Forgive or Relive?

Where did the weekend go? That's what Marty wondered as he made his way up the stairs from the subway to Times Square. Last he remembered, it had been Friday night, he had picked up some sushi takeaway, headed home and began studying for round #2 of the W.O.M.B.A.T.s even though he had not yet heard back on the first level he had taken. Marty felt good about that first test though, fairly sure he had definitely passed. Yet, oddly enough, it still did not stop him from hoping the confirmation of those feelings would show up soon.

Some how, the sushi had been finished with some hot tea and Charms with a bagel and lox the next morning as he continued on in the subject. The weekend had progressed through Potions and a quick homemade beef stew he tossed together from vegetables in his fridge and a bit of stew beef for lunch and a bowl of seasoned fava beans for dinner and a nice chianti, Magical Law and Government and a veggie omelette with coffee for breakfast, continuing into a sandwich for lunch. Somehow, the late afternoon arrived and the weekend was almost over. Marty had not even left the apartment but had remained in studying. Deciding that some fresh air and a break was needed, he grabbed a jacket and locked up as he headed to the nearest subway station and rode the train to Times Square.

He was now proceeding to the area Starbucks for some coffee, a scone and catch up on the weekend news while he sat and enjoyed the light snack/dinner. It was a bit crowded for a Sunday evening and trying to decide where to sit, thought he recognized one of the customers at a table alone. Maybe it was fate that set it up but whatever it was, Marty headed that way and asked, "Mind if I join you? No empty tables," he explained in case the man was going to suggest finding one.

Dunena had been sitting in starbucks for a while he was on his 3rd cup of coffee after cutting back on the rather large amount of drugs he usually took he had become very dependent on the Coffee and had taken to almost permeant residents at the starbucks coffee house In time square as he worked on research and getting ready for the next show. Dunena needed to work hard to regain the trust of the people and to insure that he got nothing wrong.
The shop was very busy most of the time people coming and going but dunena really didn't care until a man asked if the spear chairs was taken as it was very busy.
Dunena didn't look up if he had he would have seen that it was the man that in part had made the fight the darkness really fall to pieces in a spectacular fashion.
"Sure have a seat" Dunena advised the stranger as he finished making some notes on his iPad for tonights show.
It was then that he looked up as he took a sip of his Venti Caramel Macchiato and came face to face with The stuffy hairs man from the Rally. Dunena was so shock as every one had been looking for the man that he spat the mouthful of coffee out and nearly chocked In-between coughing and breathing dunena found his voice.
"Your that Guy from ... my Rally" Not really a question more of a statement.
But the big question was had this guy heard his show and had he forgiven him for telling untruths about a woman he clearly cared for.

"Thanks" was all Marty said as he slid into the vacant seat, setting his cup and plate down before looking across the table to introduce himself, and finding out he did not have to as he recognized the table's original occupant about the same time the man recognized him. "Yes... I am, Mr.," Marty paused for a moment, remembering, "Reid, isn't it?"

Marty had thought back to that night often and wondered about all the changes that had occurred for him since then. While the chain of events had begun in Australia and meeting Fifi, it may have also ended in Australia had he not been assigned to observe and then quit observing to stand up for what he believed was right. Which, it was but that was another story entirely. One of the changes was that Vincent and Viktor had charmed his radio at home so that he could listen to WWBN which turned out to be the parent company of the affliate he had accidently picked up at the inn he stayed at in Drouin that played the DJWoof call in show. Marty had kept the number and may or may not have called in occasionally though now he can listen to the show in the evenings at home himself.

He also can listen to a certain Rally Forming Radio Host's show as well and this particular weekend, he had. "Heard you back on the air the other night," he said quietly and waited to see what the man would say.

Dunena was spruced that the man had been listing to the show as he had come to find out that he was Muggle But then again he was involved with Fifi LaRoux so he may have access to the show that way.
"Umm yes it is Reid But just call me Dunena and your Marty Harper Is it not and i believe i owe you an apologies for well all that Happened the other day at the Ministry I was in error in the way i approached the situation with the photos i hope you were not in to much trouble with the Muggle authorities" Dunena hoped that this was going to be the last apologise he would have to make for a while.
Dunena took a large sip from his Coffee Before tring to make conversation with new coffee drinking buddy.
"So your a local?" Dunena decided to start with something simple and not to noise Hopping to put the past be hide them and get off to a fresh start no scents in making enemies when it not needed.
Dunena closed the iPad and placed it on the table in front of him not wanting Marty to think he was asking for any other reason that whiting to know and not for broadcast later.
"you do know most of the New York Auror department Hunting for you on the orders of Frump" Dunena felt that the should ask if he knew and if not to give him a warning of the Coming trouble from Frump and his Incompetent Ministry

"Dunena," he repeated back as the man suggested a first name basis, "And yes, it's Marty Harper. Just call me Marty, easier that way." He returned the offer of first name basis to the radio host. "Thanks," he added as Dunena repeated the apology directly to him that he had made to his audience on the show the other night. "It takes a lot to admit publicly when you make a mistake. Glad to see you're strong enough to do so like you did the other night." Marty took a bite of his scone and chewed thoughtfully for a moment and then sipped his coffee as Dunena warned him about Frump's aurors looking for him. "Actually, they've contacted me already. Seems they were concerned when it seemed I disappeared but I had to do some travelling and they've contacted me since." Taking another drink of his coffee, Marty continued. "They were mostly concerned with the fact the Muggle authorities had arrested me since they had not called them in. Actually, I was released in the morning." Marty didn't mention the part about being fired since he now was back at work and wasn't sure who really did know about that.

