marston, joel a.

[joel marston]

full name joel arthur marston date of birth 07.03.88 home town denver, colorado current city new york, new york education high school graduate occupation private investigator     ________________________________________ "Clever, enthusiastic, and innovative. In-depth understanding of how to improve things. Prizes intelligence in in self and others. Verbally quick with an occasional perverse sense of humor. Likes to devise unexpected solutions to problems. Takes ‘it can’t be done’ as a personal challenge. Rarely does the same thing the same way twice and is bored by routine." ________________________________________ ONE YEAR AGO     "Hi, Pearl? It's Joel, Joel Marston. The guy who interviewed you yesterday, about your neighbor? I understand that it's 2am, I'm really sorry to wake you, but I'll need you to meet me as a matter of urgency. I'm two blocks down from your apartment, in the all-night diner on the corner. Thanks." Fat droplets of rain are running down the grubby window of the diner as I wait for her, this girl I'd only met the day before. We'd barely spoken beyond the preliminary chit-chat that precedes an interview, and it had been the most generic smalltalk you could think of. Weather, Christmas, her weekend.. but I knew. The second I had realized I was sat in such close proximity to her apartment, the need to talk to her had burned right through any sense of professionalism I'd had (which, to be fair, was slim at best), and I'd called her. When she showed up, golden hair turned caramel by the rain, I knew I was right. She had to know. The fact that she'd accepted an early morning call from a man who was strange at best and sketchy at worst almost made me question her, but there must have been something about my message that betrayed my eagerness, because she seemed concerned. After asking about the case - I'd completely forgotten about that, to tell you the truth - I clarified that it wasn't about that, it was about this, ie that moment, with her and me and that diner, that was so important.  "Pearl. You don't know me, and from what you do know you probably think I'm a psycho. But I need you to believe me when I say this, alright? This isn't something  say lightly. In fact, I've never even said it before, but... these are literally the best pancakes I've ever tasted in my life. I mean that, literally. Try some. It will blow your mind." SIX MONTHS AGO     "P. You never fucking answer your phone. Can you call me back? It's important... oh fuck it, I'll just ask. Would you like to come to this gala with me? As my date, I mean. Let me know." ON THE NIGHT "Thanks so much for coming, babe. I'd never be able to blend in without a pretend date. And it looks like I'm punching above my weight! Can you get me a drink? I've gotta go ask some people some stuff." THREE MONTHS AGO     "My parents are in town. I'd really like them to meet you, are you free for dinner?" ON THE NIGHT "Hey, thanks for coming. About this... would you mind pretending to be my girlfriend? I'm trying to shelter them from the real deal, they'd give me so much shit if they knew I was seeing  a tattoo artist. Thanks, you're a peach."  TWO WEEKS AGO     "Hi, Joel again. I know you said to stop inviting you to shit, but I'm going on a trip up to Maine this weekend and I was wondering if you'd like to come? It'd just be me and you, Millie's allergic to the great outdoors. Yeah? Sweet, see you then." TWO DAYS LATER "You're a fucking lifesaver. Thanks a lot for this, Pearl... I know I've been kinda shit lately, so this can't have been way up on your priorities. But really, thank you, when the dogsitter bailed I had no idea who'd look after Schmidt while I was chasing down leads. Don't worry, I've packed enough dog food for weeks, and some treats. If he's any hassle at all just stick him outside. Thanks again, beautiful."  ________________________________________ click to listen mix to come ________________________________________ your name lex play-by phil ansaldo member group resident