[GSRP 2.5] [SCENE] Franziska and Phoenix in "Duel at High Noon"
Wright: *It's a beautiful summer afternoon. And, as seems to be the norm as of late, Phoenix doesn't have any place in particular to be. He doesn't have any piano gigs lined up (that he can remember), and with the jurist system files sent off to Chief Prosecutor Miles Edgeworth, there's no actual work he can absorb himself in either. The ex-attorney decides to do what he generally does in such a situation-- he opts to go out wandering, possibly to chat up an old acquaintance or two along the way.
Wright: *His journey on this particular day takes him to West Pico Boulevard. When Phoenix reaches one particular corner he stops for a few moments, glancing around. On the side of the street he is standing on is the recently opened Boy Howdy, and on the opposite side of the road is the good ol' Rusty Gust. He weighs his options briefly, before habit takes over and he crosses at the intersection to enter the slightly more traditional saloon*
Franziska: *At the same time, Franziska is in a taxi cab, on her way to a cafe she likes to frequent whenever she's in the country. She's casually glancing out the window when that distinctly bright blue hoodie with bright pink lettering catches her eye. Sure enough, it's that Phoenix Wright entering the Rusty Gust. She commands the driver:* Stop right here!
Franziska: *The taxi abruptly pulls aside to the sidewalk and comes to a screeching halt. She's already got her hand on the door handle* Don't go anywhere. I will be brief. *exits the cab and looks both ways before briskly crossing the street, heading over to the saloon*
Wright: *pushes his way past the set of swinging double doors, and immediately wanders over to the bar counter. There, he gives a glance about the room before looking lazily to Kate, who is cleaning up glasses in her usual spot* Boss not working today?
Kate: *looks up at him with a regretful look* Naw. Just missed 'im, pardner. Came in 'bout a quarter past but soon enough he was back on the trail again. He's too hell-fired into his other job to get any work done here anymore.
Wright: ...Other job? *leans his elbows on the counter and cocks an eyebrow* What's this, now?
Kate: Didn't he tell ya? *puts a hand on her hip with a small, cute grin* Full time cowboy, part time private eye. He's workin' for one Miss Lana Skye now -- and you know he has a sweet on for her.
Wright: *gives a whistle, shaking his head* Well, I never. Those two together again? It seems like I've been away from the Gust for too long.
Kate: *grins* Well, if ya gussy up and plead your case, you may still have a chance to win 'im over! *laughs*
Wright: It's too late; I'll just have to come to terms with it, it seems. *chuckles, then gives a small sigh* Got a bottle of grape juice I can drown my sorrows in?
Kate: *takes two steps to the fridge and takes out a 355 ml glass bottle of some local grape juice. She slides it over to him* Don't hit it too hard, sug. Still plenty of fish in the sea.
Wright: So there are. *takes the bottle and has a long, slow sip of it*
Franziska: *steps through the swinging saloon doors, her heels clicking against the wooden floor boards. When she speaks, it's loud and clear with no hint of warmth* Phoenix Wright.
Kate: *stares at Fran a little* *to Phoenix* See what I mean?
Wright: *to Kate, without even having turned around yet* I see. *and then he turns, saluting the newly arrived prosecutor with his bottle of grape juice* Franziska von Karma. How long has it been-- four, five years?
Franziska: *steps towards him with a stern look on her face and stops by the stool next to his. She holds her whip taut in front of her* And how low you've sunk during that time. The nerve of you to appear before me like this!
Wright: *this exclamation gives him pause; it actually takes a moment before his mouth quirks in a smile* Yeah, what nerve. *takes a sip of his drink* ...It really has been a while. I'd forgotten how peculiar your sense of humor is.
Franziska: *frowns* I am not fooling around. *to demonstrate, she hits the whip against the counter with a loud crack* Is this how you spend your days now? Sitting in a foul-smelling bar with the rest of society's lowlifes?!
Kate: No offense taken! *with an amused look, she goes off to occupy herself*
Wright: *watches Kate leave--not exactly with a look of despair, but... with another small sigh. He tilts his head, resting his chin on his free hand, and keeping his elbow on the counter * And if I am?
Franziska: *puts a hand to her chest, appalled* How can you be so carefree about it? Have you forgotten where you were five years ago?
Wright: *glances off into the distance, humming out thoughtfully* Drowning my sorrows in a beautiful woman's arms. I preferred it to the drink, to be honest. *a sip* It's been well over six years since I was disbarred.
