[SCENE] Phoenix and Trucy in: Getting a New Daddy
((backdated to May 13, 2019--the day Trucy goes to live with Phoenix))
Phoenix: *it's been two weeks since his disbarment, and yet Phoenix still comes to his office every day. It isn't necessarily out of habit, or because he has a specific duty in mind--it just doesn't feel right not to. As he approaches that morning with keys in hand, however, he's greeted by a surprise: an unexpected visitor, sitting just outside the door.*
Trucy: *after her escape from Edgeworth at Gatewaterland, she wanted to go someplace she would feel safe. She knew she couldn't go home because that would be the first place the police would look for her. That, and it was completely empty. She couldn't bear to stay in that place all alone. Uncle Valant was in jail as far as she knew, and she didn't particularly want to intrude upon anyone she knew at school. Then she remembered what her father had said about Phoenix Wright, his lawyer, and through much trial and error found herself sitting in front of his door in the hopes he showed up*
Phoenix: *surprised, Phoenix stops dead for a long moment and just stares at her as if he's imagining things. At last he comes forward and crouches in front of her.* Trucy? What are you doing here?
Trucy: *looks up at him and forces a small smile* I'm sorry to bother you Mr. Attorney.
Phoenix: N-No, it's all right. *He glances around, wondering if she's really alone...?* I didn't expect to see you like this. Are you all right?
Trucy: I'm really alone, Mr. Attorney.... And I'm fine. Are you okay? *stands up and brushes specks of dust off her dress*
Phoenix: Me? Of course. *He smiles as he stands and fiddles with his keys.* Let's go inside. I bet I can find a snack for you, if you're hungry.
Trucy: *nods* Okay. I am a little hungry.
Phoenix: *he unlocks the office and lets them inside* Here we are. What do you feel like? I think I have some granola bars. *He starts opening random drawers and unearths a half-eaten bag of chips and some gummy worms.*
Trucy: *follows him inside and looks around the office with mild curiosity. Her eyes eventually fall on the window and she sees the Gatewater Hotel. She remembers that her dad played there once...* Um, the gummy worms are fine. Thank you.
Phoenix: Oh, okay. *He hands them over and then takes a seat on the couch. He motions for her to join him.* I'm glad to see you again Trucy, but...can I ask why you're here?
Trucy: *takes the package and carefully tears it open, picking out a green one. She puts it in her mouth as she sits beside him. She knew that he would ask that question sooner or later, but she was hoping it was sooner, rather than later. How to answer his question: honesty or deceit? He certainly wouldn't pick up her dishonesty, he wasn't special like her. She chewed slower to think over her answer*
Trucy: *in the end she decides honesty is the best policy* I really didn't have anywhere else to go. The police kept trying to call child... child services, and I don't want to go with them. I ran away from Mr. Pink Suit at Gatewaterland.
Phoenix: Mr. Pink Suit.. *winces, and decides not to go there* I did look up your family after the trial. You don't have any other relatives, huh? Aunts, cousins...?
Trucy: Nope. Just Uncle Valant, but....
Phoenix: *he fights back another wince* Um, I don't think Uncle Valant can help right now.. *He looks away, disgusted with the idea of a little girl being in the care of a possible murderer. But without other family... A thought comes to him then, in all likelihood a bad idea, but once in his brain he can't shake it, and he looks back to Trucy slowly.*
Phoenix: Trucy...how would you feel about staying with me for a while?
Trucy: I don't think he likes me anyway. Not really. I mean he pretends to like, me but--*pauses when she realizes what Phoenix is implying*
Trucy: Stay with you?
Phoenix: Yeah. *He brightens.* You don't want to go to an orphanage, right? And if your dad comes back...he'll know just where to find you. Because you'll be with me. *He touches her shoulder* What do you think?
Trucy: *mumbles to herself* My dad might not be special like me, but he was right about him.
Trucy: *to Phoenix* My daddy said I could trust you, Mr. Attorney. I think he was right. If it's not too much trouble, I'll stay with you.
Phoenix: Good! *Grins, even if part of him is suddenly wondering "What did I just do!?" He gives her back a pat* I know it'll be a little weird at first, but...we'll just both have to do our best. Right?
Trucy: *smiles, a real smile this time* Right.
Phoenix: *her smile somehow catches him off guard, making his chest feel tight. He takes a deep breath.* Right. Wow. Okay, so, we're going to need to get you some things, right? Your clothes, your toys...some kid-appropriate food. A little girl ought to have a room of her own, too.
Trucy: It's okay, Mr. Attorney, I don't need a lot.
