Chapter Text
Leith Pierre sits at his desk, frustrated. He needs scientists, people who could figure out how Elliot Ludwig's daughter had managed to exist as a doll. But all of the scientists that were being suggested just weren't fitting what Leith knew they needed.
He sighs and pulls out a file Elliot had given him. The Young Genius' Program, the label read. Leith had glanced over it a few times, but nothing had seemed to be of any use. Just some people Elliot had tried to teach a while back. Leith is beginning to run out of options at this point, though. He flips through the file again, taking only a few seconds to read each page. One of the pages stands out to him, something that he hadn't noticed in his previous readthroughs. One of the young geniuses had a large red stamp at the bottom, reading kicked out of the program.
Kicked out? Leith wonders. Elliot didn't seem the type to kick anyone out of his program, much less someone who had seemed to be rather intelligent. Harley Sawyer. Leith looks him up on his computer. Sawyer had become a successful surgeon in his time away from the company, according to his searches.
Exactly what Leith was looking for.
Leith quickly checks the time. It's almost closing time, so he can't reach out to Sawyer today. It'll have to wait until tomorrow.
But Leith can't help but feel like he's finally made progress.
The next morning, Leith tracks down Harley Sawyer through files, the internet, and some subtle questions to Elliot.
Sawyer hadn't traveled far for his new job; only about an hour or so away. It wasn't too difficult to find a phone number.
"You've reached Dr. Harley Sawyer's office. What do you need?" he answers after a minute of ringing. He sounds annoyed.
"I'm Leith Pierre from Playtime Co. I was calling because I have an offer to make," he answers, ignoring the doctor's tone.
"I don't do business with Playtime anymore," Sawyer answers bitterly.
"I know you and Mr. Ludwig have... a history." That's an understatement. From what little he'd gleaned from his conversation with Elliot, there had been a lot between the two of them. "But this might be something you'd be interested in."
"It would have to be something special to convince me to come back," Sawyer says. He doesn't hang up, though. He's intrigued.
"I believe this is special enough for you," Leith answers, gently fidgeting with the telephone cord. Everything he'd read showed that this project was exactly what Sawyer would be interested in. The doctor is a man of science, someone who loves innovation, something Leith can relate to.
"And what might this 'offer' be?" Sawyer asks.
"I think it would be better to talk about this in person. Come to the factory, when you have the time. Tell the person working at the front desk Leith Pierre asked for you, and they'll send you to my office." Leith says.
Sawyer doesn't answer for a few minutes. He's debating about whether to accept, given his history, but Leith knows he'll give in. Sawyer is the kind of person who needs all the answers. If he doesn't find out what the mysterious offer is, it will eat him alive. "I will be down there after I'm done here." the doctor finally answers.
"Great. I'll see you then." Leith says before hanging up, feeling satisfied with himself for what he was able to accomplish.
Sawyer arrives at the factory late in the afternoon. Leith is surprised he'd managed to get here so soon, especially considering how hesitant he was to come in the first place.
"Are you ready to talk now?" Sawyer asks as soon as Leith opens the door.
God, he's hot. The thought comes out of nowhere. Leith ignores it. "No small talk?" Leith asks jokingly, allowing Sawyer into the office.
"If I were a man who enjoyed small talk, I doubt I'd be here," Sawyer responds, taking a seat. "Now, do explain this offer of yours to me."
"Playtime is working on a project of sorts. I can't share all the details until you agree to the job, of course, but let's just say it about the poppy flower and its ability to...preserve life beyond natural means." Leith answers, sitting in his chair behind the desk.
"You are trying to achieve immortality?" Sawyer asks, leaning forward in interest.
"Essentially, yes. It's a bit more complicated than that, but yes." Leith answers.
"And you want me to help you with this?" Sawyer asks.
"I want you to lead the project. You are, quite frankly, the best person for this job." Leith responds.
"And what does Ludwig have to say about this?"
"He'll approve." Better to ask for forgiveness rather than permission. Elliot will see how helpful Sawyer will be, and he'll thank Leith for coming up with it.
"He doesn't know?"
"Are you willing to accept the deal or not?" Leith asks, annoyed. Whether Elliot approves or not is not any of Sawyer's concerns at the moment.
Sawyer thinks about it for a moment. "I'll do it." he finally answers. "But I require a lab, test subjects, and staff. I'd also like to know why a toy factory is conducting this research."
"Don't worry, you'll get your supplies," Leith responds. "And your answers."
"I do believe this is going to be the start of a very interesting partnership, Mr. Pierre," Sawyer says.
"Hopefully," Leith answers with a grin.