[SCENE] Viola, Wocky and Wellington in: "There's Always A Hidden Fee"
((takes place the Thursday after breakout))
Wocky: *is seated on top of the desk inside the Tender Lender, choosing to spend his day “assisting” Viola at the shop. His legs dangle over the edge as he looks over to Viola with an eager grin*
Wocky: Yo Mizz Cadaverini, you know how to be rappin’ right? Diggin’ them phat beats like you donno what’s what, am I right?? Like if I be startin’ to go all freestylin’ on you, you be all over me an’ put me in my place, right?
Viola: *she's sitting at the desk and copying dubiously long numbers into a large, leatherbound ledger book. When Wocky speaks, however, she glances up. The bandages she'd acquired due to the earthquake are still wrapped around her head* ...Fat beats, Little Kit...?
Viola: I don't... rap... but I've been in a choir as a little girl...
Wocky: Aw, rappin' be simple as anythin' yo. You could do it I bet -- cos you be seein' an experiencin' a whole world a' trouble all yo life, you know what it's like on the street, yo. *starts to beatbox a bit of a tune, bobbing up and down* Yo, this what I'm talkin' bout right here...
Wocky: You had my heart, we never be worlds apart, maybe in magazine but you still be my star an' in th' dark I can see shiny cars oh~ when you need me there, I will always care~ Because---! *he looks to Viola, gesturing for her to continue*
Viola: *blinks*
Viola: *a closed fist drifts to her mouth*
Viola: Hee... Hee... Hee... oh, Little Kit. *glances down at her ledger book again, continuing her writing*
Wocky: *scrunches his face up a bit, not very happy that Viola's chosen to go back to working* Aw, c'mon Mizz Cada'verini, you gotta know this! I just want you to be standin' under my umbrella is all, y'knowwhatimsayin??
Viola: *glances up again, this time setting down the pen* No. ...What am I supposed to say... in return...?
Wocky: *his face turns back to a grin* Aw, you supposed to be all like, you could stand under my umbrella, ella, ella, eh, eh, eh *the boy starts to make a sort of "raise the roof" action with his hands* Umbrella, ella, ella, ella, eh eh eh, eh eh eh-
Viola: *stares*
Viola: *then, reciting in a faint voice that is vaguely reminiscent of chalk on nails* ...Umbrella... ...ella... ...ella... ...ella...
Wocky: *flinches juuuust slightly* Y-yeah! Like that yo. You gots it! I should... maybe be th' one who... raps more though, right?
Viola: Hee... Hee... Yes, you should be...
Wocky: *leans over to try and glance at the ledger book Viola's writing in* So... what kinda appointments you be waitin' on t'day Mizz Cadaverini?
Viola: Hmm? Oh... there's going to be someone arriving at four, to... make a payment... and then we will see the usual people come make their empty promises...
Viola: *smiling mischievously* Do you want to scare them for me, Little Kit...?
Wocky: *rolls up a sleeve of his t-shirt and grins, flexing his bicep* Sure! I can be your muscle, yo!
Viola: ...Good... *glances at her watch* It's almost four... so the first visitor will be here soon.
Wocky: *rolls up his other sleeve, quite eager to please Viola and rough up any low-lives who can't pay their dues* Damn skippy, yo! I am so pumped up for this, Mizz Cadaverinininini!!!
Viola: *with a touch of genuine sternness* Mispronounce my name once more, Little Kit... And I'm keeping your tongue.
Wocky: *frowns* Aw Mizz Cadaverinini I ain't mizpronouncin' your name! Tat's just my nickname for you cos you one of my boos, yknow??
Viola: *a meaningful stare* One of....?
Wocky: *a little flustered, Wocky scratches his chin with a finger* Yeah, see, a guy gotta have lotsa boos -- a lotta people he be callin' a friend y'know? But you be my favourite you know.
Viola: *an amused smile* ...I hope so... *taps his nose lightly with a finger* I can be a... very jealous... unreasonable... girl...
Wocky: *grins, twirling his hair around a finger* Aww Mizz Cadaverini, you ain't got no need to be worryin' with me, I treat you right girl!!
