[ Jesse arches a brow at first when his hand goes ignored, a sort of 'okay, then' look on his face as he glances around the quad to see if anyone happens to be looking in their direction. It's all clear, though. You'd be surprised how easy it is for deals to go down in public with nobody noticing a thing. That's the thing about people. Most of them are so caught up in their own business and worrying about people looking at them that they don't notice half the shit going on around them. Not Jesse, though. He's observant even on a bad day. Cautiousness comes with the territory of being a dealer. Or at least being one that doesn't get caught. ]
Okay, cool.
[ It wouldn't have been a big deal to make a quick stop at a bank or a gas station, but it's even more convenient that she has the cash on hand. Or so he thought. Jesus, here we go. Jesse sighs outright, not bothering to hide it as he slumps a little against the tree. He really, really doesn't like being owed money. Especially not by first time customers. He's already decided he's going to give this girl a break, but he has to put on a little bit of a show first. He doesn't overdo it, but gives it just enough oomph that she'll be uncomfortable enough not to call him again before she has all her funds in order.
Besides...it's just twenty bucks, and that was an added fee. She's got enough for the product itself. Before he can think it over any longer, Jesse finds himself handing over the paper bag, slyly exchanging it for the hundred bucks that she hands over, which he quickly counts before shoving it into his pants pocket. ]
I normally don't do this kinda thing, so uh, don't go telling anybody I let it slide or next thing you know everyone'll be comin' up short. Know when you'll have the rest by?
[ Jesse looks past Britta's shoulder before he focuses back on her face, trying to commit it to memory. If someone owes him money he's gonna be damn sure that he knows what they look like. ]
[ Oh, God. That tired slump and that sigh of disappointment and frustration are all too familiar, and Britta winces, already mentally preparing herself for rejection. Maybe he'd agree to just give her half the weed? Or maybe he'll be so angry about her wasting his time that he'll refuse to sell to her ever again. She's already trying to figure out how desperate she is, and how willing she is to beg (spoiler: pretty desperate).
But it turns out she doesn't have to. He pulls out the bag without a word, sliding it towards her in a subtle, professional movement, and she blinks and hands over the money quickly, before he can change his mind. ]
Totally. You got it. My lips are sealed.
[ Who would she tell, anyway? Chang? She gives him a grateful smile, then pauses, biting her lip in thought. ]
Friday?
[ Hopefully that's not too late for him, because there's no way she's getting another cent until then. She looks at him anxiously, not wanting to piss him off worse. ]
I can bring it to you, if that's easier. So you don't have to make another trip.
[ Jesse feels a slight twinge of guilt when he notices Britta wince as his response to her being short on cash. It's fleeting, though. It's just business. He'll never turn a profit if he goes around feeling bad for everyone and catering to their every whim. He nods, catching Britta's gaze with his own, making sure he makes eye contact with her when she promises she won't tell anyone that he let her off the hook for twenty bucks. ]
Yeah, Friday's fine. I'll text you the address and we can, uh, figure shit out from there.
[ Jesse talks while he fumbles in his pocket for his pack of cigarettes and lighter, taking one out and lighting it up, cheeks hollowing with his inhale. He pockets the accessories and then pushes himself forward from where he'd been leaning against the tree. ]
A'right; I'm out. Pleasure doin' business.
[ The cigarette bobs between his lips as he talks. Jesse holds out his fist for a pound (maybe she'll get it this time) before he swings his leg lazily to spin him in the direction he needs to walk to leave the quad and get back to his car. He puts the cash in his wallet when he gets there, taking note of his surroundings before he starts his car up and leaves the parking lot; another successful deal under his belt.
The next few days are relatively uneventful and more or less bleed together. That's what happens when your sleep schedule is all over the damn place from spending nearly all night slinging Crystal by the teenth. There has to be a better way of doing this, but Jesse isn't exactly eager to find another distributor to work with after the shit that went down with Krazy-8 and Emilio. He's trying to keep a low=profile and just go about his business, much to the chagrin of Mr. White who won't get off his fucking ass about not getting rid of product quickly enough. He'd like to see the old guy try standing on the street corner for a night instead of sleeping soundly next to his wife. Asshole.
Friday finally rolls around, and Jesse hasn't forgotten about Britta. Especially not with the notification that pops up on his phone reminding him to text her. So he does: ]
yo it's me. do you have that 20 bucks i lent you for lunch the other day? you can meet me at 9809 margo street. there's a red monte carlo in the driveway.
[ Britta's good for it. Say what else you will about her, she's not a cheat or a thief. But not everyone's lucky enough to be a drug dealer, flush with cash all the time.
She's got the twenty bucks when he texts, though, and breathes a sigh of relief when she reads the address. It's not too far. No wonder he'd been able to get to Greendale so fast. ]
yeah, i got it. no problem. 4 pm ok? got a late class
[ It's not that Jesse thought Britta was going to fuck him over. If he thought she wasn't going to follow through, he wouldn't have given her the twenty-dollar leeway to begin with. He's tempted to just tell her to forget the whole thing, actually, but he kind of wants to see what she thinks of the product and that's the kind of information he's not stupid enough to go fishing for over the phone. That's an in-person kind of conversation to be had, so Jesse sticks with it and shoots her a text back. ]
yeah, 4 is fine i'll be around at the address i sent you.
