video; un:mmurdock

[devilsavocado]

[ This video starts with neither of the men remotely in frame. They're both wearing dark sunglasses -- dark enough that you can't see their eyes. And they have kind of like... well, maybe not the same mannerisms, but similar enough. One tells only truths has dark brown hair, while the other tells only lies is a red head. They do not look alike. The dark haired one begins to talk: ]

Hey, everyone. So it looks like we have an office here in the city now. [ He shrugs, like that's... totally normal? ] Matt and I will be opening a new firm here, called Murdock & Murdock, in the next couple of days, for anyone who needs any kind of legal services. We'll offer things like reviewing contracts, legal counseling, conflict resolution... basically we're pretty small, but between the two of us we should have just about any practice covered.

[ He doesn't gesture much as he speaks, in fact he's pretty still. This isn't trial, after all. It's a stark comparison to the redhead. ]

Also the building is crazy weird. Our office is the only thing in it? Everything else is locked but there's [ Here, he drops his voice like he's delivering the climax of a horror story at a campfire, ] no one there. [ There's a beat, and then he laughs it off. ] Pretty cool, right? Kinda gives murder vibes, but I think that's a draw to the kids these days.

Cut it out. [ The dark-haired Matt elbows the other one lightly. ] Anyway, if you have any questions about legal counseling or need to hear our credentials or anything, feel free to let us know. Office hours are going to be a little on-and-off since it's just the two of us, but you can message either of us if you need to come by the office. We're "murdock" and "mmurdock" on the network, so you'll get one of us even if you mess up the spelling.

[ ugh fiiiiine dad. The red-haired Matt manages to roll his eyes even behind those dark shades. ]

Also, I'm just saying, that when someone is accused of a crime, it's generally a good idea to speak to a lawyer. But that's just me. Here's your first piece of free advice: if the cops (or Jerry, this is really "cops" in the metaphorical sense) ask you a question you should just shut up before you further incriminate yourself without an advocate.

Right, there's that too. [ He pauses... What else? Oh, yeah. ] This is Matt, by the way. He's also Matt. It's confusing. Don't worry about it.

((ooc: Replies will come from both Matts!! But yes, come get your legal representation, Aldrip))

Comments

[devilsavocado]

That's a fair point, considering that like you said, we're basically at the whims of the Council here. But even if there isn't a clear way to intervene on their authority, Aldrip as a city still operates on a basic level. There are businesses, contracts, and more than just criminal issues.

So, sure, my bar license might not be from this world, but I have a pretty solid understanding of how things work. And for better or worse, Matt's right; we can only offer legal advice since there isn't exactly a court of law in this place.

[aeolianmode]

[ Alas, your bar license is out of its jurisdiction here... Truly, we are a long way away from New York, or wherever Murdock is from... ]

Is it feasible to offer such advice without that court of law? Even transactional work anticipates future suit.

[ Like, what's the point of making sure a contract is airtight if there are no courts and judges to enforce those terms? ]

I mean no offense. There is value to the assistance you offer, but I am lost on the merits of its reliability. You state that the city operates on a "basic level," but this is a subjective term, is it not? How can we, the strangers within this universe, truly call ourselves experts in what should or should not be considered "legal"? What is or is not acceptable under such law may change overnight with the mere flourish of a pen.

[ Bro used to be in the cult of a god who invented laws, sorry. ]

[devilsavocado]

You're giving me flashbacks to one of my Socratic professors here. Do you actually care about this, or are you asking to see how we respond?

[ He chuckles. ]

Either way, all laws are subjective. Without a court of law to enforce them, the general consensus rules. We plan to offer help for anyone who needs another perspective, whether it's their own sentence, an issue they're having, or even disputes between two parties.

Or, if you need someone that's really good at reading fine print, we're good for that. But if you don't want to take our word for it, then that's fine.

[aeolianmode]

A little of both, I suppose.

[ "The general consensus" huh. Behind his tablet, Sunday's wrinkling his nose. He's not exactly someone who trusts humanity's "gut" and believing they'll ultimately do the "right thing". ]

Hm. You are in favor of the rule of the mob?

[ That is NOT what he said, but. ]

I suppose this city could use a mediator among the Chosen, and I have heard that sentencings can be a thorn in one's side. Consider my questions a reverse consultation. If I choose to request your assistance in the future, I must learn whether your counsel may hold value.

[devilsavocado]

You know, you'd make a great prosecutor, but this is about where I'd call for an objection. Leading questions won't get you a better testimony, you know that, right?

