The Perk, Thursday Evening

[crazypilotman.livejournal.com]

Murdock had commandeered one of the larger comfy chairs and was sitting cross-legged with the computer on his lap. He seemed to be working on some kind of statistical chart.

He was also humming under his breath and would occasionally stop to nibble on a cheese danish.

(so very, very open. gah, I'm bored)

Comments

[montecito-east.livejournal.com]

After returning from another AA meeting in Alexandria, Mary had no desire to return to the hotel and a bridal suite that just made her feel worse. So it was off to the Perk for some decaf herbal tea. She smiled at Murdock and made a mental note that she really ought to bring her own laptop next time.

[crazypilotman.livejournal.com]

"Hey Mary," he smiled back. "How's it going?"

[montecito-east.livejournal.com]

"I'm okay. Just trying to keep myself busy so I don't start thinking about... stuff," said Mary with a weak smile.

[crazypilotman.livejournal.com]

He nodded. "I understand. Stuff can certainly occupy one's thoughts and times." He knew all about the current situation, thanks to the fill-in from Mike.

[montecito-east.livejournal.com]

Of course, Mary didn't know that. "I've actually moved out of my suite. It was a nice one when I first arrived in Fandom with just a suitcase, but I managed to accumulate so much stuff," she said. "The closets in my old room couldn't take it, yet both of the new suites I tried haven't really been to my liking."

[crazypilotman.livejournal.com]

And there was no reason for her to know that he knew. "It's so easy to pick up stuff, ain't it? Heck, I've gained some myself and I haven't even been here that long yet," he grinned. "You could modify a suite? Do things up like you want and get yourself some bigger closets while you're at it."

[montecito-east.livejournal.com]

"That's what I think I'll end up doing," said Mary. "In fact, George Michael and I were talking about getting a larger place before... Well, it's not so much of a priority now."

[crazypilotman.livejournal.com]

He frowned a little at that. "I think you should make it a priority. You need the space, and it'll give you a chance to do something creative. You know," he waggled a finger absently, "if it works out well enough, maybe you could expand a few other suites. In case you get more long-term guests."

[montecito-east.livejournal.com]

"That's probably a good idea," said Mary. "I didn't think of that when I did my first round of renovations last year. When I took over the hotel, there was only one long-term tenant. I basically picked a room that wasn't in need of new paint and moved right in."

[crazypilotman.livejournal.com]

"There you go," he grinned. "Should give you plenty of stuff to do. I'll even lend you a hand, if you want."

[montecito-east.livejournal.com]

"Well, now that I've been running the place for a year, it doesn't seem like we've ever been at full capacity," said Mary. "Some of those empty rooms can be combined into larger residential or specialty suites."

[crazypilotman.livejournal.com]

"A year, huh? You must know a lot about Fandom. I like that," he grinned. "Larger suites; could attract more customers too. Or you could hold more events. That would certainly draw folks in."

He paused then, realizing he was possibly going a bit overboard. "Not that I'm telling you what to do or whatever. Just kinda thinking out loud. Don't mind me, sometimes I get carried away with things."

[montecito-east.livejournal.com]

Mary smiled warmly at Murdock. "No, that's okay. I could use someone to bounce ideas off of, and besides, where I come from, we tear down and rebuild all the time. You get hooked on seeing all the new things."

[not-an-answer.livejournal.com]

Coffee in the evening? Well, since she couldn't drink or smoke...

"Large coffee."

Renee nodded politely at the man working at his computer.

[crazypilotman.livejournal.com]

Murdock nodded back. "Evening."

[not-an-answer.livejournal.com]

"New in town?" Why yes, yes she was attempting to be social.

[crazypilotman.livejournal.com]

"Yep. New flight instructor. Yourself?" He set the computer aside, seemed kind of rude to keep working when someone was being social. "HM Murdock."

[not-an-answer.livejournal.com]

"Murdock?" Renee nodded, taking a sip of her coffee. Cooper's influence, she just knew. "Detective Montoya--"

She made a small face at herself for introducing herself that way. "Renee."

[crazypilotman.livejournal.com]

"Yah. Everyone just calls me Murdock." Oh, a law enforcement type. Chances are she wasn't looking for his buddies, heck she probably didn't even know who they were, but that didn't keep him from putting his guard up. "Nice to meet you Renee."

[not-an-answer.livejournal.com]

"Likewise," Renee said with a nod. "Have the kids driven you nuts yet?"

[crazypilotman.livejournal.com]

He laughed. "Not hardly. I'm enjoying it. I find the students to be interesting. Those I've met, anyway. Nobody's driven me nuts yet," he grinned. Probably the opposite, though.

[not-an-answer.livejournal.com]

Renee chuckled. "All the teachers I know seem to think their students are trying to make them go crazy."

[crazypilotman.livejournal.com]

"Must be they have different students," he offered with a grin. "Mine seem all fine t'me." Anyone trying to drive him crazy would have a tough challenge on their hands. "Although...that one guy seems rather stiff, if you know what I mean." He shrugged, "I guess he thinks I'm just really old or somethin'."

[not-an-answer.livejournal.com]

"That one guy?" Renee asked, raising an eyebrow.

[crazypilotman.livejournal.com]

"Worf; dude with the really big forehead. He remarked once that the stuff I was teaching on is 'vintage'. Just a fancy way of sayin' old. How was I gonna know spaceships were really real before I got here?"