Now entering Jack's Office

[heroantagonist]

[It's a long ride up in the elevator. The floors passing you by start to merge together into a jumbled blur, leaving the whole experience altogether surreal and boring.

Eventually though, it ends. Finally, you're deposited in a yellow hallway, rows upon rows of computers on business desks encased in large glass windows. A disc-shaped cleaning bot handles the long stretch of hallway you march down, rumbling incessantly as it passes. More potted plants. More Hyperion logos, getting worse by the second-

And then you enter Jack's office.

The man (the myth, the legend) himself is probably behind his desk. So why don't you drop in and say hi? Just be mindful of the rules...]

Comments

[gwenchman]

Hey, uh. Mr. Borderlands? It’s Gwenpool.

[ Gwen doesn’t want to jump in and dropkick Handsome Jack obviously. That seems like a fast-track to badtimes. ]

I have some questions! Mainly because I’m sort of going through eighty-seven different existential crises right now.

[heroantagonist]

[The office remains silent for a moment or two. With the soft humming of electricity coursing under Gwen's feet. Then-]

Yeah, yeah, be with you in a second.

[Jack (In the flesh... more or less) swivels back around in his chair, offering his undivided attention towards Gwen.]

Welcome, miss... Pool? I guess? You've got questions for me?

Sunday evening, after the intro

[nmc0204]

[ Once the general chaos of their first meeting with their extremely irritating host dies down, Ryoko slips away from the rest of the group and makes her way to the elevator as soon as it's available. There's purpose in her stride as she makes her way down the hallway and she doesn't miss a step before pushing the door open and just waltzing right in. ]

So? Are you here?

[heroantagonist]

One sec! Just over here, dusting the ol display case.

[Off to the left of Jack's desk is a small system of shelves built into the wall. Trinkets, odds and ends... a gun. Jack's over there, back turned.]

C'mon over, miss Shinonome.

Monday, 11 AM

[duelingdialectics]

Knock knock. Can I come in?

And please don't hit me with the smartass "I don't know, CAN you" stuff, "can" is just as valid gramatically as "may" in this instance.

[heroantagonist]

If you couldn't, I would've had that door welded shut ages ago. Still kinda considering it.

[There's no way to tell whether he's joking or not, but... Jack is here. Typing away on a monitor that he folds in half the moment Tyzias steps in.]

What'cha need, kiddo?

Week 1, Tuesday-ish

[oxygendestroyer]

[After he's gathered enough medical information about his fellow "classmates," Serizawa is eventually going to force himself to steel his nerves and enter the elevator. Clipboard, pencil, paper, labcoat. Full scientist ensemble.

He's not going to enjoy any of this.]

[heroantagonist]

[Serizawa isn't going to like this indeed.

It's a quiet affair. Up the elevator, to the top floor, across the hall and through the large doors into Jack's office. It's spacious enough in here that your voice could echo off the walls if you weren't careful - or maybe you just liked that.

Behind it all, hanging in the star-eyed abyss, is a moon. And it watches through the windows with a jagged scar of an eye.

Jack is here. Pacing off to the side, one hand up to his ear.]

Yeah, I know, but... Hang on. [He turns to fully regard the man.] Heeeey, there you are. Looking good, doc.

Week 1 Monday Afternoon

[profkowalski]

[Sorry Jack, Jared's just going to barge through the door.] Hey Jack! What does that diamond horse eat?

[heroantagonist]

[Jack immediately perks up.]

Ohhhh, you people had better not be mistreating Butt Stallion. If you are...

Week 1, Monday

[bitthemouse]

[ Harumi is quiet, throughout the introduction. Doesn't really say much to Jack. Is this because her player is also in Curtains R3? Yes. Is it a character choice now? Also yes.

Anyway, when she walks in the next day, her demeanor is... different, than it has been since she's arrived. More confident. Did she... did she take her hair down in the elevator? For the drama? ]

None of the others get to hear about what we discuss in here, right?

[heroantagonist]

[Jack didn't speak all that much either. Was that because his player was also in Curtains R3? Signs point to 'yes' and that's perfectly valid.]

That's the truth of it. Only you, me, and the vacuum of space, kiddo. [Does he seem surprised by this change? Hard to say.] What's on your mind?

week 1, tuesday at some point

[calrippedso]

Heeeey oh wow that's big- uh, hey Cap. Teach. Jackie. Knock knock?

[This is an obscenely large office. ...Does Jack appear to be actually physically present, behind that desk, first of all?]

[heroantagonist]

[It's SO big. And extravagant. There's even a little fountain in here.

Jack does appear to be physically present, seated behind his desk, busying himself with a gun of some kind. He's actually in the process of taking it apart.]

Oh, hey. [He doesn't glance up.] Uhh, yeah. Yadda yaddah. I'm a little busy.

