[ Both Jim's brows raise, but he doesn't argue. He just shakes his head and walks on, his briefcase back in his hand. ]
So, what we're trying to do is get this business to use the printers from the tech company that's about to merge with the zaibatsu. We want to be their main provider, understand? [ They enter the building and Jim takes Sakurai to the elevator, tapping the button to the floor where management resides. ] I'm counting on you to charm these people. [ Because as much as Jim hates to admit it, Sakurai's pretty good at that when he wants to be--and while it isn't his preferred method of going about this, he doesn't want Sakurai to sit there doing nothing, either.
It'd be easier to tell his father what he did if he actually did do something. ] I'll be running the sales pitch after you've got them warmed up to us, so don't worry about the logistics of it.
You're the face of the company, so look alive.
half of what sho wants is probably twice what jim would pay
Yeah, I know what we're here for. I read the email.
[That much is true. Sho genuinely has read over the details in the email which is father sent him - twice, in fact - and although it may not look like it, he is already running over the numbers in his head as they walk towards the building, strolling inside - and he changes.
Gone is his stubborn, inflexible attitude, his sullen scowl instantly being replaced with a warm, relaxed grin which shows confidence without arrogance, shows that he is in control without being overbearing.
He's smiling at the woman on reception even the elevator doors open and he steps inside next to Jim, the two of them standing awkwardly side-by-side.]
Sure. [ Jim, on the other hand, stays as blissfully nonchalant as he always is. He's seen Sakurai's game on more than one occasion; it stopped being surprising maybe his second day of employment.
He holds his briefcase with two hands in front of him, and once they hit their floor Jim leads the way to the manager's office. There's a receptionist outside that he talks to, and she waves them towards the door. This time, Jim holds it open for Sakurai's grand entrance; he enters only after his partner for the day does.
[Sho sweeps through the door with an air of calm confidence, even acknowledging the fact that Jim is holding it open for him, which in itself is evidence that he's playing a very different role from his usual arrogant, abrasive self. He'd normally never thank Jim for anything. That done, he walks into the room where the meeting is to take place and bows politely to the men waiting inside, all smiles and nods and warm, friendly laughter.]
Takahashi-san, Yoshida-san. Thank you for hosting us today.
[Perhaps he's met these men before; hard to tell. He certainly seems to be on good terms with them, or maybe it's just his natural ability to turn on the false charm. And then come the introductions, and he holds out a hand to indicate Jim.]
This is Jimothy-san. He's representing one of our foreign partners.
[ Both Jim's brows raise at the sound of his fake name, and it's a struggle to keep the rest of his expression neutral. He does bow, though, and offers a small smile of his own, though it's clear he's got no intention of trying to match whatever charm is pouring out of Sakurai's ass. ]
Hi, I'm Jim. [ Better keep it simple, because-- ] Please do give Sakurai here your time while he presents.
[As Jim exchanges mindless pleasantries with their clients, Sho is already opening his bag and beginning to set up his laptop for the presentation. The way he's handling things so far makes him look almost... professional. It's certainly very different from the man who spends so much of his time with his feet up on the desk watching Anime in his office.]
Jim? A moment, please?
[He calls the man over with a smile. A deceptively friendly, welcoming smile. Jim should be scared.]
[ Except Jim isn't scared--couldn't be scared of Sakurai, of all people. He excuses himself to come by the older man's side, hands shoved into his pockets and head ducked just slightly to match his height.
[He manages to sound unpleasant despite the smile which remains plastered to his face. He's speaking in hushed undertones now, so that only Jim will be able to hear him.]
Where's the fucking PowerPoint? It should be attached to the email but it's not here.
[The accusatory tone in which he says it makes it sound like he's blaming Jim personally. Which he probably is.]
Who e-mailed you? [ He sounds genuinely surprised. ] You're supposed to make your own presentation, Sakurai. That's why you get assigned to sales calls.
[ Of course, Jim's made his own. But it's really only for supplementary material; he's memorised the printer specs by heart, and just about anything else. ]
[To his credit, Sho is managing to keep his composure despite what may turn out to be a monumental fuck-up. He clicks through his Inbox, finding a message from his father about presentations, and realising all too late that the email he thought contained the ready-made PowerPoint is actually just a set of instructions showing him how to make one.
Which he hasn't.
Shit.]
Jim.
[He sounds almost pleading now, knowing full well the man can see over his shoulder to the email in Sho's Inbox. The look on his face is calm, but there's panic in his eyes.]
