[Louis isn't really sure what to make of that. He waits a moment or two to see if she's going to say something more about why she's - willingly, it seems - in his office. But then curiosity gets the better of his patience.]
What can I do for you?
[Ignore the slight red puffiness around his eyes. He hasn't almost been crying on and off all day... It's allergies, dammit.]
[He looks around it, as if seeing it for the first time. His attention is caught by his name on the door. Louis Litt. Senior Partner. He sucks in a deep breath, not oblivious to the irony of her offer. Not too long ago, he had practically been boxing up Harvey's office to get him out of the firm.
Shakespeare would totally have a cool monologue about this particular turn of fate.]
That is very magnanimous of you. I would be honored if you would assist me.
[As proof of his sincerity, he passes her one of his most prized possessions to put back on his desk where it belongs. His beloved photo of the late Bruno.]
[Donna understands the significance of this particular photo and it catches her by surprise. She's been in Louis's office enough times to remember where it's supposed to go, and carefully sets it down in the exact place, to the millimeter.]
You should talk to Harvey.
[Because he hasn't or she would know. But like everyone else, she also knows that the hatchet needs to be buried - or at least temporarily stored - to get the firm through what's ahead.]
[Louis understands the symbolism behind his tearing up the letter of resignation and he's grateful for that. But that doesn't mean he knows where he stands with Harvey. Louis is ready to punch out but he's not so sure Harvey is yet.]
...You didn't really want to work with Allison, did you?
[She can understand Louis wanting to leave the firm. But she'd like to believe that even Louis wouldn't want to work with Allison Holt, whose face Donna would like to rip off with her well manicured fingernails.]
So did Bruno but that didn't make him a good lawyer. Believe me, I tried.
You know, when I got Bruno, he wasn't a good cat. He misbehaved, got into fights all the time, once he even peed in my office. Right over there. But he learned from his mistakes and became the best cat anyone could ever ask for. That's the difference. Harold never learned. He let fear get in his way.
[Louis opens his mouth to answer, only to have to close it again. He has no idea.]
I gave Mike the chance to save Harold's job but he didn't take it. I think that was because he knew I was actually doing Harold a favor by firing him. No point prolonging his agony.
I appreciate people that are great at their jobs. I...appreciate you. I appreciate Norma. Sometimes. I appreciate Rachel Zane. There, I just named thre--two and a half people I appreciate right off the top of my head.
[Donna glances at him. On any other day, including the end of the world, she would laugh at this. But something in her sees the olive branch for what it is and she nods. If she's going to preach about getting along she ought to practice it, too.]
Okay. But just this once. And not a word to Harvey.
[Who will find out anyway, and tease her mercilessly, but she doesn't need Louis gloating about it to make it worse.]
[Louis looks at the offering, comments fighting to get out about how much this particular brand doesn't cost and how little Mike clearly cares about his superior's skin. But Louis is trying and he's pretty sure being ungracious isn't going to redeem him. So he takes it with a nod.]
Thanks. I heard Harvey landed on his feet with Trent Devon.
[ He breaks out into a relieved grin. He totally thought Louis'd bean the tube at his head or something, and then he'd have to use the Arnica by himself. ]
Won by a landslide. Allison never saw it coming. [ He takes a second to glance around the disorganized office, idly pressing his tie to his chest. ]
And I heard you got back on your feet, too. [ A smaller, more genuine smile, now. ] I'm glad.
I could tell you, but then I'd have to kill you. [ He gestures toward a stack of boxes sitting by Louis' desk in the universal "May I?" ] Anyway, the cat's kind of out of the bag as regards to your financial superpowers, so you can take a guess, right?
Contrary to popular belief, I don't actually hate you, Louis. Shocking, I know. [ He grabs a box and gets a good look at the contents. Not a moment later, his face lights up in delight. ] Ambient nature sounds CDs, really?
[ Oops, he probably shouldn't have said that out loud. ]
Per Dr. Lipschitz, if you listen to those, your lüng is set free. My lüng is like a horse and my mind is the rider. It's rough, hard, thin. It's [Louis grunts a little in his enthusiasm] hot.
I bet your lüng is smooth, soft and thick. People underestimate the importance of its girth.
