sixwordstories | (no subject)

Will you need an architect? [She doesn't even try to conceal her eagerness.]

If you're not busy with your studies, I would rather work with you.

Yes, please.

I can get in touch with my contact tomorrow and set something up. It will probably just be you and I working together, and not nearly as complicated as the Fischer job.

That sounds great, really. Just let me know what you need. You wouldn't be able to get rid of me now if you wanted to.

I'll let you know. [The bartender came back with their drinks and Arthur paid him.] I'm surprised you haven't had offers before now. Once it got out about inception.

[She pauses a moment, stirring her drink.] I've had a couple, actually. Turned them down.

Really? [That gets a raised eyebrow.] Any reason not to take them?

[Another brief pause.] You weren't involved.

[He looks over at her.] Cobb's retired, Yusef is probably never entering another dream, Eames is in Amsterdam throwing away his cut.

[Yes, he knew she meant you as in him and not the team, but that's a hard pill to swallow.]

Good thing I'm mostly talking about you, then. [She looks at him curiously.] It's just... I know I can trust you. That's all. The people who contacted me, well, I wouldn't want to work with anyone you hadn't vetted, anyway.

[He takes a drink.] I understand, but you don't have a reason to trust me. Perhaps you have trust in my abilities, bit there is a difference.

I have lots of reasons to trust you. Cobb trusts you, and by extension Miles.

Cobb and I have worked together for years. He knows me.

I know. So I know I can trust you, too.

You're awfully trusting. I'll try not to let you down.

I am not! If I was that trusting, I'd be taking jobs with anyone who asked, and then I'd get into trouble and you'd have to rescue me or something ridiculous like that.

[He smiled, but hid it behind his drink.] You may have a point.

[Of course she has a point. It's a damn good one, too.] So see, all you have to do is take me on as your new business partner. Exclusive services, and all of that.

Well I don't have Cobb any more.

[She looks at him intently, totally serious.] You need someone to build your dreams. You're used to working with a partner, right? And you know what I can do - what I have done.

I'm done with school at the end of the term. I don't want to be a low-level grunt in a real-world architecture firm.

Sounds like a good business arrangement.

Cobb really got you hooked, didn't he?

You hadn't noticed? Besides. [Now she's just being cheeky.] With your experience and my raw talent, we'll be the best-paid extraction team in the world.

Well aren't you modest. [He teased.]

No room for modesty in this business. Right? [She sloshes her glass a little.] Another drink?