What We Do In The Shadows: "Jen..."

Summary: There are unexpected consequences when Laszlo seeks a new human familiar…

Part LVI…

"You were saying you want to negotiate..." Ginny eyes Simon in his swivel chair, just brought in by Anne the intern…

"Common threat, dear heart..." he smiles. "So, your Masters do know about Dr. Van Helsing manifesting in the area."

"You've seen him?"

"No, thank whoever..." mock anxious wave… "But he's been seen, heard, and well...I can tell you the Vampiral Council is trembling in their all-too-often very unchic boots, for reasons understandable..." sigh. "Ginny? Shall we be honest with each other? As honest as a vampiral Lord and a groveling bag of human meat can be to each other? I know he's appeared to your 'friends'."

"And you know that how?"

"We'll need to be further along in our negotiations before I reveal my sources or other info. But you must know...Your Lords and Lady must have told you...I have my people everywhere. In the tri-state area..."

Buzz…

"Sorry..." Ginny presses button as Simon waves a hand graciously… "Yes, Anne?"

"The film crew's here...They're asking to see you?" yawn over phone.

"Sorry, I'm a little tired. Should I have them wait?"

"Just a mo..." Ginny put down phone.

"The cameras are here?!" Simon eagerly… "Let them in, by all means...Ah...Yes, all human..." he nods, having sensed. "It's fine, Victor. Don't kill anyone. Ginny's not done anything foolish. Though..." smile. "I do sense another presence...One I caught a wiff of when we came in...Not exactly our kind but..."

Victor, tensing...Lesley as well…

"Colin Robinson works here...On the paperwork for selling their place..." Ginny nods. "That's all..."

"I see...Yes, he was always the fine...Clerk. All right...He was here after all. I'll let it pass. But you shouldn't keep those wonderful film people waiting..." He rose, urging her up as well. Ginny rising and making for the door…

"But..." he was at her side, she jumping a bit involuntarily… "If he tries to drain us dry...I will not kill you, I'll take you...And a double thralled human is a very sad sight to see. Madness is inevitable, death an agony shortly after… And I hate to imagine what triple thrall would be like if I had Victor join in." broad smile.

"He's just doing his job...As I am." Ginny, firmly.

"Fine then..." stepping away.

She went to the door and opened, inviting the crew in…Colin waving to them, smiling at her...

Outside, the various staffers in office, looking down to her office…

Now she lets them right into her office...?

"They have got to be feds..."Billie notes to Angie.

"Eloise…!" Erika, standing in corner of office building across from Zeller Properties to the cautiously approaching Eloise, just emerged from her car in that lot, having arranged to meet.

"You ok?" carefully appraising… "See anyone from Devious' crew?"

"Fine...And no one I can tell...Only humans around..." Erika noted… "And they seem to be about their business… Are you sure he's there?"

"Anne told Jennifer..."

"Are they safe? Eloise?"

"Your dudes and the lady are fine...Coming soon..."

"Nein...No! They shouldn't come, it's too dangerous. We'll go in and tell him we are here to negotiate, then we'll kill him if we can..." Erika steps out on sidewalk…

"Girl...Don't be a fool. And while I'll protect you guys, I'm not gonna be a fool either..." Eloise insists.

"Get away! Go, if you want!" Erika angrily.

"They're coming and you can't kill him before they do, you'll just cost your owners you and Ginny and Devious will be ready for them...So, if you want my help, calm down and do it in the shadows." Eloise eyes her. "Come on, Erika. You know I'm right, girl."

Sighing, Erika steps back to corner of building with her...

"Are you sure you can drive this thing all painted over like this?" Martha, to Jen as they sit in the front of the transport van...The vampires in back, buried under overcoats, a couple of rugs, and a tarp…

"I think so...Gui said it's like driving a truck, just use the mirrors and this thing..." Jen indicated the tube which allowed a forview through the painted windshield. "We need to see if we can get those shifting glass windows for this thing… Just watch your window side and let me know if you see any cars when I turn or turning on your side against me. Hey, folks...Master? We're ready if you are!"

"Very well..."Laszlo calls. "The vampire cavalry to the rescue...Pardon, vampire and human family cavalry..."

