14968/Bridge Building

Bridge Building
Date of Scene:	19 May 2023
Location:	Shaw Studios - Beach Retreat
Synopsis:	Rick swings by the studio a day early to get a feel for the layout. And to talk to Mike about a misunderstanding
Cast of Characters:	Michael Hannigan, Richard Stadler

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Michael Hannigan has posed:
As the early evening starts to set in Happy Harbor, there's a general bustle going about in the neighborhood the Shaw Studios beach retreat is located in. This is for good reason. With a lot of the buildings in the area being residential there's an influx of traffic from people trying to head home. Some to relax, others to change attire and head out yet again.

The Shaw Studios Beach retreat is likely one of the larger properties in the area. Save for the sign labeling it as such, one might mistake it as just another oversized house with a separate garage and a privacy wall. Well, the shuttle van pulling up to it is likely another tip off.

Richard Stadler has posed:
Stadler needed to check this place out, he said to himself. There were some students headed to this place in a day or two as a 'field trip', and he wasn't the type to come in blind to a situation like that. A healthy sense of paranoia at it's finest, he said to himself.

So maybe that wasn't the whole story... no, of course it wasn't. To be completely honest, he knew that Crush was probably attending, and there had been... a talk. Granted, it had been a very productive talk, and Stadler had gotten something out of it that was more valuable than what was asked, but the downside was that he actually had to... mend some fences, as it were, and that was best done when there weeren't a lot of students running around and doing things stupid kids did at a beach. So. Here he was, just checking his phone to make sure that, after a short walk from the bus stop, he was in the right place. It certainly didn't... look like a studio. Looked expensive, though. Were they even open?

Move forward, seize the moment, then. He walked up to the front door, and gave it a quick rapt.

Michael Hannigan has posed:
After the shuttle's engine shuts off, the driver exits the vehicle and scoots around to the other side, opening the back passenger doors. Once those are open, he steps back to open the front passenger one. A small chorus of mumbled thanks are given as several people start to make their way out of the vehicle.

Rick isn't kept waiting for long as the door immediately gives way before the knuckles can brush the heavyset door for a third time. To the other side, an entrance hall can be seen with a glimpse of a what looks to be a well appointed family room type area with folding tables lined along a wall sporting a sizeable tv. It's a minor glimpse but it does seem to support the teacher's assessment of it being expensive.

As for the cause for the door giving way, there stands a short blond-haired man in his mid thirties holding a clipboard. Giving a curious look to Rick, he frowns for a moment before glancing down to the clipboard. Two men stand behind him, more uniformly dressed compared to the blond's designer blue tee and jeans. Catching glimpse of the frown, one of them looks to Rick with a more studious eye.

The blond man glances back to Rick and then to the shuttle being unloaded. "Hi." He greets, looking to Richard. "Can I have your name?"

Richard Stadler has posed:
Rick looks behind him, grimacing at the several people stepping out. So at least something was going on here, which was... unfortunate. He had wanted to have the conversation in some privacy, but... well, what should he have expected, coming up to a place of business like this? At least it meant gaining access wasn't going to be difficult, as the door was opened in very short order. A quick look inside, and.. it was a bit impressive, to say the least. Beachfront property always was.

The people, though, were a bit more concerning for the moment. There's a reflexive frown at the two men behind him, and does what he can to keep from tensing up. They certainly looked like they might be security. And a bit dangerous. Or they could just be here to greet the talent behind him.

"Richard Stadler. I'm here to see Mr. Hannigan, if he's avalible."

Michael Hannigan has posed:
"Ah. Stadler." There's a brief flip to the next page, skimming it for a moment before giving a nod. He turns, handing his clipboard to one of the men before stepping outside with Rick. He gestures over to the front porch area where some rocking chairs are situated. "Over here please. The entrance way's going to be crowded real soon."

Once he's sure Rick will comply he positions himself between the teacher and the walkway. "One of the chaperones from Happy Harbor, correct? If this is about the field trip tomorrow to the studio locations you can also speak with me if you don't want to wait."

The cluster of people around the shuttle shift, some of them moving towards the back of it where the driver has set out unloading equipment that wouldn't comfortably share seats with the occupants. One by one they start to filter down the path to speak with the newly appointed clipboard guardian. The conga line of credentials has a reasonably efficient beat.

While most people have made there way in, there seems to be a conversation going on between one of the riders and the driver as the former gathers up two cases. One of the cases likely to be a guitar case while the other, much smaller. Possibly violin. The smaller case is strapped on to the larger one before the combined instruments are lifted. Cases slide on like a backpack.