[ He pauses, shaking his head. ]

We have to work with what we've got. As much as I'd like things to be black and white, there's almost nothing written in stone here, so we're working in a gray area that doesn't seem like it'll clear up any time soon. Given all that, the best we can do is offer consultations and give our professional perspective on what's considered fair or just, with the awareness that those terms change from person to person, and place to place.

[aeolianmode]

[ Fair's fair. He supposes he should have known he couldn't get away with that specific question. ]

It would simply be too easy for the Chosen if the Council made a list of what is or is not acceptable behavior widely available. In some sense, it is paradoxical of our adjudicators.

[ Sunday likes this Matt way better than the other Matt. ]

And what of those who seek your services but cannot afford to compensate you?

[ Like... is this business made up of bleeding hearts or what... ]

[devilsavocado]

Exactly. If we had a set of rules, they'd be too easy to follow. It kind of seems like the Council would rather catch us in a trap than actually see anyone reform. At least, given their sentences and punishments, I can't imagine anybody is actually "learning" anything.

[ So that's obviously not their intention, he means. But there's a reason Matt made the post and not the other Murdock, that guy's a little abrasive (on purpose.) ]

Realistically, we don't have to cover too many expenses. It's not like we're paying rent. This building is already creepy, with how all the other offices are locked, so I don't think we need to worry about utilities either. And I've always been a proponent of offering up our services to people who need it, not just people who can pay. So even if we need to take an IOU or trade some advice for a homemade apple pie, that's fine with me.

[aeolianmode]

[ A trap? ]

That is the natural conclusion of my own observations. Yet, I cannot comprehend what the Council has to gain from artificially creating this conundrum for people who find themselves in this city.

[ Surely, the Council is privy to this conversation occurring over the net, which means they'd also be able to tune into all of Sunday's griping. Let them, he thinks to himself.

Sunday hums thoughtfully as The Matt Who Tells Truths continues on. So this is the sort of person he is speaking with. ]

...I see. You wield a certain degree of power through your expertise, and you use it to assist those who are in need of it. That is good.

[ Hearing that the man he's speaking to is that sort of person actually makes some of his prickliness fade. In truth, he wishes more people like that existed. ]

[devilsavocado]

Right, it's hard to see what they're "gaining" from this whole setup. They can't just have us here for fun -- there must be a reason.

[ Murdock being the "evil twin" isn't too far off, though the two of them obviously have some kind of rapport, or they wouldn't be working together... ]

Yeah, exactly. It's a lot easier here, if anything. I had the same policy back home, but my practice was barely able to stay afloat. Things are cheap here, at least compared to New York City. I figure if we can afford to be a little generous, it's here.

[ He really is a bleeding heart who always helps whoever he can... it's the Catholic in him. ]

[aeolianmode]

[ An all too common narrative. Those who wished to do good in the world are ultimately stamped out, unable to compete with establishments built upon avarice and lies. ]

You did not have access to any benefactors willing to sponsor your practice?

[ Surely there was someone out there with a reasonably deep pocket and a bleeding heart to help keep the practice afloat.

A pause, and then: ]

I cannot say that I am familiar with "New York City." But the cost of living must have been rather burdensome.

[devilsavocado]

Benefactors -- or, well, banks, usually want to invest in firms that can guarantee a stable income. With the amount of pro bono work we took, we weren't exactly a "safe bet."

Plus, we prefer to keep things independent. I could have applied for a grant to get some of Tony Stark's money, sure, but then I'd have the added oversight of an Avenger scrutinizing my expenses.

[ Not that he thinks Tony Stark does any of his own expense reports, but you know. It's about the principle of the thing. (And yeah, Matt, this makes no sense to anyone outside of your world.) ]

It's bad. We have rent-controlled buildings that have been around for decades, which are about the only way your average family can afford to live in the city. In the last couple years though, there have been a lot of redevelopment projects, moves towards gentrification. A lot of deep pockets that want to kick people out of their homes so they can build luxury high-rises that no one can afford.

[ He is so passionate about New York's terrible housing market, this is legitimately his thing. ]

[aeolianmode]

[ Beats him who this "Tony Stark" or "Avenger" must be, but Sunday thinks he has enough context to assume "Tony Stark" must be someone with very deep pockets, and an "Avenger" must be the organization Mr. Money Bags belongs to. ]

...I see. I suppose that is true, that you would be sacrificing freedom in exchange for access to resources.

[ All things must be balanced in life.

He listens intently as Matt describes New York's godawful housing market. None of it actually parses properly for Sunday, but he does understand the feelings of injustice surrounding said gentrification. ]

It seems no matter where one looks, the strong will always tread on the weak.

[ There's a shade of darkness to his tone, an undercurrent of quiet anger. ]