A portly, pink, middle-aged wizard with male pattern baldness hurried into the room. He smoothed down his black robes and adjusted his bow tie. His blue eyes bulged behind the big, round "Harry Potter" style glasses he wore. (This fashion mistake was borne of Harry Poindexter's belief that he actually resembled the legendary wizard and would get more respect if he emphasized the nonexistent resemblance. Pity it never worked.)

"M-m-m-m-mrs. B-b-b-bbb-b-bass?" he sputtered. "I-Is there a M-muh-muh-m-Mrs. Bass here?" Harry's stutter always became more pronounced when he was upset, and right now he was truly vexed.

Diana wrote everything she could about that meeting. It was to be considered and tried to be resolved what should be done at that minute. She just could think about diplomacy in that situation, just as her coworkers had suggested to do. She bit her lip and looked at her notes.

Suddenly a man walked in, asking for Mr. Bass. Surely, Diana was new around and had yet not learned the names of everyone.

Jacob carefully recorded Mr. Parias' answers beneath the corresponding question on his parchment. Next to his own question, his careful handwriting expressed his concern about the French government getting involved in shipments they didn't usually deal with.

"I for one have never been to France," Jacob said, thinking of the many countries he'd been to, "so if we were to send someone to France, I wouldn't be a great choice. I don't know the language or the politics all that well."

A man, looking a little flustered, rushed into the room just then, stuttering for Ms. Bass. Jacob nodded his heads towards his boss with an amused look on his face.

It wasn't unusual for non-magical, X, XX, or XXX rated beasts to bypass the governments, but ones with a higher rating usually did call for some inspection, lots of paperwork, and in some cases, a governmental agent to help with the transportation and distribution of the creature to make sure nothing happened to the countries populations. However, a government that was intervening in the everyday affairs of business, now that was a problem. It would only lead to bigger problems.

"Mr. Parias," Krel said leaning forward so that she could be seen as she asked her question. She felt a little conspicuous seeing as it was her first day at the Ministry and she had only meet Ms. Bass and Mr. Stryker. "Considering the nature of your business, what with the varying International Creatures legislation, is yours the only shop having difficulties?" It was quite possible that none of the other shops in the largest wizarding commerce center in England were having problems. It all depended upon their exports vs. imports.

Rico nodded as Parias answered his question and jotted a few notes down. The employees were doing a great job getting to the bottom of this, so far, but it looked like a trip to France would still be necessary. Sigh.

He found it interesting that Jacob was already volunteering himself to NOT go to France. Heh. Rico smiled at his employee and made note of that as well. Then some blubbering, odd man burst into the meeting, looking for Evaline. Well well, things just kept getting better, didn't they?

"She's right there," he said quietly, jerking his thumb in the direction of the boss. She was seated at the head of the table, after all. Not too difficult to find. "Er, is there something we can help you with, sir?" Rico added, raising an eyebrow at the man. This was a rather important meeting, after all...and usually people didn't just burst in for the heck of it. Then again, perhaps the baldie had been invited. Heh.

Harry Poindexter nodded, moving toward Mrs. Bass but addressing both her and Rico, obviously agitated. "I-I'll s-s-s-suh-say there is something y-you can help m-m-m-m-muh-me with. I've b-b-been t-t-tuh-t-tuh-t...attempting to f-fl-f-fuh-f-f-fuh-fuh-f-floo into F-F-F-Fuh-F-Fuh-" he struggled, then shook his head and chose another word, "P-P-P-Puh-Paris and they are telling m-muh-me the f-f-f- the country's network is closed to B-British travelers? W-wh-what in M-Muh-Merlin's name gives?" He looked to them both impatiently, obviously flustered. His round face was pink and a little shiny. Being upset always made him sweat copiously, and he was really upset. He had a convention to attend, and he was late!

Evaline took notes as Mr. Parias answered more questions from her employees. She was happy to see that they were taking things more seriously. She heard Jacob start to say he shouldn't go to France so she replied back, "We'll deal with whose going where in a few minutes."

She was just about to ask if anybody else had any more questions when a man walked into the conference room she had not seen before. And he had asked for her by name. Rico had just gotten to asking him why he was hear and she listened intently as he spoke of not being able to travel there.

She looked at the poor frustrated man and nodded. "Sir, please take a seat. We will sort this out I promise." she replied and then added, "Please tell me what is your name?" She also then poured a cup of tea and a cup of coffee and levitated them over to where he sat down so he could decide which one he wanted.

