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madsworld15 · 6 months ago

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Heal Me, Hold Me, Make Me, Know Me Chapter 5 Part 1

Hello, my lovely fans! I know it's been almost 2 months since I last touched this fic. I needed to give my brain a break before I dived into a more difficult portion of the story. Anyway, Chapter 5 is the second half of the month of July. You can read the first 4 chapters on AO3 HERE.

The courtroom chatter fell into a hush as the bailiff stood in front of the bench. She gave a stern look as she swerved her gaze across the sea of observers. Justin cowered further down into his seat at the very back near the door. Brian reached over and took his hand in his own. With a squeeze, he quietly reassured the younger man that he was safe.

“All rise for the Honorable Judge Hawkins.”

Justin looked at Brian, who shrugged. The two then half-stood and didn’t even address the judge personally. Brian could tell Justin was trying his best not to have a panic attack right there in front of everyone. So, he moved his hand from Justin’s and up the man’s neck with a gentle squeeze.

This was the moment of reckoning. They were about to hear the judge’s decision regarding punishment for Chris Hobbs, Tony Calvert, and Sam O’Neil. Brian didn’t know if he was excited or terrified, or both. But throughout the trial, he’d been observing Judge Hawkins, and he got the feeling that the man wasn’t too keen on the LGBT community. Brian knew Justin needed to listen to the verdict for himself in order to believe it, but Brian wished he didn’t so they wouldn’t have to be here.

“After reviewing the facts of the case, I can see no other way forward than to hand down the following ruling. If Hobbs, Calvert, and O’Neil could all rise,” the judge cleared his throat and waited for the men to stand.

Brian watched the judge’s body language, and even before his next words, he knew they were going to get off. He held his breath and tightly grabbed Justin’s hand.

“You three young men clearly regret your actions on that night back in April. It was an unfortunate event that resulted from a few too many drinks and being accosted unnecessarily by a young man of the gay persuasion. Being as Mr. O’Neil owns an upstanding business and has never been in trouble before I am inclined to hand down a sentencing of 6 months probation and 500 hours of community service. As for Hobbs and Calvert, your boss, the Mayor, has vouched for you in his testimony. Therefore, I see no reason to give you more than 500 hours of community service.”

At that, the judge turned his eyes toward Brian and Justin’s position in the back of the courtroom. He didn’t say anything more, but Brian could see the disdain in his eyes. He could also feel Justin’s grip on him increase as if it would hold him down to earth.

“NO! Justin almost died!” Debbie suddenly stood up and screamed at the judge. “THEY TRIED TO MURDER HIM!”

Justin turned to Brian, tears in his eyes. His words were barely audible, “Can we just go?”

The two of them didn’t say a word as Brian gently led Justin out of the courthouse and to his Jeep. The plan had initially been for Justin to spend his day with Emmett while Brian returned to work after the verdict, but considering Justin could barely breathe, he knew this was going to be different. Brian didn’t waste any energy worrying if his next words were the right move or not.

“Why don’t you come spend the day with me at my office?” Brian reached across the console as he drove and placed his hand in Justin’s.

Justin didn’t respond, but Brian figured as long as he wasn’t arguing they were in the clear. As they drove across town, Brian worried about what this verdict would do to the small steps Justin had made recently with his trust in others and his ability to be out in public. Justin had mentioned to him recently that he felt the attackers would get off, but Brian knew Justin was just trying to pretend as though the worst wouldn’t bother him. Considering the young man was currently curled on himself, leaning against the Jeep window, and refusing to acknowledge Brian, he knew they were in for an extremely rough road ahead.

Sure enough, they got to Brian’s office and Justin refused to get out of the Jeep. Brian didn’t push. Instead, he sat silently, waiting for Justin to give him direction on what he wanted. But, after ten minutes, the young man was still leaning against the car door, refusing to speak or even recognize Brian was waiting for him.

“Justin,” Brian whispered, trying his best to keep the frustration out of his voice. “I have a meeting with one of our biggest clients in about 15 minutes. I figured you could wait in my office, but that requires leaving the Jeep.”

“Fuck off,” Justin muttered, not even lifting his head from where it rested on the glass.

Brian knew the kid was just trying to work through all his emotions surrounding what they’d just witnessed, but it didn’t stop his temper from flaring momentarily.

“Fine. Sit out here. I’ve got a job I need to get to anyway. You know, to pay for the shit you benefit from?” Brian turned off the Jeep and jumped out of the vehicle. Then having a momentary change of heart, added, “If you change your mind, our offices are on the third floor.”

Brian then slammed his door and left Justin to himself. He would come and check on him after his meeting with Remson. Today was not going well at all. Brian knew his making partner didn’t prevent Vance from putting him on notice if he fucked up this meeting with the client. Brian had no idea what the pharmaceutical company wanted from the firm for their latest campaign, but he was sure it would take every creative bone in his body to make it happen. Remson was one of Vanguard’s biggest clients, and Vance had a personal stake in ensuring they were always happy, which was sometimes extremely difficult.

Brian approached his office and was greeted by Cynthia, who handed him a few pink slips indicating people who had called while he was out.

“Brown Athletics called, asking when they were going to get the mockup for their new campaign. Leo made sure to emphasize that he could easily go back to their old marketing firm at the snap of a finger.” Cynthia relayed, “As if you aren’t aware of the volatility of certain clients.”

Brian simply nodded, acknowledging that he had heard her. “Anything else?”

“Yes, Michael called multiple times but said he’d catch you later. And your mother called, but I told her that you’d call her back when hell froze over.”

Brian smiled at his assistant, “Cyn, what would I do without you?”

“Get fired.” Cynthia shrugged with a smirk and went back to her desk. Brian was almost fully in his office when she added, “Oh, and Gardner wants to see you.”

“Fuck.” Brian muttered under his breath, not sure what his partner could possibly want from him moments before they’d be in a meeting together.

