The One Who Was Lost

293 - Talk about a news item.

There are problems with forming a detective agency that does not engage in any of the traditional sorts of cases: domestic disputes, divorces, the vetting of potential employees, et cetera. Chief among these problems is the irregularity of clients-- paying clients in particular. On the right side of the war or not, even we lowly foot soldiers must eat and keep roofs over our heads, and gratitude does not pay rent.

( Extra, extra )

(315)

OOC: For _freaksrus, queen_c_tm, evilhandissue and big_pile_o_dust and anyone else who's expressed interest in the new agency. Bendy-time as needed to fit into people's storylines and timelines.

Wesley Wyndam-Pryce had faced a number of challenges in his years, from vampires to werewolves to sorcerers and demons. And none had frustrated him so much as those with whom he and the others had been made to contend in the establishing and opening of the new agency. Between simply getting the physical plant of the offices and equipment arranged and the bureaucratic tangle of permits and licenses required to hang up their shingle, he had been more than ready to give up the whole thing and set up a folding table and cardboard sign reading "VAMPIRES SLAIN 5 CENTS" on the side of the freeway.

At last, though, the last papers had been signed and the last screws turned. He and the others stood outside the door of the office suite, though every one of them had already been inside, inspecting their own spaces and whatever details which fell under their particular charge. But this was a ceremony, and as proud as he was to be officially resuming this work with these people, Wesley wanted to stand on ceremony this once.

He glanced at the brass plaque that hung beside the frosted glass doors.

THE ENDEAVOUR AGENCY
Private Investigations

When the question of the agency's name had gone unsolved, Wesley had thrown open a thesaurus to the entry for "crusade" and selected a synonym that would suit their higher-class location. He turned the key and opened the door.

"Open for business," he said, and stepped inside.

OOC: Follows immediately after Part 1, occurring at the same time as Part 2.

Cordelia sat back in her chair once Lindsey had stormed out, glaring after him. If he thought she was going to chase after him, he'd be waiting out there a long time. Call her stubborn, but after the way he'd been acting, she didn't see why she should follow him. Let him steam over it for a while on his own, then maybe they'd talk when he was more rational.

Once Logan followed, she sighed and turned her attention back to Wesley and Gwen.

"I'm sorry, Wes. I didn't think he'd flip out like that. I thought once we were all here, he'd be more open to the idea."

( Wesley and his lady friends discuss Lindsey, old times, new jobs and a name for the new business )