328/Alias Investigations: Marketing Works!

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Alias Investigations: Marketing Works!
Date of Scene: 06 March 2020
Location: Alias Investigations
Synopsis: Jessica made a gamble by snarking someone on twitter and turning it into a marketing ad, somehow that earned her a shot to work a case for Dick Grayson, Bruce Wayne's ward. Good thing Matt Murdock stopped by to season everything with a generous helping of awkward.
Cast of Characters: Jessica Jones, Dick Grayson, Matthew Murdock




Jessica Jones has posed:
Jessica is sitting at her desk, being very motivated and reasonable for once, as she does the work of trying to get work. She had just read this post from some yokel going on about the rich bleeding the poor dry, and other than wanting the technology to be able to punch him through the screen, she responds by taking the chance to make a marketing bit out of it. She just finishes typing out her message, and pours herself a celebratory glass of whiskey, "and that's how you turn stupidity into marketing. Way to go Jones."

Dick Grayson has posed:
Somewhere on her desk, there was a note that Jessica had an 11 AM appointment. Richard Grayson. A quick internet search for information - he's a Detective in the Bludhaven Police Department. A little bit deeper would show that he's a Detective with a platinum spoon, as he's the ward of Bruce Wayne.

Speaking of the rich.

There's a tapping on the glass of the door before Dick opens it. "Miss Jones?" he asks politely. He's dressed down for the meeting. A black long-sleeved shirt, leather jacket, blue jeans and boots. "I'm your eleven o'clock." he offers with a smile. "Dick Grayson."

Jessica Jones has posed:
Jessica looks as casual as ever, dressed in her go to get up, she doesn't have a wide selection of clothes. It's fortunate she even bothers to do laundry now and then. Leather jackets, ripped skinny jeans, and a black tank top. Hardly professional, but at least it makes her look tough. Well, it mitigates her utterly unintimidating frame, that's for sure. "Come in," she calls at the knocking on the glass of her door, brand new and all.

"So you are...punctual, I like it. So...what does a Bludhaven PD Detective want with little ol' me?" She asks, showing she did her homework at the very least.

Dick Grayson has posed:
"Love the look." Dick offers with a chuckle. "Enjoy more that you did your research first. Since you did that much..." Dropping into a seat across from Jessica, he folds his hands into his lap. "...before I get into what I need, how about we start with how much you found out about me?" he asks her curiously.

As he lets her speak, his eyes scan around, taking in her office. Searching, filing away the things that he finds from where he sits. Family pictures? Newspaper articles on the walls? It's not as if he picked a name at random to contact. Right?

Jessica Jones has posed:
"Suits and such are for people who deal with money, how I'm dressed shows you I'm serious about my P.I. work, I don't stick out like a Wall St entitled assholes," Jess offers her input, before reaching for the bottle of whiskey next to her, "care for a drink?" She asks Dick, clearly, water isn't what she is offering. She'd have to get up for that, and who got the time. "The question alone tells me there's a gold mine to be found, question is, do I care about that more than I do about potential business?"

Jessica is good at being coy, just offering enough to suggest she knows more than she said, but also not providing exact details. "I usually make sure I'm safe, other than that, whoever is paying the bill gets my services. So what do you need from a P.I. that the Bludhaven PD can't provide?"

When Dick looks around, he will notice that the place is very sparse. There are empty bottles of whiskey at odd places around the office, likely forgotten by Jessica when in a rush. Some empty glasses that haven't been taken to the kitchen. The 'office' front is very neat comparatively, but it's clear the other sections serve as Jessica's apartment.

Of the pictures, Dick might spot one of Carol Danvers AKA Ms. Marvel AKA Captain Marvel. There's one of a woman who wouldn't necessarily be familiar, but that's it for pictures. The most prominent and prized thing on display is Jessica's P.I. License, framed and hanging on the wall behind her desk. Jessica's laptop and the Nikon camera on the desk are probably the most expensive things she owns.

Matthew Murdock has posed:
Another person is making their way to Alias, that advertising must really work! Though not really, Matt's not a Twitter guy, but he does have some Thai food handy, it must be time to his semi-weekly check in with Jess, to discuss what's going on in Hell's Kitchen, and you know make sure a certain detective hasn't drunken herself to death.