Brian turned back around and headed down the hall toward Gardner’s office. His assistant let him through without a fuss. The man was on the phone when Brian first opened the door, but he lifted his hand up and motioned for Brian to enter and close the door behind him. Brian tried to wrack his brain for any kind of misstep he could’ve taken in the last few months, but he came up empty. He’d gone out of his way recently to travel for a client and spent longer hours at the office to ensure all their current clients’ campaigns continued without any hiccups. All of this despite wanting to be home with Justin, helping him to recover.

Gardner hung up the phone and gave Brian a tight-lipped smile. “Kinney. Do you know why I’ve asked you here today?”

Brian raised his eyebrows and frowned, “Not a clue, Vance. What’s up?”

“What’s up is you’re just now coming into the office, and it’s almost noon. We have a very important meeting with Remson in a few moments, and I’ve heard nothing from you about how prepared we are. Finally, you seem to feel that being a partner means you can do as you please.”

Brian’s blood started to boil. All of these issues were easily explained away without Vance trying to humiliate him.

“Because we are both partners at this firm, I’m going to let this behavior slide this time. But, in the future, Vance,” Brian made sure to emphasize his name, “I’d appreciate it if you only bother me if my work is actually suffering. Don’t worry about Remson unless this meeting today concludes with them unhappy. It’s my account. Let me handle it without you breathing down my neck.”

Brian took a deep breath and stood up, “As for today, I told you last week I wouldn’t be in until late today because it was the day I needed to be in court for the sentencing. You know, the assholes who almost killed my…” Brian paused, not sure what word to use for Justin, “My partner.” He finished a lump in his throat.

Gardner gave him a look that teetered between annoyance and disdain for everything Brian had just said.

“Regardless, a court case is not a valid reason to miss work.” Vance was clearly trying to teach Brian something, a lesson that was unnecessary.

“I never take time off, so consider it sick leave,” Brian stated before he stalked out of Gardner Vance’s office. He wasn’t going to let the man walk all over him. There was no harm in what Brian had done today, none at all. Vance was just trying to assert his dominance now that he and Brian were equals.

Brian made it back to his office with just enough time to grab his notes for Remson and then turn back around to head toward the conference room. He didn’t even have time to stop and release his pressure valve with Cynthia. So, instead, he angrily swept his arm across his desk, scattering everything to the floor. It helped, and without a second glance, he left the mess as an after-this-meeting kind of problem.

The meeting with Remson went as well as Brian could’ve hoped. They were intent on doing a rebranding for one of their erectile dysfunction drugs. Brian already had a few ideas in mind by the time they adjourned until their next meeting the following week. He felt that Remson left pretty happy, or at least as happy as they could be, considering Brian isn’t a mind reader and couldn’t have possibly come to the initial planning meeting with idea mockups. But, one look toward Vance and he knew the man wasn’t happy. Fuck him.

Brian pinched the bridge of his nose as the Remson representatives left the room. He knew Vance had some choice words to say, and Brian really wasn’t in the mood, but he also wasn’t in the mood to rock the boat any more than it already was.

“Good job keeping the client mullified today,” Vance stated before walking out of the room without another word.

Brian stood there in confusion. Vance had given him a look that would kill not five minutes ago, and now he was praising him. The fuck?! Brian desperately needed a drink, but he still had at least seven hours of work left in his day to make up for the time he missed this morning. So, instead, he trudged back to his office, slumped behind his desk, and closed his eyes in the hopes of fighting off a migraine that was tickling at the edges of his brain.

A moment later, Cynthia came in, dimmed his lights, and handed him a glass of water with a couple of migraine pills.

“Here, something tells me today has been shit already, and it’s only 12:30.” Cynthia accompanies her kindness with words of understanding. “I mean, you didn’t even notice the young man sleeping on your couch when you came in.”

She motioned behind her, and Brian looked over. Sure enough, there on his couch was the rumpled, sleeping form of Justin. He bit back the smile that wanted to cross his face at the knowledge that Justin didn’t completely hate him.

“When…” Brian started before pausing, unable to find the right words.

“A minute after you trashed your office and went to the Remson meeting. He straightened things up for you, by the way. Even though I told him to leave it.” Cynthia gave Brian a knowing look.

“Don’t,” Brian warned.

“I’m just saying. It’s obvious you care about him. So, why are you busting your ass here every night instead of being with him?”

“Because,” Brian sighed and pinched the bridge of his nose again, “If I don’t bust my ass, Vance will find some reason to fire me. I can’t lose my job.”

“You’re a partner here. Fuck him.” Cynthia smirked at her slight joke.

“Which means I have to work twice as hard, not less.” Brian bit his lip, “Thanks for letting him into my office.”

#queer as folk #brian kinney #justin taylor #brian x justin #fanfiction #alternate universe #asexual spectrum representation

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moonlight26posts-blog · 9 months ago

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In Calvert County, MD: Urgent Rescue Plea: Help Siblings Sun and Sage Find Their Forever Homes- Calvert County Animal Shelter - Maryland.

Sun and Sage are Looking a Second Chance!

We are reaching out to you on behalf of two remarkable souls in need of a second chance at life – sibling dogs, Sun and Sage. These beautiful 1 year old creatures have faced adversity in their young lives and are now seeking the love, care, and guidance that only a compassionate rescue organization can provide.

Sun and Sage's journey to our shelter via Animal Control has been one fraught with challenges. Their previous owner, unable to manage such large dogs and recognizing their need for more than they could offer, made the difficult decision to surrender them. Born into a world where they were tethered outside for the majority of their days, they have known little beyond the confines of their yard. This limited exposure has left them under-socialized and fearful of the unknown.

Both Sun and Sage react to new people and experiences with apprehension, often resorting to barking when faced with uncertainty. However, beneath their fear lies the potential for immense love and loyalty. With the right environment and patient guidance, they can blossom into the faithful companions they were meant to be.

Sun, a sturdy 102lb male, is already showing promising signs of progress. He is learning basic commands like "sit" and, once he trusts you, eagerly accepts treats as tokens of affection. Sage, his equally remarkable 87lb sister, awaits the opportunity to discover her own potential with the support of a caring guardian.

We understand that placing both dogs together is not feasible, and we recommend separate placements where each can thrive individually. Due to their size and disposition, we recommend homes without small children at this time. While we do not have information on their compatibility with cats or other dogs, we advocate for slow, proper introductions to ensure a harmonious transition.

