14th October, 9 am.

[therealpm]

*Peter works his way quietly through yet another brief, occasionally stopping to flick the fringe out of his eyes.  His hair is far too long by now and it's beginning to annoy him. 

The TV screen in the corner is on, but remains carefully blank.  The Machine takes pains not to be visible when a guard might be peering through the door unless Peter specifically requests an answer.  Last night had been their longest uninterrupted conversation since the programming of the doppelganger.  Peter had guessed (correctly) that none of his guards would wish to miss The Thick of It, and so he'd had a whole half hour to talk with his creation. 

Peter being Peter, this had mostly involved a set of detailed instructions on what The Machine should do if the 'cure' killed him, and a request to both monitor and if possible, strategically intervene in the care pathway of Peter's two victims.  They were too far away for The Machine to do anything directly of course, but all patient records are computerised these days and overstressed doctors tend not to notice slight alterations to a patient's records or prescriptions when they've got another few dozen to manage as well.

The Machine tells him they're doing better and that LaGarde seems to be doing her best to make Osborne miserable.  It helps.  A little.*

Comments

[bamfbercow.livejournal.com]

*John comes down to Peter cell with breakfast, tea and newspapers.*

Good morning, Peter! How are you on this most delightful of mornings?

[therealpm.livejournal.com]

*Peter sends a sharp glare at the TV when he hears the fireplace roar with an arrival. 'You stay quiet'. Although John didn't cut off his access to The Machine when he found out, Peter sees no reason to push his luck.*

Moderately busy with these briefings. And yourself? I see you survived.

[bamfbercow.livejournal.com]

Oh are you busy? I'll be off sharpish then.

*He places the items on the desk on top of some papers that look finished*

Yes, yes, I survived and Brain Tumour Research are more than two and a half thousand pounds better off. Some other fantastic events there as well, of course.

But I shan't bore you with the details.

[therealpm.livejournal.com]

*Peter pointedly rearranges the papers so that they are not on top of his 'done' pile to which he intends to add many more papers today.*

Well done. I'm sure they'll do wonderful things with the money.

[bamfbercow.livejournal.com]

Of course they will, of course they will.

*John sorts out breakfast and starts sipping at his tea.*

The House resumes tomorrow, so there will be extra wards - misdirection spells down the corridor and so on - put up overnight. It will almost mean that the timetable will more than likely be a little sporadic until we settle into a routine again, but I'm sure it won't take long to sort out.

[therealpm.livejournal.com]

*Peter accepts a cup of tea.*

Will they automatically allow access to certain people, or will it be a blanket ban that can be moved aside only by those with access to the Mace?

[bamfbercow.livejournal.com]

I'll need to discuss that with the other guards. Both plans have their weaknesses, but I'm not entirely sure which would be best.

After all, you know how I am with wards...

[therealpm.livejournal.com]

*Peter ignores that and begins ticking people off on his fingers.*

Hmm. Alastair and Fiona will need to be allowed through. And Ms Swinson, of course. Undoubtedly Cable will need access once the cure has begun to be administered.

[bamfbercow.livejournal.com]

Of course, of course.

Is there anyone else you would like on the list - anyone you would like to come and visit you that I could perhaps get in contact with?

[therealpm.livejournal.com]

...

Miles.

If things don't go so well.

[bamfbercow.livejournal.com]

*John nods.*

I take it The Machine has his details?

Is there anyone else?

[therealpm.livejournal.com]

*Peter grabs a piece of paper and scribbles down an address and phone number, then passes it to John.*

Yes... but she may not be cooperative, under the circumstances.

And no... no one else.

*It's been over a week now. He hasn't called back. He isn't coming back. You shouldn't still be moping after him like some lovesick teenager. Let. It. Go'*

No one else.

[bamfbercow.livejournal.com]

*John takes the piece of paper, folds it and puts it in his pocket.*

I understand.

Is there anything I can get you today? My time will be limited from tomorrow onwards, but if there's something I can do now...?

