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Posted: Mon Jun 13, 2016 2:50 pm
"I'm telling you, Steele, we're going to make a mint here." The newspaper in his hands unraveled once more, the older of the two lawyers moving to study the front page once again, as if he wanted to ensure it was still there, despite the twenty or so times he'd studied it within the past hour. Destiny City In Crisis. Crisis? Crisis spelled money. The vacant lot in the shopping center didn't look like much, but he was more than certain they could expand their practice once the money started rolling in. First stop, tiny shop, next stop - a building of their own. It was Destiny, spelled out amusingly enough in the corrupted city he now embraced as home. They had an appointment with an ad agency to look into billboards and park benches - bus stops and newspaper ads would be the next stop. He had enough in his savings to help with his half of the contribution plus the move to DC. He would ignore the fact his bank account was now looking rather paltry otherwise. No, this would be worth it because this was the start of something amazing, something glamorous. Today had been the final signing of their building, their new law practice. Keys in both men's pockets, soon their names emblazoned on top of the brown shingled awning. He was going to make a difference in this city and his wallet was going to show for it. kuropeco CARRY ON, MY WAYWARD SONS THERE'LL BE PEACE WHEN THEY ARE DONE
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Posted: Mon Jun 13, 2016 4:34 pm
From beside Rob, there came a deep, dramatic inhale.
"Ahhh," breathed Steele, eyes closed, hands on his hips. "Can you smell it, Rob? It's the smell of rain and smoke. It's the smell of coffee and bad cologne and too much hairspray and metal and bagels with cream cheese and destruction and crisis. It's the smell of money."
His favorite scent. His hypocritical comment about too much hairspray not withstanding, Steele turned to look at Rob beside him, his tailored suit as impeccable as Steele's own - though he had to admit that he'd gotten his at the highest end department store in his hometown. Who cared about the fact that his bank account was now groaning underneath the emptiness? They were going to take the world by storm.
Or at least, Destiny City. An apt name, all things considered. Steele clapped a hand on Rob's shoulder.
"We're going to kick some serious a**," he said, grinning broadly. "What time is our appointment, again?"ghouliboo please everyone stay away from these men
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Posted: Tue Jun 14, 2016 8:31 am
A flick of his wrist produced a silver Rolex (or as close in appearance to being one, as it was most definitely the top of the line in its fakery), hazel eyes studying the face of the timepiece. "They should be here in fifteen or so, give or take. Just enough time to start moving in what we've brought so far." What we've brought so far, as far as Rob was concerned, entailed precisely three cardboard boxes full of desk belongings from his former job occupancy, most of which contained items far from pertinent to his lawyer lifestyle. It continued to take up a large amount of space in his hatchback's backseat, so he was more than eager to find a new home for his things (less even more cat hair find its way onto it). The ring of new keys jingled as he yoinked them from his pocket and slid the longest into the door's slot, twisting and pulling until the glass door opened. Tossing his suit jacket onto the front desk, he then began the process of rolling up his sleeves and making his way back towards his little red car. As he passed by the other young man, he grinned. "Better pick your office now - I'm not going to let you switch with me later if you decide you don't like it after I've gotten settled in." Especially if it meant having to rehome his belongings in an office covered in hairspray. Nope.
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Posted: Tue Jun 14, 2016 10:07 am
In contrast to Rob's superb silver Rolex, Steele was wearing a gold one with little diamonds around the face of it - an excellent purchase that had set him back several weeks in terms of bills, but that was most definitely beside the point. It looked impressive, and that was all he cared about.
Steele's cardboard boxes were four, instead of three, and were all crammed in the back of his own car, mostly filled with whatever he had deemed necessary to his new life and new job. The pinup calendar, for example, was an absolute necessity, as it was the gleaming photograph of himself shaking hands with Anderson Cooper - an expertly Photoshopped job, if Steele said so himself.
It was dim and dusty inside the new office, but that would be changed. Steele stood in the middle of it with his hand on his hips, looking around at the tiny little lobby and the two doors that branched off on either side.
"Just think, Rob," he said over his shoulder. "Soon we'll be raking in enough funds to explode our business."
He opened up the first door, then the second, eagerly scoping out both offices - which were almost identical, except the one on the right just felt right to Steele. He slapped a hand on the doorframe and crossed his arms over his chest.
"This one," he declared. "This is the one. I'm going to do great things in this office."
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Posted: Tue Jun 14, 2016 2:59 pm
Hauling in his first of three, he watched the blonde make his way into the right office and leave him with the remaining room - which was fine with him, really, being the left-handed person that he was. Dropping his box, the wooden framed diploma shifted atop the mess of desk paraphernalia, as if yearning to be once again dangling from a wall for all the world to see. All in due time, along with all of his other prestigious awards (and only a third of them were made up!). First, however, they would need to acquire some rather spiffy looking desks, one for each of their offices and one for the front lobby. Once they found the perfect secretary (for the hopefully perfect low-paying position), she would no doubt spend her time ushering clients into both offices, in between a barrage of phone calls. She'd spend most of her daylight hours greeting every voice and face with a clever motto that he and Euge- Steele would devise to entice the community with their business....but wait. Come to think of it, there was one more subject they had yet to broach and it was a topic they would need to discuss before the ad agency employee arrived on the scene. Digging into his pocket, out came yet another trusty quarter he could depend on. This one was shiny with only a minor scuff - dated 2011. The year he'd started law school. The year he'd made a promise to himself to get it together, to make a difference in the world. Not a shabby year to remember, honestly. The coin was flipped into the air, then casually caught in the palm of his hand. Strolling his way out of the empty office and back into the foyer, he gave the other man a wolfish grin. "We still haven't talked about whose name gets put first, on the logo." Pause. "Wanna flip for it?"
