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The Quintessential Q
Chapter Thirteen
Monday Morning
Emily arrives at Deception at 9am. Going to the office set aside for her in the art department she sets down her notebook, and goes into the private bathroom that has a wardrobe attached. She changes into her Suzy Corporate clothes she keeps at Deception. Getting into the inhouse computer system she checks her messages and the schedule that had been set up for her. Because she was only there parttime on set days, she had little control over her schedule. Instead everyone else did. One of the secretaries in the pool coordinated her schedule blocking in appointments as they came in: R&D, the ad department, the vogue representive etc. Emily had to call the secretary herself to block in her quiet/work time. It made her the most popular management person in the company. If you needed 15 minutes with someone on the management team all you had to do was find the space on Emily's calendar and put your name down. The secretary would then get a memo sheet what the meeting was about and send it by messenger to Emily the night before. Sometimes though there was a last minute addition that slipped through the cracks. Sure enough, there is a meeting that she has to be at in fifteen minutes with the ad department for the final approval on the winter campaign.
Emily rereads the memo sheet quickly and pulls the file from her cabinent. All the prior meetings are documented leading up to this meeting which was going to be all about the final selection of the location and staffing of the shoot. She walks down to the conference room. Going to the fridge there she grabs a bottled water and then takes a seat. Em smiles at the other people there but buries herself in the file until the meeting is called to order. Then she looks up for the presentation. The only thing in front of her now is a checksheet that the secretary had prepared. Things that she had to initial before the shoot was a go. Location is easy-- Mt Hood, the year round glacier in Oregon made shooting a winter campaign in July or even August a piece of cake. And the pictures of the Timberline Lodge were drool worthy in themselves. The storyboards for the commercials are just as quickly approved which includes the products to be featured and the wardrobe necessary. Then comes the sticking point-- staffing. As the man in charge of the project names off the model for the shoot Emily is already shaking her head. "NO. NO way in HELL."
"Come on, Em. Orchid's hot. It was a real coup to get her. She's booked way in advance. The only reason we got her was 'cause of a last minute cancellation."
"The reason she has a last minute cancellation is 'cause it's already out in the industry she got busted for heroin Saturday morning in New York City. It'll probably be on Entertainment tonight, tonight! She couldn't make a booking because she was still in jail. Who is your second choice?"
"but..."
"Assume who you want for the shoot is in JAIL, DEAD or in DETOX-- who are you going to call to pick up the slack?" Emily interrupts. "This is our first major shoot since Ned and Jax came on board it has to go perfectly. It has to go perfectly for YOU." The manager blanches but realizes that Emily is right. He might have been able to suck up to Katherine but Ned and Jax were interested in results and profits not in the 'glamor' of having a cosmetic company. He pulls out the folder of models that he had reviewed prior to receiving the phone call from Orchid's agent and pulls out his original choice.
"Marcia Larsen." He sighs. "She hits the right demographic. But Marcia's been around for awhile." He hands the photos down the table. Em takes them and studies the model.
"She's got an excellent reputation and a great look." Emily verifies. "And I know that she can do not only print but also commercials. If this works well she might be ready for an exclusive contract with our line." Emily initials off on the model change and looks up for the next thing. The photographer. She is already shaking her head when the manager says the name.
The manager groans, "He wasn't?"
"Small world, isn't it?" Emily tries to lighten the mood. "Good thing we found all of this out before contracts were signed."
"Yeah, great. I was planning on him all along though. I'm going to need a little time to find out who else is out there and who is available."
"No problem," Emily looks down at her watch. "I have to get to a meeting down in Research and Development. Everything is settled here except for the photographer. Get legal going on the contracts." Everyone starts heading back to their work stations. Emily puts a hand out to the manager. "Let me know how it's going. I might have a couple of ideas from people I've worked with just let me know. It was just unlucky-- that everything shook out like this."
"Or lucky." The manager says shaking his head. "My head would have been on the block if they decided that the deception shoot was the time to mess up." Emily looks down at her watch again. "Go ahead, I've got some calls to make. I'll let you know what I come up with."
"Thanks."
10:00am at the little cottage in the woods.
Nikolas is working at his desk on some of the hospital proposals before he goes into the hospital in the afternoon to work with the new recruits to the volunteer program. He absently picks up the phone on the first ring his focus only broken once he realizes who is on the other end of the phone. "Nikolas Cassadine."
"You got it! It went just like you said it would. I offered him half, as soon as he started dickering I offered 5% less. He backed off so fast he left skid marks. Since the whole thing is in cash it's just a matter of signing the papers. There aren't any liens on the house or any problems there. It can be yours by the end of business today!"
"That's great. What about the neighboring houses?" Nik questions.
"As soon as I finished with the nephew I went straight to the courthouse and gave them the certified checks for the back taxes. As far as the city is concerned the properties are yours. I'm working on the title searches to make sure there isn't going to be anyone coming out of the woodwork later. I have the keys to both of those houses. As soon as the papers are signed, you can get the other."
"Arrange that for as soon as possible. I'll call the contractor. He will hopefully be by today to pick up the keys to the other houses. Good work."
"Hey it was fun. I love dealing with buyers with cash. It makes everything go so much smoother."
"I'll message over a check. Get his signature."
"My pleasure." The realtor hangs up. Nik looks up a number on his rolodex and is quickly connected to the contractor.
"It's time for you to start putting together the detailed proposal and have your partner on his drawings."
"You got the houses." There is only a brief hint of surprise.
"I got the houses." Nikolas confirms. "The realtor has the keys to the houses that will be used for 'parts'. Hopefully we'll have the keys to the other by the end of business today and you can begin the reclamation as soon as tomorrow. "
"Yeah, there ain't much going on in the primary house anyway, just assessments and plans, taking out the other two will be the first order of business. Salvage what we can and then get those eyesores out of the way."
