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

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

Part LXI…

"Do they have to be in here?" Martha fumes at the camera as Jen continues driving and fielding occasional questions from the film crew regards recent events. "They're in the way…We ought to stop and have them leave!" she insists. "They can come back to the house later, if they have to…"

"It's our pledged agreement, Martha…" Nandor's voice from under the rug in the rear of the van. "They are granted our full access."

"Indeed, this is by our decision, Miss Martha." Laszlo notes. "Posterity should have a full and complete account of us."

"It's fine, Martha. Let them be." Nadja calls. "Their friends were good to come and check on my Ginny…"

"If you say so, Master." Martha, stressing the "Master" pointedly. Jen sighing…Martha.

Newbie enthrallees…Always trying to score points with their owner.

"Well, Simon…You're free to leave. Sorry we got a little rough there." Ginny notes to Devious, now seated back in her office. "Our friends agree to your offer of an alliance and want you to call at nine tonight. Here's the number…" she offers slip which he takes with annoyed look.

"Be glad I'm a big person and able to see the broad picture, Ms. Zeller…" he frowns… "Could Robinson possibly back off a little?"

"Very little till you leave…Colin?" Ginny turns to Colin who smiles…

"Sure…I'll tune back a little."

"Just don't make any moves…" Eloise in T-shirt and jeans by Ginny eyes him sternly. Erika in her suit, by Eloise likewise regarding sternly.

"Werewolves, vampires, and enthralled humans working together…How inspiring…" Simon sneers, glaring at Eloise who struggles to repress a snarl…

"Down girl…" he glares.

"El…" Ginny as Eloise fumes. "We're trying to keep it stable here. Simon? There'll no call for that sort of hate."

"Sorry…My nature will out sometimes." Simon shrugs. "I apologize, girlfriend." Airy wave as he sets his grey top hat on head once again.

"It's cool…" Eloise, calmly. "Just keep it businesslike."

"Ah, to Business…The true peacemaker…All right then…Let me call some transport." Simon pulls phone.

"Ok, but they meet you at the door. They do not enter and no more than two come out to help you." Ginny insists.

"Fine." Grim tone. "I'll even see they're mere humans."

"Big concession…Considering any of your vamps would go poof or have to stumble around in mummy wrappings to carry you out." Colin smiles.

Simon offering angry grimace… "I lost a dear friend and a talented cow and other friend today…I think I deserve a little consideration for my gracious attitude."

"I'm authorized to drop the price 250K…Compensation." Ginny, shrewd look.

"Done." Simon beams. "A pleasure doing business with you, Virginia, as always. I'll have my lawyer fax you the formal offer and arrange an earnest money transfer."

"Well…We do have another buyer checking the place today. Very motivated." Ginny eyes him. "But I'm sure my Overlords will go with you if you're sure…"

"Althea Reynolds?" Simon smiles.

"One of yours?" Erika stares. "I haft never sensed…" she looks to Ginny, anxiously. "Shouldn't I have…?"

"It's fine, Erika." Ginny shakes head. "Master Laszlo won't be disappointed in you."

"He shouldn't be, sweetheart, don't fret…" Simon grins. "She works for me, yes…But, not enthralled. As with you, Ginny, on our past deal, I find normal humans working for me or with me quite useful. She was just acting as my agent in case our friends found another buyer or refused to sell to me. I actually am the senior partner in her talent agency. After all, theatrical production is one of my sidelines. Greasepaint flows through my veins…" proud gleam…

"Nice way to collect enthrallees, of course. That how you met Lesley?" Ginny eyes him.

"Initially, though I was a fan of long standing…And had no idea she was a Hunteress or seeking me. But you mistake me. I truly admire human artists, I'd never curb their talents with thrall…I've an artistic soul…Well, essence…" Dialing…

"And it would be foolish of me businesswise to take more than the occasional wide-eyed but talentless newcomer to Broadway's bright lights. Though I do take pity on such pathetic creatures from time to time…"

"I'll bet…" Eloise, frowning…

"Hey…" miffed. "Girl, do you have any idea the misery some of these kids endure when their bright dreams burn and crash?" solemn tone. "Lost on the mean streets, homeless, turning to panhandling, prostitution, drugs…Or even…Bad marriages. I've rescued a number of such from such horrors." Proud tone.

