16367/The Offer

The Offer
Date of Scene:	18 November 2023
Location:	Wayne Enterprises Building 4, Gotham City - New Jersey
Synopsis:	Phoebe hires Kiden to be an administrative assistant for Wayne Enterprises. Kiden gets a bag with a 'possum on it. Kiden may not have any idea that her boss is also the Outsiders de facto medic and a Bat.
Cast of Characters:	Phoebe Beacon, Kiden Nixon

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Phoebe Beacon has posed:
    FRIDAY MORNING (because no one works Saturdays in HR). Phoebe Beacon-Wayne had a unique position within the Wayne Enterprises mega-conglomorate, in that she took an active day to day interest in the lives of several people she's recruited. Alex Hyde was head of security for the wing. He had a picture of a pleasant-yet-punchable faced man stuck to his little office-and-check-in room with "ABSOLUTELY NO CUPPS" written in all caps underneath it, along with his usual order at the little Chinese place around the corner, and pictures his niece has done underneath safety procedures and Standard Operations guides that list rules like No Smoking, No Alcohol, no explosives, no clowns.

    The huge man is on duty today, sitting in his chair and paying close attention to the monitors and signing people into the facility, which was home to a lot of nitty-gritty HR related items, along with sections of Wayne Enterprises charity works -- which is why Phoebe retrained an office here, and was typically where she did her 'hiring'.

    The entrance was modest compared to the main building, but comortable with plenty of places to sit, lots of natural light and greenery.

    And for the holiday season, it was bedecked with lights and displays from local schools in the main atrium, where a water feature had a glass bridge over a koi pond. A couple of people mill about in business suits.

Kiden Nixon has posed:
Kiden shows up at the appointed day and time, looking nervous and fidgety, and awkward as all Hell in her borrowed clothes from Laura. Especially since the clothes she gets from Laura aren't exactly workwear. Today she at least tries, a black pvc skirt over leggings, flat shoes, a semi-sheer button-down shirt over a camisole.

She's at least clean and pressed, suggesting she HAS been staying somewhere and getting herself in order. Stepping in through the entrance, Kiden pauses and glances around, chewing on her lower lip before moving towards the desk where she can get signed in.

"Ah, hi. I'm... Kiden Nixon? I have an appointment with Phoe-.. er, Ms. Wayne."

Kiden offers over her shiny new ID card to prove who she is, offering a quick and nervous grin. Signing in her name and taking her visitor badge and the directions towards the office.

Once she's past security, Kiden will hurry down along the hall until she can find Phoebe's office. Giving a light knock, she peeks her head around the door jamb with a smile, "Hi. Uh, Phoebe? I hope I'm not late."

Phoebe Beacon has posed:
    "Awh?" Alex asks, blinking a moment as he looks to the ID, and checks the visitor manifest.

    "Ah-yep! Ms. Wayne should be expectin' you. Here's yer visitor pass --" he states, sliding a piece of fancy looking paper along with a lanyard and plastic pocket in it with a smile on his scarred up face.

    "She's gonna be down that hall. Jus' look for the door with tha pink sugarskulls on it." he gives a bright grin, and buzzes the girl with the questionably appropriate clothing through.

    And it's a nice hallway. Natural light. Greenery. Ivy walls.

    And through the door, there's another little office!

    Phoebe's pink hair was braided elegantly, pinned into place with her 'baby hairs' gelled down in small waves. She was wearing a business skirt suit that might cost than some people's cars in expensive, gray-tone wools and an English cut to her jacket. She leans leaning over a table, looking over some plans, and she gives a smile to Kiden, motioning her in.

    "Looks good, JayJay. Next year's excursion is going to be the thing I'm going to look forward to -- I'm sure Tim and the guys will be happy to try something different. Hey -- I've gotta go. I have an interview here. I'll let you know if I'm free next weekend for a visit. Take care my man. Love you, bye."

    And she ends the call from her earbud.

    "Hey Kiden, thanks for coming in." she gives a bright smile, and reaches to offer her hand for a handshake.

Kiden Nixon has posed:
The nice thing about being a mutant... one learns not to judge by appearance. Alex gets a bright smile and a nod, "Thank you! Have a good day!" She gives a small wave, then heads down towards the office.

Smiling towards Phoebe, she gives a quick nod and goes quiet so Phoebe can finish her phonecall. Once the call is done, Kiden steps into the office and moves forward to take the offered hand, giving a quick, firm shake.