Wellington: *there's a firm knock on the door; it's two minutes past four*
Viola: *glances down at her watch, then glances at Wocky* Could you... get that...?
Wocky: *jumps down off the desk and salutes the woman* Shore thing, yo! *saunters over towards the door and opens it up* Yo yo, what it is, this be th' Tender Lender, you dig it holmes? *looks up towards the person standing there, a tough scowl on his face, trying to look like one of the Cadaverini goons*
Wellington: *stands at the doorway with a casual hand-on-hip pose (with his other hand holding a small briefcase) when the door swings open, but once he sees who greets him he blinks and pauses while narrowing his brows. Then suddenly, he straightens and stares in alarm at the boy* YOU? What are you doing here?!
Wocky: *recoils back a little and sneers up at Wellington. He pushes the baggy sleeves of his t-shirt up again, scowling* Yo when they let you outta th' big house?! Ain't you s'pozed t' be down there, gettin' prison disease from Busta White?!
Viola: *stands up, moving to the table at the side of the room for the coffee and cookies--she's listening but uninterested in contributing to the discussion*
Wellington: *glares down angrily at Wocky, but his expression becomes aghast and perplexed at the butchered language he's hearing* ........What?
Wocky: Yo! Don't you be speakin' English?! I say, are you hip t' the air I am breathin'?! What is yo scrawny azz doin' out here?!
Viola: *shows up at the entrance behind Wocky, a tray with two cookies and a cup of coffee on a saucer in her hands* .....
Wellington: *fidgets, his free hand coming to the side of his head* Shouldn't you be in school right now, learning how to speak, you little br--... *stops cold as Viola comes into view, and straightens and resumes a casual pose accompanied by a forced smile* Hello, I'm Richard Wellington. I'm seeking a... Mr. or Ms. Cadaverini...?
Viola: *her eyes glint faintly at how Wellington addresses Wocky, but when he smiles and identifies himself she smiles softly in return* This is Tender Lender... ...Please... won't you come in...?
Wellington: *smiles a bit wider, stepping around Wocky (and giving him plenty of space, as if expecting the boy to lash out like an animal)* Looks like I came to the right building, then. Of course, I never get lost, so it's not surprising.
Wocky: *folds his arms across his chest, still sneering (now looking up at Wellington's back) before he closes the door. He remains silent for now -- this is important gangster business, after all*
Viola: *follows Wellington over to the giant golden desk-- there's no seat on the front end, and he'll have to stand* Cookie...? Coffee...?
Wellington: I'll have to decline. I don't eat sweets, and coffee does horrible things to teeth.
Wocky: *moves in and walks alongside Wellington,* Yo, y'should really be takin' up an offer when a lady be givin' it to ya... If you knowin' what's good for ya.
Viola: *offers the plate forward, grinning toothily* ..I insist...
Wellington: *does his best to ignore Wocky, but his smile falls as he catches sight of Viola's expression* ........I'd... really rather not... I just ate, you see......
Wocky: Hmph. *hops back up onto the edge of the desk, looking over to Viola* So Mizz Cadaverini... This be th' cracka I suppozed t' shiv?
Viola: *giggles, setting down the plate on the table-- she tilts it so that the cookies are towards Wocky* ...No... that's the next visitor. *rounds the desk, taking her seat* Mister Wellington... is just here to make a delivery. *smiling up at the convict, she speaks conversationally* How was... your stay in prison....?
Wellington: *flinches, caught off guard by her apparent knowledge of his time behind bars* It... It was an... enlightening experience, I'll say. But not a place I intend to stay in again. *places the briefcase on the table, though he doesn't remove his hands from it or open it yet*
Wocky: *reaches over and takes a cookie, starting to munch on it and looking over at the briefcase. He is a little curious about how much Wellington owes -- and what he's doing here. How much debt can a guy rack up in the pokey anyways?!*
Viola: *notices Wocky's curiosity, and smiles* Mister Wellington is part of a... group that busies themselves nearby. They can go about... unmolested... for a fee... *gestures to the briefcase* May I...?
