11345/The Fox and the Cheetah

The Fox and the Cheetah
Date of Scene:	15 April 2020
Location:	Alister Grinly's Estate, Metropolis
Synopsis:	Zorro and Cheetah get together for a chat.
Cast of Characters:	Zorro, Cheetah

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Zorro has posed:
Everyone in the Cosmetics scene was at least slightly familiar with the "great" Alister Grinly. Grinly, the head of Aphrodite Perfums and Colognes, was always an eccentric fellow. Often called "The Cosmetic World's Howard Hughes", Grinly was known for both his charitable work, and for his very elaborate, and some may say, sometimes very overblown parties. This party wasn't any different. Grinly has recently turned 93, a big milestone for the old man. To celebrate, he has decided to hold a "grand ol' ball" at his estate in Metropolis, formal attire required.

Tonight was the night, and anyone who was anyone in Metropolis' social scene was there, dressed in their formal best. Among these socialites however, was someone outside of their circle. It was the Broadway actor, Hector Rodriguez. He was one of Grinly's personal friends and was invited to the party out of good-will. As Grinly stood by the front door of his estate, greeting guests as they walked in, Hector hung by the punch bowl, casually ladeling some punch. While he was here to enjoy himself, he was also keeping an ear out for any leads on any form of "Tyranny." It appears that The Fox's work is never done.

Cheetah has posed:
Barbara-Ann Minerva, President and CEO of Cat's Eye Cosmetics, had arrived fashionably late. She knew Grinly -- 'Dear Alister' -- only fleetingly. But she knew enough: Grinly was fabulously wealthy, terribly old, and unattached. She attached less importance to the last datapoint than to the first two and had dressed accordingly. A good predator always seeks out the most vulnerable and it wouldn't be the first time she had had to lie on her back and think of England. So to speak.

At present, Minerva is standing with a small clutch of her societal equals: investment bankers, businessmen, and real estate developers: the elite of Metropolis. One such titan of industry was speaking, "...it's a dump! You should see how those /people/," there is an odd inflection added to the word 'people', "live. It's ridiculous!" There is an approving chuckle from his assembled audience - including Minerva - and his words carry over the low din of the party.

Zorro has posed:
Hector stopped mid-sip when he heard the loud, bellowing voice of a familiar man. The voice, of course, belonged to Rupert J. Fogg, a local real estate developer and one of Zorro's eventual targets. Hector immediatley started to make his way towards the gathered crowd, who were laughing at Foggs statement. It still amazed him how cruel people can be. As he got closer, he heard Fogg say,

"Why, i hope that dump gets torn down and replaced with something better!"

Suddenly, a younger voice chimed in, saying,

"I know a guy that can help with that."

This statement came from Rupert P. Westinghouse, a young playboy and heir to the Westinghouse Liquor Company. No doubt trying to get the approval of his older equals, he cleared his throat and said,

"I know a developer that would leap at a opportunity like this. I know him as Arthur Snoke. But, everyone i known calls him Smokes. He could be interested in a project like that."

Hector raised his brow as he got closer, he never heard of this "Smokes" before. As he edged closer to the group, he tried his hardest not to be noticed.

Cheetah has posed:
Some in Fogg's audience discreetly start to drift away as soon as Westinghouse speaks. Not everyone wants to swim in shark-infested waters. Many patrons remain, however. It's just talk. There's nothing criminal in listening to what Rupert has to say.

For her part, Minerva remains but cringes ever so slightly. Westinghouse has spoken out of turn, unbidden, and louder than the situation had warranted. He's young and needs to learn how to read a room. The imaginary Rolodex in Barbara-Ann's mind shuffles Rupert's invisible card. Inexperience can be a useful thing. She doesn't seem to notice Hector's approach.

Fogg is a skilled host and quietly smooths over potential embarrassment by ensuring the subsequent silence and departures are glossed over. "Smokes, you say?" Fogg's reply subtly adjusts the volume of the conversation knowing Westinghouse is likely to unconsciously follow suit.

Zorro has posed:
Westinghouse glances around and seems to visually realize what he had just done. He then says, in a lower, hushed voice,

"Yeah, My Pop knows him. He ehlped build a brewery in Chicago. The guy smokes like a damned locamotive. I've seen him smoke three pipes at once. But, he he is pretty damn good at his job. I will give him that."

Hector swore to himself as Westinghouse's voice lowered to match the dim of the room. Damn, he would have to get closer. But, before he could get close, he heard Grinly's voice call out to him.

"Ahh Sanchez, there you are! Enjoying yourself?!"

Hector cringed at this, hoping his friend did not draw attention to him. He then turned and said,

"Yes Alister, I am."

"My firnd, i see that you aren't interacting. It is healthy for a man your age ot go about and intereact. Besides, your still a bachelor, a man of your age and status should be at least, what these youngsters are calling "Shackled up" by now."

Hecotor blushes at this statement and says," Senor, you know i am no-" Hector is interuppted when Grinly suddenly wraps his arm around his shoulder and starts walking hm over to Minerva, grinning while saying,

"Let me introduce you to someone i know. She is the head of Cat's Eye Cosmetics. She's quite wealthy, and single."

