455/First Meetings

First Meetings
Date of Scene:	12 March 2020
Location:	An expensive restaurant in Gotham
Synopsis:	A lovely first date is had. Lives and work are discussed.
Cast of Characters:	Summer Gleeson, Harvey Dent

---

Summer Gleeson has posed:
In some ways, Summer Gleeson seems to have it all: a highly rated TV news program, local fame as a broadcast reporter, and a fast-track to bigger things, like a national network anchor gig. But, that means that in other ways, she doesn't have as much as 'normal' people. Specifically: a social life. And she's apparently not the only one so busy that they don't have someone to share the successes of their lives with. And while Summer is playing 'there's still plenty of time' game, some of her friends and associates know better. And so, Summer has stepped into Ciaro, one of Gotham's highest rated restaurants, dressed in a classic black spaghetti strap evening dress that reaches down to her ankles, with matching designer stiletto heeled pumps, to meet one of the most eligable, and busy, bachelors in Gotham City: Harvey Dent. For a date, rather than an interview. Her hair perfectly done and allowed to fall down around her shoulders naturally, instead of the restrained pull-back that viewers are familiar with, Summer holds her black clutch in front of her at the matrie'd stand, looking around for her date.

Harvey Dent has posed:
Harvey is waiting at the nearby bar for his date, before the two will end up heading to their table. He sets his drink down on the counter and clears his throat, shifting a nit nervously from one foot to another. It's rare for the man to be nervous. He's taken on some of the meanest and scariest people in the city in court, from corrupt politicians, to supervillains. But here he is...nervous about a date.

The handsome young man (The youngest D.A. in the history of the city...and many other places!) is dressed in a burgundy colored suit and a darker, matching vest and tie. It looks good on him. He turns as he catches sight of the reporter out of the corner of his eye, and he pushes his nervousness down to his gut and he flashes her a smile.

He makes his way towards her after setting his glass aside. "Summer Gleeson, right? I've seen you in the press pits but...never up close. Harvey. Our table should be ready. You look amazing, by the way."

Summer Gleeson has posed:
Summer flashes a pearly bright smile to harvey at the compliment. "Why, thank you. And so do you." She orders a Sctoch Mist from the bar before they go to the table. "Really, looking amazing is easy when you get to learn from professional hair and make-up artists every day." She gives a low laugh. "And the press pool isn't exactly the same as the dating pool. But, I'll have to admit to having noticed you as well. Once seated and her drink arrives, Summer lifts up the glass for a toast. "So. To new experiences, then?"

Harvey Dent has posed:
"I guess that's true. I don't have people on-hand to make sure I look good on camera like the mayor does. I've learned to fend for myself." He grins softly and moves to pull her chair out for her before sliding into the one across from her. He gets a refill on his own Scotch on the rocks, just in time for her toast. "New experiences, then.."

Summer Gleeson has posed:
Summer clinks her galss to Harvey, then takes a sip, leaving traces of her lipstick on the rim. "Well, to be fair, you're far more handsome than the mayor is, so you don't have to work nearly as hard." She smiles, raising an eyebrow. "You're also a much more fantastic dresser than he is as well. So, I wouldn't worry about your Q-rating too much. You'll be in fine shape for years, still."

Harvey Dent has posed:
He chuckles softly and looks down at the menu, trying to hide any awkwardness. "Well, thank you for the compliments. Really. I have to admit you're much prettier then the person who held your position in the press pool before you. Jerry really didn't have your style." He glances up, Harvey giving a playful wink. "So, what're you feeling? I've heard the crab is very good, so I think I'll go that route. In my position you end up eating pretty shabbily most of the time. I have to work overtime not to weight three hundred pounds." He clearly works -hard- at it, at that.

Summer Gleeson has posed:
Summer glances at the menu for a few moments. "I think the chicken piccata sounds good for me," she says before setting the menu aside. "Well, you certainly don't look like you eat Big Belly Burger every day." She smiles, showing off those polished teeth of hers again. "And I know how busy an office and get. I think my standing lunch order is a club sandwich at Kravitz' with the potato salad." She takes another drink and holds the glass up. "Except for Fridays. Pastrami & Corned Beef Rueben. Which means salad and an hour on the treadmill Saturday." Summer gives harvey a playful wink, then has another sip before setting her glas down. "So, what else is harvey Dent interested in besides taking down the Gotham mobs?" And Summer is no slouch in the 'fighting for justice' category, having done reports on corporate malfesiance as well as covering mob trials in her reports.

