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Avalikia
85 Posts
Joined May 2020
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Post by Pamela Isley on Jun 22, 2020 3:43:47 GMT -7
It was several moments before the knock was probably responded to, mostly because it does take a moment for someone to stop what they're doing and go all the way to the front door in a home this large. In fact, his choice to knock on the door in order to show he meant business may well have been ill-advised simply because there was a question about how far the sound would carry. But fortunately for the impatient man, he'd see the near-immediate response of a light turning on somewhere upstairs - the large windows of the manor made that easy enough to spot. He'd been heard, so someone was surely coming.
Though the large windows also made it easy to see, about a full minute later, that it wasn't Pamela coming but a mature Hispanic woman who was rushing down the stairs to get to the door. She'd be completely unfamiliar to Roman, but his men had seen her before while making their delivery. When she came into view she could see who was at the door almost as easily as they could see her, and her eyes went wide in slight alarm - the three men were much larger than herself, the one in the front looking not entirely pleased, and it was strange for someone to come to the door at such a late hour.
Still, she continued to the door with all due haste and opened it. "I... I'm sorry, sir, but it is late," she said quite nervously, stuttering a bit because she was properly intimidated by the situation, "Y... you must come back in the morning - madam does not receive visitors this late."
She actually didn't get visitors very often at all, regardless of the hour, so her housekeeper wasn't very well practiced in answering the door in any event, though she tried to remain professional about it even when confronted by such a group. It hadn't been her job in the old days, but things had changed drastically at the estate over the past couple of years and it seemed that all jobs were now her jobs. Of course, the amount of work was also considerably reduced, so she could manage, but she often ended up doing tasks that were unfamiliar to her. And turning away a group of men like this was well outside of her comfort zone - she just hoped that the polite words would work.
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Alive and Angry
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-V
51 Posts
Joined June 2020
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Post by Roman Sionis on Jun 22, 2020 8:24:37 GMT -7
Sionis did not like waiting. Especially in the state of mind that he was in. Sleepless. Fatigued. Stressed. On edge. Irritable. The only thing he was doing to compensate for all of those negatives emotions was the use of the street narcotic, 'Fever,' and of course that only made things ten times worse. The positive affects of the stimulant were only temporary. Once the effects of the drug wore off, it only made him feel more distressed then before. "@!$^@! An illegal," Roman cursed loud enough for the housekeeper to hear him. "Your madam will see me now. I'm her boss! I'm her employer! She works for me. I pay her. In turn she pays you. If you add that up, then I own you too. Now go get her 'Lupe', otherwise I'll call immigration on you."
Roman's nostrils started flaring. Isley made him wait those few minutes, only to send her servant. Another mark on the card. The two employees of Janus Cosmetics had brought shovels. They had placed the shovel heads on the ground and were leaning on the handles while waiting. The two of them seemed much more relaxed then their boss.
Since day one of him taking over, the old guard of Janus Cosmetics had been resistant to Roman's visions and ideas for the company. They second-guessed and criticized every suggestion he had made. Suggestions and feedback were nuggets of truth for those who listened. However, to the fool, words of advice often fell on death ears. Roman had been insistent on the development and marketing of EXTREME. Isley should and would find a way to make EXTREME more appealing to the customer by making it waterproof.
Roman checked inside his suit jacket. Underneath the designer apparel he was wearing a black shoulder holster. Custom made of course. Sheathed inside of the shoulder holster, was a .45 mm pistol. The president of Janus Cosmetics fingered the handle of the gun, smiling a little bit as he did so. Both of the employees saw the gun. They began to shuffle uncomfortably. They had not signed up for any violence, and if this turned ugly they did not want to be compliant with whatever happened. One of them wanted to say something to Roman, but they abstained for now. Nothing had happened yet. Roman was going to wait to see what the housekeeper did. Even if the woman was a legal citizen, Roman would make sure with the good old dollar, that she would still be deported if she did not fetch Isley.