Phoenix: Well no, not a lot. *He smirks.* You're still pretty small. But if we're living together I've got to look out for you. *He glances around at the office, which deflates his good mood a little.* Starting with a new job, maybe...
Trucy: *follows his glance around the office* You have a lot of space. Why not turn it into an agency. "Agency" definitely sounds better than "Office."
Phoenix: Agency? *looks to her curiously* What do you mean?
Trucy: You know... like a talent agency.
Phoenix: *chuckles* A talent agency, huh. Don't you kind of need talent to run something like that?
Trucy: You have me, silly.
Phoenix: Ahhh...of course. *He's mostly humoring her, but she's just so darn cute* You're a magician. But have you really performed before?
Trucy: *nods* I've played at the Wonder Bar!
Phoenix: Oh, wow. All right, then. A talent agency it is. *Even if he's not entirely serious, just accepting the idea that the office is no longer one of law threatens to sober him again. He gives himself a shake.* But that means I have to find a talent, too. What do you think? Could I make it as a magician?
Trucy: *a smile plays on her lips, but its one of amusement* I don't think so, Mr. Attorney.
Phoenix: No? *he drops his shoulders in exaggerated disappointment* Not even as an assistant?
Trucy: *thinks for a minute* Maybe an assistant.... But I already kind of have one...
Phoenix: Huh? You do? *winces* You don't mean Uncle Valant, do you?
Trucy: *shakes her head* Nope. He's part of my act!
Phoenix: *frowns in confusion.* Then...who is it?
Trucy: *reaches under her cape, and out pops a furled up pink cape on a wooden stick; it bounces down and then propels back up. As it comes back up the cape begins to unfurl, and an arm emerges out from beneath the fabric. The hand grabs Trucy's hat (with a little push from Trucy herself), and out pops a log-like head for the hat to sit on. When all is said and done, there is a giant, wooden, mustachioed puppet in a magician's get-up staring soullessly at Phoenix with puppet-master Trucy smiling happily about revealing her trick*
Phoenix: *he lurches back in alarm* Wh-What the heck is that!? *As he stares he realizes it bears something of a resemblance to Zak Gramarye.*
Mr. Hat: *Trucy projects her voice onto the puppet using amateur ventriloquy* Hey folks, it's Mr. Hat! I gotta say it's good to be seen! *The girl moves the puppets mouth up and down via a mechanism behind her back*
Trucy: The Amazing Mr. Hat! Isn't he great? *grins happily, glad she can finally show it off to someone other than her father (and well, the court Bailiff, but he didn't really count)*
Phoenix: *when his surprise wears off, he's better able to take the whole trick in. He's honestly impressed, and it shows in a broad grin.* Wow! That's really something. Did you make that yourself?
Trucy: *nods* My daddy helped me make it, but it was my idea!
Phoenix: That's great! Not that I doubted you were a great magician. *He gives her hat a playful tap* I guess a talent agency is the way to go after all.
Trucy: Yaaaaaaaay! *bounces up and down*
Mr. Hat: We'll be the best talent agency with me there!
Phoenix: *chuckles, and stands.* This place is going to need a lot of work, first. *He glances around, and though at first he's just humoring her, another possibly bad idea sinks in. His brow furrows.*
Trucy: *frowns with him* What's wrong, Mr. Attorney? *brightens a little* You should tell me and Mr. Hat what it is!
Mr. Hat: You can tell us, Mr. Attorney. I'm a good listener.
Phoenix: Hm? Oh, I was just thinking...this office is actually pretty big. There's even another room we never used except for storage... Do you like it here?
Trucy: *looks around again* Yeah, the place is cool.
Phoenix: Good. *nods to himself. He still can't decide if he's gone crazy or not, but when he looks at Trucy, he feels suddenly that he's doing the right thing. Then he remembers* Hey, um... Mr. Pink suit doesn't know you're here, right? Does anyone?
Trucy: Nope. They're still looking for me at Gatewaterland.
Phoenix: *he crouches down in front of her.* There's something I want you to do for me. You know how to use the internet, right? I saw your journal.
Trucy: *nods* Yup. My daddy taught me how to use it.
Phoenix: Good. See, I'm sure Mr. Pink...um, Edgeworth is worried about you. But if he finds out you're with me, he might have to send you to the orphanage. *He lowers his voice seriously* It's not good to lie, but...just this once; I want you to tell him online that you're okay and with a good daddy now. That way he'll stop looking for you--ah, stop worrying. Get it? *he winks*
Trucy: *is quiet for a minute, thinking over everything Phoenix just said. She doesn't like to lie (especially since she can pretty much see through most lies herself), but she can tell that telling the truth would be bad in this situation.* How come if I say I'm staying with you, he'll send me away? Is he mad at you or something?
