4946/SSR: Echoes

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SSR: Echoes
Date of Scene: 30 January 2021
Location: Quon's Cafe, Chinatown, N.Y.C. - 1950
Synopsis: In 1950, Peggy Carter and Daniel Sousa enjoy a night out at a Chinese restaurant. While there, they see a woman who is the spitting image of timelost SHIELD Agent Melinda May. As they move in to help the woman, they call a pair of agents for back-up.
Cast of Characters: Daniel Sousa, Peggy Carter, Melinda May, Jane Foster, Jemma Simmons
Tinyplot: Echoes In Time (SHIELD 1950)


Daniel Sousa has posed:
Despite what the people closest to them might claim, Daniel and Peggy do occasionally go places that isn't the office or Howard's penthouse, tonight is one of those moments where in a lull in the usual chaos of work they've found time for a night on the town. In this case, Chinatown, Quon's cafe. Looking up at the building from the street Daniel asks, "So this is where May first hid out huh?" he asks, having missed out on the whole first part of Melinda's time in New York. "Food any good?" he asks as he steps to the door and opens it for Peggy.

Peggy Carter has posed:
Peggy isn't exactly a traditional date night kind of girl. Sure, a nice steak dinner isn't bad sometimes, but she likes adventure. She likes embracing all the different corners of the city and trying new things. So, when she decided tonight would be an evening in Chinatown, she'd all but forgotten about Quon's Cafe until she came across it again. "I'd have to assume. I trust May's tastes. I never got the chance to go in, but if she's been going here since... well, now, it must be. Besides, it's been ages since I've had a chance to use my Mandarin. I'm going to be rusty as hell but... the try counts." Peggy admits, most certainly not fluent at this time, but she knows enough. Having the chance to practice is good as gold.

She gently unloops her arm from his, as they were walking together towards the cafe, and slips in the door he's opened for her. A bright smile crosses her lips as she steps into the warm, savory smelling place. Her stomach also growls, the first half of the day at the office maybe was filled with tea, coffee, and little else. <<Good night. Two dinner, please?>> She asks in her stilted attempt at the language.

Melinda May has posed:
Quon's, on a Saturday evening, is quite a busy place. It has stood on this street corner for nearly 50 years and has successfully catered to both Chinese and Western palates throughout most of that time. And it's not without its stories, given it's always managed to reinvent itself whenever public social mores might have put it in jeopardy. But, in this more prosperous time, none of it's more sordid activities -- it was once a speakeasy and mahjong den (and actually still is) and it still has back rooms where deals are made and traditional Chinese medicine is practiced -- are in evidence.

The hostess that greets the couple is a petite woman with a contemporary bob and bright red lipstick. She's fairly young and plays the demure well, though the agents will doubtlessly note her dark eyes are keen. And when Peggy attempts to speak the language, her slender brows rise in surprise. "<<Of course,>>" she replies in kind, picking up a pair of menues and gesturing for them to follow her. She debates speaking in English; the white woman is obviously not fluent. But in the end, she caters to Peggy's attempt. "<<Have you been here before?>>"

Daniel Sousa has posed:
Daniel had adapted pretty easily to Peggy's taste for adventure, discovering more about New York on their dates than he had in his whole assignment here back in '46, tonight's adventure was no different but now it had a personal angle with the connection to May. "Same here," he says of trusting Melinda's taste. "And better you than me," he says of trying out Mandarin, most of his linguistic skills were firmly fixed in Europe.

Daniel smiles back to Peggy as she passes through the door, and when the smell of the place hits him, he finds himself remembering it had been a long time since breakfast. "Smells great at least," he says as he checks out the food on the various tables as Peggy tries out her Mandarin on the hostess.

Following along as it seems the hostess took her meaning and was leading them inside.

Peggy Carter has posed:
When Peggy looks back at Daniel for a moment, as he says it smells great, there's a momentary flicker of pride in her eyes (that she's picked a good place) and utter love. The keen eyed woman at the front of the restaurant will no doubt pick up that the woman's besotted with her partner, even if she nearly puts it back away a heartbeat later and keeps her more professional smile in place as she responds in her attempted Mandarin. "<<Friend stayed over? She ... told good. Sorry. Learning. Thank you.>> Peggy's vocabulary isn't great, but she is managing to get the tones right which is fairly impressive for someone of Western origin.

She then loops her arm back through Daniel's as they're lead into the place. Her eyes do mirror the hostess', too keen for anything but practiced paranoia, as she looks across the sea of faces in the place and makes certain nothing reads as off or worrisome to her. It's simply habit, no matter where they go. "I'm starving. We really need Rose back on this coast permanently. I know she loves to surf but... how else do we eat?"

Melinda May has posed:
"Ah," the hostess says, translating Peggy's stilted words. "<<You're welcome,>>" She smiles at them and indicates a nice table for two in a pleasant spot that gives a fairly good view of the whole restaurant -- including the door to the corridor down which the kitchen and other spaces can be seen. "<<Our staff also speaks English,>>" she tells Peggy. "<<Please, do not hesitate to ask for help.>>" She lays the menus down for them and flicks her fingers towards a tall young man with a thin moustache. He steps over smartly to fill their glasses with water. "<<This is>> Tommy. <<He will help you.>>"

She then says something very quickly in Mandarin to Tommy. Although the words come swiftly, Peggy will still likely pick up that the woman is telling Tommy about Peggy's efforts to learn the language. He nods and smiles his understanding, offering a shallow bow to all of them. "<<Anything you want,>> Tommy <<will get for you.>>" the hostess says, before she retreats.

The menus are written in both Chinese and English, phonetic Latin character spellings of dish names beside the Chinese characters. And the dish descriptions are written clearly in English underneath. Most of the dishes lean toward the sweet side of the palate, rather than the spicy, since that tends to please the contemporary American palate more. But there are some savoury dishes there and some more traditional offerings for the Chinese palate. There are also some clearly Western dishes on the menu too.

Daniel Sousa has posed:
It's clear the love Peggy feels is fully returned by her man, Daniel, clearing his throat and adjusting his tie as he catches him self staring like a love sick teenager. He smiles and shrugs to the hostess before walking arm in arm with Peggy. "Sure steal my best agent why don't you," he says with a laugh about Rose. "But I hear you about the eating, I've got to be the only person who moved from LA to New York and lost weight."