[ Jim claps a hand on Sakurai's shoulder. ] You owe me. [ Never mind the fact that he was supposed to do the presentation in the first place. Sakurai said to leave it to him and fell short. Oweing is only to be expected.
So Jim pulls a flash drive from his coat pocket, plugging it into Sakurai's laptop. A presentation aptly named Presentation24.ppt is opened, and its first slide is blank. Still, Jim starts it up. ]
All right. [ He plugs a wireless mouse hub in, pulling the mouse out of his briefcase to start clicking through the presentation. ] As Sakurai here said, I'm Jim Halpert, and I'm here to show you our newest line of printers. First of all...
[ The presentation goes swimmingly, of course. For all of his lack of stage presence, Jim's charm comes when he speaks honestly. And by the end of it, when they're supposed to give reasons why their company is better than their competitors, Jim starts a call on his mobile and hands the reins to Sakurai.
He can at least bullshit reasons why his business is the best, can't he? ]
[To say that Sho feels sheepish doesn't even begin to cover it. Angry, guilty, embarrassed, humiliated - all of these feelings wash over him as he's forced to sit back and let Jim take control, although their clients would be completely unaware of it. Because despite his failure, Sho can still remember enough from his father's email to back up Jim's presentation, offering confirmation of figures and predicted sales targets with an appropriate smile and a nod at exactly the right moment; and when the time comes for him to promote the Sakurai Zaibatsu he's right on point, spinning a tale about the company being family-owned for three generations and having its ts roots firmly mired in tradition, which the clients seem to lap right up. Then he's bowing and handing out business cards like candy, his charm cranked all the way up to eleven.]
[ Jim's happy to hang back once Sakurai really starts working his magic, having done his part more than adequately, he likes to think. And he's proven right when the heads of the company all seem to want a piece of the action; Jim smiles and quietly takes his call.
Reporting the status to Sakurai's father's secretary, he tells her to relay the fact that the whole thing was a success. It's short and to the point, Jim graciously choosing not to say that Sakurai failed to create a presentation, and when it's over, he hangs back and waits for Sakurai to finish shaking everyone's hands.
When they're all tidied up and have left the room, Jim casually says, ] You did good in there.
[But Sho takes it as a slight anyway, casting one of his signature glares at Jim before turning his face away, not even able to look at him. Where did the man learn to pronounce Japanese inflections with such subtlety? It's his mastery of his native tongue which angers Sho as much as his obvious talent in sales. He's fucked up big time and Jim hasn't just pulled his sorry ass out of the fire, he's extinguished the flames and readied a huge tub of cream to salve the burns as well.]
[ Jim doesn't need gratitude, anyway. The success in the sale is good enough. ]
Sure. [ He checks his watch as they go down in the elevator, both brows lifting slightly. Then it goes back into his pocket. ] Where'd you want to go?
[ Sakurai's reservation must not be valid any more. Jim would take them to Matsuya--their beef bowls are the tastiest, budget and all--but he's sure cheap meals aren't Sakurai's style. ]
like i'd want to get any part of me dirty by getting it near that stupid face
[Because Sho certainly didn't. The last thing he wants right now is to try and force down a meal with Jim's smug face gurning at him across the table. Not that Jim is being smug in any whatsoever, but that's how Sho sees it.]
You're going to drop me off two blocks away from the office and I'll make my own way back. You can pick up a sandwich or something.
[He doesn't elaborate, still not looking Jim in the eye as they reach the ground floor and start to walk through reception. His demeanour changes again once they're in public, bowing and nodding at the other salarymen as they walk past, flashing a winning smile at the young female receptionist before they reach the door.]
He dips his head just a bit, voice low so no-one else can hear. ] Trust me, if I were pitying you, you'd know. [ He does take the keys out of his pocket, though, holding them out to the man that walks at his side. ]
Just take the car, Sakurai. I got another call to go on, anyway.
i wouldn't need to close them if you were behind me---
[Of course he does. He does, because he's actually that good. Even Sho has never had two meetings back-to-back like this. He frowns and takes the keys, accepting that much generosity at least.]
........
[He huffs slightly, storming towards the car with purpose and flinging open the driver's door.].
I was actually going to take the train. [ Jim shrugs. ] I got a Suica.
[ It could be his instincts telling him to make sure Sakurai makes it to the car safely. He's not sure why else he wouldn't split paths with him early on. ]
Didn't you have that lunch reservation? Maybe you can still make it.
