The Sound of Madness [Claudius - casual]

[THE COUNT OF MONTE CRISTO]

Thus far, Monte Cristo had been fortunate. The protests that had been shutting down streets and halting traffic in many parts of the city had not affected him directly. His days were seldom the same; some took him through Manhattan on business meetings, some to Brooklyn for lunches and dinners, some to Long Island and his home thereupon. He could avoid the protests when he needed to.

Today, however, checking the traffic reports slipped his mind and he found himself caught in a jam just blocks away from his destination, an office in one of the area's many skyscrapers. He glanced at his watch and decided he did not have the time to wait for the jam to clear. Fortunately, he had not opted to drive himself on this occasion.

"S-sir? Count? What are you doing?" his driver asked as Monte Cristo swung open the car door next to him. This driver was a recent hire, and had never seen Monte Cristo do this before, though he did it often.

"Taking a short walk." Monte Cristo gave the young driver a smile and, having alighted, shut the door behind him and started toward the building. Had he brought his motorcycle, he could have simply weaved through the cars and gotten there in seconds, but that morning, he had figured the motorcycle to be a less than appropriate mode of transportation, as far as his potential clients were concerned. They were the very traditional sort, who expected Monte Cristo to appear in a plain, sharp suit, not in full riding gear.

Upon arriving at the block on which the building was housed, Monte Cristo found the block cordoned off with temporary fence and a squad of police officers, Beyond them, shouting could be heard, and when the count peered past the officers, he could see picket signs and crowds waving them. The officers peered at him, surely about to send him back to wherever he had come from. "This area is blocked off," one of them explained.

"Good morning, gentlemen," Monte Cristo said. "I'm afraid I have need to get into the building we're standing just aside from."

His tone was genial, his voice hushed as it always was, despite the loudness not far from them. Monte Cristo seldom raised his voice - and, he feared, if the protesters caught sight of him, they might grow more restless. Monte Cristo Investments had been one of a very few businesses to survive the economic downturn without a scratch. And why should it have not, when the count had helped arrange the downturn himself?

"That's not possible at the moment," the officer told him. "The protest is too close by. We aren't letting anyone by, for your own safety."

Monte Cristo nodded, thinking quickly. The protest had effectively blocked him from getting to work. But that had been the protesters' aim, in part, he supposed. In any case, he knew his peers were already in the building, having been there since before daylight, and he knew they were expecting him. He would simply need a new plan - and quickly.

[CLAUDIUS CHANDLER]

In contrast to the Count of Monte Cristo, Claudius Chandler's workdays had been greatly affected by the current protests, almost as though the count and the comptroller's destruction of the stock market had been designed so as to make this so. Hamlet Enterprises had been a target of the protests as the company had managed to avoid too much damage (if only due to Claudius' shady business practices).

As things stood, the CEO was not in the right frame of mind to deal with the protests this morning in a manner befitting someone of his status. Hector's attempts to, as he put it, 'sober him up', had left Claudius in moods alternating between despondent and foul - though, in truth, the realization he was in fact middle aged should have been enough to sober him up without the need to take away his access to alcohol.

Therefore, when Chandler's car became caught in traffic that morning and Claudius realized he would have to walk the rest of the way to his building or risk being even later than usual, he wasn't in the mood for pleasantries. Thus far the protests hadn't actually prevented him getting into his building but today seemed to be the day this changed.

"Goddamnit!" Claudius snapped as he drew nearer to the building and discovered that yes, he wouldn't be able to get into the building and no, there was nothing the police could do about it Mr. Chandler, not at this moment in time. He turned to face the count, whom he'd ended up standing beside after his 'discussion' with the authorities. "Are these bloody protesters stopping you from getting into the building too?"

[THE COUNT OF MONTE CRISTO]

The situation outside the building was bad enough; Monte Cristo had no intention of making it worse by creating a scene. Not everyone seemed to have that mindset, however; a man who Monte Cristo instantly recognized as Claudius Chandler joined him at the barricade, and conversed with the police officers rather heatedly before apparently taking note of the count.

The man was clearly in a bad mood, and Monte Cristo suddenly found himself facing two challenges: wetting into the building, and doing so without further crossing his colleague. No matter; the count would simply have to use his resources. And on the bright side, he now had an additional resource in the person if Mr. Chandler. If they worked together, they could surely both get into the building with little trouble.

"They are indeed," Monte Cristo answered Claudius with a look of amusement. "I have a meeting inside that building, which I am becoming increasingly tardy for." On the periphery of his vision, he checked the faces of the police officers to see whether his words, though intended for Claudius, had made any effect on them. They had not. He would have to try another tactic.

