fandomtownies | The Arms Hotel Lobby, Tuesday [4/27]

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The Arms Hotel Lobby, Tuesday [4/27]

Mary was having trouble concentrating today. She couldn't help thinking about the weekend and how her weetiny self had found an adult to confide in about her dad's abuse. It had been three years since his death and she thought she'd moved on already. At least she didn't confess to anything, but she really needed to find this Price guy and do some damage control.

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Price was actually on the look out for Mary, and it hadn't taken too much searching to find her.

So he walked into the lobby and approached Mary directly, just out of luck.

"Excuse me miss, I'm looking for Mary."

There was a shocked expression on Mary's face when she recognized the guy from the park.

"Please tell me that you're just here to get a room," she said.

"I rent a room elsewhere, sorry," Price said, shaking his head. "I'm actually just looking to speak with her, if you could help?"

"I could take a message. I'm sure she's really, really busy," said Mary, trying to think on her feet. "Owning a hotel is a lot of work. I'm sure she's off somewhere folding sheets or scrubbing toilets or whatever else it is that keeps me busy. I mean, keeps her busy."

Price noticed the slip, but decided not to confront it head on.

"You seem a bit nervous," he said. "Working too hard?"

"Yeah, it's been really crazy lately. So much business... I can barely keep up!" said Mary.

It certainly didn't look that way. The lobby was completely empty. You could almost hear the crickets chirping.

"Right," Price said, catching the hint. "Well, if you could take a message, that'd be grand. Just... let her know that I stopped by. Captain John Price is my name."

"I totally didn't do it!" said Mary, starting to flail. "And besides, it's not like he didn't deserve what he got in the end!"

Yeah, the guilt was starting to get to her.

Price paused, trying not to chuckle at her reaction. It was a serious moment. "Mary, I just came to talk. Not to judge what you may or may not have done."

"Sorry," she said, cringing. "It's just that up until this weekend, I thought that business was all ancient history. And I should introduce myself properly," she added, extending her hand. "Mary Connell, hotel owner. Pleased to meet you."

"It's amazing what can sneak up on you," Price said, reaching out and shaking her hand. "John Price. Ostensibly still a Captain in the British SAS."

"I should probably point out that there's no reason to worry anymore about my dad. He died three years ago," said Mary. "So if that's why you're here, you're a little too late. He won't be hurting any more little girls."

"I was actually here about you," Price said. "To see if you were okay after sharing what was some pretty personal history. I can only imagine it has to make things a bit... awkward, since I'm practically a stranger."

Mary shrugged. "I'm fine, except for being a little bit jumpy. As for being a bit awkward... Well, I've had the experience of having to telling a courtroom full of strangers about it. One more stranger doesn't make a difference."

"Right," Price said. "Guess I should have known better. I'll just head out, then."

He was getting the distinct impression he wasn't wanted.

Mary bit her lip. This was not going well.

"It was nice of you to stop by," she said.

Price had distinct disadvantages when it came to most social pleasantries. This was a bit awkward for him, really.

"I just... wanted to make sure the little girl I met was okay," he said.

"She was okay," said Mary. "She grew up to become the woman who protected her little sisters from suffering the same fate."

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The Arms Hotel Lobby, Tuesday [4/27]

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