(( la foule ))

[downplaying]

You've reached Claude Bérubé.

I'm currently not available.
Please leave a message
and I'll call you back as soon as possible.

If you're contacting me
regarding any kind of journalistic work,
you can also reach me via email:
claudeberube at freepress dot com.

Thank you.




[This is the post for IC contact with Claude.
Text, audio and action - everything goes.]

Comments

audio;

[justcrywolf]

I fucking hate your answering machine.

audio;

[downplaying]

[15 minutes later.]

Is it my email?

audio;

[justcrywolf]

You sound like a push-over. Listen to mine one day.

audio;

[downplaying]

There's no need. You always answer your phone.

audio;

[justcrywolf]

There's a lesson in that too, darling.

audio;

[justcrywolf]

This is Vincent Fortesque. If you want another date, call me back.

audio;

[downplaying]

[A couple of hours go by without an answer. Then, Claude calls Vincent back. Ring ring.]

audio;

[justcrywolf]

[Picking it up quickly because that's how he rolls.]

Yeah?

audio;

[downplaying]

You called me, I should be the one asking questions.

audio;

[justcrywolf]

I'm thinking a Saturday. How about next week?

text;

[justcrywolf]

Potos just grabbed my dick. This party is over.

text;

[downplaying]

Okay. Did it wither away? Will there still be any left for me when you get home?

text;

[justcrywolf]

No, it's fucking gone. Jesus.

text;

[downplaying]

Too bad. I was planning on blowing you as a welcome home present.

text;

[justcrywolf]

... thanks for that.

text;

[justcrywolf]

Pick me up. Now.

text;

[downplaying]

Okay. Do I need to ask?

text;

[justcrywolf]

Doubt it.

text;

[downplaying]

I'll be right there. What entrance?

text;

[justcrywolf]

Is that a fucking euphemism, Claude.

for boomtown: saturday, evening. | action

[justcrywolf]

[Okay, Claude. Here he is, knocking on your door. Holding out his hand this time because he can't not.]

action

[downplaying]

[It's been a long, quiet day. He's done his research, scouted the network for new (as well as old) entries and written miles worth of notes. It's not work, it's not writing biographies or going on a job for Le Monde, but it's something. Better than nothing.

At the knock, Claude gets up, already having a faint premonition about who it might be. The sight of Vincent when he opens the door only confirms it. He manages a smile. It's mostly without feeling.]

What's up?

action

[justcrywolf]

[He shifts a bit, forcing himself to maintain eye-contact.]

I wanted to visit the saloon. You've been there yet?

action

[downplaying]

No.

[A part of him already knows what's going to happen now. That Vincent will invite him along and it'll be awkward and wholly uncomfortable and he should say no to that as well. Instead, he says:]

I've been busy. You -- [A minimal pause.] -- know how it is.

action

[justcrywolf]

Sure.

[It's an open invitation already and Vincent's knows that it's clear as day to Claude. But apparently, he's supposed to spell it out. Shit.]

Do you want to go with me?