Make Sure To Keep My Distance [Jasper, Charlie, River]

[Phoebe Campbell]

Phoebe wasn't sure how she managed to talk @jasper into coming out... Wait. Yes she did. Since the show started a month ago (the studio's launch party on the roof a month before that) she had made a point to pester the Producer about how 'business' he was 24/7 and how she doubted he was capable of anything fun. Adding to their rapport was the fact that they had four successful Friday Night Live episodes under them which was saying a lot. The weeks were always stressful because you were rushing against the clock to get something successful by the time they went live and where often times audience members complained that 'it wasn't as good as the seventies' this season had been met with pretty positive reviews. People liked where they were going and it felt great to finally feel like they had hit a stride. For this reason, and more, Phoebe entered the bar that had been transformed into a loud makeshift club with a big smile on her face. The other reason following beside her. Jasper, not exactly looking thrilled, she had managed to goad into tagging along in her studio paid for uber (that had been hilarious seeing him deal with that) after the most recent Friday Night Live episode that had aired. It was now 2 AM on a Saturd- er - Sunday and their night was just getting started.

"Isn't this just the best?" She urged him elbowing his side with a toothy grin as the weaved through the people. It was clear from how she moved while still looking up at the Producer (who had the height advantage) she was used to this venue and had been there many times before. She was certainly moving with direction which meant she knew exactly where Charlie and River would be. "Come on! Keep up!" She urged with an excited laugh mixed with a squeal really relishing in this fellow being out of his element (did they never do anything fun in England?) as she picked up the pace reaching @charrison (her bestie) and River Blue Ashford at the bar. "Hey guys! Shots?" This wasn't a question and soon the bartender poured four shots of fireball which Phoebe handed out to each gentleman. More of the same.

"Keep it open." She addressed the bartender about her tab before looking back to the boys. "To another successful episode!" And lifting the tiny glass up she clinked it with everyone, even if it spilled, before touching it to the bar wood then downing it and jumping up and down and disappearing into the crowd and the music. She'd be doing that all night.

"And then I told them to f*** off!... Hey! Where's Pheebes?" He called out to Charlie next to him trying to be heard over the music but just then Phoebe and Jasper arrived. "We were wondering where you were. You're usually here before us!" While River made up any excuse to not hang with his younger castmates on 'Chaotic Life' he did like hanging out with people his age and well... Writers and creatives were a thousand times better than actors. He knew... Because he was one. He had hung out with Phoebe and Charles (Charlie specifically) since last year and often joined them for their little after after parties or their just because parties sometimes drinking to the point that he could barely hail a cab or an uber without falling in a puddle... He always found a puddle. But he certainly wasn't used to seeing a producer out with them. He should be careful. Then again.. He was at this place and also had just been handed a fireball shot... So... 

"Hey. Name's River. I'm an actor on Our Chaotic-- er..." He tried to juggle the full shot glass in his hand for a handshake and then decided a simple nod would do before downing the contents copying Phoebe by touching it to the bar and by the time he looked up she was gone. He smirked looking at his friend Charlie (who he long ago felt like there was a vibe between Charles and Phoebe) before looking to the new addition. Oy Pheebes.. Sometimes she could be too daring. "Good show tonight. I caught some of it from backstage. You must be proud." It was common knowledge that actors and crew could go between sets and sneak peeks. That was part of the fun!

[Deleted]

It had been a busy week. It always was show week. However, once the show was over, it was time to celebrate pulling off another live show. So here they were partying it up at the local pub they always took over. Charlie had arrived with an actor from another show, River, and they were both at the bar. "I have no clue man. I'm not her babysitter ya know." Okay well him and Phoebe were close, but it wasn't like he knew where she was all the time. Just most of the time. She was just missing out on their party, nothing major. Of course then she walked in, followed by their producer. Just great.

