What We Do In The Shadows: "Jen..."
Summary: There are unexpected consequences when Laszlo seeks a new human familiar…
Part XX…
Colin Robinson's cell…Colin in trademark beige sweater and khakis...Seated on his cot.
"Well, I don't know why they ever had a doubt my paperwork wouldn't hold up as to the financial end, I've been working on it for years with a nice little bunch of enthralled or hypnotized public servants, a few tax lawyers, and a couple of bankers, one of whom even warned me of the coming stock market crash in 1929, thanks to Nandor's mind control. Heck, we even own two oil wells in Saudi Arabia, well, at least, sixty-five percent control. Of course we could actually handle the purchase price here...Not that we'll probably pay eight million outright, though we'll have to see a lot of that paid out to keep things looking legal. I think the guys can persuade the owners to forego some follow up transfers, it'll probably be about five million that has to change hands."
Slight sigh…
"Of course now Nandor and Laszlo think they're real estate tycoons and are already looking to buy up some more properties. Heck, we don't want to attract attention much, eh, guys?" rolling eyes.
"Well, Nadja will probably talk some sense into them or get the lady minions to. Or it may all end in tears and more burned vampires when the police or the IRS or both show up. Oh, well...Lets hope I get to use that pool again, I really enjoyed it. And it would be fun to see Nandor in his official general's uniform at the reception he wants to give for the new house. I think even Nadja's going a little gaga there, talking about inviting some of the vampires who disrespected her and Laszlo, to let them see they're making out well, redecorating, showing off the daylight-allowing windows to some of us daywalkers. Sweetie? We just got you away from the death sentence of the Vampiric Council? Though, it would be nice to see some of the Council and others come and stew and feed off their wrath. And they can't try a vampire for the same crime twice. You cheat Death, you're pretty much good under the Code. They hate the bother and fuss of a second trial." shrug. "You would think near-Immortals would have more patience but..."
"I hafta say, I admire the way that new one, the agency owner, Ginny, gets around Nadja a bit, more and more each time. See with enthrallment or mind control, depending on the character of the subject there are three ways to go. A strong-minded person tries to resist, then breaks...And either becomes a bug-eating Renfield looney or tells themselves, oh I always secretly wanted this and I was already sexually attracted to my master/mistress at sight to the point of abject slavery. You know, like Stockholm Syndrome. Then there are the people of either weak or maybe better to say, 'flexible' character...These are folks who shift their morals for a living or are have lived with lies to survive all their lives...Say a con artist, or a good spy, or an abused wife. They know how to bend with the wind so even though they may seem to grovel more, they manage to keep some independence. 'Yeah, Master I'll kill my boyfriend but wouldn't it be better if…?' That sort of thing. I can see Ginny doing it already. Not that she wouldn't kill her own daughters if Nadja commanded it but she'd squirm and dodge and suggest all kinds of reasons why it would really be better not to do it." shrug.
"Still, a lot of those types make the best minions, they can still think for themselves and warn you if you're getting a little power mad… You know, like telling Hitler, 'Really dude, invading Russia is a bad idea.' Which as a matter of fact I did when I was working for a few months in the Statistics Office of the Abwehr for a bit when I wanted to get away from Depression America for a bit in the late 30s. Given I immediately came back here after that memo, you can guess what 'der Fuehrer's' attitude was..." wry smile.
…
Laszlo, in the fancy room…Looking as regal as possible...Nadja beside him...Likewise…
Nandor beside them, also attempting regal stance… Guillermo watching from side, pleased to see his new friend and...Well, she tries to let him feel that way...Assistant, Jennifer, being honored...
"Minions Jennifer and Ginny..." Laszlo addresses the kneeling, heads bowed, Jen and Ginny in their business suits…
"You have served us well. Know that we, your Master and Mistress, and your other overlord, Master Nandor..." bow to Nandor who reciprocates… "Are pleased with you." regal nod.
"Yes, very good work, girls. We be very pleased, truly." Nadja, friendly beam, nod.
"We live to serve..." Jennifer, Ginny in unison.
"Up, girls...You must be uncomfortable like this." Nadja waves them up. Jen only hesitating a second till Laszlo seconds Nadja…
"Yes, yes...No need to grovel. We just wanted you to know how pleased we were. Very fine job, ladies." Laszlo agrees
Jennifer and Ginny standing…Jen beaming, Ginny, respectful smile...
"Now, we just need for Colin Robinson to arrange the earnest money transfer… And let the paperwork magic move along." Laszlo, rubbing hands. "Oh and of course we must arrange the sale of this place. Jen? You have some news on that?"
"Yes, Master." Jen nods. "Ms. Reynolds is very interested and some others have expressed interest. I think you know one of them, a Mr. Devious. Ginny's worked with him but says you told her he's a vampire lord in Manhattan?"
