Colonel Frank Archer (
sadisticwarfare) wrote in
pokebox2014-09-23 10:48 pm
LOCKED TO
viliorate
[Profits have been way down in the last three months, and if things keep going this way, they won't last another three. Archer has the papers out in front of him, scouring everything to see where he can make cuts, yet again. He knows no one's going to be pleased, but they're going to have to remove another act. He's been told that cutting people from the circus is like throwing out a family member, but the fact of the matter is that the money he's making won't support everyone. It's not as though Archer is hoarding all the money for himself - though he's not exactly as generous to the others as he could be - but he's never really felt like part of the circus "family". They're the family members, he's the landlord.
Archer twirls his pen between his fingers as he examines the numbers again, finally selecting a couple of sheets with acts that he could possibly cut. He'll have to get Kimbley to look over them before he makes a final decision. Kimbley isn't his partner or his adviser, but Kimbley is his friend, and he'd rather have a second opinion on all this.]
Archer twirls his pen between his fingers as he examines the numbers again, finally selecting a couple of sheets with acts that he could possibly cut. He'll have to get Kimbley to look over them before he makes a final decision. Kimbley isn't his partner or his adviser, but Kimbley is his friend, and he'd rather have a second opinion on all this.]

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That's good to hear. You're not in any pain, are you?
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Of course not. I'm made of some strong stuff. A little burn like this doesn't hurt at all.
[This is a really stupid lie.]
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He really does know better normally, but being burned has gotten to him more than he lets on. At least he's not acting nervous, because if he was nervous everyone in the circus would know.]
I'm fine. Really.
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[Sometimes he really can't tell if Kimbley is being serious or faking it. This is unfortunately one of those times.]
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He's really faking it.]
I'm sure. Don't worry about it.
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How long am I supposed to do this again? A few weeks?
[There's no way he can wait that long.]
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[Sorry, Kimbley, he has no idea what this is like.]
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Right.
[He really doesn't like having to sit around doing nothing because he's a very active man and being forced to stay in bed all day is a nightmare scenario for him.]
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...It's alright, Kimbley. I know this isn't ideal, but you're going to be fine. You just have to be patient.
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You used to yell at me about being impulsive, I guess you've rubbed off on me.
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[At least he's self aware enough to admit it.]
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I should let you get back to work.
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Why do you have so many books in here?
[It's a strange question to ask now, but none of the books have ever been brought home.]
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[He gestures to the books with a slight wave of his hand.]
I purchased these in the hopes that they would help. Obviously they have; I'm still running this circus.
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He's not really sure why Archer needs so many of them, but then again Kimbley hasn't ever had a desire to run a business. Kimbley's gone through his life not being particularly motivated to do anything.
....it's probably good that Archer has given him some direction.]
You're a good business owner.
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[Things are getting a little unsettling here, after all. He doesn't want to leave and he doesn't want to ditch the circus, but that's because he's not sure how well his skills would transfer to another job. Owning a circus isn't the same as owning a regular business, assuming he could even manage to get his hands on another business in the first place.]
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[But he knows with how things are headed, leaving is in their best interest. They've managed to keep their relationship a secret, but if the wrong people found out...]
I don't know what work I could do, but I'll think of something.
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[He doesn't think so, but you never know. It's not something they've ever discussed before.]
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[He'll probably have to pick up a book on French or English...]
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