Sun and Sage's ideal forever homes would feature patient caregivers who can help them build their confidence and create new experiences. With the right environment and dedicated caregivers, these dogs have the potential to transform from timid souls into cherished members of a loving family.

We implore you to consider opening your hearts and homes to Sun and Sage. Together, we can provide them with the opportunity to rewrite their story and experience the joy of unconditional love.

Sun and Sage will be altered, up to date of vaccines, heartworm tested and microchipped.

Please reach out to us if you can offer these deserving pups the chance they so desperately seek.

🐾❤️

Jamie Hash

Volunteer and Rescue Coordinator

[email protected]

410-535-7387

Rescue Pick-Up Hours:

Monday – Saturday from 10am – 4pm

Adoption Hours:

Tuesday - Saturday from 10am - 4pm

5055 Hallowing Point Rd. Prince Frederick, MD 20678

Linda L. Kelley Animal Shelter

Linda L. Kelley Animal Shelter | 5055 Hallowing Point Rd, Prince Frederick, MD 20678

#dog rescue maryland #dog rescue #dog rescue baltimore maryland #doglover #dog adoption maryland #cute animals #adopt a dog #pets

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positivexcellence · 2 years ago

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Supernatural star Jensen Ackles on playing Dean again in The Winchesters finale: 'It was a mixed bag'

ENTERTAINMENT WEEKLY: If your return wasn't exciting enough, you guys also brought in Bobby (Jim Beaver) and Jack (Alexander Calvert), and it feels like you really managed to pull off that surprise.

JENSEN ACKLES: Yeah. People were like, "Are we gonna see more faces in the finale?" And I was like, "Of course you are, but I'm not telling you who." [Laughs] There's a treasure trove to choose from. And moving forward, God willing, there's been plenty of interest by folks that are deeply rooted in the Supernatural lore who were like, "Hey, why didn't I get a call?" I'm like, "Wait till season 2." Hopefully we can bring those familiar faces. We want to make the most entertaining show we can. That's what we set out to do in the beginning and what we hope to continue to accomplish.

Let's talk the alternate universe twist, which is a great way to sidestep canon.

That's the thing. Everybody's like, "I can't believe you're gonna mess with the show's lore," and it's like, "Hang on, just trust us." And in fact, it plays right into it. You've got Bobby, you've got Jack, you've got the fact that Sam is still on Earth, and here's Dean, literally in heaven trying to do things to protect the life his brother's living. So it furthers the lore.

And then it opens the door to other characters, a different Sam and Dean, etc.

Right. It would've been a fool's errand to try and box ourselves in with what had been created on Supernatural. We would be boxed in by that. In order to get our two heroes together and make it make sense in that timeframe, it had to be messed with. And the only way to really mess with that was just to make it a completely separate, alternate thing, which luckily the mothership had established with Chuck [Rob Benedict] when he was like, "I've made multiverses, and you guys are my favorite." So we knew that there was still stuff out there. And then also to tether it to the fact that, oh, if this was a fail safe that Chuck created, how many other fail safes does he have?

Obviously you played Dean in the pilot, but you didn't have any dialogue. You've been doing the narration. But what was it like to really be back playing him again in this setting?

It was a mixed bag. It's weird because we're in a different city, filming with a different crew. I'm working with different actors. Having Jim there and having Calvert there, it was almost like we were brought in from another team to come and show these new recruits how to play baseball. [Laughs] Like we weren't on our home turf. But it was a position that we were all very comfortable with jumping into and, how could you not be with playing those characters as long as we all have? It was like Dean was on location.

You really threw fans for a loop with that turtleneck and peacoat look.

[Laughs] Kerry Weinrauch from Supernatural is our costume designer on The Winchesters. When Kerry and I started talking about, "Well, what's that gonna look like when Dean hands the letter to his dad?" I was like, "What if he tries to pass as a sailor or somebody that's in the Navy? People wouldn't bat an eye if they saw somebody that looked like he just got off a boat." I was like, "I don't know, maybe peacoat?" [Laughs] She's like, "Yeah, we can get you peacoat." And then she had a turtleneck and she was like, "I mean, if we're gonna do it, let's do it." [Laughs]

It was also Dean with facial hair!

Without giving away too much, I'm supposed to do another character, and I needed that kind of facial growth and that hair to stick around. I didn't know if I should cut all my hair off and shave my beard. And [showrunner] Robbie [Thompson] was like, "Well, then don't." I think they did a good enough job of making it look like I've been in heaven for a while. In fact, Jim Beaver actually added a line in that scene in the train station where he's like, "I'm gonna go get the cavalry." And, I think I say like, "What do you mean?" He's like, "Well, you know, we gotta get some help." And then just before he walks away, he goes, "Nice try with the beard though." I think we were just running long on time and we had to shave every little bit of stuff away, so unfortunately that that didn't make it. But we got to have a little fun.

I'm assuming that was your Baby?

Yeah, that was number one, Dean's original car. It was funny. As I arrived on set, they were doing the the car screeching to a halt, the shot of it coming through the portal. Our stunt driver is a local stunt guy there in Louisiana, Tyler, he's one of our assistant coordinators. I walked up and I stood by the monitors for one take and they all cut and I'm like, "That's it! Get out of my car!" [Laughs] Tyler's like, "Dude, I saw you over there and I got really nervous."

You also had to show up and deliver so much exposition in what was also a really emotional scene for Dean.

I know. And the funny thing is, for the last like six seasons [of Supernatural], we hired guest stars to come on and deliver the exposition. [Laughs] Jared and I didn't have to do any of that s---. And here I am coming in as a guest star and having to deliver like, the biggest piece of exposition the show has ever seen. I'm just thankful it was Robbie's writing. His writing just slides right off the tongue.

Safe to say you guys opened up so many potential stories with that ending!

I'm hoping. We're in such a weird time right now with the network kind of changing guard and not knowing quite what the new format's gonna be and how that's all gonna pan out. I know that everybody did everything they could to make the best show that they could. I know I'm really proud of it and everybody involved is really proud of it. Hopefully we land on our feet in some capacity, but I don't know what that's gonna look like.