[ If Britta really thinks that being a drug dealer means being flush with cash all the time, she must really think he's an asshole for making a big deal out of twenty bucks. The reality is that he and Mr. White seem to run into trouble at every turn. They're constantly having to put their profits back into the business whether it be to replace broken glassware or paying off smurfs to get them pseudo. There's always something, and that doesn't include the regular bills they both have to pay.
Jesse tosses his cellphone back onto the couch beside him and leans forward to pick up his controller so he can idly kick some Mario Kart ass while he's waiting for her to get done with classes and show up. ]
[ She gets it. Whether he's a millionare or not, he'd provided a service, and he deserves to be paid. But the house Britta pulls up to doesn't look like a drug lord's mansion. It's in a surprisingly quiet, residential neighborhood, but if the vanity plate on the car parked out front is to be believed, this is definitely the place.
She knocks and then waits for him to either open the door or call her in, giving him a bright smile, even as her eyes dart around curiously. ]
Hi, um, Captain.
[ They'd never actually exchanged names, which...is fine? Probably? Is that normal? ]
[ It's definitely not a drug lord's mansion, and while it's got great bones, it's one of the more unkempt properties on the street. It's right on the corner surrounded by an iron fence with a rusty gate that screeches every time it's opened and closed, which is why Jesse mostly leaves it open; especially when he's expecting company. His car is out front, like he'd said it would be, vanity plate and all. It's no longer covered with a tarp now that the heat died down from back when Emilio got busted. If Britta looks close enough, she'll even notice the license plate frame that reads 'save a tree, eat a beaver'. Classy, as always.
Jesse pops up from the couch, pausing his game and setting aside the controller. He crosses to the large living room window instead of the front door, so he can peek out from between the ancient, lacy curtains to get a view of who's at the front door before they can see him. He has a peep-hole, but there are risks involved with being heard approaching the door if it's someone he's trying to avoid. Like the cops. It's not, though. He recognizes the girl he'd met up with in the quad earlier in the week and instantly relaxes, shuffling his way over to the front door to open it. ]
'Sup, yo? Come in.
[ Jesse peers past Britta, acting perhaps a bit paranoid as he makes sure nobody else is in the yard or otherwise approaching before he ushers her inside and pushes the door shut. ]
It's--Captain's just the whole text thing. I'm Jesse. You get to try it out yet? Everything, like, copacetic or whatever?
[ It's a good thing Britta doesn't notice the plate frame, or Jesse would never have seen her or her twenty dollars again, just on principle. She resists the urge to look back over her shoulder as he peers past her, doing her best to play it cool. She hadn't been followed, right? She definitely would have noticed if she'd been followed. There's no reason why anyone would, anyway. Unless maybe the cops were watching his house already?
But apparently he doesn't see anything suspicious, because he moves back and gestures her inside, and she ducks in, grateful suddenly to get off the street and out of sight of any curious eyes. The living room reminds her of Abed's dorm room more than anything, sparsely furnished but with a huge TV, some video game paused on the screen. Weirdly...normal, at least for a guy in his 20s. ]
Britta.
[ It can't hurt for him to know, right, if she knows his? Definitely less awkward than them not knowing what to call each other. She starts digging in her pocket for her wallet, looking surprised when he bothers to ask about the weed, but nodding appreciatively. ]
Yeah, it's really good, actually. The guy I was buying from before...well, he wasn't that great at growing it, I guess.
[ Definitely not compared to Jesse's supply, that is. She glances at him curiously. ]
Do you grow it yourself? Or, sorry, maybe I shouldn't ask that.
[ The last thing she wants is to make him feel like she's grilling him or getting too curious, after all. ]
[ A satisfied customer usually means a return customer, and Jesse's all about that. ]
Nah, it's cool. I don't have much of a green thumb. I think I could probably kill a cactus. But I know the guy who does. He's got a pretty sick setup. All organic and shit. Hydroponics, the whole nine, y'know? Dude's a wizard with the stuff.
[ He lingers by the couch, the stretch of silence starting to make him feel awkward. He rubs at the back of his neck in response. ]
So, uh...listen, you mind hanging around for like...thirty minutes or so? Neighbors get nosy around here. Too much come-and-go traffic and they're bound to get, like, suspicious.
[ It's unclear if that's true or it's just his own paranoia, but either way it's probably not worth the risk to take a chance on it. It's probably a little bit of both, and tack on the fact that being a dealer actually gets kind of lonely. Yeah, you see a bunch of people every day, but the interactions are pretty limited. There's not much to be said in the thirty seconds it takes to exchange money and product, and he usually deals out in the open, not from his house. ]
[ It actually does. Professional, really. Much more so than whatever skeezy setup the guy she'd been buying from must have had. That's what you get for buying your weed off the guy who sleeps through English class, though. Jesse seems like a much more reliable supplier.
She'd pulled the money out while he talked, ready to hand it over and get out of his hair, and she blinks in surprise when he asks her to stay. ]
Oh.
