Tenement Funster

And Into The Fire...

"Oh my goodness!"  Mary exclaimed as she saw John arrive at his desk.  "You look so different!  I really like your hair that way!"  Her face showed her surprise and delight at his much shorter hairstyle.  John self consciously reached up and touched this hair.  Feeling a bit embarrassed at the attention.  Noting his other co-workers were now looking at him.  His skin flushed and he sat down.

"Thanks..."  John replied meekly.  Trying to focus on the top of his desk and reaching for his mug.  He saw someone approach from his side view.

"Morning John!"  Darren greeted him and wore a cheerful smile.  "I see you finally got around to getting a haircut..."  he remarked in a pleased tone.  Clearly liking his more professional look.

"Yes sir..."  John responded with a small grin.  He reached for his mug and took off for the break room.  He walked in to find Brian getting his morning cup.

"Hi..."  Brian said as they shared a look of relief at getting back to normal after their disastrous weekend.  

"Morning..." John replied as he got himself a cup of coffee.  

"You doing okay?"  Brian asked him quietly.  John nodded and found a small smile for him.

"The worst is over...right?"  John told him.  Brian nodded agreement and smiled warmly at his friend.  

"Yeah...I think so..."  he agreed.  

"What's on your agenda today?"  John asked him to change topics.  Brian stirred his coffee.

"I'm finalizing things for my client's visit later this week..." Brian advised.  "He's coming in to see the mock up of his book cover and we are finishing up everything for the release..."  he announced with his excitement evident.

"That's marvelous!"  John enthused.  "I hope everything goes well..."  he wished.  Brian nodded.

"Me too..."  Brian replied. "He hates London and only hopes to visit this one time...so I want everything finished this week..."  he stated.  

"Good luck then..."  John said as he went to leave.  Brian walked out with him.

"Thanks..." Brian told him.  "Have a good day..."  Brian said as John smiled.

"You too..."  John replied and they went their separate ways.

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"I will see you then..."  Brian told his client and hung up the phone.  Smiling with satisfaction as he jotted down some details.

"Seems like things things are going well..."  Ellis remarked as Brian looked over at him.  Still smiling broadly.

"They are..."  Brian answered.  He was glad to be able to avoid a trip to Bath and hoped he could wrap things up in the two days Graham was in London.  "Mary helped me secure a hotel reservation for Graham and he will arrive on Wednesday afternoon..."  he explained.  

"Is his daughter coming along?"  Ellis inquired.  Brian shook his head.  Relieved.

"No..."  Brian told him as Ellis grinned.  "I think she's avoiding me...which is fine by me!"  he declared as Ellis chuckled.  Brian had told him of the issue with Graham's daughter but had failed to mention the incarnation of 'Daphne.'  He only said he had made it clear he wasn't interested in her. 

"That should make your dinner with him more tolerable..."  Ellis remarked.  

"Yes..."  Brian replied as he stood up and stretched.  Still feeling a stiffness in his back from his night in jail.