17680/A meeting about a meeting.

A meeting about a meeting.
Date of Scene:	17 April 2024
Location:	Stark Tower: Penthouse
Synopsis:	Two powerful businesswomen have a chat. A meeting is planned.
Cast of Characters:	Pepper Potts, Natasha Cranston

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Pepper Potts has posed:
Yes, yes, Tony Stark had put out the missive that with the injury and subsequent need for healing by the (what does she do here anyway?) indomitable Pepper Potts, meetings and communications that are usually handled by her would be paused until such time as she is able to resume duties. That has caused something of a buzz within the business community; they know Pepper, have worked with Pepper... where is Pepper, then?

Pepper Potts is convalescing in the Tower's penthouse, home from the Avengers' Medbay. Still a little weak, and a touch on the disoriented side, she's still able to do at least a few things for herself. As minutes tick by, though, she does show herself to be as much of a work-a-holic as Tony, and calls out to HOMER, the current resident AI,

"HOMER, I want the top ten messages that have been vetted, and are on my desk."

"Ms Potts, are you cert-"

"Just do it, please." Pepper tries to sound like her normal self, even if it's only a moment; just to impress upon the AI that she really does want to check messages, that she is capable of checking messages at the very least.

Taking action on them, well... we'll just have to see.

Natasha Cranston has posed:
    "... Very well, ma'am," HOMER replies, with a hint of dubiousness in his voice that he will probably swear isn't there if Pepper were to press the issue. "Aside from the usual gala invitations, several of which overlap and will require you and Sir to decide which to prioritize, there is also a call from a Miss Cranston, of Cranston Multinational Shipping."

    A side screen pops up listing details - a recent photo of the woman and a precis of the company's profile should Pepper need the refresher. "I've taken the liberty of tracing the call while she was on hold and it does originate from her personal office, and voice profile matches known samples. Apparently she'd like to make an appointment to meet with Sir and discuss a business proposal."

    The profile scrolls efficiently, just slightly slower than Pepper's reading speed so she has time to absorb the information -- CMS is a 'shipping business' the way an elephant is a 'big mammal'. They're not quite the shipping business, but every company that isn't large enough to have their own internal logistics division probably has done at least some business with one of their subsidiaries at one point or another.

Pepper Potts has posed:
It has taken HOMER a few years to gain something of a personality that wasn't 'AI'ish, and lo and behold, he's turning out to be something very much like JARVIS. Nature vs nurture, right there.

"Hmm?" Pepper is lulled by the litany of invitations to this and that, a gathering, a gala, a fund raiser, a benefit, and the like, before being pulled by the mention of 'Cranston Multinational Shipping. Straightening herself on the couch, getting a little more comfortable, the redhead nods once, adding, "Go ahead and put her through."

Pepper has heard of the company. Major business with lots of lucrative contracts. While they haven't used them directly, subsidiaries have and have reported their pleasure. So, while no direct contracts are there, yet there are at the lower levels.

"Ms Cranston," Pepper smiles at the screen as it glows into life. On her side, purely holographic. The image of the PA and mover/shaker of Stark Industries appears a little tired, worn.. but definitely present. "Hello. How can I help you?"

Natasha Cranston has posed:
    Natasha, for her part, looks bright and chipper on the video screen HOMER projects in front of Pepper. "Ms Potts, thank you for your time. I have a business proposal that I hope you and Mr. Stark might be interested in, spurred on by that recent unpleasantness in the Atlantic and some of the more tiresome punditry around it from the Globe."

    HOMER, helpful as ever, puts up the article she almost certainly means in a side window.

    "At first I wanted to post a rebuttal of my own, but then I realized I could make a much better argument by putting my money where my mouth is, so to speak."

Pepper Potts has posed:
Pepper cants her head, her brows creasing for a moment as she listens, her head nodding slowly. Helpfully, HOMER superimposes a couple articles that she may have missed while out. "The Starport, yes, I'm familiar with it. We did attempt to be part of it, but were gently rebuffed." They were offered some office space, but any meaningful addition? Nope. "I can understand why some would be concerned." Very careful to keep her own particular opinions quite to herself.

She smiles, again her head in that single nod as the gesture reaches those green eyes. "Usually makes a larger statement. I'm sure Mr Stark would be more than happy to make his own statement on the matter." In the same form, or very much like Natasha's. If there's money, there's a splash, and PR.

"Would you like to set up a face to face? I'll tell you now, any written prospectus would be a waste." She reads them, not him.

Natasha Cranston has posed:
    Natasha's smile widens. "That would be ideal," she replies, glancing briefly off-screen, probably consulting a calendar app much like the one HOMER is helpfully bringing up in another display, meticulously marked with already planned meetings and availability of both her and Tony.

    "My own agenda is, fortunately, reasonably clear for the next few days, so I'm at your disposal."

Pepper Potts has posed:
"Perfect. I'm looking forward to sitting down with you and seeing what sort of things you're looking to do." Pepper's tones sound genuine, warm with that crisp tone of business behind them. A balance of personal and professional. "We can set that up, and I'll have my assistant give yours a call, and we'll get that taken care of sooner rather than later." There's a pause, and her tones turn a touch wry, "It sounds like something that should be moved on quickly, given your hint of the Atlantic."

A chuckle escapes the woman, and she nods decisively. "I'll make sure this is put on the top of his schedule." Pepper pauses once more before, "It's nice to hear from you." It's the wind down to the call, as it turns a little more personal. "I think a meeting over dinner would be good."

Natasha Cranston has posed:
    Natasha laughs, something sparkling in her eyes. "Absolutely. And as the one proposing the meeting, I believe it should be my treat. Tell me, Ms Potts - how do you feel about Mongolian Hot Pot?"