[ It kind of makes sense, though. A stranger pulling up to his house, only to go in and then leave again five minutes later? She can see how that would raise eyebrows. And now that Jesse's actually gone so far as to sell her drugs, she's a lot less worried about him secretly being a cop or something. ]
Yeah, no problem. Uh - here. Before I forget. [ She offers the twenty, eager to get it to him before he has to actually ask and make things awkward. ] Thanks again. Sorry about not having it before.
[ If she likes professionals, she should see the whole science lab he's got set up in his RV. Except not really. People who just smoke weed usually turn and run for the hills as soon as they hear that you're involved in manufacturing meth. It's not exactly something you go around telling just anyone. It's clear, too, that she's unfamiliar with the stuff given her response when he asked her if she was looking for green or blue.
Jesse cringes ever so slightly at her initially surprised reaction to him asking her to stay. Fuck. Maybe he shouldn't have bothered? He freezes up suddenly, not entirely sure what to do when Britta suddenly relaxes and takes the whole thing in stride. Jesse tries not to breathe an actual sigh of relief, but his shoulders drop to a more natural position from where they'd initially risen up stiffly. He would absolutely laugh if he ever knew she'd been suspicious about him being a cop because, yeah, he's pretty sure he couldn't be farther from that if he tried. ]
No worries.
[ Jesse reaches for the money, a pang of guilt hitting him in the stomach as he takes it. He actually feels bad considering she'd spent the last of her money on his weed. He doesn't want to put anyone in the position of being broke even though it's literally his job to exchange goods for money. Jesse tosses the bill on his coffee table for further contemplation. Maybe he'll end up giving it back. ]
You thirsty or anything? I got some beers and soda in the fridge. Coke and, uh, ginger ale I think? You can take a seat if you want.
[ He rubs at the back of his neck again, trying to remember. The kitchen isn't a place he spends a whole lot of time in these days. Most of his meals are eaten on the go. ]
[ Britta would've been insulted if he'd refused the money - yeah, maybe she'd been in a tough spot last week, but she had promised, and delivered. So it doesn't matter when he tosses it carelessly onto the table, like it's nothing. Maybe it's a sign of trust, even, that he's willing to just leave it with her and walk away.
She takes a seat on the couch, moving the controller out of the way to settle in. ]
A beer would be awesome. Or just a Coke. Either's fine.
[ He looks oddly uncertain, like he isn't entirely sure about what he's offering, and she doesn't want him to feel bad if it turns out he's lower on beer than he thought. She smiles at him, trying to be reassuring. Honestly, she's still grateful for him giving her an extension on the delivery fee, plus hooking her up with what had turned out to be some kickass weed. ]
[ Jesse laughs. Not like he's ever fucking gone by that particular rule. He's been guilty of having a beer upon rolling out of bed first thing in the morning on more than a few occasions. But Jesse's well aware that not everybody lives his sort of reckless lifestyle. He spends most days flying by the seat of his pants, but truth be told he finds some comfort in that. No planning to do, no need to keep track of, like, a calendar hung on the wall or whatever. Just wake up and do what he wants, spend a few hours driving around and collecting money and then come home and get fucked up or play video games and order pizza. Whatever he wants. Who wouldn't want to live like him? Lots of people, apparently, but he still can't understand that. ]
These are pretty good.
[ He gestures with the bottles, one in each hand. ]
Naughty Nurse IPA. I dunno if you've tried it before, but I think it's pretty tasty.
[ He sets the bottles down on the coffee table, fishing his keychain out of his pocket that conveniently has a little bottle opener on it. He pops the top on each one and then lowers himself casually onto the couch, laying an arm across the back of it. ]
So, uh, what're you in school for? If that's not, like, too personal...
[ Naughty Nurse? Seriously? Britta's expression freezes as she undergoes a brief, fierce internal battle, but after a moment she manages to resist the urge to go on a feminist rant about degrading, misogynistic beer names and all the harm they can do to young women's self-esteem. And medical professionals, too! Really, it's disgraceful and he should be ashamed.
But even Britta knows that this isn't the time or the place. Maybe once they know each other a little better. Next week, for instance. But for now, she just smiles and takes the bottle as normally as possible, carefully not looking at the label and whatever offensive picture it might contain. ]
Thanks.
[ It's just beer, after all. And when she takes a reluctant sip, it is actually pretty good (apart from the inescapable aftertaste of objectification and thousands of years of oppression, that is). She follows Jesse's lead, relaxing onto the couch. ]
Nah, it's cool. I'm not really sure yet, though. Just kinda seeing what's out there. [ She glances at him. He seems pretty young, and hardly like a college graduate. ] What about you? Are you in school?
[ Okay, yeah. Jesse definitely just grabbed whatever was recommended to him by the scruffy dude behind the counter at the liquor store and bought it. And when he did, he definitely wasn't analyzing the name to see if it was politically correct or whatever. This is the kind of guy who ate cereal out of a giant salad bowl with a spatula because he didn't feel like doing dishes. Common sense and, lets face it, thinking, in general, are not necessarily his strong-suits. But, that being said, if he'd taken the time to realize or knew that anyone would be offended by it, he would've definitely steered clear. He likes everyone feeling comfortable around him. So, it's probably good that Britta didn't bring it up right when she thought of it because it would leave him feeling bad and super awkward. ]
Yeah, no problem.