He takes a seat at the table with a "Thank you," for their hostess, and a nod to Tommy as he gets them water, then his eyes fall on the menu and he looks relieved at the English translations, he skips the western stuff though and focuses on the Chinese fare. "So, recognize any of these dishes or should we just order what sounds fun?"

Peggy Carter has posed:
Tommy is given a thankful smile and a slight dip of her head. '<<Nice meetings,>> Tommy. We'll just look a few minutes.' Peggy's a touch too hungry to figure out that translation, and once he's slipped away, she looks back to Daniel with a smile. His comment about losing weight makes one brow arch, looking him up and down, "Are you saying I'm working you ragged?" Peggy's mostly teasing there, but she hasn't noticed that much less of him and she DOES notice things. The whole room is given one more look once they are fully settled, the people around a bit more interesting than the menu. Peggy's heard mutterings about this place.

"Mm... I'd say order what sounds fun. If we got a lot, we'll just bring it to the office. Howard put one of those electric ice boxes into the break room, one of his new fancy ones. We might as well use it. Maybe we'll remember to eat before dinner at that rate." And it'll be an excuse to swing past the office on the way home, a dirty habit Peggy's picked up since becoming director.

Daniel Sousa has posed:
Daniel laughs, "Wouldn't dream of it," he says to Peggy's question. "Even if it's true," he adds that final little tease in there with a smile. He turns back to the menu. "Sounds good," he says, of bringing leftovers back to the office, "Though should note that the breakroom is on the otherside of the bullpen from your office," he says giving a significant look over the menu at Peggy. He knew her reasons for wanting to swing by, he didn't mind, but it didn't mean he wasn't going to tease her about it either. "So, say we each order three things? That should leave us well provisioned for the next couple of days back at the office."

Melinda May has posed:
The hostess retreats and Tommy gives the pair another smile and bit of a bow before he retreats as well, leaving them alone to peruse the menus. Most of the people surrounding them chatter happily. There's a mix of faces -- Chinese, black, and white. Chinese are more in evidence than others, but there's no sense of segregation or clumping in the space. And at several tables, the faces are mixed and clearly enjoying themselves. It's a remarkable place, Quon's.

There's movement at the front door. A woman enters at a quick pace. She wears a dark coat and tall boots. Her skirt, peeking out beneath the coat, is red, as is the printed kerchief about her head. The kerchief conceals her dark hair, but not her Asian features... which may be startling familiar to the SSR power couple. She is followed by a well-dressed middle-aged man, who is clearly trying to capture her attention. But, inside the busy restaurant, he's trying to do so without creating a scene. His expression is annoyed, perhaps. Anxious, certainly. Her's, however, is cool and self-possessed. Not haughty, by any means. But it's clear she has little time for her pursuer. Her steps are crisp and they bring her quickly along the perimeter of the restaraunt, aiming for that corridor beyond the table where Daniel and Peggy sit. The man grabs her arm just as she's past the pair, and near that corridor door. She spins on him, dark eyes flashing, and pulls her arm from his grip. He draws himself up, saying something sharply to her in Cantonese. "Touch me again," she says softly in English -- her voice May's -- and I'll break your hand." She then spins on her heel and continues down the corridor, leaving him standing there red-faced. Twenty seconds later, he squares his shoulders and follows her once more.

Peggy Carter has posed:
The scene, of course, gets Peggy's attention for a flickering moment. Not really her business, but when any woman is being harrassed by someone, she worries. And then she does a double take. The woman looks uncomfortably familiar, her stomach dropping into her shoes. She slowly puts down her menu, thoughts of dinner fleeting almost as fast as they'd come. "...Daniel... does that woman look familiar to you?" She asks him quietly, some color drained from her face.

And then the woman *speaks*, and that voice, along with perfect English, is unmistakable. "Oh hell." She mutters beneath her breath. Her menu's quickly folded shut then, "Do you want to go after them or call the office? I'll take the other. But... something is very wrong here. And I don't like her being followed like that."

Jane Foster has posed:
Clarissa d'Orleans would rather be anywhere but manning switchboard. Someone has to do it, sadly. She drums her pen against a notepad, the urge to doodle already contributing to a latticework of sketches in the margin. At least it's a neat design, something no one could exactly complain about. Sitting still while staring for a blinking light or the telltale signal someone want sher attention would normally not be a trial. Looking for any kind of respite is hopeless until the door opens, and a young man pushing a trolley stops by the desk. He barely mumbles, "Needs to be done by six tomorrow morning," as a greeting, and offloads an offensive bankers box next to her. It overflows with tidy manila folders and green file tabs, stamped several times over, demanding attention beyond just simple filing. With an unhappy frown, she drags it across the desk and looks inside, fingers nimbly walking over the parade of papers. So many papers!

"Ooh, Charles! I should have your head for this!" she calls after him, but he's already pushing his cart away to go harass others. "I am not your secretary!"

Daniel Sousa has posed:
Daniel looks stunned when he hears the voice and sees the face it belongs to. He glances to Peggy, "It can't be, right? We sent her home" he says, but the next second he's moving. "I'll call, you follow," he says heading out the door to the payphone he saw outside, dailing the switchboard, when it's picked up, he says, "This is Sousa, Director Carter and I need some agents in Chinatown at Quon's Cafe immediately."

Melinda May has posed:
Some patrons look up in surprise as Daniel lurches his way quickly out of the restaurant, heading for that pay phone. Certainly, the hostess looks startled as he passes. "Sir?" she calls after him, taking a few steps toward the door. She turns back to see Peggy at the table still, though the Englishwoman's focus is clearly not on her bolting date. She gestures to Tommy again, and points him towards Peggy, concern on her features as she starts navigating through the restaurant towards her, too.

Meanwhile, however, the Chinese man has disappeared down the corridor in the wake of the woman who very clearly resembles Agent Melinda May of 21st Century SHIELD.

