[ Pearl knows what it's like, not to be the boss. Trying to make at as an actress in Hollywood taught her that real fast. (Taught her and then broke her, only to be made something burnished and new.
There's a new boss in town, boys. Sometimes she misses California, but never Hollywood.) ]
Oh? That sort of thing can get a man into trouble. Depending on who's calling the shots instead.
[After Afghanistan? It was that or go crazy. And he'd definitely considered it, lying on a shitty cot in Peshawar while his burns healed and Clay busted everyone else's ass about what they were going to do now that they were theoretically KIA.]
[ No bravado is certainly a first. She was born out of bravado, at least in this new skin of hers, made by none other than Skinner Sweet — the grandaddy of American bravado as its very best and worst.
This stranger offers a decided change of pace. ]
So what's the plan, Stan? Just blowing wherever the wind takes you?
It's a full house. [ Pearl shrugs, the gesture a little too casual to be considered cavalier. Once upon a time, the gesture would have been bigger, grander, but she lays low these days, trying to make as little splash as possible. ]
Girl's got to make a lot of noise around here in order to get noticed. [ She smiles, rueful. ] And I'm not the type.
You're certainly good at making nice with the natives.
[ Pearl takes up a pensive pose, leaning forward and dropping her chin onto the flat of her first. She plays at demure, the way that she regards him up and then down. ] So what's a fella like you do when you're not taking orders and getting into trouble?
[ She doesn't look it but that Pearl Jones, she can be a real maneater if she wants to be. Lucky for Carlos, she isn't the type. (This particular apple having fallen a ways from the tree.)
When she smiles again, her teeth are small and very white. Still, that look in her eye lingers. ]
It'll get to you after a while. [ She nods, matter-of-factly, as if this was subject she knew all about. (Pearl thinks about Sweet, about the possibility of seeing him again.) ] With troublemakers, it always does.
Didn't say I make trouble. Getting into it's different. Don't look for it.
[Maybe when he was younger a little. When you're special ops and you walk into a Navy bar you aren't looking for a free beer and a friendly game of pool. But that was years ago, back when he was at Robinson and a hell of a lot more talkative than he is now.]
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Not me. Used to it.
[Military life, man.]
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There's a new boss in town, boys. Sometimes she misses California, but never Hollywood.) ]
Oh? That sort of thing can get a man into trouble. Depending on who's calling the shots instead.
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[His tone is... wry.]
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Then you must got pretty thick skin.
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Not bad.
[It's said quietly, without any bravado.]
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This stranger offers a decided change of pace. ]
So what's the plan, Stan? Just blowing wherever the wind takes you?
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Wouldn't mind if it blew me to a beach.
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No such luck, though. [ She tips her head, as if proposing an invisible toast. ] Here's to hoping you manage better.
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Why not?
[Hey, if the lady wants a beach, he's of the opinion she should get one.]
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Girl's got to make a lot of noise around here in order to get noticed. [ She smiles, rueful. ] And I'm not the type.
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[He should know.]
But this... [he gestures at their surroundings.] Isn't bad in the meantime.
[A tight smile.]
Vacation.
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[ Pearl takes up a pensive pose, leaning forward and dropping her chin onto the flat of her first. She plays at demure, the way that she regards him up and then down. ] So what's a fella like you do when you're not taking orders and getting into trouble?
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And if that's all I do?
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When she smiles again, her teeth are small and very white. Still, that look in her eye lingers. ]
Then I might be jealous.
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Rather be... somewhere quiet.
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[Maybe when he was younger a little. When you're special ops and you walk into a Navy bar you aren't looking for a free beer and a friendly game of pool. But that was years ago, back when he was at Robinson and a hell of a lot more talkative than he is now.]