He says this last line with raised eyebrows. Hector meanwhile, was trying to subtly resist Grinly grip. He was trying to spy on Minerva and her friends, not get mixed up with them. However, he failed and he soon found himself in front of the group with Alister saying,

"Minerva, my dear. Let me introduce you to my friend, Hector Rodriguez. He is a Broadway actor, a sucessful one at that."

Cheetah has posed:
At the sound of Alister's voice, Minerva's mouth starts to cultivate a sly smile. She hadn't planned on making a move on the old coot until much later in the evening but since he's forcing her hand...

Barbara-Ann is mid-turn when the full extent of Grinly's greeting registers. Two words in particular stick out: 'Actor' and 'Rodriguez.' Now it's her turn to cringe. Behind her, Westinghouse is still speaking but, to her great irritation, Minerva can no longer follow what he's saying. This rather hostile interplay occurs beneath a warm exterior. Outwardly she offers Alister a bubbly greeting and a small, cultured kiss upon the cheek. To Hector, a flawless smile and an open hand. "An actor you say? How delightful!"

Zorro has posed:
Grinly accepted the kiss with a small smile as Hector relucatantly took Minerva's hand and shook it. She had been mocking some poor unfortunates a minute ago, now she acting all riendly and poliete. This made Hector want to puke and he made a mental note to wash his hand when he got home. He then smiled polietly, hiding his true feelings as he said in a thick Spanish accent,

"Yes Senorita, i am a actor. A pleasure to meet the CEO of Cat's Eye. Enjoying the party this evening Senorita? Mr. Grinly sure knows how to throw them."

Grinly started to walk away, leaving the two to chat. Westinghouse has also stopped talking, due to Fogg suddenly being called away to help Grinly with something.

Cheetah has posed:
With herculean effort, Barbara-Ann keeps her green-eyed stare fixed on Hector instead of Alister as the older man wanders away. Come back, money bags! Come back! Don't leave me here with...whatever /THIS/ is.

"He does, doesn't he?" Minerva replies in a crisp, English accent. She leans toward Hector slightly, "To be honest, I find the company a little trying." Barbara-Ann places a soft hand on Hector's shoulder and motions with her head as she leads him a little way from her previous confidants, "Everyone trying to out alpha-male the other." She takes a sip of champagne from the fine crystal in her left hand. "One has to go along to get along, of course." Minerva rolls her eyes as though in self-chastisement, "You'd never guess that half the room are regular contributors to my charity." Barbara-Ann is no dummy. Years of practiced self-preservation are engaged seamlessly: she has no idea who Hector is or whom he might have access to. At worst, she's painted herself as a disinterested and perhaps shallow observer of all this 'big dog' talk.

Zorro has posed:
Hector nodded softly, glancing a bit as her hand touched his shoulder. As Minerva talked, his mind drifted to the conversation She was in earlier. Who was this Smokes, would Fogg try to contact him, how did he know Westinghouse. He was suddenly interuppted by Minerva refrencing her charity and how half the people her donated to it. Hector nodded and said,

That's nice to hear, more people should be generous with their money when it comes to the unfortunate."

Within however, Hector felt even more sick, no doubt She was only doing this for a tax break. Before he can say anything else, Grinly suddenly reappeared with Fogg, grins evident on their faces as they suddenly called the party to halt. Grinly held up a ballot box and said,

As you know, every year when I hold a ball, i hold a election to decide the Ball's King and Queen. It was a close election but the people have spoken."

Fogg grin grew wider as he turned to and smirked at Grinly, who subtly winked back at him. No doubt the two were up to something. Suddenly, Grinly pulled out a sheet of paper and said with a audible chuckle,

"The winners are Senor Sanchez and Madame Minerva. They shall now dance a waltz at the center of the dance floor to celebrate their corination, which will happen at the end of the night."

As the crowd cheered and clapped, Fogg turns his head towards Minerva and grins maliciously, no doubt his idea of a practical joke. He seems to mouth to you, "Have fun with the actor."

Hector was also shocked, he had no idea this was a thing. This was no doubt Grinly attempt at matchmaking. He then turns to Minerva awkardly and says, "Shall we senorita?"

Cheetah has posed:
Minerva's smiles warmly as she (successfully) feigns polite embarrassment. She hands her drink to one of the may courtiers who approach to provide encouragement. Inwardly, she's torn. Of course she would be voted Queen. Just look at her. That part wasn't an issue. It was her royal consort...

"Why, of course!" For a moment she buries her beaming face into Hector's shoulder to further sell her timidity at this whole affair. In doing so, she can't help but note that her soon-to-be dance partner is in rather fine condition for an actor. Minerva takes Hector's hand and the two make their way to the dance floor. She offers Fogg a look of her own. One that says a past dalliance with a maid and an illegitimate bundle of joy are about to become very public. Not that Fogg has ever been that good at reading non-verbal cues. "Can you waltz, señor?" You better be able to.