"And turned them into cows? Servants? Dancers in your clubs?" Eloise, sternly.

"Oooh, Miss Self-Righteous Werewolf…I wonder how your friends here would feel about their own servitude and your role in furthering it if they were free?" he smiles.

"Don't press me, vamp…" she growls. "I'm keeping an eye on them. They're still living their lives and their owners are keepin' it cool."

"Said the African chief to his entourage as he hands his people over to the slavers for cash, iron nails, and guns…" smile.

"Elly! Not now!" Ginny quickly as Eloise growls fiercely, arching body. Simon now a bit nervous, feeling his weakness continuing…A quick glance to Colin who eyes him…

No way…We have an agreement. Tamp it down, idiot.

"Go out to your desk! Erika and I can handle him with Colin here. Honey, he's just pushing your buttons." Ginny urges.

"Call your dog off!...All right, I'm sorry!" Simon cries as Eloise snarls again at him, viciously now, face vivid with rage.

Hmmn…

"Ok…" Eloise, calming immediately. "Say I like that quivering fear…" grin. "Ginny…Rika?" she pauses, turning slightly. "I really am sorry…But there wasn't much I could do for you guys except try to make sure your guys keep it clean."

"It's fine, El…We're not your responsibility." Ginny smiles wanly. "Go on and make sure the guys out there aren't getting worried. Thanks. And thanks for helping out here."

"Ok, boss…" smile. "It is good to see you taking charge here, Gin. Don't lose that edge."

"Bye, girlfriend…" Simon waves. "Really, a pleasure to meet you."

"I ever see you around my place…I'll kill you, Devious." She notes. "Truce or no…" heading out the door a moment later, greeting Anne cheerily at her desk.

"Casual day for me…" she notes as the office door closes.

"Nice girl…Bit of a temper but I like her." Simon smiles.

"She means what she says, Simon." Ginny frowns at him. "Don't ever go after her."

"Moi? I am an Unman of Peace. Indeed, my spirit is uplifted here, seeing such a demonstration of sisterhood. And in business and negotiation, whatever else I am, I'm an Unman of my word. Hands off, I assure you. I've no taste for fur in my food." He shrugs. "Now, if I may…?" indicates his phone. "In the interests of our alliance and our business negotiations, I should let my people know I'm safe." Ginny nodding…

"Interesting that Van Helsing can have his people free his own descendant from me but so little such concern for you dear girls…" Simon notes cheerily waiting on phone ring… "Ah, Lloyd? Yes, fine…We came to an agreement. House and alliance, yeah. Yes, yes…I will ask about the windows. Send a car for me, would you dear? Great." Pause… "Oh and send along a cardboard box and dustbroom. Victor has had an…Accident. Now, Lloyd…Dear Lloyd…These things happen…"

"Give our best to Lesley while you're at it, Simon…" Ginny notes, slight smile to his look. "Erika saw her run down to the same van you came in, and head off with them, when she left the building. And she is an actress, right? Tony-nominated, you said?" grin. Erika frowning at Simon who glowered.

Colin, regarding the fuming Devious…Moron.

"Van Helsing didn't possess her at all, did he?" Ginny smiles. "But she is a relative, Jen sure wasn't faking…"

"You might wonder why the 'good Doctor' has better things to do than save his own flesh and blood…" Simon glares.

"If he and his people can't help her, I can't understand why he didn't have Jen kill you to free her?" Ginny ponders. "Unless it's really true you're keeping the Council from killing our guys…"

"Exactly…" he notes eagerly. "I'm an essential piece on the board…And my Lesley would have killed your friend to stop Van Helsing from killing me, anyway."