He went back to considering his resources. He could attempt to talk his way into the building, but he estimated that would take more time than he had to spare. He needed a faster way in. Now he began to wonder whether Chandler had the correct idea after all. Intimidation would leave a bad impression on the officers, and the protesters if they got involved, but it would get them in the door much faster than smooth-talking would. Unfortunately, Monte Cristo was a very soft-spoken man, who seldom raised his voice; being upset was simply not part of his personality, and any attempt to be upset would be picked up on as completely fake. Perhaps if he did get Claudius riled up, but at the protesters instead of at him, the officers would decide to let them in before the man got any more out of hand.

"It is a shame, as well. I don't think the protesters plan to harm us. They have been peaceful so far. The presence of this barricade simply makes no sense to me." Monte Cristo spoke plainly, hoping Claudius would agree with him and direct his anger at the proper persons. With any luck, Claudius' fury would get them both where they needed to go.

[CLAUDIUS CHANDLER]

"They are indeed. I have a meeting inside that building, which I am becoming increasingly tardy for."

The look of amusement on the Count's face did not go un-noticed by the CEO; if anything it made his from deepen. Speaking generally he was always late, he could afford to be (at least in his mind). Not that the fact he was going to be very late irked him, no, it was the fact Monte Cristo was so calm about being late.

And amused. What the hell was there to be amused about in this situation? Claudius knew he wasn't being amusing; if anything he was severely ticked off.

He would have asked what was amusing the Count but decided at the last minute it would be best to try and save his dissatisfaction for those that deserved it. Ordinarily he wouldn't have had this thought process and demanded an answer anyway; it seemed Hector plan was working in that he was making better decisions...to an extent. Yelling at the police wasn't exactly the brightest of ideas.

"It is a shame, as well. I don't think the protesters plan to harm us. They have been peaceful so far. The presence of this barricade simply makes no sense to me."

Claudius gave a spiteful laugh.

"Like hell they 'don't plan to harm us'! I don't think standing around outside the building is doing either of us any good!"

The fact the Count had been reffering to the lack of reason for the barricade and not on the protesters behaviour, past or present, failed to register with Chandler.

[THE COUNT OF MONTE CRISTO]

Rare was the moment in which Monte Cristo did something unintentionally. However, it seemed that even his demeanor was enough to set Claudius off. Monte Cristo was simply incapable of getting upset over something he saw as a small problem. Compared to the problems of his past, which included several serious crimes and a major heartbreak, not being able to get to work was nothing.

That was not to say Claudius did not have his problems. Monte Cristo had long since learned that different men had different ways of handling their troubles. Monte Cristo kept his settled well inside, which was helpful in situations like these, but eventually came back bigger and badder, such as when one spends fourteen years in prison building up hatred. Perhaps Chandler's method was the better one. If so, Monte Cristo was out of luck. Monte Cristo had only three settings: calm, very calm, and violently vengeful bastard.

His words landed just where he wanted, if Claudius' laugh was any indication. In fact, he had misunderstood the count. Ah well, at least it had worked. Now Monte Cristo had only to channel Chandler's anger toward the proper parties.

"Perhaps you're right," Monte Cristo mused, still the picture of placidness. "If our safety is the primary concern, would not the best option be to guide us inside, where we will be safe?"

He sneaked a look out the corner of his eye again. The officers had heard him but were not budging yet. He would have to nudge them a bit harder, it seemed. He turned to face them and spoke a little louder. "Would either of you gentlemen be willing to escort us inside so we can safely get to our work within the building?"

The words had their expected effect - but not immediately. A small cluster of protesters were standing nearby, such that, Monte Cristo judged, they were within earshot. And indeed, stirred by the comment Monte Cristo had just made, they broke away from the protest and started making their way to the barricade.

"I'm afraid we cannot do that, sir," one of the officers said as the protesters joined them.

"Escort?" one of the protesters, a battered older man, scoffed at Monte Cristo. "The hell you want a escort for? You think we're here to rob you or somethin'? The idea…."

Having done his part for now, Monte Cristo took a little step back and let the drama among the protesters and Chandler unfold.

[CLAUDIUS CHANDLER]

"Perhaps you're right. If our safety is the primary concern, would not the best option be to guide us inside, where we will be safe?"

Claudius shrugged, not caring so much for weighing up the options as for an immediate fix to the problem. The fact that he really wanted a drink wasn't helping matters; although he now knew the consequences and was being helped by Hector to overcome the problem didn't mean it wasn't easy. It was so bad on occasion that he would instinctively fumble for his hip flask before recalling Hector was 'keeping hold of it for him'.

