Thanks so much for the reviews! *smishes*
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Manhattan, Financial District, 4 days later
Scott: *steps out of cab, shuts door*
Bob: *runs over* Oh good, you look conscious. How was your flight?
Scott: Bumpy. *buttons up trenchcoat*
Bob: Great, you ready to check out the lobby?
Scott: Is it heated?
Bob: I'm not sure. I haven't been inside yet.
Scott: Well let's make it quick then.
Bob: *hands over hard hat*
APL Manhattan, lobby
Scott: *steps inside*
Bob: 16 floors above ground are finished. I was speaking with the on-site supervisor this morning, it looks like they're about a month ahead of schedule.
Scott: *looks around* Good.
Bob: I'm telling you, Scotty, this is probably going to be APL's biggest accomplishment. We've started looking at getting some tenants in here once everything's finished.
Scott: Already? *walks over to wall*
Bob: Yeah. People want in, it's great.
Scott: *places hand on wall* Is this granite?
Bob: Yep. Most of the materials are recycled. You'll find a lot of recycled granite, cement and steel.
Scott: *nods*
Bob: So...no more dope?
Scott: *looks at Bob*
Bob: You scared the crap out of me, Scotty.
Scott: I'm sorry.
Bob: *walks over* You know if you got problems, you can always come talk to me. I mean, who am I going to tell, right?
Scott: *smirks* Thanks.
Bob: *places hand on Scott's shoulder* Whatever happened, I'm glad it's over.
Scott: *nods*
Bob: Anyway. You have a 1pm meeting with the New York Times, a 2:30 meeting with the board and a 4:30 meeting with your mother.
Scott: *lifts brow* My mother?
Bob: Yeah, she says you're going with her to a gala uptown and that she has a date for you. Aren't you married?
Scott: *sigh*
Bob: I could tell her you canceled.
Scott: No, it's alright. I'll head over to her place a little later.
Mansion, 4:45pm
Scott: *knocks on door*
Doris: *opens door* YOU'RE HERE! *hugs Scott*
Scott: *wraps arm around Doris* Hello Mother.
Doris: *lets go* I hope you brought the appropriate attire.
Scott: What's this gala for?
Doris: My second book. The girls at the club all RAVE about it. Have you read it yet?
Scott: I'm afraid I haven't.
Doris: *grabs Scott's hand* I'll get you a copy. OH your date is here, would you like to meet her?
Scott: No.
Doris: Oh nonsense. *drags Scott into living room* This one's presentable. Tia, this is Scott. My son.
Tia: *looks at Scott*
Scott: I'm sorry to waste your time but I'm married.
Tia: *looks at Doris*
Doris: He married a hooker. Not his best judgement call.
Tia: *nods slowly*
Doris: I'll leave you two alone so you can bond. *walks away*
Scott: I apologize, really, I'll have someone give you a ride home.
Tia: *crosses arms* You seem to be exactly my kind of man. Besides, I'm not going anywhere until I get paid.
Scott: *blinks* Excuse me?
Tia: Your mother hired me to be your...date for the evening.
Scott: *lifts brows* You're a prostitute?
Tia: I prefer escort.
Scott: Did she know that when she hired you?
Tia: *smiles* Your mother's a sweet lady, I didn't want to trouble her with that kind of information.
Scott: Why don't I just pay you and you can leave. No harm, no foul, right?
Tia: No. I'm going to milk this Pretty Woman stuff for all I can. You're going to enjoy your evening.
Scott: *shakes head*
Limo, 7pm
Tia: *staring into mirror, applying lipstick* My rates start at a grand an hour. Dancing is extra.
Scott: A
grand?
Tia: Introductory charge for new clients.
Scott: I'm not a client.
Tia: You are now, sweetie. *snaps mirror shut* I'll be as discreet as possible, your image won't be tarnished.
Scott: I'm not sure my wife will agree.
Tia: From what I hear about her, you won't have a problem with that.
Scott: My wife is not a prostitute.
Tia: Oh. They call it something else in Colombia?
Scott: *frowns*
Tia: I have a hotel room reserved at the Waldorf for the...after party.
Scott: Absolutely not. I'm not staying in any hotel room with you.
Tia: Your mother and I agreed on an entire night.
Scott: She was wrong. When the gala's over, I'm heading home to my wife and my 2 children.
Tia: Would you like to speak to my boss about that?
Scott: *looks at Tia*
Tia: She gets pissy when clients cheap out on her girls.
Scott: Unfortunately that's not my problem, Miss.
Tia: Well I hope your enjoy your flight back to your precious little family knowing that I'll be on the business end of a lighter and a .45.
Scott: *angry sigh* ...Alright. But you are not to touch me at
all this evening. Otherwise you can forget about being paid
anything.
Tia: *smiles* You're the boss.
Ballroom
Scott: *looks around*
Tia: Champagne?
Scott: No.
Tia: May
I?
Scott: If there's no hidden cost for that.
Tia: *takes champagne from table*
Mayor: *walks over* Mister Finch, how good of you to come.
Scott: *looks at Mayor, smiles* Sir.
Mayor: I'm sorry you couldn't make it to our meeting last week. How's that flu?
Scott: Uh, much better. I assure you, if I was able to make it, I would have been there.
Mayor: Oh don't worry about it. Robert was very knowledgable and we got on great. *looks at Tia* Who's this?
Scott: *blinks* Um...I-
Tia: *smiles* Mrs. Finch's niece. *extends hand* It's very nice to meet you, sir.
Mayor: *grabs Tia's hand* You as well.
Tia: Scott was just telling me how generous your campaign has been to the Victims of Domestic Violence Foundation.
Mayor: *smiles* We do what we can. Well, *looks at Scott* I'd better go find your mother before she's swarmed by adoring fans. *walks away*
Scott: *nods*
Tia: You need to relax. *hands over champagne*
Scott: *takes glass, puts it on table*
Tia: *rolls eyes* Look, everyone does this. It's just how society is now.
Scott: I don't agree.
Tia: Most of my clients are just like you. Straight shooters, have families, houses, sports cars and work in office buildings or on Wall Street. Nobody wants to be alone and they certainly don't want to show up anywhere alone when they have all the money in the world. I'm performing a public service.
Scott: How about the families you break up? I bet they don't feel the same.
Tia: Their families aren't my concern. Just the client. Besides, do you blame the casinos and bars for broken families too? How about the porn industry, I hear they're evil, too.
Scott: *stares at Tia*
Tia: People destroy their own lives. They just look for someone else to blame. *drinks champagne*
TBC...................................