Richard Stadler has posed:
There was a slight tinge of relief as Stadler's name was found on a list. There was always the slight chance that he was going to get an undignified defenestration from a security guard who didn't think he should be here. And he's certainly grateful to not be discussing something like this in the middle of a gaggle of talent or artists or tourists or whoever happens to be coming in on that shuttle. He moves to step out to the porch itself, and gives a quick nod to the question.

"I'm... yes, one of the chaperones coming tomorrow. I don't think I've been down this way before on a jog, so I wanted to get the lay of the land, where everything is, and the like. Which..." He notes, before looking at the people and gear coming out of the shuttle. Muscisians, from the look of the gear they happen to be taking out of the shuttle itself. Made sense, given what he had heard of the field trip.

"...Which isn't the main reason I'm here, actually. It's a... bit of a private matter I need to discuss with Mr. Hannigan. If he's busy, though, I understand. I can try to catch him tomorrow."

Michael Hannigan has posed:
Wade considers the teacher for a moment, seemingly studying him for a few prolonged moments. Eventually the man breaks the silence. "Probably better now than when you're having to keep an eye on students." The man agrees, "You actually have good timing."

Turning the blond man looks over to the shuttle that is currently closing the back doors. "Mike!"

The man ladden down with the cases steps away from the door that was blocking his face, revealing it to be a familiar one. "Yeah Wade?"

The blond points to Rick, "Visitor! And get off the street!"

Mike tilts his head to look over to who is being gestured to and pauses. The slam of the side shuttle doors snaps him out of it, long enough to get onto the sidewalk. He then proceeds to make his turtle-y walk over to the porch steps.

The newly named Wade looks back over to Rick, giving a smile, "Alright, Mr. Stadler. If you have any actual questions about tomorrow's field trip, I'll be inside." His own task finished, the man walks inside. The door closes when the last of the musicians makes it inside, cutting off the boisterous nature of the group suddenly.

Man that's good soundproofing.

Richard Stadler has posed:
Hey, this guy gets it, and Rick nods approvingly. Do it tomorrow, and he was liabel to having a heart to heart whilst one of the students decided to walk into the sea because that's what a 'vine' or 'tik tok' told them to do. But his eye brows go up when there's talk about him having good timing, moving to look toward the shuttle. Perhaps he wasn't expecting talent like Mike to do the manual labor of moving instruments, but... well, assumptions are what got him into this prolem in the first place, wasn't it. There's a slightly awkward moment where Rick and Mike look between each other in silence, aside from a tight smile and a raised hand in greeting to the man.

Wade gets a quick nod at the offer to answer questions. "I'll be sure to. I may have a bit of a walk around after just to check the area out." he says, before the door closes, and they're suddenly in silence. Wow. Well, there was a band there, but the sudden lack of sound was a bit jarring.

So, there was nothing left to do but to sit down in one of the aforementioned chairs and wait for Mike to walk over to start this meeting between rational adults.

Michael Hannigan has posed:
With everyone else inside, there is a lot of quiet being extended towards Rick. At the very least when Rick lifts up a hand to wave, the rock star has the manners to return the gesture. Even better with all the fingers extended in the presentation of the hand.

As he reaches the steps, Mike stops, glancing up to the soldier and then glancing to the secondary building to the other side of a gate. Seemingly deciding against something, he moves up the steps to approach the other. The musician remains standing. Hands shoving into his pockets like he has no clue about the shell that's on his back "Hi Rick. You here about the fieldtrip tomorrow?"

Richard Stadler has posed:
The silence just seemed to surround the area. Not total, certainly. The sounds of surf were at least something that was a companion to the scene itself, though a poor converstationalist. That and getting a full wave instead of a half-hearted one were one of the few things he had going for him. He moves to stand when it's clear that Mike plans to remain so, at least keeping things on an equal footing, and, at the question, taking in a bit of air in his lungs, and then letting it out.

"Nope. Maybe a bit, maybe for efficency, but, no. I'm here because I had a talk with Crush, who apparantly had a talk with you, and we've let this go on for a bit too long. So." He says, moving to sit back down again and motioning to the seat. "Sit down, and let's talk this out so we don't have to dissapoint her again tomorrow."

Michael Hannigan has posed:
To the mention of Crush, there's the sound of air being let out from Mike's lungs. Considering Mike's career choice, it may have drawn out a bit longer than normal. Another stalling tactic perhaps? "Of course she did."

Reaching a hand up, he undoes the chest strap that was helping to keep the contents from shifting. Gently he slides off the double tiered cases and rotates it to set down on the floor. Taking the other rocking chair, he slides in.

Another sigh. "You know, I thought we handled things well enough in France. Didn't you get the picture of her expression when she found out what the costume designer picked out for her?"