"Meaning…You do have a deal with Van Helsing…" she eyes him. "He was telling us the truth about not being able to take us from our owners, even when possessed by him. And that's why he went along with your little playlet, releasing Jen on cue, to protect Lesley. But what did you hope to gain, lying like that? We'd never trust you blindly…Or her. Our owners would sense your hold right away, no matter how good an actress she is. Oh…Wow." She blinks.

"She's not in thrall at all, is she? That was the acting…She's working for you, voluntarily." stare at his sly smile. "Van Helsing's descendant? Why?" Erika likewise staring…

Voluntary? Though of course I'm sure if I ever…Slight shudder… No, too painful to even consider losing mein Master's embrace…

"What can I say, dear heart?" he shrugs to Ginny, sly smile. "I have a way with women…And eternal beauty is quite the draw."

Jennifer, at the Residence kitchen, seated…To camera…

"Well, more news. Simon Devious is buying the place, in spite of apparently trying to pull a fast one with his minion…A voluntary one…" shakes head. "If you can believe it, Van Helsing's descendant, claiming she was possessed, after the Doctor aban…Left…Left…" Jen, puzzled. "Why would I say he'd abandoned me? After he left me, that's right. Simon had her stage her possession, it seems, after the Doctor left me, Ginny says, probably to get us to believe him, and she guesses with the Doc's consent since he had to know to leave me at the right time, though the alliance of sorts against Van Helsing is still a possible, if Devious tells us what he really knows and is up to, we'll see tonight after our owners review." Sigh. "I don't quite get why Van Helsing would work with Simon but it seems they have a deal that Simon won't alert the Vampiral Council guys…I guess you know them, the ones who tried to kill our owners before?...That Van Helsing and co are seeking our friends only right now. And the girl does seem to be his great something or other, which would explain his concern for her…"

"Of course now Martha's demanded I and Ginny be checked to see if we were Simon's agents pretending to be enthralled by our Master and Mistress while actually being his people but fortunately that can't happen, Master Laszlo says. There's no doubt about the lady, Erika saw her get into Simon's transport van when she went out, claiming to be possessed and off to join her Hunter friends…So, a fake…Though she was good, what I saw. He could have found out about our possessions through her, he admitted she's voluntary, meaning she's his source on all this, Ginny thinks."

Shakes head…

"But why would she work voluntarily…? Not that I don't think I couldn't if I…I love Master Laszlo, I'm sure…Now that I know him, I know I'd love him still, even without…" staring at wall, briefest of touches to her well-concealed, nearly healed scar. "No…I love him. I really do…" anxious tone.

"Well…Best not to worry about such things…" she shrugs, smiling wanly. "Anyway, Ginny says this girl's apparently sold on Simon's offer of eternal life or something…I guess her being an actress maybe it matters to her a lot to stay young forever, maybe. I suppose that would be attractive, if you didn't simply adore the beauty of these wonderful creatures the way we do." Fond beam. Then frown… "But to betray her own people like that…" she shakes head. "Of course, you know if I had to…" pause…No…She waves hand a bit.

"That won't happen…The Master would never ask it of me. I shouldn't dwell on it. This woman has her own reasons, it doesn't matter." A tear running…

"What? No…I'm fine." Wan smile. "Anyway, he's refused to say more till tonight but we're on high alert, expecting an attack. Though our Overlords do believe he really does want an alliance and really does fear Van Helsing." Shrug, sigh… "At least it explains how he found out about Van Helsing, she must have told him. And it does seem we've unloaded this place, at a really good price, despite Ginny knocking it down a little to please him. Which is great…I know Master Laszlo is pleased." Smile.

"I kinda agree with Martha that the guys ought to take Ms. Reynolds when she comes, if she comes to meet with Erika, still…If she really is another untouched human, unthralled as Simon claimed. She might have some info on him, even if he'd spot her thrall. But Master Nandor says it would be discourteous and a probable violation of any alliance terms so…"

"What? No…" shrug. "Why would I be bothered by that?" slight frown. "I've no desire to end my Master's hold on me…How could you think that?" hard stare. "Besides, even if Simon hadn't been lying, our owners agree that it's likely only a Van Helsing descendant could be helped by his people…So what would it matter? Really, guys…" frown…Wiping back stray hair and another single tear…

"What?" she eyes camera, clearly confused… "Did I tell Master Laszlo about what British accent? Me? I spoke with a British accent? You mean when the Doctor possessed me earlier today? No? I asked you to go and help Ginny, before I left, in a British accent?" she stares.

