Alright, starting in the world of the AU, so don't be mean! Arthur Kirkland is a nature photographer from England, and is slightly shocked when he is informed his new photography job is for an experimental segment the magazine he works for about American culture. Arthur's assignment? Photographing Alfred F. Jones in the cultural society known as New York City.

"Arthur, I have a new assignment for you. It's...different, but I have sincere faith in you that you can do it, right-o?" Arthur Kirkland, photographer specializing in nature, listens intently as his boss tells him of his next photo assignment.

"Yes yes, well then, where will I be headed on this one?" He stands, straightening his clothes and picking up his camera bag.

"Pack your bags Arthur, you're going to America!" His boss stands as well, holding out his hand for to shake.

"A-America? But, you run an English magazine, why am I going there?" He shakes his hand reluctantly.

"We're doing a story on American culture; we want to see how it differs from our own." He smiles brightly, taking a drink of his tea.

"So that's how you mean, different huh? Well, what am I photographing then? I assume, if it's about culture it definitely won't be what I'm used to."

"You assume correctly sir! You'll be shadowing and photographing one, Alfred F. Jones if I'm not mistaken. Do behave while you're in America." He laughs jokingly. "Alright, everything you need to know is in here," he hands him a large, and thick, envelope. "There will be a reporter from time to time though we've tried to avoid having both of you there, we want him to feel comfortable. This is not in fact an interrogation. You're plane leaves at 5:00 am tomorrow morning, be at the airport by 3:30 if you will. You know how these things can be."

"Of course sir, I'll be there on time. Is that all then? You say everything I need is in here, then I suppose I should be off to get ready. Farewell then, sir." Arthur smiles and shakes his bosses hand again, hoisting his camera bag over his shoulder.

"Alright, do enjoy your time in America! Mind you, your expenses are paid; motel and such. It should take but a week! You're ticket is round trip, a week from the day after tomorrow, that way you can settle in tomorrow night. You'll be going out to dinner with Mr. Jones tomorrow night, you have reservations for 5:00 so you two can get acquainted." His boss adds.

"Alright sir, will I be informing you when I land?" Arthur inquires, his hand on the door knob.

"If you don't mind, do keep me informed on progress if you might. Well then, I suppose you should be off. Enjoy yourself!" He smiles at his photographer on last time as he bids him farewell.

Arthur returns home, already tired. He sighs. Why the bloody hell do I have to go to America? He doesn't like the idea of doing something so different, in another country no doubt. Now the matter is, who is Alfred F. Jones? Arthur sighs heavily, falling onto his bead. "I suppose I should be packing."

Arthur rummages through his closet, pulling out a suitcase stamped with the union jack and began throwing clothes in. He focuses more on getting everything he needs for his camera. Finally, once everything is packed and ready to go, he sets his alarm and falls into bed, instantly falling asleep.

-beep beep beep beep- "Damn it... Time to get up already?" He shuts off the alarm and yawns. His morning seems to drift by; showering, eating and going to the airport, waiting for the plane, getting on the plane. The whole ritual is performed as if Arthur is in a daze; a walking coma. He sleeps lightly on the plane, though he has a rudely loud person next to him and the turbulence over the ocean is nothing to brush off.

"Please fasten your safety belts, we'll be descending shortly and thank you for flying with us." A robot voice comes over the loud speaker. Arthur rolls his eyes.

Soon enough, the poor Brit is on the ground again. It's currently 3:00, the flight having taken longer than expected he has 2 hours before he has to be at the restaurant. New York City; he hasn't even left the airport and yet he's already in a mix between terror and enthrallment. The people are so odd... Some are dressed ridiculously, some professionally and so many various other people his brain can hardly process. He reads over the first instructions from the folder under his arm.

'Mr. Jones will pick you up from the airport. He says you'll know him when you see him? If it helps, I've enclosed a picture of him. Good luck.'

"Helpful..." He sighs once more. "Well, I'll be lucky if I do find him I suppose." He looks for the picture his boss mentioned, not finding it. "Now I'll really be lucky. Guess I'll have to get a cab."

"Heyyyy British dude!" He hears a very loud voice screaming and instinctively turns to the source, as does a good majority of the people around. He looks over to see a blond man, slightly taller than himself in a bomber jacket. He's laughing loudly and waving a sign that says 'Arthur Kirkland' and the Brit flushes with embarrassment.

"Mr. Jones, I presume?" He asks, hoping to silence him. It seems to work.

"Hm?" He stops laughing and looks down at the Englishman, beautiful blue eyes set behind thin frames. Arthur finds himself hypnotized, wanting a picture of the man as he was there. He got a better look at him now; he noticed beyond his blond hair and stunning blue eyes he was well built with a smile to die for. "Don't be so nerdy, call me Alfred, or better yet, Al!" He snickers again, taking the bag from Arthur and beckoning him to follow.

They climb into the American's car and Arthur smiles a bit to himself. 'This could be a fun job after all.'

~K

Do let me know if you like it, or what I should do. Remember, be kind this is my first attempt at AU stuff mkay? No flames please, and bacon to reviewers! ^,^ Reviews make me write faster too! Make a writer's day, R&R!