Peggy Carter has posed:
Well, this was going to be messy. Peggy looks to Tommy, feeling too many eyes on her already to easily slip into the back corridor without being noticed. She explains quickly, "Someone is chasing my friend. He's getting help." It's not exactly a lie, but it probably isn't going to go over well with the staff. Still, Peggy also feels like she's not in a good position to just ignore the running away Melinda May so, with hopes her explanation is enough, she abandons the table. She does toss a twenty dollar bill down as she goes, hoping that might be enough hush money to keep the staff content.

Then she's off, jogging back the same way the seeming Melinda and her stalked went. She calls after the man in her stilted attempt at Mandarin, not the language they were speaking but she knows most will speak both, '<<Stop. My friend said no!>>' Despite lack of fluency, she does have her best, commanding, I'm in charge tone to her voice. It's the tone that has stopped several in their tracks before, hopefully it works now.

Jane Foster has posed:
Ding, ding, ding. Saved by the buzzer and the blinking light. Clarissa's review of the banker's box and its multitude of unwanted papers leads to several folders extracted and laid aside on the top tray of her wooden inbox. It's not a problem to expertly drop another thick folder back into the box, reaching immediately for the heavy plastic receiver. Nothing but the best for SHIELD!

She plucks it up, resting in the cradle of her shoulder and the side of her face. "Line 41. I can confirm a request for courier service," she says promptly. A look at the clock follows the instinctive grab for a pen, notes being scribed on the pad of paper. "At our current schedule, fifteen minutes inbound. Will that be sufficient, or do require urgent service?"

Jemma Simmons has posed:
    If Clarissa rather be anywhere than manning a switchboard, that would go double for Charles Gerrell. It isn't like he really wanted to be pushing a cart around the office either. Though, he certainly looked the part. Somewhat portly, with a perfectly nondescript face and mannerisms, just a touch reserved....he certainly didn't look like much of anything. And....that is perhaps the point. Before walking away, with said cart, he looks over his shoulder with an apologetic expression. "I'm sorry, C...Clarissa. It isn't like I have much of a say in it e..either."

    Apart from the minor stutter, Charles really does look sympathetic. Then the line rings...and Charles forgets he is supposed to be pushing a cart away. Instead, he stands, perplexed, as Clarissa takes the call. Courier service? Urgent? Someone is calling for help!

Daniel Sousa has posed:
"Sorry," Daniel says to the hostess as he rushes past. "Have to make an urgent call," he says before lurching through the door and over to the payphone against the building's wall.

On the phone to Clarissa, Daniel replies, "Urgent service please, our situation is time sensitive," in more ways than one.

Melinda May has posed:
The staff is clearly surprised, both by Peggy's response and Daniel's quick words as he exits. The twenty dollar bill -- in this era -- is clearly impressive. And the hostess picks it up quickly. She turns to Tommy. "<<Go find Mr. Quon,>>" she tells him in Mandarin. "<<Lily may be in trouble.>>"

Tommy hardly takes the time to nod before he's jogging toward an office nearer the front.

May, if that's who she is, can just be seen disappearing up a set of stairs toward the end of the corridor. The man who follows her pauses at the unexpected sound of the Englishwoman calling for him to stop. "Who are you?" he demands, spinning on his heel to face her. "You don't belong here." He glances briefly toward those stairs, and then back to Peggy. "Go home, lady. This is none of your business." Then, he turns and stretches long, quick strides, towards those stairs.

Jane Foster has posed:
"Excellent, understood. We will be dispatching transportation now. Please have everything wrapped up and prepared for pickup." Clarissa's professional tones remain within the observed expectations of switchboard. It's one of the reasons they chose her. Relay important radio signals from the French resistance back to London while St Malo is being shot up, and she is hiding within fifty feet of a Nazi patrol? Can do. The lively look on her face is invisible, which matters. Still, she drops the pen and holds up a finger to Charles.

Two if he needs, forcibly not clearing her throat. Another button jabbed two times under the desk produces a buzzing noise deeper into the office, bringing out another young lady drinking far too much coffee for the hour and her twinset. Clarissa points to the vacant chair and the files, her notepad already succinctly illustrating the immediate need. The phone is handed over to her counterpart as she grabs her coat, swinging it over her shoulders, a stream of information briefly passed over. "Hold on that line as long as it's open. /Charles/, come on, we're going to get a car. Grab the first competent person from the driving pool you see, following us a block over, I want exits covered in case they need to bolt. Paralleling up the Boulevard, unless you can think of a better exit out of Quon's."

Jemma Simmons has posed:
"W,w,we?" Now that is a surprise. One that elicits shock and more than a few blinks in Clarissa's direction. But, to his credit, Charles doesn't just stand there. After the moment's surprise, he is following Clarissa, the mail cart left in the middle of the office floor forgotten. There is no need to tell the man twice.

There is even a moment as he tails Clarissa where he points out a driver and relays instructions. It doesn't take much...as the Gerrell's directions to the other driver are clear and insanely precise. Almost as if the man studies maps for fun. With the other driver set on his directions to the cover point, Charles hurries along to catch up to Clarissa.

"D...did you want to drive?" He is offering. Perhaps he knows more than he lets on in regards to his impromptu partner.

Daniel Sousa has posed:
"Understood, we'll do our best, see you soon," Sousa answers hanging up the phone and then heading around to the back of the restaurant assuming that if Peggy hadn't already followed May that far she'd be there soon.

Peggy Carter has posed:
Peggy has that look on her face that says she is NOT taking shit from this man and, despite her nice dress and heels, she looks ready for a fight. It might be somewhat confusing, considering she also looks ready for a date -- red patent leather high heels, a black dress with red belt and trim, her hair in soft curls with a big red flower. Nice jewelry. She looks like an affluent white lady practicing who has come for a night of tourism, as it were, in a different section of the city. But she also speaks some Mandarin, and the stance of her body is one geared for self defense. She stares at the man. "My friend is not interested in you, so it is my business. Leave. Her. Alone." Peggy states sharply, then she calls ahead of him, "May! It's Peg, what's going ON?"

Melinda May has posed:
The man ignores Peggy. It's not like she's got a gun in her hand, after all. He takes the stairs two at a time, disappearing around the corner of a landing. By the time he reaches the corridor above, 'May' is disappearing down a set of stairs that leads out a door some feet down the street from the main door to the restaurant. Thus, out on the street, Sousa will doubtlessly see the Asian woman emerge, her kerchief discarded and her coat swapped for a jacket over wide-legged trousers rather than the red skirt. Peggy bought her enough time to change her wardrobe, anyway.