"Hey, thanks for inviting me. I really appreciate this opportunity. Trying to.. get back to a.. normal life has been difficult." She offers a quick smile and straightens, tucking her hands behind her back. "But, I'm getting there!"

Phoebe Beacon has posed:
    "It can be hard getting back on your feet after several years of trauma. I know a little about how that goes. Luckily for me, there was always an opportunity for a roof over my head." she explains, motioning Kiden back to the actual sitting office area. There are tons of houseplants here, some flowering cactuses. There's a couple of comfortable tan chairs in front of the desk, and an executive-style chair to the back.

    "Can I get you anything? Cup of coffee or tea? Cocoa? I've also got some packets for hot cider if that's more your thing."

Kiden Nixon has posed:
"It wasn't easy, to be sure. Some rough years, rough living. It was Conner that really, you know, gave me that chance." Kiden offers with a faint smile and a shrug. She looks towards Phoebe, moving back into the office area, taking a seat in one of the chairs facing the Big Chair.

"Ah, water, please. I sort of got a hard wean off of a lot of sugars, caffeine.. I'm not eager to get hooked back into any of it. Besides, I'm a big fan of hydration. Best for parties, raves, things like that. Safer, too." Kiden flashes a brief grin.

Phoebe Beacon has posed:
    "Ha, I wouldn't know. I've been to Club Purgatory at the Hellfire Club when I was younger, but raves seem like they're from another planet to be a hundred percent honest. I mostly go to punk rock gatherings in abandoned carparks or dive bars where they make you band your wrist if you're under 21. Inevitably they end up smelling like someone's basement." Phoebe gives a grin, and retrieves two refillable bottles of water from under the coffee machine. One she sets in front of Kiden, and the other she takes for herself.

    "I'm afraid my night life is pretty boring -- but that's neither here nor there. So. Have you given thought to how you want to work joining the company?"

Kiden Nixon has posed:
"Raves are a ton of fun! At least, when enjoyed responsibly. Take it from someone that knows from both sides of it. If I didn't have the powers I do, my life probably would have turned out a LOT different.. or it might have ended already. Trust me. Responsible enjoyment is best!" Kiden lifts a shrug and smiles at Phoebe. Taking the water botlle, she chuckles, "Oh, I've done plenty of impromptu parties. Didn't always really care what music was being played. I try to be a little more.. discerning."

She gives a small shake o fher head, "I'm not even sure what the company *does*. But really, I'll do whatever needs to be done. If you have any sort of..." Pausing, Kiden smiles, "I do best with art. But I can handle clerical positions too. Math isn't my best subject, but it's better than my science."

Phoebe Beacon has posed:
    "I thought the whole point to Raves was utter hedonism?" Phoebe lilts gently, and she racks a small smile, and then leans back in her chair.

    "Well. Wayne Enterprises is a multifaceted company with funds working in technoogy - Wayne Tech -- industrial works, medical industries, production of items for the military, pharmaceuticals, arts and entertainment, restaurants -- really pretty much everything." Phoebe replies with a small smile. "At this time, I'd be putting you into a position as one of my liasons in the administrative pool. Your job would be to take messages, check schedules, occasionally write E-mails or run reports based on widgits that are already set up in the system. It's an introductory position that will get you vacation time, medical and dental coverage, and a stipend for purchasing work clothes that... ah... aren't... PVC." she gives a small smile.

    "Once you have experience or some college under your belt, we can see about transferring you to different departments. I tend to run my admiistrative pool pretty casually, though if you accompany me anywhere on travel or to the main building you have to dress professionally."

Kiden Nixon has posed:
"Nah. That's just movies and tv. Raves are about... escape, freedom, self-expression. Sometimes people take it too far, and it gets to be about drugs and hooking up. But the music is really awesome, the light and colors shows can be amazing.. and the dancing is just.. super fun." Kiden offers a bright smile back towards Phoebe before lifting a shrug, "But I imagine you get similar reponses towards any 'offbeat' style of music."

Nodding as Wayne Enterprises is expanded on, she blinks at the large array of fields it covers, then chuckles lightly at comment about 'pretty much everything'. Kiden smiles, offering, "If you ever meed extra work done, of any sort really, feel free to toss it my way. I have all the time I need to make sure projects or outlines or anything get completed and checked over. Otherwise, it all sounds pretty standard. Nothing that should be any problem to get done. And... the benefits sound great." Glancing down at her clothes, she flushes lightly and nods, "I didn't intend to do PVC for work, I just.. didn't really have anything else at the moment."