Week 1, Friday evening

[notthatdarkmage]

[ Libra mutters a prayer to Naga before he comes in, and he likely at least knocked unless the door has already been open/there is no door. ]

Jack, was it? May I have a moment of your time?

[ The blond-haired clergyman glances around the area to take in his...odd surroundings with no small amount of awe. The he focuses his attention back on Handsome Jack, hands folded politely in front of him, and with no hint of ill will in his demeanor. ]

[heroantagonist]

[Jack's not at his desk. Rather, he's behind his chair, staring out the grand windows taking up most of the back wall. A planetoid looms over him, and Libra, single scarred eye watching them.]

Huh? [He turns, all smiles.] I've always got time for my students. What's up?

[frpg]

[Despite how easily Marcy dismissed him when he first revealed himself, she seems somewhat... hesitant, as she approaches Jack's office. Now that the excitement of being sucked into a video game has started to wear off and the reality of her situation sinks in, there's a... shift, in Marcy's attitude. Gone is that vibrant excitement in her voice or the spring in her step; now, as she stands before his desk, Marcy fidgets with her hands, picking at the edges of her gloves and keeping her eyes glued firmly to the floor.]

Can I... ask you a question?

[heroantagonist]

[When Marcy steps into Jack's office, it's not quiet. Jack's there; here's seated at his desk, at the center of it all, blanked in the soft light of the moon behind him. A small speaker on his desk plays music as he types away at... something. Marcy's too far to see it.]

Oh! It's you. Miss, uh... "I'm a bad final boss" or whatever. Come on in, make yourself at home.

sunday

[snippingtime]

[She hates this. She hates that she might have to ask Jack to go near the infinitely better Jack but she has to try. For everyone. She clenches her fists in her pockets.]

Look, I need a favor. You probably know my condition and I was just wondering... can you get some of... Jack's blood? I doubt it'd be good for you if we woke up one morning and everyone is dead.

[...she hates this so much!]

[heroantagonist]

..."Jack's blood".

[It's a word that rolls around as Jack sits up in his chair. His desk squats in the middle of this place. It's stacked high with files. Jack squints at her over a couple sheets.]

Okay, just to be clear, this isn't my blood you need, right?

tuesday, week 2, after motive

[thisoldman]

[Sometime after the motive, Columbo decides to finally make his way up to the head honcho's office. As soon as he steps through the elevator doors, he lets out a low whistle, taking in the view of the planet from the giant, glass windows.]

Gee, I'll tell ya, Mr. Handsome Jack, this is some place you got here. I mean, I couldn't help but notice just how much you must pride yourself on the decoration of this whole station. And the plants in the hallway--I touched them, myself. I can't tell whether they're real or fake!

[Non-threateningly charming and distracted, as is Columbo's usual attitude.]

How much does it cost to get an office like this, I wonder? I mean, compared to my tiny office downtown, I'm sure it's gotta be at least ten--no, a hundred times more than what I make, sir.

Re: tuesday, week 2, after motive

[heroantagonist]

One hundred percent real, my charming Detective friend!

[ it doesn’t matter if Columbo’s niceties and platitudes are hollow. He’s saying them. And that attention is all that Jack needs.]

Oh, it cost a whole lot more than the kind of job you’ve seen. Comes with being a CEO with a corporation operating in more than one solar system. I’ll try not to talk your ear off about how much money that means.

friday, week one

[apexredditor]

[ While the normal people are talking about hair dye parties and getting their meds, Simon spends the elevator ride up grumbling and glowering so that when he finally comes to the end of the hallway, he can shift into peak youth pastor mode and enter Jack's office with a friendly smile which definitely does not look like he's hiding a knife behind his back. (He isn't, but that's the vibe.) ]

So! I hear you're the guy around here to ask for nonessential supplies.

[heroantagonist]

Well, if that’s what the people are here for, then I guess that’s what I am.

[ Jack answers with a smile just as realistic as Simon’s (not very). But he’s just ever so grateful to see another face.]

… Actually, you say that but there’s been a lot of essential supply requests- but you didn’t hear that from me. Confidential and all that.

[securityconsultant]

[It hates this so much. But it needs an answer. Not that it trusts Jack, but if he's going to outright break his word, then at least it can share that, and prove to everyone else they shouldn't trust him. If not...

Then it has something. So.

It glances at the 'bot briefly, then crosses its arms as it enters Jack's office]

What happens to the rest of [friends. loved ones. hostages.] the people in the photos if someone else kills first.

[heroantagonist]

[he’s here. Seated at his desk, fiddling with a pistol of the same type that Murderbot has seen at their challenge this week.]

Uh, yeah. Hi there. Nice to meet you one on one, Murderbot.

week 2, post-trial

[touchsensors]

[Lala wordlessly walks in, carrying her gross bundle of toilet evidence.]

[heroantagonist]

[Jack is at his desk, toiling away at some sort of paper work. He barely glances upwards at first.]

