JN   What.

JN   What do you want?

Despite hearing you walk in, he hasn't turned around. He's standing with his arms crossed, his dumb jacket waving in the wind. It's his version of the 'boss sitting in the boss' chair' pose, you think.

MN   ( FINALLY ]...

MN   ( YOU FOUND THE TIME TO STOP BY ]...

When he finally faces you, he shoots you a grin.

MN   ( JENNIFER FAIRE ]...

JN   Not my name.

MN   ( I'LL ADDRESS YOU WITH RESPECT WHEN YOU ARRIVE WITHOUT DELAY ]...

JN   Are you serious?

JN   You cant expect me to drop everything just to stop by.

JN   I was busy!

MN   ( HA! ]...

MN   ( IGNORING ME? ]...

JN   ...

JN   Yes.

MN   ( YOU'LL CURSE EVER TAKING MY PRESENCE FOR GRANTED ]...

JN   Your presence is a curse.

MN   ( YET, YOU'VE COME ]...

MN   ( CLEARLY, YOU'VE ALSO COME TO YOUR SENSES ]...

You think about leaving. What a wonderful thought.

JN   What do you want from me this t-

MN   ( I WANT SOMETHING FROM YOU ]...

JN   I figured that out thanks.

JN   And? What is it.

JN   And dont tell me its one of those locomotive upgrades.

JN   Because you have absolutely no sense of mechanical design.

MN   ( FIRST OF ALL ]...

MN   ( AS THE CLIENT, I WAS TREATED INCREDIBLY POORLY ]...

MN   ( I HAD TO DODGE A HAMMER SEVERAL TIMES ]...

MN   ( AND I HAVE A MAGNIFICENT SENSE OF DESIGN! ]...

MN   ( YOU WERE JUST TOO INTIMIDATED TO EXECUTE IT ]...

JN   Oh yeah.

JN   Adding a big face to the front?

JN   Horrifying.

MN   ( I'VE MADE MY ARGUMENT AND I'LL MAKE IT AGAIN ]...

MN   ( IT'S LIKE THE STATUES YOU SEE AT THE FRONT OF SHIPS ]...

MN   ( OF, UM. PRETTY LADIES AND WHATNOT ]...

MN   ( BUT MUCH MORE EPIC ]...

MN   ( SPIRITUALLY, IT WOULD BE THE SAME ]...

JN   People usually don't see the front of the train Max.

JN   Who would it be for?

JN   People who fell onto the tracks?

MN   ( THAT'S WHY IT WAS GOING TO BE THE FACE OF DEATH ITSELF ]...

JN   Wow. Its coming back to me just how bad your idea was.

JN   So if this is just round two of that Id like for you to state it upfront.

JN   That way I can skip the trip entirely.

MN   ( NO ]...

MN   ( I HAVEN'T GIVEN UP ON THAT, YET ]...

MN   ( BUT THIS ISN'T ABOUT THAT ]...

JN   Well thats promising.

JN   Then what? Spit it out already.

MN   ( ]...

He pauses. Not a meaningfully dramatic one, but a moment of genuine apprehension. It's enough to put you on guard.

MN   ( YOU ARE ]...

MN   ( SKILLED ]...

MN   ( IN AN EVIL, IRRATIONAL WAY, BUT NONETHELESS ]...

MN   ( YOU HAVE YOUR OWN STRENGTHS ]...

You have a feeling this is going to be a long conversation.

MN   ( AND YOU UNDERSTAND THE SENSITIVE THINGS ]...

MN   ( MATTERS I WOULD HAVE NO NEED FOR, OF COURSE ]...

MN   ( AS DEATH'S LOYAL FERRYMAN, I'M RESPONSIBLE FOR - ]...

JN   For Spryns sake Max stop beating around the bush!

JN   I wasnt kidding when I said I was busy.

JN   I have actual business projects to do yknow.

He barks a laugh.

MN   ( HA! ]...

MN   ( WRENCH WENCH, HAVE YOU NOT A MINUTE? ]...

MN   ( ARE YOU PREOCCUPIED WITH BREAKING INTO PATENT OFFICES AGAIN? ]...

JN   I wish.

JN   If I was I could get it done faster than this conversation is going.

MN   ( FINE. I GET IT ]...

MN   ( PREPARE YOURSELF, THEN ]...

He clears his throat in that formal conductor fashion, with his other arm behind his back. He seems oddly serious about this.

MN   ( I WANTED TO REQUEST YOUR SERVICES ]...

MN   ( IN REGARDS TO GAINING LOYALTY FROM MY MORE FRAIL PASSENGERS ]...

MN   ( THEY COWER FROM MY PRESENCE, AND I ]...

MN   ( I NEED A WAY TO COMMUNICATE TO THEM AMICABLY ]...

JN   ...

All you can do is stare at him.

MN   ( HAS MY AURA RENDERED YOU SPEECHLESS? ]...

MN   ( NOT UNEXPECTED, BUT ]...

MN   ( I’D LIKE A RESPONSE BEFORE I HAVE TO CALL SOMEONE ]...

JN   Im just...

The grin you're wearing is almost splitting your face.

JN   Relishing this.

JN   You finally realized that my people skills reign superior.

MN   ( HA! NO SUCH THING ]...

MN   ( IT’S MERELY… A SPECIAL CIRCUMSTANCE ]...

JN   I never thought the day would come.

JN   You called me all the way here just to admit defeat.

Laughter nips at your voice. He huffs.

MN   ( WHAT? DID YOU ONLY SEE ME AS A HEARTLESS BEAST? ]...

MN   ( I CARE FOR THE WELL-BEING OF THOSE WHO RIDE THE RAILS ]...

MN   ( ITS ONLY NATURAL I SHOULD LOWER MYSELF TO EARN THEIR TRUST ]...

JN   Wow. How sweet.

JN   You dont need me. You could just use all this natural charm.

MN   ( URGH... ]...

MN   ( FORGET IT ]...

He turns and stalks away. You laugh again as you follow him.

JN   Wait! I never even said yes.

MN   ( I RETRACT MY REQUEST ]...

MN   ( YOU WOULD CLEARLY ONLY ANTAGONIZE MY PASSENGERS FURTHER ]...

JN   Max seriously. Ill help you.

JN   I just had to think about it.

He stops and gives you a look.

MN   ( WHAT REASON WOULD THERE BE TO REFUSE? ]...

You look right back.

JN   Spending prolonged time with you for one.

JN   But Ill bear through it if its for a good cause.

JN   And surprisingly - you managed to come up with one.

JN   So Ill do it.

JN   Even if its for you.

Now, it's his turn to laugh. As much fun as you have ribbing him, it is nice to see that stupid grin back on his face. Especially when it's soft and genuine, like it is now.

MN   ( I SEE. THAT WOULD BE AN ISSUE ]...

MN   ( THERE’S ONLY SO MUCH POWER AND MAGNIFICANCE YOU CAN HANDLE ]...

You roll your eyes.

JN   Uh huh. Sure.