Bad habits make for good memories.

[hostage]

WHO: Jesse Pinkman & OPEN
WHERE: Heropa & Maurtia Falls
WHEN: June
WHAT: It's a catch-all for everyday situations involving Jesse.
WARNINGS: ...Drugs. Like. Obviously.

HEROPA - YOUTH CENTER

[As soon as the kids' painting class lets out, Jesse hops outside for a cigarette. It's more out of habit than need, these days. Nicotine does nothing for him. Nothing does anything for him. But he likes it: the smoke in his lungs combined with the sweet summer air around him, salt on the breeze and the sun on his skin. He keeps away from the building's entrance - doesn't want to make the children breathe second-hand smoke, of course - and wanders the grounds instead. It's a good chance to survey the area for any creeps lurking around, too. The place doesn't have much in the way of security, and if there's one "heroic" job he's willing to do, it's protecting these kids.]

MAURTIA FALLS - RED BRANCH

[It's funny. He's been living in Pennsylvania for over a month, but he couldn't be assed to explore the place very much. Honestly, he doesn't like Pennsylvania. There's not nearly as much sun as he's used to and it just isn't his scene. Downright gloomy, sometimes. But he's slowly getting used to it, and his leisurely exploration finally leads him to the imPort pub on the outskirts of town. It's cool-looking, at least. Not a place to hang out on the regular, but definitely a place to look at. He snaps a few photos as he hops up the steps, and does the same when he walks in. That's going on his instagram, for sure.]

HEROPA - THE STREETS

[It's about time for dinner. Jesse never cooks for himself - he doesn't need to save the money and it's lonely as hell eating in his apartment by himself - so he heads straight from work into town to scope out the options. Sometimes he'll choose pizza. Sometimes tacos or a burger. Sometimes he just grabs ice cream, because he's a responsible adult. Anyway, he parks his stupid banana-yellow convertible off the street and hops out to look around. There's probably someplace he hasn't tried yet. He'll just walk until he finds a good one.]

MAURTIA FALLS #001 - CLOSED TO GREED

[It's the worst time of night, when Jesse has to come back to this place. Half the time, he doesn't even bother. It's often hotels for him, wherever he happened to just be partying. But since he couldn't land a girl for tonight, Jesse comes shuffling into his government-sponsored apartment as soon as the bars close. He smells strongly of liquor but he isn't remotely drunk, which is his curse, really. No one should have to be this sober. He tosses his jacket over the nearest chair and opens the fridge to grab a beer, not quite ready to sleep yet. He rummages around for some leftovers, too, but they're all gone. That's great. The roommate probably ate them again. He heaves a mildly irritated sigh and wanders out of the kitchen, chugging his beer.]

AT THE DRIVE-IN - CLOSED TO SKYE

[Okay... So he was honestly only half-paying attention to the movie, if that. He's been mostly focused on Skye, because he's a teenage boy at heart, and who really goes to a drive-in to watch the movie? But now the credits are rolling and the engines of the cars around them are starting up. Jesse sits back and looks up at the starry sky over their heads, letting out a quiet laugh.]

Over already, huh.

Comments

[hostage]

I guess. There ain't a whole lot to see. Most everybody's gone home already.

[But he starts walking towards the building, because why not.]

[shittybirthday]

Works for me.

[Good. Means he can probably chat with the kid without too much interruption. He tails after Jesse.]

So, how many days a week you work here?

[hostage]

Four or five, depending. I'm just an assistant, so they move me around to whatever class needs me.

[shittybirthday]

[Alright, Joel thinks. Good to know. When he steps inside the building, he throws a quick glance around before looking at Jesse.]

So, you got a minute? I wanna talk to you about somethin'.

[hostage]

[Jesse's wondering if this is the kind of talk that involves punching, but he nods.]

Yeah?

[shittybirthday]

Privately.

[hostage]

[Jesse ushers him over to the nearest empty room. It's not hard to find one. Pretty much everything but the office is empty around now.

Once they're inside, Jesse leans up against the wall and folds his arms.]

[shittybirthday]

[Following Jesse into the room, Joel shuts the door behind him and then likewise crosses his arms over his chest. There's something very specific he wants to talk to Jesse about but it's not something he particularly wants to bring up. And so, he decides to start off by addressing another matter first.]

Got a visit from your 'enforcer' yesterday.

[hostage]

Yeah? She's hot, right?

[shittybirthday]

[Not a response Joel was expecting. He pauses, giving Jesse a flat look.]

She threatened to cut my hand off.

[hostage]

I'd take her seriously. She misses the old days you could just do that.

[shittybirthday]

I am taking her seriously. Girl seems like a psycho.

[hostage]

[Really, Joel, because Jesse's pretty sure you're the psycho.]

Uh huh.

[shittybirthday]

[Taking note of that little 'uh huh' of Jesse's, Joel glances down at the floor as he shifts on the spot, letting out a silent snort to himself, then sets his gaze square on the kid again.]

What I don't get is why you felt the need to send her around to my apartment in the first place.

[hostage]

She does what she wants. But she's, you know, a little protective of me.

[shittybirthday]

Yeah, I figured out that part.

[Joel gets the impression it might be something a little more than just protectiveness but that's not his business and he's not even interested in all of that, anyway.]

So, that's how you do business, is it? Something doesn't go your way, you go cryin' to your little girlfriend about it?

[hostage]

Part of her job's knowing all about you, Joel.

[shittybirthday]

So, what - am I gonna get a visit from her every time I so much as sneeze in your direction?

[Because as far as Joel is concerned, his last encounter with Jesse was nothing compared to other encounters Joel has had with people in the past. A little punch in the face and a little dragging Jesse around by the scruff? Yeah, nothing to write home about.]

[hostage]

Maybe.

[Yeah, on the scale of things, no biggie. Except for the part where his employee does whatever the fuck he wants to him, and that's something that can't happen.]

[shittybirthday]

[Joel levels him with a long, assessing look.]

What, you think I have it in for you or somethin'?

[hostage]

I don't know you or what you'll do.

[shittybirthday]

Kid, if I wanted to kill you or do somethin' to bring you down, I woulda done so by now. I don't waste my time with that kinda thing.

[hostage]

Okay.

[Like, yeah, he could take Joel's word for it. Or he could not.]

[shittybirthday]

You believe Ellie and yet you don't believe me?

[hostage]

Uh, yeah?

[Duh.]