"How soon can you get started?"
"I'll pick up the keys today. Do a walkthrough with one of my crews showing them what can be saved. As soon as you get me the keys to the main house my partner and I will go through it and get you the detailed proposal."
"I'll make it a priority." Nik confirms.
"Same here." The contractor hangs up on Nik.
10:30am Deception-- Emily's office.
She walks in carrying a box of toys from the R&D guys-- new product samples. As she walks in the phone is ringing. She pushes a box off her desk and onto a chair to get to the phone. It's the lobby saying that the Vogue representative is there. Emily grabs the file for the meeting. Accounting had already given her the figures for what the campaign was going to cost and what had been earmarked for vogue. Now all that was left was figuring out how much space that was going to buy with vogue. Emily walks to the elevator to greet the rep who is stepping off the elevator.
"EMILY DARLING!" Air kisses. "You were such a lifesaver, such a trooper, this weekend. Such a professional. That Orchid..." The rep shrugs.
"It's already getting out. I heard she had a cancellation. You know it has to be because of what happened this weekend." Emily shakes her head.
"Darling, it's ALL over the city already." The rep leans in confidentially. "I have to drive by her building to get to the airport-- it was under SEIGE and I don't mean that in a hunky Steven Segal way! Reporters everywhere."
Emily winces. "Been there and done that. We should get to business. You mentioned the preferred rate this weekend?"
The rep nods leaning back in the chair across from Emily's desk. "Definitely, and the reasons are two fold. The ad and accounting guys are having wet dreams about landing either ELQ or J&J-- Deception is their way in. And the editorial board wants interviews with that Delicious Duo."
"Delicious Duo?"
"Ned Ashton and Jax, Darling! Two of the most eligible bachelors on this continent! In fact I think I could offer you BETTER than the preferred rate for this quarter if you can get me those interviews."
Emily rocks back in her chair biting her lip as she considers the offer. The phone rings. Emily answers it with "I'm in a meeting..." but the secretary cuts her off. "OH, okay that's great. Send her up." Emily looks over at the Rep. "Anderson tried to get hold of you in the city, found out you were up here to talk to me and is down in the lobby. She has the proofs of the shoot."
"LORD, I love it when they're hungry. Things get done!" The rep says gleefully. Emily and the rep quickly make the deal on the ad space. Preferred rate for now and she'd have to get back to vogue about the interviews. There is a rap on the door and then the secretary swings it open for a the photographer with her hands full. Not just the proofs but a bribe for Emily.
"Gees Anderson, how much stuff are you hauling around." Emily hops up to take the large package from the photographer."
"Thanks!" Anderson says with relief. "That one is for you. It's the bribe to get me in with your brother and his partner. And before you say anything..." Anderson turns to the Vogue rep. "This was in my contract. I get the pick of the litter so to speak of any shoot I'm on." Emily tears open the wrapping.
"Oh my gosh." She is struck near speechless. "I can't believe this. It's GREAT."
"Thanks again. It's a liquid photgraphic emulsion on canvas. They are a bitch but I think it turned out alright." Anderson critically studies the large framed canvas. It is the photo of Emily in her gypsy vampire incarnation sitting in the highback chair.
"Better than alright." Even the vogue rep is stunned. "It doesn't look like a photo; it looks like a portrait. The canvas gives it texture and depth."
"I'm definitely going to make sure that Sonny and Jason see this." Emily promises. Anderson looks around and not seeing a place big enough kneels down on the floor and unzips her portfolio. Emily kicks off her shoes and gets down on the floor with Anderson. The rep shrugs and does the same. They start handing the proofs around picking out their favorites. The manager of the Oregon shoot walks by hoping to catch Emily free and sees the three women on the floor sorting through the pictures. His eye is caught by the portrait that is leaning on the couch of the office. Emily sees him standing in the door way. "Come on in." She invites.
"You're in a meeting." He starts to back away.
"Oh the business part is done. Now we're having fun. I have someone I want you to meet." Emily introduces the manager to the vogue rep. "...and this is Anderson, she took these pictures." Em hands him some of the proofs. He thumbs through them pausing over the ones that catches his eye.
"You have plans for lunch?" The manager asks Anderson. Anderson looks over at Emily who mouths GO and gives a thumbs up.
"Nope."
"I think that we should talk. I might have a job for you."
"Sure that would be great. Let me just finish up here."
"Go Darling-- I have the proofs I need to take back to the office." The rep holds up a stack. She looks down at her watch. "In fact I have another appointment across down. Next time, Darling we'll have to plan our meetings around lunch or something or better yet come into THE city when you don't have to work." Sliding into her shoes, she waits until Emily stands up and then offers more air kisses and leaves with a wave and a "TA."
"She's on her way to Jax cosmetics." Emily laughs.
"How do you know?" Anderson asks even as the manager nods in agreement with Emily.
"She's gone into Lucy Coe mode. Okay, so you guys have lunch plans. I need to change back into Emily Quartermaine--dutiful daughter for lunch with my mother at General Hospital cause I am done for the day!" Emily gives herself a little cheer. "YES!"
"Speaking of turning yourself into something else. Have you ever thought of HOGS AND HOOTERS seriously?" Anderson asks. "Something with you and the bike, in the leathers?"
"GOSH NO." Emily laughs.
"Well if you want to pose for that I could probably do another emulsion but on metal this time...say like on the gas tank of your bike?"
"You can do that?" Emily asks tempted.
"Don't know. Never tried. But I don't see why not." Anderson shrugs. "We'll talk."