Monday Morning Jubilation [open to OP]

[Victoria Jefferson]

The house was unpacked. Golum was happy in his cat tree. Pictures were on the walls. And Victoria had left for the day.

Monday’s were bemoaned across the country as the ‘worst day of the week’. The kickoff to working five days for the average American not in retail, but for the woman hauling two shoulder bags and a small wheeled suitcase into an office it was something to look forward to. A new job, and after months of living off her savings, it was a welcome change.

Opening the door to the office, Victoria baked in, pulling the small suitcase with her. She didn’t know what kind of equipment Operation Patriot had available to them, but she wasn’t about to risk her work on a PC. PC’s were fine for home use, surfing the internet, and just goofing around; but when it came to business, she was all about the Mac. Expensive as they were, they were better suited to her needs when it came right down to creating the layout for pamphlets and booklets.

Once she was all backed in, the large woman shut the door against the oppressive heat and released a happy breath. “Never thought it’d get this hot up here. Florida, sure. But not here.” This was followed by a short chortle as she wheeled the suitcase around and patted the top of her head to make sure her wide, white headband was still in place and doing its job.

“Good morning,” Vikki chirped and then adjusted the strap to one of the two laptop bags. “Where can a girl set up shop?” Oops, probably best if they knew who she was, “Victoria Jefferson, reporting for duty.” Civilian or not, it sounded like the right thing to say.

[Gerard Mayburry]

Fortunately for Victoria (in Gerard’s opinion) the director of Operation Patriot was the only person in the lobby. He was staring at the new wallpaper, as it were, trying to decide if Doctor Carson’s decision had made any different. Everyone else seemed to like it. To him it just looked like wallpaper. He turned around, hands clasped rigidly behind his back.

He sort of just stared at her blankly until she offered her name. Things made a lot more sense now. “Now I see why you’re here with a whole two tons of suit cases!” He greeted, moving to
her and reaching out, not to shake her hand, but to take a suitcase and a shoulder bag from her. And it was a take…he wasn’t taking no for an answer. “Its good to meet you Miss Jefferson. I’m Sergeant Major Mayburry.”

Once he’s shouldered the bag and adjusted the suitcase, he reached out his hand to her to shake. “The government tells me I’m the director of this outfit…” He sighed and looked around. “But I didn’t even get to pick the wallpaper.”

[Nicholas Kells]

Nick was a man who believed in the importance of first impressions. Since today was his first day at Operation Patriot, he had been up since well before the sunrise to make sure everything was just right. After a five-mile run around the downtown area, he had a quick shower before checking that his suit was well-pressed and spotless. It took three tries to get the knot in his tie looking just right.

Having a cup of coffee (black, no sugar), he sat in his kitchen to review the files of those he would be working with. Although he would have loved a detailed history of everyone, he had only been able to receive short bios. Even with his connections around the military. Still it was better than going in blind.

He wasn’t exactly pleased to learn he would be working side-by-side with metas. Especially Lenore & Moira Sanders, since he didn’t have any experience with gestalt twins. But he knew that it would be important to at least act like it didn’t bother him too much. For now at least.

Nick strode into headquarters with his briefcase in one hand, and a small box of office supplies, a picture of Rachel, and cleaning supplies in the other. He walked in just in time to hear the man, who he recognized as Sergeant Mayburry, comment on the wallpaper.

“That’s such a shame, sir,” Nick said to him. “I’m sure you have excellent taste.” Setting his briefcase and box on the floor, he reached out his hand to the man. “Nicholas Kells, sir. You must be Sergeant Mayburry. It’s an honor.” Turning to the woman, he held out his hand to her as well. “Miss Jefferson?” he asked, even though he was fairly certain of her name. “May I just say you look lovely this morning?”

Yeah, landing a good first impression was crucial.

[Victoria Jefferson]

As her bags were relieved of her, Vikki beamed appreciatively at Gerard. "Thank you so much, Sir." Gripping his hand with her own she gave it a hearty and firm shake. No limp-fish handshakes for Ms. Jefferson. Not on your life.

She felt as though she should offer some condolences to him about the wallpaper, but wasn't given that chance, the door opened behind her and Victoria shuffled out of the way to allow entrance to the young man behind her.

He wasn't carrying much in the way of work equipment, but then Vikki had no idea as to what his position within the department would be. She required exact tools, and trusted her machines above anything a company could provide her. Not that they wouldn't try, but she knew what she needed and what she was both comfortable and good at using.

