Livin' Large (Mephi) (casual)

[yolanda7g]

"Do you know who I am? I am Doctor James Faustus! The best damn doctor in this city!" Faustus said to his waiter. They called this one of the best upstanding restaurants in town and Faustus thought he was treating himself to some fine dining after receiving one of Hector's very generous checks. Shady dealings didn't seem so shady when Faustus was reaping the benefits. Honestly though, Faustus wanted more than what Hector was giving him and he would try to strike a deal with him but Faustus hadn't yet.

And its not because Faustus is scared.

...okay maybe a little.




Pffft, hell no, Faustus wasn't scared. The guy just happened to be a mob-boss-turned-mayor, but other than that he was just a regular guy - ain't nothin to be scared about. Faustus just needed to get around to it, that's all. No big thing.

But first he had to take care of this dumbass waiter for practice 'cause seriously, for one of the best restaurants in the city, these people didn't know what the hell they were doing.

"I'm sorry sir," the man said with a heavy french accent. "I did not - "

"Didn't what? Huh?" Faustus interrupted, eyes wide. "Stay awake for your waitin' staff trainin' classes?! Cause you sho'll ain't awake now. All I asked for was some damn crepes - can't a brotha get some crepes, man, without havin his order switched up?" He stood up and turned around at towards the table behind him, they were looking at the scene in shock of course. "Can I get an amen?"

He turned back to the waiter. "What you still standin' here for?" He took the plate with the wrong order and placed it in the waiter's hands. "Take this shit back and get me the right crepes! I'm payin' too much for a bunch of eggs and milk anyway! They better be the best damn crepes I eva' tasted too!"

The waiter simply nodded and went about his way and Faustus sat back down, taking a swallow of his wine. Damn - people these days.

[mephi]

A dark voice chuckled behind him.

He was a short distance away, sitting at a table diagonal to his. He sat alone, a newspaper hiding his face. Only his hands were seen, a large gold ring adorning the right one, and a gold Rolex watch the left wrist. A black pinstrip suit peaked out from the sides, a wine colored shirt hidden underneath. The man was sitting crosslegged, leaning back casually. His shoes were black and made of the finest leather, and his pants were slim fitted.

He continuted to chuckle. "Hector Tormei wins the elections. What a headline... Don't you think?"

He moved a hand away to lightly pickup his full wine glass, the newspaper unmoving. He brought it behind the sheets and clearly took a long sip, for when he set it down, it was half-full. "What a crock. I sure as Hell didn't vote for him."

He uncrossed his legs, then crossed them back the other way. He fluffed the paper with a cocky laugh. "I wonder what you'd be like as mayor. Doctor James Faustus. Has a... regal sound to it. Not like Tormei..." He scoffed. "Makes me think of that damn actress... Melissa, Marissa? Ha! What do they think of when they hear your name?"

He folded the paper down toward him.

Two, dark eyes staring at him.

"How about... A God?"

[yolanda7g]

Faustus heard someone laughing behind him and he quickly spun around to see who it was because he had just about enough of folks being smart with him today. Who's ass did he have to bust a cap in now?

When he turned around, he saw a well dressed man reading the paper, and it was clear he wasn't chuckling about Faustus - lucky for him. Faustus couldn't help but wonder though - who in the hell did he work for? Donald Trump? Because he looked like he was straight loaded in cash. Faustus especially noted the Rolex on his wrist.

Then again he was at a 'high brow' restaurant even if the service proved otherwise.

"Hector Tormei wins the elections. What a headline... Don't you think?"

Faustus grinned a bit. It was a headline that was beneficial to Faustus, that was for sure. Hector had all kinds of businesses going on behind the scenes of his perfect campaign image, business that got Faustus a hefty check. Hector being mayor only made things better.

"What a crock. I sure as Hell didn't vote for him."

Well he wasn't going to ask who he voted for then. Compared to the crap they were in with Plantagenet, they were in pretty good shape. And no of course that wasn't a logical, rational conclusion. Faustus just hated Richard. Simple as that.

"I wonder what you'd be like as mayor. Doctor James Faustus. Has a... regal sound to it. Not like Tormei...Makes me think of that damn actress... Melissa, Marissa? Ha! What do they think of when they hear your name? How about... A God?""

Faustus stared back at him for a beat, looking bemused.

....what in the HELL was he rambling about?

Cause it wasn't everyday some random stranger with a perfect tailored suit and a Rolex comes up to you in a crappy ass restaurant talking about your name sounding like a God. What the hell?

...then again, it wasn't like he was wrong or anything. After a moments thought, Faustus' grin returned. "...It does have a ring to it, doesn't it? See, that's what I've been trying to tell people all along - why do people think I like saying it so much? I bet some people think I'm a doctor just because I wanted to add something more to an already good thing - 'cause there's James Faustus, and then there's Doctor James Faustus."