Harvey Dent has posed:
He grins a bit and nods. "Good orders. My secretary is always pushing me for my orders but...I usually put off eating until late at night. There are a few all-night diners in Gotham I swing by that know my usual orders. Terrible habit, I know...not eating all day then just gorging on one meal, but...work tends to keep me busy and I don't even think about food until it's too late." He brings his drink to his lips for a sip. "If I didn't put that little gym into my place last year I'd...well. Never have time for it." He shrugs and grins, and he considers her question. "I love watching movies and listening to music, when I get the chance. I also paint and sculpt...very badly. And before I got so swamped with work I was an avid home cook." He cocks his head to the side, watching her curiously before he pauses to place his order when the waiter comes over. Once she can place her order he asks, "And you?"

Summer Gleeson has posed:
"Well, nothing so impressive or dramatic as painting, sculpting, or home cooking," Summer admits with a laugh. "When I'm not doing research for a story or prepping for the next day's show, I'm a fairly boring 'Netflix and Chill' sort of girl. Movies, from dramas to corny romantic comedies, are what I watch the most. And the home gym is the best solution for me. I had a regular gym membership once, but once I started getting noticed and popular, too many people were asking for my autograph while I was trying to get my cardio in." She sighs and shrugs. "And, I imagine that you having a regular spot like a gym would be a bit dangerous. For you and, unintentionally, the other gym members." She takes a last drink, finishing her Scotch Mist, then gets a tight-lipped smile. "Sorry. Didn't mean to get so maudlin there..."

Harvey Dent has posed:
Harvey Dent grins. "Trust me, there is nothing impressive about my painting -or- sculpting." He chuckles and rolls a shoulder, sitting back in his seat a bit as they talk. "I don't really get asked for autographs. Most people couldn't recognize the D.A. if they saw them, let alone the mayor. So, that's good. When somebody -does- recognize me it means they pay attention to politics. That usually means they either love me or hate me. Most people don't seem to fall in the middleground when it comes to the things I do." He smiles at her. "Not maudlin. It's true. Been three attempts on me since I took office. Well, technically one was during the campaign, but Batman saved me. The other two were stopped by building security or regular cops. I figure we're safe, though. Hasn't been one in months."

Summer Gleeson has posed:
"Batman..." Summer suddenly feels the need for another drink and signals the waiter for a refill. "That's just...complicated. I don't particularly like vigilantism. But, having been the target of the Joker and other psychos..." she sighs and smiles, taking the refilled glass and drinking from it. "...I'm glad he's there. I've lived in Gotham almost all my life. So, I know what this city is like. And I also know the good parts of Gotham and how much better it can be. And what you're doing, Harvey...you're someone that Gotham has needed for a long time now." And she smiles at Harvey, soft and affectionate, rather than dazling.

Harvey Dent has posed:
"My feeling on vigilantes is...complicated," he says after a moment or two. He brings his glass to his lips for a sip, and then he takes another sip to cool his cheeks after that smile and compliment. "I...thanks. I'm trying." He brushes his fingers back through his dark hair as he watches her. "I would prefer we lived in a world that didn't need people like Batman or Batgirl or...any of them. But we don't. My dream is to eventually make Gotham the kind of city that doesn't need them. But...thinking they should hang up their cowls and slink back into the shadows is, well, it's unrealistic, if that makes sense. That became really clear in the chaos after the quake." He glances up as the food arrives. "Now Superman? That's different. Him being gone is a hole in this world that has yet to be filled. He was...everything we should aim to be."

Summer Gleeson has posed:
"No, it makes sense," Summer says. "That's pretty much how I feel as well. They're needed, but they shouldn't be. And we all have to work towards making a Gotham where they're not needed." Her features droop a bit at the mention of Superman. "Yeah. Him. And then Genosha. And the rise of this Humanis group..." She sighs in frustration. "The world's swinging towards the ugly side again, Harvey. Sometimes, it feels like all we can do is slow down the rate of the swing. We can't stop it, but we can try to slow it down."

Harvey Dent has posed:
Harvey Dent shakes his head. "No. Like Mister Rogers always said...'Look for the helpers'. There are more good people then there are bad ones. People like Superman showed them that. They just need an example to hold themselves, too. Most people aren't -bad-, they're just afraid. That fear breeds hate, desperation, all of it. It's why we get the Genosha Incident, or Humanis, or any of it. But we -can- do better." He takes a bite. "Mmn. This is delicious." He holds out his fork with some on it for her.