Lunchtime the same day

[bamfbercow.livejournal.com]

*John returns to the cell. After a quick call round, he'd managed to get two of his deputies to agree to sign Peter's paperwork in the evening. Imagining that writing ones own will was the furthest thing away from fun that one could possibly have, John decides that a visit to the children might cheer him up a bit.*

*He waits until it his turn on duty to avoid causing suspicion to head down to the cell.*

Hello again, Peter.

*He exchanges pleasantries with the previous guard and, once they are out of earshot, turns back to Peter.*

If you're done with paperwork for the day, I am sure the children would be thrilled with a visit from the Uncle Peter...

Re: Lunchtime the same day

[therealpm.livejournal.com]

*He sets the carefully written sheaf of papers aside, the bottom fifth of each page carefully left blank for signatures to provide proof against modification.

Tapping one finger against the v of his shirt where the collar is barely visible, he reminds John*

I will need a tie if I am to avoid an awkward explanation and Freddie will notice if I use the one you gave him as a father's day gift.

Re: Lunchtime the same day

[bamfbercow.livejournal.com]

*John summons a tie from upstairs and passes it through to Peter.*

Re: Lunchtime the same day

[therealpm.livejournal.com]

Red roses? Freddie will want to wear it.

*He ties it quickly, then shoves it under a jumper out of the reach of small grabby hands.*

Onwards.

Re: Lunchtime the same day

[bamfbercow.livejournal.com]

*John rolls his eyes and decides not to tell Peter about the number of times Freddie has 'borrowed' that particular tie to wear and try to boss his parents around.*

*Instead, he lets down the wards long enough for Peter to exit his cell, then goes through the fireplace to Speakers House with him.*

Look who's come to visit, children!

Re: Lunchtime the same day

[therealpm.livejournal.com]

*Peter narrowly avoids heading straight for the rug out of habit and instead manages to seat himself on the sofa before he is completely swarmed by children, all clamoring to know where he has been and did he know they'd had an awsome dog called Benji and had he brought them any presents?*

Re: Lunchtime the same day

[bamfbercow.livejournal.com]

*John chuckles to himself at the sight, then motions the letter "T" with his hands as a way to ask Peter if he would like refreshments. At the older man's nod, John retreats to the kitchen to get the drinks (and biscuits) and returns a short while later.*

Re: Lunchtime the same day

[therealpm.livejournal.com]

*Freddie is disappointed by Peter's disinclination to show him any more magic tricks, but accepts Peter's tales of illness with good grace. Oliver decides that Peter has to see his latest rune manual and runs upstairs to get it. Jemima just looks thoughtful and has to be restrained from reaching for his ears enough times that Peter begins to worry that he's left them pointy. A quick brush with his hands as he pretends to adjust his hair confirms that this is not the case, but Jemima continues to stare anyway. He is grateful when John returns and provides a distraction in the form of biscuits.*

Re: Lunchtime the same day

[bamfbercow.livejournal.com]

*John spots Jemima trying to get to Peter's ears as he sets the tea things on the table in the middle of the room. He decides that testing whether Peter and "Benji" respond in the same way to ear scratches would be a bad idea, and so he persuades Jemima that biscuits are far more interesting that Uncle Peter's ears - for the moment, at least.*

Re: Lunchtime the same day

[therealpm.livejournal.com]

*Unfortunately, Freddie has noticed Jemima's attempts, and giggling, tries to tickle him under the chin. Peter responds by turning the child round and hugging him close with one arm.*

Do you want a tail for christmas or not, hmm?

Re: Lunchtime the same day

[bamfbercow.livejournal.com]

No, Freddie, Uncle Peter can't give you a tail now.

Nor can I.

When you're older you can learn how to give yourself a tail.

Re: Lunchtime the same day

[therealpm.livejournal.com]

*Oliver returns with his book and the next half hour is spent appreciating all the diagrams and occaionally batting away Jemima's hands. Eventually Freddie gets bored and demands that as Uncle Peter is here, they should go flying.*