--Oh, god. Please don't say things like th-- do we need to have a talk about everything that should legally constitute as cruel and unusual punishment ever? Because I was really looking forward to never having that conversation with you. [ What even, Louis. How do you turn something as innocuous as Rugrats into. That. ]
Comments
What can I do for you?
[Ignore the slight red puffiness around his eyes. He hasn't almost been crying on and off all day... It's allergies, dammit.]
I just wanted to see if you needed any help. With putting your office back together.
[He looks around it, as if seeing it for the first time. His attention is caught by his name on the door. Louis Litt. Senior Partner. He sucks in a deep breath, not oblivious to the irony of her offer. Not too long ago, he had practically been boxing up Harvey's office to get him out of the firm.
Shakespeare would totally have a cool monologue about this particular turn of fate.]
That is very magnanimous of you. I would be honored if you would assist me.
[As proof of his sincerity, he passes her one of his most prized possessions to put back on his desk where it belongs. His beloved photo of the late Bruno.]
You should talk to Harvey.
[Because he hasn't or she would know. But like everyone else, she also knows that the hatchet needs to be buried - or at least temporarily stored - to get the firm through what's ahead.]
[Louis understands the symbolism behind his tearing up the letter of resignation and he's grateful for that. But that doesn't mean he knows where he stands with Harvey. Louis is ready to punch out but he's not so sure Harvey is yet.]
Edited at 2013-01-26 04:58 am (UTC)
Does that mean I'm no longer banned from his office?
...You didn't really want to work with Allison, did you?
[She can understand Louis wanting to leave the firm. But she'd like to believe that even Louis wouldn't want to work with Allison Holt, whose face Donna would like to rip off with her well manicured fingernails.]
That kid idolized you, you know.
You know, when I got Bruno, he wasn't a good cat. He misbehaved, got into fights all the time, once he even peed in my office. Right over there. But he learned from his mistakes and became the best cat anyone could ever ask for. That's the difference. Harold never learned. He let fear get in his way.
I gave Mike the chance to save Harold's job but he didn't take it. I think that was because he knew I was actually doing Harold a favor by firing him. No point prolonging his agony.
[This is new information that Donna will file away as she files away every little tidbit for potential future usage.]
You've been talking about other people making you feel underappreciated, I'm just saying that goes both ways.
But thank you. That was nice to hear.
And I'm glad you stayed.
[Louis isn't one to pass up an opportunity, however slim his chances are, so he continues seamlessly...]
Maybe you and I can have dinner together one night. See an off-Broadway show after. Enjoy good food, wine, company. On me, of course. What do you say?
Okay. But just this once. And not a word to Harvey.
[Who will find out anyway, and tease her mercilessly, but she doesn't need Louis gloating about it to make it worse.]
My lips are sealed. I'll have Norma make the reservation.
[He gestures at her with an open palm.]
The lady, of course, gets to decide which show.
Edited at 2013-01-26 06:33 am (UTC)
[She finishes with the shelf she's working on and looks over at him.]
Things will get better around here. Once we get through all this.
Can I have that in writing?
I'll see what I can do.
[ A rustle of plastic, and Mike pulls out a new tube of Arnica from a bag. It's ... probably not as classy as Louis'. He presents it anyway. ]
Thanks. I heard Harvey landed on his feet with Trent Devon.
Won by a landslide. Allison never saw it coming. [ He takes a second to glance around the disorganized office, idly pressing his tie to his chest. ]
And I heard you got back on your feet, too. [ A smaller, more genuine smile, now. ] I'm glad.
You're glad because you suck a merger projections and have realized just how much you still have to learn from the master?
I could tell you, but then I'd have to kill you. [ He gestures toward a stack of boxes sitting by Louis' desk in the universal "May I?" ] Anyway, the cat's kind of out of the bag as regards to your financial superpowers, so you can take a guess, right?
Okay, so the real reason you're glad I'm not leaving Pearson Hardman is...what? Better the devil you know?
[ Oops, he probably shouldn't have said that out loud. ]
I bet your lüng is smooth, soft and thick. People underestimate the importance of its girth.
Is this hell. ]
--Oh, god. Please don't say things like th-- do we need to have a talk about everything that should legally constitute as cruel and unusual punishment ever? Because I was really looking forward to never having that conversation with you. [ What even, Louis. How do you turn something as innocuous as Rugrats into. That. ]