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[conning]

"It's Caffrey. Remember the value of plausible deniability. I'll get back to you."

Comments

[conning]

So work with him. And get someone who can work with both of you to help. You don't have to like or even desire to like each other. But it seems like the more you try the more confused he gets and the more confused he gets the more he digs his heels in on the things that irritated you in the first place.

[cactusy]

Sure, Graham's offered, so I guess that might happen at some point. But even though he's willing, I'm not sure Graham is the best person for the job. I'm game for trying, but I don't know how it's gonna go.

[conning]

Then don't have Graham. Have me. Or someone else you trust to be objective, about both of you.

[cactusy]

Uh--

Look, like I said, I'm not against trying. But do you get why I think you're biased?

[conning]

Because I defend him while everyone else shits on him and keep my reprimands to private spaces where I think they'll do the most good? [Well now he's downright cross.]

[cactusy]

Because he hurts and alienates people left and right, and you care more about people responding badly and "shitting on him" than you do about that.

[conning]

[A long, shocked pause.]

Excuse me?

[cactusy]

I'm not saying I don't get it. People get protective and defensive of their friends; it's not-- I'm not meaning to imply it's a personal failing.

[conning]

So. Because you haven't seen me respond to the way he treats people. You assume I don't. But because I try to defend him publicly when half the barge wouldn't piss on him if he was a flambé, because that's all you've seen me do, you assume that's all I do.

You say I talk like a lawyer and a politician and then you make it abundantly clear why politicians do everything in front of a camera in the first place. You can't be unbiased if the world hasn't seen you be unbiased, right?

[cactusy]

[There's a pause of a minute or so before she answers.]

I did kinda assume you didn't, yeah. But I believe you when you said you do. I still think it's telling that other people being pissed off at him is where the biggest, most emotional part of your concern is, though.

You're a passionate person, you have a big heart, and you care deeply about your friends. Losing sight of objectivity is inevitable.

[conning]

[He doesn't give it a minute. He knows he should. He's been working on that. But he doesn't.]

Well, good to know you have it all figured out.

[...and he hangs up.]

[cactusy]

[It's a few hours before the response comes, in text.]

Do you want to not hear from me for a while?

[conning]

[The ringing silence she gets in response is... probably a clear enough answer.]