#the winchesters #Jensen Ackles #entertainment weekly

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druidgroves · 1 year ago

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ok here it is my whisper/deacon brain rot for their web weaving is under the cut. i'm mentally unwell about them.

1. trust no one

this one is pretty obvious. it's deacon's first and favorite lesson. little does he know that after coming out of vault 111, it was greta's modus operandi as well.

2. vulnerability is the last thing i want you to see in me, but the first thing i look for in you.

this quote was more deacon-focused, but it does apply to both of them. upon "first" meeting (that was face to face), deacon is still looking for any signs of cracking in whatever façade greta has created for herself by this point. he wants to pick people apart, but makes sure that no one can do the same to him. for greta, she isn't too great at emotions after being thawed out (she became a lot more withdrawn in that department, despite pretending to be an open book). she'll make sure she can pinpoint your vulnerabilities before you're even aware of them, just so you don't notice her own.

3. i don't understand your specific kind of crazy but i do admire your total dedication to it

this is peak whisper/deacon while doing shit for the railroad. they work together extremely well, in part due to whisper's career as a spy before the bombs (of which deacon has no idea about but he has Suspicions). a big part of their relationship is trying to outdo the other, constant one-upmanship; who can tell the most outlandish lies, put on the most well-crafted personas, or pull off the wildest stunt while clearing the way for safehouses. they are both insane.

4. i want to take a bite out of you, figure out what you're thinking

while working together, they obviously get to know each other--or they get to know as much of each other as they are willing to show. it's both fun and frustrating for them with neither wanting to fully give.

5. our eyes had the most devilish affair; meeting in secrecy in a room full of people.

these two dance around their feelings like they're legally obligated to, but they'll just say that neither of them have done anything about it because of "anti-fraternization" rules put in place by their fearless leader.

6. the nonsense has escalated

this was there purely because their nonsense (feelings) escalates. that's it.

7. the great pretender

i always see this as a deacon song But it fits both of them. they are both extremely lonely people in similar and different ways and put on different masks to compensate.

8. not because i don't trust you, but because i can't bare for you to see me as i really am.

another one showing how much they share and how much they don't. at this point in their story, greta has come clean about a lot of stuff: her real name, her career as a spy, looking for a son she isn't even sure she wants to find, as well as her familial connections to the calverts (who i argue could be partially to blame for the way the war went tbh). she has always lived with a lot of self-loathing and that's part of why she is the way she is, putting on different personas to hide the fact that she hates who she is. for deacon, this is when he tells her about the up deathclaws, about barbara, and about joining the railroad. they finally get to see the other's vulnerabilities.

9. sometimes you get so close to someone you end up on the other side of them.

in trying to understand each other, seeing each other's ugliest parts, they find that they might never understand each other completely. it doesn't quite drive a wedge between them as much as things are a little awkward between two people allergic to talking about their emotions.

10. how to disappear completely and never be found

so deacon talks about wanting to "bug out" and leave sometimes, but in this case, greta is the one who bounces after destroying the institute. she's got a lot to deal with internally and needs her space to process.

11. an exercise in love: i have left the door unlocked, just in case

deacon won't admit it, but he's always on the lookout for her after she disappears. he listens for her laugh, the sound of deliverer, anything, but she doesn't show for a while. but if he knows anything about his whisper, she'll come back again, and he'll be there waiting.

#rae.txt #ship: a relief and a horror to be known ( greta x deacon )#if any of this sounds off it's bc i haven't traveled with deacon in game in a hot minute lmfao

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samanddean76 · 1 year ago

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The Waif

Ship: Jensen Ackles/Alexander Calvert

Rating: Mature

Word Count: 3,490

Tags: Alternate Universe - Fantasy, Hurt Alexander Calvert, Protective Jensen Ackles, Protective Jared Padalecki, Magical Creatures, Magical Realms, Kidnapping, Rescue, Revenge, Or Justice, Top Jensen Ackles, Bottom Alexander Calvert, Mpreg, Eventual Happy Ending, Best Birthday Gift Ever!, Love, True Mates, Mute Alexander Calvert

Alexander knew he was different, but he never suspected how different. He had been alone, ever since the death of his mother, until one day a very tall stranger named Jared said that he was there to rescue him. To take him home, so that he might join with his true mate. Alexander can hardly believe what he is being told, but with no way to communicate, he decides to trust another for once in his life. Is this the beginning of his trek towards his happily ever after?

#ao3 #archive of our own #fanfiction #jensen ackles #jared padalecki #alexander calvert #rescue #revenge #spn rpf #top jensen ackles #bottom alexander calvert #magic #love #best birthday ever

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rachelkaser · 2 years ago

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Masonry Monday: The Case of the Daring Decoy

An oil company president discovers that his secretary is secretly a spy for his rival. Shortly after, he’s seen at the scene of her murder by an eyewitness. But the spy had other secrets, and the eyewitness’s identification is based on one unusual feature.

Who’s Who

Perry Mason’s client: Daniel Conway, an oil company president on the verge of reelection when he catches a spy in his office

The victim: Rose Calvert, a recently promoted secretary who’s spying on Conway for her married boyfriend

Suspects: Warner Griffith, Conway’s main rival within the company, whose moll-turned-mole ends up dead in a hotel room Linda Griffith, Warner Griffith’s estranged wife, who knew the victim was his mistress and planned to destroy him with evidence Fred Calvert, the victim’s hapless husband, who kept hoping she’d return to him but can’t seem to accept her rejections Amelia Armitage, a mysterious benefactor of Conway’s who seems to know all about the stockholder trouble he’s facing Mavis Jordan, the hotel’s elevator operator, who’s very observant about the comings and goings, but only to a certain degree

The Setup

In the Cal-Texas Explorations office, president Daniel Conway lets himself into his office, where he discovers a woman rifling through his desk. Conway is suspicious of the woman, Rose Calvert, and asks whether she’s spying on him on behalf of Warner Griffith. Rose denies knowing him, but Conway’s secretary, Miss Eastman, agrees that the recently promoted Rose will return to her previous position in accounting. Later, Rose excitedly phones Griffith and says she’s got the papers he wanted: A confidential report.