He paused his boasting and regarded the man. "So what are you about? It's not everyday that I meet a person who knows what their talking about."

[mephi]

Damien grinned impishly. "Oh, I'm just a friend... with friends in high places." He folded his paper completely together, and layed it with careful precision next to his wine glass. He grabbed the drink and swirled it around in his hand, his other folded over his legs casually. He gulped the rest of the liquid down with his head flipped back, a satisfying "ah" coming from his mouth after he had taken the last drop.

"Wine. Elixir of the Gods. What would we do without it, us accomplished folk?" He nodded toward Faustus. "I heard it through the grape vine that you're the most accomplished surgeon in New York. It must feel rewarding... But it seems to me no one appreciates you for what you do. Don't they know you save lives?"

He got up in one fluid motion, cracking his knuckles and walking over to the other side of Faustus' table. He pulled the chair out from under it, and spun it around with ease, sitting with his legs drapped over the side and leaning his arms on the back of the chair. "You don't seem to get the respect you deserve. How do you feel about that, Doctor? Not to your liking, I take it?"

[yolanda7g]

"Oh, I'm just a friend... with friends in high places."

Now how the hell is he a friend and Faustus didn't even know who the hell he was? Something about him was just weird - maybe it was his cryptic answers - who knows. But the guy had one very important thing on his side.

"Well, haha...anyone with friends in high places is a friend of mine," he told him. Unless they tried to screw him over and in that case, Faustus knew how to handle them. No one would want Faustus as their enemy - they wouldn't hear the end of it. Faustus knew he talked a mile a minute around some people but if he didn't like you? You'd be hearing Faustus' voice in your sleep.

"Wine. Elixir of the Gods. What would we do without it, us accomplished folk?"

Now Faustus got it. This guy was weird because he said said things like 'elixir of the Gods' in regular conversation! Well damn - suddenly the world seemed clearer! Faustus just grinned and suppressed and amused laugh, as if he were agreeing but in reality he was thinking 'this dude, is a TRIP!

"I heard it through the grape vine that you're the most accomplished surgeon in New York. It must feel rewarding... But it seems to me no one appreciates you for what you do. Don't they know you save lives?"

"Yeah, I'm the most accomplished surgeon in New York, you're right." The waiter approached the table and placed his order in front of him. Faustus looked up at the guy with a glare, before turning around to see the guy pull up a chair across from him. Okay now wait a minute - did Faustus forget about the time when he said he could sit at his table??

"You don't seem to get the respect you deserve. How do you feel about that, Doctor? Not to your liking, I take it?"

Faustus studied him for a split second. "Yeah, you can pull up a seat, be my guest," Faustus replied sarcastically ignoring his question for the time being. Why the hell was he so damn interested in what Faustus thought? I mean sure, he had his fans but damn - this was kinda crazy. Not that he didn't deserve the adoration of course but...seriously, what the heck?

He cracked a smile and leaned forward a bit after grabbing his fork. "Look man, if you want my autograph all you had to do was just ask. But you do realize that if I'm gonna sign the thing to you, I gotta know your name. You got a name don't you?" Couldn't get more direct than that - Faustus didn't get why he couldn't just answer a simple question.

[mephi]

Damien leaned lazily on his left hand, admiring his ring on the other with a Cheshire grin growing on his face. He chuckled at the mention of an autograph. "Faustus, I think you've got it backwards. If anything, you should be asking me for my autograph. I'm surprised you don't recognize me."

He raised an eyebrow, sliding the butterknife sitting on his side and spinning it casually by its hilt on the table. "Being a part of Tormei's circle, you surely should have remembered the face of the son of a rival. Perhaps when I mention the name Talbot, a few bells should ring in your genius brain, hmm?"

After a long pause, he stopped spinning the knife in a fluid motion. "I'd like to cut the crap right now, if you don't mind. I came here for one specific reason. I'm tired of being alone. You see being famous in New York City isn't nearly as fun as it should be when you're all alone."

He layed his chin on his knuckles, cracking a few with a smirk. "I have been watching you, Faustus. I like your attitude, and you seem like you deserve more fame than you have. I can show you all the things you are missing... We'll party, get laid, earn money from doing nothing at all, all the while recieving acclaim as NYC's top bachelors. All you have to do is stick with me, and you'll get it all."

He tilted his head to the side, burning his dark eyes into the other man's, all the while giving a cocky grin.

[yolanda7g]

"Faustus, I think you've got it backwards. If anything, you should be asking me for my autograph. I'm surprised you don't recognize me."

Oh hell. Faustus might have get up outta here because not only is the service terrible, but they had random people walking around thinking they're the best thing since God. There's only room enough for one person like that, and that would be Faustus.

"Being a part of Tormei's circle, you surely should have remembered the face of the son of a rival. Perhaps when I mention the name Talbot, a few bells should ring in your genius brain, hmm?"

