002 VIDEO LIST TWO

[deadliestviper]

[This time when the video turns on, Beatrix is well-groomed and polished; she's dressed in a very feminine suit with a nametag reading BETH S. on the lapel, is wearing makeup, and her hair is pulled back in a ponytail. Her smile is bright, easy, and full. In both name and deed, she's here on Official Business.]

Ahoy! – That's the right terminology, right? I've never been on one of these things before. [She winces, a little self-deprecatingly.] Uh, anyway, hello there, I thought I'd better introduce myself since I'm going to be working with a few of you. My name's Beth Solberg, I'm a social worker, and I'm just here to check in on the staff and residents, ask a few questions, basically make sure everything on the Barge here is up to snuff.

So yes, I'll be speaking with a few of you. Let me assure you, you don't have to answer any questions you don't want to. I'm not here to interrogate, I just want to get the gist of the situation. And it is an unusual situation here, so any comments, complains, you've got about the place, this is the time to talk.

I'm setting up shop in the – what's this place called? That's it, library, no special term? Okay – I'm in the library for the next day, just stop on in. [She pauses, lifting a pen to her lips as she consults a clipboard.] Oh, and I've got a couple people I need to check in with – newer ones specifically. If none of you mind doing this in reverse alphabetical order, may I speak to a... Ms. Reese?

[OOC: So since I forgot to say earlier, this flood B.B. got marginalized. Beatrix still got pregnant, still had the baby, just never hid her pregnancy from Bill or ran away to Texas. As such she's still very much an active member of the Assassination Squad, with the events of the movie never happening. The social work thing? Just a ruse to get in the same room with her current target Natasha.]

Comments

[deadliestviper]

[No fear – she's as solid as her handshake.] Luxury, huh?

This isn't a promise by any stretch of the imagination but it's not impossible your stay would be extended. If you're making progress here it wouldn't make sense to relocate you.

[lastmanstanding]

[There's a momentary fling of selfishness. The other Hoffman doesn't know what he has or what he had. His eyes close and he looks amused.] Don't wanna get rid of me huh?

[But serious] ...I dunno, there's some kind of magic here. My lawyer's good, but...getting me to stay here?

[deadliestviper]

Don't see any reason why we should.

[She shrugs.] As I said before, it's not a promise. Just a possibility. What happens depends on your success in the programs here and what the authorities think. All you can do is give it your best shot, and enjoy it while you're here.

[lastmanstanding]

[his lip quirks upward and he smiles. It's a warm smile.] ...Enjoying it would be a real trick. I could live my life here happy.

I honestly thought after the things I did...

[He folds his hands together and looks down before looking back at her] ...Shoe'll drop in time.

[deadliestviper]

[She smiles back, and there's nothing obligatory or fake about it.] Then I'm glad you're here.

A murder's a debt to be repaid to society. It doesn't make you irredeemable.

The shoe always does. Brace yourself, I'll help you through it. [God she hopes this Reese woman doesn't show up halfway through this conversation. It'd be really awkward to kill her in front of this guy.]

[lastmanstanding]

[Hoffman can only nod] ...Thank you.

[He looks so eager, so excited, like a puppy. Head lowered.]

You'll work with me? I mean you can take my case?

[deadliestviper]

Don't mention it.

I'll do what I can, Mark. Like I said, I'm only here temporarily, but I am here for you.

[lastmanstanding]

[His only response is a very small smile, shy.]

Thank you Miss Solberg.

[deadliestviper]

It's my pleasure, Mark.