The pair made their way over to River and him, and he said teasingly "Nice of you guys to join us" He already had a couple shots in him, so when Phoebe asked if they wanted some, he replied enthusiastically "Of course." She then handed each of them a fireball, and after they clinked it, his glass hit the bar just before Phoebe's and he downed it. He was no stranger to drinking. In fact he was maybe a little too familiar with drinking. "Nice of you to join us Jasper." He said. Of course it wasn't really all that pleasant. He had noticed how much he had been spending time with Phoebe, and for some reason he didn't really like that. 

[Deleted]

Jasper was managing himself fairly well. Of course he was always on-hand during transmission, making certain everything went as smoothly as possible, but until now his after-parties had been his own style of unwinding. It wasn't that he went back to work, or even straight home to sleep...or, at least, when he did, he was rarely on his own. But going out in groups to ~party~ as the Americans would have it was something else entirely. He'd had wild days enough in his time, in England, but pub and club culture there was not pub and club culture here, and he wasn't as young as he'd once been. (Not that he was ever going to admit that to anyone, starting with himself.)

Drinks were no difficulty, however, and at least he could stay near the bar. There was no way in hell he was throwing himself into the seething mass of dancing humanity. He greeted River politely as he took the shot glass given to him.

"Pleased to meet you, River," he said, just loud enough to be heard over the music, and he meant it. He was aware of River's work, of course--his younger sister was a devoted fan of Our Chaotic Life, and as one of America's most popular sitcoms at home and overseas, it was difficult to remain unaware of its stars and basic premise--particularly when you worked in the same studios and buildings. "Well, all credit really must go to Charlie and his team, here, and the performers," said Jasper with a shrug when River complimented the show.

[River Blue Ashford]

Not her babysitter? River smirked at his friend. "Yeah sure... Except you kind of are." He knew Charlie might be a tad irked by that comment but whatever it was true. Phoebe and Charles were thick as thieves, at least for as long as he had known them, and it was difficult to think of one of them without featuring the other one at their side. Pranks and all they were quite the pair and Friday Night Live was lucky to have them crafting the words and bits but also to keep things lively with their pranks and antics. "Chill man. I'm sure she'll be here soon." The actor reached out and gave Charlie's back a pat but that wouldn't be enough to provide Charlie with much comfort this evening especially not with the arrival of his bestie and her... plus one?

"I didn't know that you and Pheebes were friends." River admitted taking a sip of his beverage. In his head he tried to piece the two together to create a scenario in which he could picture the bubbly writer and the British exec getting along and he just couldn't. It always came out funny. Then again River didn't exactly keep much company within the industry let alone his own cast (he didn't even try aside from being friendly with Savannah but that had happened by accident) so who was he to guesswork anyone else's buddy system? "Yeah. You have the very best in that writer's room that's for sure." He agreed taking another sip of his drink. He couldn't help himself especially with how quiet he got when he was trying to figure something (or someone) out.

"So how did Pheebes managed to get you out to this place tonight? It doesn't really seem your style. Did she trick you and tell you we were at the Waldorf Astoria or having dinner at Per Say?" That seemed to be the only logical explanation. Surely Jasper didn't come here because he was 'in the mood' for the first time in.. well... Since he started at USBC (River presumed). "I wasn't too keen on this place originally when they dragged me here with Savannah but it grows on you." River secretly reminded himself to not only keep tabs on HIS drinking this evening (especially in the company of a producer) but also to try and keep his friend Charlie's in check. That guy could drink like a fish. Alone, in a group, it didn't seem to matter. River always told himself he had no place to judge, heck he ended up getting sucked into it when he was around, but now wasn't the time not with the current company they were keeping and Jasper hadn't exactly been tight with 'the help' prior to tonight. What had convinced him to come out this evening?

[Deleted]

How Charlie loved being out at the pub with his friends celebrating yet another successful episode. It was maybe his favorite part of working for the show. Sure every other show had set episodes but the scrambling to finish and get everything prepped in a week was sometimes nothing short of a miracle. The scrambling went on until almost the time the show went live. It was exhilarating. And after all that he deserved a drink right? Never mind when he drank after work, on the other days either. "No see if I was her babysitter, I'd have to know where she was. I don't have to know so I'm not." Who cared if they were best friends, it didn't mean he had to know where she was at all times. "I'm not upset at her not being here yet. She's the one missing out." he said as his friend patted him on the back.

