Managing Editor's Office
 

Egypt breezed back into the office. She had popped out for a few minutes to put together something for Sienna. The poor woman seemed a bit frazzled today and Egypt hated to see people when they were having a bad day.

She had a white box with a pink bow tied to the top tucked under her arm as she walked up to Sienna's door. She saw that it was open and she knocked on the door. "Good morning Sienna. I just wanted to stop by and give you this little gift to say congratulations on the promotion." She smiled at her. She didn't want to stay and chat or to interrupt her work. She walked in and set the box down on the corner of her desk. If she choose to open it she would find a box of expensive peacock feathered quills, a box of Germany imported chocolates, and a pair of tickets to Cirque Du Soleil performance. Egypt had taken the family to see if and the twins had been blown away and she thought Sienna would enjoy it.

Egypt waved at her playfully. "Its nothing really just a small congrats." She had forgotten to get her something earlier, and had to go out for a quick coffee break to get her something. "Oh well thank you. I'm really excited and proud about that. I'm looking forward to working closer with you and Ricco." Ricco made her laugh and she was glad there was a change in the wind in the office. "Yes I think the promotion took away the shock of another Greenwood on the way," she giggled.

Egypt was over the moon that Sienna loved her gift. "Well you always have one tucked behind your ear or clipped to you camera strap so I just thought you would enjoy some new ones." Egypt smiled. She would have started to bounce with delight if that wouldn't have looked weird for an adult to do that. "Oh me and Nathan just took the children to see it over the Christmas holidays and it was so wonderful. I really hope you enjoy the show." She was shocked when Sienna moved and hugged her. Egypt, of course loved to hug and all her close friends knew that but she had never thought to hug Sienna, but she took the hug with a smile and a hug of her own.

She looked about her office in the state of change as she moved out Mona's old motif and settled in her own. "Do you need any help moving things or anything. I've got all my things done and I could lend a hand." She nodded. With 7 children and 1 on the way she was an old hand at moving things quickly

Egypt clapped. "Oh well I am so glad you liked it. I didn't want to seem too forward but my mom always told me a little gift goes a long way." And Egypt hoped it improved her mood. "And this is just a little gift." She would have done more but that would have just seemed too over the top. But in Africa if you were presenting to a superior you would have given them your finest silver, crystal, and jewels your family had.

Egypt shook her head a her musical giggle filled the office. "Oh no. I'm pregnant again." she told Sienna. True it was something that seemed to be happening every year, but she was still excited all the same.

She nodded. "With 7 children at home I've learned to be very observant over the years. I mean 5 of them have their wands already." During Christmas the family had gone back to Ghana for the twin's wand ceremony. "Well you can turn anything into a fashion accessory. It took us three years to get Paris to stop wearing a tiara all over the place." And that was a fight for the ages.

She smiled. "Oh I look forward to it. I was going to write the review but with this werewolf thing at Hogwarts that sort of took precedent." As if Sienna wasn't well aware of that fact. Egypt was smiling as if she didn't have a care in the world. She was so happy she could have burst but she wasn't going to. She had a party to plan after all. "Oh alright then. Well if you need be I will be around the office." She gave her a bright smile and waited to be dismissed. She didn't want to be rude and just leave.

It was great getting gifts, especially when she liked them. But, Egypt didn't just say what Sienna thought she heard, or...was it? Really? Pregnant? And...WHAT?! Seven kids! Oh, dear Apollo...

"Wow...Congratulations again" the woman was clearly excited about it, so it must be good news. An eighth kid on the way...hopefully Egypt won't neglect the responsibilities in the Prophet. Oh! That was it! That was the glowing Sienna forgot to envy earlier. The pregnancy thing. That explains it.

Uh-huh. Yeah. Fashion accessories. Yet, Sienna was still thinking about the fact that Egypt was pregnant again. "True, anything can be turned into a fashion accessory, whether it looks good or not it's a different story" she said, with a nod.

For a moment, she thought that Egypt was going to sound soooo worried about the Hogwarts news, but it seemed that the woman had other things in her head. "It's been a while since something took over all the papers, it's incredible how much information is out there" if only the sources were to be trusted. This is why the Prophet was the best, all sources verified and nothing ever made up. :P

"Yes, sure, I'll let you know" she nodded, with a dismissal look on her face, "Take care, Egypt, and thanks again for the gift" she said, sitting on her new chair. So much comfortable than the last one.


