(no subject)

[smelltheashes]

Some people are born great. Some people achieve greatness. Some people have greatness thrust upon them. Some have a combinat- okay, who are we kidding? Some people are just plain there. Their sole claim to greatness is that somebody said "Great!" when they heard the person in question somehow managed to not blow the lab around him to bits despite forgetting to ask "Hey, what does this label that says 'pyrophoric' mean?" before opening the sealed jar.

And by "some people" we mean "Floyd Mason".

That isn't to say he doesn't try. He tries all the time. He tries so. hard. It's just that enthusiasm is seldom a substitute for discretion or competence, you know? It goes a long way but in the end, sometimes you really have to know what you're doing.

Which is why Alyx Vance would be justified in feeling a weird chill run down her back just before there's a rap at her door...

Comments

[smelltheashes]

"Well, I kinda figure people'll figure it out when we're lining up to go out there," says Floyd. "But okay, sure, I can wait that long."

[vance_prime]

With anyone else, Alyx would be content to leave it at that. But this is Floyd. She wants to make sure to seal the deal.

"You breathe a word of this to anyone, you're off decoy duty, and I'm cutting off your drills with Shephard."

[smelltheashes]

He comes thisclose to saying "you wouldn't!", but he's talking to Alyx Vance, and he's pretty sure she would. So he just shakes his head rapidly instead. "No ma'am," he says. "I won't tell anyone. Not even the least tiny bit."

[vance_prime]

"Good man." Alyx nods. "We move in two days. Meet me in my office the night before and we'll get you set up."

[smelltheashes]

"You betcha, Ms. Vance," says Floyd. "Is there anything else?"

[vance_prime]

"Nothing I can think of," says Alyx after a moment. "I'll let you know if anything comes up. Discreetly."

[smelltheashes]

Floyd nods. "In that case I'd better get back to work," he says. "I've got a lot of guns to do maintenance on. You know. Just in case."

[vance_prime]

"Remember--our little secret."

Let's hope she doesn't regret this.