pointedlook | xx. a musebox

Either I missed that memo or I'm getting sloppy with age in keeping tabs. Fairly sure your tweed jacket collection is extensive enough for a museum to build a showing for it.

I'd rather show, not tell, if that's what you're getting at Mr. Eames.

Please, you'll still be able to tell me all of the movements of our contemporaries even when you're ninety and bedridden.

Though there's a thought. Museum curator for tweed jackets sounds like an impressive title to put on my resume.

You're much more amendable over text messages.

If either of us live to be that old in this career, I'll be shocked. Also, if I live to be that old and bedridden, just shoot me.

It's not already?

It could be that I'm not in the middle of a job right now. That's usually when you darken my door.

Be still my beating heart. It sounds like you want us to be together in the end.

I didn't think it fit in with my other titles of 'devilishly handsome' and 'devastatingly charming'.

You're not working? Do wonders never cease. What do you do with your free time Arthur? Other than promptly answer my texts.

That was more of an invitation to come find me and put me out of my misery.

Honestly? No comment.

Contrary to the rumors, I am a totally normal person when I'm not working. I read, catch up on movies, visit friends, that sort of thing. What do you think I did?

Here I was so sure I was one of the largest contributors to your misery. It's a nice change of a preconception.

If I said powered down and charged your batteries, how offended would you be?

Not the largest, but the occasional contributor.

Somehow, I should've known that would be the answer. I'd ask what you do with your spare time but I don't know if I want to be saddled with that knowledge.

Clearly I haven't been trying hard enough. Who are the top three so I know who I need to knock down a peg or two?

Ask me no questions and I'll tell you no lies. Though do you have friends who aren't in the business?

Please, I can handle them myself, Mr. Eames. It sounds suspiciously like you're trying to come to my rescue.

Generally, I don't make friends with people in our business. It's better if there's a line between personal and professional. And I don't know if you've noticed, but dreamshare people aren't exactly trustworthy.

Or maybe I'm just interested at being at the top of one of your no doubt numerous lists.

How you wound me. So what do you tell your friends it is you do, exactly?

You're interested in being on top? Somehow, I knew.

Hey, I work with you more frequently, you're only moderately exempt from "untrustworthy character" status. They think I work with corporate research, high end NDAs. Not too far off from the mark.

In being the best? Of course. In other things I'm highly flexible.

Such high praise from you Arthur, I'm not sure what to do with it. And surprisingly no, that's a decent cover.

How flexible? Curious minds and all that.

Yeah well, don't get too comfortable with it. Do your friends know what you do?

Wait, you do have friends, right?

If I said, it would just sound like boasting. It's better as a demonstration.

How rude. I'll have you know I'm very in demand socially. Though my occupation depends on who you ask. If we're going by majority, they believe I'm old money and don't have to work.

By all means; this is something I'd like to see.

Are you old money? I feel like that was in your files somewhere, though I know that could be a load of shit.

Next time I see you, then.

It depends on what you intend to do with this information and what turns your crank more.

I'm holding you to that.

Idle curiosity; you know I don't sell information. Also you being rich wouldn't turn my crank, I've got enough to retire as it is.

Then why don't you?

Because I'd probably go out of my head in less than two weeks. I don't sit still very well, Eames.

See that there is exactly why you should take a vacation. Doing some relaxing wouldn't kill you.

When was the last time you weren't working a job or waiting for one to begin?

[ Wow. He has to think about this.

In fact, it's at least 20 minutes before Eames gets a response, because he literally had to dig his calendar up. ]

...About three years ago, I think?

[In that amount of time, Eames had thought that Arthur had grown tired of the conversation altogether and had decided to stop humoring him. So he was a bit surprised when Arthur texted him back, and for a moment, he wondered if he had to actually consult his records.]

You really had to think long and hard for the answer, didn't you? That's a sign you're overdue.

I might've had to page back through my calendar. I just really don't know what to do with myself when I have that much time to kill.

Relax? Buy tacky tourist trap souvenirs? Learn belly dancing? Take up knitting?

Eames. Can you honestly imagine me doing any of those things?

(no subject)

embellishing - 2018-07-22 01:06 (UTC) - Expand