She couldn't believe France had now decided to close it's borders to all British things including people.

Emma listened to the answers Mr. Parias was offering, but something seemed odd to her. His business could be overseen for certain purchases, that was quite clear. But did this affect every other type of business transactions? This was unclear at present. Then the funny man in glasses came in, stuttering up a storm, disrupting the meeting for a bit.

Emma looked to Rico, "Um...if they need someone to go to France, I'm offering my name, sir. I speak fluent french. I could be an interpreter if need be." She smiled to her ex-boss as she wondered if they really needed anyone for an expedition of this type.

"M-my name is P-Puh-Puh-Poindexter. H-Harry P-Poindexter. And I've simply got to g-g-get to P-P-P-Puh-Paris!" he said, spraying spittle in his agitation as he picked up a cup of tea.

Evaline saw the man had a bit of a stutter and was getting wet icky spit everywhere, she tried to keep her distance as she told him to calm down. She couldn't do anything to get this man to Paris if he didn't cooperate first and tell her what happened and she decided to tell him this.

"Mr... Poindexter... I will try to get you to Paris as soon as possible, but I need full detail on what happened to you and the circumstances you were heading to Paris and such." she told him and then nonchalantly added to her staff. "and will some one please take down his account."

As Evaline Bass said to take down Mr. Poindexter's account Alicia was already writing notes down on her notebook. "Yes miss Bass" Alicia sighed she was going to get spit on no doubt but she would get all the information aobut Mr. Poindexter's need to travel to Paris and the circumstances of Traveling to Paris. "Hello Mr. Poindexter, I am Alicia Devereuax, please come with me, and I will take down the information needed." Alicia, then looked to Evaline and the others and adressing the group spoke, "If anyone needs to get to Paris I may be able to help I am a native to Cannes, born and raised there until I went to Hogwarts."

Rico was having a hard time trying to not snigger at Hhhary PPoindexter. He was just so....so....ssso ssttutery!

Instead of blatantly laughing out loud, Rico took a long, hot sip of his coffee and settled back in his chair. He nodded at Emma and the new girl when they volunteered to go to France and jotted something down on his parchment.

"Have you tried any other means of entering France?" Rico wondered out loud. "Broomstick or apparition, perhaps?" He really didn't want to think of the problems if France was so angry that they were blocking all English imports, exports, and citizens.

Evaline looked at Miss. Devereaux and spoke to her directly. "Thank you, but he needs to go no where right now. I just need someone to be scribe for his accoutn right here, right now." she addressed and then turned as Rico started asking a question and listened.

Peter listened as different people volunteered to go to France and some saying they would like to stay right where they were. His question had been answered by the number of people offering to go. No one had gone over yet. Then a man popped out of no where and was trying to get to Paris. Which at that rate he could take a few of their work mates with him. He listened carefully at the man as it was hard to understand him. Maybe someone knew a charm that could help translate. He sat back in his chair as he listened to the conversation.

Poindexter nodded, walking toward Alicia. He took another sip of his tea; all that talking had dried out his mouth.

"Yes.... I've t-t-tuh-t-t-t-ttuh-tried b-brooms and ap-p-p-p-p-p-p-puh-p-p-ah-ap-" he paused, trying again. "Ap-p-p-p-p-p..." He looked at him helplessly, hoping he'd understand. "B-buh-b-buh-bl-bl-blocked. My Ap-app-ap-apparition was b-buh-blocked."

Jacob looked at the man, wondering if he always stuttered or was just nervous.

"Have you tried reaching someone by owl?" He asked. "I know that won't solve the problem of you reaching Paris, but at least then you can tell someone your problem. "That, is, assuming France is letting owls into the country Jacob worried. How can you tell what country an owl came from?

He jotted down a quick note on his parchment: Convince France to at least allow families? It wouldn't solve problems for people like Mr. Black Glasses here, but it would be a start if France really was blocking all travelers.

The young lady had a very good question. So good in fact, Shawn had to stop and think about it for a moment. "As far as I know," he started slowly tapping his thumbs together. "I'm the only one that ships and receives abroad at an almost daily basis. Few, if any of the other shops could be having the same problems I am."

Shawn stopped talking as another man entered the room stuttering and looking extremely forlorn. He wondered if he was here for he same reason he was.