[ Jesse is blissfully unaware of the rant going on in Britta's head. He notes that she looks pretty relaxed there on his couch, so everything's fine. ]
I hear that. I didn't know what I wanted to learn, either.
[ Which had led to learning nothing, apparently. ]
I dunno, I probably coulda' benefitted from, like, taking a year off instead of rushing right into college , but my folks. They're kind've the hard ass types. Said they'd, like, cut me off if I didn't apply. So I ended up at DeVry taking classes for, like, data entry. Boring shit I barely lasted a week. Anyway, that whole experience kinda' left a bad taste in my mouth so I decided to go the, uh, entrepreneurial route.
[ AKA he became a drug dealer full-time. Maybe he'd go back to school someday, but for now he is making better money than a lot of people are his age with entry-level jobs. He makes his own schedule, works from home and around the city, and he doesn't have to pay taxes. Aside from the whole threat of being thrown in jail, it's actually a pretty sweet deal.
He takes a swig off of his beer bottle, resting it against his knee as he fiddles with the bottle. Britta's going to learn fairly quickly that Jesse can never sit still. ]
There's nothing wrong with taking some time off to find yourself.
[ Britta had done the same thing...starting when she dropped out of high school. Hey, sometimes you need to take a lot of time to find yourself. It's only now, at age 28, that she's back in school, trying to figure out what she wants to do with her life.
Jesse doesn't seem to have that problem. For the moment, anyway. "Entrepreneurial" is one way to put it, but it's not wrong. She smiles at him, sipping her beer. It's kind of annoying how good it tastes, despite the name. ]
Pfft, yeah. Tell that to my parents. They woulda wigged out over that shit. But, like, things maybe woulda ended up different for me if they'd let me take a little time to figure out what I wanted.
[ He shrugs. He has no idea how old Britta is, but some chicks get offended when you ask shit like that, so he avoids the potential for conflict entirely. As it stands, she seems a little old to be a freshman or sophomore or whatever, but that's not really any of his business. ]
It's not bad. Y'know, for now.
[ It's not like he wants to still be doing this bullshit when he's old like Mr. White. He cringes at that thought. ]
Honestly, I got no idea what I'd be doing otherwise. Somethin' with, like, art, maybe. But it kinda seems like you gotta go and die before any of your shit ends up worth any real scratch in that line of work.
[ Jesse takes another swig of beer, then picks at the label. ]
[ She feels you, Jesse. Britta shakes her head, looking disgusted. At least Jesse seems to have succeeded despite his own parents not giving him the support or space he needed. Well, as much as being a drug dealer can be described as "succeeding," anyway. But he's got this house and seems to be doing okay for himself.
She nods sympathetically, looking interested when he mentions art. ]
Isn't the whole point of art that you do it anyway even if you end up broke?
[ Starving artists are a thing, right? Something about it being a calling, and not caring about the money. She frowns thoughtfully. ]
Maybe you could finance your art with your...you know...other activities.
[ Jesse kind of wants to go on a rant about his and the unfairness of it all, but he holds it in not wanting to sound like a whiny bitch or anything. Besides, he can't really complain. He's got a roof over his head and enough money to pay his bills. That's more than a lot of people can say, sadly. ]
Yeah, I mean if the whole point of art is the money then I'm pretty sure you're doin' it wrong. I dunno, though. It's been, like, years since I last picked up a pencil and paper. I drew a shit-ton as a kid and I got kind of into woodworking during this vo-tech class in high school. But I haven't done much with any of that since then. Maybe I'll pick it up again; who knows.
[ Jesse shrugs. It's not like he doesn't have the time. Maybe he just lacks the motivation. He can't exactly complain about his life, but he has been feeling like he's in a little bit of a rut lately. Like he's just spinning his wheels and not really going anywhere. ]
What about you? What's your 'thing'? Aside from having good taste in weed.
[ Woodworking? Just the fact that he'd managed to get through the class without sawing any of his fingers off is an achievement in her book. She smiles when he compliments her taste in weed - hey, he's right. She definitely can't complain about the quality. But at his question she just shrugs her shoulders. ]
I'm...kind of an activist.
[ Said in a tone that's supposed to be downplaying it, with a supposedly-embarrassed smile, but in actuality, Britta had wanted nothing more than for him to ask. She shrugs, like it's no big deal. (It is a big deal). ]
I joined the Peace Corps and visited Africa. And I was in this feminist anarchist group for a while, but it kind of fell apart.
[ She shrugs. ]
That's why I'm at Greendale, I guess.
[ Just trying to firue out some kind of direction for her life. ]
[ Jesse shrugs it off. It's less exciting than it sounds. Some doodles in a sketchbook and a box he ended up trading for an ounce of weed. He's got nothing to show for his efforts. He takes a swig of his beer, but perks up a little when Britta starts telling him about herself. He tends to clam up when the topic of conversations drifts to him. He hasn't really felt proud of himself lately. It doesn't help that Mr. White calls him an idiot every step of the way. Sometimes he believes it. ]
Feminist anarchist, huh? Sounds pretty badass.
