INT. WHITFORD COMPOUND — COMMON ROOM — AFTERNOON
The room has recently been frequented. A card game was left abandoned on the table sometime earlier, hands still splayed face-down. Presently, DANTE sits sideways in a chair near the window, one arm resting along the back of it, watching the courtyard below with the unfocused gaze of someone deep in thought.
At some point, RYKER enters, on a course toward the adjacent kitchen. He registers Dante and offers a short upward nod.
Ryker disappears briefly, returning with two water bottles and a bag of chips. He sets a water bottle on the table near Dante without comment and drops into a chair, pulling out his phone and tearing the bag open. Dante glances at the bottle and picks it up after a moment.
A comfortable enough silence follows, broken up by the crackling of the chip bag. Dante returns to looking out the window. The door opens again. CADEN steps in, jacket off, shirt collar open: a casualness not often seen on him. His eyes move across the room in a single sweep before settling with apparent ease.
RYKER
(not looking up)
Cap.
CADEN
(to Dante, pleasant)
Moretti. Don't think we've had a proper introduction yet.
DANTE
Don't think we have.
Caden leans to the side, pulling an unoccupied chair to drag it closer to the group, sitting in front of Dante without hurry.
CADEN
(smiles)
'Course you do. And I already know you. Just being polite.
Dante's eyes stay on him for a moment, then drift back to the window.
Ryker glances up briefly at the exchange, then back to his phone.
CADEN
(leans back)
Hope the facilities are to your liking. Compound takes some getting used to.
CADEN
Saint treating you well?
DANTE
(guarded)
'Course he is.
CADEN
(short laugh)
Just asking. Man's not exactly known for his warmth.
Caden tilts his head, smile staying put.
CADEN
Good to hear. I mean that.
Dante doesn't respond. Ryker shifts in his chair, coming across something on his phone requiring both thumbs.
CADEN (CONT'D)
(conversational)
Chicago, right? Originally?
CADEN
Long way from home, isn't it?
DANTE
(slight shrug)
Home's flexible.
CADEN
I can respect that, actually. Takes a certain kind of person, moving that far from their roots. Starting fresh somewhere.
He says it warmly. Dante looks back at him.
DANTE
Wasn't exactly fresh.
A small pause follows. Caden glances down at the abandoned card game, reaching out to idly flip one of the face-down hands over.
CADEN (CONT'D)
(studying the cards)
You still have people in Chicago?
The question is phrased lightly. Dante's eyes snap sharply to Caden's face nonetheless.
CADEN
(glancing up)
Making conversation.
DANTE
I didn't think you appreciated small talk.
Another silence. Ryker looks up from his phone now, reading something in the air that he can't quite name. Caden sets the cards back down. His smile doesn't falter, but something in his eyes changes.
CADEN
(small easy laugh)
Fair. Alright. I'm curious about you, I won't pretend otherwise. You're someone in a unique position under unique circumstances, and I'm a curious person by nature. Hopefully that doesn't bother you.
DANTE
Depends what you're curious about.
Caden says it the same way he says anything else. Still, Ryker's eyes cut sharply to Dante. Dante doesn't move for a moment, studying Caden with an unblinking gaze and a neutral expression that gives nothing.
DANTE
Yeah. I'd say that bothers me.
CADEN
(spreads his hands)
No pressure. Just — you've got a foot in two worlds, and I've always found that interesting. Professionally speaking.
DANTE
Professionally speaking.
Dante finally shifts, straightening in his chair, setting the water bottle down on the sill.
DANTE
Then I'll tell you what I'd tell anyone with a conflict of interest. Nothing.
The room is quiet for a moment. Caden holds his gaze, the warmth in his expression unfaltering.
CADEN
(light)
If that's how it's gotta be, I suppose.
RYKER
(to Caden, slowly)
...Man, is this, like—
CADEN
(stands smoothly)
Introducing myself. Like I said.
He buttons the second button of his sleeve with no particular hurry.
CADEN (CONT'D)
(to Dante)
No offence intended. I absolutely respect the discretion.
DANTE
(already back at the window)
None taken.
Caden nods once, and leaves the same way he came in. Ryker stares at the door for a moment after it closes.
RYKER
...The hell was that?
DANTE
(not unkindly)
Your boss, not mine.
Ryker looks down at his phone, no longer reading it.
RYKER
(quieter)
Is that somethin' I needta tell Saint?
Dante glances at him. Something in his expression settles.
DANTE
(simply)
I'll handle it.
Ryker nods once, seeming to decide that's enough. Outside, the courtyard is still. Dante watches it for a while longer before picking the water bottle back up.