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]

Uh, yeah?

[Duh.]

[shittybirthday]

And yet you hired me to work for you, doin' a job that requires a lotta trust.

[hostage]

Yeah.

[shittybirthday]

So, either you're stupid as hell or you trust me. Which is it?

[hostage]

I trust the money I pay you.

[shittybirthday]

['So, stupid as hell', Joel thinks to answer. He looks away with an almost imperceptible shake of his head. He then turns his gaze back on Joel.]

Y'know, if that girl of yours ever does anythin' to me, you'll have Ellie to deal with, and you don't wanna mess with her.

[hostage]

You planning on giving her a reason to do anything to you?

[shittybirthday]

You seem to be under the impression that I am.

[hostage]

It don't hurt to be cautious. But nothing's gonna happen to you if you just do what I say and don't fuck up.

[shittybirthday]

And what if I don't agree with what you say? What if I think you're the one that's screwin' up? Gonna make me eat a bullet?

[hostage]

You know, you could quit anytime if you don't trust me to run my business.

[shittybirthday]

[Joel just gives him a hard, don't fuck with me look.]

Answer the question.

[hostage]

Or what? You'll make me?

[shittybirthday]

Worked last time.

[hostage]

I heal. You don't.

[shittybirthday]

Ellie would slit your throat if you ever tried to do anything to me. Just so we're clear.

[hostage]

You gonna keep hiding behind Ellie?

[shittybirthday]

Or I can turn into a large, wild animal and see how fast you can run. Makes no difference to me.

[hostage]

And get your head cut off by one pissed valkyrie? Seriously, yo. What're you trying to prove? You treat all your bosses like this, or is it something special about me?

[shittybirthday]

My last boss was a lot scarier than you. She knew how to put people in their place. Unlike you.

[hostage]

Why the hell're you working so hard to get me to beat your ass down?

[shittybirthday]

[A casual shrug, arms crossed over his chest.]

You gonna answer my question?

[hostage]

What you're really asking is if I ever killed anybody, right? You're asking if I got the balls to do it.

[It isn't something he brags about. He doesn't parade it around. It makes him sick inside, thinking about it. But on the outside, his expression darkens. His eyes lose their fire and deaden. His voice lowers but doesn't weaken, only growing solemn:]

The answer's yes.

[shittybirthday]

[Joel watches the kid for a moment. Funny, he recognises that deadened look that slips into Jesse's eyes. It's the same look everyone back in his world carries. The same look Joel himself carries.

Killing doesn't mean anything to him anymore. He's had to do it so much that he's shut off completely from it. It's normal to him. A normal way of life back home. He's learned to dehumanise everyone in the name of survival.]

It's alright, kid. I believe you.

[hostage]

[Jesse gives a slight shake of his head and looks away. Unbelievable, this asshole.]