"Master...Thanks..." Jen beams. "Ok, we're off!"

"Martha? You did put on your seat belt?" Nandor calls.

Same time…

Mexico City, the Gran Ciudal…Restaurant…

The whole group including Dracula and Mrs. Afanas...And the newly introduced Phyllis...At brunch...

"So...You work with Miss Susan, Ms. Nugent?" Dr. Acura asks, smiling…

"We're contractors, sort of, out of the same agency..." Phyllis nods.

"Traveling alone here? On vacation? That's a bit dangerous, don't you think?"

"I'm doing the same, Philippe..." Mrs. Afanas, seated to Phyllis' right, patting her arm with a smile. "Don't be sexist."

"I worry about you too dear...I'm rather glad myself to have had Guillermo and Susan here for company, though my trip here was my duty to an old friend. Believe me, I would be nervous for my own safety in some areas. No offense intended, Guillermo, my boy." smile to Guillermo who shakes head.

"It can be bad in some places...I know..."

"That's why he and Sue insisted I transfer here..." Phyllis notes, a bit hastily. "But it's business as well as pleasure for me here. We're interested in acquiring some places here. I might even help Gui and his family with some of their properties..."

"Yeah..." Guillermo nods… "We'll see what my folks say…"

Susan, now in light summer dress, frowning a moment but saying nothing…

"It must be interesting, the contrast from doing business in New York and then here..." Acura notes, musing a bit. "The rules and regulations and so on..."

"It's a challenge but I like...Challenges..." Phyllis, eyeing Guillermo fondly.

"Well, in any case, I'm glad you're with Susan and Guillermo here. It's always nice to get others' impressions in traveling to new places." Acura smiles.

"It's great. So...You've known Gui's aunt a long time, doctor?" Phyllis, intently.

"Many years indeed...She is one of the finest nurses I ever worked with.. And a dear friend...

I wish I could do something for her. But...Guillermo..." he eyes him sadly. "We all must face mortality in God's good time."

Sue and Phyllis exchanging glances…

"I guess..." Guillermo sighs. "I know they've taken good care of her and she said she was comfortable and at peace with it."

"Yes and she will be comforted by seeing you again..." Acura nods.

"Indeed..." Mrs. Afanas smiles at him. "She always speaks of you to me when we talk..."

She did? Guillermo blinks…

Is that your way of saying...You knew who I was right from the start…And does it mean, when you and the Baron...er Barren...Came…?

You came in part to meet...Or at least check me out?

"And she'll be pleased to meet your lovely fiancee..." Dr. Acura smiles at Susan who gives shy smile...Phyllis, a slight grimace…

"Oh...Is that all set now?" she asks, a bit stilted in tone.

Don't push my buttons too hard, bitch...Sidelong glance Susanward. I'll accept you and Gui needed cover here.

"I sure hope so...Gui?" Susan to Guillermo with warm smile...Sidelong glance to a slightly reddening Phyllis…

Up yours, bitch…He's publicly taken.

Guillermo, nervous glances to each...Ladies…

"Uh...Well...Yeah, sure..." slight gulp…

"That's wonderful." Phyllis, grimly. "Congrats..."

"By the way, how did you all meet?" Acura asks. "I understand from Rosa that Guillermo has been in geriatric nursing..."

"He's sure to be a very fine one...From his care of my dear one..." Mrs. Afanas notes.

Really? Guillermo blinks.

Well, I was pretty attentive from a safe distance till I accidentally killed him…

"Through a friend of Phyl's and mine...His clients were looking to sell their place." Susan notes. "I came along to help Jen and met Gui...And that was that..." fond beam to Guillermo. "My heart went pitter-pat as they say. Though I've had trouble getting him to believe me."

"That's for sure..." Phyllis, blurting a bit… "I mean, Gui is so modest and shy. He has trouble believing how wonderful people think he is..." warm stare his way. "...when they get to know him...Like we have."

"I have some competition, I think..." Susan smiles, just a bit brittley. "Just kidding..." to Phyllis' stare. "Though I know Phyl loves Gui, too. It's hard not to."

"Susan is very lucky. I'm sure she appreciates it." Phyllis, a bit grimly. "So, Doctor...What sort of medicine do you practice?"

