[PADRIL] For the Greater Good (...and your career)

[Padril Crennent]

Padril coughed, gasped and spluttered. He finally found his voice in his shock, "The Death Penalty? Are you fucking crazy?" He breathed in and out calmly, trying to steady himself. What Gordon had said was unthinkable, inconsiderable. It could never happen, never.

"Sorry for my language, but that's a bit of a leap. How many times has the Ministry been wrong? Sirius Black is just one, prime example. Capital punishment was for the medieval ages, surely the collective intelligence of the entire government can make a prison the Death Eaters can't escape from? Maybe a new prison all together for those in truely high-security or with a history of breakouts. Anything except that madness." Padril was rambling and he knew it, but what Gordon had proposed...it was disgusting on every level.

"But I don't think you wanted a writers opinion on the Death Penalty," he said slowly, realizing. "Unless you want me to show it in a favourable light?"

[Gordon Flintock]

When Padril raised his voice, Gordon noticed one of the waittresses looked over with interest. He'd have to keep an eye on that. He just shook his head at Padril's closing comment. He sat back a little, using all those subtle body language techniques that he had been told helped calm people down.

"Padril, it is my belief that if we had enacted the death penalty, the last four years of Death Eater activity could have been avoided or at least reduced dramatically. I'm sure you've noticed the random killings of muggle-born civilians and 'blood traitors' in the last year and a half or so. Completely sporadic. How are we supposed to prepare for and track something so senseless?"

"Nobody wants innocent people dead, but that's exactly why I would like to see the Death Penalty introduced. In the worst and most certain of cases, of course. It would never be thrown around, certainly not while Kingsley Shacklebolt's in charge."

[Padril Crennent]

"You say that now," Padril said threateningly. "But what about when the Haine Campaign gets too much support. Are you going to kill them too? If you do this, the Death Eaters will get sympathy and, if not support, more hatred will be aimed at the Ministry."

"As for tracking something so senseless...it's bloody murder! It's your damn profession to stop murder and here you are suggesting it. Perhaps your policies are wrong, perhaps the Ministry is doing something incorrectly, but hell, that'd be too crazy and unusual." Padril clenched up his fists.

"What do you want me to do?"

[Gordon Flintock]

Gordon shook his head. "I want you to keep your mouth shut, unless you want to be attacked by lawyers." His tone wasn't fierce or aggressive, just getting his message across.

He stood to leave. "If you change your mind on the matter, you know where to find me."

[Padril Crennent]

Oh, no you don't, bitch Padril thought fiercly as Gordon prepared to walk out on him. He stood and gave Gordon a apologetic smile. "Sorry Mr. Flintock, this is just a very emotional topic for me. I'm sure I will contact you when I've thought about it some more. I'm sure you've already debated the moral repercussions with yourself, but I need time."

Should've thought about that when you saw Utilitarian on the blurb on Golden Hearts Padril turned and left the restaurant, looking for a corner to stand. The day he worked for Gordon was the day he sold his soul. He positioned the tape recorded under his shirt, a small smile on his face, then turned. He was just out of sight of where Gordon would see him, but he would see Gordon in the street. He planned to catch the man before he left.

Oh, look, no magic in the muggle street. How convenient.

[Gordon Flintock]

Gordon interjected and stopped Padril, before he could leave the restaurant. "Actually, do you mind if we go somewhere private, just for a moment?" he asked. His eyes wandered over to the others present in the restaurant. If he were to get a real answer out of Padril Crennent he would have to go elsewhere... of course, Gordon had favours in Magical Accidents and Catastrophes but he'd rather not cash them in. He was regretting ever speaking to him - he should have just left when Padril first indicated that he was going to be difficult.

It had been raining outside while they had been talking and looked like it could resume at any moment.

[Padril Crennent]

So long as we get away from the magic, sure, you little ass Padril thought bitterly, while keeping his face mildly surprised. "Sure," he said slowly. "So long as I don't have to sign anything else." He made it a polite joke, surprised at his sudden restraint. He had to be manipulative and careful now and he knew it. Gordon was a sponge to be squeezed.