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Character Info
Player Info
Avalikia
85 Posts
Joined May 2020
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Post by Pamela Isley on Jun 22, 2020 9:44:08 GMT -7
Both at the words said about her and to her, the woman flinched and visibly cowered. She was, in fact, not only not an illegal but was an actual citizen, but did not have it in her to correct him. But though she could see that the man was angry, the problem was not that he wasn't forceful in his demand and scary beyond all reason, the problem is that he was competing with Pamela for who she found more terrifying.
"I... I... I'm sorry!" she said, her voice trembling now. it took her several false starts before she managed to say more, and when she did it came out as, "The... the... morning, sir! She can see you in the morning." She was near tears, practically begging him to agree with what she was saying.
It actually wasn't, necessarily, that Roman was in reality as frightening as she seemed to think he was, it was that he was speaking to a very timid woman who was quite frightened of much lesser things than even him. So his bluster was completely terrifying to her. And the men behind him, as calm as they were in contrast to their boss, still made the situation worse - just because they were calm didn't mean that they wouldn't do horrible things to her if their boss told them to, or at least that's how it worked in her mind. The fact that they were standing there and not stopping this man from speaking to her in such a way meant that she had no idea what they would or wouldn't do.
So when she spotted the gun, she turned white as a sheet. It's quite possible that she stopped breathing for a moment before she stammered, "O... or... I could give her a message! P-please, sir!" She looked up at him imploringly, hoping to see even one ounce of mercy. She was just the messenger, after all, and it wasn't like she had the power to get the woman she worked for to do what she asked any more than his shouting did.
Of course, the real problem that Roman had was that Pamela was not one iota afraid of him like he assumed that she was because she pretended to be. And, at least for the moment, she had the plausible deniability that he didn't know whether or not she even knew that he was at her door right now.
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Alive and Angry
Character Info
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-V
51 Posts
Joined June 2020
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Post by Roman Sionis on Jun 22, 2020 14:26:12 GMT -7
Roman Sionis had not yet fully converted to the Black Mask. Despite the sheer amount of pressure upon him right now, much to his own doing, Roman was able to take a step back and realize how much trouble he would be in if broke into the home, or damaged any piece of property. There was something in this servant that was causing her to not allow Roman Sionis to come inside the home.
Was it because of this woman's own gumshoe? Or was it because of her employer? Roman took a moment to ponder this. Roman ran a hand through his hair, and took a deep breath. Multiple deep breaths in fact. The nostrils stopped flaring. He could feel his heart rate dropping. Continue to breath. Continue to breath.
"Very well. Tell Ms. Isley to contact me immediately. I would like an update on her research for the new waterproof addition to EXTREME face-paint," Roman said calmly while he adjusted his suit jacket. "I prefer a telephone call or an in person visit to the office. It is imperative that she complete the work ASAP."
Roman took a moment to think if there was anything else that needed to be said? Roman spun on the heels of his shoes and made his way back to the van. The two employees of Janus Cosmetics followed suit. They threw their shovels into the back of the van. When the three of them were situated, the driver turned on the van's engine and drove off Isley's estate. He turned on the headlights of the van just as they entered onto the main street leading away from Isley's home.
"Drop me off at the office and park the van in the loading dock. Do not tell anyone of what happened here. I'll be honest with the two you, the company is in financial trouble," Roman continued to tell his two employees about the state of the company. More so for his sanity, then their own reassurances. "We'll have to find a way to lower expenses and maximize profits."
Their names were Julio and Marcus. Both of them were thankful that they did not have to intervene back there. They were ready to in case Sionis had attempted to do something that would be against the law. Not everyone in Gotham is a goon or a thug. They did not respond verbally to their boss. Nothing needed to be said. They finished dropping Sionis off at the Janus Cosmetics HQ, then did exactly what he told them to do. They parked the van. Punched out, and then went home to their families.
