You reach Rusk’s office before the scheduled closing. Behind the desk, a broad-shouldered middle-aged man with medium-brown skin, close-cropped dark hair, and a square clean-shaven face in a navy suit sits over an open closing packet; a wall camera’s red indicator records you.
The Title-Company Caller
We are holding the signing window for twelve minutes. If the authorized representative is not present, the transaction proceeds under the submitted instructions.
Calvin Rusk
Calvin Rusk. You came straight here, which saves us both the performance of pretending this is an accident.
The speakerphone crackles beside his hand. Through the glass wall, an assistant, a young adult woman with a slim build, olive skin, dark hair in a ponytail, round glasses, and a pale blouse over dark slacks pauses with a file cart, watching without entering. Rusk keeps one finger on the closing packet.
The Title-Company Caller
Mr. Rusk, confirm whether you are authorizing the release. We need a clear answer before the window closes.
Calvin Rusk
The buyer is ready, the funds are cleared, and the seller’s hesitation is not a legal objection. Start the release process.
The assistant’s hand settles on the cart handle. Rusk looks from the camera to you, measuring whether you will challenge the paperwork, the deadline, or the recording first.
✓ Quest Accepted
Delay the scheduled home closing
““You’re a hard man to reach.””
SUCCESS (Legendary Diplomacy, rolled -1)
Maya Patton
You’re a hard man to reach.
You keep your tone level and let the accusation stay narrow. Your ethics keep you from threatening him or sacrificing the families’ privacy, while Reads Crowds catches the assistant’s alertness and Rusk’s glance toward the clock.
Calvin Rusk
Hard to reach is not the same as unavailable. You have my attention now. Say what you came to say.
The title-company caller remains silent on speakerphone. Rusk lifts his finger from the closing packet and turns it facedown, holding the release instead of authorizing it.
The Title-Company Caller
Mr. Rusk, I need to note that the release is paused. The twelve-minute window remains open while you respond.
Calvin Rusk
Leave the line open, Dana. No release until this conversation is finished.
Quest Complete
Delay the scheduled home closing
Skill Upgrade: Investigation Superb→Legendary