Wellington: *watches her while she explains things to Wocky, his mouth twitching from a frown to a fake smile* ...Allow me... *unlatches the case, drawing back the lid to reveal the cash bundled inside*
Wocky: *sticks the rest of the cookie into his mouth, leaning over to look inside of the briefcase*
Viola: *glances at the carefully stacked bills, picking up a few and brushing their edges with a finger. After a moment's calculation* You're missing... seven hundred.
Wellington: *freezes, then drops his composure* W-What?? That's... ridiculous! It's all there! And anyways, it's already twice... no, at least three times more money than would even be nearly reasonable as payment!
Viola: *softly, completely unperturbed by his outburst* You came late. ...There's a late fee... charged per minute. ...There's also a penalty for... insulting my assistant... and a cookie and coffee refusal surcharge...
Viola: Oh... and today is a weekday, isn't it...? $1300.
Wocky: *shoves another cookie in his mouth and pulls his sleeves up yet again, mumbling through a mouthful of cookie* Ooks loike I bfe geffin fo meff diff guy up awmiwite??
Wellington: *holds completely still, hands on the edge of the table, staring at the woman* That........ that isn't... *his voice chokes off as he becomes speechless*
Viola: *tilts her head at the boy, smiling* ...It depends on Mister Wellington's reply...Once he finds his voice.
Wocky: *stretches a little, swallowing his mouthful of cookie. He cracks his knuckles and grins over to Wellington*
Wellington: *squeezes the edge of the table hard* That's completely unreasonable! Why should I pay that?!
Viola: *the man's behavior has apparently amused her; she turns to the side, laughing quietly into her hand*
Viola: ...Do you like fire...?
Wellington: *his face pales a bit* ...Fire?
Viola: Yes... I like the way it cackles... as it burns... *giggles quietly*
Viola: Do you like... using your hands...?
Wellington: *recoils from the table* I... I have to be somewhere. I should get going.
Viola: Little Kit... the door.
Wocky: *jumps up to his feet and quickly moves to block the door, folding his arms over his chest and scowling at Wellington*
Wellington: *he'd started to step back towards the door, but he freezes as soon as Wocky moves in his way. He glances back at Wocky, then looks again at Viola--but only for a moment before he shudders and looks away from her* A-Alright, I'll get you the money... *grimaces to himself*
Viola: *stands, rounding the desk and approaching Wellington, looming (in all of her short 5'0 glory) over the man*
Viola: ...If you want to leave here in one piece... you'll pay now.
Wellington: ............ *brings his hand up to flip his hair aside, though really he's wiping away the nervous sweat that had started to form on his forehead. He fights the urge to back away from the woman* What? But................ F-Fine! Here! *angrily takes a wad of hundred dollar bills from inside his blazer, quickly separates thirteen of them, then offers them to the women... frowning and looking away as he does so*
Viola: *takes the bills, places them into her pocket, and smiles* ...You may go...
Wocky: *watches the transaction, face still scrunched up as he tries to look tough and manly. He looks over to Viola, awaiting an order to stand down*
Viola: *nods at Wocky*
Wocky: *relaxes and steps aside from the door, nodding to Wellington*
Wellington: *takes a moment to eye Wocky with contempt before moving towards the door*
Viola: Oh... Mister Wellington...
Wellington: *freezes mid-step, shoulders tense*
Viola: See you next week... if you're... still with us...
Viola: ...Don't be late...
Wellington: *swallows, gives a quick reluctant nod, then exits before she can think of anything else to tell him*
Viola: *after the door shuts, she turns to Wocky with her small, soft smile*
Wocky: *watches Wellington leave and sticks his tongue out, blowing a loud raspberry as the door closes*
Wocky: *folds his arms over his chest and looks to Viola, puffing his chest out proudly* Aw good riddance t' that there honky!
Viola: Good work, Little Kit. *pets him on the head and reaches into her pocket, offering the folded bills over* Our next visitor is at five-thirty...
