[PM]

[essentiallyharmless]

[sent to Peter]

So, I have a business proposal for you.

Comments

[fucking_ebay]

How is it I keep meeting lunatics?

[essentiallyharmless]

It's New York with a rift in space and time. I doubt there are weirder places in this time. You'll get used to it, I'm sure. I did.

[fucking_ebay]

I miss Vegas.

I've been here longer, remember? Maybe I don't want to get used to it.

[essentiallyharmless]

Then what do you plan to do about it besides whining?

[fucking_ebay]

It's not like it's my fault everyone here is fucked up. Why should I have to do anything about it?

[essentiallyharmless]

I mean if you don't like it here, why don't you leave?

[Look who's talking.]

[fucking_ebay]

Have you found a way off this island? Because I'm all ears over here.

[essentiallyharmless]

I haven't been looking; I'd be equally miserably everywhere.

[fucking_ebay]

Of course. How helpful of you.

[essentiallyharmless]

I live to serve, etc.

Honestly though, I can't help but feel like your problems are a bit more personal besides how terrible this city and its people are. Ever considered, I dunno, actually talking about it?

[fucking_ebay]

And now you're a therapist? Maybe there are things I'd rather not talk about. At all.

[essentiallyharmless]

Shockingly, there are other people in one's life that one may choose to share things with, besides those you pay to listen. But if you'd like to reject any even vaguely friendly gesture completely out of hand, who am I to force you?

[fucking_ebay]

It's private.

[essentiallyharmless]

I'm not prying!

If you don't need a friendly ear, how about a bottle of raspberry vodka?

[fucking_ebay]

...Now, that does sound like a thing that I need, yeah.

[essentiallyharmless]

I'll be right over.

[essentiallyharmless]

[A few days later, after Gabriel harrasses Peter in the park.]

Sorry I didn't show up. There was a particular customer of yours I wanted to avoid.

[fucking_ebay]

[Peter's been conspicuously absent from the park since then, living off what he'd already made (and that fucking fifty Gabriel gave him turned out to be a one dollar bill).]

Who would that be?

[essentiallyharmless]

Guy called Gabriel. Shortish man, late 30s or so, a bit smirky? I met him the other day, didn't feel inclined to talk to him.

[fucking_ebay]

Good inclination. Your instincts seem to be improving.

[essentiallyharmless]

You know him?

[fucking_ebay]

I do now. Could have used you as a distraction, actually.

[essentiallyharmless]

Next time, then.

What did he do that needed distracting from?

[fucking_ebay]

Some sort of illusion bullshit -- looks like the rift gave the asshole powers.

[essentiallyharmless]

According to him, the rift actually took away some of his powers - he was quite huffy about it. So I'd be glad he isn't more powerful.

He got himself electrocuted by the rift while I was talking to him. Word to the wise: don't mess with the rift.