Rumours Date & Time: 1 November 2002 | mid-morning Post Type: RP/Introspection Status: Closed: Complete Character(s): Lisa Turpin, Clinton Castlebury (NPC), various other Blackthorn Brooms executives Location: Blackthorn Brooms, Blackthorn Ridge Summary: Lisa has a meeting with the bosses about an upcoming event.
Lisa fidgeted with her clothes one more time as she waited, wishing that she'd known about this meeting ahead of time. She'd have worn something a bit more formal, a bit less Muggle. But there was nothing to be done for it now. Normally, she wouldn't give a rat's arse about what she was wearing, but she'd also never been called into a meeting with the younger Mr. Castlebury before. Most things she could take in stride, but a meeting with the Vice President? What could he possibly need from her that couldn't have been filtered down through the usual channels?
"Excellent, Miss Turpin," said a voice, and Lisa turned to see a rather handsome sort of thirty-something wizard standing in the office doorway. He stuck his hand out. "Clinton Castlebury. I don't believe I've yet had the pleasure."
She shook his hand, noting immediately that it was a bit calloused, but not terribly rough. Recreational flyer, then. "It's nice to meet you, Mr. Castlebury. Though I have to admit I was a little confused to receive your memo this morning."
He nodded toward his office, and she entered in front of him only to be immediately assaulted by a room full of people. They greeted her, and she did the same, but it was all very odd. She was used to meeting with clients who had very specific expectations to go with her very specific offerings, but here she felt a little unsure of herself. It wasn't a feeling she was used to, and she definitely didn't like it.
"I'm not foolish enough to believe that rumours don't circulate around the factory," Mr. Castlebury said, as if it were some sort of explanation. He sat down in one of the empty chairs and indicated Lisa should do the same. "So I'm sure you've heard talk of an event in the near future. Quidditch stars and publicity aplenty?"
"Oh, sure," she said, smiling. "I think even the lady who empties the rubbish bins at night has heard that rumour. Except she's only concerned about whether Viktor Krum will be there, and if he's single." Last I saw he was, she thought, smiling to herself.
There were a couple of laughs, and Lisa wondered for a moment if she'd said something inappropriate for this setting--it wouldn't have been the first time she made such a gaffe--but when she turned, Mr. Castlebury was grinning.
"As a matter of fact, he will be. Though I'm not sure if he's single or not," he added with a wink.
He slid a piece of parchment across the table to her, and Lisa skimmed it quickly, trying to take in as much information as she could as quickly as possible. Her heartbeat ratcheted up a couple of notches as she read. A Quidditch exhibition? Here? In Blackthorn Ridge? All of the names were familiar ones, too, but then Lisa knew the names of far more professional Quidditch players than the average person.
She must have had a silly sort of expression on her face, because Mr. Castlebury said, "I see you're as taken with idea as I am." He waited until she'd finished scanning and looked up before continuing. "We've had this in the works for months now, but, as slimy as it might sound, this influx of illness into our society has afforded us with the perfect slot for such an event. Both for business and for the public need. As you can see, we've been quite busy trying to finish pulling it together on short notice."
Lisa nodded, noting the abundance of papers and empty coffee cups sitting around on the table. Before she could reiterate her confusion about being called into this particular meeting, though, he spoke up again.
"I don't think I need to tell you how great an opportunity this brings us, from a strictly advertising perspective. You will, of course, be needed to work the event. The press booth will have the best view, I think," he said, tapping something that looked like a roughly scribbled drawing of a Quidditch pitch. "Unfortunately, we couldn't have you flying around with them, though that would make for some brilliant shots...." For a moment, it sounded almost as if he was talking to himself, but then his gaze snapped back up to her. "And then reserved seats for you and some friends, of course. The VIP booth will be suitable for once the match starts, and then you'll be primed for photographs when the players come in for the meet and greet session afterwards."
It took a moment for all the information to sink in. The brief moment of disappointment that she felt over having to work the event--or, at least, having to work it in an official capacity rather than taking the pictures she would have wanted--dissipated almost instantly at the thought of photographing a meet and greet session. Bloody hell this was brilliant. She looked down at the names on the parchment again, already feeling giddy with excitement.
"Whatever you need, Mr. Castlebury," Lisa said, then laughed a little. "You know, since you're paying me and everything."
"Too right I am," he said, laughing as he stood. When she followed suit, he shook her hand again, then grabbed an envelope from the table and handed it to her. "You'll find all the details inside, along with a voucher for tickets, the ads we're interested in filling from the event, and plenty else that you don't even need to know, I'm sure."
He grinned as he walked her to the door. "My father's been rather impressed with your work, Miss Turpin. And I can say for a fact that he's not always easily impressed."
After saying her thank yous and goodbyes, Lisa walked out of the office and back into the hallway, feeling excited and just a little bit dazed. This was exactly why she'd taken a chance on a permanent sort of job like this...and she was glad that it seemed like it was going to pay off.