Mike Chang

tana: not in castleport, but yes. I need five.

tana: what's their angle, tho? do you think they've given up on tracking down brody?

Mike: I got you. I had a friend send me some of my favorite cognac, and because I kinda love you and you're going through it I'll share.

MERCEDES: you know this might be the most lowkey I've been about the holidays since before my birth. remind me to do it again next year. just kick back and watch a diva's carol and drink a bottle of korbel for nye with a disco ball.

MERCEDES: before you remind me, yes I retract 08'-12' because I succumbed to peer pressure by those types of artists at school.

MIKE: I guess that means you're going to have a pretty lowkey year? Isn't that a thing, however your NYE/NYD goes that's an indicator of your year to come. Mine wasn't exactly low key but I left plans up to San so I wasn't expecting it to be.

MIKE: Maybe next year I should ask you to make my plans

tana: like absolute shit.

tana: will it look bad if I go to LA? like suspect or something?

Mike: Need a drink?

Mike: I'm not going to let this go down like it has. They more than crossed the damn line.

Sounds like somebody just figured out my new years resolution. 

I hear you. I guess it’s different on the adult side and you see what all goes into making the holiday. Lowkey starts to look real good. I’m sure plenty of people remember, there hasn’t been a good prank in this town in years, your legacy’s still intact. Yeah I miss that about a big city, easy access to late night eats. Manhattan’s got 24 hour lasagna but we do have Double C waffles here, so y’know, a solid trade. Stacy’s good. She’s in grad school, just in case you needed a reason to feel old. I get that. How have things been, with your mom? We were stupid back in the day, drinking that awful crap. 

It’s a gift. The holidays are definitely different now. The older my dad gets the more cantankerous he gets and my mom she’s ... tired. So I have to be on the whole time. The holidays are still exhausting, that’s for sure. Guess it’s time I reclaim my Prankster crown. King. I’m already jonesin’ for Manhattan access. Shit, I haven’t had Double C’s in forever. Grad school?! That can’t be. Wasn’t she just following you around wearing pigtails? My mom is one of those people who never likes to let em see her sweet, but her health is taking a toll. She’s a trouper though always smiling still. I just wish I could fix this for her. Speak for yourself. I was never stupid, I was financially conscious.  

Really, it’s fine. I’m…working through it all so. As for coffee, when are you free next?

What are you working through? I have some time Sunday? If not then, how about Tuesday? You can tell me all about all the shit you’re working through,... or not.

Well hey there, stranger. How many times did you have to revise that like you were giving opening statements to a jury? The optimism’s a little over the top, which isn’t surprising.

What brings you back to our side of the country though? Someone manage to remind you of the little people back home?

I’m in corporate law, I rarely see a courtroom unless I’m doing some pro bono. And then, yeah I kill those closing arguments. Undefeated champ. But I meant what I said. Nothing wrong with the desire to be a better you, Bree. It’s good for the soul.

Holidays, amongst other things. Actually decided to take an extended leave from work so I can take care of a few things here. Miss me bad, huh?

you wanna get a pow-wow together for drinks? good luck. It’s starting to seem like people are wanting nothing to do with getting together with old friends lately. Or wanting to come back here in general. 

Think maybe they need it. Might help things a bit. I could offer prize, people love free stuff. I can’t talk though I’m not really big on coming back much myself, but I’m here now and I think it’d be fun to try and get people in one room. I’m a magic worker sometimes, Mason.

tana: duh.

tana: if you didn't, being a lawyer has officially sucked the fun out of you.

tana: need me to break into something? going into places you're not suppose to can usually answer some questions.

[... sometimes mike is bad at replying to texts in a timely manner]

Mike: Thanks for forcing me out for New Year's Eve so I wasn't spending it on the couch with my parents.

Mike: And also Thanks for ditching me, Jerk

Don’t get me wrong, I loathe the new year, new me bullshit that everyone’s all hyped up about for about two weeks before reality kicks in again. But I can honestly say that this year will be better than last year. There’s absolutely no doubt in my mind.

I kind of like the idea of at least wanting to be a better version of yourself, and having the new year as a reason to take those steps. I mean yeah, most people fall short but there are always those few people who follow through.  We’re supposed to want to be better, and do better, right? But we’re still human and life happens, so hopefully we keep getting new New Years to get to where we want to be. But yeah, hopefully things are better than last year, especially around here.

depends on what your taste is. I can’t afford high-end wine on a teachers salary. 

That’s ok, because, wine isn’t really my thing. But I’ll take some bourbon, or if things are tight a beer will do just fine. Honestly, I should just try and get as many people together as I can, see who shows up if I actually offer to pay for the drinks.

Ah so the parents are the reason no one’s seen Mike C. around? If I see them I’ll tell them to let you out the bird cage twice a week for air. If you didn’t have me with the four drinks, the magnetic personality and charismatic smile really sold it for me. But let me at least buy you one drink short.

I don’t get back much, so seeing me live and in color as opposed to through a screen kind of has my mom not wanting to let me out of her sight. You know how it goes. It’s usually the free drinks that gets people’s attention but if the smile and personality are making things happen for me now, I guess I’m winning. 

Oh. God.

Are you back to your ‘real life’ by now, or has Castleport’s never-ending supply of charm captured you as well?

Quinn, Hey.

It’s not…it’s fine, Mike. I’m not that sensitive about it. 

You sure? Well, I’m sensitive, but still manly... whatever the hell that means. So, if it’s not fine and you need something, I’m around. Anyway, when are we getting this coffee? The machine at my parents’ place is trash. I have to get them an updated something.

I should have known you’d go straight for the fancy stuff. 

I’m a fancy guy now, T. That’s why they pay me the big bucks. But I can be less fancy for a couple days. I guess it won’t kill me.

Well you know I gotta play it cool for the crowds, keep my feelings lowkey. 

Totally makes sense. Pretty sure I was in Boston last Christmas. Free time here usually means inevitably running into more people you knew from high school but if you haven’t been around much, that might not be a bad thing. Nice. I’m all about mixing it up for Christmas dinner. It was just me and my sister, we had lasagna, you know, traditional. Nah, I get it. The last shop I worked at, I’d end up with all these bottles of liquor from clients. Plus we’re almost 30. Can’t be cheap beer and $10 vodka forever. Just saying that’s making my head hurt.

I think you should just let the world know. Shout it from the roof tops. “Sam Evans loves Mike Chang!” I think you’ll feel a lot better.

It’s kind of crazy how these things workout, not exactly how I thought Christmases would go. Life just does what it wants. Nah, I was happy to see everyone. You know, the people who still remember me. Lasagna sounds really good right now. Best thing about living in Manhattan, whatever you’re craving at the time is always readily available. How is your sister by the way? I haven’t seen that kid in forever. My family used to be big on tradition but after my mom..., things are different for her now so we just do whatever. Yeah, man, the bounce back is not the same. Can’t take the cheap stuff like I used to.

tana: no, I’m saying it’s not /as/ fun without me.

tana: just roll with it mike. Give me this.

tana: what case has bogged you down this time?

tana: and don’t say Rachel.

Mike: You do bring a special Lopez brand of fun, that's for sure. I kind of miss it, a little.

Mike: Fine, you win. Just remember I'm damn near 30, temper your expectations.