Every Dog Has its Day

[OrochiGeese]

*The scene fades in to the Peter Venkman Memorial Arena. The front door to the UBL business headquarters open up and Robin Walker saunters through, with a guest. Only this time she is not accompanied by her protective brother Kyle or her significant amnesiac-other Geese. This time she's visiting with man's best friend: a black and tan Doberman Pinscher. Some of the workers look nervous given the determined look on the dog's face and the complete absence of a leash. But Robin reassures them...by not siccing the dog on them. She walks further down the hallway and stops just about in the middle of two doors spaced out 30 feet from each other. The sign on the first office says "Sergeant Drake Yoshida" and the sign on the second office says "Doctor Gabriel Holt." Robin takes a look at her watch, shrugs, and begins playing with the dog.*

[Robin:] "I guess we're early, Ceppy."

*The dog growls but in a non-menacing way.*

[Robin:] "Oh come on, we've been over this. Your full name is too formal. Interceptor? I really don't know what Clyde was thinking when he came up with that. Ceppy is much more peppy, even Jean agrees!"

*Interceptor perks up at the mention of Jean and Robin smiles.*

[Robin:] "For a girl whose up to her starry lunar eyes in cats, you'd never believe she'd be so great with dogs too. What can I say, animals love her!  I'm sure you'll see her and the rest of us again very soon too. But for now - *checks her watch again* - we got some business to do. Remember, look housebroken or else this may not work."

*Robin goes back to petting Interceptor. A few minutes later, the door to Drake's office opens and Joachim walks out. Upon seeing Robin, he pauses and looks back at Drake, with an annoyed expression.*

[Robin:] "Phew, you figured it out. I was really hoping we'd get to skip the whole 'fancy meeting you here, pardna - what a coincidink' part of the ruse and get down to it. And come on, it's not like Drake didn't have anything useful to say to you!"

[Joachim:] "He asked to play sudoku with me and kept the conversation going until he heard him bark."

*Joachim points to the dog and then does a double take upon initial recognition. Robin smiles.*

[Robin:] "Ahhh, and now you see the reason for the meeting rather than just the pretext."

[Joachim:] "I...I know that dog."

[Robin:] "And he knows you. Go ahead, Ceppy."

*Interceptor runs to Joachim and licks him on the hand. Joachim smiles but remains on guard as he looks at Robin.*

[Robin:] "O'Brian doesn't trust you, and I can understand why. But I really don't feel the same way. So all I ask is for you to return that initial leap of trust that I'm giving you. 

[Joachim:]  "It would have helped your cause if you just asked to meet with me up front."

[Robin:] "Moreno's got everyone bugged.  We couldn't risk a direct attempt at communication.  It took five different people to get you in the same place as me without it looking suspicious. And Thunder Strike set off an EMP in this hallway right before I got here so that we'd have fifteen minutes to talk before surveillance would come back online."

[Joachim:]  "Fine.  I'll forgive the pretext then.  What is it that you wish to say to me?:

[Robin:] "I believe you really have left Destiny-"

[Joachim:] "Moreno left Destiny by twisting and corrupting it."

[Robin:] "Okay, okay, I get it.  You're a man of philosophy and words matter.  I have no doubt that she ruined the organization that originally represented your belief system. My point was that I know you have split with her. And because of that, you and I have a common enemy. I don't know what you think of me, or of Geese-"

[Joachim:] "Who I am guessing is in the next room meeting with Dr. Holt."

*Robin smiles and nods her head.*

[Robin:] "Wow, you really are the deductive sort."

[Joachim:] "It helped that the television in the office next door was loudly announcing stock prices."

[Robin:] "Ha! Pick up any tips."

[Joachim:] "That shared enemies do not make allies."

*Robin smiles then looks at Interceptor*

[Robin:] "This guy's a tough cookie!"

[Joachim:] "Enough. I want you to explain to me how you have come in possession of a dog that used to roam the grounds outside the Destiny compound. A dog that seemed to favor-"

*Robin smiles and winks*

[Joachim:] "Wait, you know the man who this dog regularly visited??"

[Robin:] "Brother Baram? The man who took a bullet for you? Yeah, we go back almost twenty years."

*Joachim looks shocked at this and remains silently thinking.*

[Robin:] "And I believe that you are still in contact with him. So I'm going to ask a favor of you."

*Robin takes an envelope out of her pocket and hands it to Joachim, who is apprehensive to receive it.*

[Robin:] "Relax, it's just a letter. Please bring it to him along with Interceptor. Yes, that's his name. It's Baram's dog and it has been for a long time now. I do not know what you think of me or my family and friends. But I know that you are a man of integrity and honor. Right now, Baram needs his dog and I need him to read this. Can I count on you?"

*Joachim glances in the direction of Dr. Holt's door.*

[Robin:] "I'm really not making a threat, just a request. Geese isn't going to spring out of that door if you say no. Just understand, that if you deny my request or lie to me about accepting it, Interceptor will return to me on his own."

*Joachim looks at Interceptor whose eyes briefly toughen with resolve.*

[Joachim:] "You have my promise that Baram will receive both of your offerings."

*Robin smiles and waves to Interceptor, which causes his eyes to soften again.*

[Robin:] "May I ask you one further question?"

[Joachim:] "Yes."

[Robin:] "Do you know where Dr. Schassberg is?"

[Joachim:] "I have no idea. Moreno refused to acknowledge that she had anything to do with his abduction every time I questioned her about it.  I realize that the threat of Jakob of Furis' return demands Schassberg's immediate release and intervention but, unfortunately, I can be of no further help to you on this matter."

[Robin:] "I understand.  I was hoping I could help two birds with one meal but this will have to do for now."

[Joachim:] "While I don't fully understand your motives, I believe them to be pure.  You are very different than how I expected you to be. Moreno truly hates you and I admit to letting her propaganda bias me as well. I apologize for that."

[Robin:] "Apology accepted.  Look, there's a lot I deserve to be hated for. But right now, I'm trying to do what's right. And that means defeating Moreno and reducing her influence in this world but doing it the right way. That's why it was so important that I talked to you. I'm sorry for having Drake call you in under false pretenses."

[Joachim:] "Apology accepted as well."

[Robin:] "Say hi to Baram for me, for all of us. I'm sure our paths will cross again."

*Joachim nods and walks down the hallway with Interceptor following him. Robin wipes a tear from her eyes as she watches Interceptor go.  He occasionally turns around and looks at her but finally leaves with Joachim. After a few minutes, she composes herself and peaks into Drake's office to give a thumbs up. Then she goes back outside to the hallway, takes a deep breath, and stands up again the wall/ After another few minutes pass, Geese comes out of Dr. Holt's office and looks at her and the absent space in front of her. He closes the door and begins walking with her down the hallway.*

[Geese:] "So that dog couldn't pick the right stocks after all?"

[Robin:] "I said he comes from good stock, not that he knows how to pick 'em."

[Geese:] "Ahhh."

[Robin:] "How did the shrink sesh go?"

[Geese:] "Dr. Holt says I'm making progress."

[Robin:] "And what do you think?"

*With a gleam in his eye, Geese takes a book out from under his suit jacket and smiles.*

[Geese:] "I’ll know once I complete the homework he gave me."

*Robin nods as a hint of a smirk peaks out. The scene fades as the two leave the building.*