Starring:
Date: October 14, 2009
Summary:
While visiting the scene of the city's latest Amber Alert, George catches up with an old acquaintance.
"Keeping Up Appearances"
Queens
There's a knot of people out on the street near the group home where, until recently, one Sander Hawkins was maintaining an unobtrusive facade. "I met him once, such a nice boy, helped me watch for traffic, you know my eyes just haven't been the same since—" "That one? You must be mistaken, dear, that one scratched my car door last week. Careless, that's what he is." "No, that kid didn't even live here, he was in another one two blocks down!" That's Queens for you… two million people, four million stories.
Quinn likes to walk around the streets sometimes.. often looking not quite like herself, but this time she does. Though in a pair of khaki pants and suit jacket. Her look doesn't quite support the casual dress code. She pauses as she hears the woment alking and she tilts her head, having missed the news, asking casually, "Some kid's missing?"
Fel's working missing kid cases before, and hated 'em all. It has especial resonance now, now that he's got a daughter of his own. He's not here in an official capacity, but more out of sheer nosiness, dressed in white Oxford, plain overcoat, dark slacks. Just another concerned parent, right?
The newest arrival on the scene wishes he could do such a good job blending in. As it is, the earnest young cub reporter tailing him makes him stick out like a sore thumb. "Congressman, how does this latest case affect your budget plan for the NYPD?" George promptly responds with a well-practiced explanation, but not before indulging himself in a brief curl-up-and-die glare. Let's see Woodward Jr. figure out how to write that down.
Quinn mingles with the crowd.. she's good at that. Well, especially when the sparkly red hair seems to dull.. just a tad, to more an auburn, and a few other changes that make her more blendable.
Felix can't help but smirk at that question, though he doesn't pipe up with any of his own.
George blinks. Did he just see—? Well, maybe not. But then again, maybe so; he's seen it before, with someone else. (Up close. Very up close. But that's another matter.) "Ah, if you'll excuse me? Need to catch up with an old friend." Not that he actually knows Quinn that well, but the reporter takes the hint and heads off to work the crowd for some breadth.
"Kind of a long way from the club, isn't it?" George offers as he catches up to the performer.
Quinn turns quickly, perhaps thinking her quick change had worked. But.. well, if you're 'made', just roll with it. She glances around and she chuckles, "Well, not like I live there." she offers, keeping her voice relatively quiet. "You've seen my act?"
George inclines his head to Quinn. "Couple of times last year, during the early buzz. Haven't had as much time lately as I'd like…" One of the typical tradeoffs in his line of work, at least at first - the ones who go down in scandals are usually running on autopilot by that point. "So you live around here, or just visiting?"
Quinn glances around, and she says, "Well, I like to explore the city. Its still kind of new to me, and well.. it helps with my act. You know.." she chuckles at the idea, but seems sincere through her self mockery, "Inspiration. Hmm.. what is bringing you around here, then?"
George points a thumb back at the others. "Him, mostly" - indicating the reporter - "one of the kids living here was reported missing earlier today, figured I'd better put in a word with the press right away. Looks bad if they have to come hunt me down, you know?"
Quinn nods and winces, "Guess its a good thing I don't have /that/ kind of celebrity. Nobody asks me how I want to respond to this or that, and I'm good with it. Some kind, hmm?" she pauses, thoughtfully, "They have any details? I guess.. lots of kids go missing though, in a big city like this."
George shakes his head. "Not yet, the cops are on it but they're still going through the first stages." Indeed, there's one over there near the other edge of the crowd, and many of the bystanders not mixing it up with the reporter are doing so with him instead. "And a fair number do, but most of them turn up again within a day or so."
Quinn nods, "Well, I hope they find the kid." she says, frowning. "I hate it when things happen to them. I mean, life's hard enough when you're older. There should be a time you feel safe, you know?'
"Especially for the ones here," replies George, "this is a group home so they're coming from broken or flat-out missing--" At that point, though, his cell phone goes off. "Sorry, I need to take this," he adds, glancing down at the number before answering. "Johnny, what— Yeah? I've got an extra Yankees ticket on Saturday, if that's no good for him then just line something else up and let me know…"
Quinn sighs and nods. "Well.." she glances at her watch, "I probably should be heading back for rehearsals. If I can help.. well, I know, unlikely, but if I can, you know where to find me."
George nods to Quinn, waving with his free hand. If nothing else, he can probably hit her up for a showtime the next time someone's palm needs greasing.