Marcus Hamilton carefully checked his reflection in the shiny elevator door before it opened on the top floor of Wolfram & Hart's Los Angeles office. It was his first day as liaison to the Senior Partners, and he was determined to make an impression right away. Angel was to be an incredibly important player in the upcoming apocalypse, and if the Senior Partners were happy with Hamilton's performance he could be looking at a very cushy position after the smoke cleared. Perhaps even full partnership.
Stepping out of the elevator, he was annoyed as a good-looking blonde woman bumped into him. She was obviously very upset for some reason, crying and not watching where she was going, but he still briefly considered ripping her head off. That would be one way to make an impression. It would also mean he'd have to go home and change into another Armani suit, however, so he let her go and walked up to Angel's secretary's desk.
"Sorry about that", the blonde vampire behind the desk smiled as she went into gossip mode. "That was Angel's ex Nina, she's –"
Hamilton stopped her with a decisive stare and the hint of a small, professional smile that just screamed superiority. "I don't care. I'm here to see Angel, I'm his new liaison to the Senior Partners."
"Really? Cool! What happened to Eve?"
"Believe me, you don't want to know."
"Oh, I do! I'm always eager to learn and as an up-and-coming working gal I –"
"We transferred her to our office in Kansas." He smiled as Harmony stared at him in horror. "I told you you didn't want to know. Now, I think you had better take me to your leader, as the saying goes. The Senior Partners haven't heard from or seen Angel for days, and they are getting very worried."
"Well... OK." Harmony sighed and looked very uncomfortable. "I suppose... step right this way." She led him over to the office and opened the door.
The scene that was revealed would have seemed very cute to anyone able to appreciate cuteness, which Hamilton unfortunately couldn't. Fred was on the floor playing with Angel, using Mr Gordo as bait. Angel was in heaven, his little tail wagging as he pounced again and again on the stuffed pig, his harmless teeth barely ruffling its pink fur. Occasionally he allowed himself to be caught and have Fred scratch his belly. When Hamilton walked in, the playing stopped and Angel looked up with a questioning look on his acrylic face. "Rrrr?"
Fred got up from the floor looking embarrassed. "Hiya. Can I help you?"
"Yes, I'm looking for Angel. I was told he was here, but –"
"Oh, that's him." Fred pointed at the wolf.
Hamilton looked at the wolf.
Then he looked at Fred.
Then he looked at the wolf.
Then he looked at Fred. "THIS... is Angel?"
"Well, there was a spell, and then he got bit by a werewolf, and –"
"Let me get this straight." Hamilton interrupted her, and as he quickly glanced out the window he could have sworn he saw his career opportunities grow wings and fly far far away. "You allowed the CEO of Wolfram & Hart's Los Angeles division, the champion of mankind, the souled vampire who's supposed to be playing a pivotal role in the upcoming apocalypse to be turned into a stuffed toy?"
"I guess." Fred shifted awkwardly. "If it's any consolation, I think he still has a soul. Kinda hard to tell, obviously. But he broods a lot at night."
"And exactly who is in charge here while Angel is... indisposed?"
Fred's face took on a dreamy look. "That would be Wes... ley. Wesley Wyndam-Pryce."
"Then would you please fetch him?" Hamilton's tone didn't sound like a friendly suggestion, and Fred quickly excused herself. Hamilton sighed. He sincerely hoped the Senior Partners weren't watching as he knelt down beside the puppet champion vampire werewolf with a soul, taking great care to speak slowly. "So, Angel. We meet at last. My name is Marcus Hamilton and I will be your new liaison to the Senior Partners. It's an honor to be working with you."
Angel, who had been busy trying to scratch the top of his head with his hind leg, now tilted his head and regarded the big man curiously. "Mrrf?"
Hamilton wondered if that was supposed to be "Marcus?". Maybe he could still establish some sort of communication with Angel? He was about to try when he felt Harmony still looking intently at him. He turned around and fixed her with an icy stare. "Any reason you're still here?"
"Oh, nothing, it's just... haven't I seen you somewhere before?"
"No."
"No, but seriously, aren't you that guy from that sci-fi show on -"
"No."
"You sure?" She obviously wasn't convinced. "Prove it. Say 'I'll be in my bunk'."
"Angel and I have important business to discuss. Get OUT." When Harmony still didn't move, Hamilton simply grabbed her and tossed her out into the hallway.
At this point, Angel casually strolled over to Hamilton, lifted his leg and let out a long yellow stream, dousing the lawyer's expensive suit in wolf-pee from the knee downwards. He then barked once, carefully picked up Mr Gordo between his jaws and strutted proudly into the elevator.
Hamilton stared as the elevator doors closed, and then grudgingly bent down and wrung the pee out of his trouser leg. "Gorramit." Muttering in Chinese, he left the building to go home and change.