---- Meeting during these posts....now it's over ----

Ack! What a meeting! She'll have to pay Enrico a visit...soon...soon...but first...

The memo was sent, and she was expecting someone at any moment.

Barely 10 minutes had passed and there was a memo flying at him just as Tristan was about to sit on his chair.
He picked it up and read it. Uh-oh.

Sienna wanted him in his office? Now he did it. His curiosity got the better of him at the meeting and peeking at someone elses list was bound to get him reprimanded. Or?

With a sigh, Tristan stood up, took his muggle pencil and notebook and headed towards Sienna's office. Even though he could see her through the glass, Tristan knocked even though the door was open and waited for Sienna to notice he was there.

"Uh...I just got your..." was she kidding? It was only like 2 minutes ago that he'd gotten the memo, and the walk here was ridiculously short.
Tristan didn't get the chance to keep wondering about it for he had been invited into the summery room.

It was kind of nice in here, and the sunshine was most warming. Even though he knew it was probably cold and cloudy outside. Impressive.
"Thankyou..." he trailed off as he manouvered himself onto a chair. With a small confused frown, Tristan looked at the managing editor. "Better? Oh," she probably meant the headache. Was I that obvious? "Yes, well no not really, but it'll pass I'm sure." he smiled. After I take something for the headache...

Waiting a bit, he couldn't help but ask why he was being summoned here, "I got your memo... Can I offer my assistance to you, with anything?" he asked sincerely, though knowing Sienna hardly needed help.
Look at her, she was practically glowing and radiating power.

"Oh..." Tristan felt nervous, did Sienna think he wasn't doing a good job? Indisposed? "Um, no ma'm, I'm well enough to work. I didn't mean to seem like I can't or wont do my job, because I can." his voice was growing in volume, sounding a bit anxious. What if she fired him? What would he do then? All this time here gone to waste... Well not all but...still.

Thoughts swirled around his head. I knew it was too early to come back-
The question broke his train of thought. Question. What was the question!?

Racking his brains for the list, he suddenly remembered. And chuckled. But as he saw her serious expression, Tristan dropped all humor from his face. "I don't..." he started, head shaking a bit, wondering if he could get away with trying to dodge the question, "Um, no nothing that I could see... Only a good...no..." he shook his head more determined now.

Remembering his manners, he started, "I'm really sorry Miss Knoll, I didn't mean to stick my ugly nose where it didn't belong..." he felt his cheeks flush, but when that happened it wasn't noticeable, thank goodness.

evil me =P
 

And when Sienna raised her hand, Tristan shut up. Gosh, he was starting to sweat. But she couldn't seriously get him fired just for looking at her list? That would be preposterous.
Tristans blue eyes followed Sienna's movement, wondering what she was going to say or do next. The muggle pen was at it's breaking point the way Tristan was almost bending it with his hand.
What did she say? Shifting in his seat, he frowned at the woman. Was she talking about replacing him?
He was starting to get enough of this.

But he kept his mouth shut. One thing he disliked was confrontation, but if it were necessary, he would do whatever it took to make himself clear.

Sienna. Would he dare to call her by her first name? Well, yes. Having to say miss was sort of weird. But being the courteous man that he was, what else whas he supposed to say.
And then by some confusing manner, she had lost her train of thought. The conversation 'theme' that he wasn't really following.
"I'm not completely sure myself...Sienna." Tristan said getting confused, saying her name with a hint of doubt and sitting forward in his chair. This woman was starting to look odd.

sorry I'm so slooow, trying to get it good xD
 

I seemed nervous?
Tristan opened his mouth to speak, to rebuke this woman for almost freaking him out, but changed his mind in the last second. It wasn't really her fault things got out of topic. He closed his mouth making the air fill his cheeks. "Oh..." Akwaaaaaaaaaaaaard. "The pictures...Riiiight." Geez, Sienna was one loopy woman.