[ So long as it doesn't mean he'll be totally hated on just for having a dick. Jesse is totally clueless as to the ins and outs of feminism. But he's always been pro women's rights and none of his behavior that might be seen as misogynistic has ever been intended as such. ]
That's cool you're in college, though. I'm sure you'll find some shit you're interested in. Worst case, it's always easy money sellin' on a college campus.
[ It's a major point in his favor that he doesn't roll his eyes or try to make some stupid argument about how feminism is unnecessary or unfair the moment she says the word. Britta smiles, shrugging one shoulder. Yeah, it is kinda badass, huh? ]
Oh, yeah. It's a great place to rally for causes.
[ Not that she's made a major point of doing that so far...look, it's been a lot of work, getting used to being a student again, okay? It's been a long time since she had to worry about classes and homework and shit. But when he suggests selling, she gives him a sidelong look, more wary than intrigued. For the moment, at least. ]
What, are you looking for distributors or something?
I'm sure. I mean, that whole quad area--like, everyone's gotta walk through there at some point. Visibility and all that.
[ He really has no fucking clue what he's talking about, but it sounds good, so he rolls with it, just trying to keep the conversation going. Jesse has a habit of not always admitting when he knows nothing about a subject, particularly when someone seems passionate about it, so he sometimes fakes it. At least just enough to get by in conversation.
Jesse notices Britta's wary side-eye when he mentions picking up selling part-time. He was kidding. Wasn't he? He raises a brow when she asks if he's looking for distributors. Hmm. ]
I mean I could always use more boots to the ground, y'know? But...I'm not necessarily looking. It's pretty much just me right now, far as sales go. Networking, though. I mean. If you know anybody cool lookin' for stuff. Don't like, give 'em my number or anything but you could always do the whole middle-man thing and, hey, tack on a little tax for yourself.
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
zvi
@brittaunfiltered
Date: 2022-08-07 11:12 pm (UTC)[ Jesse arches a brow at first when his hand goes ignored, a sort of 'okay, then' look on his face as he glances around the quad to see if anyone happens to be looking in their direction. It's all clear, though. You'd be surprised how easy it is for deals to go down in public with nobody noticing a thing. That's the thing about people. Most of them are so caught up in their own business and worrying about people looking at them that they don't notice half the shit going on around them. Not Jesse, though. He's observant even on a bad day. Cautiousness comes with the territory of being a dealer. Or at least being one that doesn't get caught. ]
Okay, cool.
[ It wouldn't have been a big deal to make a quick stop at a bank or a gas station, but it's even more convenient that she has the cash on hand. Or so he thought. Jesus, here we go. Jesse sighs outright, not bothering to hide it as he slumps a little against the tree. He really, really doesn't like being owed money. Especially not by first time customers. He's already decided he's going to give this girl a break, but he has to put on a little bit of a show first. He doesn't overdo it, but gives it just enough oomph that she'll be uncomfortable enough not to call him again before she has all her funds in order.
Besides...it's just twenty bucks, and that was an added fee. She's got enough for the product itself. Before he can think it over any longer, Jesse finds himself handing over the paper bag, slyly exchanging it for the hundred bucks that she hands over, which he quickly counts before shoving it into his pants pocket. ]
I normally don't do this kinda thing, so uh, don't go telling anybody I let it slide or next thing you know everyone'll be comin' up short. Know when you'll have the rest by?
[ Jesse looks past Britta's shoulder before he focuses back on her face, trying to commit it to memory. If someone owes him money he's gonna be damn sure that he knows what they look like. ]
no subject
Date: 2022-08-09 04:06 am (UTC)But it turns out she doesn't have to. He pulls out the bag without a word, sliding it towards her in a subtle, professional movement, and she blinks and hands over the money quickly, before he can change his mind. ]
Totally. You got it. My lips are sealed.
[ Who would she tell, anyway? Chang? She gives him a grateful smile, then pauses, biting her lip in thought. ]
Friday?
[ Hopefully that's not too late for him, because there's no way she's getting another cent until then. She looks at him anxiously, not wanting to piss him off worse. ]
I can bring it to you, if that's easier. So you don't have to make another trip.
no subject
Date: 2022-08-10 06:09 am (UTC)Yeah, Friday's fine. I'll text you the address and we can, uh, figure shit out from there.
[ Jesse talks while he fumbles in his pocket for his pack of cigarettes and lighter, taking one out and lighting it up, cheeks hollowing with his inhale. He pockets the accessories and then pushes himself forward from where he'd been leaning against the tree. ]
A'right; I'm out. Pleasure doin' business.
[ The cigarette bobs between his lips as he talks. Jesse holds out his fist for a pound (maybe she'll get it this time) before he swings his leg lazily to spin him in the direction he needs to walk to leave the quad and get back to his car. He puts the cash in his wallet when he gets there, taking note of his surroundings before he starts his car up and leaves the parking lot; another successful deal under his belt.
The next few days are relatively uneventful and more or less bleed together. That's what happens when your sleep schedule is all over the damn place from spending nearly all night slinging Crystal by the teenth. There has to be a better way of doing this, but Jesse isn't exactly eager to find another distributor to work with after the shit that went down with Krazy-8 and Emilio. He's trying to keep a low=profile and just go about his business, much to the chagrin of Mr. White who won't get off his fucking ass about not getting rid of product quickly enough. He'd like to see the old guy try standing on the street corner for a night instead of sleeping soundly next to his wife. Asshole.