As Kells reached his hand towards her and offered up a compliment so very early, Vikki beamed at him too and her lashes bowed as she blinked acknowledgement. "And aren't you sweet to say so. It's a pleasure, Mr. Kells."

His first impression was indeed a good one, though she figured he was just being polite, it was always appreciated when someone took the time to offer a compliment. Complaints were too quick to the lips more often than not.

"Sir," she turned her gaze back to Mayburry, "Where shall I start plugging in?"

[Gerard Mayburry]

Gerard managed a thin grimace, with a tight nod of approval. It was about as close as anyone was going to get to a welcoming smile today, but all the same it was a clear expression that he was not displeased with Victoria’s handshake. Smart woman, he knew that. But it was one thing to be smart and a complete other to have a proper hand shake. Operation Patriot couldn’t go around with weak handshakes.

Speaking of handshakes, he immediately turned to mister Kells as he thrust his hand forward, shaking it vigorously. “An honor my ass, Soldier. Its good to have one of America’s boys around here. Good to have you, son.” He commended, obviously taking an immediate liking to Nicholas simply for the fact that he was military.

Not a Marine, but we can’t all be perfect, can we?

“If you’ll both follow me, I’ll give you the tour. And I’ll show you where you can set up shop.” He instructed

[Nicholas Kells]

Since his time in Iraq, Nick hadn't really seen any combat or decent military action. He mostly sat behind a desk and convinced young men to do it instead. But he wasn't about to downplay his military career if it would help him get into the Sergeant's good graces. "Thank you sir," he said. "It's good to be here." When Nick was first offered the job at Operation Patriot, he was glad to hear that his main superior wasn't a meta. He didn't know if he would be able to actually work for one of them.

He smiled pleasantly at the woman, glad to see that like the rest of her gender, she was easily manipulated with any sort of positive compliment.

At least one co-worker (possibly two) on the way to being in his back pocket...Check.

Turning back to the Sergeant, Nick picked up his briefcase and box again. "Lead the way, sir," he said, eager to get started.

[Victoria Jefferson]

Vikki beamed at her boss and made a gesture to indicate she was ready to follow as needed. If she'd any indication of what was going through Kells' mind she'd turn red-hot in .3 seconds to explain to him in her most patient, sweetest tone exactly why he was wrong. Which simply wouldn't be the best way to start a new position in her chosen career.

"It's so cozy in here," she said instead, tugging the hem of her shirt down so it wasn't so crumpled from where she'd been carrying her equipment bags. It was sweet of her boss to carry them for her. Unnecessary, but sweet. Allowing herself to indulge in observation as she followed the two men on the mini tour, Vikki mentally preened. The new position was going to be great. Perfect, even. She'd be able to do something substantial with her life. Help the oppressed come out and be proud of who they are, and get the world to acknowledge their presence in a positive and accepting manner.

There was absolutely NO need for the Meta's to hide. And if they were more accepted, maybe the doctors would have known what to do to save her.

Pushing that thought aside, there'd be plenty of time for that later, Victoria began to ask questions. "How much has been established so far, Sir? Do you have copies of the pamphlets and ads that have already been run so I can review them and play off of them for better synching." Or change them all together so they'd be better received. Were there stock images she needed to use, or would she need to get a photographer and start from there for different adds and the brochures.

[Gerard Mayburry]

And lead on Gerard did. Gesturing rather ridgidly, more a mark of his regimented personality than any immediate stress, Gerard pointed out the other offices of the still-meager OP headquarters. The first, already whirring with computers and other manner of instruments that Gerard didn’t bother to try and understand, belonged to “Doctor Alana Carson works in here. She’s the one responsible for the paint. Glad you seem to think its cozy, Miss Jefferson.” He said, nodding over his shoulder to her. Across the ways a bit from the Doctor’s office, Gerard pointed out a mostly empty office. The only thing in it was a large bookcase. He paused by the door and looked pointedly at Victoria.

“This, I thought, might suit you, Miss Jefferson. The bookcase came with, and its one of the larger offices. Plenty of space for printer, or whatever it is you might need.” He pointed slightly down the hall. “Lenore and Moira sanders, Hammel liason, work in there. For a while it seems you’ll be working most closely with them. “ He explained. “If it doesn’t suit you I can always find you someplace else. Or you can trade with Kells here.” Gerard nodded curtly and began walking again.

“My office, as well as our board room, is down this direction. Kells, your office is a wee bit smaller than The doctor’s or Miss Jeffersons, but I wasn’t sure what you would need.” He gestured to the bare office, just around the corner from his own. He chuckled dryly. “Though I suppose you could make do with some cramped quarters?”

