[log] Just Gotta Get Out [closed]

[rubikscomplex]

Characters: House, Al, Joker, Steve, Jade, and Rhys/holo!Jack
Location E15 - Building 130 (the Pharmacy)
Date: Day 097, Evening and through the Night
Summary: A very unlikely group of people get stuck in a building together for the night. At least least four of them have a decently good reason to want to punch one of the others.
Warnings: All warnings that come along with Joker, House, and holo!Handsome Jack

[One could say that the Norfinbury Hospital Pharmacy is one that's decently-sized. It must have once also had a small section for food, but the shelves are empty now save what few items can be found. Occasionally there's even medicine. Of course, to say that it's decently-sized is considering that usually only two or three people are in it at a time. Six is pushing the limit, especially six people who really don't have any business being in each other's vicinity.

Al is the first one there, taking the day to investigate his new surroundings, but the others trickle in slowly, some more worn than others from a long march.]

Comments

[harlequinofhate]

[Joker looks up and doesn't move his foot.

Well, here's a voice he recognizes. The interest in vents only confirms his suspicion.]

They're just gonna fix it when you're not looking, Doc.

[He lays down another card, still not moving his foot.]

[rubikscomplex]

But it's that thrill I get making the spiders rebuild the web. The Admin won't talk to me anyway. Thought I could use the vents to spell out 'let's talk.' Might as well, if they're watching. Left my boombox at home, and I can't find their window. What's a guy to do?

[His cane lifts and comes to rest on one of the cards that's the obvious next move in Joker's game. This is an incredibly minor power play between the pair of them, but it seems important for establishing how the rest of this evening is going to go.]

[harlequinofhate]

[Joker looks at the cane and grimaces.]

Excuse me, Doc, your cane is on my card.

[rubikscomplex]

'Scuse me, White, your foot is on my vent cover.

[harlequinofhate]

I can't move my foot.

[He says this calmly.]

It hurts.

Ever hike through a cave in high heels?

[rubikscomplex]

Well, there was that time in med school...

Tough break, Mr. Chuckles, one piece of floor's as good as the next.

[harlequinofhate]

See, our hostess will be expecting you to remove all the vents. Gotta keep her on her toes.

[He reaches out to push the cane away.]

[rubikscomplex]

I've heard she's got a lot of toes. We're keeping 'her' on enough of them.

[House lets the cane slide... and holds down enough to take the cards it's sitting on along with it. Joker's decision how much they get slid out of place.]

[harlequinofhate]

[Joker looks up with an expression of exaggerated lamentation.]

Must you? I am very tired.

[rubikscomplex]

Just gotta move your foot... like not even a foot. 30 seconds, I'll go away.

[Look how magnanimous he's being.]

[harlequinofhate]

Say "Please".

[rubikscomplex]

[House considers it, but he's not going to be the one to bend first here. Instead he bats eyes.]

Aw, c'mon, dude! Won't you do it 'cause we're pals?

[harlequinofhate]

[Joker looks up at House with a murderous scowl and sits back slightly as he considers whether or not he should pull a knife from his belt.]

do feel free to have Joker do his thing if he would

[rubikscomplex]

[Well, that's a look. But how likely is the Joker to let everyone else see him attack a cripple over being a little rude? Time to find out.

The doctor just raises his brows and smiles back.]

[harlequinofhate]

[Joker slowly returns House's smile with one of his own. It's an immense, ghastly smile that shows entirely too many teeth.]

Okey dokey, Doc!

'Cause we're pals.

[He moves his foot.]

[rubikscomplex]

[House stares down at Joker, his own grin fading, and he removes his cane. There's a very loud voice in his head telling him to back away now because a smile like that is more dangerous than murderous intent. He pockets the screwdriver briefly and pops one of his Vicodin.

They've come this far, and the doctor simply moves to kneel down, laying his cane on the floor and beginning to unscrew the vent. Victory. To an extent. He'll see how long it lasts.]

Golly gee! Thanks, White!

[He's not even looking at Joker as he says this, pretending at a lack of interest now that he's gotten what he wants. It's only a few screws, and if he's left alone, House will finish quickly enough; though, the screwdriver might slip once as he keeps his senses tuned to the other man.]

[harlequinofhate]

[The Joker leaves House alone but makes a point of watching him closely as he works, barely blinking.

The good Doc seems rattled. That's funny.]

Nice screwdriver. Can I have it?

[rubikscomplex]

No.

[House pockets it again as he moves to stand up, using the wall to brace himself and lifting the vent along with him.]

Well, it's been fun. Enjoy the game and the rest of the clowns here.

[He turns to head back over to the counter where he's stacking vents. House resolves to just keep an eye on the other man for the evening. Maybe he can egg someone else on to go bother him so he can watch. Al's friendly.]

[harlequinofhate]

Sure thing, Doc.

[He resumes his game of quietly playing solitaire, though his focus remains more on the rest of the room than on the cards. House might catch him Joker looking his way every once in a while.]