Franziska: *crosses her arms* I've heard from Miles. You've since given up your search for "the truth"...?
Wright: It's been six years. What kind of person would I be, if I kept on chasing something that probably doesn't exist? *doesn't wait for her to answer--he swirls the liquid in the bottle he's holding, leaning towards her* ...Say. I haven't eaten yet--want to join me for lunch?
Franziska: Hmph... *puts her arms down* I was on my way to lunch before you lured me in here. I'm not in the mood for a cheap steak.
Wright: Then a cheap salad? Fajitas? *reaches out and grabs one of the menus, opening it and offering it to her* I used to work here--it's all pretty good stuff.
Franziska: I remember. *glances down at the menu before taking it in one hand, glaring at him* As I said, I'm not interested.
Wright: Come on. *grins cheerfully* If you're worried about the price, I'd be happy to cover it for you.
Franziska: ...Hah. *for the first time, the corners of her lips goes up--albeit in a smirk* You're offering to buy me lunch?
Wright: Sure, if you'll dine with me. *sip*
Franziska: *whips the counter again and holds her weapon tightly between her hands* Your can't fool me, Phoenix Wright. I know how empty your wallet is. Don't try and pretend as though you can afford it! *holds out her hand dramatically* I'll be the one to pay for both meals!
Wright: *doesn't jump at all the whip activity--instead, he chuckles strongly, enough that he has to set down his drink* Are... are you sure about that?
Franziska: A foolish fool of a man who can't even pay for a lady's meal at a foolish restaurant... I take pity on you. *scans the menu again* But I don't see anything worth my palate here.
Wright: Does lunch have to be such a challenge? *considers for a moment, watching her carefully* You've been here before, right? Have you had the chili?
Franziska: No, I haven't. I'm not one for consuming large amounts of ground meat.
Wright: *scratches at some stubble on his chin* This one's pretty good, but it's hot. So much so that the saloon offers it free if you finish it under six minutes. *glances off vaguely* But I doubt you'd be interested in that...
Wright: *a pause* Even Edgeworth only barely made it in time.
Franziska: *predictably, this visibly piques her interest. She glances up from the menu* Miles did what?
Wright: He downed an entire helping of chili and its bread bowl in under six minutes. *still staring off into space* I was there for it. He baaarely made it, but now he can proudly consider himself a winner of the Challenge. *glances back at her, and grins*
Franziska: Six minutes... *tries to imagine Edgeworth achieving such a thing, but is having a hard time* You can't be serious.
Wright: Do I look like I'm joking? *...he sort of does, in fact* Well, I guess we can call it at least one thing that Edgeworth's got you beat on.
Franziska: *slams the menu down on the counter and addresses a passing waitress with a determined look* Waitress. Two bowls of the six-minute chili for me and this slovenly man. *gives Phoenix a haughty smile* I challenge you to a duel...Phoenix Wright!
Wright: *for the first time, there's something like doubt in his expression. He chuckles a little* Hey, hey hold it-- I didn't agree to any duel.
Franziska: I won't agree to lunch with you...*rests her hand on her hip* But I'll agree to a duel. That's fair, isn't it?
Wright: *sighs* Yeah, yeah. That's fair. Just let me tell the bartender to have an ambulance on standby. *pulls the bar stool closest to her a bit closer to him, and pats it*
Franziska: *promptly seats herself, setting her whip down on the counter top*
Kate: What can I get for you to drink there, hon?
Franziska: *gives Kate an odd look* ...I will have a bottled water. *to Phoenix* What's the matter? Thinking of giving up already?
Wright: *sets down his finished bottle of grape juice* And a glass of milk for me, please. Extra tall. *grins at Franziska* What, do you really think I can't beat you at this, Ms. Prosecutor?
Franziska: *a confident smirk* Naturally. You have yet to beat me at anything so far.
Wright: Hey, I distinctly remember-- *there's a flicker of challenge in his eyes for the briefest of moments, but it fades when he pauses and chuckles* Well, who knows. Maybe this will be the first time.
Franziska: There are no "maybes" when it comes to the inevitable victory of a Von Karma!
Kate: *gives Franziska and Phoenix their drinks as ordered. The waitress also comes back and sets down two steaming bowls of spicy chili con carne in front of them. Kate already has a stopwatch in her hand, watching them both*
Wright: *grabs the spoon, adjusts his bread bowl, and tilts his head at Franziska* Whenever you're ready.