"You know what-" Faustus started, but was interrupted by his talking. He could catch the snarkiness in his tone from a mile a way and no one talks to him like that (...except maybe Hector). He could be son of The Godfather for all he cared!

Plus Faustus made it his business not to be in Hector's business. Yeah, he did his dirty work for him, helped him campaign, but so far that was as far as it went. He wasn't exactly making assissination deals with Big Red or whatever the mob nicknamed their big bads. Still he did know about the Talbots but it was news to him that he was now sitting across from one.

Wait a minute...

After Damien's little pitch, Faustus came on out with it - because once he figured out the connection of his name, Faustus refused to listen to anything else. In nervousness, he started to say somewhat fast - "Oh hell no, that sounds all well in good but if you think I'mma get caught up in your mess with Hector you got another thing comin. I didn't sign up for this - I wasn't supposed to be in no Scarface crossfire! Look all I do is make the deals for the man, if you got an issue, just take it up with him - I got nothin to do with it. And shoot, you can't use me against him - we ain't even friends! He don't even like me! Why don't you ransom that Penelope girl? That'll really get him pissed. See I can give good advice, don't I? So I'll tell you what - I wish you and the Talbots good luck and everything, try not to get shot and stuff and I'll be on my way." He started to get up.

[mephi]

Damien immediately grabbed Faustus' arm and dragged him back into his seat, but not without a smile. "James, you've got me all wrong!" He raised an eyebrow with a chuckle, leaning foward and staring the other man down, making sure he couldn't get up again. "Look, you're not in trouble with me, or my family. Like I said, if you knew who I was, you'd know I could care less what my family thinks of Tormei and his circle. I'm not here on business for them. I'm on business for myself."

He shrugged, gesturing to Faustus with a "you're right" expression. "Of course I can see how you'd think there's some sort of deal involved, some sort of criminal act that you've been caught up in, and I'm the devil come to collect his dues!" He smirked bemusedly at the notion, though he was often compared to the devil... Not just in looks but in personality.

"But that's not the case at all. I'm offering you the chance of a lifetime, no strings attatched. You'll be moved from middle class to high class just like that, and you'll have everything you could ever want! All I demand is that you have the time of your life." He tilted his head, analyzing Faustus' expression.

"What do you say?"

[yolanda7g]

"James, you've got me all wrong!"

James was forced down in his seat with a grip on his arm. And this was the point where he silently prayed to a God he thought wasn't even paying attention. Oh lawd, please don't let this man have a gun on him and I end up being one of those sad peeps up in all those movies I be watchin' 'cause I like bein' alive! Aw man, I'll never get to have another one of ma's apple pies! I'll never get to operate again! I'll never get to get down with Irene ...

..mm! Irene!

...I mean, lawd spare my life! Please!

And he thought all of this while those eyes stared him down. He thought about saying 'I'll scream. I will. Don't think I won't. And I got a really loud high pitch girlie scream and I ain't afraid to use it!' But luckily Damien continued, explaining this had nothing to do with his family or Hector. About how there was no catch, no strings attached.

Faustus' momma used to say that if something was too good to be true, it probably was. But Faustus wasn't one to pass out an opportunity. And if this guy was leading him into some mob trap, well...as long as he didn't get his ass killed, it couldn't be too bad. He, after all, felt bored with his life...he felt that way for the longest. Shoot, Faustus had done all he ever wanted to do in his life! He's done it all! He always wanted something more. Something larger than life - well at least his life.

"What do you say?"

Faustus had since relaxed a bit and cracked a grin. "Well, heh, why didn't you just say so? You almost gave a man a heart attack." He exhaled a bit, knowing he was possibly making the best decision of his life or the worse. "Alright, alright, I'm in. But let's get this straight. I don't want you takin' me no where and I don't know where we goin'. That means no road trips with bags over my head, no 'let's take a walk' code talk, none of that. No shake downs, not secret meetings, and no meetin' folks named after colors like Sonny Black and Sonny Red. Deal?" He was dead serious too.

[mephi]

Damien had to laugh internally at every emotion that had played across the other man's face. It was all very comical, the way he was surely praying to God that Damien didn't put a gun to his head right then and there. It was far too easy to manipulate people like this. They were eroded and distorted by the media and society, and he could effortlessly mold Faustus to fit his... or rather Tormei's needs.

God, what was he thinking? Taking money from his father's rival. Not that the money wasn't good. It was. He adored money. He would bathe in it given the chance. But he had basically signed his own death sentence by taking that deal. Though really, honestly, truly? Maybe he was looking for a change in his life just as Doctor James Faustus was. Maybe Damien Talbot was ready to be more than something Damien Talbot.

He chuckled amusedly, though more in a joking friend gesture, to reassure Faustus that he was trustworthy (which he wasn't). "Faustus, you got me all wrong!" He leaned foward with a cheeky grin on his face. "I'm an investor, and a part time bachelor. There's no Sonnys or shake downs... Not here in the fast lane."