Summer Gleeson has posed:
Summer leans in and takes the offered bite. She nods and makes a yumm noise as she sits back in her chair. "That is good. Here, try some of mine..." And she cuts off a bite of the chicken, gathering up some of the sauce and capers along with the bite. She holds out the fork, then lets out a gentle laugh. "Huh. First date and we're already at this stage. Sharing food off each other's plate. But, tell the truth, it's been so long since I've had a first date, I can't remember if this is normal or not."

Harvey Dent has posed:
He leans in and takes the bite, ending up with a bit of sauce at the corner of his mouth. He chuckles and wipes it away. "Eh, I can be overly familiar sometimes. Sorry. I don't mean to be. Ended up that way to overcome feeling cut-off from people or something. At least, if you ask my occupationally required therapy sessions." Harvey winks at her. "I don't think I've had a date in...two years? And it ended badly, anyways. Heh."

Summer Gleeson has posed:
"I don't mind," Summer replies, smiling. "It's kind of nice, really. Being that comfortable with someone so quickly. I guess in a way, we sort of already know each other from 'work'. So, it's nice to see that we're pretty...compatable outside an interview." She takes a bite of her food, then looks at Harvey expectantly. "What do you think?"

Harvey Dent has posed:
Harvey Dent considers it as he works on his food, offering a smile eventually. "I guess I have to agree. I was worried this would be really awkward." He grins softly at her. "But it isn't. I'm glad." He sips his scotch again and sets the glass down again. He brushes his fingers over his vest, smoothing it down a bit.

Summer Gleeson has posed:
Summer reaches across the table to take Harvey's hand in hers. "So." She's smiling at him, gently holding his hand and enjoying the physical connection. "I'm going to guess that we might want to plan on a second date? Because I would really like that, Harvey. I think, more than other guys, understand that the quality of the time people spend together is more important than the quantity of time they get to spend. We both have busy lives, but I think we can make things work. I'd really like to try, at least."

Harvey Dent has posed:
He blinks when Summer reaches out to take his hand, and he clears his throat. "Oh, uh. Yes. I mean, sure. A second date sounds just great." He seems flummoxed, which is rare for a man that usually comes off as confident as he does. "I'd like to try, too. Having something outside of work is...good. From what I've been told, at least." Harvey laughs softly.

Summer Gleeson has posed:
Summer laughs along with Harvey, light and relaxed. She lifts up her drink, offering up another toast. "To new adventures, then." And her smile and expression turn from affectionate to something more sultry, with the smoke effect of her eyeshadow adding to her alure.

Harvey Dent has posed:
Harvey Dent swallows a bit at that and laughs, his drink clinking against hers lightly. "To new adventures. Yeah." He takes another sip, draining his drink before he gestures to a waiter for a refill. "So, you're from Gotham, then? Whereabouts? I grew up in the Heathen." Pronounced Heath-enn, and not like the term for paganry, the neighborhood nevertheless is often called such. Back in the day it was notoriously dangerous and bad, but in recent years it's grown into a more 'civilized' and very hipster-controlled part of town. "Still do, in fact. Quite love it there." That expression has him subconciously admiring her now, but the man is barely even noticing that he is!

Summer Gleeson has posed:
"Brumley," Summer answers. "My parents moved out a few years ago. Things...aren't going so well there. Economy, crime...the usual for Gotham." She sighs. "But, they're semi-retired and living in Florida now. And they're happy; that's the important part." She eats some more, dividing her attention between her food and Harvey; the majority of the attention going to Harvey. "How about your parents?"

Harvey Dent has posed:
"Ah, Brumley. Yeah. O'Tolly turf. We're...working on that." He sighs softly and pushes his empty plate away. "Well, at least they got out. A lot of people don't. I didn't want to. I left for college. Harvard Law. I moved back, though. I had offers in Chicago, San Diego, New York, but...I wanted to come home. Do something -here-." He shakes his head. "Gone. So, what should we do for the second date?," he asks, clearly changing the 'parents' subject.

Summer Gleeson has posed:
Summer thinks for a bit while working on her plate. "Well, do you like sports? I'm pretty sure I can pull some strings to get courtside tickets to the next Guardsmen home game. Or a Blades game if you prefer hockey." She smiles and pushes her plate away. "Or, if you'd rather not take this out in public yet, I'm sure we can find other things to do. Even if we end up with Netflix & Chill."

Harvey Dent has posed:
Harvey Dent chuckles a bit and considers all of that. "Well, I am a bit of a traitor. Padre's fan. But I -do- like the Blades, too." He chews his lip and then glances about the restaurant before looking back. "Well, we both -do- love movies," he says after a moment.