Later that night, a woman with glasses lets herself into the Cal-Texas offices. Conway says into his dictaphone that he’s checked his desk and he’s sure Rose has stolen his confidential documents, then spots the woman. She identifies herself as Amelia Armitage, and says she must speak to him urgently. She says she knows he’s in a battle with Griffith to control Cal-Texas, and she doesn’t trust Griffith to protect the shareholders. She advises Conway to make nice with the shareholders to get re-elected. He watches her stride out, looking besotted.

Sometime later, yet another woman calls the Cal-Texas office from a payphone. Conway answers, and the woman says she has information for his re-election: A list of Griffith’s proxies and his partnered shareholders. She won’t give her name, as she believes his phone is tapped, and he’s being followed. The woman tells him to go to a certain drug store and answer one of the public phones when it rings at 8:15. She’ll give him directions from there. At 8:10, he goes to the assigned booth, which rings early. The woman’s voice on the other end says to meet her at Hotel Red Fern, Room 709, immediately. He leaves, and a woman exits another booth shortly after.

Conway goes to the Red Fern and enters the elevator. The operator doesn’t look up from her book, but takes him up to the seventh floor. He goes to room 709 and rings the bell. No one answers, but it’s unlocked. The room has been tossed, and no one responds to his call. But he finds the body of Rose Calvert. A revolver is next to her. He bends down, placing his hand on a nearby chair. He picks the gun up, tucks it in his coat, and wipes down almost every surface he touched with a handkerchief. He leaves, walks down to the sixth floor, and reenters the elevator. The operator, without looking up, comments on his walking down a flight. Downstairs, Tragg and a sergeant enter the hotel and pass Conway heading out.

Enter Perry Mason, Attorney at Law

Conway and his company’s council, Mr. Varnell, are sitting in Perry Mason’s office. Varnell was the only lawyer Conway could consult, and he found the lawyer at the Bar Association dinner, where he was sharing a table with Mason. Perry inspects the gun and notes the serial number, telling Conway he shouldn’t have removed it. Conway says he panicked when he recognized it was a company gun. Perry asks if there’s any proof of the phone calls, and Conway says no.

Suddenly Conway places where he’d heard the woman’s voice before. It was Warner Griffith’s wife, Linda. Perry tells Della to have Paul locate Griffith and turn the gun over to the police. He tells Conway to stay out of sight at the hotel, but to register under his own name. Varnell says this may jeopardize Conway’s bid for company re-election, but Perry impresses upon him that this is more important. In the meantime, he’s going to go visit Mrs. Griffith.

At Linda Griffith’s apartment, Perry asks about her calling Conway and leading him into a trap. She slips and admits she did call him (though she says she’ll deny it), but only the first time -- she didn’t call him at the drugstore because he wasn’t there at 8:15 to take the second call. She didn’t send him to the hotel room and wasn’t aware of the murder. It could have been an imposter who called him -- she suspected his phone was tapped. She says she’s trying to undermine her husband for their divorce.

Linda shows Perry a risque photo of Rose Calvert in skimpy clothes, which she discovered on a roll of film in her husband’s camera. She tells him Rose did part-time work for Griffith as part of his proxy business to take control of Cal-Texas. She also gives Perry Rose’s address and says she was married but separated. She also reneges on her promise to give Conway her proxies, as she can’t afford to tip her hand with her husband now that they’re involved in a murder. Perry leaves, taking the photo of Rose with him.

Perry visits Rose’s apartment building, but doesn’t enter, instead looking at a letter poking out of her mailbox. It’s a letter from Fred Calvert, who lives in a house in Ellendale. He goes to the house, despite the late hour, and meets Calvert. The man admits to being Rose’s husband, and, thinking Perry’s here on her behalf, insists he won’t give her a divorce. He says he knows she needs to sew her wild oats, but he can offer her security with his mortgage-free house. Perry breaks the news that Rose may have been murdered and shows him the picture. Calvert rambles about the house, distraught, and Perry leaves.

The Murder

Still in the late hours, Perry returns to the office, and Della says there’s trouble -- Tragg has put an APB out for Conway’s arrest. Burger wants to know where Paul got the gun, and the detective himself is in the office with one Warner Griffith. Perry tells Della to go home and get some sleep. In the office, Paul introduces Perry to Mr. Griffith. Perry immediately confronts Griffith with the morning edition of the paper, which reported the murder. He says Griffith must have recognized Rose, but Griffith says he came to Perry’s office as soon as Paul summoned him.

Griffith agrees that he knew Rose. Perry immediately proposes his theory that Griffith is the murderer: He was having an affair with Rose, who was also his contact at Cal-Texas. His wife discovered the affair and threatened divorce. This would make Rose a liability in both his divorce and his business dealings. Griffith coolly says that, at the time of the murder, he was in Phoenix. He produces his plane reservations proving he didn’t return to LA until 1 am, only a few hours previously.

In Burger’s office, Tragg has brought Mason to answer questions. Burger asks where Daniel Conway is, and Mason says he doesn’t know, as they haven’t spoken yet that day. He also refuses to say where he got the gun by virtue of attorney-client privilege. Burger says it’s the murder weapon. He also accuses Mason of withholding the identity of the victim, but Mason says he wasn’t sure at the time, and couldn’t speculate about it. Burger reveals they followed Mason’s line of reasoning about having Conway stay in a hotel under his own name -- Tragg opens the office door to reveal Conway in custody.

In Perry’s office, Paul says he can’t find the mystery woman who came into the office, but Perry says her being there was no coincidence -- she had no way to know Conway was there, for starters. Della buzzes through to say the woman herself, Amelia Armitage, is in the office. Amelia enters and says she’s hoping for the best for Conway. Perry asks when she visited Conway’s office: She says 7pm. She also says she overheard the phone call telling Conway to visit the drugstore and followed him there out of curiosity, also seeing him enter the phone booth at 8:10.