With a wary smile, thankful this was all just a misunderstanding and wanting to forget the whole debacle, Tristan got up and closed the distance between the two. "These are beautiful..." he said awed and looking at the pictures, "Did you take them?". Tristan recognized most of the places. He took a deep breath, memories coming back to him, as he took in another picture. "They seem pretty straight to me... although..." With a small nudge, he straightened one picture on the wall. Would she mind if he cast a spell on it? "I'm guessing you already cast a sticking charm on it." Duuuuuuuuuuuh. Good tip, Tristan.

Tristan went to sit down again as Sienna spoke, a chuckle escaped his mouth before becoming seirous again - before Sienna saw him.
"Oh really?" Tristan was still trying to seem like he hadn't actually read the list. He couldn't go all revealing now. "Who's the french lady? Was she the one who kept cleaning?" Nametags should be used.

With a shy crooked smile, Tristan accepted the compliment, still not entirely sure it was that good. It felt like it at the time. She was giving him a book? "Thankyou, Sienna." Tristan picked up the book. It seemed like an interesting thing to read. "I'll be sure to keep it safe" he smiled

got busy with baseball...sorry.. =S
 

Love love love
 

Tristan watched Sienna trying to figure out what was wrong with the picture and shrugged. "Well, maybe it's a good thing. It can be quite boring to be so...straight..." eh, for the lack of words, he chose that one "Dunno, it looks good to me." he gave Sienna a smile, and started to flick through the book.

Yeah, GeeGee. The woman reminded Tristan too much of someone he knew, he didn't want to think of her too much. People were different, wether they could help it or not. It wasn't their fault. He learnt that a long time ago.
"Hopefully we can all manage to get along," Tristan chuckled, getting himself to stop pondering "...and not get in the way of that woman that likes to clean!" Should there be some restriction on her? What if she went on a rampage? All their work in a bin just becuse the lady saw them as dirty... Ugh.

The book get lost? No that wouldn't happen, not deliberately anyways. Tristan gave Sienna a small crooked smile. It might not matter too much to the managing editor but it did to Tristan. Every token that someone had given him throughout his lifetime, wether it was a quill from a professor or a ring from his grandfather, he had kept safe - because to Tristan it was important. "Just how many copies do you have?" he smirked as he flipped a page about colors.

haha xD straightening!
 

Whoa. She was giving him the copy. That's surprising. "Oh, well that does make this one even more unique!" Tristan was still flipping the pages carefully, smiling. His hands were full of ink and didn't want to smudge the paper. His vision was blurry and couldn't read the text, but thought it unecessary to put on his glasses.

His head snapped up as Sienna asked for his help. With raised eyebrows, his blue eyes wandered from her to the pictures... which were of some Quidditch person. Looking all proud with his silly broom. And oh look, there he was, in the air, flying, only holding onto the thin wooden stick with one hand... Hrmph.

"Uuummmm..." he said, grimacing as he thought.
What, she guessed that since he was a guy he should know everything about that blasted game or 'sport'? Well he didn't. Tristan disliked Quidditch. Since he always fell from the broom. "I think that one," he pointed with an inked finger, "where he's holding the cup. He radiates champion." Sillyness.

"Or it depends on the article, I suppose... You want to make him a hero or make him seem like the boy-next-door type of guy?" he cocked an eyebrow at Sienna. She must probably find that man the greatest man ever.

What was it with women and sporty men?

Tristan looked at Sienna as she made a good point.
"Yeah, he is drawing way too much attention to himself!" he nodded, putting on a mock serious face. But what did he know, Quidditch was all about players wanting attention, right? "How dare he, doesn't he care for the trophy at all, maybe it want's some attention too!" he said joking. Hopefully Sienna would get his humour. He only knew one person that did, atleast someone new, and that was Mozzie.

A big laugh escaped him as he heard the future plans of Sienna. How true that was, making Quidditch uninportant. Tristan remembered his manners and shut his mouth, though a grin threatened to appear.
"Who knows, one day, it might be possible..." he smirked. "What, you don't like Quidditch? It's only like the greatest game in the world!"

"Whatever people see in that sport, is beyond me..." Tristan mumbled, squinting as he flipped another page of the book.

