Hamilton Oneshots

He's Not Here // Leebury

"I'm looking for Charles Lee," I said firmly to the office clerk. My papers slid around in my arms, struggling to not hit the floor. The clerk glanced me up and down quickly before opening a book with upside down nonsense.

"What's your name?" he asked me, studying the pages. I came here to speak with Charles Lee, not to be questioned by some clerk. Yet, I felt some meekness grow in my chest, leaving me stammering.

"Samuel Seabury," I said. The entire tone I once had was gone. The clerk studied the page again, mouthing a few things.

"You're not listed to see him, I can schedule y-" the clerk started. I didn't want to be scheduled for a later date, I knew Charles Lee was available right now, so I had to see him. I grabbed at the book, seeing it was truly written in a nonsensical script, not resembling any language I knew. The clerk took the notebook now, allowing my body to freeze beneath my skin.

"I wish to speak to Charles Lee now," I said once my body was able to move. The clerk looked bored of whatever act he thought I was playing and stood up.

"I'll see what I can do," he said. The clerk open and shut the door so quickly, there was no chance to peer in or hear the hissing of a request to shut it.

"He's busy," he said, sitting back down. I was tempted to open the door myself. I needed to talk to Charles Lee

"When's the earliest I can be scheduled?" I caved. The clerk picked up the book, scanning the page.

"5th bell after midnight," he said, glancing up at me. I wanted to sputter, 5 in morning?! However, I was getting desperate. I nodded and began to wonder how I would get up at such a time, or if it would be easier to not sleep until after the meeting. I decided to stay up, heading to my apartment. Time passes slowly, periodically met with a few chimes of the bell tower. At 3 chimes, I began to slip in between sleep and consciousness. I wondered if I could read the entirety of the Bible by 4 chimes, then decided against it. I wouldn't wish to be late to the meeting. Just as the last quarter passed, I fixed myself and started towards Charles Lee's office with my bundle of papers. I arrived indoors moments before 5 chimes, right on time. There was a new clerk sitting at the desk. She was a beautiful young woman, it was obvious someone else had come to that realization as there was a wedding ring on her hand. She glanced up at me as the bell tower chimed.

"What's your name, sir?" she asked, taking out the same book the other clerk had. I gave her my name as she scanned the page.

"Ah, Mr. Seabury, right on schedule. Mr. Lee will see to you now," she said, leaving me grateful the previous clerk hadn't told her about my assertive behavior beforehand. I nodded and followed her into the small office. A tall man, far too tall for his chair, glanced at us, smiling at the clerk. Perhaps he was an average sized man, accentuated by the comically small chair. The latter seemed to be reality as I got closer. The man's, who I presumed to be Charles Lee, smile faltered a little as he studied my face.

"Who are you? I apologize if I forgot our initial meeting," he said. I nearly dropped my papers as I held out my hand. I didn't want to lose my papers in the mess of this office, I feared I would never collect them all.

"I'm Seauel Sambury- Wait- Sorry, uh Samuel Seabury, we spoke over a few letters, well, more wrote than spoke," I said, embarrassed by my slip ups. I didn't even notice Charles Lee's confused expression until he spoke.

"I need you to breath and repeat what you said much slower," he said, meeting my eyes. I glanced for the clerk, unable to find her. Charles Lee sat down, moving a few things around. I was losing our conversation and we hadn't even touched the major topic.

"I'm Samuel Seabury," I said, slowly to not mix up my own name. I was about to continue when Charles Lee looked up from his papers.

"Oh, yes, I remember your name from a few letters. You were talking about some political writings, correct?" he asked. I nodded quickly, moving a box off a chair to sit. The chairs were small, Charles Lee was not taller than me in any sense, it seemed. I placed my papers in my lap and stared at the front.