Brightening once more, Kiden smiles, "That's good! I'm working on finishing off my high school diploma, I just have a few tests to take. So I definitely want to go to college and get a degree." Motioning towards Phoebe's outfit, Kiden smiles, "I can definitely make sure I have office appropriate attire."

Phoebe Beacon has posed:
    "Ah, so... hedonism." Phoebe replies back with a grin, and gives a wave of her hand.

    "Day-to-day you can go with business casual. Black yoga pants, a nice shirt in button-down or blouse form. We don't have requirements for styles or colors for obvious reasons -- when I first 'got the job', there were actually rules in some of the departments that you couldn't have your hair in 'Ethnic' styles. That got written out real quick." Phoebe explains.

    "You'll have a five hundred dollar stipend for work clothes." Phoebe states, and she raises a black credit card with the WE logo on it. It's prepaid.

    "The list of clothing stores that will run this card is on the back. I'm afraid they're all local places. But you deserve new clothing and shoes that fit well regardless. I'd recommend simple, low pumps with a cross-strap. You sometimes end up doing a lot of walking or traveling on the Urbarail." she explains.

    "There's a two week training period where you'll be coming here and going to Wing B, where you'll do the Fun THing of watching corperate videos and signing a lot of paperwork. After that you'll come either to this office, the main Wayne Enterprises building, or Wayne Tech if I'm working that day with my brother Tim." she states, and she takes a deep breath.

    "And that's a lot of information at once. ANy questions so far?"

Kiden Nixon has posed:
"Deeeeeeeeefinitely not hedonism... or there would be a lot more public nudity," Kiden chuckles then shakes her head.

Nodding along, she smiles at the dress code, then blinks at the 'no ethnic hairstyles', "That seems... pretty antiquated, yeah. Glad to see that you got rid of it." Tucking a lock of hair behind one ear, she smiles, "But I think I can work with that."

"If there's money leftover, who do I turn the card in to?" Because Kiden can't fathom spending $500 on clothes. She will learn!

"It's fine. Conner and I can make a day of it. Hit up the stores, get some food, head back to the city. It'll be fun!" She flashes a grin, then pauses. "Oh, uh, can I do tasteful flats? I've never worn heels, I'm not sure how graceful I'll be in them."

She gives another nod, then chuckles, "Ah yes, the corporate need to Sign Things and Watch Videos. Understood. Do I check with the man at the desk for which building to find you in after I've finished all the necessaries?" To the matter of questions, she shakes her head and smiles, "I think I got it on lockdown. And if I come up with any questions, I'll text!"

Phoebe Beacon has posed:
    "Then I have been going to the *wrong* raves." Phoebe laughs, and rubs the back of her neck. "Yeah, considering I've got the extra-kinks-and-coils goin' on that had to go. If I can't wear my crown it's no good. Every woman should get to wear hers the way she likes it. Men too."

    She gives a soft 'hum'.

    "I personally don't care if you wear like, black sneakers if you're in this building, but maybe we can workshop flats in the next meeting. Unless you have a doctor's note that you need flats, I suppose. But if you want, maybe we can arrange a hang-out sesh to work on some low heels. With chonky heels. I don't do stillettos."

    She opens up her laptop a moment and her eyes narrow, her lips purse.

    "Not since I put them through someone's hand-made Italian Leather wingtips."

Kiden Nixon has posed:
Laughing, Kiden lifts a shrug and smiles, "I can show you some good ones sometime, if you want. And maybe you can show me to a good punk show. I've never been to one.. that I remember, anways." She flicks her straight locks and grins, "I'd always wished for a bit more curl, but I got the pin-straight hair instead. Worked out well on the streets, though."

"Oh! I wasn't going to suggest sneakers, just like... ballet flats or business clogs or something. But I can try some low heels. I don't want to put anyone out." Then a smile, and she nods, "A training session for heels would not go amiss."

Pausing, she chuckles, "Sounds like someone deserved it. Not sure I could do stilettos, but maybe I can work my way up to normal office pumps."

Phoebe Beacon has posed:
    Phoebe considers thoughtfully.

    "What's your shoe size?" she questions, and then gives a grin.

    "There's usually an Abandon Hope show. It's Gotham Punk, about finding beauty in hopelessness, rebelling against the corrupting influence of rampant capitalism and in some cases literally eating the rich."

