Potential Opportunities for farmclone

[have_no_mercy]

Tess is no believer in coincidences. So when one literally stumbles across a dead ringer for Clark Kent, minus the yes-ma'am-no-ma'am attitude, who has no idea who he is, one takes advantage of the circumstances.

As such, on the dot at seven she's sitting in that cozy little diner at 5th and Main, waiting for He Who Has Yet To Be Named to arrive.

Comments

[farmclone.livejournal.com]

The Kid rode the bike he'd stolen borrowed to the place they'd agreed to meet. He was pretty sure the interest this Tess person had in him wasn't the sex kind, but a free dinner... he wasn't going to complain. Plus, maybe she'd know something about him.

He parked and locked the bike, then walked in, looking around.

[have_no_mercy]

He's spotted immediately and Tess makes her way over to greet him.

"Well, hello there," she says, offering her hand. "I've already got us a table near the back. I hope you don't mind but I thought a little privacy might be in order."

[farmclone.livejournal.com]

"You're Tess, right?" He grins and pulls off his sunglasses. "Near the back's fine. Uh, thanks for all this. It's real nice of you."

[have_no_mercy]

"Tess Mercer, yes, and it's no trouble," she continues, leading him to the table. "I like helping people and you remind me of someone."

[farmclone.livejournal.com]

"Oh yeah? Is it that Clark guy everyone keeps thinking I am?" He followed her to the table. "I'm not him. We've figured that much out."

[have_no_mercy]

Tess nods, taking her seat. "Yes, you remind me of Clark. You are clearly not him, however, and I admit I'm rather intrigued as to who it is you are."

She waits until he's seated and their waitress has filled their glasses with water before continuing. "Why don't we start with what you do remember."

[farmclone.livejournal.com]

Conner sighs and sits down as well. He sounds a little tired when he starts speaking. He's had to explain this a lot. "I woke up in some kind of giant test tube thingy in Cadmus lab. There were lots of scientists around, then I broke out and managed to escape."

[have_no_mercy]

Tess can tell and that's a possible worry. He really shouldn't be talking to so many people."Cadmus Labs." The only real reaction he'll get to his story is a raised eyebrow. Damn Lex. Damn.

"That's interesting. Last I knew they were inactive. But it seems you're in luck," Tess adds, sipping her water. "I happen to own Cadmus Labs so doing some digging shouldn't pose a problem."

[farmclone.livejournal.com]

She owns Cadmus? He jerks back in his seat, eyes wide. "I'm not going back. You can't make me." He tenses, ready to run if she tries to come closer.

[have_no_mercy]

Not an unexpected reaction. In fact, Tess is lucky he didn't just bolt, but trust is built on honesty. As much as she can offer, at any rate.

"Whatever they did to you, I'm not involved. It was a recent acquisition of mine and it appears the previous owner is still using certain facilities for his own purposes." Her voice is calm and sincere, her expression sympathetic. "I've tried to shut down those types of facilities, but some were so well hidden I missed them."

[farmclone.livejournal.com]

He glares at her suspiciously. "Why should I trust you? You're involved with them."

[have_no_mercy]

Tess offers a small smile. "I'm not asking for your trust. That's something that has to be earned. But if you remember where this facility is, I can get answers for you."

[farmclone.livejournal.com]

He's still giving her a suspicious look. "Why would you helping me?"

[have_no_mercy]

"Because I know who's behind this. And I know what it's like to be used by him without your consent," Tess adds quietly, her eyes flickering down to table top.

"You also could be a danger to yourself and others if you don't have any information about who you really are."

[farmclone.livejournal.com]

The Kid leans closer, fingers gripping the table so hard it dents a little. "Who? Who's behind this? How do I find him?"

[have_no_mercy]

Tess leans back, eyes widening a little at the state of the table now. "That's why we need to find out who you are." Or what more specifically, but she doubts saying that would go over well.

She glances back up at him. "I'm not sending you after anyone until you get that under control. Not that I have any problem with you hurting him, but extenuating circumstances do need to be considered."

[farmclone.livejournal.com]

He notices the state of the table too, looks down, and loosens his grip. The table follows, undenting to the point where it isn't quite as good as new, but without looking closely, it's impossible to tell that anything happened.

"I'm not gonna hurt him," he says softly. "I just want answers."

[have_no_mercy]

"He won't give them to you," she replies in the same manner, slowly reaching a hand out to gently cover one of his. "I have the resources to get information without him even knowing we've got it."

[farmclone.livejournal.com]

"I could make him," the Kid says darkly. He scowls down at the table. "How?"

[have_no_mercy]

That will get a half smile. "No, you couldn't. Lesson number one: Violence isn't always the answer."

Tess keeps her eyes on him, watching him closely. "I have a lot of money and a lot of people working for me. I can have someone hack into the facility's files without leaving a trace."

[farmclone.livejournal.com]

"And you're just going to help me? Even though you own the lab I woke up in?" He frowns. "I don't have any money, you know. I already told you that."

[have_no_mercy]

"I own the company," she corrects, "which is only one among many. I don't have time to keep track of everything myself, especially when this particular one appeared worthless on paper."

Tess removes her hand from his and settles back in her chair. "Yes, I'm just going to help you. No money required."

[farmclone.livejournal.com]

He's still suspicious. "Are you gonna ask me for favors or something later?"

[have_no_mercy]

Tess smiles. "Well, we know you're smart at least, don't we." Rhetorical question, that.

"Honestly? I might. I might not. I really just want to make sure you're not going to throw a wrench into plans I already have in place, intentionally or otherwise."

[farmclone.livejournal.com]

He narrows his eyes at her. "I'm not promising you anything. Not without knowing exactly what I'm getting into."

[have_no_mercy]

"I'm not asking you to. You can disappear into the wind after you've got what information I can find." Tess shrugs. "You can disappear now, if you'd like. I'm not going to stop you." She also doubts she could even if she wanted to. "I'm just being honest."

[farmclone.livejournal.com]

He could, and he kind of wants to, but... she could help him. "Okay. Then yeah, it'd be nice if you could help me. Please."

[have_no_mercy]

"I'll tell you what. I give you my card and you take a few days to really think it over."

She studies him again. "Do you have a place to stay?"

[farmclone.livejournal.com]

"Yeah." Maybe. He could find somewhere, at least. He doesn't trust Tess, despite the promised help.

[have_no_mercy]

"All right. I was only going to suggest a motel if you didn't." Tess slides her card across the table toward him. "That's my business and private lines. Feel free to call me anytime you like."

[farmclone.livejournal.com]

"Thanks." Conner takes the card and stands up. "It was, uh, interesting meeting you."

[have_no_mercy]

Tess waves for him to sit back down, rising instead from her own chair. "Stay and have some dinner. It's been taken care of."

As she passes him on her way out she stops, briefly. "I hope to hear from you soon."

[farmclone.livejournal.com]

He hesitates, then sits back down. He is hungry, after all. "Yeah, thanks," he mutters, picking the menu back up.