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Character Info
Player Info
Avalikia
85 Posts
Joined May 2020
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Post by Pamela Isley on Jun 23, 2020 4:54:24 GMT -7
The trembling woman watched in terror for a moment as the man at the door seemed to be making up his mind. When he did and settled for a message, she was openly relieved. "Th-th-thank you, sir! I will tell her, sir!" she replied, waiting just a moment to be sure that he didn't have anything to add before quickly closing the door as if worried that he might change his mind if she allowed him to. Then he would be able to see her through the window speed-walking away from the door, though she went further into the house instead of back up the staircase, disappearing around a corner quickly.
However, it wouldn't be until the next morning that Pamela would respond to this. She knew the hours that Roman was officially in his office and called in promptly on the hour that she knew he would normally first be available. But the moment that she heard him pick up, before he could get a word in, she was screaming into the phone, "HOW DARE YOU, SIR?!? HOW DARE YOU COME TO MY HOUSE WHILE I'M ASLEEP AND DEMAND TO SEE ME? I AM NOT YOUR SLAVE, SIR! AND DO KNOW WHAT THE DIFFERENCE IS?!? THE DIFFERENCE IS THAT I CAN QUIT AT ANY TIME AND THERE'S NOTHING YOU CAN DO ABOUT IT. IS THAT WHAT YOU WANT ME TO DO?!?"
The thing that the brutish man didn't seem to understand was that the balance of power between them had shifted. Though she never needed the job, in order to get the job anyway she needed to at least pretend to kiss his feet enough for him to let her have it. But now he was too far in - he wouldn't be able to find someone to replace her as quickly as he would need to. The fate of the company now hinged on whether or not she successfully improved their product to the point where it would sell, and she was the only one who could do that, and she knew it. And she knew that he knew it. She was the only chance he had. Not that she was going to help him, but she was the only one who could either way.
And she wasn't done 'being upset' yet. "AND HOW DARE YOU SUGGEST THAT I MIGHT BE NEGLECTING MY WORK?!? HAVE I EVER FAILED YOU BEFORE?!? YOU'D BETTER NOT BE LAYING THE BLAME FOR EXTREME AT MY FEET - I PUT MY HEART AND SOUL INTO THAT LINE AND I'M MOMENTS AWAY FROM FIXING IT FOR YOU! THE VERY IDEA THAT YOU WOULD FEEL THE NEED TO CHECK UP ON MY WORK IS AN INSULT, SIR!" she raged at him, secretly enjoying the fact that he gave her an excuse to do so. "AND HOW DARE YOU THREATEN MY HOUSEKEEPER! SHE'S MY HOUSEKEEPER, HAS WORKED FOR MY FAMILY SINCE I WAS A SMALL CHILD AND HAS BEEN A CITIZEN FOR DECADES. AND YOU'VE NEVER MET A MORE HARMLESS PERSON IN YOUR LIFE! HOW DARE YOU?!?" she added. The only lie in those words was implied, as the fact that she yelled at it implied that she cared. No, it was just another thing to pretend to be upset about.
But after that she couldn't think of anything else to be upset about, so she then let him get in a word edgewise, silently grinning to herself. Let the poor fool kiss her feet, for once. Not that it would do him any good - his fate was sealed the moment his shears touched the plant that he'd promised to give her.
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Alive and Angry
Character Info
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-V
51 Posts
Joined June 2020
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Post by Roman Sionis on Jun 23, 2020 20:44:42 GMT -7
Sionis arrived to work the next morning, feeling a little better. In an odd occurrence, he had managed to sleep well despite what happened the night before. He had arrived to work at 9AM with a cup of coffee in hand. Roman usually spent the first hour of work jotting down notes for the workday and reviewing briefings provided for him by his secretary.
Since he and Circe lived inside of the building, he was allowed to sleep in a little bit before beginning work. Most mornings, that extra half an hour of sleep makes all the difference in the world. By 9:30 AM, Roman started taking calls and meetings.
He had been expecting Isley to either show up in person or call, and a telephone call is what came through.
When Roman was a boy, he had always had strange dull eyes. During the conversation he was having with Isley, those dull eyes spent the entire time focused on the covered mannequin head sitting on his desk. The mannequin head served as a display for today's mask which was a African Pygmy mask from the Congo. The mask was long in length with a giant forehead and small beady eyes, eyes just large enough to fit his. The mask was brown in color with traces of orange across the jawline. This mask was used by African hunters who stalked their prey in the early mornings.