"Well, internal medicine...Including a surgical specialty in cardiology for years...Though now I work primarily as a general practitioner. It's a bit more encompassing and allows closer contact with patients, I feel." nods.

"Then Gui's aunt was your surgical nurse…?" Phyllis continues.

"We worked together on a number of cases...She was a mistress of her craft." he smiles. "Brought many poor souls back from death and suffering...As did our Cicely here..." he turns to Mrs. Afanas.

"Well, I retired early..." she smiles in turn. "I was quite the housewife for a very long time though I maintained an interest in my field. My husband required considerable care but it was a joy to me. The most entertaining and exciting man, despite his medical problems, I've ever known..." slight tearing, fond beam.

"Forgive me, friends...Just a bit of melancholy. It catches me from time to time." wan smile, shrug.

"I'm so sorry. We shouldn't forget you're in mourning." Susan, sympathetically.

"Well, not the way I would have to back in the old days for certain..." Mrs. Afanas chuckles, indicating her quite vibrant outfit. "But Barren would never had wanted me to stifle my spirit that way. I celebrate him and our love by continuing as he would...Curious and excited by the world."

"He did seem that way..." Guillermo notes. Hmmn...He eyes his buzzing phone…

"Excuse me, I'll take this over there..." he gets up.

"I'll come too, Gui...Hold up!" Susan moving before Phyllis could make excuse to leave as well.

"I hope it's nothing too urgent..." Acura notes…

"So...Ms. Nugent." Mrs. Afanas smiles to the distracted, worried Phyllis… "You've been in real estate a long time? I'd considered I might try my hand when this trip is over. I find I rather love going through older homes..."

"Yeah...I love it. I'd wanted to be an architect but I was no good...I hope it's nothing..." she glances over. And I wish I'd put that bitch to bed permanently last night…

Oh...No, I meant what I said. But, geesh...She has to share too. And not flaunt it in my face like this…

I wonder if it's new orders from the Masters and Mistress? The Van Helsing guy back again...Or worse? I better excuse myself for the powder room and try to find out, just ask on the way over.

"Hold on, Erika? You say Simon Devious? At the office? Alone with Ginny...And some of the others…?" Guillermo asks phone. Susan by his side, trying to follow…Increasingly anxious at his words…

Something's up...Phylllis realizes...

"Excuse me, got to powder my nose...You know..." Phyllis gives smile, rising from her chair. "Back in a jiffy."

….

"Hello...I am Simon Devious...Well, Simon the...In my truest form. But legally, Simon Devious...Club owner, entrepreneur, theatrical producer...Vampire Lord." Simon in his swivel chair, smiling to the cameras. "Thanks for this opportunity to explain myself to Humanity and my old chums...Oh, my manners. This, as many of you viewers probably know, is Miss Lesley Ciara, singer, dancer, actress...A woman of incomparable talents. I hope you caught her on Broadway in the revivals of "Oklahoma" and "Cabaret" she was outstanding..." Lesley beaming and trying as best she could to follow his orders to be "bright and bubbly"…

"Thank you, Simon..." she nods.

"Oh...Ummn...Cut? Is it all right for me to say that? Thanks...I just wondered if I should say… 'Of course that's all nonsense, there are no such things as vampires'? No? Oh, realism...The absolute truth? How wonderful. Liberating, really. But, I have to tell you, I think most people will still refuse to believe… Yes, it's amazing what people will and won't accept." he nods to answering crew member. "Anyway, sorry to interrupt...Let me get resettled here...Yes. Ok. Action!"

"So, why am I, the Vampiral Lord Supreme of Manhattan and the tri-state area, here...Putting my existence at risk in facing my old frienemies? And with such weak support...No offense, guys..." he notes to Lesley and Victor. "You two are the best." beam. Victor nodding...Lesley happily smiling back.

"Well, I am here, to meet with this wonderful lady, my old friend, Ginny Zeller, now Vampiral Minion as well as the best damned realtor on Staten Island and, in my humble, the whole tri-state area...Because of a menace from the past that threatens all vampires, at least in the tri-state area. And of course all their human minions as well… My gesture, in bringing practically no support, is one of good will and peace, which I venture to hope..." smile to Ginny behind her desk. "Will be reciprocated. Victor?"