Daphne wanted to get a chance to speak with Sienna, but she had left the meeting very quickly, hardly enough time for the new editor to become acquainted with the DP offices. She saw the door was open, but saw her superior was speaking with someone.

She stood outside the doorway and gazed into the office. She wasn't sure if she should rap on the ajar door. After a moment's thought, she recalled that she too was in a position of authority, even if the newly graduated Hogwarts student didn't feel that way. She shook her head and stepped into the doorway, politely rapping on the door. "Excuse me," she said in what she believed what a professional, yet courteous, voice. "I was hoping I could speak with you a moment about getting settled in."

everybody! :D
 

"People get greedy... Shiny stuff is rather appealing," Tristan gave a small snort. He just had to glance at her hair. Now that, was shiny. "Though I'd find it much more appealing if it was food!" he grinned, suddenly thinking that he shouldn't miss lunch.

He raised his eyebrows as he spoke, "Actually, as much as flying annoys me, I'm glad to be doing layout...for anything really." Tristan chuckled, giving the design book a little shake Sienna's way. It didn't mean though that he was going to draw lots of brooms and quaffles on the page :evil:

Tristan thought about it, could there be similarities with Sienna? "Maybe it's the same with your photography? You probably don't like having to photograph a silly Quidditch player, but still get the satisfaction of trying to find another way of making him look good..." OR maybe he was wrong.

It as interesting to be able to hear what she thought about it, but as Tristan was watching Sienna intently to catch her reply, there was a series of knocks on the door.
He didn't look around, thinking it was rather rude when people abruptly turned their gaze to watch the 'new' person... like a snoop. But he shut the book and gathered his pencil and notebook, smiling in understanding at the woman's words.

"Well," Tristan gave Sienna a grateful smile, "I should maybe get to work anyways... Thankyou very much for...your help." he inclined his head, purposely not mentioning the book, no one really needed to know their business, and stood up.

Greedy. Shiny stuff. Oh, yes, he was oh-so-right about that. That's why diamonds are a win-win situation in her world. And water, too, was shiny if the sun or any light hit it. So, yes, shiny things were good up to an extent, that is. Nothing in excess can be good. Same goes for Quidditch, too much is not at all good, not at all.

Sienna was nodding, until he mentioned food, at which point she chuckled, "Right" she said, with a smile. She couldn't agree on the food part, but the shiny things, yes.

She'd never done Layout, so, having him compare it to Photography somehow made it all much clearer. "Yes, I see your point...actually.." but she was cut off by knocking, and her sky blue eyes made their own way towards the door...

Well, she lost track of what she was about to say, and...actually, they weren't even discussing "work" per se, so....

"Oh, yes, Tristan...you're more than welcome" she said, and this meant he was free to head back to work, or to start working, or lunch, or whatever it is he was up to after this.

And then her eyes were on the new Section Editor. Sports. You're kidding, right? She was just talking about Quidditch with Tristan and here comes the Sports editor. How...convenient.

"Yes, Daphne, please come in, and take a seat" Sienna nodded and gestured towards the chair, not the one Tristan's been sitting on, but the other one...though, the girl could choose whichever chair she wanted, they were both equally comfortable.

"How can I help you?" she asked, her hands placed together on the table. So, Sienna never truly liked Sergio...truth be told, his fashion sense needed some work done, and the Daily Prophet could have used some of his work, too...but, oh, she was sure going to miss him.

Daphne made her way into the editor's office. She evaluated the space; she felt as if it were taken from a design magazine. The neat and stylish arrangement greatly pleased Daphne, who felt she was in the company of a like-minded individual.

"You have a lovely office," Daphne complimented her superior. She sat down and nervously drummed her fingers on Sienna's desk. "You know, I haven't really gotten a proper tour of the office, I don't even know where I'm supposed to sit!" she stated professionally. The young girl tried her best to sound like a proper business woman, but it sometimes came off like a child trying to sound like an adult.

She daintily crossed her legs and sat upright. As a former Hogwarts Quidditch player, she was very interested in the Quidditch World Cup proceedings. She thought about purchasing tickets for herself and her family, but why pay for something she could get for free... with a press pass. "As Editor of the Sports Section, will me and my writing staff be attending the upcoming World Cup?" she asked innocently, as if this were merely a procedural inquiry rather than a desire. "Because I wouldn't mind attending, if you need a correspondent on location."

