[Scene 1] - The Meeting
"Aeris works in the accounting field. She will be the one meeting with you. The Paris Exhibit, the art collection and exhibition you are interested in investing in, is a big investment for us too." Rick said, looking at a picture of his wife on his office desk.
"Well, she works in accounting, will she know about the social impact of my venture?"
"Yes. Yes." Rick starts twirling his coffee with his hand and takes a sip.
"Our company has a a long list of clients who invest in a variety of capital and marketing ventures, such as art. Aeris has been doing this for a long time, and so have we. Her reporting is excellent and she can answer most any question our clients have about investments, including rare, obscure opportunities like this." Rick assured.
"Ok," Mark replied. "I just wanted to make sure I can get the whole picture here, you know all the details, so I'm not, you know, left in the dark about something as simple as the art collection's owner's name and number."
"Certainly, she's our best sales person. She is very desirable at other firms in today's market, because she has a talent in presenting information, I think you will like her report on this. It's very organized. I've read it myself. How much do you know about the Paris Exhibit?"
"Not a whole lot, my company is small, but I've read the papers, and we need something out in the open to attract attention. This collection of art from Paris, it seems like the right choice because of our location."
"Islington, right?"
"That's right."
"I'm sure Aeris has worked out how it might impact the town, or Island I should say. She will have the maps, demographics, and most importantly discussion, on a face to face basis. It's important that we establish an open communication, face to face, so that you are reassured of your investment. It will also clear up details, like you mentioned. Aesthetics, things like that."
"Thanks, I'm looking forward to it."
"Ok, great talking with you, Mr. Angier, hope you have a pleasant afternoon."
"Sure thing."
Rick hangs up the phone, and looks at a crappy run of the mill painting on his office wall while taking another sip of coffee.
"Hope you can nail this thing Aeris."
The next rainy morning, Aeris arrives at work in a silky colorful top after she removes her drab rain coat in the lobby closet. She has a confident prowess to her step, and deep breaths lead her long legs through the office halls of U.P. Investments, carrying herself straight into her office on the second floor.
After making coffee this morning at her home, she barely remembers picking up the right briefcase. She puts it down on the desk verifying its identity.
She parts her blonde hair and runs a long streak through it with her classy looking fingers, the wetness from the rain bringing refreshment from the summer heat. Looking out her window, sparrows are taking cover from some rain in the leafy green of the tree, a pair diving down to the company lawn. She opens her briefcase. She notices Ron, looking in her room as he walks briskly by. She takes a sighing breath, and closes the door in a busy-like manner.
Peace of mind.
She quickly shuffles some papers from her briefcase to her top drawer in her desk. She brings out a folder which reads: Mark Angier - Paris Exhibit.
"Ok." Aeris asserts.
She quickly flips through and counts with her fingers.
"Introduction, Art investments - General, Demographics, Maps, Paris portfolio, Accounting, Financing, - whoops. Oh shit. This doesn't belong here."
She grabs a cluster of pages stapled together. She puts them in her top drawer.
"Can't be doing
this
, even if it is vacation." She whispers to herself. She taps a cluster of papers on the desk, straigtening them.
"Ok, everything is all set. This should be a walk in the park. But I can't be sure, it is an Island in Maine after all. I don't know the people very well."
KNOCK KNOCK, the door sounds.
She closes her briefcase and grabs it, opening the door with a smile. It's Kayla, Aeris' good friend, with her eyebrows raised and her hips swung out with her hand on her side.
"Did you see those hotties this morning? The movers?"
"No.." Aeris tilts her head. "I must have missed them. I'm on my way to a meeting. You have to start making your moves Kayla, not just daydream.."
"
I Know
..." Kayla says with comfortable agreement. "I know, I do a lot of one night dates. But hey, I just like to have fun...and I use those daydreams. You know...while I'm working it!"
Kayla moves her hips around in a circle then raises her hand as if to slap her ass. They both laugh.
"Ok, I gotta go Kayla." Aeris says as she walks out the door past Kayla. "Call me next week after my vacation!!" She says as she walks towards Rick's office.
Who goes on Vacation to work? I do..
I guess it's worth it. I like the attention, and the recognition from everyone here. Now, just gotta convince him that I am all set, give him a little blip about more work to be done, and then get to working on my hobby, the sexy scripts that rake in that extra cash.. I like making side profit with these things. I'm so smart. I wonder if Rick would ever...nahh....
Rick always has a cup of coffee on his desk that he is nursing as he busily goes through client details and makes calls.
"Aeris, I just have one thing to say. Thanks for taking this job on your vacation. I hope everything goes ok." He stands up and puts his hand on her shoulder as he walks her out.
"I want you, if you want, to leave early today, if you want of course, you can."
"Oh. Thanks Rick. I appreciate that. Is that because you want me to nail this job?"
Rick smiles.
"Haha, exactly. No I'm kidding. I just want you to know I appreciate your work, especially this client, because it's, you know, obscure. The art thing."
"Thanks Rick, but actually I'm going to stay, at least until lunch. I have just a little bit of research I want to go over about the town, Islington. I have everything all set for Friday for Mark. I just want to go over some details about the town, because it's an Island, I need to be confident, and witty, you know? I'll do my best. Thanks again." She gives him a smile of genuine appreciation that he trusts her. She can always pull a rabbit out of her hat to smooth things out.
"I trust you. Don't worry." Rick offers his hand for a shake and says "good luck" in a serious tone and then smiles and says in laughing manner "And by golly have some fun! You work too hard."