3296/Down at the Courthouse

Down at the Courthouse
Date of Scene:	02 December 2017
Location:	New York City
Synopsis:	Matt Murdock and Jennifer Walters meet
Cast of Characters:	Daredevil, She-Hulk

---

Daredevil has posed:
    Lunch time in New York can be as varied as the people that populate the city itself. For some it's this hectic time as they try to get all their orders served. For others it's a chance to take a breath and relax. Yet for the people down at the courthouse, it's mandatory. The building ceases to function, the courts are adjourned, the city offices close, and from twelve to one nothing of import gets done.
    And on those days that Matt Murdock finds himself having to present a case or get records filed, he ends up spending lunch time there more often than not. So much so that when he's there, the others who spend their time there recognize the man at a glance. When he emerges from the side double doors that lead out towards the small side walkway that's lined with grass and benches, he's greeted with calls of hello and the occasional wave to accompany them.
    "Hey, Mr. Murdock."
    "Counselor."
    "Heya, Matt."
    To which he responds with a warm smile as he walks down that sidewalk with his sack lunch in one hand and his cane in the other. "Hey everyone."
    He moves down the way and one of the parking attendants stands up and tells him, "Here, Mr. Murdock. I just finished you can have my seat."
    "Thanks, Eddie. Appreciate it." Matt flashes that easy-going smile even as he settles onto the bench and starts to open his bag.

She-Hulk has posed:
    "Seeya later, Eddie," comes the voice of the woman still sitting on the bench. Jennifer Walters is dressed in a business suit, a pair of sensible pumps on her feet. Standing just barely at 5'5", her body is slim and quite petite of form. Nothing at all like her alter ego. Her company insists on her being this version of herself for cases. It was one of the points they made upon offering her the position. While Matt has his bagged lunch, she opted to get a brat from the vendor out in front of the building. They really were the best in town. In this form, one was enough. A can of soda is resting on the ground next to her left foot, the top already popped open. She was about to take a bite of her lunch when the trade of lunch buddies occurred.
    She glances over at the man now sitting next to her, taking in the glasses and the cane.
    "Murdock? As in Matt Murdock of Nelson and Murdock?" she asks curiously.

Daredevil has posed:
    For a moment the man with the red hair and those reflective glasses smiles at her, and he seems to struggle for a moment with something that almost pains him. But then he gives in to the temptation to make the most predictable and horrible joke a lawyer can probably make that assuredly she's heard many times before. "Guilty."
    But his smile twists up into life as he says that, expecting to hear the /groan/ that often comes after such a terrible joke. But he's opening his bagged lunch and pulling out a can of fruit juice that he opens with a faint snap-hiss of carbonation escaping. He tilts it back and takes a few swallows before he sets it down on his thigh.
    "Ms. Walters? If I'm not mistaken." He'll wait a moment for her perhaps to express a hint of incredulity at how he might be able to recognize her when he says, "I sat in on a few of your cases. You argue very well. And your oration is very good. Projection, I mean."

She-Hulk has posed:
    Instead of the groan, Jennifer actually giggles. "I prefer not guilty but we'll go with that," she teases back lightly. As he works on his juice, she takes her first bite of lunch. There is that lovely snap of the skin on the brat seared to perfection on a bun with just a little bit of mustard to complete it. The inside is hot with just a little bite to make it heavenly. She lets out a little moan that has nothing to do with bad jokes and everything to do with her food. She chews and swallows, wiping her mouth with a napkin which she places back in her lap.
    At him knowing who she is, her brow does furrow. She knows they haven't met. They've never been on a case against each other. How did he...? "Ah, that explains it. I was about to ask if you were psychic. I can't say the same but your reputation precedes you. Everyone says you are the man to go do for a great defense attorney."

Daredevil has posed:
    As he talks to her he's 'looking' straight ahead, his features easily mutable and expressive, as if it were impossible for him to hide his thoughts behind them as he converses with her. His nostrils flare then, however, the smell of that brat a bit tempting but he says. "That smells delicious, don't suppose you want to trade?" He holds up a saran wrapped sandwich that's a pale brown and grey with the filling being very clearly... tuna fish. He shakes it a little as he makes the offer, but smiles again as he starts to unwrap the sandwich, knowing she'd be fairly insane to make that partiular plea bargain.
    "That's nice of you to say," He crinkles his nose, "Especially after that Hawkins case." His last case, that he did his best with but unfortunately lost. It was a hard fought one, however, at the least.
    "But it's nice to be talked about." He tilts his head, "What brings you here today?"

She-Hulk has posed:
    "I always say that as long as I'm being talked about, they gossips are leaving someone else alone," Jennifer says as she watches him unwrap his sandwich. Her nose wrinkles in distaste before she can stop herself. The good news, he's blind so won't see it. "And at least what they say about you is positive. Everyone agreed that the Hawkins case was unwinnable. I know that's no consolation. We tend to be rather hard headed about such things." It's just the nature of litigators.
    "I had to file some motions on a case I'm working. I wasn't going to pass up the chance to have one of Henry's brats though." She considers his sandwich again then her brat.
    There are two reasons she can imagine someone eating tuna fish. Maybe three. First, they really like tuna fish. Since he was willing to trade, that wasn't it. Second, they are trying to eat healthy or lose weight. From what she can see, he doesn't need any help in that aread although admittedly she can't tell a lot. He's certainly not overweight. Third and final, money. Tuna is cheap. His firm is known for their pro bono work so that clicks into place for her.
    "I'll take that trade, Mr. Murdock. If you don't mind that I already took a bite. I promise I don't have cooties."