Oh, no--no, I'm coming back to the office. [ A shrug. ] Call won't take more than an hour, so.
[ Nodding his head, Jim takes a few steps back. ] Drive safe, Sakurai. [ And with that, he turns on his heel and heads towards the subway station. Whether Sakurai eats cheap food or not doesn't matter any more, Jim decides--he'll buy him one anyway on the way back.
Because skipping meals is unhealthy. Yeah, that should work. ]
[Drive safe, he says, as if Sho is some unprepared child heading off to his first day of school. He dismisses Jim with a limp wave of his hand, settling into the driver's seat and placing his bag on the passenger's side before buckling up his seatbelt. Then the key is in the ignition, he's starting up the engine, and he reaches over to flick the radio on, at least knowing he'll calm down a little with a touch of music---
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
...they should just pay for their own stuff because jim doesn't trust paying half of what sho wants
So, what we're trying to do is get this business to use the printers from the tech company that's about to merge with the zaibatsu. We want to be their main provider, understand? [ They enter the building and Jim takes Sakurai to the elevator, tapping the button to the floor where management resides. ] I'm counting on you to charm these people. [ Because as much as Jim hates to admit it, Sakurai's pretty good at that when he wants to be--and while it isn't his preferred method of going about this, he doesn't want Sakurai to sit there doing nothing, either.
It'd be easier to tell his father what he did if he actually did do something. ] I'll be running the sales pitch after you've got them warmed up to us, so don't worry about the logistics of it.
You're the face of the company, so look alive.
half of what sho wants is probably twice what jim would pay
[That much is true. Sho genuinely has read over the details in the email which is father sent him - twice, in fact - and although it may not look like it, he is already running over the numbers in his head as they walk towards the building, strolling inside - and he changes.
Gone is his stubborn, inflexible attitude, his sullen scowl instantly being replaced with a warm, relaxed grin which shows confidence without arrogance, shows that he is in control without being overbearing.
He's smiling at the woman on reception even the elevator doors open and he steps inside next to Jim, the two of them standing awkwardly side-by-side.]
Leave it to me, okay? I've got this.
... yeah, let's just eat crappy fried eggs
He holds his briefcase with two hands in front of him, and once they hit their floor Jim leads the way to the manager's office. There's a receptionist outside that he talks to, and she waves them towards the door. This time, Jim holds it open for Sakurai's grand entrance; he enters only after his partner for the day does.
'Laave it to him'. All right, then. ]
we're having wagyu beef or we're having nothing
Takahashi-san, Yoshida-san. Thank you for hosting us today.
[Perhaps he's met these men before; hard to tell. He certainly seems to be on good terms with them, or maybe it's just his natural ability to turn on the false charm. And then come the introductions, and he holds out a hand to indicate Jim.]
This is Jimothy-san. He's representing one of our foreign partners.
you're the most pretentious little--
Hi, I'm Jim. [ Better keep it simple, because-- ] Please do give Sakurai here your time while he presents.
[ It was all in the e-mail after all, right? ]
do i look like a burger-and-fries kind of guy?
Jim? A moment, please?
[He calls the man over with a smile. A deceptively friendly, welcoming smile. Jim should be scared.]
yes, actually :)
[ Except Jim isn't scared--couldn't be scared of Sakurai, of all people. He excuses himself to come by the older man's side, hands shoved into his pockets and head ducked just slightly to match his height.
His voice is hushed, quiet. ] What's up, kiddo?
how rude
[He manages to sound unpleasant despite the smile which remains plastered to his face. He's speaking in hushed undertones now, so that only Jim will be able to hear him.]
Where's the fucking PowerPoint? It should be attached to the email but it's not here.
[The accusatory tone in which he says it makes it sound like he's blaming Jim personally. Which he probably is.]
coming from you? :D
Who e-mailed you? [ He sounds genuinely surprised. ] You're supposed to make your own presentation, Sakurai. That's why you get assigned to sales calls.
[ Of course, Jim's made his own. But it's really only for supplementary material; he's memorised the printer specs by heart, and just about anything else. ]
Don't tell me you didn't.
respect your superiors, jimbob >:|
[To his credit, Sho is managing to keep his composure despite what may turn out to be a monumental fuck-up. He clicks through his Inbox, finding a message from his father about presentations, and realising all too late that the email he thought contained the ready-made PowerPoint is actually just a set of instructions showing him how to make one.
Which he hasn't.
Shit.]
Jim.