Alicia nodded, "Alright so when you were flying to France there was something like a ward that kept you from entering...if that is the case i do not know if anything not even an owl could get through." Alicia, bit her lip, "However I will try contacting the assistant to the late Minister and see if he can work something out...the floonetwork will not allow anyone who is not part of the ministry to contact the french minister's office, so, I will try to contact Barty, my cousin in france and see if he can get word out that you are stuck here." Alicia, bit her lip hoping she was doing the right thing quickly she scribed what had happened. "I will try to run some tests to see if I can send word through for you sir."

Poindexter shook his head. "N-no, I d-duh-didn't owl, I t-tuh-tried to f-floo and apparate. N-nuhthing w-w-works."

Poindexter overheard the other man and wondered if he was having trouble getting things into France. Interesting.

"I d-don't know w-wuh-why I couldn't. The f-f-f-floo went nowhere and so d-d-did my ap-puh-puhrition. I t-t-t-t-t-tuh-tried two other f-f-f-f--fuhloos as well." He looked at her, utterly frustrated.

"I see so you all of the attempts at floo and apperations failed." Alicia repeated taking notes and looking down on her note. "Miss Bass, would you think a simple telephone call to the French Prime minister could work? He does know of magic isn't that right or was that just the English Prime Minister?"

• All Attempts of Apparations Failed
• All Attempts at Floo network failed
• Check if we can call a someone from French Consolite to Ministry of Magic
• Check if Owls w/ notes can get through vs. Owls w/out notes.
• Mr. Poindexter needs to get through to France to be with...ask need to get through

Mr. Poindexter were you heading to France to go home, be with family, greave for the loss of the late Minister... She bit her lip, I know it seems like something odd to ask, its just that this will help me narrow down my search about how to get you through.

Set got up and went to Mr. Pointdexter. "As I magical diploamt, is there anything I can do to help? Things look kinda tense!" Set waited for an answer.

Alicia looked over to Set and gave him a quick smile. "We are still trying to find why he is unable to pass through to France. With the magical wards against all magical creatures, beings, or witches and wizards against entering france it is hard to gage weather he will be able to get to france by any magical means." Alicia laughed, and looked up to Mr. Poindexter, "Did you try swimming the English Channel? Or taking a muggle plane?"

Rico was still amused as Mr. Pppoindexter tried to eexplain his ssituationn. But then the employees were starting to get ahead of themselves, weren't they?

That one new woman, the one taking notes, certainly seemed eager to get on the case. "Actually, miss," Rico spoke up, "I think this case could use a more personal touch than just a phone call. And there's really no need to involve the Muggle Minister, since it seems that France is just blocking wizardry from England." Yeah, they would definitely need to be sending a team to France to solve this problem. Dang.

He turned toward the new guy who had just entered and was mentioning something about magical diplomacy, which just so happened to be under Enrico's division. "Er, hello there," he greeted man who had introduced himself as a diplomat. "If you'd like to help, why don't you take a seat and participate in the meeting?" Rico gestured around the conference room with his tan hand, pointing out the obvious. "We're all trying to figure out a solution to Mr. Poindexter's and Mr. Parias' problems, see..." he smiled at the younger guy, hoping he would get the message to sit down and listen to the two men's stories. They had to diagnose the problem before they could fix it, of course.

And while that other woman had a good sense of humor, Rico had the feeling that Mr. Poindexter would not be appreciative of her suggestion about Muggle transportation. He had to cover his mouth with his hand though, since what she did suggest was pretty funny.

Jacob sat in his seat, completely still except for his rapid note taking. His ability to sit silent and unmoving for hours had been wonderful during his time spent on Muggle planes. Those were so long and boring. If they did have to send a team to France, that seemed a likely route.

It hadn't bothered him since his mentioning not being good for France, but suddenly Jacob worried: what if Rico thought less of him for not taking the challenge? If there had been time for him to learn French, Jacob would have gladly done so and gone to France. If there was time, he'd have to catch up to Rico and explain. Maybe Rico would want him to go even with the language barrier, in which case Jacob would have no real say in the matter.

More employees entered. Jacob felt this was becoming less of a scheduled meeting and more of an informal gathering. Hoping none of the latecomers were in his Division, or wishing they at least had a good excuse for being late, Jacob readjusted his mind to absorb even more voices and settled back into his notes.

Set tried to take it all in, but first he had a few questions. "Can anyone else apparate in, or is it just Mr. Pointdexter that's haveing trouble?.... Can anyone travel OUT of the counrty?...... Do we have contact with the French?......Why are we trying to get to France?" Set asked. He needed to put all the peices of the puzzle together before he could see the hidden picture.