However, as Marty sat there, he had a question of his own. "So what exactly were you trying to accomplish with this rally of yours?"

Dunena was glad to hear that frump had not done any thing to the man before him and that he had excepted his apology
"Marty...Yes i am a strong believer in taking resposablity for one's own actions and i was in the wrong" Dunena said " I am glad to hear Frump didn't rail road you in to anything" Dunena sat forward took a sip of coffee. Then sat back in his chair.
What were they trying to accomplish. "Well we where trying to get Frump to come clean about some of the things he been doing behind the scenes at the ministry. He not a nice man he very deceptive" Dunena was to sure how much detail to get in to "He umm is selling out the wizarding people" Dunena was not sure how to explain to a Muggle the internal problems of the wizarding world.
"I was but one voice of many that want Frump outed and someone half decent in power that has the best interest of the community at hart not his pockets or who's in his pants" Dunena tried to phrase that as nice as he could so not to sound like he was accusing Marty 'friend' of being one of them.
"So you Know Fifi well?" Dunena decided to ask questions that may help him work out what Fifi whats from him.

Marty frowned at Dunena's comment about Frump. "No, actually he was more concerned with anything and rather happy to see I was safe and sound." He hesitated a minute and then commented, "You know, you keep up with comments like that and it will get people thinking that what you are doing is more of a personal vendetta against Frump then that you really care about how the American Ministry is run," Marty offered. He would have thought someone in radio or other forms of media would realize that. "Not saying you have one, just sometimes the comments make it sound like it's a personal war between you two." Marty had heard some of the comments Dunena had shouted at the rally and now this one. Sort of did give the appearance. Oddly enough, Frump had not said anything regarding Dunena good nor bad when he had contacted Marty, not that it had been an in depth conversation just a glad you were not seriously injured that night and are not languishing in Muggle jail type discussion of about ten minutes.

So Reid believed Frump was selling out the wizards. Okay, that was a reason to organize against someone but, back to what had brought out all the trouble that night, having proof. "Campaigning against that is good but do you really know this for sure and is there really valid proof available that you can obtain?" Marty asked, the discussion turning to a good topic of conversation.

Well, until the question about Fifi and Marty just left it rather simply answered with, "Obviously, I consider her a dear friend since I knew she couldn't have been in that picture." Well, okay, Marty hoped they were still friends as he had not heard from her since that scene in the airport though Dominic had assured Marty that Fifi knew what was going on now, after Dominic finally calmed her down and explained what she thought she saw was not what she thought she saw but only one-third of what she thought she saw and not by his hand.

I think.

Dunena listen to Marty say how it was starting to sound like a personal issue with frump witch was un true as he simple could not stand internal crap that frump allowed to take place in the ministry.
"I have documents from several departments with in the ministry that show the corruption with in the current administration" Dunena said he had displayed some documents in the windows of WWBN-NYC building some weeks ago.
"Put them up in the window of the studio couple of weeks ago" Dunena advised him. Dunena had more documents but was holding off on them till thing settled down some since the rally and to double check them.
"Dose it really sound like i have it in for Frump personally?" Dunena was really up set that he came across as a peaty man out for personnel revenge or something.
"I was hoping to step back from the fight for a time to give the community time to re group since the Debacle that was the rally, rethink the way i approach the Ministry on matter such as these" Dunena had found at time he could think quite clearly and reasonably since the blow up that was the Halloween party Did that have to do with his new lighter drug load.
Dunena drank down the last of his coffee.
"Love this stuff" dunena randomly commented on the coffee

Marty held up his hands, palms out, and shook his head. "Wait, I'm not saying you don't have proof and don't have good reasons," he explained. "Really, I don't know what you do and don't have at all or how you got them. Not important really, long as you know what you have is valid stuff." He wasn't saying what Dunena was doing was bad, just the way things sounded sometimes. So when Dunena asked him if he really thought that, Marty explained. "Sometimes," he told him. "It's not always what you say but how you say it?" he asked, wondering if Dunena had heard that before. "Like just now when you said to me 'I am glad to hear Frump didn't rail road you in to anything'. I realize you meant that you were glad to hear I was treated okay at the MInistry but the words were harsher than that." He waited to see if Dunena was catching on to what he was saying. "Have you thought about actually having an interview show with Frump, a list of questions with specifics? See what he says? Or maybe have in on for a call in show?" Marty asked, since he had not heard earlier shows on WWBN. His coffee was almost gone as well and he held up his cup and pointed to Dunena's already empty one for the barrista to fill another order of both. Once the barista nodded, he turned his attention back to Dunena.