Daphne sat, pleasantly examining the surroundings. She had hoped for a more formal introduction to the office, but she imagined she could find her way around. "So there aren't desks assigned to the sections?" she asked, worried she'd manage to find the wrong desk. She could tell Sienna was slightly annoyed with her, though she was hiding it well. Perhaps it was her youth, perhaps she posed a threat, being stylish, attractive, and well informed.

Nevertheless, Daphne wanted to be as cheerful and polite as possible, she was facing her boss, after all. There was one important issue. "I hate to be a bother," she said in a tone that was frightening similar to her mother's, "But do you have a list of the writers in my section? I'd like to introduce myself, or at the very least send an owl."

With the formalities out of the way, Daphne had a moment to absorb the news that she would attend the Quidditch World Cup. "Oh, that is just wonderful!" she said in a higher than normal voice. "You know, I was the Ravenclaw Seeker at Hogwarts. I almost went to play professionally, but I couldn't handle all that violence." Her heart was pounding with excitment as her brain started planning what she would pack and what she would wear. Perhaps she would meet a handsome, young, foreign Quidditch star.

Daphne took the piece of paper with the writers in her section. "Thanks, I hate to admit this, but I failed to catch some of their names," she blushed, feeling this somehow reflected her overall job performance. "Seems that long nightmare is over!" she chuckled, rising from her seat and heading towards the doorway.

She was somewhat surprised to hear Sienna wasn't a Quidditch fan. After all, it was such a large aspect of everyday life in the wizarding world. "Oh, I didn't know Americans didn't like Quidditch!" she said with some mock horror. "Might have to teach you to appreciate the sport," she smiled, seeing the re-education of her boss as a challenge.

"I'll see you around," she waved, then ventured out into the office to find a suitable desk and formally meet her coworkers.

She nodded, "That's alright, this is your first day after all" and she didn't really needed to know all the names. Sienna probably didn't, until now.

A chuckle surprised Sienna. It wasn't that Americans in general didn't like Quidditch, it was her that didn't see reason into such a thing called 'sport'. Enrico was also American, and he practically adored Quidditch, or that's the impression he'd given anyway. What? Teach her? Er, right, Daphne will be having a tough time for sure.

"See you" she said, with a nod and a smile, and almost instantly she got up, gather her notepad and a quill...and...and...yes...she left her office to enter into Enrico's Quidditch world.

______________________________________________

And...she was back.

As entertaining the time had been in Enrico's office...not really...she was now looking forward to those Promotions they'd talked about while in there.

Promotions. :evil:

Should he have called out to the woman to wait for him? Pepper decided not to bother, the door closed as he was still several metres away. She had looked very nervous, for some reason. Did she think they were going to be told off by the editor?

Pepper was wholly unconcerned. His articles had brought a steady influx of letters from readers, ranging in their opinions anywhere from annoyed to supportive to enraged to plain weird. Their authors all had to have bought the paper, though, so that would not be a problem. And if the editor thought that the letters just were too much to deal with... Well, didn't people say: If you can't stand the heat, climb out of the pot.
It was something like that.
Further supporting this unconcerned appearance - so much thought had gone into it that a casual onlooker might have wondered if it wasn't just for show - was a binder of old files that Pepper needed for his current article. He'd read somewhere that carrying something like that around made you look energetic and enthusiastic about your work.

Thus outfitted, Pepper knocked on the door. A moment later, he opened it a little to peek inside. Considering this custom (if he was going to open it anyway, why knock?), he said, "Pepper Xiao here. Am I allowed in?"

sorry...a little unexpected trip took me offline..
 

Pepper sat down, glancing at the other woman. She was nice, sure, but a bit jumpy at times. Of course, he had his own neuroses to nurse. With polite interest, he began listening to what the Managing Editor had to say. Obviously they hadn't done anything wrong. Pepper followed journalistic ethics to the letter, even if he sometimes wrote that letter a little indistinctly to give himself some leeway.