    Phoebe pauses.

    "And I realize there is a sense of irony in that it's some of my favorite music, but y'know. Hometown." she smiles, and she gives a nod, and removes a folder from her desk drawer, and produces a tablet and stylus, and opens up the HR App.

    The first page is an offer letter, addressed to Kiden but having Conner's address listed.

    Offer of the position Administrative Asst. I to KIDEN NIXON, complete with a standard NDA.

    And a starting salary of $40,000

Kiden Nixon has posed:
"Uh.. 5, 5 1/2? Just depends on the maker..." Kiden glances down, "I am smol in all things."

Laughing softly, she gives a small nod and grins, "I hear you. I had to have a talk recently with someone about the difference between 'club life' and 'street life'. Because the latter is NOT pretty or fun or chic or.. any of the rest."

Kiden flaps a hand towards Phoebe and grins, "Half the kids that listened to punk when they were young ended up being investment bankers and insurance agents."

She looks over the page, reading it all, pausing at the salary and letting out a breath. Quickly, she signs her name and dates the NDA and the offer letter. Looking back to Phoebe, she smiles, "Thank you again. I can't overstate how much I appreciate this."

Phoebe Beacon has posed:
    Kiden's name pops up at the top of the tablet in a lilac over a dark gray field, and it begins to list coursework for the onboarding process. Stuff like 'office life' and 'work-life balance' to 'using your security access wisely and office safety' along with various protocols for supervillains.

    "That's your tablet for as long as you work with us. During storms or emergencies or if you like, break an ankle or something, you can use it to work from home if needed." Phoebe states, and then she lifts a laptop bag. The laptop bag has an opossum patch stitched into it.

    "There's a keyboard, charging dock, headset, mouse and extra cables in here. And as far as 'if there's money left over' on the card, Kiden?"

    Phoebe sets her chin on her palm, her eyebrows rising up. "You just let me know if you need more. I'll venmo you."

Kiden Nixon has posed:
Kiden looks at the tablet, then back to Phoebe, "Seriously?? Oh that is too cool! I promise to only use it for approved purposes. Wait, safety protocols for more than one supervillain? Wow... Gotham really is extreme." She seems almost ridiculously pleased with, well, everything!

And then it gets better. "Opossum! I love those scruffy little dudes. They are amazingly good at urban survival. Regular survival, too. But they adapted so well to urban life..." Taking the bag, she hugs it tight with a big smile across face, then carefully tucks the tablet iinto the bag with the rest of the accessories, "That sounds great. I'll make sure to keep it charged up. And if anything catastrophic happens that I can't make it to work, I'll let you know and log in from the apartment."

She blinks, then looks to Phoebe, brows lifting, "I.. what? No! No, I'm sure that will be fine! MOre than fine! Thank you.. I.. this is.. life-changing. THank you, Phoebe." Kiden smiles, "Tomorrow morning, then? I'll be here bright and early, to get started on those courses and paperwork."

Phoebe Beacon has posed:
    "Tomorrow is Saturday. You have that day off. And keep in mind I won't be here all the time -- I *am* in college. I get the total benefit of my adoptive dad's name being on the building." she gives a wry smile.

    "So you need anything at all, you can text me, but I might not get back to you quick."

TAnd then Phoebe steeples her fingers, leaning back in her chair.

    "There is one more item. Your official Wayne Enterprises badge. You have an appointment set up next Tuesday for a picture to be taken. Make sure you're looking your Professional-ist that day."

Kiden Nixon has posed:
"Right. Sorry. Weekends are a thing." Kiden chuckles and rubs at the back of her neck, then grins towards Phoebe. "Not to worry. I'll try to come at you with as few questions as possible. I tend to be pretty self-reliant. Good at Googling. Or just asking coworkers."

Giving a nod, Kiden smiles, "I'll keep that in mind, but really, you've given me everything I could hope for, and more."

Rising from the chair, she pauses at the 'one more thing', then grins, "I'll make sure I'm wearing professional clothes on Tuesday. Showered, combed, the whole nine." Kiden slips the strap of the bag crossbody, letting it settle. "I'll be here, first thing Monday morning. I'll make sure to get appropriate clothes over the weekend."

Phoebe Beacon has posed:
    "An if you run out of funds, tell me. Or harass Conner to tell me." Phoebe gives a small smile. "Maybe sometime I'll see if I can sneak Potato into the office."