Wocky: *grins wide and accepts the money from Viola, shoving it right into his back pocket* Aw-ite! Thanks Mizz Cadaverdarini! *runs back to hop up on top of the desk, kicking his legs a bit as he eagerly waits for the next poor sap*
Wocky: *is seated on top of the desk inside the Tender Lender, choosing to spend his day “assisting” Viola at the shop. His legs dangle over the edge as he looks over to Viola with an eager grin*
Wocky: Yo Mizz Cadaverini, you know how to be rappin’ right? Diggin’ them phat beats like you donno what’s what, am I right?? Like if I be startin’ to go all freestylin’ on you, you be all over me an’ put me in my place, right?
Viola: *she's sitting at the desk and copying dubiously long numbers into a large, leatherbound ledger book. When Wocky speaks, however, she glances up. The bandages she'd acquired due to the earthquake are still wrapped around her head* ...Fat beats, Little Kit...?
Viola: I don't... rap... but I've been in a choir as a little girl...
Wocky: Aw, rappin' be simple as anythin' yo. You could do it I bet -- cos you be seein' an experiencin' a whole world a' trouble all yo life, you know what it's like on the street, yo. *starts to beatbox a bit of a tune, bobbing up and down* Yo, this what I'm talkin' bout right here...
Wocky: You had my heart, we never be worlds apart, maybe in magazine but you still be my star an' in th' dark I can see shiny cars oh~ when you need me there, I will always care~ Because---! *he looks to Viola, gesturing for her to continue*
Viola: *blinks*
Viola: *a closed fist drifts to her mouth*
Viola: Hee... Hee... Hee... oh, Little Kit. *glances down at her ledger book again, continuing her writing*
Wocky: *scrunches his face up a bit, not very happy that Viola's chosen to go back to working* Aw, c'mon Mizz Cada'verini, you gotta know this! I just want you to be standin' under my umbrella is all, y'knowwhatimsayin??
Viola: *glances up again, this time setting down the pen* No. ...What am I supposed to say... in return...?
Wocky: *his face turns back to a grin* Aw, you supposed to be all like, you could stand under my umbrella, ella, ella, eh, eh, eh *the boy starts to make a sort of "raise the roof" action with his hands* Umbrella, ella, ella, ella, eh eh eh, eh eh eh-
Viola: *stares*
Viola: *then, reciting in a faint voice that is vaguely reminiscent of chalk on nails* ...Umbrella... ...ella... ...ella... ...ella...
Wocky: *flinches juuuust slightly* Y-yeah! Like that yo. You gots it! I should... maybe be th' one who... raps more though, right?
Viola: Hee... Hee... Yes, you should be...
Wocky: *leans over to try and glance at the ledger book Viola's writing in* So... what kinda appointments you be waitin' on t'day Mizz Cadaverini?
Viola: Hmm? Oh... there's going to be someone arriving at four, to... make a payment... and then we will see the usual people come make their empty promises...
Viola: *smiling mischievously* Do you want to scare them for me, Little Kit...?
Wocky: *rolls up a sleeve of his t-shirt and grins, flexing his bicep* Sure! I can be your muscle, yo!
Viola: ...Good... *glances at her watch* It's almost four... so the first visitor will be here soon.
Wocky: *rolls up his other sleeve, quite eager to please Viola and rough up any low-lives who can't pay their dues* Damn skippy, yo! I am so pumped up for this, Mizz Cadaverinininini!!!
Viola: *with a touch of genuine sternness* Mispronounce my name once more, Little Kit... And I'm keeping your tongue.
Wocky: *frowns* Aw Mizz Cadaverinini I ain't mizpronouncin' your name! Tat's just my nickname for you cos you one of my boos, yknow??
Viola: *a meaningful stare* One of....?
Wocky: *a little flustered, Wocky scratches his chin with a finger* Yeah, see, a guy gotta have lotsa boos -- a lotta people he be callin' a friend y'know? But you be my favourite you know.
Viola: *an amused smile* ...I hope so... *taps his nose lightly with a finger* I can be a... very jealous... unreasonable... girl...
Wocky: *grins, twirling his hair around a finger* Aww Mizz Cadaverini, you ain't got no need to be worryin' with me, I treat you right girl!!