When Miss Knoll had finished, though, Pepper was stunned. He was going to be in charge of the news section of the Daily Prophet?

Was that good? Bad? It was a promotion, so... good. But he wondered if it meant that he was going to turn into some sort of manager who had to keep an eye on his writers to make sure everything ran smoothly. So... bad?
Pepper was pretty sure he would just accept and sort those details out later. It usually worked out favourably, sooner or later. So he said, "Certainly! I'd be honoured to become a section head at this esteemed newspaper." That would mean he was the leader of four or five desks now! He smiled encouragingly at the young Miss Holland next to him. How exciting!

And as far as Pepper was concerned, that was that. He'd told Miss Knoll his decision, she could sort out everything else and just hand him a finished contract that he would take home for his wife to read. Pepper was already preparing to just get up and leave when the woman next to him began rattling off a series of questions. He settled back into his chair and tried to pay attention as best as he could. Some of the answers, especially the details, would certainly affect him as well.

ooc: there isn't really a contract...but it can be sort of RPed xD
 

Ugh, sorry for the delay. =[
 

"Yes, of course," Pepper said airily, waving his hands about. "Please continue, Miss Knoll." He listened to her answer the questions Miss Holland had asked, but his attention only reached as far as taking the answers in. In truth, he was not particularly interested in them. At 47, with a wife who also had a well-paid job, and no children, money was not much of a problem, even in London. It was quite a privileged position to be in, Pepper understood that much - life was probably not as easy for a young, up-and-coming journalist like Miss Holland.

He was actually a little surprised at how little extra responsibilities the Section Editor position entailed. Of course he would still submit articles, that was what he was here for! Pepper was a journalist, not a manager. Most of the people working at the Daily Prophet were what his old English textbooks would describe as "characters" with strange little ways - stranger than those the country demanded, that is - but they were clearly competent workers. Pepper didn't think keeping them focused on the work was going to be much of a problem.

"Well," he said decisively when Miss Knoll had finished, hoping that this would move things along so that he could back to his desk and typewriter. "I definitely accept. Thank you very much." He reached across the table and shook the woman's hand vigorously for a moment, proud of himself that he had remembered this traditional ending to successful negotiations. "Now, what are these... perks, you said? What are they about?"

no worries ;)
 

>.> Sort of forgot about this. Stupid OWLs
 

*eyes the NEWTs*
 

"No more questions until after I see the contract. Thanks so much Ms. Knoll!" It was definitely a vote of confidence. Jane was beaming. Christmas had come, you know?

For now though, she had work to do.

"May I be excused, Ms. Knoll? Ian and Hunter and I are heading into the Alley for an interview for my next feature." And mission: cobblestone.

"No... rush," said Pepper with a brief smile, employing another phrase he'd picked up. "Whenever it's ready." Miss Knoll and the rest of the management would sort the contract out; Pepper's mind had already stood up and wandered off back to the desk where his next article was slowly taking shape.

As for his new editor role... Proofreading and deadlines... He'd figure out how to add that to his regular job at some point in the near future. Maybe when the Prophet was out of tea again and Pepper therefore unable to focus properly... Yes, he decided, that would be a good moment. Until then, everyone could just get on with it.

"And no other questions, either," he added quickly. Next to him, the other newest section editor was showing all the signs of preparing to leave, and Pepper too wanted to be back behind his typewriter. He raised himself out of the seat halfway. "If there is nothing more to discuss, I should return to my work," he said briskly.

Yes! Okay...no further questions...yet? Yeah, she could deal with that answer, it was good enough. "Sounds fair" she nodded, and smiled.

Oooh...already working on something? Of course, they were all doing that, except her, apparently. "Yes, absolutely, go ahead....and please call me Sienna" she said, gesturing for her it was okay to leave the office. "Have fun" she said last.

"Okay, though it's already done, no rushing at all" she said, tilting her head to one side, "Still, you'll get it soon" via owl? Still not sure. But, yes, no rush.

Shaking her head a bit, Sienna gestured Pepper too to head outside, "Nothing more to discuss" and a smile was in her face.

Now, time to send those contracts.

"Sienna."

Gosh. All the boss-type people were so intimidatingly informal around here! Jane smiled and after hovering for a moment or so more she made her excuses and left the office.