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Posted: Tue Jun 14, 2016 3:04 pm
He had yet to actually get his things out of his car, parked out front, because Steele was too busy surveying his new place of residence - and by residence, he meant this glorious new office that would surely rake in the big bucks.
He could almost taste the money. It was right there in front of them, ready for the taking.
Steele turned around to finally drag his things in and found Rob standing in the foyer of the office, smirking at him. Flashing him a suspicious look, he folded his arms across his chest and raised one (perfectly and privately waxed) eyebrow at his partner.
"Fine," he said airily, waving a (perfectly and privately manicured) hand as though the matter didn't matter at all. "We'll flip for it. That's fair."
Steele's eyes gleamed with interest and he added loftily, "Heads."
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Ghouliboo generated a random number between
1 and 2 ...
1!
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Posted: Tue Jun 14, 2016 4:04 pm
The quarter was nestled atop his thumb and without a second to waste, the coin went flying in the air, the only sound a tiny ping echoing through the empty foyer. He caught it with a silver flash, then promptly slapped it on the back of his other hand. Eyes twinkling, he slid his top hand away to reveal.... Heads.There was no questioning the sacred ritual of the coin flip - it was decided. "Moore and Banks it is, then!" His voice lacked the triumphant effect he'd prepared, but he was content nevertheless. He was a boss and that was all that mattered to him, at the end of the day. Name order was trivial, as long as his name was plastered across the city and it generated money for his bank account. The sound of a vehicle outside turned his head, eyes trailing the tiny blue Honda that advertised Ad It Up in bright white lettering on the door's side. "And it seems we made that call just in time, too."
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Posted: Tue Jun 14, 2016 7:48 pm
Steele put a hand behind his back and crossed his fingers, inwardly repeating the words heads heads heads over and over again inside of his mind, just in case the universe was listening and deciding to be nice to him - which it should be.
He resisted the very strong urge to yell aha! when it landed, a triumphant grin spreading across Steele's face.
"Moore and Banks, at your service!" he declared, spreading his hands in front of him as though displaying an invisible sign. "Just think - it'll be glorious, we'll put it out in big red letters - or maybe blue - and everyone will desperate for us to represent them, I can taste the desperation, Banks, I really can."
He turned his head and caught sight of the car, Steele clapping his hands together.
"Excellent," he said, "Now we just have to decide on a fantastic logo."
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Posted: Wed Jun 15, 2016 7:30 am
"Rather, that's why we're paying beautiful here. We front the money, she gives us the fantastic logo." Long, flawless legs were the first thing he noticed as the ad agent stepped out of the car, adjusting her skirt upon standing. Unbeknownst to her, both lawyers were enjoying the view as she took her time to look presentable. Rob spared a moment to feel guilty, before quickly remembering the recent vacancy on his left hand. It felt odd, not wearing a ring after the two years of being constantly reminded of his tied-down state, just as it felt awkwardly refreshing to realize he was back out and in the game. "Shall we?" He held the door for his partner as they both made their way out to meet the woman who would help set them on the map - literally. Every empty billboard they could afford in the most congregated areas of Destiny City, if they had their way with things. "Hello there! Good morning!" The redhead had been inspecting her makeup in the reflection of her driver's window - as he called out to her, Rob could have sworn he heard a small eep! elicit itself, but he couldn't be certain. "Good morning!" She was quick to return, folders clutched tightly against her chest. Clearly, she was new to the business. "Mr. Moore? Mr. Banks?" Her gaze darted quizzically between the two of them, unsure who to address first.
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Posted: Wed Jun 15, 2016 12:02 pm
Steele would have wolf whistled, but there was a time and a place for everything, after all. He did, however, watch appreciatively from inside the office, resisting the urge to nudge Rob in the side with his elbow and point out that he was so glad they'd come here after all.
He slipped outside, slapping on his cool, charismatic smile and sweeping in front of Rob in the process.
"Good morning," said Steele, flashing shiny white teeth and a perfectly coifed hairdo at the woman. He held out a hand, all tanned skin and flawlessly smooth mannerisms. "Allow me to introduce myself - I'm Steele Moore, and this is my partner, Robert Banks."
He gestured behind him at the man, but his eyes remained on the redhead.
"Please do come in."