"Simon...Phooey..." Nandor frowns. "He's not getting our place, the little creep."
"No way..." Laszlo agrees.
"We could see some of the blocked windows are left open..." Nadja suggests. "Bring him for a tour and...He's arrogant and stupid enough to come during the day if the girls work it right."
"Oh, Lord no...Do we need another death sentence from the Vampiric Council?" Laszlo frowns.
"Point is taken..." Nandor notes. "Ladies...Do not lure Simon the Devious here during the daylight. Still, given the place is becoming rat-infested...With some residual stench from the corpses..." pregnant pause, smile to the other vampires.
"Stick him with this shit-hole...Not a bad idea at that." Laszlo agrees.
"Do we really want him on Staten Island, the prick?" Nadja eyes the other two…
"If I may, Mistress?" Ginny askes...Nadja graciously nodding… "I think he just wants the place as an investment property. He actually has two on the Island now."
"He has homes here on Staten Island and never bothered to pay us a courtesy call?" Nandor, annoyed. "He is indeed of the prick sort persuasion."
"Well, Revenge is a dish best laced with cash...Simon's in this case." Laszlo beams. "Lets stick it to the bastard. Girls, suck him dry. Financially."
"Guillermo? If Simon the Devious takes the house I want you to make sure the place is thoroughly rat-infested after we move." Nandor beams.
"Of course, Master." Guillermo, nodding.
"Oh, Master Nandor..." Jen, anxiously. "I would never challenge your commands unless they conflicted with my Master's but, I think we would be in trouble if the place is full of rats when we close."
"Hmmn...You're sure? Ginny?" Nandor includes her.
"Yes, Master Nandor. I agree with Jen." Ginny sighed. "But if the local rats frequent the place, they would probably return later if we could drive them away till after the sale..."
Cut to Colin standing in doorway, glancing at us…
See what I mean? And not a bad thing necessarily…
"Well, that's not a bad alternative..." Laszlo, turning to Nadja..." We drive the rats away, have our girls make the deal with Simon the Devious Prick, and then let the boys come running back to home and hearth. I like it." Laszlo nods.
"Yes...I wish we could be there to see the rats scampering back...Simon hates rats." Nadja beams. "On the ship over he was always looking for them and asking me to scattering them."
"But wear crucifixes under your blouses at all times with Simon and company." Laszlo insists. "We don't want those assholes feeding on our dear familiars."
"Indeed not. I second Master Laszlo's command, Ginny." Nadja nods.
"Thank you, Mistress...Master Laszlo." Ginny smiles. "Now, about my office staff...There are a few folks whom you really should ensure won't ever speak about the deal when the paperwork gets to us. I mean they'd never ask a question about it but if things ever went wrong at work, one or two might wanna get back at us and they're required to handle some things or it would look suspicious."
"And of course it's a good place for you to feed, if you don't kill them." Jen notes.
"Ah, yes..." Laszlo, brightening at the prospect...An office full of mostly young female victims, ready to become his servants.
"Not you, Laszlo." Nadja, grimly. "I said no harem and I meant 'no harem'. And you gave your word." hard stare.
Laszlo, sighing...
"Fine...Unless there's a male in the office?" Laszlo eyes Jen and Ginny.
"Only a janitor...I try to encourage women in our profession." Ginny, a bit wanly proud.
"How about I go a day or two, as a new temp?...I have hundreds of leave and sick hours at my regular job and I could use a new feeding ground." Colin speaks up. "Come on, you folks owe me. And I can watch over the transactions better..."
"I'll be glad to find some other victims for you, Master." Jen offers, pained by Laszlo's distressed look.
He's such a good husband, really…
"Thanks, Jen...Very kind indeed. Yes, let Nandor go, I'll take any leftovers Jen can find." Laszlo sighs.
"Oh, stop it, Laszlo. You can come and feed. Just no enthralling. Or turning." Nadja, shaking head.
Laszlo, sly grin to camera...
"Mistress? If we could avoid killing my staff?" Ginny speaks up, a bit anxious. "It might be hard to explain...And we don't want the police around right now."
"Don't worry, Ginny. We'll be very discreet and only drain a bit from several of the girls. Nandor and I will then enthrall the ones we need to cover any loose ends." Nadja, soothingly.
"Thank you, Mistress." beam and respectful nod. "I think I can take Mr. Robinson on as a temp for a few days when he likes if that's ok with you. I'd like to try and thank him for saving your lives."
"Fine by me..." Nadja shrugs. "Enjoy your buffet, Colin Robinson."
"Yes, that seems only a right reward. And you can help our minions see all goes well." Nandor agrees. "But I will see you even more properly rewarded, Colin Robinson. I suggest we name our new pool, the Colin Robinson pool." smile.
"Fine..." Laszlo shrugs. "I don't swim anyway."
…...