Friday finally rolls around, and Jesse hasn't forgotten about Britta. Especially not with the notification that pops up on his phone reminding him to text her. So he does: ]
yo it's me. do you have that 20 bucks i lent you for lunch the other day? you can meet me at 9809 margo street. there's a red monte carlo in the driveway.
no subject
Date: 2022-08-11 12:21 am (UTC)She's got the twenty bucks when he texts, though, and breathes a sigh of relief when she reads the address. It's not too far. No wonder he'd been able to get to Greendale so fast. ]
yeah, i got it. no problem. 4 pm ok? got a late class
no subject
Date: 2022-08-21 06:02 am (UTC)yeah, 4 is fine i'll be around at the address i sent you.
[ If Britta really thinks that being a drug dealer means being flush with cash all the time, she must really think he's an asshole for making a big deal out of twenty bucks. The reality is that he and Mr. White seem to run into trouble at every turn. They're constantly having to put their profits back into the business whether it be to replace broken glassware or paying off smurfs to get them pseudo. There's always something, and that doesn't include the regular bills they both have to pay.
Jesse tosses his cellphone back onto the couch beside him and leans forward to pick up his controller so he can idly kick some Mario Kart ass while he's waiting for her to get done with classes and show up. ]
no subject
Date: 2022-08-21 10:23 pm (UTC)She knocks and then waits for him to either open the door or call her in, giving him a bright smile, even as her eyes dart around curiously. ]
Hi, um, Captain.
[ They'd never actually exchanged names, which...is fine? Probably? Is that normal? ]
It's, uh, me. I got your - y'know. Delivery fee.
no subject
Date: 2022-08-23 04:10 am (UTC)Jesse pops up from the couch, pausing his game and setting aside the controller. He crosses to the large living room window instead of the front door, so he can peek out from between the ancient, lacy curtains to get a view of who's at the front door before they can see him. He has a peep-hole, but there are risks involved with being heard approaching the door if it's someone he's trying to avoid. Like the cops. It's not, though. He recognizes the girl he'd met up with in the quad earlier in the week and instantly relaxes, shuffling his way over to the front door to open it. ]
'Sup, yo? Come in.
[ Jesse peers past Britta, acting perhaps a bit paranoid as he makes sure nobody else is in the yard or otherwise approaching before he ushers her inside and pushes the door shut. ]
It's--Captain's just the whole text thing. I'm Jesse. You get to try it out yet? Everything, like, copacetic or whatever?
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Date: 2022-08-25 06:07 am (UTC)But apparently he doesn't see anything suspicious, because he moves back and gestures her inside, and she ducks in, grateful suddenly to get off the street and out of sight of any curious eyes. The living room reminds her of Abed's dorm room more than anything, sparsely furnished but with a huge TV, some video game paused on the screen. Weirdly...normal, at least for a guy in his 20s. ]
Britta.
[ It can't hurt for him to know, right, if she knows his? Definitely less awkward than them not knowing what to call each other. She starts digging in her pocket for her wallet, looking surprised when he bothers to ask about the weed, but nodding appreciatively. ]
Yeah, it's really good, actually. The guy I was buying from before...well, he wasn't that great at growing it, I guess.
[ Definitely not compared to Jesse's supply, that is. She glances at him curiously. ]
Do you grow it yourself? Or, sorry, maybe I shouldn't ask that.
[ The last thing she wants is to make him feel like she's grilling him or getting too curious, after all. ]
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Date: 2022-08-26 01:11 am (UTC)[ A satisfied customer usually means a return customer, and Jesse's all about that. ]
Nah, it's cool. I don't have much of a green thumb. I think I could probably kill a cactus. But I know the guy who does. He's got a pretty sick setup. All organic and shit. Hydroponics, the whole nine, y'know? Dude's a wizard with the stuff.
[ He lingers by the couch, the stretch of silence starting to make him feel awkward. He rubs at the back of his neck in response. ]
So, uh...listen, you mind hanging around for like...thirty minutes or so? Neighbors get nosy around here. Too much come-and-go traffic and they're bound to get, like, suspicious.
[ It's unclear if that's true or it's just his own paranoia, but either way it's probably not worth the risk to take a chance on it. It's probably a little bit of both, and tack on the fact that being a dealer actually gets kind of lonely. Yeah, you see a bunch of people every day, but the interactions are pretty limited. There's not much to be said in the thirty seconds it takes to exchange money and product, and he usually deals out in the open, not from his house. ]
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Date: 2022-08-26 01:45 am (UTC)[ It actually does. Professional, really. Much more so than whatever skeezy setup the guy she'd been buying from must have had. That's what you get for buying your weed off the guy who sleeps through English class, though. Jesse seems like a much more reliable supplier.
She'd pulled the money out while he talked, ready to hand it over and get out of his hair, and she blinks in surprise when he asks her to stay. ]
Oh.