As the count enquired of the police officers whether or not the pair of them could be escorted into the building, Claudius heaved a frustrated sigh. Sweet-talking would surely get them nowhere in this situation and that was saying something, considering sweet-talking was something Claudius was ordinarily considered very good at.

"Escort? The hell you want a escort for? You think we're here to rob you or somethin'? The idea…."

The CEO should have realized he was being used as a pawn in the count's game, but as it was helping both of them even if he had realized he wouldn't have cared too much. Besides, the protester's words meant any and all thoughts of being used left his mind, replaced once more with his steadily mounting fury as he stepped up to the barricade to argue back.

Claudius Chandler was not adverse to making a scene.

"It just so happens you are robbing us," Claudius retorted. "Robbing us of time and patience!"

Not to mention money. The fact he and the count weren't inside working to make the stuff was his justification for that.





ooc: 'Monte Cristo had only three settings: calm, very calm, and violently vengeful bastard.' Hahahahahahaha!

[THE COUNT OF MONTE CRISTO]

"It just so happens you are robbing us. Robbing us of time and patience!"

It was fortunate that years upon years of playing others had instilled in Monte Cristo an ability to keep a perfectly straight face. He was not laughing at Chandler; not at all. Neither was he laughing at the protester. He just marveled sometimes at how well his plans succeeded.

The protester was riled up now, having been accused of a crime. "I'M robbin' YOU?!" the man burst indignantly. "Of TIME and PATIENCE?!?! What do you think you're doing to us poor folk?! Not to mention robbing us of jobs! Every time you business types send them overseas… imagine! Me robbing these schmucks!

"Tell you what," the protester continued, on a roll. "Since I'm doing you a disservice, why don't you go on in. Go on into your pretty little office in your pretty little building and see how much of an escort you need. And then maybe one day you'll return this li'l favor by giving some guy a job or donating some of that money - 'hard-earned,' I'm sure! - to the less fortunate. Robbing, ha!"

The man went on talking, but Monte Cristo hardly heard what he was saying, as the police officers had begin to move the barricade aside just enough for Chandler and himself to pass through.

"Thank you, kind sirs," Monte Cristo said with a smile and a dip of his head to the officers. "This is much appreciated."

After passing onto the sidewalk in front of the building, he turned to Claudius and chuckled softly as they walked. "Well, that didn't turn out too badly."

[CLAUDIUS CHANDLER]

As the protester began his rant, it was all Claudius could do to keep back a laugh of derision. Him, a robber? As if. Well, when he paused to think about it instead of simply shouting back, he saw more than a glimmer of truth in the man's words. Not to mention his other robbery less open for discussion - the robbery of his brother's company from his nephew... figuratively and literally stealing his life for himself.

"Since I'm doing you a disservice, why don't you go on in. Go on into your pretty little office in your pretty little building and see how much of an escort you need. And then maybe one day you'll return this li'l favor by giving some guy a job or donating some of that money - 'hard-earned,' I'm sure! - to the less fortunate. Robbing, ha!"

It could all Claudius'willpower to keep from arguing back, and it was clear he would have loved to. But as he saw the barricade part a little, saw the count pass through, he restrained himself to a final glare before following him, muttering derisively under his breath as he went.

"Well, that didn't turn out too badly."

Claudius finally let his laughter forth, though it wasn't as bitter as planned before coming to the realization he hadn't exactly made the best of first impressions on the count. They knew who the other was through news coverage and the papers but, if Claudius had his facts right, this was the first time he had met the Count of Monte Cristo in person.

His laughter quickly abated.

"I apologize for that scene, sir," he said, suddenly all formality. "I'm not usually that disagreeable but those protesters just..." He tailed off and shrugged. "You know."



ooc: Sorry if you'd rather this wasn't their first meeting and sorry this took me so long - mock exams are coming up. =/

[THE COUNT OF MONTE CRISTO]

The ringing of Claudius' laughter seemed to reach the heights of the skyscrapers around them. It was a pleasant sound, and earned a chuckle, though not so lively, from the count as well. Being a quieter person, it was unusual for him to make scenes, even when he wanted to. He could, however, manipulate others into doing what he could not, it seemed. Inwardly he smiled at the knowledge that he had not quite lost his touch.

The man stopped laughing, though, and apologized for his behavior. The count smiled faintly. "Think nothing of it," he said pleasantly. "That was quite a trying ordeal, and those protesters seem especially riled this morning. I daresay without your influence, we might still be standing on the opposite side of the barricade."