Richard Stadler has posed:
"I'd rather her be honest about what she's feeling, and I sort of have a vested interest in resolving this beyond her possibly disapproving looks." Rick notes, giving the man time to get situated and lower those intruments to the ground. "And I think we handled things reletively well, too, but this isn't a... problem that I think is going to resolve itself by scabbing over with time. So. At the risk of putting my foot in my mouth again, I'm sorry. I didn't mean any disrespect at Columbia." Was that enough? He didn't know, but he was a little apprehensive about pressing furthur.

Michael Hannigan has posed:
Hearing Rick's response to the comment, he nods, leaning back in the seat. An arm crosses over the stomach, granting his other elbow a perch. The arm bends, lifting the scarred forearm and hand up so he can prop his chin with the thumb. Consequently it also leads to the fingers curling to cover his mouth. "Yeah, I'd rather she'd be able to do that too." He admits.

That was the easy thing to respond to.

When Rick brings up the conversation at Columbia, Mike's eyes narrow. His mouth parts open and lingers. There's a pause before the mouth closes again. The lips pinch shut for a few moments before his eyes close.

"Fine." Mike murmurs, tilting his head forward a bit. "Anything else?"

Richard Stadler has posed:
Richard looks over to Mike for a moment, before sighing, and leaning back into this chair. "Honestly, I don't think I've been handling this as well as I should. I have a particular world view, a mind set, and it's... hard to get out of that, some times, to my detriment, esspecially recently. YOu think you're ?flexible, have dealt with the /hard/ stuff, and the next thing you know, you're having to figure out with having to deal with..." He starts, befofre clamping his mouth shut. "Happy Harbor stuff. That's descriptive enough, right? Lord knows I still struggle with it, and I'd expeect someone whose..." He says, waving his hand in Mike's general direction. "been a bird really had a reason to listen to me ramble suggestions. So If you're okay... resetting this. That works for me."

Michael Hannigan has posed:
Mike had no intention of saying much but with the established purpose of breaking bread established for Rick's reason to talking to him, he's- not so inclined to avoid this conversation. Plus with Wade already knowing about the conversation, the likelihood of an ill-timed phone call is probably minimal. So listen he does.

Holy M-

Mike's head slowly turns, watching Ramblin' Rick.

When Stadler's words slow to a stop, the musician stares. "...Well, good to know I'm not the only one who sometimes ramble like that." There's quite possibly a slight tinge of amusement to the tone. "Although, I get that you're stressed the fuck out. I'm not sure how one of my forms has a factor in you getting adjusted to things at Happy Harbor."

Richard Stadler has posed:
Rick gives a slight shake of his head with Mike's last comment. "It's more... you have more experience with this sort of stuff than I do. Granted, I'm learning a bit more everyday, and my skill set isn't completely obsolete, but it's more that my... own opinions on what you should do or shouldn't do shouldn't make a lick of difference. Like I mentioned before, I didn't mean any disreespect, and I am certainly am in no position to judge anyone."

He pauses for a moment. "Though, I wouldn't say... stressed. It's a challenge. Sometimes a bit overwhelming, but it's something to be tackled."

Michael Hannigan has posed:
Mike tilts his head in a manner somewhat reminiscent of the form previously being referenced. "More exper-" He pauses, brows lifting as one and one starts to produce its sum. "Rick, I got that ability when I was twenty one. I have no idea what it's like to have powers in school. I just know what it's like to have an entire community turn against you at that age."

Richard Stadler has posed:
Stadler nods slightly. "It's certainly more experience than I have with magical powers, is what I meant to say. I know there are a few students that can change shape, but I... have no frame of reference for it. That's the part where you simply have more experience than I do." He says, leaning back in the chair a bit. "It all comes down to... I didn't mean to offend. And if I have done so, my opinion is worth less than a ha'penny, at the moment.

Michael Hannigan has posed:
"Hmm. Maybe not." Mike allows, "...But- you don't need to have that experience to just give a shit and not quickly dismiss them when someone comes to you with a problem."

Mike gives a sigh, looking towards the path leading to the sidewalk. "Which considering Crush, you already know that. So, you're doing alright. So, fine. Do over."

Hands clapping together, Mike moves to his feet and turns to pick up his cases, "So, I need to get my instruments back to my room. If you want to tag along, I can give you a quick look around the place. I doubt you'll have the leisure time tomorrow while you're otherwise occupied."

Richard Stadler has posed:
Rick fight's the urge to frown at the comment, but fight it successfully he does. Just becuase there was a do over didn't mean that this would be... easy, for the most part, but it does mean, at least, they both get to try. That was really all he could ask for at the moment. "Yeah. Yeah, that sounds good. Honestly, that young woman is doing all right. Taking control, looking at what she wants to do with her future. Certainly one of the reasons I got into teaching." He says, before staading up himself. "That'll be fine. I do want to take a look at this place, if you'll give the quick tour. It'll help sooth my natural paranoia." Yep. Natural.