know, anyway. He's learned that advertising his given name is a good way of asking for a kick in the face. And it really doesn't matter; Mickey's the name he uses.]

Like Johnny's short for Johnny and Sally's short for Sally. Unless Sally's short for Salacious? Dear salacious Sally, selling salamanders from a salad bowl.

[The drink sounds pretty good right about now. If Nucky does decide to show up, Mickey'd rather be oiled for it. Less of a sting that way.]

I thought you'd never ask. You think I'm gonna turn down a drink with such a classy lady?

[gatorfights]

Can't say I've ever sold salamanders. Gators, on the other hand...

[No, she's kidding. Probably. You never know what kind of business people get up to, down in Florida.]

Sally's only short for Salacious after I've had a couple drinks.

[Have some bourbon, Mickey. You're going to need it. At least she pours him a pretty damn generous glass of it -- she's not stingy with the alcohol.]

Drink up. It's good for you.

[dentistwithether]

Isn't that what we're all doing here? "Making the best of it"

[gatorfights]

Most people. But it seems to me some folks're bemoaning their bad luck in being stuck here instead.

[dentistwithether]

It's human nature to complain ... especially when it comes to matters outside of their control.

I guess you could even call it a comfort blanket for some.

[gatorfights]

You could call it that. I'd also call it pretty damn tiresome.

[dentistwithether]

You strike me as a lady who has very little patience for anything of that nature.

[gatorfights]

What gave me away?

[dentistwithether]

Your pride. You enjoy letting people know your not a delicate little wallflower that can pushed around by any flash Tom, Dick or Harry with a nice suit and a charming smile.

Which makes Mr Thompsons attraction to you all the more ... unusual.

[gatorfights]

Well now, that's true. A nice suit and a charming smile -- both of which you've got, I notice -- can only take a man so far.

Unusual, huh? Should I be flattered by that assessment, or start taking offense?