Phoenix: Ahh... *He flushes and rubs his nose* Well, sort of. But it's really because the law says you're supposed to go to an orphanage. Then they decide who should be your new daddy. But we're just gonna...skip that part, for now.
Trucy: Oh... I don't want to go to an orphanage. *She's beginning to really like Phoenix, and she wants to stay with him* All right. I'll do it. *Thinks for a minute* Can I talk about the talent agency, too?
Phoenix: Of course! Just ah...let's do appointments over the internet instead of in person for a while, too. Just in case. Can't be giving our address out until the agency's ready for clients anyway.
Trucy: Right! It will be a while before the agency will be ready anyway.
Phoenix: Exactly. Speaking of which, maybe we should get started. *He rolls up his sleeves* I know cleaning's not much fun, but it'll go by fast if we do it together, right?
Trucy: *looks between Phoenix and the office* Mr. Attorney have you ever cleaned this place? *Mr. Hat disappears back to wherever it was he came from behind her cape*
Phoenix: O-Of course I have! Not in a while, but... *He straightens up.* Hey Trucy, you know, you don't have to call me Mr. Attorney. Why don't you just call me "Phoenix"?
Trucy: Mr. Phoenix?
Phoenix: *chuckles* No, just Phoenix. Or, you know, Uncle Phoenix...or even Daddy, if you want. You know, temporarily.
Trucy: ...You sure I can call you daddy?
Phoenix: *he hadn't really thought she would go for it; he scratches the back of his neck awkwardly.* You don't have to, of course...! I'm just looking out for you until your real daddy gets back. But if you want to, I don't mind. It's up to you--call me whatever you want.
Trucy: *has been incredibly lonely since her original father, the only person she could really call family (Grandpa Maginifi really didn't count) had left. Maybe if she called the attorney daddy, like a game, she'd feel better. It couldn't possibly hurt. She smiles and takes off her leather gloves* What do you need me to clean, daddy?
Phoenix: *even having suggested it, he's a little caught off guard when she actually calls him Daddy. It's a mysterious feeling, but he smiles.* Let's start with the bathroom.
Phoenix: *it's been two weeks since his disbarment, and yet Phoenix still comes to his office every day. It isn't necessarily out of habit, or because he has a specific duty in mind--it just doesn't feel right not to. As he approaches that morning with keys in hand, however, he's greeted by a surprise: an unexpected visitor, sitting just outside the door.*
Trucy: *after her escape from Edgeworth at Gatewaterland, she wanted to go someplace she would feel safe. She knew she couldn't go home because that would be the first place the police would look for her. That, and it was completely empty. She couldn't bear to stay in that place all alone. Uncle Valant was in jail as far as she knew, and she didn't particularly want to intrude upon anyone she knew at school. Then she remembered what her father had said about Phoenix Wright, his lawyer, and through much trial and error found herself sitting in front of his door in the hopes he showed up*
Phoenix: *surprised, Phoenix stops dead for a long moment and just stares at her as if he's imagining things. At last he comes forward and crouches in front of her.* Trucy? What are you doing here?
Trucy: *looks up at him and forces a small smile* I'm sorry to bother you Mr. Attorney.
Phoenix: N-No, it's all right. *He glances around, wondering if she's really alone...?* I didn't expect to see you like this. Are you all right?
Trucy: I'm really alone, Mr. Attorney.... And I'm fine. Are you okay? *stands up and brushes specks of dust off her dress*
Phoenix: Me? Of course. *He smiles as he stands and fiddles with his keys.* Let's go inside. I bet I can find a snack for you, if you're hungry.
Trucy: *nods* Okay. I am a little hungry.
Phoenix: *he unlocks the office and lets them inside* Here we are. What do you feel like? I think I have some granola bars. *He starts opening random drawers and unearths a half-eaten bag of chips and some gummy worms.*
Trucy: *follows him inside and looks around the office with mild curiosity. Her eyes eventually fall on the window and she sees the Gatewater Hotel. She remembers that her dad played there once...* Um, the gummy worms are fine. Thank you.
Phoenix: Oh, okay. *He hands them over and then takes a seat on the couch. He motions for her to join him.* I'm glad to see you again Trucy, but...can I ask why you're here?