"No…I don't remember that…" she looks down. "That's weird…Maybe it's one of those past life things? Or something from Master Laszlo's past? Anyway, thanks. I'll let him know or maybe you guys can? But hey…Sorry if I was a little on my hiney legs there…" warm smile. "I do really wanna thank you guys for going over to check on Ginny. It was above and beyond. I know my Master and the others are grateful too." Stare at window pane of the door…

"Master?" she blinks at the reflection of Laszlo in the window, arms reaching out, sad look on face… "Master?...Master Cravensworth?!" she reaches to pane, trying to reach Laszlo's outstretching hand. The reflection immediately gone…

"Jen?" Martha entering, a somewhat wan but less woozy, Jackie following, bearing a waste-filled cleaning bucket and now dressed in jeans and old blouse, her expensive hair do now tied up in a scarf, clearly initiated into the day crew…

"Did you see Laszlo there?!" Jen turns to her. "You guys saw him, right? Yeah…"

"Where?" Martha staring…Jackie as well…

"There in the window pane! He was there, reaching out to me and…They saw him, too." Jen turns to the camera.

"Weird." Martha shakes head. "We better go check on him! And my Master!"

"I'll save you, Mistress!" Jackie cried, hurrying off after setting down her bucket.

"Our new Renfield…" Jen sighs to a staring, startled Martha. "It's from 'Dracula', great book…Ya gotta read it. She'll be ok in a day or two."

Colin, alone with the crew now in the office break room, a bit annoyed at the camera…

"Yeah, lets keep this quick, fellas? I'm tired and I've a lot of paperwork to do on the sale of the old place. Oh? Well, thanks." Shrug. "Just doing what comes naturally. But if you wanna cast me as the hero, fine. Once again, Robinson saves everyone." Cold smile. "So…Are we done? No, I couldn't say what Devious was up to here. I suppose he wanted to win our trust to kill us more easily later. Or he just likes being devious, being the Devious. Gotta go now, thanks." He rises.

"How should I have known if the lady was thralled for real or no? I'm a daywalker not a bloodsucker." He glares now at the question. "I wasn't even with the girl till Virginia called me in…I might point out again that I'm the one who saved the day here…Again."

"Excuse me…" he rises. "Sorry, it's been a long day already and vampire draining doesn't really do it for me…Like eating Chinese. In an hour you're hungry again…" thin smile.

"It's not fair…" Simon in blacked-out transport van… "Devious Productions" boldly painted on outside with his smiling face plastered…To a sympathetic Lesley, seated beside him in back, smoothing her gown. Two other vampires in seats behind them, one female. A human, presumably, driving…

"Simon, you got what you wanted back there, more or less…I'm sorry I did my best, but a thrallee is highly sensitized and that woman is pretty shrewd. Sorry if I let you down."

"Oh, that…No…" he waves hand. "You were magnificent as always, my love." Fond beam… "No…"

"My ancestor kept his word and left that girl on cue…" she notes. "I knew he'd be trying to warn your 'friends' even if that woman hadn't but what could we do there? My people don't trust me anymore…He's warned them as well about me."

"That's not it. The game's still afoot…" he shakes head. "We'll see my old pals dead and condemned with Robinson's help yet. And the Slayer destroyed and your Hunters…" She eyes him coolly.

"Fine, we spare any we can, as agreed. I promised and I won't break it…It's my wedding present, after all…" he smiles fondly at her equally fond look.

Love…It's beautiful… The other male vampire, Lloyd, notes quietly to the female.

F-off, creep…She hisses back.

"But…Damn…" sigh. Downcast look…

"Simon?"

"Where's my documentary crew?" he pouts. "The only true Immortality and those idiots are the beneficiaries? What? My Unlife isn't fascinating enough?"