[ It kind of makes sense, though. A stranger pulling up to his house, only to go in and then leave again five minutes later? She can see how that would raise eyebrows. And now that Jesse's actually gone so far as to sell her drugs, she's a lot less worried about him secretly being a cop or something. ]
Yeah, no problem. Uh - here. Before I forget. [ She offers the twenty, eager to get it to him before he has to actually ask and make things awkward. ] Thanks again. Sorry about not having it before.
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Date: 2022-08-26 02:15 am (UTC)Jesse cringes ever so slightly at her initially surprised reaction to him asking her to stay. Fuck. Maybe he shouldn't have bothered? He freezes up suddenly, not entirely sure what to do when Britta suddenly relaxes and takes the whole thing in stride. Jesse tries not to breathe an actual sigh of relief, but his shoulders drop to a more natural position from where they'd initially risen up stiffly. He would absolutely laugh if he ever knew she'd been suspicious about him being a cop because, yeah, he's pretty sure he couldn't be farther from that if he tried. ]
No worries.
[ Jesse reaches for the money, a pang of guilt hitting him in the stomach as he takes it. He actually feels bad considering she'd spent the last of her money on his weed. He doesn't want to put anyone in the position of being broke even though it's literally his job to exchange goods for money. Jesse tosses the bill on his coffee table for further contemplation. Maybe he'll end up giving it back. ]
You thirsty or anything? I got some beers and soda in the fridge. Coke and, uh, ginger ale I think? You can take a seat if you want.
[ He rubs at the back of his neck again, trying to remember. The kitchen isn't a place he spends a whole lot of time in these days. Most of his meals are eaten on the go. ]
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Date: 2022-08-26 05:01 am (UTC)She takes a seat on the couch, moving the controller out of the way to settle in. ]
A beer would be awesome. Or just a Coke. Either's fine.
[ He looks oddly uncertain, like he isn't entirely sure about what he's offering, and she doesn't want him to feel bad if it turns out he's lower on beer than he thought. She smiles at him, trying to be reassuring. Honestly, she's still grateful for him giving her an extension on the delivery fee, plus hooking her up with what had turned out to be some kickass weed. ]
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Date: 2022-08-26 06:34 am (UTC)[ Jesse laughs. Not like he's ever fucking gone by that particular rule. He's been guilty of having a beer upon rolling out of bed first thing in the morning on more than a few occasions. But Jesse's well aware that not everybody lives his sort of reckless lifestyle. He spends most days flying by the seat of his pants, but truth be told he finds some comfort in that. No planning to do, no need to keep track of, like, a calendar hung on the wall or whatever. Just wake up and do what he wants, spend a few hours driving around and collecting money and then come home and get fucked up or play video games and order pizza. Whatever he wants. Who wouldn't want to live like him? Lots of people, apparently, but he still can't understand that. ]
These are pretty good.
[ He gestures with the bottles, one in each hand. ]
Naughty Nurse IPA. I dunno if you've tried it before, but I think it's pretty tasty.
[ He sets the bottles down on the coffee table, fishing his keychain out of his pocket that conveniently has a little bottle opener on it. He pops the top on each one and then lowers himself casually onto the couch, laying an arm across the back of it. ]
So, uh, what're you in school for? If that's not, like, too personal...
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Date: 2022-08-27 08:19 am (UTC)But even Britta knows that this isn't the time or the place. Maybe once they know each other a little better. Next week, for instance. But for now, she just smiles and takes the bottle as normally as possible, carefully not looking at the label and whatever offensive picture it might contain. ]
Thanks.
[ It's just beer, after all. And when she takes a reluctant sip, it is actually pretty good (apart from the inescapable aftertaste of objectification and thousands of years of oppression, that is). She follows Jesse's lead, relaxing onto the couch. ]
Nah, it's cool. I'm not really sure yet, though. Just kinda seeing what's out there. [ She glances at him. He seems pretty young, and hardly like a college graduate. ] What about you? Are you in school?
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Date: 2022-08-27 09:05 am (UTC)Yeah, no problem.
[ Jesse is blissfully unaware of the rant going on in Britta's head. He notes that she looks pretty relaxed there on his couch, so everything's fine. ]
I hear that. I didn't know what I wanted to learn, either.
[ Which had led to learning nothing, apparently. ]
I dunno, I probably coulda' benefitted from, like, taking a year off instead of rushing right into college , but my folks. They're kind've the hard ass types. Said they'd, like, cut me off if I didn't apply. So I ended up at DeVry taking classes for, like, data entry. Boring shit I barely lasted a week. Anyway, that whole experience kinda' left a bad taste in my mouth so I decided to go the, uh, entrepreneurial route.
[ AKA he became a drug dealer full-time. Maybe he'd go back to school someday, but for now he is making better money than a lot of people are his age with entry-level jobs. He makes his own schedule, works from home and around the city, and he doesn't have to pay taxes. Aside from the whole threat of being thrown in jail, it's actually a pretty sweet deal.
He takes a swig off of his beer bottle, resting it against his knee as he fiddles with the bottle. Britta's going to learn fairly quickly that Jesse can never sit still. ]
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Date: 2022-08-29 05:18 am (UTC)[ Britta had done the same thing...starting when she dropped out of high school. Hey, sometimes you need to take a lot of time to find yourself. It's only now, at age 28, that she's back in school, trying to figure out what she wants to do with her life.
