The Negotiator

Funeral

"Draven. How'd class go?" Jameson asks as he shakes his hand in his office.

"Really, really well. I love it." Draven answers honestly taking a seat in front of Jameson.

"Tell me about you." Jameson tells him. "Who is Draven, and why is he so damn impressive."

Draven laughs. "Thanks, but there's not much story to tell."

"Oh please." Jameson lays back. "Here, maybe this'll loosen you up." Jameson says reaching under the desk. "Better not say a word about this." He commands slamming to icy beers on the table.

Draven stares as the dripping water from the bottle spreads along his desk. Jameson grabs his and smacks it against his desk, popping the lid off. Draven grabs his and takes the cap off with his hands.

"That's impressive too!" Jameson yells in awe. "Might have to promote you after that." He laughs. "Wait how old are you?"

"20." Draven makes up.

"Well, one year off ain't that bad." Jameson chuckles. "Jesus I'm really not being a lawful government agent am I?"

"I don't mind." Draven says taking his first sip of beer. It tastes like acid, but he remains his composure.

"Damn that's good." Jameson says breathing and smirking. "So, now let's hear it." He says taking a swig.

"Well, I guess I'm just good at this kind of thing." Draven says nervously. "I've always been the smart kid, or the fast and strong kid, or the-"

"Awkward kid." Jameson laughs.

"That too. I guess I'm still naive." Draven chuckles.

"Why a Negotiator?"

"You ever see the show Mindhunter?" Draven asks.

"No." Jameson shakes his head. "When did it come out?"

"A long time ago. Anyway, the show follows an FBI negotiator, Holden Ford, as him and his partner create the term serial killer by talking to these killers, understanding them, learning who they are and maybe finding a motive. Understanding is their goal. I think a good sum up of it all is when Bill Tench, his partner, said 'How do we get ahead of crazy if we don't know how crazy thinks?' And that got me thinking. Maybe negotiators look at criminals the wrong way. Maybe instead of focusing on the victim and the best way to manipulate the assailant, we should focus on the assailant and who they are instead. Manipulate them not to give us what we want, but to make them think they get what they want. Instead of worrying about what happens to the victim, accept what can happen to the victim and worry about what happens with the criminal. In the end, the criminal is the one who matters. Without the criminal, there's no negotiation. Without the criminal, there's no hostage to save. What happens to them and how they feel ultimately decides the outcome of the hostage situation." Draven explains.

"I don't think you need those classes, do you?" Jameson asks referring to the negotiation training courses.

"I don't think so. I've researched further than Mindhunter of course. Negotiation tactics, protocol, what to do in situations, how to cope with failures, and videos of public speaking."

"Public speaking?" Jameson asks confused.

"I had to know how to encapsulate an audience. How does the president do it, how do public speakers do it? If they can encapsulate a crowd to hear and sometimes even get them to agree with their viewpoint, then I would assume that's useful information when I'm out in the field." Draven explains further.

"You got it." Jameson laughs taking another drink. "You'll have to do some training scenarios, to make sure you can walk the talk." He tells him.

"Thank you!" Draven says holding his beer out for Jameson to tap it.