Trucy: *takes the package and carefully tears it open, picking out a green one. She puts it in her mouth as she sits beside him. She knew that he would ask that question sooner or later, but she was hoping it was sooner, rather than later. How to answer his question: honesty or deceit? He certainly wouldn't pick up her dishonesty, he wasn't special like her. She chewed slower to think over her answer*
Trucy: *in the end she decides honesty is the best policy* I really didn't have anywhere else to go. The police kept trying to call child... child services, and I don't want to go with them. I ran away from Mr. Pink Suit at Gatewaterland.
Phoenix: Mr. Pink Suit.. *winces, and decides not to go there* I did look up your family after the trial. You don't have any other relatives, huh? Aunts, cousins...?
Trucy: Nope. Just Uncle Valant, but....
Phoenix: *he fights back another wince* Um, I don't think Uncle Valant can help right now.. *He looks away, disgusted with the idea of a little girl being in the care of a possible murderer. But without other family... A thought comes to him then, in all likelihood a bad idea, but once in his brain he can't shake it, and he looks back to Trucy slowly.*
Phoenix: Trucy...how would you feel about staying with me for a while?
Trucy: I don't think he likes me anyway. Not really. I mean he pretends to like, me but--*pauses when she realizes what Phoenix is implying*
Trucy: Stay with you?
Phoenix: Yeah. *He brightens.* You don't want to go to an orphanage, right? And if your dad comes back...he'll know just where to find you. Because you'll be with me. *He touches her shoulder* What do you think?
Trucy: *mumbles to herself* My dad might not be special like me, but he was right about him.
Trucy: *to Phoenix* My daddy said I could trust you, Mr. Attorney. I think he was right. If it's not too much trouble, I'll stay with you.
Phoenix: Good! *Grins, even if part of him is suddenly wondering "What did I just do!?" He gives her back a pat* I know it'll be a little weird at first, but...we'll just both have to do our best. Right?
Trucy: *smiles, a real smile this time* Right.
Phoenix: *her smile somehow catches him off guard, making his chest feel tight. He takes a deep breath.* Right. Wow. Okay, so, we're going to need to get you some things, right? Your clothes, your toys...some kid-appropriate food. A little girl ought to have a room of her own, too.
Trucy: It's okay, Mr. Attorney, I don't need a lot.
Phoenix: Well no, not a lot. *He smirks.* You're still pretty small. But if we're living together I've got to look out for you. *He glances around at the office, which deflates his good mood a little.* Starting with a new job, maybe...
Trucy: *follows his glance around the office* You have a lot of space. Why not turn it into an agency. "Agency" definitely sounds better than "Office."
Phoenix: Agency? *looks to her curiously* What do you mean?
Trucy: You know... like a talent agency.
Phoenix: *chuckles* A talent agency, huh. Don't you kind of need talent to run something like that?
Trucy: You have me, silly.
Phoenix: Ahhh...of course. *He's mostly humoring her, but she's just so darn cute* You're a magician. But have you really performed before?
Trucy: *nods* I've played at the Wonder Bar!
Phoenix: Oh, wow. All right, then. A talent agency it is. *Even if he's not entirely serious, just accepting the idea that the office is no longer one of law threatens to sober him again. He gives himself a shake.* But that means I have to find a talent, too. What do you think? Could I make it as a magician?
Trucy: *a smile plays on her lips, but its one of amusement* I don't think so, Mr. Attorney.
Phoenix: No? *he drops his shoulders in exaggerated disappointment* Not even as an assistant?
Trucy: *thinks for a minute* Maybe an assistant.... But I already kind of have one...
Phoenix: Huh? You do? *winces* You don't mean Uncle Valant, do you?
Trucy: *shakes her head* Nope. He's part of my act!
Phoenix: *frowns in confusion.* Then...who is it?
Trucy: *reaches under her cape, and out pops a furled up pink cape on a wooden stick; it bounces down and then propels back up. As it comes back up the cape begins to unfurl, and an arm emerges out from beneath the fabric. The hand grabs Trucy's hat (with a little push from Trucy herself), and out pops a log-like head for the hat to sit on. When all is said and done, there is a giant, wooden, mustachioed puppet in a magician's get-up staring soullessly at Phoenix with puppet-master Trucy smiling happily about revealing her trick*
Phoenix: *he lurches back in alarm* Wh-What the heck is that!? *As he stares he realizes it bears something of a resemblance to Zak Gramarye.*
Mr. Hat: *Trucy projects her voice onto the puppet using amateur ventriloquy* Hey folks, it's Mr. Hat! I gotta say it's good to be seen! *The girl moves the puppets mouth up and down via a mechanism behind her back*
Trucy: The Amazing Mr. Hat! Isn't he great? *grins happily, glad she can finally show it off to someone other than her father (and well, the court Bailiff, but he didn't really count)*
Phoenix: *when his surprise wears off, he's better able to take the whole trick in. He's honestly impressed, and it shows in a broad grin.* Wow! That's really something. Did you make that yourself?
