((SCENE: Dee and Wellington))
Wellington: *During free hour in the afternoon, Wellington makes his way towards the library. He enters, at first not paying attention to the other occupants, but as he's passing one chair, he realizes the person sitting in it is a woman, and a familiar one. He smiles, then sits across the table from her, and waits for her to notice him.*
Dee: *Dee sits at the table, idly thumbing through the pages of a sizable, old novel in her hands. Her expression is as bored and neutral as always; although she looks more attentive now that she has a book in her hands. When she notices someone has sat down near her, she looks up, recognizing the newcomer after wrestling with her memory*
Dee: Ah, Mr. Wellington. Good afternoon.
Wellington: Hello, Ms.... Vasquez, am I correct? *smiles wider* What a pleasure to see you today. I come here often to fill my thirst for knowledge, but I wouldn't mind granting you my company for today.
Dee: Indeed. *Dee nods affirmatively, confirming Wellington's question. At his next comment, she gestures to an empty chair next to her* Well, you are free to sit, if you'd like. *after a moment, she murmurs,* I didn't know you visited this library often, Mr. Wellington.
Wellington: *Obliges, moving to take the seat closer to her, then crosses his legs and assumes a relaxed but dignified pose* I do, but perhaps we have just been too absorbed in our books to notice each other until now. What a shame. *smiles and flips his hair out of his face*
Dee: Hm. *Dee closes her book thoughtfully so she can turn her full attention to Wellington, inclining her head in his direction* Yes, I haven't seen you for a while. *Some part of her does recognize the fact Wellington looks and acts different, more confidently, from the first time she met him. She hadn't read his journal post* How -have- you been?
Wellington: *looks at her for a moment, then blinks as he realizes what she must be thinking about* Oh... well, I can say that I am far better than before. ...Miss Vasquez, please don't confuse me with how I was the last time we met. Circumstances were... unbefitting. I assure you I am presently a different man. A better man. *smirks at her*
Dee: *Dee's expression is at first subtly skeptical; in the absence of her pipe she fidgets compulsively with her right hand, thumbing the corner of the leather-bound book in her hands. However, she decides to take Wellington's words as he states them, and if anything goes from suspicious to outright objectionable, she'll stop such occurrences cold.
Dee: After a moment of consideration, she responds,* Your change of demeanor is definitely noticeable, Mr. Wellington... *Dee maintains her aloof air* What was the precursor to this change to this "better man?"
Wellington: It was simple enough. I merely remembered what was important. *tilts his head, eying the book she's holding* If I may ask, what are you reading?
Dee: *Dee accepts this answer as it is, nodding. At his inquiry about what she's reading, she examines the book for a moment* It is a collection of Oscar Wilde's poems. *Mr. von Karma's delivery, of course* You are familiar with him?
Wellington: Oscar Wilde? *leans towards her slightly so he can see the book better* Ah, of course I've heard of him. ...I can relate myself to the man. He was often attacked for his appreciation of beautiful design and fashion, and for the deserved scorn he had of the crude so-called "masculine" ideals. His works are quite good. I hadn't seen that book you're holding in here before, maybe I'll read it when you're finished.
Dee: *At this detailed description, Dee nods in what looks like approval, her painted lips curving in a surprisingly genuine, small smile. She's somewhat convinced, at least, that this appreciation wasn't rehearsed* Very good, Mr. Wellington. It's good to see another of some culture in this otherwise stagnant prison.
Dee: *Probably one of the closest examples to a bona fide compliment witnessed during her incarceration, but then again, among those in her cell block, there are only a few individuals who she considers worthy of such words*
Wellington: Heh. I can say the same. I was starting to think this place and its occupants were completely dry of any semblance of class.
Dee: *Dee fidgets with her right hand again* Hm. I am glad to prove you wrong there, then.
Wellington: Perhaps I'll be seeing more of you in the library, then. From now on I'll keep an eye out for you. People of our status should stick together in a place like this.
Dee: *At this, Dee can't help but smile slightly, looking rather pleased* Likewise, Mr. Wellington. I'm to be released from the prison by July 12th, but it would be enjoyable to spend more time with a civilized person such as yourself. If you're interested in seeing me for more intelligent discussion, you know where to find me.
Wellington: Released? *his expression falls* In... a few days? From death row?
Dee: On parole. *Dee explains*
Wellington: How do you get on parole from death row? *realizes he's been talking louder and lowers his voice* Like that man who was released not long ago. Nobody ever explained it.