James was a little confused. This office had so many roooms. Gr. Stumbling through the office like a belligerent troll he found himsefl at an open door. Oooh! That was always a good sign, right?
Knocking gently, he peeked his head in, wondering why there weren't better directions and more staff to help. With the muggles you just looked for the most frazzled looking person and there you'd find someone in administration. Easy.
But here.. this was much to organised for normality.

James had like a sixth sense, yeah? One for people's emotions - or at least reading their facial ones. This woman was frazzled. Ha. Wasn't he intelligent?
She was too, considering she'd picked up on the fact that he was new here. Was it the fact he was wearing muggle attire? Or because he was standing awkwardly in an office to a woman whom he had no idea of and totally and utterly confused?

Naaaaaah. That couldn't possibly be it.

"Yeah. I'm uh.. James B- I'm mean James Parker." Ha. How many times had he been tempted to say Bond? Tooo many.
As she motioned to the chair, he sat down and smiled slightly, "S'like a nice, shiny office..?" Ohhhhhh. He got it now. Considering he was sitting on a chair equivalent to a wooden stump and she was sitting on a big comfy one she was his boss. Gulp.
"Well, yes there is actually," He began, relieved she'd given him an easy way to outlet his complete and utter confusion. "I don't know what I'm supposed to do." That hadn't been the smooth line he'd been going for, but hey it worked. "What I mean is that, this office is great, big jumble and all I got was a letter that told me to come here and that was the extent of my erm.. instructions?" He told her and nervously rubbed the back of his head.

James started to wonder if his Editor was a little loony. She looked frazzled and then puzzled and then incredulous. He was getting nauseaus just observing her facial expressions.
Curiously, she found his flattery appeasing and James learnt the first thing about his Editor. Flaaaaatter. He smiled jubilantly and nodded as she explained the new interior, noting her self-praise. Well.. it was nice - so the old place must've been hellish. Blah.
She made no reply to his question about what he was supposed to do..
Well.. greaaat.

Then, THEN after waiting for five minutes she decided to a) introduce herself and b) answer his question. Did she realise how confusing she was? He was utterly lost now.
Ack.
He blinked in a bewildered fashion and waited for her to finish. At her question on his expertise, James raised an eyebrow.
"Uh.. yeah, I've got heaps of experience.. but it's not like it says anywhere what to do exactly. Is there a specific theme or idea I'm supposed to write about?" Nice. Write a story. This wasn't primary school.
"So summary: Find a desk, write a random story and that's my job?"

Oh dear. This was going to be a looooong day.

James had the distinct impression she thought he was stupid. Well, he wasn't unintelligent he jsut found it difficult to understand, "Write about anything." So technically he could write a story about a horklump?

But then she told him it had to be factual with sources and evidence and yata yata yata. "Right, I'll get right on it." Nod.Nod He would prove to her he wasn't stupid but very, very smart! A valedictorian at that.

Her vocal disinterest at the themed Quidditch issue had James' mind in fifth gear. So she didn't like Quidditch, his boss. That was another thing to jot down.. for erm future reference?
Well not really, when would he ever need a detailed biography of his managing editor?
Err..

"Before they run out?" He asked her quizzically wondering how in the magical world it was even possible to run out of a desk.
Anybody heard of a conjuring spell, hmm?

James nodded again, awkwardly. All this nodding was making his head sore. So all he had to do was write an article... about anything? That was awesome. He would do it on the preliminary stock broking changes of the first quarter period of 2050-2058. Or not.

His boss kinda went into la-la land, leaving James very much alone and very much confused. If she was Managing Editor.. who was the Editor in chief? James very much hoped it was another attractive blonde woman. Wink.

"You're quite sure then?" He asked, amused at the idea of desks running out. Imagining their little wooden legs moving. How the simple amused the stupid.
"Right. Well thank-you Ms. Knoll." He liked to keep things formal.. for now.

As she asked him if he wanted to ask anything else, James shook his head. He wanted to find a desk.. and perhaps charm it for a moment into dancing.
"No, thankyou," He replied, with a smirk. Smiling appreciatively, he headed out.