Hearing voices inside he knocks on the door before stepping inside. "Hello, sorry I hope I'm not interrupting," he knew he was but he figured this was Jess can tell him to get the hell out of there now rather than have him lingering in the hall listening to every word.

Dick Grayson has posed:
The bottles, discarded or just left in the open, speak of inner demons. When Jessica offers him a drink, Dick's smile is warm as he holds up a hand. "I have a shift after I wokr here, but perhaps another time." He leaves that offer open to her as he finishes his observation of the room. There's a brief rise of a brow at the picture of Carol, it's subtle but she might pick up on it.

She's gritty. That much is clear, as he turns his attention to the conversation. His hands settled in his lap, and then he speaks quietly. "It's not a job I would want to use the Bludhaven resoruces for. We're busy enough with the current mob war."

That's subtly said, mob war would suggests there was two sides - Dick has only noticed one or two people that are attacking mobsters. Which means Gotham and Bludhaven are facing a possible new threat. Which brings Dick to the reason why he's here and now. "I'm concerened about my father." he starts off.

He hadn't been counting on company. Becasue while Dick may be acting the part of a concerned child, Matt Murdock could pick up that the vital signs aren't matching up. "He's had someone setting dates up with him, and she keeps finding reasons to step away, or it has not gone well. But she is being rather insistent on trying to meet him."

Reaching into his pocket, he pulls out a file. "Her name's Selina Kyle." He slides the picture across the desk to Jessica. "She's got money as well. I just want to make sure she's not just after Bruce for his pocketbook."

When the door opens, Dick moves to rise to his feet. "Ah. I did not know you had another appointment, Miss Jones?" he asks curiously, giving Matt a nod of his head. "Morning."

Jessica Jones has posed:
"You're never interrupting, Matt," Jessica calls out over Dick, before giving him an apologetic smile, "that's the unofficial other half of Alias Investigations, Matt Murdock, top notch lawyer, and there's a catch...he has a soul, so he only represents actual good people and goes after scumbags. While we don't have a standing agreement, I send most of my decent clients his way if they need legal services."

"See? That's a main reason I could never be a cop," Jessica jokes, or, at least one would hope she was joking, as she refills her own glass and takes another sip of whiskey. "Anyways, I'm really curious to hear what brought you to my door."

When she picks on Dick peering at that picture of Carol Danvers, Jessica interjects, "she's a personal hero of mine, a real strong woman, who is a real hero...and actually takes a moment to think before jumping to conclusions. I don't say that about a lot of people, but I truly admire her." She leaves it at that, not offering more, but Dick would likely notice that picture is not the sort of poster a fan would keep. It's more a picture of someone dear to a person.

"Yeah...mob is a tough business to handle, so don't blame you there," Jessica frowns, realizing that Dick is likely one of the real police detectives, doing serious work, rather than passing the time at Dunkin Donuts. He is in crazy good shape after all.

"Selina Kyle," Jessica notes as she reaches for her laptops and types away, bringing up profiles, as she starts to set a case folder for herself. "Your father is not my father, that's for sure, I could see why you'd have that concern." Looking over the profile, Jessica purses her lips, "you know, this Selina Kyle reads like a profile I would make if I wanted everyone to think I was a benevolent person. Maybe it's true, I'll look into it for you." She looks up from the screen and asks, "essentially, you want to ensure no nefarious means or ill will towards your father, so you can sleep at peace knowing she's genuine?"

"Oh...and Matt's not appointment, Matt is just the Patron Saint of lunch to people who rarely bother with non liquid lunch."

Matthew Murdock has posed:
Matt grins brightly, "Hi, nice to meet you," he says to Dick when Jess handles the introductions, entering the room behind his cane he feels his way to the desk where he leaves the lunch, "The sainthood's pending, there's apparently already a Saint Matthew," he jokes lightly. "Alright if I put this here?" he asks about the food on Jess' desk.

As for Detective Grayson, Matt can sense those discrepancies, he doesn't feel right for what the man seems to be selling. Though at the same time Matt would likely seem wrong to someone with Dick's training. His movements are a little too sure for someone who's supposed to be blind. Then there's the little bruises on his knuckles and chin.

