Doublebooked

January 16, 2015:

Babs has a meeting in New York with Pepper. Pepper has double booked.

Maria Stark Foundation - New York

Characters

NPCs: None.

Mentions:

Mood Music: None.


Fade In…

The attack on Stark Towers has reached the ears of Babs Gordon, one IT Security Specialist from Gotham. Really, how could such news /not/ reach peoples ears. On hearing the news, Babs has reached out to her friend Pepper Potts to see whether the other red head needs any assistance. The assistance could be as simple as having a friend to speak to or the provision of Babs own unique set of talents. Pepper, of course, is unaware that Babs alter-ego is Oracle, Information Goddess of Gotham.

After setting up a meeting with Pepper, Babs has arranged a lift to Peppers temporary office in the Maria Stark Foundation in New York City. She's now entering the building, her tablet laid across her lap, heading towards what looks like the reception desk to announce herself.

***

Robert drops Jacqueline off before the Maria Stark Foundation. Falsworth International's CEO emerges from the car, asking the driver to pick her up in an hour. She tucks a small leather folder under an arm, her handbag unobtrusively hanging by her side below it, and makes for the front doors of the heritage building. She follows the redhead in the wheelchair inside, thinking little of it, waiting her turn to speak to the Stark employee behind the desk.

***

The receptionist at the front desk greets Barbara and then Jacqueline cheerily enough as she gives them visitor credentials, then … hesitates. "If you'll both give me just a moment," she says, then hastily picks up her phone. She speaks into it briefly, then offers both women a smile. "Miss Potts will be here momentarily. I'm sorry about the delay."

Sure enough, Pepper appears in just a minute or so, walking quickly down the repurposed turn of the century mansion's great big old staircase. "Barbara, Ms. Falsworth-Crichton. Hello. I'm so sorry, we seem to have, well, double booked. I have you both slated for a meeting right now."

***

Babs is fiddling with attaching her visitors credentials to her jacket lapel when Pepper arrives. Peppers announcement has the young woman smiling warmly "With everything that's going on Miss Potts, that really doesn't surprise me. I'm not sure how you've kept everything running as smoothly as you have." Looking up at Jacqueline, Babs smiles again before looking back to Pepper "If you like, I can reschedule our meeting."

***

"These things happen," Jacqueline replies graciously, her aristocratic British accent unmistakable. She considers rescheduling, herself. However, it seems gauche to echo the woman in the wheelchair quite so exactly. Thus, instead, she resorts to an easy smile for both women, and a light nod. "I'm sure some sort of mutually beneficial accommodation can be made." Her schedule, like Pepper's, however, is highly structured. She just happens to have the advantage of a little extra speed when she needs a break.

***

Pepper Potts smiles at both women, as they prove to her why businesses should be run by 'the fairer sex' more frequently. The gentleman from Proctor & Gamble she spoke with earlier tried to use machismo to get the upper hand in a discussion about funding for relief effort supplies. She shut him down VERY fast. "Well, I have tea waiting, maybe we can handle both topics simultaneously?" She gestures toward a side hall, making it clear she wasn't expecting Babs to have to try and get her wheelchair up the flight of stairs.

***

"Tea…" Babs says slowly "sounds wonderful actually." before looking at Jacqueline again. Offering her hand, she smiles again "Hi, I'm Babs, Babs Gordon. I'm ammenable to a joint meeting, if you are." Babs recognises Jacqueline from a operation run with Jericho and May recently, she's keen to find out more about this woman though.

***

Beyond any operation Babs might have recognized Jacqueline from, the woman is a recognizable public figure in the UK, and recognizable for other reasons among those that deal with intelligence and covert operations. So, while she may have little to no reason to recognize the wheelchair-bound hacker, she'd not be surprised to find out the woman recognized her — for any reason. As it is, however, the Brit extends her hand, accepting Babs' proffering with grace and courtesy. "I'll trust to Pepper's judgement on this," she agrees amenably. After all, Pepper knows what each of them have come to discuss, even if the two visitors can only now make educated guesses as to why the other may be here. If Pepper thinks they can kill two birds with one stone, the Lady won't argue. "By all means." She gestures to Pepper to lead them on.

***

Pepper Potts nods and turns to lead the way. "Thank you both. With as crazy as things have been lately, rescheduling would probably have been a nightmare." She doesn't lead them very far, just to what looks like it used to be a small sitting room with bookshelves set into the walls and books still in place. It gives the room that distinctively 'old bookstore' atmosphere, paired with a pot of tea waiting on the table all wrapped up in a cozy.

