capeandcowllogs | Power = Profit

Power = Profit

WHO: Mrs Coulter, Tony Stark
WHERE: Stark's office.
WHEN: 3/7, morning
WARNINGS: Don't think so
SUMMARY: Mrs Coulter has a job interview. Stark wishes he were more popular. She might be able to help him there.
FORMAT: Paragraph.

The more Mrs Coulter saw of Stark Technologies, the more impressed she felt. It had taken her some time to adjust, but now she thought that she had discovered the real power in this world: business. They were the money makers, and money was a commodity Mrs Coulter needed.

She ascended the lift and stepped out onto the top floor towards Mr Stark's office, her golden monkey daemon trotting at her heels. Her daemon had attracted many stares and frequent questions from security guards and their ilk during the time she'd been here, but with the discovery of her power, she'd been able to fend them off easily enough. Ordinary people were the easiest to manipulate. She knew that Tony Stark was no ordinary man, but he was a man, and she had dressed accordingly: a pale, low-cut blouse and a pencil skirt which showed her calves.

She knocked at the door, then entered. Woman and daemon looked around, taking in the wooden panelled walls, the rich dark red carpet, and the fine view of the City from the windows. Yes, this was impressive. The signs of wealth were all around her. She had made the right decision coming here.

"Mr Stark," she said, her voice low and musical. "It's a pleasure to meet you in person."

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

Tony had been eagerly awaiting his appointment this morning. After hearing about the latest craze sweeping Europe and the overnight sensation of Mrs. Coulter's advertising, he had certainly done his best to lure her to his company, giving her a few samples of what he would like advertised. There certainly was something about her voice that made him want chocolate.

"Mrs. Coulter, it's my pleasure," he said, standing to reach over his desk and shake her hand. The morning sun filtered in through the glass, and brightened the room a considerable amount. Tony hadn't even bothered to turn on the wall-lights, which were also part of the decor.

"I've been very impressed with what I've heard from your advertisements thus far," he admitted, sitting after they shook hands.

Mrs Coulter smiled as they shook hands, then sat down too and crossed her legs. Her daemon crouched at her feet, out of sight.

"I'm glad to hear it," she replied. "From the early reports I've received, their sales have already tripled. Put me in charge of marketing, and I could do the same for you."

Tony smiled warmly. "You can do the same for StarkTech? I'm glad to hear it. Your credentials are already quite good, so I don't see many problems with giving you a job in charge of marketing," he pauses, and pulls out a small post-it stuck to his desk.

"I've already taken the liberty of looking into my budget," he mentioned, and handed her the slip of paper.

"This is, of course, my first offer," he mentioned.

Mrs Coulter took the slip of paper and scanned it with eyebrows raised. The figure was in dollars - not a currency she knew well, but she had some idea of how generous it was. Besides, he'd practically agreed to raise it already by saying this was only his first offer.

Still smiling, she fixed him with piercing eyes. "You know, my friends in London are so keen for me to return and work my magic there again..." A pause. "Double that. And I'd like a chauffeur-driven car on company expenses."

Tony paused, thinking about the sums, and did the mental calculations on how much she upped the sales of the company back in London. "I can manage that," he said smoothly, pausing to wave his hand slightly.

"However, I will expect my sales to at least triple," he mentioned. "Can you do that?

"Oh, I guarantee it," Mrs Coulter said, just as smoothly.

Tony smiled pleasantly. "Then I would be quite happy to do so," he mentioned. "I do think that this arrangement will work out splendidly," he added. He paused, and delved into the Extremis, pulling up the appropriate files, and then sent them.

"I've taken the liberty of sending you our benefits package and the necessary information for new hires to your communicator, so feel free to look them over at your leisure."

"Thank you. I think so too. All the technology in this world... it's truly amazing."

Mrs Coulter was almost being sincere about that one. Her own world had nothing like the computers here. She paused a moment to adjust her skirt, thinking.

"Mr Stark... I was wondering. How is your reputation in the City? I've heard rumours of a, ah, very entertaining musical all about you..."

Tony's mouth descended into a hard line. Oh yeah, it was definitely still a sore spot to him. "It was at least on the mend, but after that display, it's certainly going to need some work," he admitted.

Really, even if 6 people had seen the musical, it would have crawled like wildfire through the rumor mill anyways.

Mrs Coulter hadn't seen the musical herself, but she'd heard enough to be going on with. "If you like, I can help you with that too. After all, it's only another kind of marketing. How would you like to be seen in this city?"

Tony paused. Interesting. "Hm, do you think you could do that? I would be quite interested. I think I could up your salary if you would be willing to do a few other projects that I need seen in a bright light," he mentioned.

The wheels were already moving, turning, things being brought to his attention.

"Could you also make one...less favorable?" he asked.

She could tell she'd caught his attention. Good. She nodded. "I think so. And that's very generous of you - I'd certainly be willing to accept such an offer."

She paused, tilting her head on one side slightly as she considered his last question. Now that was interesting. She supposed that Stark must have enemies - she didn't really care who, but if she was privy to such information, that gave her some power over him.

"Certainly," she said, "if you wish. All I need is a name, a face, and the necessary information to use against them."

Her mind was already running through ideas - lies, propaganda, how she might use the network to run a smear campaign. This prospect appealed much more to Mrs Coulter than advertising StarkTech products. It required invention as well as persuasion, and if there was one thing Mrs Coulter was skilled at, it was lying.

Tony flashed her a smile. "Interesting. I have all the information, but I would certainly prefer to just up my standing first," he admitted.

"I think you can understand, build things up, one after another," he waved a hand dismissively. "Why don't we start you off with the products, and if things go well, I'll be sure to see that there is a promotion in your future. Head of Consumer and Public Relations? How does that sound?" he asked.

"Of course." She smiled back, leaning forward a little. "That sounds perfect."

Tony's eyes flicked just slightly, for the briefest moment towards a rather lovely sight, before he forced himself to be professional. Too bad she wasn't with him on a date, but perhaps that could be arranged at one time or another.

"I'm glad it's amenable to you," he mentioned, and gave her a very charming smile. "I'll look forward to working with you."

Mrs Coulter didn't miss Stark's eyes flicking down, but she gave no sign that she'd noticed.

"As do I."

She responded to his smile with another of her own, then pushed back her chair, ready to get up. Her daemon shifted out of the way, but still kept out of sight at the foot of the desk.

"So when do I start?"

Tony made the motions to stand himself, reaching over to shake her hand once more. "How does Monday sound? I'll have your office ready, and a list of products that I want ads developed for by the end of the month," he explained.

Mrs Coulter shook his hand firmly, happy with their agreement. "Then Monday it is. Thank you very much, Mr Stark."

"Thank you, I'll look forward to your work," he mentioned.

Mrs Coulter nodded warmly before she and her daemon left the office.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

Power = Profit

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject