Part 1
Paul walked into the foyer of the Channel Ten building, nodding to the security guard on duty and then heading towards the lifts. He really hadn’t felt like getting out of bed on a Saturday morning just to come in for a meeting with some stuffy executives who he couldn’t stand, but he really didn’t have a choice.
He punched the button for the lift, waiting patiently for it to arrive. When it finally did he stepped in, punching the button for the 15th floor. The doors had half-closed when a hand stuck between them, forcing them open again. As the doors opened Paul was surprised to see Tim looking back at him.
Without speaking a word Tim got onto the lift. He also punched the button for the 15th floor, then stood in silence next to Paul as the doors closed. They rode for a couple of moments before the silence got the better of Paul.
“What are you doing here?”
Tim turned to Paul and looked at him, as if deciding whether he actually wanted to answer. He sighed.
“Meeting with the executives. They said it was important.”
“Me too.”
Tim was about to reply to that when the lights suddenly went out and the lift came to a sudden stop, sending Paul crashing to the floor with a thud.
“Fuck!”
The emergency lighting flickered on and Tim looked down. Paul was sitting on the floor of the lift, muttering curses under his breath clutching his left arm. Tim bent down to help Paul to his feet, but his hand was quickly shoved away.
“Get the fuck off me!”
Tim took a step back.
“Whoa easy there McDermott.”
Paul slowly got to his feet, still holding onto his arm. He looked over at Tim with an apologetic look on his face.
“I’m sorry. It’s just been a bad fucking week. And getting stuck in a damn lift isn’t my idea of a good Saturday, especially with you of all people, no offense.”
Paul winced as a sudden pain shot down his left shoulder. Tim took a step forward again.
“Take off your jacket and shirt.”
Paul looked up suddenly, a bemused look on his face. Tim smiled.
“I want to check out that shoulder of yours. You fell pretty hard.”
“You just want to see me naked.”
“I’ve already seen you naked.”
Paul couldn’t help but smile at that. Tim was just standing and staring at him, so he slowly slid his leather jacket from his shoulders, wincing at the pain once again. He unbuttoned his shirt as well and allowed it to drop to the floor, before turning to look at Tim.
part 2