Tommy now guides Mr. Quon towards the corridor where Peggy gives chase. The hostess moves towards the front windows, watching Lily emerge into the street and Sousa at the pay phone.

Jane Foster has posed:
When Charles stutters, Clarissa has one arm halfway in her coat and her badge pulled out from the inner pocket. She sweeps past a pair of guards flanking the doorway to a hall leading for the garage. "I'll have to hope they are not offended by forgetting my hat. The gloves, mon dieu. Never without those." She pulls on the pair peach pair swiftly, a pretty accent to her Kelly green attire, passing doors and flashing her badge twice in case the nice man doesn't recognize who she or Charles are. "Did you not take the driving course, Charles? I thought we were all required to," she says, a little testy. Not much. The colour in her throat is rising somewhat with excitement, but she's steady as they reach a variety of vehicles. "You know, Papa would have let me done the Le Mans 24 if I were born a boy. One day, maybe."

She looks over the selection and hustles over to a sedan, pulling open the door and checking for the keys. There they are, hidden under the mat, convenience wedded to speed. A Bel Air it will have to be, and she drops in to the driver's seat unless Charles feels like he prefers to claim it. "Map's in the glovebox, yes? Get me the quickest path to Chinatown."

Jemma Simmons has posed:
Of course Charles took the driving course and he could have easily taken the driver seat. However, far be it for him to get in the way of the force of nature that is Clarissa, at least at the moment. And...he knows. Even if he seems rather unassuming in his just-slightly-overweight appearance, the man is highly observant. And he sees the excitement. So, it is to the passenger seat that Charles descends into.

But, the map is not pulled out. Not at all. Instead, there is a short nod, more of a bobble really, as Charles settles into the seat. "I will get us there." No sign of a stutter. The words are clear, crisp and sure. This...is something Charles knows beyond a shadow of a doubt. Navigation. How to get from point A to point B with as little fuss as possible. "We do not want to go down Canal Street. They have construction and that will cause a delay. Taking 6th and cutting over to Worth will be faster."

Let Clarissa have the thrills driving. Without a good navigator, that car is going nowhere fast. Charles actually smiles, catching a bit of that excitement.

Daniel Sousa has posed:
Daniel does indeed see the woman as she steps out of the restaurant, "Melinda?" he calls to her limping quickly towards her. "What are you doing back here?" either it was her or this woman was going to think he was crazy, regardless of the outcome he'd be closer to cracking who this woman is.

Peggy Carter has posed:
As the man in the hallway keeps moving, Peggy curses beneath her breath and double time dashes to keep up with him. While she didn't want to pull out a weapon, it was looking like it'd be necessary. She reaches down under her skirt, pulling out that tiny pistol in the thigh garter that Ana made for her. It's not heavy fire power, but it's better than nothing.

"I'd stop now before this gun makes you stop. Explain to me what you want with Melinda May." Her voice is sharp, still as command ing as it was in the first place, angered and without fear as she starts taking the stairs two at a time after him.

Melinda May has posed:
The woman on the street doesn't respond to Daniel's words, other than to glance with some alarm over her shoulder when she senses him moving towards her. She looks between him and the door she just exited. Then, she turns and starts to run in the opposite direction, cutting across the street towards an alley, hardly half a block later.

The man in the hallway pauses at the top of the stairs May's lookalike descended, as Peggy threatens him with the gun. He looks back over his shoulder at her, eyes narrowing dangerously. "I don't know who you think you're talking about, or what you think is going on here," he says, his hands loose at his sides, "but it is none of your business. Go back to your date and your dinner before someone gets hurt."

Jane Foster has posed:
The smart black car might be the newest fangled thing Chevy put out this past year. Doesn't mean that anyone properly put it through its paces. A bit bigger than a roadster that Clarissa wants but cannot afford, but she smoothly points the vehicle onto the road and gets a feel for it. "Incredible. I finally get onto the street and we have a high priority pickup." Cops will be worried about later as she slides the long land yacht between a slower moving truck and an old Ford Sedan on its last legs. Pedal to the metal would be a bad idea in the city streets, straight as they are. But she can brave the odometer pegging higher, needle arcing up. "That's in, Charles. Instead of dumping records at this God-forsaken hour, we get to go for a drive."

Her gloves grip the wheel. Lights shine off the windows as the Bel Air shimmies around another clump of traffic discouraged by a left turn, but she cuts in ahead through an intersection and zags past, resuming a stately speed while it's open enough to allow it. "We will be acquiring the director and company. Over to 6th, so five blocks. Keep your eye on the right side, you aren't going to like this." Threading the needle calls for killer reflexes and with the big Chevy, she just doesn't have the nimble response, so going around into oncoming traffic and slotting back in becomes necessary. The engine growls and hisses at the lesser beasts in its wake, and she abruptly yanks the wheel, turning it with as much force as she can muster, hauling the hood ornament from north to dead east. Tires slide and squeal, an oncoming little two-seater car beep-beep-beeping with no more force than a bleating zebra. The drawn arc sends them plunging over onto the side street, intersecting 6th faster than before. Wobbles and groaning struts notwithstanding, she's revolting against speed limits. When Sousa calls, SSR answers. Even if it's the SHIELD banner, now.

Jemma Simmons has posed:
The ride is certainly enjoyable. Well...at first. "Y...yes. This is d...definitely better than office work." Though...that stutter is back. Maybe it was a bad idea to let the aspiring Le Mans driver loose on the city streets. Well, there is no turning back now, as Charles' eyes grow wider with each additional shimmy and shake with the car.

Yet...that was nothing compared to the news that Clarissa drops on Charles. "The D...Director? We are f..fetching the D..d..director?!" Well, for one whose whole skillset is blending in and knowing where to go, going to get the director of SSR, err, SHIELD...that is the opposite of blending in. And, just as Clarissa warns about keeping an eye out on the right, the mild-mannered navigator suddenly swallows. "You're going to...." Hands reach out, bracing for the hard turn just before it happens. Maybe someone ought to make seat restraints mandatory at some point. The quick thinking was just quick enough to prevent Charles from being tossed around like a rag doll in the front seat.