Wellington: *there's a firm knock on the door; it's two minutes past four*
Viola: *glances down at her watch, then glances at Wocky* Could you... get that...?
Wocky: *jumps down off the desk and salutes the woman* Shore thing, yo! *saunters over towards the door and opens it up* Yo yo, what it is, this be th' Tender Lender, you dig it holmes? *looks up towards the person standing there, a tough scowl on his face, trying to look like one of the Cadaverini goons*
Wellington: *stands at the doorway with a casual hand-on-hip pose (with his other hand holding a small briefcase) when the door swings open, but once he sees who greets him he blinks and pauses while narrowing his brows. Then suddenly, he straightens and stares in alarm at the boy* YOU? What are you doing here?!
Wocky: *recoils back a little and sneers up at Wellington. He pushes the baggy sleeves of his t-shirt up again, scowling* Yo when they let you outta th' big house?! Ain't you s'pozed t' be down there, gettin' prison disease from Busta White?!
Viola: *stands up, moving to the table at the side of the room for the coffee and cookies--she's listening but uninterested in contributing to the discussion*
Wellington: *glares down angrily at Wocky, but his expression becomes aghast and perplexed at the butchered language he's hearing* ........What?
Wocky: Yo! Don't you be speakin' English?! I say, are you hip t' the air I am breathin'?! What is yo scrawny azz doin' out here?!
Viola: *shows up at the entrance behind Wocky, a tray with two cookies and a cup of coffee on a saucer in her hands* .....
Wellington: *fidgets, his free hand coming to the side of his head* Shouldn't you be in school right now, learning how to speak, you little br--... *stops cold as Viola comes into view, and straightens and resumes a casual pose accompanied by a forced smile* Hello, I'm Richard Wellington. I'm seeking a... Mr. or Ms. Cadaverini...?
Viola: *her eyes glint faintly at how Wellington addresses Wocky, but when he smiles and identifies himself she smiles softly in return* This is Tender Lender... ...Please... won't you come in...?
Wellington: *smiles a bit wider, stepping around Wocky (and giving him plenty of space, as if expecting the boy to lash out like an animal)* Looks like I came to the right building, then. Of course, I never get lost, so it's not surprising.
Wocky: *folds his arms across his chest, still sneering (now looking up at Wellington's back) before he closes the door. He remains silent for now -- this is important gangster business, after all*
Viola: *follows Wellington over to the giant golden desk-- there's no seat on the front end, and he'll have to stand* Cookie...? Coffee...?
Wellington: I'll have to decline. I don't eat sweets, and coffee does horrible things to teeth.
Wocky: *moves in and walks alongside Wellington,* Yo, y'should really be takin' up an offer when a lady be givin' it to ya... If you knowin' what's good for ya.
Viola: *offers the plate forward, grinning toothily* ..I insist...
Wellington: *does his best to ignore Wocky, but his smile falls as he catches sight of Viola's expression* ........I'd... really rather not... I just ate, you see......
Wocky: Hmph. *hops back up onto the edge of the desk, looking over to Viola* So Mizz Cadaverini... This be th' cracka I suppozed t' shiv?
Viola: *giggles, setting down the plate on the table-- she tilts it so that the cookies are towards Wocky* ...No... that's the next visitor. *rounds the desk, taking her seat* Mister Wellington... is just here to make a delivery. *smiling up at the convict, she speaks conversationally* How was... your stay in prison....?
Wellington: *flinches, caught off guard by her apparent knowledge of his time behind bars* It... It was an... enlightening experience, I'll say. But not a place I intend to stay in again. *places the briefcase on the table, though he doesn't remove his hands from it or open it yet*
Wocky: *reaches over and takes a cookie, starting to munch on it and looking over at the briefcase. He is a little curious about how much Wellington owes -- and what he's doing here. How much debt can a guy rack up in the pokey anyways?!*
Viola: *notices Wocky's curiosity, and smiles* Mister Wellington is part of a... group that busies themselves nearby. They can go about... unmolested... for a fee... *gestures to the briefcase* May I...?