He glanced up at the threatening storm clouds, worried that rain might short-circuit the machine. He would cast a spell to keep them dry though, so that could be taken care of. Then he'd have to deal with the magic thing again. Bloody muggle equipment.

[Gordon Flintock]

Gordon smiled politely and led Padril through the street towards an alleyway where he had apparated earlier. He walked just slightly in front of Padril. "I'm sorry," he said. "I just wanted to head down here because I'm not sure how long the enchantment on the waitress will last."

((They can be in the alley, or still walking towards it, whatever suits you.))

[Padril Crennent]

"What was that enchantment anyway? I've never seen it before," Padril said in a conversational tone, stopping as they entered the alleyway. He figured he might as well learn something new and useful while he was talking to the wretched man.

The alleyway made him feel unsure. Did Gordon have a sort of ambush or something planned? Had he seen the tape-recorder and about to call him out on it?

It didn't matter. No magic anywhere in the vicinity and his tape-recorded would likely be able to play-back the entire conversation here. So long as Gordon didn't show Padril the spell all over again.

"So, what did you want me to do about the Death Penalty for prisoners anyway?" He was trying to casually reiterate the topic, so if Gordon answered he'd only incriminate himself.

[Gordon Flintock]

Gordon withdrew his wand from his pocket. "It's a little spell that's been going around the Department of Magical Law Enforcement." He was looking up and around at the walls surrounding them, checking for something, anything. "It can be rather meddlesome, though, so I'd rather not let it get beyond that."

"And lets be honest, now, Padril. I mean, lets say you let this conversation of ours slip. The ministry wont let it pass in the Daily Prophet, so you'd have trouble getting it out at all. Then once you do, you'll be charged with breaching a Non-Disclosure Agreement, which isn't a nice fine, and will probably ensure you never do any investigative work for the Prophet again. And I might manage to slap on an International Statute of Secrecy charge too for your little outburst earlier."

[Padril Crennent]

"Says the man who cast a spell in the middle of a muggle restaurant," Padril said sarcastically, his hand moving to his own wand. "I know all that, yes, I know it'd be stupid and pointless. But you still haven't answered my question." Crap, isn't this guy a Leglimens? Fuck Padril began to wonder whether Gordon intended to silence him or something and took a step back.

"Why are you pulling out your wand, Mr. International Statue of Secrecy, in the middle of a muggle alleyway?" Padril knew he'd never beat the man in a duel, so he began thinking of what to do if a fight arose. A shielding spell, apparition. Distracting spells. Destructive spells. He began to go through a list and pre-plan the fight while his face remained unchanged.

[Gordon Flintock]

"Sorry, sorry," Gordon said, placing his wand back in his pocket. "Just idleing, was thinking about that spell. Which, by the way, was a reaction to your outburst, and is covered under Clause 48, I think. Might be 38."

He took notice of the way Padril moved his hand, and paced backwards away from him. "But, you're dodging the question and changing the subject Mr. Crennent. We had a gentleman's agreement, and a legal one, too." He looked him in the eyes. "Are you going to uphold it or is this going to be a cause for trouble? Perhaps we can reach some sort of agreement."

[Padril Crennent]

"I never said I would tell anyone," Padril said, hand moving away from his wand. "I'm legally not allowed to report and I know it's stupid, logic would lead you to the answer Mr. Flintock, but you still haven't answered my question which, by the way, I asked first."

"Why did you call me here in the first place? Tell me, or I'm leaving," he said firmly. Son of Merlin, this guy is a bit screwy.

[Gordon Flintock]

Gordon sighed. "I already told you, you're not interested in the project so I'm not interested in you anymore. I called you here to see if you'd be interested in doing something for me, but you wont be, so it's fine, as long as you stay quiet."

"Like I said, you know where to find me. I'm sorry for being so abrasive, I hope you understand."

[Padril Crennent]

"Then bye Mr. Flintock, unless you want to grab my arm again? No? Fine." He turned and left the alleyway, hurrying into the street, already planning on how exactly to publish his information. Jaden and Harley could provide him with good lawyers and maybe a way to broadcast it. Perhaps he could sneak it into WWN or something?

With a million plans and a lot of trouble, Padril apparated away as soon as he was free of the muggles and Gordon.