Yes...too late to worry about how the drive is. Now, it is just a matter of hanging on until it is done.

Daniel Sousa has posed:
Daniel follows May's look alike as she starts to run away, keeping to a safe distance as much by pace as choice, "Easy," he calls after her. "We're not here to hurt you. We just want to talk." If she doesn't stop he keeps on after her keeping close enough to keep eyes on her with backup on the way.

Peggy Carter has posed:
"That woman is someone I once...knew. She did NOT want you following her, and I happen to take quite poorly to strange men accosting women who do not wish their company. So, you better give me a damned good explanation as to why you were chasing her or I'll be taking you in for harrassment." Peggy does have the sort of tone in her voice that says she might be in law enforcement, but so far she really just looks like a pretty woman. With a gun. A small gun, but a gun, never the less. She certainly doesn't look like someone who is scared by his words. Or going to give up. Hopefully, if the restaurant staff does come into the corridor, they'll hear this and realize Peggy isn't entirely insane.

Melinda May has posed:
By the time Mr. Quon has ascended the stairs to see the tableau in the upper corridor, May's lookalike is deep into the alley. But she pauses when Daniel follows her into the alley. There, she sinks into a neutral stance, her hands partially raised. "I don't know who you are," she says to Sousa, "but if you're with Zhang, you need to leave. Now. I'm not in the mood to play."

At the top of the stairs, behind Peggy, Mr. Quon speaks. "You do realize, Mr. Zhang, that Miss Chen is very specific about whom she permits to visit her, don't you?" He gives Peggy a polite nod of his head. He is short, silver haired, and dark eyed. His English is good, if accented.

"<<This has nothing to do with you, either, Quon.>>" Zhang replies, speaking Mandarin to the old man, glancing between the pair of them.

"<<Doesn't it? You are on my property, harassing my friends. Go back to Mr. Wong and remind him of our business arrangement. I'm sure he'll reconsider this action.>>"

Zhang looks between the pair. He snorts. "<<Fine. I will leave. But know this is not over.>>

"Indeed," Quon replies, switching back into English. "Tommy, would you please show Mr. Zhang out?"

Tommy gives Peggy a polite nod and a bit of a sheepish smile as he passes her to approach the other man. He takes the man tightly by the arm and shoulder and turns to escort him down the back stairs so they don't go through the restaurant again.

Jane Foster has posed:
"I'd be a legend in the Le Mans," Clarissa replies through gritted teeth. She bumps up against a curb and overcorrects, jostling them both. Distance falls by the mile, Sousa's words burning in her mind. "Look smart. Your chance to make a shining impression for shaving off six minutes from anyone's personal best. Worth, like the fashion house."

She calls off the direction as a warning for him to brace again, the usual slowdowns for dinner time hardly unexpected. Quon's is too popular with the right set not to have taxis, drivers, valets causing some grief, finding a space. She can see it up ahead, though. Charles gives a nudge. "You ready to pull the door open for them?" Swiftly she scans the glistening and exotic facades of Chinatown.

"We just don't know what to expect," she adds, slowing down, bracing for anyone dashing out the door. Booting it down an alley? Maybe jumping off the awning and landing on the trunk, shouting 'Go, go, go!'

Jemma Simmons has posed:
"I believe you." The words are clear. Charles is impressed with the driving skill, if a little more tousled than expected. Still, Clarissa is a fantastic driver. The car approaches Chinatown faster than the navigator would have calculated, even with his knowledge of the city streets. Charles is already bracing for the turn before Clarissa calls it out, having already calculated exactly when she is about to pull on the steering wheel. An unlikely partnership, but one that seems to be working.

At least for the moment.

A hand slides under the suit jacket that the Gerrell wears, the fingertips brushing against the butt of the pistol nestled in the side harness below the jacket's folds. As Clarissa questions, the hand snaps back out, positioning on the door. "Yes. Ready." A short response, but firm. He listens, as Clarissa speaks. And he is in complete agreement. They simply do not know what to expect. As such, those large, bright blue eyes of his are open and alert. Another skill comes into play. Observing...watching. Taking every detail. "I will keep a look out. We should be ready to depart on a moment's notice."

After all, Charles was there when the call came in. Urgent courier service. That means that it may very well be a manner of seconds...

Daniel Sousa has posed:
Daniel frowns at the woman in the alley, she looked and talked like May, but she sounded serious when she said she had no idea who he was. "No idea who Zhang is so I can tell you for sure I don't work for him," he very slowly reaches into his pocket and produces his ID. "I'm with SHIELD," not that there was much chance she'd know who they were at this stage, "Formerly the SSR, you look like someone we helped recently and like I said, just want to talk, so this Zhang? He the guy in the restaurant? What's he after you for?"

Peggy Carter has posed:
As Mr. Quon interferes, Peggy steps back and smoothly tries to replace her pistol into the thigh holster without the man seeing. She does not want to threaten him or get on his bad side. She does make a mental note of the names, however, and to look into this Zhang character, just in case. A quiet, somewhat apologetic smile crosses her red lips as she looks back to Mr. Quon. "<<Thank you. She is... long friend. Long time since I saw.>> I'll...go check on her, now, thank you, again." Peggy ends in English, instead of struggling for the words, but she is trying to show him full respect. Especially on his property. "Do you know why this Zhang chases her?" She asks, before heading for the back door herself.

The fact that she's not rushing outside to catch May, or check on Daniel, proves just how much she trusts the man, and the agents he's probably called, to handle the situation out there. Peggy isn't going to rudely just dash on the restaurant owner, not when he could be a potential ally.

Melinda May has posed:
May's dark eyes look out of the woman's face at Daniel. She studies his face, a sense of confusion settling on her brows. There's something about him that seems... familiar. But she doesn't know why, and it makes her cautious. "He works for a man who wants me to work for him. I don't want to." Seems straight forward enough. "Who are you?" she says finally. She doesn't relax her stance any, however.

Quon turns toward Peggy as Tommy escorts Zhang away. "Is she?" he asks. "She's never mentioned you." He smiles then. "But, then, she's mentioned very little about her past." He flips his hand dismissively. "Mr. Zhang is hardly more than a messenger boy. If I have to guess, I expect his employer would like to contract Miss Chen's services. I doubt she will accommodate him."

