InsaneJournal

WHO: Mavis Dracula, Winston Frost
WHAT: Work talk
WHEN: backdated to Mavis' return from Alaska
WHERE: Frost Enterprises
WARNINGS: n/a


On the one hand, it was easy to go back to work after three weeks away, because there had been work to do during the trip. On the other, it was still an adjustment; a different pace, a different routine to get back into. But at least there were alien zombies to keep her on her toes.

Winston was in the office late, and wandering, when Mavis came in. He had a bluetooth headset that pinged and let him know when someone entered the premises, expected or not. And when he heard of Miss Dracula’s return, he wandered that way. She was, after all, one of his favorite new employees.

He casually moved to her work area, checking the area board first to refresh his mind what they were working on.

Mavis was working her way down a list of reference materials to pull for the senior researchers, and points of interest on which to follow-up, regarding the project they had been working on during the trip. Sometimes, she felt like she was just pulling files and saving everyone else a couple steps along the way, but she knew it was all important to help things run smoothly. But it wasn’t always just fetch-and-carry.


“Hello, Miss Dracula.” His voice was soft, but resonated. It was the voice that had caroled in joy at his childrens’ births and had cowed men in boardrooms around the world. It was a man’s voice, and a man who was curious’ voice. He smiled as he nodded to her. “How goes the work?”

Mavis smiled as she heard her new boss approach. He was nice. He had a nice voice. “It’s going alright, I think,” she said, pushing her chair back from her desk a bit. “Would you like to see what I’m working on so far?”

“I would, In fact, I’d love to hear a summation of what you’ve found.” He smiled to her, curious and kindly, as he wondered how she was doing. Her boss was impressed, her coworkers, few that there were, envious. She was good at what she did. and maybe she would be able to advance farther. He was hopeful.

She smiled back, and spread her notes across her desk; all neatly organized, if a bit unpolished. They were thorough enough to help her articulate her findings in what she felt was a concise and professional manner, and to give cross-references to support said findings. Still, she couldn’t help but feel a little nervous as she finished, looking up at him with hopeful expectancy. Would he approve? Would he give constructive feedback? Would he be displeased?

Oh, the suspense!

His response was a measured clap and a nod, and a very small smile. “Well done, Miss Dracula. Well done, indeed.“ He smiled a little warmer. He made a few notes on her style, then ended simply. “You have come far, and have the potential to go even farther. How do you like your job here? Do you enjoy it?” He hoped so, though he honestly thought he would watch her, and maybe even promote her sooner rather than later. She did as well and better than his grandson was doing.

"I do," she said, "I feel like I'm learning a lot. And that I'm really a part of something here, not just passing the time while I earn my diploma. You know? Like I'm making connections and discovering resources I'll be able to refer back to, even years down the road. And if I'm going to realize all the crazy ideas I have, I'll need that."

Winston nodded, enjoying her enthusiasm. “You’re doing a lot of good here, indeed. Making things happen. Would you care to see some of what has stemmed from what you and the others have researched?” He offered her his hand, and smiled. “And, if you truly want to realize crazy ideas, someday, perhaps you will consider working here, even after graduation.”

“Really? That would be amazing,” Mavis said, taking Winston’s hand. She didn’t really think anything of the gesture, even if it was more familial than professional. Mr. Frost was a rather avuncular sort of gentleman, and besides, who was going to see? “I’ve mentioned some of my ideas to Nate, but I want to study preternatural biology, and help people with conditions like mine.”

He led the way toward the elevator as he listened. “A good goal, and one Frost Enterprises could help with. We are moving to investing in and picking up a few companies in bio research.” He pushed a button on the elevator front and nodded as he waited. “I’ll show you some of our development areas. We are mostly an investment team here, but there is one r&d section and a few of your research projects have helped. And it’s next to the Project Ceres Planning room, so you can see that, too.” He nodded.

“That’s great,” she said, “I mean, I know everybody working together helps to make things run smoothly, but it’s nice to see the actual results.” She was tickled to hear that the projects she had worked on were more than just statistics on paper.

Winston nodded as the elevator opened and led the way in, before pressing one button and nodding to her. “It is, which is why I tour the place fairly often. Seeing what I do turned into reality is a pleasure few owners and CEOs have. I pride myself in trying not to become disconnected.” It was too easy to talk to the bright and cheerful young woman, and he realized, suddenly, that she reminded him of his wife. That made him pause and smile for a moment, as the doors opened. “On this level, we have some of the applied research, showing what we did with it, as far as Project Ceres’s planning room.”

Mavis didn’t know why anyone would grumble about Mr. Frost. Of course, she only had the present upon which to base her impressions of him, but he seemed very pleasant, and involved. He certainly didn’t have to pay for the jet to bring people to Alex’ and Lorna’s impromptu wedding, or the band to play at her beach party, and yet he had. And it didn’t feel to her as if he were trying to buy her off for any reason. Why should he?

She stepped out of the elevator with him, smiling as she glanced around. “This is fantastic.”

Winston smiled. “A smart man once told me that money is only to help reward your friends and destroy your enemies, and you should only do the second when you had no choice otherwise.” Winston nodded as he walked with her, leading her to the planning room, which showed a display for the remodeling of an entire area of the OC, including a farm, a series of new streets and shops, a theater section, and more. Information was tacked to the table and wall maps, and notations showed which reports had generated what. Mavis’s initials were on several items. Especially the middle one. Winston walked to the wall map and tapped it;. “The Frost Enterprises Project Ceres centerpiece, the Park of the Moons, where we will hope to help raise not only enough food for the area, but to be able to ship out food as well to other areas of the world.”

And he nodded to her. “And the research you did, those first few weeks, and young Nate as well, is part of how we are even this far ahead.” It was an ambitious plan, and could easily fail. Every detail had to be right, and Mavis’s research had withstood immaculate fact checking.

“That sounds like something my father would say,” Mavis mused, wondering--not for the first time--if her father actually was the Count Dracula. Or if it really even mattered to her. He was her father, and she loved him; and it was his insistence on giving her a very thorough education that had enabled her to be a part of something like Project Ceres.

“Even if we have to keep trying...I have a really good feeling about this.”

“Good. Mister Dracula is quite an interesting and formidable man.” Winston nodded. He had dealt with the man a few times. He liked him, even. “Whether we succeed now or not, we will keep trying and out putting money into means other people will try as well. Someone, sometime, will succeed, and that is only for the better.” He nodded to her and led her to the next room, which had several computer monitors up and running with reports on them, in various stages all. “Here are some of our investments, ideas and factors gleaned from the work you did, and others with you.” He smirked as he got to the end of the line and the envelope he had prepared., He lifted it and held it out to her. “This company has gained some record returns, and this, madame, is your bonus check, for this quarter.” He smirked. “I trust you’ll find it fair.” It was four digits, after all!


Mavis’ eyes widened, as did her smile. She hadn’t been expecting any kind of bonus, so even before she peeked at the number, she was pleasantly surprised. She wasn’t sure if she should look, now, or if that would be rude. “Thank you,” she said, “I’m just glad to know I’ve helped.”

“You have and I hope you will continue to be happy here.” Winston smiled to her, then led the way back out of the room, toward the elevator. “This company works best when people know they are contributing. And to what.” It was an unusual approach to the business world, but that was his way.