rodolphosâ:
private starter for @skeeteresqueâ
Pinching the bridge of his nose, Rodolphus closed his eyes and internally sighed. The voice of one of his subordinates was like the buzzing of a fly in his ear. Heâd long since tuned out the words but the voice had been harder to escape. Reopening his eyes, he let his hand fall into his lap, meeting the subordinateâs gaze with a sharp glare. The manâs voice trembled, quieting and trailing off as he leaned forward in his chair. Resting his elbows on the table, he steepled his fingers together.
âMinistry requests are hardly worth listening to on the best of days,â he said. His own voice was as cold as ice. âThe Ministry does not own this network. I do. They can give us briefings if they wish but they do not get dictate our content. The fact you are suggesting we capitulate to their demands is an insult to all of our scriptwriters.â He glanced across the table at Rita as he said this; although the look was brief, his eyes softened slightly. It was a blink and miss it moment. Not even a second later, his attention was back to the subordinate who was turning a nice shade of puce.
âIf you bring me a suggestion as bad as this again? Youâre fired. Now, does anyone else have something to add?â
...
Rita tsked audibly at the foolish scriptwriter. Sheâd already warned him against bringing up Ministry requests in their meetings, particularly when Rod was involved. But theyâd always undermined her, hadnât they? Any chance to try and curry favour and puff up in front of the big man. She saw the look Rod flashed her, taking care not to show any response.
The scriptwriters were shame-faced, silent and looking to her for direction. Figured that when one of their own failed, they needed her to clean up. âClearly we need to do a piece on Wilkesâ death,â Rita said, flicking her hair away from her face. âBut we canât do the Ministryâs job for them.â She scoffed, encircling the only thing sheâd written down. âA sob story is perfect. Iâm sure the boy had friends, lovers, family. âPopular quidditch player, struck down so young by a vendetta---who would have thought?ââÂ



