Dunena was listening to what the Muggle was saying about confronting frump with the documents and question but Frump would never go for it.
" I don't think that frump would go for that He and has One or Two Issues with me and my show" Dunena was specking from experience he had sent at lest 2 request that he could remember to Frumps offices for a repressive to come but else no one.
"They never sends anyone when we request them" Dunena commented as he listen to Marty.
"Used to work at the ministry New york, DC and Melbourne Frump and i used to do a lot of work together i know the inner workings of the Minster and i know he's bad for our kind" Dunena did not mean for it to come of as condescending as it sounded.
"I find the ministry to be loosing some of its intragtery in recant years when i was on the inside i did see that but after a time in Australia i saw things as they were i was part of a system that did not work any more and needs changing" Dunena was making a mental not to use that in a show.
"Yes more coffee need that" Dunena was easy detracted by things most days but now he was hyper active to much coffee.
"Help with the thinking"

Marty nodded in understanding at Dunena's reason for not thinking Frump would agree. "True," he said, "He might not but if you put the offer out there, he can not say it wasn't made. Plus, with the rally going the way it did, the balance has changed so you never know." As Dunena told his background with the Ministry in various locales to Marty, Marty simply listened. Yes, it did seem Dunena had access to the things he was telling everyone but getting viable, usable proof was going to be the hard part for the radio host. Moreso after someone set Dunena up with a false photo.

"You have a good basis for your knowledge," Marty agreed, "You just have to back it up with your evidence and just consider how you phrase things. People back off if they think you've got personal reasons for putting all this out. You don't but as I said, sometimes it's how you say it." Marty smiled then. "My dad would always tell me the old adage that you can catch more flies with honey then with vinegar. He's usually pretty right about things."

It was at that point their reorders were brought to the table and Marty paid for both, figuring it was the least he could do since Dunena had sincerely regretted what happened and apologized. Wasn't the man's fault really. "Definitely helps with thinking," he agreed.

Dunena was sure by the way this man spoke he was in the media world and this could be a good thing.
"You working the media don't you?" Dunena was sure of it now and wanted to confirmer it and Dunena was glad he hadn't made a jack ass of him self.
Dunena had decided that he was going to go on air and clarify his position next show clair the air and make it sound more professional that the new Dunena Reid Professional man and some what clean and sober which was were the real sock was for most of the people he dealt with on an normal day.
"you know if your ever in the market for a job i sure i could find you one in my office on the show even if you not in the media you should be" dunena advised that man he felt that he could be an asset to his show and the WWBN -NYC. dunena would pay him himself if that joke of panther would not.
Dunena reached in to his pocket and pulled out a very Muggle card containing a cell number and email address and placed in on the table in front of Marty.

Marty shook his head. "No not really in the media," he told him. Sure he would contribute to the online forum and blog Smoking Llama.com had but he did not consider that working in the media the way others did, like Dunena, for example. "Just a lot of it is things learned over the years and common sense. Of course, it's easier for someone else outside of the situation to see the objective points of one that you are completely involved in." Of course, Marty had no idea if Dunena would take his suggestions but he could hope a bit or at least hope the delivery would be clearer to Reid's listeners. Marty was a bit surprised when Dunena actually offered him a job. He did take the card the man offered, never knew when you might need someone with his own wizarding radio program, but he smiled and again shook his head. "Thanks, but I think I'll stay doing what I'm doing," he told him, though not mentioning exactly what it was he was doing. "So where will you go from here?"

Dunena watch as the man took the card offered to him.
"Well you have learned well. " Dunena commented as a new cup of his coffee arrived in a take away cup guess they were hitting at something like you've been here to one Get out
"If you change your mind about the job I can be found almost any where near coffee" Dunena took a large sip of his coffee and looked at his watch notting that he would have to go to prepare for his next show and make some changes after his conversation with Marty the wises man dunena had the good luck of meeting this day.
"well my good man i must be going have a show to make and many changes to make and very little time to make them in. it been interesting and in lighting, Marty good day" Dunena stood gathered up his iPad and his coffee and made for the exit to the square and back to WWBN NYC and his office that until recently he did even know he had to write down some notes to wake up Bjay and get to the studio Make a fantastic show and then home to get off his face.

Marty did pocket the card because it never hurt to have contact information of people, especially those who had been involved in the latest chain of events. He held back the grin that threatened to surface at yet another job offer. Not bad considering a short time ago, just after the rally he had been unemployed and then had three offers, two of which he took. Nodding at the comment about coffee, Marty wished Dunena well as the man took his take away cup of coffee and headed back out into the city. Marty watched out the window at the various passerby for a few minutes before turning his attention to the copy of the New York Times that had been on the vacant table next to him and catching up on the Muggle news.