"All right. Barbara, I hope I won't be imposing on you too much, but… SI's computer systems, particularly the automation systems in the Tower were compromised in the attacked that damaged the building. I was wondering if you'd be willing to help us get the system back online. Tony might get mad at me for asking, but I feel like the Tower needs the security, and he's currently elbows deep in getting power restored to Metropolis." So basically, she'd rather ask for forgiveness later then seek permission now.

"Ms. Falsworth-Crichton… may I call you Jacqueline? You were wanting to grow your company's involvement here in the US? I'm pretty sure we can come up with a mutually beneficial agreement for that.'

***

It's a lovely room and as Babs enters she takes her time to look around before settling herself near the table. Peppers offer has the younger redheads eyebrows lifting and a smile appearing on her face but she remains silent until Pepper finishing speaking with Jacqueline.

"Of course I'd be willing to take a look, Miss Potts. I'm sure I can get things back online and working, I'm sure it's a big concern for you at the moment." a small smile appears on her face and it's obvious she's alread starting to think about the project. At Peppers question to Jacqueline, Babs looks over to the other woman and listens with polite interest.

***

Jacqueline fails, really, to see the link between Stark's ruined systems and Falsworth's expansion into the country, but she doesn't say anything aloud. Instead, she keeps her congenial game-face in place and scans the room automatically, noting windows, venting, doors, the position of the bookcases, and the books that laden the shelves. She also takes a moment to study both Pepper and Babs, noting fine details about each, before she moves towards a table and, though remaining on her feet, lays her folder down on the flat surface. "Jacqueline is fine," she says lightly. "Falsworth America has acquired several resources here in this country. We've been here now, technically, for about ten months. However, we've yet to ramp up significantly. Perhaps, though, there is an opportunity for us to work with you, particularly in light of the recent crises in the TriCities."

***

Pepper Potts smiles and nods to Barbara, setting a tablet that looks like a framed pane of glass on the table for the IT specialist to peruse if she cares to. It's got a direct link to JARVIS, text only at the moment. She then reaches to start pouring the tea.

"Well, Jacqueline, that might be serendipity for both of us, then. With the power plant loss in Metropolis, SI has sent every last generator we had built and ready to ship. It's a good start, but it's not nearly enough. We've got our manufacturing plants running at full capacity now, but what's holding us back is getting the custom-built components that go into the generators." She then offers Spitfire the file folder she'd been holding along with the tablet. "If you could help us get these parts restocked, we could have another hundred or so generators ready to install around Metropolis within a week."

***

Babs eyes light up at the provision of the tablet and she takes it, beginning to familiarise herself with what Pepper has provided. Her eyes widen as she realises /what/ she's seeing and she nods slightly to Pepper "I see, it will take me a bit of time to get familiar with the system but I'm sure I can help." Not wishing to appear rude, Babs puts the tablet down as Pepper addresses Jacqueline and pays attention. "A rather large undertaking Miss Potts, but it's good that SI are assisting Metropolis." A small smile is given to Jacqueline.

***

Jacqueline takes the folder from Pepper and flips it open, perusing it quickly. "I think that's doable. We have systems similar to this, already." She smiles. "It may take a couple of days to arrange for a line transition, mind, but we should be able to work out something. If I may, I'll take this to my production advisors to see what they say and get back to you with firm numbers tomorrow?"

***

Pepper Potts sets a tea cup in front of Babs, then offers another to Jacqueline. The younger redhead only gets this preferential treatment because Pepper knows that Barbara is going to want a cup of tea. She's not so sure about Jacqueline. "That is perfectly acceptable, Jacqueline. My contact information is there in the folder. And maybe, once this crisis is over, we can see about streamlining the supply chain through your company to make the generators both faster and less expensive to build."

***

Accepting the tea gratefully, Babs nods to Pepper "Thank you Miss Potts, just what I needed" she sighs before taking a sip. Returning her attention to the SI provided tablet, the redheaded hacker starts to enter some commands. "I can see some places where I make some changes immediately, Miss Potts. They are minor but they will give you some increased security until I can do a full review. With your permission?" She smiles "I really wouldn't want to upset Mr Stark too much." The discussion about streamlining supply chains gains Babs attention, "If you like, I could look at the software and maybe offer some ideas for improvement as well Ms Falsworth-Crichton." It's a genuine offer from Babs, making things more efficient is a challenge for her.

***

Jacqueline, too, accepts the tea with a smile. "Thank you." She pauses to take a sip and, judging from her expression, is remarkably impressed with the brew. It doesn't taste 'American'. (That's a good thing, in this case.) She nods to Pepper, then. "That sounds like an excellent idea," she agrees.

