Work Text:
June 1984
Florence isn’t back the next year.
Walter likes to think he’s a pretty good judge of character, and he and Florence had spent enough time together over the last few years. He waits. Not that it matters—this is just personal interest. He wants to be proven right.
She doesn’t come back the next year, but he gets a story tip from one of his many contacts, alerting him to the winner of a small regional competition in England. It wasn’t anything that warranted having commentary on-site, nothing that would have made them money. But a young woman reappearing in the chess world and dominating all of her competition was something to pay attention to.
Walter pays attention, and she continues to play. He has to be careful here—Freddie isn’t the only chess commentator in the world, and he isn’t trying to hide her from him, but Walter doesn’t want to provoke any unnecessary clashes. Freddie has been doing so well lately. A confrontation might make for a good TV event, but he would prefer to keep Freddie in a decent state of mind. He’ll find out soon enough if she continues on this way, but that doesn’t mean Walter has to send him to any of her events right now.
He doesn’t expect her to show up at his London office one of the few weeks he happens to be there—she didn’t make an appointment—but he isn’t complaining.
“Florence, what a pleasant surprise,” he smiles, standing up from his desk and offering his hand. “How have you been?”
“Fine,” she says, short and brisk. She doesn’t take his hand.
He nods. “And how is your father?” he asks.
Her gaze softens slightly, as predicted. “He’s doing fine,” she says. “I didn’t come to talk about him. I’m sure you’ve heard the news.”
“Of course,” Walter smiles. “You’ve come a long way in a very short period of time. Where do you have your sights set?”
Instead of answering, she pulls out a manila envelope from her bag and hands it to him across the desk. “Something for you to read,” she says, and sits down.
He sits and takes the papers out, flipping through them. It’s a contract, simple and neatly drawn up, covering all the same points the two of them used to argue over with Freddie’s contract. Honestly, the whole thing is very conservative, nowhere near what Freddie used to ask for. It outlines a reasonable percentage she should get from TV ad revenue, a wardrobe budget, guaranteed first class flying for travel to tournaments and a decent stipend while she’s away from home. Walter already knows he’s going to accept it before he gets to the second page, but that doesn’t mean Florence needs to know that.
“Interesting,” he says mildly. “Can I expect you to aim for the world championships, then? As reasonable as all this is from Global’s perspective, we don’t make it a point to sponsor just any chess player.”
“I’m going to become world champion,” Florence says, full of confidence and righteous indignation. It’s a sight to behold.
“Against Anatoly?” Walter asks, brow arched.
Florence’s fists clench on her lap. She leans forward slightly. “Against whoever has the title when I get there,” she says. “It’ll be a good spectacle for you either way.”
Walter knows, but if it is Anatoly—he can practically see the dollar signs already. It wouldn’t even need any spinning, the tabloids had already reported at length on their affair. Florence coming back to play against her former lover would be the kind of drama that’s impossible to manufacture.
“How long do you think it’ll take you?” Walter asks.
“Four years at most. Maybe less,” Florence says. I’m already a grand master, and I already know how to prepare for these kinds of tournaments. It’s just a matter of time.”
“So it is,” Walter says. He tries to keep his smile to himself. He remembers when Freddie said the same thing to him, years ago. Back before Walter found out he would be more trouble than he’s worth—but that hadn’t ended up being true, had it? Freddie is paying off, now.
And so is Florence. If she follows through, this contract is going to make Global a pretty penny. And he has no doubt she’ll follow through. Florence Vassy is not one to leave something half-done. “Well, I’ll get this to the lawyers, then. Shouldn’t take too long for them to make any adjustments they want, although between you and me, I don’t know what they could possibly complain about. You really should ask for more, you know.”
“I know,” she nods. “But it’s not about the money.”
“You say that now,” Walter laughs. “It’s been wonderful to see you again, Florence. I look forward to working with you further.”
“Likewise,” she says, and her smile is all threats. She doesn’t scare Walter, but it’s just like Freddie—he knows she’s going to get what she wants whether he stands in her way or helps her along.
Much more fun to let her loose and see where she goes.