He takes a spot near the wall to lean after lunch is delivered. Not weighing in yet on Miss Kyle.

Dick Grayson has posed:
"Yeah. I just want to make sure that Bruce isn't getting taken for a ride or..." wait for it...

"...being catfished."

Oh if they only knew.

"I may not be living at the manor house anymore, I just want to make sure that who is there is on the up and up and isn't in it for the money." Especially when it comes to what's below the Manor house.

"Nice to meet you. Detective Dick Grayson, Bludhaven PD." he offers in way of greeting.

When Jessica explains, Dick gives a firm nod of his head and a grin. "This mean I'm going to have to take you out to dinner as part of your retainer, I get to pick the place." he offers playfully, his eyes tracking the laywer. "Never seen a PI with a lawyer already on retainer. Should I be concerned?" he asks with a hint of amusement.

Jessica Jones has posed:
"That would be awesome, thanks, Matt, you know I always give you a hard time, but I appreciate it. I mean...I probably have to eat solid food too," Jessica jokes, but, judging by all the empty bottles lying about, maybe she's not completely joking?

"Wouldn't be the first time a rich guy was being taken for a ride, money is appealing to con artists," Jessica remarks, before quipping, "it's why I never have trouble, nobody would touch me with a ten foot pole. But I do get a lot of cases closed, so there's that." She laughs at the mention of a retainer, "oh, hell no, I turn clients to Matt because he's the best decent lawyer on this planet. This isn't for money," Jessica notes, she also fails to note that all the ones on dire legal straits that need help, she turns towards Hogarth, the world's best criminal lawyer. Suck it Saul Goodman.

"I was about to say I wouldn't bother naming a case fee, seeing how you likely have more money than I've ever seen in my entire life. I'll take you up on that dinner, just be forewarned, if you pick a place with a dress code, what I'm wearing is what I got."

Matthew Murdock has posed:
Matt smiles at being called the other half of Jess' agency, he'd bug her about it later. When he puts down the food but before retreating to hold up a wall, Matt extends a hand to Dick. "Pleasure to meet you, detective Grayson," he says. Then things click when Dick mentions Bruce. "Wait, you're that Dick Grayson?" he asks brows raising above the red tinted shades. He quickly recovers from his surprise, smiling a touch sheepishly, "Sorry, probably get that a lot back home, anyhow, I can see why you'd be worried about your father though."

He takes that spot by the wall then, nodding, "And in return I give Jess our investigative work," he says. "She's one of the best."

Then given the dinner situation, he grins, "It's okay Jess, I am sure Karen could lend you a dress," he's a helper.

Dick Grayson has posed:
Accepting Matt's hand in a firm shake, Dick's fingers subtly feel the countour for callouses and such. Something's off, but he can't put a finger on. Then he laughs. "One in the same, last of the Flying Graysons, ward of Bruce Wayne, not quite billionaire playboy, etcettera." he admits, chuckling warmly then shakes it off at Jessica's statement.

"Bruce has more money than you've seen in your entire life. I'm working on a stipend and what I make as a police officer." Dick points out, smirking slightly. "My idea of dinner together was gonna either be Steak Freak or Bee-Dubs. How are you on trivia nights?" he asks before he gives a nod. "It sounds all very alturistic, Miss Jones. Or may I call you Jessica?" The mention of getting her a dress draws straightening up and he looks aside to Jessica. "I get the feeling Mister Murdock here if trying to set you up."

Jessica Jones has posed:
"Yes, -that- Grayson," Jessica answers Matt just moment before Dick's reply, "I don't just get common folk cases, I do stumble on some celebrities now and again," she then turns to look at Dick with a big grin. "Like it or not, with your dad, it doesn't matter what you do you're a celebrity. If it's any consulation, I'm not going to ask for a selfie to put on my instagram, because a) I don't have one and b) people who do that suck."

