The room is silent as Dark strides through the room. Each seat is filled, Bing and King's chairs having been taken by a Jim each, a one-time exception to the no-Jims-in-the-meeting-room rule. It's easier to speak with everyone at once than to expect word of mouth to carry.
They are all clearly fascinated by the green-haired man who walks behind Dark, while Marvin avoids meeting anyone's gaze as best he can. It doesn't escape Dark's attention that Wilford's eyes are locked on the cane he's using to help him walk. He had hoped the pink man wouldn't notice.
Despite doing nothing else after retiring to his room the day before, and nothing this morning except calling this meeting, Dark is still weak, able to hold himself fairly well, but the moment he tries to move forward unaided, his legs shake and he would rather use the cane than risk collapsing.
The grey ego walks to his seat at the head of the table, purposefully moving the cane where he knows Wilford won't be able to see it before leaning it against the side of the table. He turns and gestures for Marvin to stand beside Wilford waiting until the magician is in place before he straightens his jacket. The cane is a potential trigger for a Wilford meltdown, and the safest place in the event of that happening would be right behind the pink man.
"I assume that Wilford has kept his promise of spreading word about the 'elf in my bed'." Vague mutterings of agreement are punctuated by a Jim complaining louder than anyone that Marvin doesn't look much like an elf. Marvin sniggers.
Wilford's eyes are trained very purposefully on the table, his gaze kind of hollow and Dark has half a mind on the madman as he continues. "When I brought each of you here I told you it was to protect you. That there's something out there that is a danger to us all.
"Marvin is here for the same reason, though his danger is not the same, his need for protection and camaraderie is." He's using that voice, the one that no one can usually find themselves disagreeing with. "As you know, I am not one for sleeping so I offered him my bed.
"Does anyone have any objections to this?"
Nobody says a word, even when Dark makes eye contact with each of those that he can. His gaze is a threat, but less an 'agree with me or you will suffer' one and more of a 'trust me I know what I'm doing' one.
"It was my intention to introduce Marvin to you once we better understood what was happening with Bing, but obviously my hand has been forced. It is my intention to have him remain in this building so that he may have the same protection we offer each other."
He waits a few minutes and once he feels he's given everyone ample opportunity to raise their concerns, he straightens his jacket once again.
"If that is all gentlemen I believe we are on the verge of a Code Pink." Everyone's eyes flit over to Wilford who's eyes are still hollow, and focused on the table. His lips have drawn back into a toothy, equally hollow grin, and each of them knows what is soon to follow. "Google if you would please take care of Marvin while I handle this."
Slowly, so as to make no sudden movements, each of them stand and make their way to the door, Google guiding Marvin to follow them, nobody saying a word as everyone except Dark and Wilford exits the room.
"What's Code Pink?" Marvin asks once the door carefully closes behind them. Three gunshots sound off in quick succession and the droid wraps himself around the back of the magician, knowing that his casing will better deflect any errant bullets that may pass through the door.
Nobody answers the question, though Marvin soon decides after another two swift shots, that he maybe doesn't want to know.