TRAUMABEANS AU

[conning]

boop

Comments

[abrightboy]

Malcolm does as instructed and the would-be gangster takes down a different bottle, splashing two fingers into the glass carelessly, like he’s pouring water.

“Sláinte,” Malcolm says, tilting the glass towards him before taking a swallow.

[conning]

Dennis Jr knocks back his own glass, squinting in what he manages to frame as appreciation. “Mmh. Amazing. You know your whiskeys.”

He tops off his own glass before adding an extra splash to Malcolm’s. A glance at Dani shows he’s not going to offer the assistant any, and she purses her lips, annoyed by everything but the lack of booze.

“Is that why you reached out?”

[abrightboy]

"You could say that," Malcolm says, setting down his glass. "I understand you have... a distribution network."

[conning]

He raises his eyebrows, shrugging. "Yeah, I do. Something of a necessity when you're working on building up a microbrew distillery."

[abrightboy]

"What if you didn't really have to... distill it, per se?" Malcolm asks, turning the glass in his hand to look at the liquid reflecting light.

[conning]

The man leans the small of his back against the bar and shelves behind him. "I'd have to hear more about what you mean before I could answer that properly."

But he doesn't sound disinterested.

[abrightboy]

"I mean... what if it didn't take forty years to make that stuff?" Malcolm suggests, gesturing towards the top shelf.

[conning]

He snorts quietly, lifting his chin. "Uh huh. You have a new way to do it, is that it? You just need some space to experiment and financial backing?"

[abrightboy]

“I need distribution,” Malcolm says, enunciating the word slowly, like he’s talking to an idiot. He gets up from his stool. “Look, you’re not really great at paying attention; I’m not sure I’ve come to the right place. But thanks for the drink,” he adds, tapping his hand on the bar and gesturing to Dani that they’re going.

[conning]

“Hey, hang on, what’s the rush?” He gestures toward his shelves. “Have another. Let’s talk.”

Neal shifts in his seat, leaning forward a little, speaking in Malcolm’s ear. “Now offer him a taste of what he’d be transporting.”

It took the better part of a day and a half and an almighty hangover, but Neal and Mozzie pulled their counterfeit together.

[abrightboy]

Malcolm hesitates, then shrugs and returns to his seat gesturing for Dani to hand him his briefcase, which he opens on the bar, taking out a bottle of whiskey and setting it there.

"Okay, but this one's on me." He nods at the bottle. "Pour. Let me know what you think."