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[dog_eat_dog]

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[dog_eat_dog]

I think so too.

[A pause.]

And I'm sorry for not saying anything earlier.

[stand_unshaken]

Yeah, yeah. [It's not like she's never kept things from him before - though the thought makes him wince. She deserves her privacy. He never pried into this area before, with good reason.]

Be glad I had something big to talk to you about, or I woulda brought up all the small stuff.

[dog_eat_dog]

[She laughs under her breath, eyes dropping for a moment.]

I'm more glad I didn't have any murders, torture sessions, or kidnappings to hide.

You want me to give that warden item back?

[stand_unshaken]

[He shrugs.]

Didn't catch what you were doin' with it. If I ask you, you gonna tell me the truth or is that proprietary?

[dog_eat_dog]

A girl named Annie gave it to me. Barely knew me when she decided to let me use it, too. I bet she'd tell you that herself with a big smile on her face, she's just that kind of person.

[Naive as fuck.]

[stand_unshaken]

...wasn't she using it for something? [Wtf Annie]

[dog_eat_dog]

I guess not? She let me know when she needed it, but it didn’t seem to be a problem.

[ Honestly, a girl like that could probably get anyone to open a door for her. ]

[stand_unshaken]

Jesus.

So. What do you use it for?

[dog_eat_dog]

Hot tub and enclosure trips. Letting other inmates in.

[A shrug.]

And sometimes I check in on her temps. One of them died, so good call on her part, letting some random have it.

[stand_unshaken]

She sounds like a real winner. [Little does he know.]

Sounds like you're making good use of it, in any case. Better than her.

[dog_eat_dog]

That’s what I figure! I even told Norton I had it when he died. Look at me, all responsible.

[To some extent, anyway. ]

[stand_unshaken]

You think the Admiral's gonna give us both a deal when you graduate? That would be quite the thing.

[dog_eat_dog]

Sure would save a lot of time. You gonna hang around while I get mine if he doesn’t?

[stand_unshaken]

Don't need another deal. I never know what to think about wardens who stick around without a purpose.

[But - she's asking. Isn't she? He tilts his head and gives her a little smile.]

But I'd hang around if you asked.

[dog_eat_dog]

We’ll see when we get there. I know you don’t like being cooped up here, and I think wardens who don’t work should be kicked out, but it’d fucking blow to not see you every day.

[stand_unshaken]

You are a poet. [Shit. He can't help but smile at that, can't even hide it behind his hand.]

I'd miss you too, Tess. I really would. It's why my mind ain't made up about all that just yet.

[dog_eat_dog]

Well, it’s nice to know I’m that special.

[She says it lightly, but it makes her feel warm just the same. Jeez, imagine anyone staying behind for you?]

Maybe if you go ahead first you can set up a house or something. I’ll just show up with lemonade once in a while until I get my deal and come take care of it while you... ride up mountains or whatever honest guys in your time do for fun.

[stand_unshaken]

I feel almost offended, bein' called honest. [Beg your pardon, lady.]

But that don't sound too bad, does it? I could pick a place close enough to town you wouldn't go stir crazy. Maybe build my own place.

[dog_eat_dog]

[She just grins.]

Hey, if I’m being good, you have to, too. I’ll get jealous. And I will go nuts without people, so close to civilization is perfect.

[A snort.]

Otherwise I’d be tempted to kidnap some stranger just to have company.

[stand_unshaken]

And that's not bein' good. Think you'd like to help build a house?

[dog_eat_dog]

Sure. Can’t promise I’d be any good at it, but I can help.

[She could hold a bucket of nails and pass one when needed!]

[stand_unshaken]

[What, like it's hard?]

You'd be fine. And it's nice to have a project, a big one.

[dog_eat_dog]

Yeah, something like that would be good.

[A laugh under her breath.]

You know Joel was a contractor? Like, construction shit, installing kitchens and stuff. So whenever we had something like that, he handled all that stuff. Probably about time I put some time into it. Could remodel this place. [She gestures around the apartment.] Yours too.

[stand_unshaken]

What's wrong with my place?

[It's a dump. It's a clean, stripped dump, but it's a dump.]

[dog_eat_dog]

[A “come on” look.]

You can do better. You deserve better.