However it was the plus one that got to him a little bit. Especially the producer. Why did she have to bring the producer he had seen her be buddy buddy with the last few weeks. Maybe she had always been that way but he hadn't really noticed it until recently. The pair came over, they all had a round of shots and Pheebes drifted off into the crowd. He wanted to follow her, but instead he was left with River and the producer. Therefore he got himself another drink. God help him he would need it. "It's a whole team effort" Charlie said about the compliment. Sure he liked hearing he was doing good, but right now he didn't really hear it from him. He would just stand there and drink. That's what he was good for at the moment. How he wished Phoebe was right by his side.

[Deleted]

"Well, no doubt there are some who might mistake me for an uptight prick," said Jasper with a shrug as he reached for the pint handed to him across the bar. His assistant had left her phone unattended on his desk when she'd popped out for something, and Jasper had found himself privvy to a string of text-message notifications rife with USBC gossip...so perhaps River Ashford had some idea what it was like--being mistaken for an uptight prick. He shrugged a little, leaning against the bar with one elbow. If this were some posh place in Camden or Westminster, he'd be right at home. As it was, it was a little louder, a little rougher, a little more...American.

But that's why God invented deluge showers. A few drinks wouldn't kill him.

"Balance is the key to everything," he said. "I like to think I could fit in anywhere."

Being a rich upper-class straight white male with absolutely no doors anywhere ever having been truly closed to him, it was natural that Jasper Wolfe should think this.

"But tell me about your show," he said to River. "A lot of sitcoms don't make it past their first year--you must be pleased that Chaotic Life is gaining such ground. I've seen the numbers--they're really promising for long-term stability and audience draws."

It seemed he couldn't escape talking business, to some degree...but what else were they supposed to talk about? He wasn't about to immediately pry into anybody's personal life. There were people he'd known for nearly two decades whose personal lives he wouldn't pry into. It was all very well for Dr. Phil to have everybody think it was modern and healthy to go about shaking hands and delving into personal problems before you've even committed their name to memory, but Jasper still rather prided himself on that element of Britishness which was scrupulous about privacy. Perhaps that was what made British mystery novels and television programmes so unendingly appealing to international audiences. British people always had something to hide, and they could hide it pretty well.

[River Blue Ashford]

"You're not alone there." River agreed in a flat voice with Jasper lifting his glass in a cheers motion before taking another swig. People always judge what they don't get. Especially the lazy and naive ones. River wasn't any of those. He might be hardened and no nonsense but he was a brilliant actor, strong person, and had one hell of a work ethic. Though he didn't know much about Jasper he was willing to bet that he was of a similar mindset.. At least in that regard. "Little dressed up for the occasion though." He noted with a nod toward Jasper's appearance. Producers.. Were they always this dressed up? He would have thought so if he hadn't been in the industry for a while. No, this seemed to be this man's personal preference. Interesting.

At Jasper's comment River nearly choked on air with his laugh. "Yeah. I'd like to see you fit in in my barrio." Fat chance of that. White man in a suit where River had grown up? He'd be taunted, threatened, gossiped about, robbed, exiled and not necessarily in that order. "Eh.." Being questioned about chaotic life almost made him want to vomit. If Jasper wasn't a producer, and he hadn't promised his manager he'd try and behave, he would have told the man to f*** off. "It is what it is. Basic and formulaic." He rolled his eyes and took a sip of his beverage to keep from digging his hole further to a depth that his manager could jump down and beat him in. "Charlie here is the one with the fun job." He tried to redirect the line of questioning reaching out to give Charlie's arm a light, buddy shake.