She was expecting dress code to be an issue, but here comes good guy Matt Murdock with a ready solution, "oh, wow, Karen could...? How didn't I think of that!" She laughs, not quite a happy laugh, there's some undertones of being annoyed as heck with Matt for finding a solution to this wouldbe problem. But then Dick does one better, by making it a non-issue at all. "Oh, is that so?" Jessica asks, leaning against her desk, taking a closer look at Dick as she smirks, "are you legally allowed to dine in those places?" It wouldn't be Jessica if she didn't at least once tried a verbal dig at someone. "I got my High School diploma, I should do fine on trivia night, especially if there's a whiskey category."

When Dick also picks on Matt's transparent suggestion, Jessica groans, and promptly reaches to finish up her drink. Why did everyone have to be so sharp around here? Couldn't Dick have let that one fly over his head? She's quick to recover though, offering Dick a courteous smile, "it's possible, I didn't ask him directly, but I'm trying to keep professional while discussing cases. But yes, you can call me Jessica, it is my name."

Matthew Murdock has posed:
Matt's hand also has a few more calluses than you'd expect from a man with a desk job. "Good to meet you, sorry to have gone all fanboy there," he turns Jess' way, "That's the word right?"

Then about the dress, Matt chimes in,. "I'm Catholic, charity is an obligation of the faith," he says with a smirk that says he knows exactly what he's doing.

"But seriously, just trying to help out a friend, detective," he says. "If she accepts the advice of her counsel that's up to her."

Dick Grayson has posed:
"He didn't check to see if I was already seeing someone." Dick points out. Not that the internet has had much on that since a university relationship with a police commissioner's daughter. And then he's grinning at Jessica's comment. "I mean, I did just get my badge out of a Cracker Jack box." he responds right back.

But apparently Meddling Matt is still at it. "When discussing cases, that's fine."

And he lets Matt's suggestion fly right on by, not even taking a sniff of a swing at the easy pitch over the plate except to say. "I doubt a night out with her would be charity." And his watch beeps at him and he glances at it with a frown. "I need to get to work." he admits with a sigh as he takes a card out of his wallet and turns it over to write on it. "My buisness card. I put my personal cell on the back. If you're good with it, Jessica, I'll hire you. We can discuss the paticulars of your contract over dinner."

"There is one more stipulation I have. Bruce can't know about this. If he realizes that one of his wards went poking around in his love life..." he rolls his eyes. "...let's just say it's keeping him safe."

And it will //really// test Jessica's skills.

"Call me later, we'll set plans for dinner?" And with that, Dick offers his hand to Jessica.

Jessica Jones has posed:
"Matt is famous for his charity, he's a great all around Catholic," Jessica remarks, never losing that smile on her face, before adding very unnecessarily, "he's nothing like those Catholics who came up with inquisition and burning at the stake and stuff." Jess just couldn't help herself, you know, just in case someone thought religion was all good. Like say Matt, who really happened to annoy her just now. It's the least she could do.

"Well, Cracker Jack box is a rare find, can't get more legit than that," Jessica grins at Dick, approving of his mannerism in handling this surprisingly more loaded exchange than Dick must realize. "Oh, you don't know the half of it, some lower circuit courts dish out a night out with me as punishment." Jessica notes with a wink, casually pouring herself another glass. Judging by the bottle being about a quarter full, one would hope it wasn't full an hour before the appointment. "Perfect, we'll hash it out over dinner...in the meantime I'll start looking at it."

She hesitates for a moment, and then asks, "before you go, if you don't mind...what made you decide to turn to Alias for this?"

She nods at the added requirement, not like she was going to get the rich boy involved, it's was kind of understood the reason Dick saw her was because he didn't want to confront Bruce directly. For all Jess knows Bruce might be every bit as egotistical as that insufferable Tony Stark.

Matthew Murdock has posed:
Matt makes a face at the crack about the inquisition, but it was fair game. Matt nods in Dick's direction at his remarks about taking Jess out, "True enough," he allows, having done enough damage already.

He settles back and lets Jess handle things without his commentary.

Dick Grayson has posed:
"You used your official twitter to snark at someone and turn it into something else. I wanted to see if it was ballsy or stupid." Dick grins at her. "Apparently the ballsy part is taking you on a date." With that said coyly, he turns to head out the door. "A pleasure to have met you both, and I look forward to seeing where this goes."

He can do loaded comments too.