He gestures lightly toward the stairs leading back down to the restaurant. "I'm sorry, Miss... I'm afraid I don't know your name. But please. Let me offer you and your date dinner. Restitution for your inconvenience. Mr. Zhang should never have gotten past the door."

Jemma Simmons has posed:
As Clarissa continues to drive, apparently to Quon's (Charles never did ask where exactly in Chinatown), her passenger keeps on the lookout for anything....off. And, there really isn't much to see out in the street proper. Just the usual pedestrian traffic, though it does seem that someone is being escorted out of Quon's as the pair approach in the boat of a car they are in. That...is something. But not necessarily a British-born director of SHIELD.

So, the patrol continues. Though, as the car slowly (hopefully) rolls past the alley, the sharp gaze of Charles catches a pair of people in its depths. And...while a female form has her back to the street entrance, the other person is visible. Or, rather, the cane in one hand. Which, while not completely out of the ordinary, is a familiar apparatus. A quick glance up, to take in the face...and that is all the confirmation Charles needs.

"Clarissa. In the alley. That's Agent Sousa. Though, I do not see the Director." Confidence is in that voice. No hesitation.

Daniel Sousa has posed:
"I'm Field Director Daniel Sousa of SHIELD," Daniel answers as he puts his ID away in his pocket. "What's your name?" he asks the woman, the question feels strange given how certain he is this is May but he floats it anyhow to see what he gets back.. As for Zhang. "Well if we can help make sure Zhang and whoever he works for gets the message you're not interested we'll be happy to do what we can."

Peggy Carter has posed:
"My name is Margaret Carter and... if she, or YOU, have any trouble from these people, you can call upon me or my people any time. I dislike bullies, and if that man was simply the messenger boy, I suspect I know the kind of bully his employer is." Peggy reaches into her jacket's breast pocket and pulls out one of her new, shiny (well, technically, dark and sleek) SHIELD cards, handing it over quietly. She trusts the woman's taste in friends, and this place came recommended, so Mr. Quon has seemingly made a powerful friend today. "I need to be certain she is alright, but please, give my apologies to your staff. We will come back for a proper meal, I promise."

With those words, and one last smile, Peggy pushes open the back door and slips out herself. Dark eyes stretch across the falling twilight, trying to find Daniel and the others. She sees the somewhat recognizable car first, her head tilting as she realizes it's Clarissa behind the wheel. A curious, somewhat pleased smile crosses her lips as she jogs across the street towards them.

Melinda May has posed:
The woman facing Sousa -- who is further in the alley than he is, looking out -- scoffs lighty. "I don't think I need SHIELD to help me discourage Bernard Wong," she says. She looks past him to where the dark car slowly draws its way along the street, eyes darting further as Peggy Carter starts across the street. Her eyes narrow. "Is SHIELD hunting Wong?" Or is SHIELD hunting her?

She carefully adjusts her stance, debating on whether she bolt for the far end of the alley or whether she should trust this man with the gimpy leg. Her gut... tells her perhaps he is trustworthy. She just doesn't know why.

"Lily Chen," she says finally. A beat. Her eyes narrow. "Do you... know me?"

Jemma Simmons has posed:
It does not take much longer for the people within the Chevrolet to recognize the woman leaving Quon's and heading to the car. "Clarissa, s..stop here. D...Director Carter is coming to us." The stutter makes a return...there must be a bit of nervous energy there when Charles recognizes the face. Though, as the car comes to a stop, the unassuming Agent Gerrell exits from the passenger side of the car, offering a (somewhat nervous) nod in greeting. A quick deep breath and Charles speaks.

"Director Carter, Agent d'Orleans and I are here as requested. An urgent courier request, if I am not mistaken." The words are slower, measured. Charles is making absolutely sure he does not stutter in front of the boss. "We have identified Field Director Sousa in the adjoining alley." A hand is lifted to indicate the aforementioned alley. "It appears there is a female with him, but I have not been able to identify her as of the present time."

Oh, so proper of Charles! In any case, he has a hand on the handle of the back passenger door, poised to open it for Peggy. "How do you wish to proceed from here, Director?"

Daniel Sousa has posed:
Despite the shift in Lily's stance, Sousa makes no effort to move closer. "Honestly we didn't know Bernard Wong existed before tonight, but he seems like the sort of person someone should be hunting, so, anything you can tell us will be helpful," there's a brief glance over his shoulder as the car and Peggy come into view. "Over here," he calls to them before lookin back to Lily. "I don't think I do, but you look /exactly/ like one of our friends which is why you got our attention. We thought we'd gotten her safely back home."

Peggy Carter has posed:
While Charles is doing his very best (and succeeding) on controlling that studder along with his nerves, Peggy's slowly adjusting to actually being the big wig in a room and making people nervous around her. It's certainly strange, after the last ten years of her career. She gives the young man a reassuring, confident smile and a nod to the woman. "Agents. Sorry for pulling you out on the weekend but... this situation is a delicate one and it's best we had it all above board. Let's see what Director Sousa's found, hm?" She nods for both of them to follow her, no doubt or hesitaiton in her eyes. She's treating them like trusted members of the team already, even fresh out of some far too fast training.

As they walk across the street into the alley, Peggy explains quietly, "...If you read the case about the 0-8-4 woman we had to return through a portal in the Mojave..." It wasn't ever publicly marked as time travel in the file, just 'somewhere else', so SHIELD agents could study how dangerous this job was. Some people speculated time travel. Some speculated inter dimensional travel, or even inter planetary. Others just figured she hopped across a few continents. Either way, the case is known, if the details not very well. "...that woman... looks exactly like her." Those last words are said quiet enough that hopefully the two in the alley don't hear. But then the trio is stepping in, Peggy trying to put on her best calming, this is not a confrontation body language. "Mr. Zhang should not be bothering you any longer..."

Melinda May has posed:
Lily turns her head as Peggy brings the other two agents into the alley with her. Her eyes dart between them. She is calculating just what the odds are she'll be able to escape if she needs to. Even so... she's not really sure she wants to.