Franziska: *picks up the spoon, sitting perfectly poised on the bar stool. She's eyeing the hot chili like a predator as she says to Kate:* Begin.
Kate: *holding up the stop watch* Ready set...start eatin'!
Franziska: *immediately dips the spoon into the chili and takes one bite, two bites...*
Wright: *doesn't do anything at all but watch her*
Franziska: *...and three bites is all it takes for her to put down the spoon and physically recoil from the chili before grabbing the bottle of water, opening it and taking a long drink. She sets it down properly and finally reacts, aghast:* Wh-what is this absurd manner of flavouring?!
Wright: I don't know; I was never able to find out the recipe. *sighs out, takes another gulp of milk, then brings a spoonful of chili to his mouth. He manages to swallow it... but only after several seconds, and in the most visibly pained manner possible* A... augh. *takes another swig of milk immediately afterwards*
Franziska: *wipes her mouth with a napkin and twists it in her clenched fists as she glares at him* This country has no appreciation for the art of subtlety!
Wright: It's... it's a chili eating contest. What did you expect? *dabs at a few beads of sweat that have already started to form on his brow, then takes another wimpy spoonful of chili*
Franziska: *his spoonful is interrupted by a lash from her whip against his shoulder -- she holds it taut above her head in a threatening stance* If pain is what you're looking for, I'd be happy to provide it!
Wright: *yelps with his mouth full, and struggles to swallow the substance down before he scowls at her* Ow. Hey, hey, cheating! Kate, dock her a minute.
Kate: *holds out a hand between Franziska and Phoenix* Hold your fire there, Calamity Jane. No whippin' my customers allowed, y'hear?
Wright: *raises an eyebrow at Franziska as he takes his upteenth sip of milk since starting this "duel"*
Franziska: *gives Kate a short look and lowers her arms* *disdainfully* This can hardly be considered edible. I refuse to engage in this ridiculous game any further.
Kate: *amused* All right. *to Phoenix* What about yourself?
Wright: *smirks, wiping his mouth with his hoodie sleeve* I know I can't beat the challenge... but I can beat her. *and with a wince in advance, he takes his third bite of chili*
Franziska: Wh-what? *watches Phoenix in surprise -- it's clear she's bothered*
Wright: *with food still in his mouth* Wha? I mean what I said. *swallows, and reaches for the milk again*
Franziska: *slams her fist down on the counter top* You stop that this instant, Phoenix Wright! This duel is over!
Wright: No, it's over after I take this last bite. *and he scoops a spoonful and brings it up to his mouth with a smirk*
Franziska: *before that spoonful can reach his lips, Phoenix is interrupted by a strike to his lower arm delivered by Franziska's whip*
Franziska: You-- *two more to his shoulder* --don't have the liberty-- *a big one to his side* --to exercise authority-- *three to his back* --anywhere. Do I make myself clear?! *grabs the end of the whip with a tug*
Wright: *when the first lash flicks against his skin, Phoenix yelps again, in a manner wonderfully reminiscent of the old days. He struggles to move the last bite of chili to his mouth despite that, but the lashes to his shoulder cause him to drop the spoon onto the bar counter. The heavy hit to his side causes him to sprawl onto the counter himself with a heavy thud, and the next four hits are essentially overkill; he'd already passed out at that point. The entire sequence is over in a few moments, and despite the violence is in fact quite humorous to behold-especially when his slumped form slips onto the floor*
Kate: *cross* Hey! What did I say about--
Franziska: *saves her last lash for the bar counter before looping her whip* Don't worry; this won't happen again. *looks down upon Phoenix with irritation...but there's some satisfaction behind that, too* Not unless he needs another reminder.
Franziska: *takes out her wallet and hands Kate a twenty dollar bill* You can keep the change. This chili challenge of yours was rather...fun. *walks away with a smile and exits the saloon to return to the cab waiting outside*
Wright: *after a few minutes pass, he groans from his place on the floor. The groan is followed by an expletive... and then a laugh*
Kate: *holds onto the brim of her cowboy hat and peers over the counter top* You all right down there?
Wright: Yeah... ugh, I'm fine. No worries. She left already, huh? *sits up, tugs down his hat... then laughs again* Well, I guess we can call it a tie.