Perry asks if she’d be willing to tell that story in court. Amelia says yes, adding she’s already told Burger, who told her to come to Perry. He immediately calls her bluff, saying she must have read about the calls in the paper as the details aren’t lining up. She admits it, and apologizes, but says she feels Conway is innocent. She shamefacedly shows herself out. Perry tells Paul that Burger wouldn’t have believed her story either, and tells him to check out Amelia.

The Trial

Burger gives his opening statement to the jury. The first witness we see is Fred Calvert, who testifies that he identified his wife’s body. He first learned of Rose’s death from his late-night visitor, who showed him a picture of her. Mason stipulates in lieu of cross that he was the visitor. Next on the stand is Tragg, who testifies they discovered the hotel at 8:40 that evening, acting on an anonymous tip. They found only one set of prints in the room: The ones Conway forgot to wipe off of the chair next to the body. Tragg also testifies that the police received a parcel containing the murder weapon.

As the jury examines the gun, Tragg testifies that he received identification of the body from Calvert, not from Mason. Mason objects, and the judge restrains Burger, saying Mason potentially withholding evidence is a matter for another courtroom. On cross, Mason offers to clarify the topic of his alleged misconduct. He asks Tragg to clarify that Calvert said Mason identified Rose -- he didn’t. Mason says the he suspected it was Rose, and so directed her husband to go to the morgue and identify her. Tragg is forced to admit that Mason did what any conscientious citizen would have done.

The next witness is Mavis Jordan, the elevator operator. She testifies she let Conway off at the 7th floor while reading a book at around 8:30. On cross, Mason asks her the title of her book: It was You Could Die Laughing. She found it quite engrossing -- so much so that Mason believes she couldn’t have looked at Conway’s face. On redirect, Burger asks Mavis to clarify how she recognized Conway: By his feet. She mostly sees shoes and feet, so she can pick them out more easily than faces. But it was easy with Conway -- when he descended, he entered on the sixth floor, so she knew he walked down a flight.

The next witness is Warner Griffith, whose is suddenly very cozy with his wife. Griffith testifies he was on the board of directors of Cal-Texas until four months previously, when he resigned over a dispute with Conway. He adds that he employed Rose for covert work -- gathering the proxies, yes, but more importantly to collect information for a white paper about Conway. Mason objects, but the judge says it goes to motivation. Griffith says the white paper concerned Conway allegedly turning info to competitors about oil leases. She kept it in her hotel room.

Burger infers that someone looking for the white paper would have to tear about the hotel room. Mason objects to the line of questioning, saying Burger is leading the witness. The judge agrees, but Burger continues to say that the white paper was only a threat to Conway, and Conway had to know she’d stolen it from his desk. Griffith agrees, saying it’s why Conway killed her. The jury erupts into murmurs at that remark.

The Investigation

Sometime later, Perry arrives at Mrs. Griffith’s apartment with Mavis in tow. To Linda’s consternation, Mavis goes rifling through her shoe closet and finds the shoes she was wearing on the night of the murder. Mavis says she dropped Linda off on the 7th floor, and compliments Mrs. Griffith’s step. Linda tries to deny it, but Perry accurately assesses that she was the one who searched the hotel room. Linda breaks, admitting she wanted to confront Rose about her affair, but found her already dead.

She thought her husband did it, and admitted at that moment she stopped hating him and wanted to protect him. She tossed the room looking for any evidence he’d been there, wiped it of prints, called Conway both times to lead him to the body, then tipped off the police so they’d discover him in the hotel room. Linda frantically denies it could have been Griffith, as he was in Phoenix when Rose was killed. Perry agrees that that’s what Griffith claims. He leaves with Mavis as Linda sobs.

Back in court, Paul gives Mason evidence that Griffith was definitely in Phoenix -- however, no one can account for him between 6-11 on the night of the murder. The trial resumes, and Mason cross-examines Warner Griffith. He asks about the details of the white paper: Specifically, he asks whether Conway’s info-brokering with competitors involved buying opportunities for Cal-Texas, which would have been above-board. Griffith claims to have not thought of it, but Mason claims he should have if he wanted to be President of Cal-Texas.

He also points out that a smear campaign of Conway, while it may bolster Griffith’s fortunes, is draining the shareholders, as the stock has depreciated and they’re losing out on dividends. Griffith tries to argue with the judge about how the questions are unfair, but the judge rightfully points out that Griffith himself brought it up. Mason points out that, if the white paper was about aboveboard business practices, it would furnish no motive for murder, and Griffith has no response.

Next, Mason asks if Griffith saw the murder weapon in the possession of Rose Calvert: He did. Mason next pokes a hole in Griffith’s alibi in Phoenix, as he had time during the missing hours to charter a plane to fly to Los Angeles. Griffith says he never went to the hotel -- he visited her actual apartment, but she wasn’t there. Mason decides to recall a witness who can prove that at least one of the suspects in this case has a motive for murder, and they’re lying . . .

In Summation

We get one of our first cases of corporate espionage with this mystery. Granted, it’s a bit hard to follow if you’re not familiar with a lot of the terminology they use, but the central thread of the mystery is easy enough to get: A girl in Conway’s office took something she shouldn’t have, and now Conway’s accused of killing her to get it back. Easy enough. And I won’t spoil, but one thing I like about this particular mystery is that the motive of the actual killer turns out to be just as simple and easy to comprehend.

Before I get to the story, I want to praise the cinematography of this episode in particular. I’m not sure what the impetus was, but this episode has so much more of a noir vibe compared with previous episodes, with some well-composed wide shots and moody lighting during the nighttime scenes. I appreciate the episodes that harken to Perry Mason’s noir mystery roots, and any episode that shows dusk scenes where Mason is slinking around outside apartment buildings in a trenchcoat really hit a good note for me.

The victim in this case has so much going on behind the scenes that I would have liked to see more than five seconds of her onscreen. She’s a wayward wife with a long-suffering husband back at home, and the mistress of the executive looking to take over an oil company who’s secretly doing some spying for him on the side and managed to make off with sensitive documents. That’s a lot -- I’m not sure how she had time to eat. Yet the few moments she’s onscreen, she’s immediately caught in her snooping, made for a spy, and sent packing. Again, I wish we saw more of her actually being competent.