"Mr. Zhang," she says, studying Peggy with an odd expression on her face, "is a flunky. But, thank you." She lets her hands fall slowly to her side, gradually relaxing. "I'm sorry your dinner was interrupted. It won't happen again."

Jemma Simmons has posed:
Oh...we're going to the alley? Alright. The glance from the alley to Clarissa, then to Peggy and back to the alley is rather quick...but enough to get the feel for the situation. Clarissa seems all set and raring to go, transferring that exuberance with the drive into the situation. And, well....it *is* the Director. And that other person in the alley is the Field Director. So, logic dictates that Charles follows.

Which he does.

He has read the case about the 0-8-4. Of course Charles has. But the fact that the woman that is in the alley is the twin of that person? That is intriguing. So, there is definite interest that pulls Charles into the alley with Director Carter and Clarissa. Though, he is polite to not let his interest show. There is a moment of concern, flashing across his features, before a neutral, non-threatening expression replaces it.

Daniel Sousa has posed:
As the others join them Daniel gives a nod to them and says, "Everyone this is Lily Chen, Lily, let me introduce Director Carter and Agents de Orleans and Gerrell," he gestures to each in turn before smiling wryly about interrupting dinner. "Hazard of the job, we're both pretty used to it." He looks between everyone. "So should we get off the street and have a proper chat?"

Peggy Carter has posed:
So much for a day. Peggy's eyes flicker up to Daniel for just a moment, a trace of apology in them, but she's not going to dwell on the ruined dinner. They knew what their lives were like. It's still a look that some of the other agents *might* pick up on. Especially the fact that the two directors are out to dinner, dressed up, and NOT on duty or any assignment? Were they on a date? Everything seems to imply that for water cooler chatter later on. Peggy's moved on from those worries, looking Lily up and down.

When the name is given, something completely changes in her face. It's from the polite, business like smile she was wearing to something more immediately concerned. "...Lily Chen. It's... nice to meet you. But... you look very much like a friend of ours. Melinda May. I know this might seem intimidating, and we can go somewhere you'd be comfortable, but...we've got a car here." Peggy nods towards Charles and Clarissa, who were kind enough to emergency run it down there, "And we really would like to speak with you..."

Melinda May has posed:
Lily's shoulders stiffen a little at the idea of going for 'a chat'. She looks almost spooked for a moment, glancing to Peggy. "And go where?" she asks cautiously. She has a flash of memory of a tall white building with a small room locked room with a mirror on one wall. It leaves her feeling uneasy.

She doesn't respond one way or the other, beyond a slight cant of her head at the name 'Melinda May'. She glances to the restaurant across the street. "I would feel more comfortable here," she decides. She gestures to the cafe. "Let me speak with Mr. Quon." Because she can get a back room easily enough. That's the best place, as far as she's concerned. Some place she controls.

Daniel Sousa has posed:
Daniel smiles faintly and shrugs in response to that apologetic look, to let Peggy off the hook about the date, he knew what he signed up for with SHEILD and dating Peggy. His attention turns back to Lily, "The restaurant will be fine, like I said we just want to talk, and we do mean only talk." Not in the way the cops or the FBI might mean it.

Peggy Carter has posed:
As Daniel makes the call that the restaurant will do, Peggy gives a brief nod in affirmation. But she's been doing more stepping back, training the young ones, working the desk as of late. She dislikes not getting into field work, but a part of being a founding Director means she's got to be a bureaucrat. So, she's trusting her people in the field. He's got command of this. "The restaurant should be fine. Mr. Quon was quite the gentleman and... we still haven't eaten today." At least, she hasn't. Her stomach seems to give a bit of a groan in agreement, not caring that work comes before date. She's starving.

Then she's looking back to the younger agents, her tone slightly instructive as much as it is inclusive. "As long as the car is off the road, just put the SHIELD tag up and lock it. I want you both in on this... Most of SHIELD is going to be mysteries where none of us really know what is going on. So... you might as well start your first mystery." A little, almost apologetic smile is given to Lily as she realizes she called the woman a mystery while she's still standing there. "Please. Lead the way, Ms. Chen."

Melinda May has posed:
It takes no more than a few minutes for them to cross the street and get Mr. Quon to open a private room for the five of them. A few mumured words even bring a selection of food dishes, some green tea, and the option of other beverages. Although Mr. Quon is curious, he leaves the decisions to Lily and ensures any staff that are put to work for them are discrete. The room is a comfortable size, not to big for a small party like theirs, nor too small. There is a dining table available, but there is also a cluster of low couches and chairs for a more casual atmosphere. It's unusual, perhaps, but useful. And that it happens to also have a hidden secondary exit Lily knows of that they don't, well... that just puts the Asian woman a little more at ease.

Thus, when they're all settled a short while later, and she has a cup of green tea in hand, she regards them carefully. "I don't know what you expect me to tell you," she says presently. "I am not Melinda May."

Daniel Sousa has posed:
The nod of affirmation from Peggy let's Daniel know he didn't overstep and so carries on, following Lily to the restaurant and taking a seat in the back room with the rest of them. "At this point anything about your past would be helpful, and perhaps why this Mr. Wong wants you in his employ so badly." He glances at the others to see if they've got questions for Lily as well.

Jemma Simmons has posed:
The securing of the vehicle doesn't take long at all. Charles actually volunteered for that...and the man showed some hustle, as he manages to get back with the group just before all of them enter into the private room. It is unusual, at least to his mind, of a restaurant to have a room with the sort of comfy environs that are present here, but it isn't something that is mentioned. Charles really...doesn't mention much, actually. He is there to listen and observe.

Peggy Carter has posed:
As they return to the restaurant, Peggy gives Mr. Quon a slightly apologetic smile, "I suppose we will be staying for dinner after all. I look forward to it." SHe offers him earnestly. The least she can do is be polite, after all that's happened. She looks back to Charles and Clarissa, "Please, get yourselves food or drink, whatever you like. It will be on the company, of course." Then she's gazing back to Lily, a touch more concern behind her eyes. "That goes for you as well. The least we can do is buy you dinner after all this."

