1963-06-10 - Jewel Answers the Call for Help
Summary: Jewel takes on a new case.
Related: If there are no related logs, put 'None', — please don't leave blank!
Theme Song: None
gambit jessica 


The way the perp hangs there, must be satisfying to Jewel (nee Jessica Jones), all slack, stretching against the bonds of his cotton undershirt and the dress shirt he wears over. There's also the matter about the purplish bruise being sported over the eye and the murmuring in unconsciousness.

Cue the crowds, the appreciation, and even a news reporter and then the police. And as the sun sets in Harlem, everything is starting to settle out. The only person left is a straggler at the opening to an alley. A young woman, perhaps 25, in a nice business suit, gray, and a stylish hat, stands there, hoping to get some time with the hero.

*

Success always breeds a sense of satisfaction for Jewel. Elation would be a stretch, but there's no question the hero is pleased. A small, nearly sheepish smile tugs the edges of Jewel's lips upwards as she nods once; Trish would be happy, and it'd make a good story to relay later.

Her blue gloves are tugged higher on her arms, removing all the wrinkles in them. She turns to the mouth of the alley, and cants her head to the side as she spies the straggler. Jewel arches a single eyebrow and lingers pensively for a moment before striding towards the other woman. Squinting her blue grey eyes, she brings the other woman into focus, "Uh…" always eloquent, Jessica Jones, "…can I help you?"

*

The woman walks out from the opening to the alleyway a few steps, re-slinging her purse a bit as she does so. "Miss Jewel? My name is Glynnis Aspenson. I was hoping I could have a minute of your time. I saw what you did there—" She nods towards the point where Jewel pummeled the bad guy. "It was amazing."

*

Jewel's head rocks to the opposite side inquisitively, and, rather subconsciously, her eyebrows draw together. Cynicism comes too easily. But the comment at the end, despite herself, causes the pink-haired Jewel to smile, just a little. "Just Jewel," she corrects. For a moment, Jessica considers flying away — one of the perks of her own supposed gifts, but that small voice in her head (that sounds an awful lot like Trish) tells her to help instead. "Sure. What can I do for you, Miss Aspenson?"

*

"Well, I work down at Hoppen Mortgage as a secretary for the CEO, Gary Hoppen," she begins, stammering just a bit. "A few weeks ago, I guess I did not lock the door to the safe properly, and anyways, we had a break in and I was responsible for losing the company quite a bit of money." Glynnis gulps a bit as she thinks about how deep in it she is.

"We got a tip from someone who saw a guy with black and red eyes coming out of the building that night. And, someone the firm hired even got a picture. Unfortunately, any attempts to find him and get him arrested have ended, well, badly."

She sighs, loudly. "The police have hit a stand still and aren't even trying that hard anymore, and I didn't know where else to turn. I read about you in the Bugle a few days ago and figured I could ask. I mean, I'm out of options and if this guy doesn't get brought in, I'm out of a job."

*

There's a flash of something across Jewel's eyes. While Jewel is a hero, Jessica is an investigator, and mysteries of all sorts pique her attention. She slides closer to the woman and hmmms quietly to herself. "I'll help you find him," she agrees quietly. "I can't guarantee we'll be successful, but I'll seek out clues and see what hits I get."

Her eyes narrow slightly, "Have the police managed to sort out an identity or a general idea as to where he can be found?" She tucks a lock of pink hair behind her ear, "And…" based on the eyes, "…any idea why the freaky peelers?"

*

"They say he's a mutant," Glynnis says as she hands over a manila envelope. "Oh thank you so much. This is my job and my livelihood. I'm sure I don't need to tell you what it's like as a gal trying to make it in this town. I don't know if you heroes work on commission or…whatever…but I'd be willing to pay you. I don't have much, but I'll give you whatever I can. Thank you so very much."

*

The notion of tracking a mutant causes Jewel's face to take on a pinched quality as her eyebrows draw together tightly. "It's no wonder the police haven't been successful. If he's got some kind of jiggerypokery going on…" Her eyes shift towards the sky for a moment. "I — " she starts at the notion of being paid. She hasn't really considered the notion before, especially as Trish had been so adamant she use her abilities for good " — this one's on the house," her eyebrows tick upwards as if to say 'okay?'

She accepts the envelope and spies the documents.

*

"Oh heavens, thank you," Glynnis says. She also produces a business card and hands that over as well. "I'm not sure if you'd need to call me. I'm not sure how these things work, but if you do, I'll answer anything I can."

Inside the envelope there are pictures of a tall, thin man, with dark, longer hair. His eyes are partly downcast, making it hard to see his tell tale mutation, as he looks at the pavement and smokes a cigarette. Jessica's knowledge of the city will tell her Mutant Town, from the buildings of the background.

"I don't know how to thank you."

*

A wry smile follows the words of thanks, along with a general air of 'just doing my job,' but Glynnis receives little more than a nod of acknowledgement for the verbalized thanks. "I'll call when I figure out the situation and get what you need. Then you'll know what happened and what I've learned." Her lips press together into a thin line as she stares at the photos. Her fingers tap one of the pictures several times before she returns each of them to the envelope.

"Just pay it forward, okay? And…" her lips twist to the side, "try to keep this one on the down low. I think the mutants have it bad enough without people painting them all as suspicious thieves."

*

Glynnis looks horrified, "Oh, no I didn't mean that he did this because he was a mutant. I think he just happens to be a mutant. I'm not prejudiced against mutants at all, I swear. I had a friend in high school who was a mutant."

*

"Right," Jewel agrees quietly, "but friend or not, if this one gets too broadcasted it could be bad for those who are aiming for rights." Her eyes flit skyward. "So… try to keep it on the down low as much as you can."

*

Glynnis nods, "Oh, of course. I won't say anything." She begins to gush, "Thank you Miss Jewel, you're a real life saver." Eventually her cries of thanks die down and she excuses herself gracefully, leaving Jessica alone with the photograph.

*

Unless otherwise stated, the content of this page is licensed under Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0 License