[Nicholas Kells]

Nick was more than happy with his office. For one, he didn’t have to be directly across from the twins. And although the size didn’t matter to him, it pleased him that Gerard gave it to him because he knew Nick would handle it well. He smiled warmly at the sergeant, “This will work just fine, sir.” Nick said, walking in far enough to place his things on the desk.

Standing in the doorway, he glanced around the hallway, giving himself a moment to memorize the layout. What he needed now was to learn where his co-workers stood on meta issues. But he knew better than to blatantly ask. Reading his co-workers and learning ways to influence and direct them would take a little time. Nick didn’t mind though; he was a patient man.

“Are you settling into Pilot Ridge well?” he asked. The question was not addressed to either Gerard or Victoria specifically; he just wanted to see if either of them would answer. As he waited to find out, he turned towards the Gerard. “Will we be meeting either Dr. Carson or the Sanders today?” he asked. Not that he was actually looking forward to either meeting. Scientist types were not really his favorite type of people either.

[Victoria Jefferson]

As her office was introduced to her, Victoria's beaming smile widened to it's apex. On most people it would look false and creepy, but on Victoria there was the air genuine sincerity.

"It will do just nicely, Sir." Her eyes shifted to Kells, and when he expressed satisfaction with the office provided for him as well, she bobbed her head, the mass of black, tight curls bouncing behind her. She was thankful that Kells was fine with his office and she wouldn't need to swap, working closely with the Twins meant she would need to be closer. And while the offices weren't spread too far apart, it just made things easier.

The book shelf was just a bonus. It wasn't something she needed immediately, but it was appreciated.

"Excellent, I'll take those," she reached for the bags that Mayburry had taken from her and set them in on the provided desk. A good, sturdy piece of furniture that would hold the monitors she intended to set up and link through multiplicity.

Once they were set down she rejoined the men in time for Kells query.

"I'm settled in nicely, thank you. It's strange how much hasn't changed." She'd grown up in Pilot Ridge, worked in it, gone to college in Vermont, and moved with her sister out of the town, but not the state when they'd both gained employment.

"I saw on my way in that someone had set fire to the statue in the town center. I wonder what it was about." It was possible that it had been an accident, but in Victoria's experience, statues didn't randomly combust.

[Lenore & Moira Sanders]

Statues didn't usually combust, but this was Pilot Ridge. Anything was possible here.

Including the very people Nicholas Kells didn't want to meet showing up just then.

As always, Lenore and Moira looked immaculate. Their dark hair was pulled back into low ponytails, and they wore complementary, but not matching suits in gray and navy, respectively. They each carried a black, leather folder filled with notes on the people they would be encountering during their liaisonship with Hammel, and they were ready to start working.

"Good morning." "Good morning." They spoke cheerfully in tandem as they stopped next to the little group. They hadn't personally met either Nicholas or Victoria, but they had read their files, and both seemed exceptionally qualified. (Thankfully, Dr. Carson wasn't there yet. They didn't want to deal with her unpleasantness just yet that morning.) "I am Lenore Sanders." "And I am Moira Patel. It is nice to finally meet you both."

Finally, with a nearly full office, they could get their work started. Yvette Morganstern had been tapped as the new Head of Hammel, but that announcement was still a few weeks away and she wouldn't be transitioning into the position until September, with the start of the fall semester. They had a bit of time to get everything prepped, still.

[Victoria Jefferson]

The only indication Vikki had that the women were two people and that her eyesight wasn't going wonky were the color differences in the suits. They looked smart, sleek, well dressed, pleasant. And they were her coworkers. Beaming at them she thrust her hand at first one, and then the other, "An absolute pleasure to meet you both," she intoned.

It was exciting, the first day of work. Meeting her coworkers, those she would work closely with (Moira and Lenore), and those she wouldn't (Kells and Mayburry). But they were her coworkers and she needed to know them. Needed to be able to create their profiles to draw the interests. To drive the traffic. To integrate the Metas into the rest of the population. More and more kids were manifesting and more and more parents were aware. It was only a matter of time before someone slipped and posted something, or a video got through. There needed to be control during the integration.

Guidance. Ease people into it. There would be hold outs, there always were. Worst case scenario, there would be riots and people targeting the Metas out of fear. Best case scenario in an ideal world: Everyone holds hands and sings around a campfire like at camp.

She would have to work on keeping the press and the information that got out positive. And the two women in front of her were going to be her best partners during all of it.