Dee: *Dee raises her eyebrow at Wellington's increase in volume, but returns to her rather indifferent expression once he returns to a normal speaking voice* That, I have no idea. It helps that I'm not on death row, Mr. Wellington. My crime was ruled as self-defense.
Dee: *after a moment, she asks,* By 'that man,' you mean Mr. Armando?
Wellington: *leans back in his chair and runs a few fingers through his hair* Oh, I see. You're one of the ones put on the death row block because of overcrowding in the other sectors. *nods* Yes. All I know is he disappeared one day. Not that I'm complaining. *frowns*
Dee: That is correct. *Dee nods, then frowns slightly at Wellington's next remark. Not that she's about to object - she and Diego weren't very close, after all. However, he was nothing short of civil to her, but he did seem to have his fair share of enemies in the cell block, so this doesn't come as very surprising* Hm. I don't suppose you two were on very good terms.
Wellington: He was just a brute who didn't know when to keep his mouth shut. *sighs for a moment, then glances again at her book, and erases the frown with another smirk* But why talk about those who are gone? You are only here a few more days, it would please me to hear more about yourself.
Dee: Hm. He did seem to have his fair share of enemies in this prison. *Dee murmurs, not at all concerned by Wellington's obvious animosity toward Diego. The feuds and needless bickering occurring amidst the prisoners is not her concern, she is not some shameless tabloid-vulture. Regardless of her indifference, Dee is rather thankful that the subject quickly changes to a more pleasant topic.*
Dee: *she pauses thoughtfully* There is not a lot to say, but I suppose I'll start with a relevant question, to make sure. *Dee inclines her head* Are you familiar with the Steel Samurai?
Wellington: Samurai? You mean... that television show Engarde is always bragging about? ...I can't say I've seen it. I don't have much time for television, you see.
Dee: *Dee is slightly intrigued by Wellington's slight, resentful emphasis on Matt's last name, but decides to disregard the topic for the moment* You have the gist of it. I was the producer for Global Studios; particularly the Steel Samurai, until I wound up here.
Wellington: A producer? I had no idea you were in the filming industry. How glamorous. *resumes his coy smile* Have you worked on any other projects?
Dee: No, not especially... *Dee murmurs, tapping her finger against the table; another compulsive gesture compensating for the absence of her pipe* However, my sister works in independent film making. She directs.
Dee: I'm hoping that once I'm released from prison, I'll work on some more... diverse projects. Children's shows are profitable, but monotonous.
Wellington: *his expression sobers slightly* ...So you made plans for when you're outside the prison, then? Hm... *looks away for a moment, then resumes eye contact with her* If I may ask, what else will you do when you're free? Maybe... getting things you've wanted but couldn't obtain in these grounds...?
Dee: Not quite. *Dee murmurs contemplatively,* I have little else planned. Most of what I do have planned rests on whether or not Global will take me back. If not, I might enter my sister's business. *Dee acknowledges she does have the necessary "connections" to give herself a boost. After a moment, she eyes Wellington, arching an eyebrow* Explain, Mr. Wellington?
Wellington: Hmn. *brushes his bangs back, though they just fall forward again right away* I'd... like to know what it's like. The judge decided he'd rather see me in a noose than outside these walls at the end of my sentence, you see. So I haven't seriously thought about what I'd do if I were released. It would be a waste of time.
Dee: *At this, Dee frowns slightly, and she "hmm"s indecisively* My sympathies, Mr. Wellington. *Distantly, Dee recalls that Wellington had admitted he had killed a man during their last meeting. However, he apparently didn't recall the circumstances of the crime*
Wellington: *shakes his head, then looks up to see a guard approaching the two* Hm. I guess the hour is up... *eyes the man disdainfully, then rises from his chair, and smiles at Dee* It was a pleasure talking to you, Ms. Vasquez. Perhaps I'll see you again before you are released.
Dee: *Dee notices the guard out of the corner of her peripheral vision, nearly sighing. Along with Wellington, she climbs out of her chair, gathering the book up, then nods to Wellington* It was a pleasure talking to you, too, Mr. Wellington. As I said, it's good to see someone of class in this derelict pit.
Wellington: *smiles a little wider at the compliment, obviously pleased by it* Thank you, Ms. Vasquez. May I walk you to your cell?
Dee: *Dee ponders this request, then nods* I don't see why not.
Wellington: *glances at the guard again, then falls into step alongside the woman as they make their way back to the death row block*