"He's pretending to be quiet now but he isn't usually." Charlie without Phoebe was like chopping off someone's right arm. It was almost like the guy didn't know what to do with himself if Phoebe was in the vicinity and not standing right next to him. The thought almost made River want to chuckle. He couldn't imagine being that attached to someone. Dangerous really - Giving people that kind of weight in your life (at least in his opinion). It gave them the ability to pull the rug out from under you. Being friends with both individuals he somehow doubted that was the case with Phoebe, she was the kind of overly friendly girl who flew by the seat of her pants in most situations, and she'd never want to hurt her best friend on purpose... But things seemed to be heading that route judging by the way Charlie seemed to shut right down and want nothing to do with their newfound 'pal'. Then again maybe it was less about Phoebe and more so about Charlie not liking authority. River couldn't be sure but he was determined to figure it out. The few friends that he did have he was loyal to. Speaking of: Where had Pheebes gone off to? His dark eyes scanned the bar in search eventually finding her at a skiball machine toward the back hurling balls down the hard wooden paneling. Man, she really loved that game. Each and every time they were at the venue she made a point to play it.

[Deleted]

In the back of his mind, Jasper could acknowledge that River had a point. When he said he'd felt he could fit in anywhere, he'd probably meant anywhere in Britain. America was something else entirely, and while there were certain places--mostly offices--which felt like neutral ground, culturally, he was more adrift than he'd ever been before in his life.

Before he could admit it out loud, however, River had grimaced at the mention of his sitcom and hastily brushed aside the discussion, which surprised Jasper a little. It seemed the network had a hit on its hands, and the whole ensemble of actors were increasingly gaining star-power attached to their names. Yes, it was a sitcom, but that was what a lot of people watched--half an hour's commitment to amusement. There were worse ways to make a living, to Jasper's mind.

He distantly recalled, then, that Ashford had been some kind of child star, given up to the world of light entertainment and gormless, oversaturated commercials practically since he'd learned to talk. Under such considerations, he supposed a sitcom might feel more like a PTSD flashback. One that he submitted to regularly. For pay.

Having done a few demeaning things for the sake of power and pounds sterling in his time (not that money had ever been a motive in the sense of a necessity, for him, but...everyone always wanted more money, even if they already had some, didn't they?) Jasper could relate to the unique feeling of shame and indignation.

"If we're competing to see who has the more boring job," said Jasper with a self-deprecating smile, "I have stacks of uncreative paperwork which I think would give me an edge."

[River Blue Ashford]

"But you get a say in the work that you do to some degree." He countered in a somewhat muffled voice as he forced himself to take another drink. He really should stop talking. Usually he didn't care but his manager's warnings rang in his ears to the point of annoyance. One of these days he'd put his foot in his mouth around the wrong people and then where would he be? Even the great River Ashford's childhood fame couldn't save him then. Maybe that was a good thing. "Lets just agree that they're both lousy." He offered his glass up in a cheers motion before taking another swig and setting it down on the bar just as Phoebe mad an appearance bursting through the crowd and back to join their little posse.

"Hey everybody! What'd I miss?" She asked grinning from ear to ear, bubbly as ever despite the late hour. Hands on her hips she looked between all three men catching her breath from the earlier dancing she had probably just taken part in since leaving the group. "It's super fun and everyone is ridiculously nice."

"You think everyone is nice." River rolled his eyes pushing down a chuckle and merely smirked turning his attention back toward the bar leaning and crossing his arms over the countertop.

"And you think everyone's a jerk. So what?" She countered River's negative comment flashing a smile and wink Jasper's way.

[Deleted]

It seemed as though his producer was having a good time talking to River. Well that was just great. Why was this happening to him. And where had Phoebe gotten off to. She had brought this bore and left him with the guy. Joy. He supposed he would just enjoy this drink. And the next one. When River gave his arm a shake and said he had a fun job he said "Sure it's fun, but a lot of work." Wasn't easy writing all of those scripts each week. Oh well. It was mostly fun he supposed.

He just stood there somewhat listening to the conversation. A whose job was more boring contest was inherently boring. When Phoebe returned and asked what she had missed he said "Just these two debating who has the worst job."