Speaking of incompetence, what the heck is with the women of this episode and their cloak-and-dagger scheming? First Amelia Armitage walks into Conway’s office past business hours and tells him in the most roundabout way to get his house in order (not telling him who she is, either). Then Linda Griffith makes two anonymous phone calls to supposedly help him in his recruitment of shareholders. Both have ulterior motives, it’s true, but poor Conway must have been so confused with all these people not giving him a straight answer.

Not to sound like I don’t sympathize with the character type, but most of the defendants so far this season have been abused or imposed-upon women, wives and daughters. I applaud Perry Mason for taking on such clients regularly, but it does tend to make these episodes bleed together. Daniel Conway is notable simply by not being that type of character, though he does share the unfortunate Mason client tendency of doing something stupid to try and beat a police investigation -- in this case, haphazardly wiping his prints (and missing some) and walking down a flight of steps.

Still, it’s hardly Conway’s fault that the Hotel Red Fern has an elevator operator -- those are relative rarity in this show, if not for the time period -- and one who’s selectively oblivious in the most unpredictable way. Few side characters in Perry Mason are as much of a kooky delight as Mavis Jordan the elevator operator. She apparently distracts herself from her rather humdrum job by reading and studying people’s shoes and feet. The episode treats it as slightly laughable, but I’d like to remind everyone that stride length was valuable knowledge to Sherlock Holmes.

Piece of trivia here: The book she says she was reading in the elevator, You Can Die Laughing, is actually another book by Erle Stanley Gardner. It’s in his Cool & Lam detective novel series, slightly lesser-known than his Perry Mason novels, which he wrote under the pseudonym A.A. Fair. The episode phrases the title as if it’s a joke, but the book is actually a serious mystery, so I can see why Mavis was so engrossed.

If the women in this case are somewhat overthinkers and go a little heavy on the subterfuge, it’s just to make up for what wet blankets the men are (Conway, to a certain extent, included). Warner Griffith makes a very bad impression as a man who’s trying to take over a business he doesn’t full understand, and Fred Calvert can’t do anything but bleat about his mortgage-free house, both when he’s just been informed that his wife is dead and when he’s testifying against her alleged murderer at trial. They’re not bad characters -- quite the opposite. It makes it hard to peg what the real motive is underneath the artifice.

This is also one of those cases where we get to see Burger and Mason get into a professional tussle. While the two of them may respect each other, Burger never fails to let Perry know that he doesn’t approve of his methods or (what he sees) as his cavalier attitude towards the rule of law. He does manage to get one over on Perry, however briefly -- he knows Perry well enough to know how he’d “hide” his client in plain sight, and thus he and Tragg manage to track Conway despite Mason’s best efforts. Burger may sometimes jump to erroneous conclusions, but as a DA he’s got his head on straight.

The Verdict

Judgement: ⚖⚖⚖ (three scales out of four) This is what good Perry Mason episodes are made of: A strong central hook with a myriad of likely suspects. I wish we got more time with the victim, but the web of intrigue around her makes for a good plot, despite the client being as dumb as any other. This episode even cracks a few jokes -- a rarity for the series.

#perry mason #masonry monday #paramount plus #raymond burr #s01e28 #della street #paul drake #the case of the daring decoy

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gallowsheart · 2 months ago

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♢ main ♢ rules ♢ open starters ♢ starter calls ♢ prompts ♢ wishlist ♢

♢ about ♢

This is a sideblog, and I follow back from my main @grimmusings. (It's also my canon main, if you're looking for those muses.) Please direct IMs there, since it's easier for me to keep all my messages on one blog. It's also easier to start interactions with me there, where I regularly post meme prompts.

All muses on this blog are original characters with bios linked for each, and I'm happy to write them into AUs and crossovers. Please do not steal or reblog my bios/headcaons/etc., as they belong to me. For a full list of rules, see my main. Honesty hour questions will largely be answered IC and treated as anonymous unless signed by a muse.

Note: Please bear with me as this blog is highly under construction while I transfer information and rework bios. My OCs are new to Tumblr, but the muses have been in development and written on other platforms for 10+ years, and I've been writing various other canon and original muses on Tumblr for that long as well.

♢ muses ♢

♢ Grant Andersen (35+) ⭒ illustrator ⭒ Chris Evans ♢ Jericho Ashworth (35+) ⭒ butcher ⭒ Jon Bernthal ♢ Jesse Ashworth (25+) ⭒ cannibal ⭒ Jonathan Tucker ♢ Persephone Bell (21+) ⭒ sorority girl ⭒ Riley Voelkel ♢ Tommy Blair (25+) ⭒ musician ⭒ Dougie Poynter ♢ Emerson Calloway (35+) ⭒ trophy wife ⭒ Yvonne Strahovski ♢ Kinship Candenti (3,500+) ⭒ warrior ⭒ Jensen Ackles ♢ Annabelle Cavalleri (21+) ⭒ bitch ⭒ Olivia Rodrigo ♢ Blair Cavalleri (25+) ⭒ therapist ⭒ Ana de Armas ♢ Kara Cavalleri (21+) ⭒ fashionista ⭒ Victoria Justice ♢ Lilah Cavalleri (21+) ⭒ fanfiction writer ⭒ Zenia Marshall ♢ Lincoln Cavalleri (30+) ⭒ accountant ⭒ Joseph Morgan ♢ Roger Cavalleri (25+) ⭒ painter ⭒ Matthew Daddario ♢ William Cavalleri (50+) ⭒ patriarch ⭒ George Clooney ♢ Samantha Cooper (25+) ⭒ programmer ⭒ Samara Weaving ♢ Brom Costello (45+) ⭒ strip club owner ⭒ Frank Grillo ♢ Charlie Cross (25+) ⭒ trust fund baby ⭒ Bradley James ♢ Harrison Darcy (30+) ⭒ professor ⭒ Max Irons ♢ Aislinn Donnelly (45+) ⭒ matriarch ⭒ Angelina Jolie ♢ Kian Donnelly (25+) ⭒ stunt performer ⭒ Stephen Amell ♢ Liam Donnelly (25+) ⭒ psychopomp ⭒ Tom Payne ♢ Layla Duchannes (30+) ⭒ psychic ⭒ Emmanuelle Chriqui ♢ Vivian Holland (25+) ⭒ stripper ⭒ Levy Tran ♢ Matthias Halloway (400+) ⭒ werewolf ⭒ Idris Elba ♢ River Hawkins (30+) ⭒ final guy ⭒ Ian Somerhalder ♢ Skyler Hawkins (25+) ⭒ hippie ⭒ Jackson Rathbone ♢ Marlowe Hendrix (21+) ⭒ final girl ⭒ Vanessa Morgan ♢ Kade Hunter (21+) ⭒ ghost ⭒ Thomas Dekker ♢ Dallas Monroe (30+) ⭒ homewrecker ⭒ Kellan Lutz ♢ Holland Monroe (21+) ⭒ southern belle ⭒ Madelyn Cline ♢ Rio Monroe (25+) ⭒ rancher ⭒ Wilson Bethel ♢ Alexander Smith (21+) ⭒ serial killer ⭒ Alexander Calvert ♢ Aven Wolfram (30+) ⭒ romance novelist ⭒ Phoebe Tonkin ♢ Theo Wolfram (30+) ⭒ photojournalist ⭒ Sebastian Stan ♢ Erin Zimmerman (25+) ⭒ artist ⭒ Madison Iseman ♢ Ian Zimmerman (25+) ⭒ horror writer ⭒ Garrett Hedlund

