A Different Approach

As Jim rose to his feet, Rourke followed suit. He was pleased with the progress he'd made. Despite Marceline's neutral stance, he felt they could agree to his proposal, and still consider themselves neutral. Or at least open to further negotiation. He grinned when he noticed the glint in the young man's eye, and for a brief moment, he allowed himself to wish he had met Jim when he'd still been a venture capitalist. He suspected he'd have been able to get some funding out of the industrialist.

"Once again, thanks for your hospitality. It's always nice to feel appreciated," he said, following Jim towards the doors. Once the door was opened, he walked out into the hall, eyes once again taking in everything. A slight frown crossed his face as his gaze swept across the writing table next to the telephone. His eyes remained riveted on the table for a brief moment, then he glanced back at Jim as he moved towards the door.

The dim lighting and deep shadows made it hard to tell, but it had almost looked like one of the table legs had been...furry. But it could just as easily have been a trick of the light, an unusual play of shadows. He certainly hadn't heard anything to suggest he and Jim weren't the only ones in the house. If he'd been alone, he'd have checked more closely, but he was a guest.

"I'll be looking forward to hearing from you. You'll give my regards to your wife, won't you?" he said as he waited fro Jim to retrieve his coat, glancing back at the table for a brief moment, then back towards Jim when he didn't notice anything else.

Jim walked down the vestibule hallway before Rourke. Leaving the doors to the parlor back in their usual open position. He produced his guest's hat, and his coat. Unlike Rourke, he was engrossed in fetching the cold weather items, and he did not take notice of the canine hiding in plain sight.

"Certainly, she will be somewhat disappointed in having not met you. Political messes aside, if you have the time to do so, you will accept an invitation to dinner next time your in town? There is a lovely restaurant on fifth street that we can pay visit too. Serves some of the best Italian you can find outside of Italy."

He held open the door, allowing a small gust of wind the enter the home. A little bit of snow swelred inside, and it and the cold snap went right between the legs of the writing chest and made the dog hiding under there want to shiver. It took all of Scamp's self control to not instantly curl into a ball.

"Well, Thank you for stopping by." He extended a hand for a solid handshake, taking note of just how massive Rourke's hands where in comparison to his own. "Have a safe trip, and hope for warmer weather."

"I certainly will. I'll have to make it a point to take you up on that offer, even if I'm not here on business," he said, smiling as he accepted his hat and coat. He placed the broad-brimmed campaign hat on his head, then pulled his coat on, taking another look at the writing table. He was almost certain there was something under it. A small dog maybe, or a cat. However, it was time for him to go. "Italian, is it? Sounds like quite the place."

Rourke accepted Jim's outstretched hand, giving a firm, but not too tight, grip as he shook the younger man's hand. "Once again, thanks for having me. As for warmer weather, it's winter in New England. What can you say?" he said, grinning a bit as he walked out the door. He gave Jim a respectful nod, then turned and walked cross the porch, down the stairs, and off into the night.

For now, things seemed to be going well. His meeting with Jim had certainly gone about as good as he could have expected. Of course, gaining control, one way or another, of Marceline's full industrial capacity was the optimal outcome. But that would take time, and a lot of work. For the time being, he'd have to continue to show nothing but good will towards Marceline.

As he walked, he realized a number of Jim's hats showed signs of having been chewed on by a dog. Or rather dogs, if the different tooth marks were anything to go by. He found himself regretting not having a reliable set of eyes and ears to leave here, specifically to watch the Dear house. Well, he'd have to see about planting someone in Marceline while he dealt with issues in Agrabah.