Sionis smiled. Isley was displaying fire this morning. Another layer of the mask being pulled off? He nodded, agreeing with everything she had to say regarding his 'visit' last night. After Pamela had finished her opening statements, Roman responded.
"Dr. Isley! First, please apologize to Lupe on my behalf! You have a loyal worker there! If she ever decides to leave your employment, let her know that she can give me a call and I can put her to work as one of my domestics. I'll tell you what, I'll send her a free sample of EXTREME make-up free of charge! In fact, I'll send her enough samples for her family in Mexico too! Heh."
Roman took a sip of his coffee before he continued.
"Yes. You're right. You CAN leave my employment at anytime. But try finding another job in this town if you do. You MIGHT be able to find a job serving me coffee in the morning or trimming the hedges at the Wayne Manor, but that's about it! Now, EXTREME was and is not your fault. The blame falls at the feet of the marketing department. However, it will be your fault if this next line flops. Now tell me, what do you got? And it better be up to par, otherwise you're fired!"
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Character Info
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Avalikia
85 Posts
Joined May 2020
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Post by Pamela Isley on Jun 24, 2020 3:15:11 GMT -7
What Pamela was displaying now was hardly the removal of a layer of the façade that she displayed to the world, but the addition of one - a step away from the person she truly was, deep down on the inside, who would never get righteously indignant about anything such as this. An act that she continued as she greeted his non-apology to her housekeeper with cold, stony silence. In fact, his show-boating gave her ample opportunity to sip the carefully prepared herbal tea she'd made before she made the call. It wouldn't do for her to harm her voice with all the yelling, after all - none of this was worth that.
When he continued on to try to threaten her, she continued to be silent for a moment, as the rolling of her eyes wouldn't be able to be heard over the phone. When he was finished she gave a light scoff of disbelief and asked, "You're threatening me?" She didn't raise her voice this time, but she let all the confidence she was truly feeling reach the surface in her voice. "You don't know who I am, do you? Darling, you saw where I live yesterday - do you honestly think I need the job? I deign to work for you because it interests me. I don't know what kind of strings you think you have to pull, but I could get a job at Wayne Enterprises, S.T.A.R. Labs, LexCorp - anywhere I want - just by walking up and saying hello. The only advantage I have at Janus is the opportunity of advancement," she said, dismissing his threats quite easily.
"And you're right - it would be my fault if this next line flops. When I walk away because I'm clearly not appreciated, nevermind the fact that I'm saving your ass. And don't think that I'm replaceable - just because I'm new to my field doesn't mean that I'm not ridiculously precocious in it or that you can find someone with half my skill before the next line needs to be released. Or, you can apologize and I'll make you rich. It's your choice. You can't fire me if I quit, darling," she said, a hint of anger lingering in her voice as she laid it all out for him.
She took another sip of her tea and waited to see if he understood the situation he was in now or not. She didn't have too much hope if only because she regarded him as being incredibly dense, like most men, but if she had to go three rounds with him in order to beat it into his thick skull then she was willing to do it.
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Alive and Angry
Character Info
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-V
51 Posts
Joined June 2020
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Post by Roman Sionis on Jun 24, 2020 8:11:57 GMT -7
"Listen Dr. Isley, people only get one apology from me in their lifetime. And my apology was offered to you in regards to that stupid plant," Roman leaned forward in his desk as he spoke. It was a philosophy he had personally developed after seeing his parents over the years apologize to people at every turn. They apologized for the smallest things such as being in the way of another person or reaching for the same pencil. They were always apologizing! Sickening. It seemed like the only person they were ever mean to was him. "You have one more chance, update me on the status of the water proof addition to EXTREME? Is it ready yet? Is it safe to market? Are there any side affects? How much will production cost? If you do not update me and send over the proper documentation proving what you say, then you're fired!" This woman was getting on his nerves. She was good. She was one of kind. But not replaceable. The old staff can be coerced. They could be motivated in the proper direction to get the job done. Reduction in salary, vacation request denials, demanding to stay extra hours. It would get done. It had to get done. This one is a fiery one. Insert the cliche about red-heads having spunk. He had a feeling what her answer was going to be. She was going to quit. Might as well beat her to the punch. "Tell you what Isley, YOU'RE FIRED for unprofessional conduct. You better fax over your research to my R&D team and return all of the equpiment we lent you or I'll sue your ass."