#welcome #mobile navigation #muse list

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skylarmoon71 · 2 years ago

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Alexander (Grimm) Chapter 19

The next few days in Portland feel a bit slow. You find yourself checking your phone quite a bit. Alexander is definitely busy, so you understand. It doesn’t make you miss him any less. That’s why when you receive a letter that day on your way back from work, you’re a bit shocked. You’d just been sifting through some junk mail. This particular letter was addressed to you and you seem to recognize the handwriting immediately. You basically rip it open, eyes running over the words.

Let’s just say, Friday could not come fast enough.

“You’re in an awfully good mood. “ The nurse sent you a sneaky smile and you stopped humming abruptly.

“Anyone special making you so chipper?” She teased. You blush, shaking your head.

“Of course not.”

“Uh huh.”

She sounds like she doesn’t fully believe you. Grabbing your bag later that evening you head for your car. You basically race home. It’s a miracle you haven’t gotten a ticket. You only have one thing on your mind. Getting ready doesn’t take that long, and you find yourself checking your watch regularly. Finally dressed, you grab a purse and head out the door. There’s a few times where you do a double check on your outfit. But as you pull up to the restaurant, it’s too late to turn back now. So when you exit the car, you do your best to swallow all your fears. You get to the front desk.

“Nebojsa, table for two.”

The waiter immediately guides you to your seat. You were just a few minutes late, so it’s no shock that your date has already arrived. The second he sees you, he stands. His eyes run over you appreciatively, and he moves over to help you into your seat. Your waiter apparently notices the sparks. He gives a little smile. He takes a step back.

“You look absolutely stunning (Y/N).” Alexander’s voices.

“Not too bad yourself.” You sit, and he moves back to his own seat.

“What can I get you started off with.”

“We’ll have a bottle of red wine to start.” He nods, handing you both a menu.

“I will be back with your drinks shortly.”

He excuses himself, and you take the opportunity to admire Alexander. Seeing him in a suit isn’t anything new. But somehow this feels different.

“I was really surprised when I got your letter.” You place your hands on your lap in hopes that it will calm your nerves.

“My intention was to contact you much sooner, but my responsibilities were a bit strained with the few that insisted on threatening the peace. “ You figured as much.

“I’m glad that you’re okay.”

Alexander smiles.

“I’m fortunate that I am able to have dinner with you. A nice change from your car. After what happened in Washington I figured this was a much safer bet. I can’t have you taking advantage of me again.”

Your cheeks flush lightly just as the waiter comes with your drinks. You give him your thanks, both ordering your meals. He’s off once again, and Alexander is still looking fairly smug.

“It was a heat of the moment thing.” You mutter.

“Of course it was. “ He still looks way too comfortable. You roll your eyes playfully.

You take a sip of the wine waiting for your meal. Alexander's content gaze is fully fixated on you. You place the glass down.

“Is there something else on your mind?” You ask.

“I was just curious.” He leans a bit closer, elbows on the table.

“My woge, it arouses you.”

You’re pretty sure that you’re full on blushing. He’s made the statement discreetly, so you’re sure no one else has heard. He leans back, that confident smirk on his lips.

“This is intriguing. I never thought I would live to see the day. You Grimms are quite kinky aren’t you?”

“A-Alexander!”

You aren’t sure how he can speak so casually about this.

“Don’t tell me it hasn’t been on your mind.” His eyes glow, and you have to bite down on your lip. How dare he get you worked up in such a public place.

“This will be an interesting night.” The light fades just as the waiter walks over placing your food down.

“Bon appetit.” Alexander teases.

Yep, he was enjoying this.

The night begins to whine down around eleven. You’d come in separate cars, so when you offer that he stop by your place to chat some more Alexander isn’t opposed. So you head back home. It all seems a bit surreal until you get through the door.

When he enters, the warmth of the wine is somehow heating up the room. There is no hesitation when he leans down. You’ve been expecting it. Anticipating it. It’s nothing but the mere brushing of lips. So soft, you savor it. Alexander pulls back. There is so much you can read in his eyes.

“You are becoming quite a problem for me Ms. Nebojsa.”

Likewise.

You feel it, he does too. But you both know that going down this road won’t be easy. Most relationships took work, so this one, it would be a challenge.

“Are we really going to do this?”

He’s not sure he can answer the question. All he knows is that he wants to be with you. To hold you when that doubt creeps in just like he’d done those nights you spent protecting him.

“I can’t turn off how I feel, no matter what I do. To be honest, I don’t want to."

You’ve laid it all out there, so the ball was in his court. Whether he wanted this or not, it was up to him.

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