Wellington: *watches her while she explains things to Wocky, his mouth twitching from a frown to a fake smile* ...Allow me... *unlatches the case, drawing back the lid to reveal the cash bundled inside*
Wocky: *sticks the rest of the cookie into his mouth, leaning over to look inside of the briefcase*
Viola: *glances at the carefully stacked bills, picking up a few and brushing their edges with a finger. After a moment's calculation* You're missing... seven hundred.
Wellington: *freezes, then drops his composure* W-What?? That's... ridiculous! It's all there! And anyways, it's already twice... no, at least three times more money than would even be nearly reasonable as payment!
Viola: *softly, completely unperturbed by his outburst* You came late. ...There's a late fee... charged per minute. ...There's also a penalty for... insulting my assistant... and a cookie and coffee refusal surcharge...
Viola: Oh... and today is a weekday, isn't it...? $1300.
Wocky: *shoves another cookie in his mouth and pulls his sleeves up yet again, mumbling through a mouthful of cookie* Ooks loike I bfe geffin fo meff diff guy up awmiwite??
Wellington: *holds completely still, hands on the edge of the table, staring at the woman* That........ that isn't... *his voice chokes off as he becomes speechless*
Viola: *tilts her head at the boy, smiling* ...It depends on Mister Wellington's reply...Once he finds his voice.
Wocky: *stretches a little, swallowing his mouthful of cookie. He cracks his knuckles and grins over to Wellington*
Wellington: *squeezes the edge of the table hard* That's completely unreasonable! Why should I pay that?!
Viola: *the man's behavior has apparently amused her; she turns to the side, laughing quietly into her hand*
Viola: ...Do you like fire...?
Wellington: *his face pales a bit* ...Fire?
Viola: Yes... I like the way it cackles... as it burns... *giggles quietly*
Viola: Do you like... using your hands...?
Wellington: *recoils from the table* I... I have to be somewhere. I should get going.
Viola: Little Kit... the door.
Wocky: *jumps up to his feet and quickly moves to block the door, folding his arms over his chest and scowling at Wellington*
Wellington: *he'd started to step back towards the door, but he freezes as soon as Wocky moves in his way. He glances back at Wocky, then looks again at Viola--but only for a moment before he shudders and looks away from her* A-Alright, I'll get you the money... *grimaces to himself*
Viola: *stands, rounding the desk and approaching Wellington, looming (in all of her short 5'0 glory) over the man*
Viola: ...If you want to leave here in one piece... you'll pay now.
Wellington: ............ *brings his hand up to flip his hair aside, though really he's wiping away the nervous sweat that had started to form on his forehead. He fights the urge to back away from the woman* What? But................ F-Fine! Here! *angrily takes a wad of hundred dollar bills from inside his blazer, quickly separates thirteen of them, then offers them to the women... frowning and looking away as he does so*
Viola: *takes the bills, places them into her pocket, and smiles* ...You may go...
Wocky: *watches the transaction, face still scrunched up as he tries to look tough and manly. He looks over to Viola, awaiting an order to stand down*
Viola: *nods at Wocky*
Wocky: *relaxes and steps aside from the door, nodding to Wellington*
Wellington: *takes a moment to eye Wocky with contempt before moving towards the door*
Viola: Oh... Mister Wellington...
Wellington: *freezes mid-step, shoulders tense*
Viola: See you next week... if you're... still with us...
Viola: ...Don't be late...
Wellington: *swallows, gives a quick reluctant nod, then exits before she can think of anything else to tell him*
Viola: *after the door shuts, she turns to Wocky with her small, soft smile*
Wocky: *watches Wellington leave and sticks his tongue out, blowing a loud raspberry as the door closes*
Wocky: *folds his arms over his chest and looks to Viola, puffing his chest out proudly* Aw good riddance t' that there honky!
Viola: Good work, Little Kit. *pets him on the head and reaches into her pocket, offering the folded bills over* Our next visitor is at five-thirty...
Wocky: *grins wide and accepts the money from Viola, shoving it right into his back pocket* Aw-ite! Thanks Mizz Cadaverdarini! *runs back to hop up on top of the desk, kicking his legs a bit as he eagerly waits for the next poor sap*