Daredevil has posed:
    Lifting a hand as he finishes unwrapping that sandwich, Matt shakes his head. "I thought I had something there with the witnesses having such different stories, enough for shadow of a doubt at least." But then he gives a small shrug of his shoulders as he lowers his head slightly. There's a furrow to his brow, as if he were trying to think of something he could have done to help, or something he could do now. But he takes a bite of his sandwich for now at least.
    A few moments after he chews and swallows he tilts his head back her direction as she makes those deductions about his sandwich. When she finally voices the statement he sort of cocks an eyebrow her direction. "Are you sure about that?"
    He gives a nod, "If you don't mind. Personally, I do totally have cooties." His lip quirks, but he offers her the sandwich in exchange for one of her brats. It is likely that money is a factor, but he's proud of course.
    "Personally, I knew you were the real deal when you argued for the city after that mess with the Fantastic Four."

She-Hulk has posed:
    "I'm sure," Jennifer says. She takes the tuna fish the gives him the brat. She lifts a corner of the bread, checking his blend. Looks like a good ratio of mayo and relish. She may survive this after all. Besides, after she gets out of here she'll shift to her alter ego and pick up about four more. She lets the bread drop back into place. "I'm pretty sure I'm cootie proof but if not, I'll send you my medical bills later."
    She takes a bite of the sandwich. Not bad. It's food. That's all that matters.
    At the mention of that case, she actually blushes slightly and quickly bends to pick up her soda, her brown hair falling forward to obscure her face and help hide her embarassment. She takes a sip then puts the can back down by her foot before straightening. The pink hue in her cheeks is fading. "That was a bit of a mess really. Not sure it's one I want to be remembered for. Kind of put me at odds with my friends for a while but they forgave me and let me help out with the team still from time to time."

Daredevil has posed:
    Of course Matt doesn't exactly see that embarrassment, but he can sense it. Enough that it causes him to smile faintly at the corner of his mouth. "Hey, it's a sign that someone can put aside personal issues so they can deal with the law and what it means to be a lawyer..." Yet as he speaks his brow furrows as what he's saying occurs to him, and causes a moment of introspection.
    Normally it might not last too long, but it's enough that it causes Matt to turn to the side slightly, lifting fingertips to adjust his glasses and make sure they're in place. After a moment he says, 'hm'.
    "Walters, I'm going to pitch a hypothetical at you." He lifts his chin. "Suppose. Just for the sake of argument. Suppose you had an ex that you knew wasn't entirely trustworthy, at least where some things were concerned but you could trust their word."
    He leans to the side and takes another bite of her bratwurst and looks thoughtful, as if he were looking far off into the distance. "And they gave their word, offering to perhaps help you with your efforts. Some cases. Something. But you know they're bad news. At least on some level. Whether it's professionally, personally, or... whatever. You seem able to keep those things separate. What's your trick or thought on the matter?"

She-Hulk has posed:
    Jennifer purses her lips as she considers the situation he describes. "Well, if you opt to do it then you need to be sure you have some ironclad contracts in place. Detail out what they can and cannot do in regards to their assistance or their influence on you and yours. Personally, being that you know this person isn't trustworthy and is going to probably have an angle they will try to work, that's the only way you could even consider it. Run it through a couple of outside firms, some friends in the field, make sure there are not loopholes." Lawyers do lover their loopholes.
    "You have to protect yourself. Although I have to wonder why an ex is wanting to help you out? That makes all my warning bells go off. "

Daredevil has posed:
    "Mine too," Matt says as he takes another bite of the brat, then chews for a time. Eventually he takes a breath and gives a small exhalation that's not quite a sigh. "That is, in this hypothetical they would be going off." His lip twists a little even as he reaches into his bag and produces a half of an apple that he breaks into quarters, offering her a piece should she wish though that doesn't stop him from taking a bite of his own.
    "My partner thinks it's a good idea for some reason. But who knows?" A small smirk touches his features. "Of course I have a feeling my ex is most likely a bit crazier than any of yours." He nods solemnly even as he starts to get some of the trash together, tossing it into his bag, likely getting ready to depart soon.

She-Hulk has posed:
    "Yeah, most of my exes are pretty sane. I'm usually the problem." Jennifer doesn't elaborate on that. She's only had a couple of long term relationships in the past which ended on pretty good terms. But they still ended. They couldn't handle her lifestyle and the duality of her. Her current one? She's keeping her fingers crossed since things are going well so far.
    "If you opt to give it a try, feel free to tag me on it." She pulls a card out of her pocket and offers it, giving her firm's information as well as her direct line at the office. "I'll be glad to review it for you."
    She follows his lead and starts to clean up her trash although she has to swig down a last swallow of soda before adding the can to her small pile.

Daredevil has posed:
    Taking the card he brushes a thumb over it for a moment, then pockets it as he smiles to her. "I'll think about it." He gets to his feet and reaches a hand out, finds the trash bin and tosses his refuse in. Then he offers to do the same for hers even as he gathers his cane up and sets it down upon the sidewalk with a faint click.
    "It was nice meeting you, Ms. Walters. Always good to hear a friendly voice when out and about." He brushes a hand over the buttons of his suit, making sure everything is nice and set. Once he's squared away he smiles to her, "Good luck your next time in court." A nod is given to her as well.