It isn't until the final refrain — "Statement ends," and the satisfied click of the recorder switching itself off — that John can really think about the intrusion, and he blinks up at Jack, wavering between guilt and annoyance.
He used to get interrupted all the time. He used to be interruptible.
John clears his throat. "You're a bit early for Martin," he replies, straightening the small sheaf of papers in his hand, a nervous fidget. "And this is a Statement." That isn't much of an explanation, but John isn't sure a proper one would be needed or desired, in this case. Whatever Jack's reason for barging in, it's plainly nothing to do with the Archive's true purpose. John tucks the papers back into their file and folds his hands over the plain manila cover.
"If you've come to deliver another bribe, I suppose I could consider it in Martin's stead," he continues dryly. "Otherwise, you're free to wait out front."
John hasn't spoken with Jack much — more often than not, he's here to see Eliot, and one of the many perks of not being technically in charge is that so long as his own work isn't being disrupted, he needn't concern himself with his colleague's choice to socialize on the clock. Still, he's got the distinct impression that Jack is the sort of person who shouldn't be left unsupervised, and after a moment, he gets to his feet. "Can I offer you some tea?"
no subject
He used to get interrupted all the time. He used to be interruptible.
John clears his throat. "You're a bit early for Martin," he replies, straightening the small sheaf of papers in his hand, a nervous fidget. "And this is a Statement." That isn't much of an explanation, but John isn't sure a proper one would be needed or desired, in this case. Whatever Jack's reason for barging in, it's plainly nothing to do with the Archive's true purpose. John tucks the papers back into their file and folds his hands over the plain manila cover.
"If you've come to deliver another bribe, I suppose I could consider it in Martin's stead," he continues dryly. "Otherwise, you're free to wait out front."
John hasn't spoken with Jack much — more often than not, he's here to see Eliot, and one of the many perks of not being technically in charge is that so long as his own work isn't being disrupted, he needn't concern himself with his colleague's choice to socialize on the clock. Still, he's got the distinct impression that Jack is the sort of person who shouldn't be left unsupervised, and after a moment, he gets to his feet. "Can I offer you some tea?"