Peggy settles down in the strangely comfortable room, looking across the place as she makes mental note that this is clearly used for more than a simple dining room. Business of some sort, most likely. Or more illict pleasures, who knows? She settles back, next to Daniel at a range that might be an inch too close to be totally professional, but her expression is all business. "I... trust you in that you are not Ms. May, but... do you have a twin, perhaps? The resemblance is... identical."

Melinda May has posed:
It will probably be on the house, actually. But that doesn't matter. Lily Chen sips her tea, watching the agents get their food and eventually settle. "Not to my knowledge, no," she replies to Peggy. "I have no family at all."

Her eyes tighten a little. "I'm sorry," she says after a moment. "I can tell this is awkward for you. I wish I could do something to make it less so, but I really don't know how I can help." She really doesn't know how she can explain any of this. But she can respect their curiosity, at least.

Jemma Simmons has posed:
Well....far be it for Charles to turn down food. That actually brings an unbidden smile to his face. Fortunately, it is something he is able to bring under control, though the nervousness that had been part of his overall demeanor seems to have dissipated. Still, even as Clarissa takes a position near the door, Charles remains relatively close to her. Perhaps there is a sense of camaraderie there. After all, they did come here together.

Though...occasionally, Charles steals a glance over towards the only non-SHIELD agent in the room. Yes, he read the brief...and seen the pictures. And yes, she looks remarkably like May. While there are such a thing as look-alikes, there are usually some differences noticeable. But....not this time.

And that in intriguing.

Daniel Sousa has posed:
Daniel makes no complaints about where Peggy chooses to sit, taking a sip of tea that might be hiding a small smile. "Alright, if you don't have a twin, maybe you can tell us a little about your history."

Peggy Carter has posed:
While she goes a bit silent as tea is brought, she doesn't want to worry or confuse Mr. Quon TOO much, once they are alone again, Peggy looks from her agents then back to the too-familiar woman sitting with them. Then her eyes settle a bit heavier on Charles for a moment and she prompts gently, "Charles, what can you tell Ms. Chen about what happened with Melinda May?"

It's not exactly a test. He's an agent no matter what. But it's a... check on things. Seeing how quick the man thinks on his feet, how good he is at double speak when necessary, how much he's studied the old case files that were in the 'important' pile for agents. Peggy keeps her smile neutral and objective, but for any empaths in the room, the question is asked with a mix of protectiveness and careful instruction. She's being a teacher right now, more than a leader.

Melinda May has posed:
"There's not much to tell," Lily says, dark eyes flitting between them once again. "Why does it matter?" Her eyes narrow, now, and her shoulders square. "Do you intend to try to deport me?" She's been here long enough to know that is a threat often leveled at the Asians in this community.

She makes as if she might stand, but Peggy's question to Charles captures her attention enough that she delays long enough to hear his answer. Besides, she's still closer to that secondary exit than they are.

Jemma Simmons has posed:
There's that blink. Oh, damn. The teacher is calling on the student to answer. Though, in this case, it is more like the principal. There is a moment of hesitation, as Charles puts down the chopsticks (with just a tinge of regret) before he turns to Ms. Chen.

"According to our records, a woman of unknown origin arrived and needed the assistance of the SSR. She needed to return to her place of origin and it was not possible via conventional means to do so. In order to facilitate this action, our SSR team cooperated with another SSR team to send her through what I believe the brief described as a 'portal'. This portal was at the site of an explosion in the Mojave desert. The person's original appearance was documented as being at an incident involving an old Roxxon location."

The summary itself is thorough...though Charles did leave out parts. Most particularly, he left out that it was a zero matter explosion in the desert...and that the Roxxon incident was a Nitramene implosion. Oh...and the whole time travel rumour. After giving his dissertation, Charles offers a weak apologetic smile, as if he felt he was intruding upon the whole situation, then shifts to possibly return to sitting, though a quick glance is stolen towards Clarissa with a barely visible shrug.

Yes...it was a test. Hopefully, he passed.

Daniel Sousa has posed:
There's a knowing smile which is quickly drowned in Daniel's tea when Peggy puts Charles on the spot. Still the agent did well, and Daniel gives him a smile of encouragement.

He turns to Lily then, "When I said we're not here to hurt you that includes deporting you," Daniel says, "That's not our interest, we want to find out about your past to see if it gives us any clue why you resemble our friend, Melinda," he says. "As Agent Gerrell explained the circumstances of her departure were odd so we're inclined to check into any unusual events related to her, and running into someone who looks exactly like her is definitely unusual. However we're not interested in sending you anywhere we're just wanting to find out more about you." He looks to Peggy for confirmation.

Peggy Carter has posed:
The dark eyes woman watches Charles a moment longer, as if weighing his report in her head, and then she gives a slight nod. "When Ms. May first appeared with us, it was at the site of a strange implosion that happened on a Roxxon plant construction site. So, needless to say, her time among my people was... strange. But welcome. We miss her and we just... We want to be certain she got home safely, is all." Peggy affirms, but she seems quite content with Charles' story.

She then pulls out her business card and slides it across the table towards Lily, "As we said, we are certainly not interested in deporting you. If you are anything like our friend, goodness, I'd be interested in hiring you. But... as it is, we've bothered you perhaps too much. If you can remember anything else, please, that's the office number. Just call us. Perhaps we can all relax over a meal and not work, otherwise?" Peggy offers gently, trying to set their new investigation at ease.

Besides, she plays the long game. And she has a feeling it's going to be quite a long game figuring out why this woman looks so much like someone from the future. Perhaps she was an ancestor of May's? But, unless others push for questions, Peggy seems content to end the interrogation before they terrify the woman out of the room.

Melinda May has posed:
Lily isn't entirely certain whether or not she should trust them. And yet... She has a feeling that says they're not lying. So, as Charles' story brings a tight knot to her brow and tension around her eyes, she goes with her gut. "I don't know what to tell you. I woke up three months ago at some old refinery in south Manhattan," she tells them. "I don't remember anything before that." She takes the card Peggy offers. "But, if I do... I'll call you."

She pushes to her feet, setting the cup of tea down. "I'm sorry I can't be of more help. But, the people here know me. This is my home."

She gives them a polite smile, body language so similar to May's and yet subtly different. "Please enjoy the rest of your meal. And don't worry about the bill. It's on the house."