if_inconvenient | (no subject)

Entry tags:

(no subject)

Conversations with Mr Mayer are always so delightful. Sherlock returns home happier than he left, just like last time, resolves to look into that fellow's collection of mysteries—just like last time—and reluctantly shelves the project in favour of more pressing matters. Just like last time.

At least, on this iteration, the pressing matters are much more pleasant. Cal should be arriving any minute now.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

"No." His smile fades. "No, I imagine not."

Cal looks more serious, too.

He may not trouble himself over Stane, but that doesn't mean it was a pleasant experience. And you'd never know it from talking to Tony, but he must -

"He's definitely better off not knowing, right?"

"On every conceivable level."

And can you imagine having that conversation?

Sherlock has.

He'd do it. If he had to. If it would truly make anything better.

Cal nods. He thinks so, too. He and Sherlock have never talked about it before, though, and he wanted the confirmation.

"How's he doing, anyway?"

Cal doesn't see as much of Tony as he used to, and Tony doesn't let much show. Not of that.

(Not unlike Cal himself. There are quite a few people who think Cal doesn't care much about his father's death at all, and that suits him just fine. That kind of thing is private. It's a weakness.)

"Keeping himself occupied. Pondering how best to make the offer to Miss Potts."

Cal raises his eyebrows slightly.

"The what?"

"Oh, he's giving her the company, of course. Didn't he tell you?"

Cal shakes his head.

"No, I think I'd remember."

"She is the logical choice. He's just fussing over how to present the idea."

"- She is?"

Really?

He's heard all about how competent she is, but - really?

"Why so astonished?"

"She's a personal assistant," Cal points out.

"She pays attention."

"She's not exactly qualified."

Cal, ever a Chandler, is already thinking about the publicity.

He doesn't think it's going to be the good kind.

"She is the second most qualified person in the world, and Tony has other commitments."

"The press is going to eat her for breakfast."

At least Tony, young though he is, stepping in made some kind of sense. But this?

"Tony too."

"And how do we prevent that?"

Lend your expertise, Mr Chandler.

"We don't turn a personal assistant into a CEO?" Cal suggests.

He thinks.

Sherlock waits.

"He's looking to plug the power gap with someone he trusts," Cal says slowly, "working toward the company's longterm interests by completing his education. She's a stopgap, it'll be a rough few years - set expectations low so that if she exceeds them, it looks like a good choice, if she doesn't, it looks less like a failure. Don't set her up to look like a failure.

"Personal assistant thing's an asset, especially since she worked for Stane. She knows everything Tony knows and everything Stane knew. Gives her an edge over a neutral third party, and Tony needs someone who isn't gonna make a power grab."

She taps his fingers on his thigh. "She'll have to do an interview. Can she do one? She'll have to. Just one, so it doesn't look like she's wasting her time, but she'll have to make herself look ready for the challenge. Nobody like fucking Oprah, either, nobody girly or who might go easy on her. Something serious that most people'll get bored with in about thirty seconds."

He shrugs.

"And you'll still be fucked. But the company might last till Tony graduates."

"She can do an interview," Sherlock affirms. "I'll advise Tony. Thank you."

Cal smiles a little, wry.

"No problem."

"If you have any other brilliant insights to offer as events unfold, do let me know. This is hardly my area of expertise."

"Oh, I'll let you know." Just try and stop him.

He laughs.

"Maybe I'll be Stark Industries' publicist when I grow up."

"Tempting. Don't say it to Tony or he'll hire you on the spot."