Damien "Boogeyman" Sanderson

"I try to not speak about my personal life when I'm working," Harriet tries to wipe any fleeting moment of surprise/fury off her face while giving her measured response, "Los Angeles was a long time ago."

The conversation might've gone very differently a moment earlier, if he wasn't trying to get under her skin with that comment. What game was he playing at? Ugh, this was exactly why she didn't associate with the snakes here. Always playing mind games. Harriet usually preferred being the one holding all the cards.

"I'm not sure what you're getting at, other than how we are both public-facing. But there's plenty we both do that he public never sees, and I think that makes all the difference."

In all honesty, Damien had stayed away from Harriet for most of his time back in Godscobh. He was always suspicious of therapists but she was particularly smart and calculated. From the start, charming her was out of the question. Harriet was evidently a challenger within the council of Godscobh, one that Sanderson was determined to sway towards his side. He wasn't off to a good start but giving up was unlike him.

"Well! What I'm getting at is this: there's no need to put such a distance between you and I. Perhaps you don't appreciate it but we are part of the circle of life in this wonderful town. Civilians come to us in celebration, sadness, pain, joy... We're here for them at every stage of their lives... and we need them to do what we do!" He leans in closer to her. "Life doesn't despise Death for doing his job. Without Death, Life loses all meaning."

Sanderson observes her, wondering if his analogy had any effect. Probably not. It was expected that Harriet would not be impressed by his attempts at philosophizing with her.

“As tempting as the slots are, I am not here to lose money I don’t have time to earn back,” Hades said, half jokingly. Gambling was not something he liked to do. And frankly, it wasn’t something he should do as the mayor of Godscobh. Hades picked up his drink from the bar as it was served to him. “I’m here to see how things are going.” He said, keeping his polite and composed demeanour on his face. "See how you're doing."

“Business seems to be booming as usual.” He sipped his drink and watched Damien carefully. What he was really doing was fishing for more details, without specifically asking the questions out loud.

"Cannot complain! Summer has been kind to us. The heat has a way of releasing inhibitions. And with such a benevolent mayor... what more could we ask for here at Snake Eyes?" Damien grins, observing Hades closely. He was so well put together, he practically looked like a statue come to life.

Choosing to skip past having to share his personal state of affairs, the Casino owner signs to a bartender and a whisky glass is summoned within instants. He whispers a small 'thank you' to his employee, before taking a sip. In here, it was hard not to believe Sanderson had everyone under a spell. Despite his financial success and his manpower, there was no doubt Hades had the power to compromise this operation. So with officials, we played nice... mostly. With Mr. Zika, thought, it was mutually beneficial.

"Elections are fast approaching, are they not? Are we prepared to take on the competition?"

So although he liked to work alone, James was reluctantly approaching Snake Eyes for a little... mutually beneficial agreement. He didn't trust Damien any further than he could throw him, but he might've been the only man in town who understood the circumstances here.

"Sanderson," James nodded cordially, beckoning the boogeyman into his office, "So good of you to come. You're looking well."

@debts-and-nightmares

But now, Damien was standing there in the door way, hands in his pockets and taking in the sight quielty. His eyes scanning James from head to toe and eventually locking back onto his interlocutor's.

"And you look like shit."

The words couldn't be said more frankly. Sure, he had to crack a joke before the tension between the two crushed them. But above all, Damien didn't have it in him to deny how spent and tired James appeared to be. They were far beyond pleasantries and falsehoods at this point... It was disappointing to see a man like Hook be so unlike himself. He had a feeling this was about these damned Lost Boys. They had managed to become an annoyance to most in the underbelly of Godscobh. It was only a matter of time before a meeting like this would happen. What the Crocodiles had to go through after the raid fiasco, no organization wanted to experience. Paying off cops to shut their mouth, corrupting a department was easy business... But when the DOJ gets involved, that's a whole other game. Thankfully, they couldn't hold Hook down.

Lucky for Lorcan, this dealer knew how to fake-it-till-he-made-it with the best of 'em. He was all wisecracks and playful flirts with the tipsy bachelorette parties, ready to make the casino more money every hour. Maybe if he churned out more and more cash for Damien's profits, he wouldn't get more questions about where he goes after hours.

It wasn't that he disliked Damien necessarily - he was the best boss Lorcan had ever had. He was the only boss Lorcan had ever had, though, and that was notable since Lorcan wasn't exactly traditionally hired either. The monthly waves of garnished wages taken from his paychecks were evidence enough of that. Damien was the leader that fed his vices with endless cards, the threat that was constantly looming over his head, and the reason Lorcan was able to have goals and purpose in adult life. What a pickle he'd gotten himself into.

It was probably a death wish at the moment to be lurking around the back offices, but Lorcan was usually called in for stuff they needed a messenger for (or really, the threats before the beat down). He ran a hand along the wood grain of Damien's open door, making just enough noise to let the boss know he'd arrived, but lingered back for a long moment before approaching the desk. He peered over the older man's papers.

"You missed an exponent. The interest on those compounds monthly," He pointed out, reading the patron's loan agreements upside down.

@debts-and-nightmares

Unbothered, Damien sat back at his desk, cleaning his nails with the corner of a Casino key card. He could feel Lorcan's sneaky eyes all over his papers...

"Tut tut tut..." He stops him before he could add anymore remarks. There was more to teach him... All in due time.

"We've spoken of your aptitude with mathematics before, Lorcan... They are deeply appreciated out there but in here..." He gives him a quick glance up as a soft warning before returning to his nails. "All is how it should be."

He allows a moment for the silence to set in. Muffled music can be heard from the outside. Then, almost suddenly, his self-grooming stops and his eyes return to the young devil. Damien is serious, perhaps even a little hurt.

"However... You aren't the only one with sharp eyes..." He warns. "I was informed that you've been distracted lately. Messing up the count, making a few too many dreams come true... You, of all people, know we do not run a charity here. And I know that you are wiser than to try and cause trouble... You're smarter than that." He sighs, frustrated. This isn't a conversation Damien wants to be having. He takes another pause.

His tone soften, almost concerned. "This isn't like you, kid. What's ailing you?"

"Absolutely not," The red head's tight smile said everything else she needed to, completely unfazed by the man playing coy with her, "I'm here on business, more or less. Hosting a handful of visitors from the township over. Shaking hands. Showing them the best Godscobh has to offer."

In particular, Harriet took issue with how Damien acted as if he controlled everything within these glittering walls. Though it might not have been her favorite place, it a good time to remind him that the council's eyes are everywhere.

"Why did you get those men thrown out?"

Damien feigned not knowing what she was alluding to and glanced over his shoulder innocently.

"Oh! You mean these cheaters? We simply taught them a little lesson!" His smile widens. "Because we don't like cheaters here in Godscobh! Do we, Ms. Pavo?"

Damien wasn't one for playing the role of a serious, stoic mob boss though usually, he would have no problem maintaining a suave attitude. A visit from Dr Harriet of all people however; now what exciting and unusual company! He was practically giddy! To taunt and play with a stone woman such as her was a temptation too great.

"A Los Angeles, celebrity therapist like you... Shouldn't a place like Snake Eyes remind you of home?

Sensing her tense up, and perhaps himself as well, the casino owner leaned away, taking the energy down a peg. With an inhale and a subtle pout, he observes her. Taking note of her impeccable dress sense; how much her appearance said about who she was. He exhales and continues, calmer.

Pitch Black << Stimboard

"What an adorable dream! And look at her- oh! Precious child... so sweet, so full of hope and wonder. Why, there's only one thing missing: a touch of fear!"

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