Also realizing that this was the first time they had really come face to face - it was hard to believe when Claudius was such a familiar face and a considerable personage in the same industry as the count - Monte Cristo extended his hand. "An unusual way to make an acquaintance, yet efficacious, it would seem. I'm the Count of Monte Cristo."



(ooc - sorry for the late and short post - them meeting for the first time here works for me!)

[CLAUDIUS CHANDLER]

"Think nothing of it. That was quite a trying ordeal, and those protesters seem especially riled this morning. I daresay without your influence, we might still be standing on the opposite side of the barricade."

Claudius felt quite pleased with himself at the count's compliment but did not let this show on his face. He inwardly smirked and popped his collar as if to say 'Well yes, as a matter of fact, it is thanks to me that we're here' but outwardly he simply gave a small smile.

"That isn't to say I picked the best way of going about things," Claudius replied, still smiling. "But thank you."

He hadn't felt truly pleased with himself in quite some time; the revelations from Hector had led him to a state of despondency and self loathing, while altercations in the business world coupled with the state of the economy at present meant even when very little was done it counted as a victory - still hard to be pleased about, however.

"An unusual way to make an acquaintance, yet efficacious, it would seem. I'm the Count of Monte Cristo."

Claudius gave a small chuckle at the count's assessment of his intervention being a useful way to make an acquaintance before shaking his hand, with as much vigour as usual as he was keeping up his old persona as best he could, although no longer as fuelled by alcohol as before.

"Claudius Chandler," he replied. "It's a pleasure to finally meet you, even in such strange circumstances."

Having said this he opened the door to the building to let the count inside, before following himself and continuing the conversation.

"Speaking of strange circumstances, Monte Cristo Investments seems to be doing as well as ever despite the downturn. How do you do it?" This was said in an admiring tone and wasn't really a question but that wasn't to say Claudius would be adverse to learning some of the count's business secrets.

[THE COUNT OF MONTE CRISTO]

Official greetings were finally made, cementing an acquaintanceship between Monte Cristo and Chandler. The gentleman seemed a bit regretful regarding his actions, which Monte Cristo responded to with just a smile. Nothing about the past situation bothered him, as he had been the one to start and fuel it all.

They entered the building at last, Monte Cristo giving a nod of thanks as Claudius held the door open briefly. A gesture of goodwill, he thought, or perhaps simply of convenience. The latter seemed more likely. In any case, it mattered little to the count; he was just curious, as always, about the behaviors of others.

"Speaking of strange circumstances, Monte Cristo Investments seems to be doing as well as ever despite the downturn. How do you do it?"

Monte Cristo smiled faintly. He had taken steps to shield his own business as the downturn began. A fair advantage, awarded him due to his proximity to the cause of said downturn. "With funding being cut in so many areas, more and more entrepreneurs are turning to outside investors," Monte Cristo explained. "I happen to have the funding, unlike some of my peers, I'm afraid."

Though the purpose of his and Richard's experiment had not been specifically to take out the count's competition, Monte Cristo had had to admit that he felt no small amount of glee at being completely untouchable at the moment.

"I hope the economy has been kind to you as well," Monte Cristo said as they ventured further inside the building.

[CLAUDIUS CHANDLER]

"With funding being cut in so many areas, more and more entrepreneurs are turning to outside investors. I happen to have the funding, unlike some of my peers, I'm afraid."

Claudius nodded, taking mental note of what the count had said but initially offering no reply. So Monte Cristo happened to have the funding many entrepreneurs so badly needed... He was naturally curious as to from whence this funding came but knew better than to ask.

"I hope the economy has been kind to you as well,"

If he was honest Claudius would not have minded some sympathy at this point, not only as Hamlet Enterprises had indeed been hard hit at first by the economic downturn but also due to the fact Claudius could project that emotion to other areas of his life less open for discussion with the count - Hector was not sorry he had made Claudius see the light yet Claudius, for all his gratefulness, felt he deserved at least a little pity.

However, he did not want to appear weak in front of such a distinguished personage as the Count of Monte Cristo, not only in saving face for his business and its reputation but for his own sake. Although Hamlet Enterprises' swift recovery from its initial problems was due to Claudius' corruption Monte Cristo did not need to be made aware of the fact.

"Not at first, what with the downturn and everything," Claudius said, as though he hadn't been mulling over just what to say and how to say it when he made his reply. "But things are improving now, I'm glad to say."

He paused. Then,

"And yet the economy is still in a bad shape. You'd have thought it would have improved by now, wouldn't you?"

If only Claudius knew.