A Change Of Heart|{Lady C/Faustus} FINISHED

[yolanda7g]

"I do think so indeed, Doctor Faustus,"

Yeah, that's right. Faustus thought. Faustus had come to find that guilt was the best money-maker. And from the tone of her voice, Faustus had struck gold. Besides, as far as James was concerned, he was doing the world a favor. The more he makes her feel guilty and shrinks her ego down to size, the less the world has to suffer with her conceited wrath. And people say I'm conceited! People must be joking! All I do is tell the truth! Faustus thought.

As he watched Lady Catherine sit in one of the pews to write the check, he tried to wipe the grin off his face but he couldn't. He really couldn't. Lawd! I am blessed! he thought. There was also the possiblity that he was cursed and didn't know it. But who was he kidding? He did know it. He was damned to the depths of some raging fire, so damned that his ass was getting grilled like some corn on the cob in the summer time.

Even more reason why he intended to enjoy this blessing (cough) paycheck. Because his blessings were oh-so-few.

"Give as much as your heart leads you," Faustus said. He figured that his subtle hints were beginning to push it. After all, Lady Catherine was a smart woman. She had to have known Faustus was trying to take advantage of her, if only a little bit. He didn't want to go to far.

"I'm sure where ever your generosity leads, you'll be rewarded." Or I will. Probably me.

As he waited for her to write the check, he said, "So, besides doing the good Lord's work - praise him -- what have you been keeping busy with?"

But his mind was elsewhere, not really centered on small talk.

Okay, how many 0's did I score on that check she's writing? he thought.

Haha. Yeah. The reward definitely goes to me. .

[LADY CATHERINE DE BOURGH]

"Give as much as your heart leads you...I'm sure where ever your generosity leads, you'll be rewarded."

As Faustus said that Her Ladyship looked up from the cheque book and smiled; one of her nicer ones, one of ones that fooled many people who were unaware of her true temperament into thinking she was just another nice older lady who liked to bake pies and knit jumpers.

Returning her attention to the book, Lady Catherine filled out the necessary details for the transaction, regaining her usual demeanour somehow so as to sign the cheque with her usual flourish.

"So, besides doing the good Lord's work - praise him -- what have you been keeping busy with?"

"Nothing much really, Doctor Faustus," Lady Catherine replied, removing the cheque from the book and looking it over, before replacing her pen and the book in her handbag. "Redecorating the living room, keeping my daughter in line, meeting with the bridge club...you know." This said she got to her feet, having placed the hymn book back in its rightful place, and presented the cheque to Faustus.

"I hope this will do the hospital a world of good, Doctor," she said, with another smile.


ooc: I don't know how much would be appropriate for Lady C to shell out...considering she'd on a guilt trip we'll say it's a lot. I can't be more specific than that. XD Sorry!

[yolanda7g]

(its okay, we'll just leave it as 'A LOT' lol)

Faustus took the check and looked at the number on it. When he did, he exhaled a breath because Lady Catherine was being extremely generous to the Dr. Faustus' Paycheck Fund. He couldn't believe it. He almost had a tough time speaking.

Thank ya, Jeeeeesus! He praised in his head.

"Oh...yes." Faustus managed to utter as he put the check safely in his wallet. "A world of good. Definitely." He tried not to act so taken aback but man was that a lot of money. He cleared his throat as if it were no big deal and tried to pick up the conversation where it left off, before he saw that large sum of money.

"So, you're keeping the daughter in line, huh? Good for you. See, that's why I don't want any kids. I know I'd have to keep 'em in line -- I think I've got the Mama's Curse, anyway. Ever heard of that? When you're a kid and you're being all bad and disobedient, your momma puts a curse on you sayin that she hopes your kids turn out exactly like you. Well, I'm willing to bet that curse has been put upon me and trust me, ain't no room for more than one James running around a single household." He smiled and laughed, suddenly in much better spirits.

"But I'm sure your daughter doesn't give you that much trouble. Something tells me you're one to lay down the law." Faustus reasoned.

[LADY CATHERINE DE BOURGH]

"Oh...yes. A world of good. Definitely."

Faustus seemed shocked, and Lady Catherine had to admit she wasn't surprised. The amount was more than substantial and clearly more than what Faustus had expected. Her Ladyship smiled both inward and out at this thought, pleased that she had done her part to help those less fortunate. Just like the sermon said.

It was then that Faustus attempted to steer the subject off in another direction, reffering to a comment Lady Catherine had made earlier and elaborating on the topic. Lady Catherine had heard of the so called 'Mama's Curse' but it had never applied to her. This was probably a good thing, all things considered, even she had to admit.

"But I'm sure your daughter doesn't give you that much trouble. Something tells me you're one to lay down the law."

"Why thank you Doctor...that is true, I must admit. But just because the law is in place doesn't mean it's followed. You'd be surprised what my dear daughter tries to get away with under my nose. It's quite shocking."

And Her Ladyship didn't know the half of it either.

[yolanda7g]

"Why thank you Doctor...that is true, I must admit. But just because the law is in place doesn't mean it's followed. You'd be surprised what my dear daughter tries to get away with under my nose. It's quite shocking."

What? Staying out until the late hour of 5pm? Faustus thought and wisely decided not to say. He could only imagine what it would be like to be one of her kids. He almost felt sorry for "dear daughter." She clearly has it rough. Damn. Then again, if the "mama's curse" happened to Lady Catherine, her daughter would think its perfectly normal. Man, thats even sadder. Faustus couldn't imagine Lady C and Mini C running around.

But all things considered, he intended to make good friends with Lady Catherine. Besides, everyone knows that the way to win Faustus' heart is through a hefty paycheck. And she certainly delivered.

"Well all that means is that you have a good amount of patience. See, thats why I ain't tryin to have kids right now. But I know one thing, I bet you're daughter is gonna turn out fine when she gets older. She's gonna be Ms. Independent cause of you. Watch." He said with a grin.

He glanced at the front of the church, then around, noticing he was free of Thing 2 and Thing 1. Thank the Lord. Maybe he should take his luck while he has it.

"Well I have to get going. It was great talking to you, we have to do it again soon. And," he grinned. "Thanks for your generosity. The hospital will be grateful. Have a good day, Lady Catherine." With a smile, he walked out of the church.

Man, he really does need to go to church more often. Especially if he's getting paid for it!

*exit*

[LADY CATHERINE DE BOURGH]

"Well all that means is that you have a good amount of patience. See, thats why I ain't tryin to have kids right now. But I know one thing, I bet you're daughter is gonna turn out fine when she gets older. She's gonna be Ms. Independent cause of you. Watch."

Lady Catherine de Bourgh smiled as Faustus did, though not as widely, unsure about the idea of her daughter being 'Ms. Independent'. In truth she preffered to keep as close a watch on her as was possible. But Faustus didn't need to know that.

"Well I have to get going. It was great talking to you, we have to do it again soon. And...Thanks for your generosity. The hospital will be grateful. Have a good day, Lady Catherine."

"We must indeed Doctor, and you're very welcome," Her Ladyship replied with another smile, a little bigger this time. "I am glad to know it will be put to good use, you'll have to let me know just what you spend it on, hmm?" A small laugh. Then, "The same to you Doctor Faustus. God bless you."

Exit Lady Catherine

(ooc: Yols, thanks again for such an amazing thread! <3 Lots of hugs and muffins to you m'dear!)