Roman took a deep breath. It felt good to fire someone. He hung up the phone with a slam. Roman slammed his fist on the desk again. He got up from his chair and began to pace back and forth in his office with shoulders crossed. It would take a miracle if the old fools from his father's old regime came up with half of what Isley was able to develop. She was right about that. But what they could develop could be rushed onto the market just as quickly.
Roman turned to the mask. He took off the cloth that covered the mannequin head. There it was. The mask. He picked it up in his hand and slowly put it on. It fit right. The feeling was intoxicating. Better then Fever. Putting on the mask altered him in so many ways. The criminal underworld could be the ticket for him to save his company. Screw Isley. The real money was in crime. Time to fully don on a mask and become what he was destined to be.
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Character Info
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Avalikia
85 Posts
Joined May 2020
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Post by Pamela Isley on Jun 24, 2020 15:22:58 GMT -7
Though Pamela could point out that no, he didn't apologize about the plant, actually, she kept that retort to herself. She was beyond caring what he had to say for himself about that, as there was nothing he could say that would change what he did or the obvious intent behind it. An apology would never mend that.
Though an apology might be amusing to hear, all the same, so when he demanded answers, she simply said, "Not until you apologize." She had him now - she knew it. Though, unfortunately, he didn't seem to know it. Quite abruptly, she found herself fired and the line went dead. She frowned at the phone for a moment, as that was not the outcome she'd wanted.
Then again... She switched over to the recording app she'd installed on her phone and listened back over their conversation. Hmm, not bad... she'd come across as arrogant, but she'd said nothing wrong. He, on the other hand, had clearly threatened her. She added the recording to the file she had of all the evidence she'd collected to demonstrate her innocence and just how horrible he was, should there be any legal action later. Though she wasn't a lawyer herself, she'd had enough by this time that she was confident that she could ruin him based on the contents of the file alone if she had to - the man was clearly crazy. But she'd rather not do that because it would draw far too much attention to her in the wrong sort of way. Instead, she was tempted to snip out the part with the racist fake-apology and release that anonymously - perhaps around the same time everything started crashing around him, just to kick him while he was down.
She paused to consider her next move - she hadn't expected him to actually fire her, though she realized in retrospect that the man was enough of an idiot to do something like that. Still, as the wheels in her head started turning, she realized that this was an opportunity. She'd been prepared to take the blame for making a 'mistake', but now he'd accidentally given her a way to get through it without a single blemish to her record. Oh, she would give him her research, all right.
Her notes were quite extensive but entirely fake - she actually preferred to do her work without bothering to stop and write anything down, but he seemed to be a fan of documentation so it only made it easier for her in a way - there were only one set of notes, and those only reflected what she'd done that she wanted to have on record. Everything else was safely tucked away in her head where no inspector could look it over.
She quickly drafted an addition to her notes - an analysis of the raphides that were in the finished product, concluding that their presence meant that the product definitely needed more testing before it could be sold. She then tucked this in among the rest of the notes, where she knew it would likely remain unnoticed within the stack of papers she would be faxing over, and even if it was it would probably only be noticed at the last minute - and she knew Roman Sionis well enough to know that he would dismiss the idea by the time it came to light. It would be all his mistake and their mistake, not her own - she would have the proof that she'd made the right call all along.
She grinned to herself as she sent in the papers, walking to where a particular potted plant was growing, already larger than before. She gave it some water and said, "I have good news! I'm not going to have to put up with that horrible man anymore. He's already ruined and now all we need to do is wait and watch it happen. And I'm not even going to give his equipment back - he'll be too busy to even remember that soon..."
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