Jesse doesn't seem to have that problem. For the moment, anyway. "Entrepreneurial" is one way to put it, but it's not wrong. She smiles at him, sipping her beer. It's kind of annoying how good it tastes, despite the name. ]
It seems to be working out for you.
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Date: 2022-08-29 05:54 am (UTC)[ He shrugs. He has no idea how old Britta is, but some chicks get offended when you ask shit like that, so he avoids the potential for conflict entirely. As it stands, she seems a little old to be a freshman or sophomore or whatever, but that's not really any of his business. ]
It's not bad. Y'know, for now.
[ It's not like he wants to still be doing this bullshit when he's old like Mr. White. He cringes at that thought. ]
Honestly, I got no idea what I'd be doing otherwise. Somethin' with, like, art, maybe. But it kinda seems like you gotta go and die before any of your shit ends up worth any real scratch in that line of work.
[ Jesse takes another swig of beer, then picks at the label. ]
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Date: 2022-08-30 02:33 am (UTC)[ She feels you, Jesse. Britta shakes her head, looking disgusted. At least Jesse seems to have succeeded despite his own parents not giving him the support or space he needed. Well, as much as being a drug dealer can be described as "succeeding," anyway. But he's got this house and seems to be doing okay for himself.
She nods sympathetically, looking interested when he mentions art. ]
Isn't the whole point of art that you do it anyway even if you end up broke?
[ Starving artists are a thing, right? Something about it being a calling, and not caring about the money. She frowns thoughtfully. ]
Maybe you could finance your art with your...you know...other activities.
[ Like selling weed. ]
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Date: 2022-08-30 02:59 am (UTC)[ Jesse kind of wants to go on a rant about his and the unfairness of it all, but he holds it in not wanting to sound like a whiny bitch or anything. Besides, he can't really complain. He's got a roof over his head and enough money to pay his bills. That's more than a lot of people can say, sadly. ]
Yeah, I mean if the whole point of art is the money then I'm pretty sure you're doin' it wrong. I dunno, though. It's been, like, years since I last picked up a pencil and paper. I drew a shit-ton as a kid and I got kind of into woodworking during this vo-tech class in high school. But I haven't done much with any of that since then. Maybe I'll pick it up again; who knows.
[ Jesse shrugs. It's not like he doesn't have the time. Maybe he just lacks the motivation. He can't exactly complain about his life, but he has been feeling like he's in a little bit of a rut lately. Like he's just spinning his wheels and not really going anywhere. ]
What about you? What's your 'thing'? Aside from having good taste in weed.
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Date: 2022-09-05 01:36 am (UTC)[ Woodworking? Just the fact that he'd managed to get through the class without sawing any of his fingers off is an achievement in her book. She smiles when he compliments her taste in weed - hey, he's right. She definitely can't complain about the quality. But at his question she just shrugs her shoulders. ]
I'm...kind of an activist.
[ Said in a tone that's supposed to be downplaying it, with a supposedly-embarrassed smile, but in actuality, Britta had wanted nothing more than for him to ask. She shrugs, like it's no big deal. (It is a big deal). ]
I joined the Peace Corps and visited Africa. And I was in this feminist anarchist group for a while, but it kind of fell apart.
[ She shrugs. ]
That's why I'm at Greendale, I guess.
[ Just trying to firue out some kind of direction for her life. ]
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Date: 2022-09-05 01:35 pm (UTC)Feminist anarchist, huh? Sounds pretty badass.
[ So long as it doesn't mean he'll be totally hated on just for having a dick. Jesse is totally clueless as to the ins and outs of feminism. But he's always been pro women's rights and none of his behavior that might be seen as misogynistic has ever been intended as such. ]
That's cool you're in college, though. I'm sure you'll find some shit you're interested in. Worst case, it's always easy money sellin' on a college campus.
[ He's joking. He's totally joking. ]
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Date: 2022-09-06 04:52 am (UTC)Oh, yeah. It's a great place to rally for causes.
[ Not that she's made a major point of doing that so far...look, it's been a lot of work, getting used to being a student again, okay? It's been a long time since she had to worry about classes and homework and shit. But when he suggests selling, she gives him a sidelong look, more wary than intrigued. For the moment, at least. ]
What, are you looking for distributors or something?
[ She scoffs. Totally a joke, right? ]
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Date: 2022-12-17 05:39 am (UTC)[ He really has no fucking clue what he's talking about, but it sounds good, so he rolls with it, just trying to keep the conversation going. Jesse has a habit of not always admitting when he knows nothing about a subject, particularly when someone seems passionate about it, so he sometimes fakes it. At least just enough to get by in conversation.
Jesse notices Britta's wary side-eye when he mentions picking up selling part-time. He was kidding. Wasn't he? He raises a brow when she asks if he's looking for distributors. Hmm. ]
I mean I could always use more boots to the ground, y'know? But...I'm not necessarily looking. It's pretty much just me right now, far as sales go. Networking, though. I mean. If you know anybody cool lookin' for stuff. Don't like, give 'em my number or anything but you could always do the whole middle-man thing and, hey, tack on a little tax for yourself.