Victor grimly pulling out an antique photo...Dr. Van Helsing, Ginny notes, glancing at Simon…

"This will really delight vampire lore and horror fans…This, yes, is the actual Vampire Hunter crème dela crème, Dr. Abraham Van Helsing, in about 1880, fresh off one of his rather cruel sprees of the mass murder of my people. I know, I know..." Simon puts up a hand. "We feed on and often kill humans...But friends, really? Don't we also grant eternal life to a number? And I can tell you we employ thousands more than we ever kill. We, my dear friends of Humanity, are not only no threat to the existence of your species, we often have been its salvation...Curbing plaques, stopping mad conquerors...Do you know, some of us were responsible for killing half Napoleon's Grand Army in Russia? And it was more than snow that stopped Hitler in his own turn. Though, I take nothing away from the heroic Russian people, please..." smile.

"It's our existence my friends, that's at...Stake...Sorry, bad joke...Here, friends." Simon notes. "It's true that Dr. Van Helsing's intentions were honorable, I don't deny that. Saving innocent people, saving souls...But we have a right to existence too, don't we? Like every creature….Even more so, considering the benefits we confer on Humanity. For example, take my Lesley here..."

Lesley beaming…

"I'm using my abilities to keep her young...And not necessarily as a vampire...Careful skill can keep her human and yet youthful, for decades. Isn't that a wonderful thing? To preserve such beauty and keep it from crumbling to dust? Not in large numbers...Too much of a good thing, you know? But in a few special cases where people of unique caliber should not be lost to the world so quickly...Isn't it splendid to know that a few other persons of unique caliber can keep them for the world? Well..." somber tone…

"We're all aware of the terrible consequences of genocide and mass murder...We may quibble about some ethical issues but no one of us wants to see entire species wiped out. And in the future, as documentaries, such as this, by these fine, wonderfully brave people, reveal the nature of vampires to the world, and we continue to work out our co-existence, we can work together, at mutual benefit, for a better world...Indeed, we know we must." pause…

"Simon?" Ginny, after a moment… "Is there anything specific you want here?"

"Oh, sorry...Caught up in that wonderful moment of brother and sisterhood...Yes, Van Helsing's spirit has returned. And inspired a number of Hunters, in this area. Well, I may as well tell you, the result has already been several tragic deaths..."

"Vampires or those Hunter humans…?"

"I prefer not to consider them, human, Ginny. Beasts without heart, I should say. To kill an innocent baby...And its protector, falsely accused of turning it..."

"What?" Ginny stares…

"An unfortunate incident had resulted in the turning of a baby...Rolf...Decades ago. The vampire accused of doing it, held by the Vampiral Council for decades as well...But pledged by the purity of his heart to protect the poor thing and seek out the fiend who'd disgraced his people by this heinous act. I weep at the thought..." Simon sighs… "Thank you, Victor..." as Victor hands him a handkerchief to wipe eyes… "The Council found both...Murdered...Nothing but piles of ash. Oh, what kind of fiend could do such a thing? I'll tell you. One inspired by the ghost of Van Helsing. Self-righteous, self-appointed destroyer of my people." he rises from chair. "And we know he plots...Plots..." blinks.

Then suddenly sinks back into chair.

"Simon! Darling, you all right?" Lesley hurried to him.

Victor looking rather more pale under his makeup…

"What have you done!?" Lesley, whirling on Ginny. "If you've harmed him, I'll…!"

No hint of wanness there, Ginny notes.

In outer room, Colin smiling thinly…

"It takes real effort and concentration, but a daywalker can sort out the energy from vampires and living creatures..." he beams.

"Robinson to the rescue…? Please..." he grins. "Much more of 'Iago' or if you must, 'Dr. Smith', myself."

"Hey, Anne...Wake up there!" Billie calls to the sleeping Anne from her cubicle...Anne wearily sitting up at her desk…Oh, geesh…

"Sorry...I guess I'm really zonked today. Did I miss any calls?"

"Nah...It's been quiet." Colin, reassuring…

Lesley's cries from the office…Anne staring…

Her phone buzzing… "Hey, Zell...Oh, hi, Erika..."

"Getting busier now..." Colin notes.