[He sounds almost pleading now, knowing full well the man can see over his shoulder to the email in Sho's Inbox. The look on his face is calm, but there's panic in his eyes.]
Help me. Please.
he will once sakurai EARNS IT
So Jim pulls a flash drive from his coat pocket, plugging it into Sakurai's laptop. A presentation aptly named
Presentation24.pptis opened, and its first slide is blank. Still, Jim starts it up. ]All right. [ He plugs a wireless mouse hub in, pulling the mouse out of his briefcase to start clicking through the presentation. ] As Sakurai here said, I'm Jim Halpert, and I'm here to show you our newest line of printers. First of all...
[ The presentation goes swimmingly, of course. For all of his lack of stage presence, Jim's charm comes when he speaks honestly. And by the end of it, when they're supposed to give reasons why their company is better than their competitors, Jim starts a call on his mobile and hands the reins to Sakurai.
He can at least bullshit reasons why his business is the best, can't he? ]
EARN *THIS*, YOU ASSHAT /middle finger
...do you think i want it up my ass
Reporting the status to Sakurai's father's secretary, he tells her to relay the fact that the whole thing was a success. It's short and to the point, Jim graciously choosing not to say that Sakurai failed to create a presentation, and when it's over, he hangs back and waits for Sakurai to finish shaking everyone's hands.
When they're all tidied up and have left the room, Jim casually says, ] You did good in there.
[ No sarcasm whatsoever. ]
you wish, yankee boy
[But Sho takes it as a slight anyway, casting one of his signature glares at Jim before turning his face away, not even able to look at him. Where did the man learn to pronounce Japanese inflections with such subtlety? It's his mastery of his native tongue which angers Sho as much as his obvious talent in sales. He's fucked up big time and Jim hasn't just pulled his sorry ass out of the fire, he's extinguished the flames and readied a huge tub of cream to salve the burns as well.]
Let's just get out of here. I'm hungry.
[There isn't even a 'thank you'.]
you wish that i wish
Sure. [ He checks his watch as they go down in the elevator, both brows lifting slightly. Then it goes back into his pocket. ] Where'd you want to go?
[ Sakurai's reservation must not be valid any more. Jim would take them to Matsuya--their beef bowls are the tastiest, budget and all--but he's sure cheap meals aren't Sakurai's style. ]
like i'd want to get any part of me dirty by getting it near that stupid face
[Because Sho certainly didn't. The last thing he wants right now is to try and force down a meal with Jim's smug face gurning at him across the table. Not that Jim is being smug in any whatsoever, but that's how Sho sees it.]
You're going to drop me off two blocks away from the office and I'll make my own way back. You can pick up a sandwich or something.
awww... you look at my face?
[ And here Jim was being civil. Hm. ]
I could just drop you off here, have you get a taxi to go wherever. Wouldn't that be more convenient?
it's not like i can avoid it
[He doesn't elaborate, still not looking Jim in the eye as they reach the ground floor and start to walk through reception. His demeanour changes again once they're in public, bowing and nodding at the other salarymen as they walk past, flashing a winning smile at the young female receptionist before they reach the door.]
I don't need your pity.
you could always close your eyes, but... ♡
He dips his head just a bit, voice low so no-one else can hear. ] Trust me, if I were pitying you, you'd know. [ He does take the keys out of his pocket, though, holding them out to the man that walks at his side. ]
Just take the car, Sakurai. I got another call to go on, anyway.
i wouldn't need to close them if you were behind me---
[Of course he does. He does, because he's actually that good. Even Sho has never had two meetings back-to-back like this. He frowns and takes the keys, accepting that much generosity at least.]
........
[He huffs slightly, storming towards the car with purpose and flinging open the driver's door.].
....do you want a lift?
........ ;)
[ It could be his instincts telling him to make sure Sakurai makes it to the car safely. He's not sure why else he wouldn't split paths with him early on. ]
Didn't you have that lunch reservation? Maybe you can still make it.
dammit
[It's the truth. At least, not for food.]
My plans have changed. I'll see you back at the office this afternoon, okay? Unless you're going to report back to my father before then.
no subject
[ Nodding his head, Jim takes a few steps back. ] Drive safe, Sakurai. [ And with that, he turns on his heel and heads towards the subway station. Whether Sakurai eats cheap food or not doesn't matter any more, Jim decides--he'll buy him one anyway on the way back.
Because skipping meals is unhealthy. Yeah, that should work. ]
no subject
The car fills with the sound of ambient jazz.]