[Video]

[seawalled]

[when Ellie turns on the feed, she is clearly in the back alley of a Starbucks. broken-down cardboard boxes stamped with that infamous logo are piled up nearby, and she's holding a half-empty packet of madeleines, gesturing with it as she holds the phone in the other.

there is foamed milk all over her apron, and traces of it in her hair like soap suds. maybe that's why she's so worked up. and yes, she may be talking with her mouth just a bit full. like you've never stress eaten!]

Can someone tell me where people leave their bloody decency before they walk out the door in the mornings here? You know, I made it through the hols just fine, but today some woman who couldn't be arsed to take her Bluetooth out of her ear long enough to answer me when I wanted to clarify her order threw her bloody oat-milk latte in my face.

This is a decent enough temp job and I make a mint in tips, but I'm really, really ready to find a desk job. Anyone hear of anything through the grapevine? Indeed and this bloke Craig and his list aren't turning up much.

Comments

[consortofalderaan]

You're right. It would be temporary, but it might give you time to find something permanent for after.

[seawalled]

Logical and sensible, yeah. ... I mean, if nothing turns up I can always go back to frothing milk, I s'pose. That's the thing about service industry, they're always looking. And a temp here would be nice to have on my CV.

I expect you'll want me to come and interview - I can make do whenever you're able. I'm hardly about to assume you'll want me starting on the merit of just a little forum chat.

[consortofalderaan]

I would have just gone through a temp agency. But an interview would be the most appropriate way to do this.

What about noon on Wednesday or Thursday?

Network -> Action

[seawalled]

Noon Thursday is fine by me! I'll see you there.

[and at the appointed day and time, Ellie cleans herself up nicely, pinning her curls back and dressing in a chic gray pantsuit and a crisp white blouse. she's carrying a manila folder under her arm with two copies of her CV and her references]

Re: Network -> Action

[consortofalderaan]

[ Ellie would be greeted by the daytime receptionist, Zooey - who was very pregnant - at the front counter. Bail didn't like a posh interior design, opting for something more warm and welcoming.

Zooey led Ellie back to Bail's office.

Bail got up from his desk and moved to shake Ellie's hand. ]

You made it. How are you?

[seawalled]

[Ellie made quite a big deal of Zooey and her baby-to-be, cooing over her and wishing her and the family all the best. she wanted to make sure Zooey didn't see her as a threat to her continued position, after all, and she'd probably need her help learning things if she did get the temp job. when she's led back to Bail's office, she can certainly see why Ben's taken with him - he's quite handsome. she shakes his hand with zeal but not too much force]

Wouldn't've missed it for the world. I'm pretty good today ... [with significant emphasis and all the vagueness that comes with being Different in mixed company] ... Nothing new. Thank you for asking. You?

[she's not too sure if asking him was professional, but it came out quite naturally, and she has a feeling this might not completely be a formal interview, all things considered]

[consortofalderaan]

I'm doing well.

[ Bail smiles and nods to Zooey when she asks if she should close the door.

When the door is shut, Bail turns back to Ellie. He's completely oblivious to any thoughts about why Ben might be taken when him. His mind just doesn't go there. ]

I thought this could be a bit informal. We already know of each other.

What brought you to New York?

[seawalled]

Oh! I was coming over to visit my stepbrother. He was taken ill a few months before, and I wanted to see how he was doing. Our cousin lives here, too - it was going to be a nice little family visit. Put the fear of God into my brother, make him take a little better care of himself, meet the cousin's new beau.

[she sighed.] Then I hauled my suitcase off the conveyor and next thing I know, I'm on some beach, flashing a police badge and crossing a ticker tape as I head toward a dead body. I come back to myself, and I'm sure you know who was waiting for me.

[Ellie flashes him a wry smile]

Couldn't exactly go back across the pond after finding out something like that and finding out both my family members here were Different, too.

[consortofalderaan]

I suppose not. If I found out one of my brothers or cousins had this as well, I'd want some answers.

So you won't be trying to return to England any time soon?

[seawalled]

Not for long stretches, yeah. We did go for a few days back in October - house-sitting for family - but even that's something I don't think I'd care to do again. It felt ... odd. Like I should've been here. Like I was more likely to remember things if I was in New York.

[she blows out a little sigh and realizes that she's not here for therapy]

But, uh, long story short, you won't lose me to homesickness, if that's what you're worried about. Hah ...

[consortofalderaan]

[ Bail smiles, but it is not strained. ]

That is more of why I was asking, yes.

But it is good to have ties to home.

It must be comforting to have family nearby when you're not from New York.

[ He then moves onto a more direct question. ]

What hours did you want to work?

[seawalled]

[honestly, she's glad he moves for the direct question. it's nice to have family, sure, but it's also a little annoying when all the Different have met them first. she's always afraid they'll use them as a frame of reference when she and her stepbrother and cousin are night and day]

Uh, well, I guess I just figured what's posted on your door. If you only need me for part of the day, that's fine too. Like I said earlier, right now I'm just a barista, so that's kind of a throwaway thing.