Trucy: *nods* My daddy helped me make it, but it was my idea!
Phoenix: That's great! Not that I doubted you were a great magician. *He gives her hat a playful tap* I guess a talent agency is the way to go after all.
Trucy: Yaaaaaaaay! *bounces up and down*
Mr. Hat: We'll be the best talent agency with me there!
Phoenix: *chuckles, and stands.* This place is going to need a lot of work, first. *He glances around, and though at first he's just humoring her, another possibly bad idea sinks in. His brow furrows.*
Trucy: *frowns with him* What's wrong, Mr. Attorney? *brightens a little* You should tell me and Mr. Hat what it is!
Mr. Hat: You can tell us, Mr. Attorney. I'm a good listener.
Phoenix: Hm? Oh, I was just thinking...this office is actually pretty big. There's even another room we never used except for storage... Do you like it here?
Trucy: *looks around again* Yeah, the place is cool.
Phoenix: Good. *nods to himself. He still can't decide if he's gone crazy or not, but when he looks at Trucy, he feels suddenly that he's doing the right thing. Then he remembers* Hey, um... Mr. Pink suit doesn't know you're here, right? Does anyone?
Trucy: Nope. They're still looking for me at Gatewaterland.
Phoenix: *he crouches down in front of her.* There's something I want you to do for me. You know how to use the internet, right? I saw your journal.
Trucy: *nods* Yup. My daddy taught me how to use it.
Phoenix: Good. See, I'm sure Mr. Pink...um, Edgeworth is worried about you. But if he finds out you're with me, he might have to send you to the orphanage. *He lowers his voice seriously* It's not good to lie, but...just this once; I want you to tell him online that you're okay and with a good daddy now. That way he'll stop looking for you--ah, stop worrying. Get it? *he winks*
Trucy: *is quiet for a minute, thinking over everything Phoenix just said. She doesn't like to lie (especially since she can pretty much see through most lies herself), but she can tell that telling the truth would be bad in this situation.* How come if I say I'm staying with you, he'll send me away? Is he mad at you or something?
Phoenix: Ahh... *He flushes and rubs his nose* Well, sort of. But it's really because the law says you're supposed to go to an orphanage. Then they decide who should be your new daddy. But we're just gonna...skip that part, for now.
Trucy: Oh... I don't want to go to an orphanage. *She's beginning to really like Phoenix, and she wants to stay with him* All right. I'll do it. *Thinks for a minute* Can I talk about the talent agency, too?
Phoenix: Of course! Just ah...let's do appointments over the internet instead of in person for a while, too. Just in case. Can't be giving our address out until the agency's ready for clients anyway.
Trucy: Right! It will be a while before the agency will be ready anyway.
Phoenix: Exactly. Speaking of which, maybe we should get started. *He rolls up his sleeves* I know cleaning's not much fun, but it'll go by fast if we do it together, right?
Trucy: *looks between Phoenix and the office* Mr. Attorney have you ever cleaned this place? *Mr. Hat disappears back to wherever it was he came from behind her cape*
Phoenix: O-Of course I have! Not in a while, but... *He straightens up.* Hey Trucy, you know, you don't have to call me Mr. Attorney. Why don't you just call me "Phoenix"?
Trucy: Mr. Phoenix?
Phoenix: *chuckles* No, just Phoenix. Or, you know, Uncle Phoenix...or even Daddy, if you want. You know, temporarily.
Trucy: ...You sure I can call you daddy?
Phoenix: *he hadn't really thought she would go for it; he scratches the back of his neck awkwardly.* You don't have to, of course...! I'm just looking out for you until your real daddy gets back. But if you want to, I don't mind. It's up to you--call me whatever you want.
Trucy: *has been incredibly lonely since her original father, the only person she could really call family (Grandpa Maginifi really didn't count) had left. Maybe if she called the attorney daddy, like a game, she'd feel better. It couldn't possibly hurt. She smiles and takes off her leather gloves* What do you need me to clean, daddy?
Phoenix: *even having suggested it, he's a little caught off guard when she actually calls him Daddy. It's a mysterious feeling, but he smiles.* Let's start with the bathroom.