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Posted: Tue Jan 03, 2017 6:32 pm
The agency worker's nerves seemed to relax as she slipped her way through the open door and into the empty office space. "Thank you. Amanda, Amanda Kelley. I'm here to discuss your new company...logo, is it?" Fingers moved up to gently push the black rimmed glasses further up her nose as she glanced around the empty building. "Where would you...like to discuss...?" "Here would be more than fine," Rob cut her off cheerfully, gesturing towards the only piece of furniture available for the moment - the empty front desk. "We just signed the lease on the place, sorry for the lack of...chairs and whatnot." He watched with curiosity as she moved to place her folder on top of the counter, edges of papers already daring to peek from behind the manila cover. "I hope you have some fantastic options for us this morning?" The question seemed to put her on edge and she nervously glanced up at Rob, then towards his partner. "Y-Yes, I hope so. I mean, I'm sure there's something in here that you'd like." Spreading out various pieces of paper, she motioned for both of the men to approach and glance over the printed samples, colors jumping out at both lawyers from where they stood. "Please tell me if there's something that stands out to you - or something you'd possibly like changed."
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Posted: Wed Jan 04, 2017 8:49 pm
"Amanda is a lovely name," said Steele with feeling, as she came in. He made sure to let go of her hand at precisely the right moment, though he gave her a dazzling smile as he did so, stepping back as Rob gestured her towards the desk.
Aka the only place in the building that actually looked semi-respectable but that was beside the point.
"Yes, it'll be beautiful once we get everything up," said Steele, with a nod and a flash of a grin. "Don't worry about the mess now, let's just take a look at these samples of yours, shall we?"
He stepped over with a short sweep of his feet across the carpet, sliding to stand beside Rob and look down at the options. Perfectly manicured hands rested on the edge of the desk, and Steele tapped a finger rhythmically against the wood, gaze narrowed slightly in concentration.
"What do you think, Rob?" he asked grandly. "I defer to your excellent judgement first and foremost."
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Posted: Fri Jan 06, 2017 8:12 am
Adequately flattered, hazel eyes began to study the pages in front of him, his own hand moving out to slide across the options. Mulling softly to himself, he flipped page after page, eyeing each example warily. There were several on each page, both names flip-flopped underneath each other. At the time of the request, they hadn't officially decided between Banks & Moore or Moore & Banks, so Rob had told her to work with both. After all, the agency was trying to please them for their money, right? "I like the color black. It's bold - to the point." His mouth hung open, however, as if he still had words dangling off his tongue. Eyes fell across a rather simple looking design, but enough pizzaz to catch his attention. "But gold...there's something about it. Classic. Rich." "You could always have a mix of both, if you'd wanted," Amanda quietly butted in, offering a compromise. "Mmm." Tapping his chin, he glanced between block font and script. "What are your thoughts, partner?"
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Posted: Sat Jan 07, 2017 9:53 am
Steele was inwardly crowing, half about the luck of the ritual coin toss, and half because there was a beautiful woman standing in their office, and half because he and Rob were bosses and therefore nothing else mattered, including math, because apparently he had three halves of himself, but that was beside the point.
"Black is good," Steele agreed, and followed Rob's gaze to the design in question, staring at it with just as much awe as the other man.
This was why they were partners.
"I do like the gold a great deal," said Steele, relishing the simple design and the fact that this was really happening. "Gold is - it's beautiful. It's pizzazy. It's elegant, and we are most definitely the very picture of elegance. We want to present that to the whole world. Moore and Banks."
Steele held up both hands, palms outwards, as though showcasing an imaginary sign.
"One name in block, the other in script, in gold and black. Grand."
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Posted: Mon Jan 09, 2017 6:26 am
Steele's excitement was infectious, Rob catching on quickly to the younger man's enthusiasm. "I can see it perfectly." His own hands moved out to mimic his partner's, coming together only to spread apart as he envisioned their logo atop the older building. "Great big block letters - professionally done, of course - right on top of the building. A warning to all wrong-doers, a beacon of hope for all those in need of someone to stand up for them - Moore and Banks, attorneys at large, attorneys in charge." If life were a musical, they'd be breaking into song right about then. "We can do the script for the letterheads, a gold flourish to it, with enough elegance to convince the masses that we're classy fellas and enough to intimidate the competition." His hand came down on the examples and he nodded his head, his perfectly shaped chin bobbing downwards as his head nodded in agreement to his own words. "Yes. Perfect." He only glanced down as the paper beneath his fingers began to shift, the agent slowly attempting to tug the book free of his abuse. "I-I know of a good associate company that can assist with your marquee needs," Amanda tucked her example portfolio away and now had her pen scribbling furiously on top of the blank notepad she'd whipped out from Rob could only guess where. "And I have a good idea as to what you two are looking for. I'll work on it for the rest of the afternoon and e-mail you both once I'm through?" "That sounds fine, very fine." Rob moved up to adjust his tie, a habitual tendency, as he watched the young woman. "TheGreatBanks01@gmail.com is still my personal one you can reach me at." He paused, "Though I guess we should go ahead and take up some more work-related ones, eh, partner?" He nudged his companion's shoulder, flashing him a blindingly white grin as the poor agent was clearly attempting to backpedal her way towards the front door.
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