Mason arrives in front of his office door and is surprised to find someone lounging against the door frame. The man cuts a stylish silhouette in a slick suit, well-tailored and of the moment, though he can tell that it was recently done. He looks trim and professional, with dark hair and eyes focused on the newspaper in front of him.
Mason pauses, sliding his hands in his pockets before he speaks up. “Can I help you?”
The man blinks and looks up before glancing at his watch. “Punctual. I appreciate that already.” Mason raises his eyebrow again, before the man continues. “Virgil Claybourne. I’m here about the secretary position.”
“Oh.” Mason’s expression turns curious. “You aren’t what I was expecting.”
“I live to surprise.” Virgil steps back, giving Mason room to open the door to his office. He steps inside, leaving space for Virgil to enter behind him and heads to his desk.
“Do you have any reference letters?”
“I do.” He reaches into his jacket and pulls out an envelope with his letters, before moving to sit in the chair on the other side of the desk. “There are references in there from my last three roles.”
“Three?” Mason raises an eyebrow, looking him over. “You’ve had three roles already?” He seems fairly young. Why would he have to move around so many times?
“The first was a temporary role, filling in while the original secretary was out with an extended illness. Another from one who had a baby, and then the last role I actually held for the past five years.”
Mason nods, pulling them out and shuffling through the pages. “Why are you looking to change?”
“My employer is looking to retire. I thought it was best to try something new.”
Mason’s eyebrow raises again, sensing a slight twisting of the truth there, but he doesn’t push it for now. People have their reasons for moving on. It’s not his business, and it seems from the tension in his shoulders, Virgil isn’t looking to share it.
“So why me?”
Virgil tips his head to the side curiously. “Is wanting employment not motivation enough?”
“Your references are impeccable. Your employers clearly think the world of you. You could find employment at any upper-class law office or politician’s desk. Why work for a man who solves mysteries for a living?”
It’s clear the man is ambitious. Everything about his very presence says that he intends to do great things. So why wrestle with a man looking for small potatoes?
Virgil leans back in his seat, studying Mason just as much as Mason is studying him. He can see the way his eye for detail skirts over every inch of him, and he Virgil tips his head to the side. “I think what you do is important. And I appreciate you work for everyone, regardless of what they can pay you. I enjoy knowing that I’m working for someone with integrity.”
That ticks at one question itching in the back of his mind. Something about his previous employers lacked integrity. Mason would do his best to live up to what his reputation has made of him.
“Well, I need a secretary sooner, rather than later, and I would be remiss to turn down someone so highly recommended.”
Virgil brightens. “I won’t let you down. I promise.”
“Wonderful.” Mason reaches over to shake his hand. “I think we’ll work very well together.”
“You and I both,” Virgil nods with a smile. “Dare we say it’s the beginning of a beautiful partnership?”
Mason smirks before shrugging. “Suppose we’ll see what happens.”
i wanna walk through walls | murder train | 600
Mason arrives in front of his office door and is surprised to find someone lounging against the door frame. The man cuts a stylish silhouette in a slick suit, well-tailored and of the moment, though he can tell that it was recently done. He looks trim and professional, with dark hair and eyes focused on the newspaper in front of him.
Mason pauses, sliding his hands in his pockets before he speaks up. “Can I help you?”
The man blinks and looks up before glancing at his watch. “Punctual. I appreciate that already.” Mason raises his eyebrow again, before the man continues. “Virgil Claybourne. I’m here about the secretary position.”
“Oh.” Mason’s expression turns curious. “You aren’t what I was expecting.”
“I live to surprise.” Virgil steps back, giving Mason room to open the door to his office. He steps inside, leaving space for Virgil to enter behind him and heads to his desk.
“Do you have any reference letters?”
“I do.” He reaches into his jacket and pulls out an envelope with his letters, before moving to sit in the chair on the other side of the desk. “There are references in there from my last three roles.”
“Three?” Mason raises an eyebrow, looking him over. “You’ve had three roles already?” He seems fairly young. Why would he have to move around so many times?
“The first was a temporary role, filling in while the original secretary was out with an extended illness. Another from one who had a baby, and then the last role I actually held for the past five years.”
Mason nods, pulling them out and shuffling through the pages. “Why are you looking to change?”
“My employer is looking to retire. I thought it was best to try something new.”
Mason’s eyebrow raises again, sensing a slight twisting of the truth there, but he doesn’t push it for now. People have their reasons for moving on. It’s not his business, and it seems from the tension in his shoulders, Virgil isn’t looking to share it.
“So why me?”
Virgil tips his head to the side curiously. “Is wanting employment not motivation enough?”
“Your references are impeccable. Your employers clearly think the world of you. You could find employment at any upper-class law office or politician’s desk. Why work for a man who solves mysteries for a living?”
It’s clear the man is ambitious. Everything about his very presence says that he intends to do great things. So why wrestle with a man looking for small potatoes?
Virgil leans back in his seat, studying Mason just as much as Mason is studying him. He can see the way his eye for detail skirts over every inch of him, and he Virgil tips his head to the side. “I think what you do is important. And I appreciate you work for everyone, regardless of what they can pay you. I enjoy knowing that I’m working for someone with integrity.”
That ticks at one question itching in the back of his mind. Something about his previous employers lacked integrity. Mason would do his best to live up to what his reputation has made of him.
“Well, I need a secretary sooner, rather than later, and I would be remiss to turn down someone so highly recommended.”
Virgil brightens. “I won’t let you down. I promise.”
“Wonderful.” Mason reaches over to shake his hand. “I think we’ll work very well together.”
“You and I both,” Virgil nods with a smile. “Dare we say it’s the beginning of a beautiful partnership?”
Mason smirks before shrugging. “Suppose we’ll see what happens.”