Yeah, hey. Just have a seat and- whoa what the hell is that smell and why is it in my office?

W3, sunday

[nmc0204]

[ It's early in the morning when Ryoko makes her way up the office – partly in the hopes that she won't run into anyone on the way, but mostly just because she hasn't slept much, if at all, and she can't stand being in R1 any longer.

Like last time, she just lets herself in, but her attitude is markedly different – rather than riled up and defensive, she's quiet and tired. Like that, and with Red's hoodie still swamping her, she looks particularly small today. ]

... I need something for my room.

[ She doesn't bother to ask about her pills again. That's a losing battle and she doesn't want to give him any ground with an admission that she needs them from him. But in this instance, at least, exhaustion is winning out over pride. ]

[heroantagonist]

[It’s perhaps lucky that Jack was present in his office this early at all. He is though, at the very least; not over by the display shelves but rather at his desk.

It’s a mountain of papers; threatening to topple. It’s like he’s going through it all, one piece at a time.]

C’mon, I know it’s been around here somewhere- What!

[the man himself appears, snapping for a moment-just a moment, and it quickly passes. Might have something to do with the exhausted teen before him.]

Uhh, hey. I’m just - [he coughs] what did you need?

Tuesday, Post-Announcement

[duelingdialectics]

[Tyzias is still laughing a little bit as she strides into Jack's office, wiping a teal-colored tear away from her eye.]

Okay. I have to ask, because I am really fucking curious, honest to fuck. How the hell would you make Alternia worse?

[heroantagonist]

[Jack is at his desk again, this time with his feet propped up before him. Looks like he’s not doing much.]

Well, let’s have a brain teaser: what’s the worst thing you can think of happening to your world?

week 3, thursday midday

[securityconsultant]

[just gonna go ahead and head up here and]

What's the deal with the clown?

[heroantagonist]

Oh my god did you see him?

[Jack sits up

Oh god there’s a gun in his hand]

Is that little freakazoid in here? Did he follow you?

w4, after motive/meeting with serizawa

[securityconsultant]

[guess who's back, back again, right after this

as usual, it doesn't even greet him, going straight to business]

You realize we agreed to let Parker take charge because she knows what she's doing?

[heroantagonist]

[Not even looking up from a document:]

Did we? Did we really?

Week 4, Wednesday-ish, hallucinations

[oxygendestroyer]

[Serizawa is going to try taking a heavy shovel he got from the clown with him up to Jack’s office. He’s Uh. Not looking too great. Less polished and put together than his usual stoicism makes him appear.

I promise, despite his best efforts, he’s not actually going to attack Jack.]

[heroantagonist]

[unlike last time, Jack isn’t at his desk. Rather, he’s off in some sort of readying area to the right of the huge windows. A fireplace blazes beside him as he flips to another page… and tosses the tome into the flames.]

… Oh, hey. It’s, uh, don’t tell me… Serizawa! Hey; you going digging somewhere, buddy? I pure not gonna find any loot up here. Better try one of the observation biomes instead, if you ever get the chance.

W5, sunday

[nmc0204]

[ It's becoming a bit of a weird tradition. Sunday morning comes and Ryoko steps into the elevator and heads up to Jack's office. She's holding herself a little differently today and her vibe isn't quite as... antagonistic as you might expect it to be after the last trial.

In fact, she even announces herself with a polite ] Excuse me. [ as she steps into the office this time. Wild. ] I just wanted to ask for a favor.

[heroantagonist]

[True to form, Jack’s at his desk, bent over some kind of work. Whatever it is, he’s intently focused on it, with a phone in one hand and the other working a holographic screen. The moon outside the windows looms.]

-No, I’m frickin’ sick of the whole thing. Why don’t we- oh, hang on. [the screen shimmers out of existence and the phone is deposited elsewhere.] Lemme guess, something about the pills? I’m almost completely sure that codpieced-Dick is stealing them.

week 5, late monday

[securityconsultant]

[so, about all that.........]

Let me run another clown-scan.

[heroantagonist]

[You’ve arrived at a… awkward time, Murderbot. Jack is here, yes. The other Jack - the dead one - is gone. Though there’s still a good few bloodstains on the ground.

Jack - the living one - is at his desk. The mask has been affixed again, with a small trail of blood leaking out from a corner of his chin.]

You… What? [He’s still sore from the morning.] can’t you see I’ve got something going on right now?

guess what? week 6 post-trial!

[touchsensors]

[Lala had told herself she wouldn't come back here unless it was to oust Jack and take control of the station, or something similarly important. This is... considerably less triumphant than anything she'd hoped for, but nevertheless it feels like something that needs doing.]

I need you to fix my profile-lun.

apologies!

[heroantagonist]

Yeah, I know! Just move it all t- Hold on.

[Jack, clearly in the process of something, sets down a communicator and turns to face Lala.]

....What. That's it? Not gonna dump some crap on my floor this time?