Her attention turns to Babs at the other woman's offer. "We might be able to arrange that. I know part of what we'll need to do is reprogram some of the fabricators, though that's entirely beyond me." She can, in her capacity as an 'agent of the Crown', do several remarkable things with computers. But, she's really not in Miss Gordon's league by any stretch.

***

On the tablet, a line of text appears.

JARVIS: Miss Gordon, I trust that you mean well, but Sir would not take kindly to your making changes to his security protocols without his knowledge or prior consent. I believe Miss Potts' intention was for you to assist in restoring my servers to full capacity, or lacking that, optimizing the remaining servers I am able to access.

Unaware of the text on the tablet, Pepper smiles to Jacqueline as Barbara offers to help with the manufacturing programs as well. "Now that idea is a good one. I have to admit, manufacturing is one area of our business that I very rarely get involved in. So both of your help will be invaluable."

***

Babs stifles a laugh at Jarvis communications and enters a response:

BABS GORDON: My apologies JARVIS, you are quite correct. Perhaps you could make the suggestions to Sir, yourself. I do feel that you may benefit from these in the short term till we can restore your remaining servers.

The younger redhead then types out her suggestions and enters into a typed out dialogue to determine which servers the AI can and can't access. It looks like she might be having some fun.

Glancing up at Jacqueline and Pepper, Babs smiles vaguely "Do forgive me, I didn't mean to be rude. Let me know if you would like to take a look, if I can't assist I may be able to recommend someone who can." shrugging a little, she sips her tea.

***

Jacqueline is perfectly happy to let the computer geek do her thing. She's learned: Play to people's strengths; let them do what they do best. Of course, she's had 9 decades to learn it, too. She nods to both and takes another sip of her tea. "I'll have my production department analyse what needs to be done, first, and get back to you as soon as I can," she promises. But, it's only fair to let her own geeks have first crack, before she brings in the outside guns." She chuckles, though, to Pepper's words. "Manufacturing is the backbone of Falsworth. It behooves me to have learned some about it. But, to be honest, my place is more often in boardrooms than production floors. I rely on the expertise of my people for detailed analysis."

***

Pepper Potts just smiles at Babs as she gets started 'chatting' with JARVIS. She knew they'd hit it off almost instantly. "No worries at all, Barbara. Remember who I work for." She's MORE than used to people paying her only partial attention as they work. To Jacqueline she nods. "Sounds good, and having the manufacturing excellence of Falsworth on our side can only help things."

***

Babs nods at Jacquelines "It's good to know enough about your business so you can call out those that try to pull the wool over your eyes" the young woman smiles at the other two "Having others to help you do the heavy lifting, so to speak, is a good idea." The conversation with JARVIS continues, and the redhead looks down at the tablet and enters another update before looking at Pepper "I think we're getting somewhere, here. A few tests need to be run and those results will give us a better picture." she gives a self deprecating laugh, wondering what critique JARVIS would give her if asked.

***

Jacqueline settles with her tea now and lifts the mug, looking at the liquid within. "This is a lovely blend," she says, now. "Where did you find it?" She might want to pick some up. She leaves Barbara to her work, and nudges the folders away. The real focus of the meeting is just about done, it seems.

***

Pepper Potts smiles at Barbara. "I knew you'd be able to help. I really appreciate it already." Because having JARVIS back to normal will make everything else SO much easier. "Oh, it's a blend a friend of mine brought to me from abroad. Russian, I think? I don't rembmer for sure, but I'll make a point of asking." That's the only downside of the teas Fenris brought her. She has NO idea how to acquire more.

***

Babs has been distracted speaking with JARVIS and looks at her tea. "It was very nice, Miss Potts. I'll have to share some of the ones Rowan brings me." Her attention drops back to the tablet and then to Pepper again "I've made some suggestions in the system for improvements, I hope Mr Stark thinks they're up to par." Sighing, Babs places the tablet on the table "I do appreciate the opportunity to assist you, and I will do some further review but right now, my driver is waiting to take me to my next appointment."

***

"It was very nice meeting you, Miss Gordon," Jacqueline says, as it becomes evident Barbara intends to take her leave. She fishes into a convenient pocket in her handbag and pulls out a card. "If you'd send me your contact information," she says, handing her the card, "I'd appreciate it."

As for the tea. "I suspect it is a Russian blend," she agrees. "Regardless, it's lovely."

***

Pepper Potts nods to Barbara as she moves to take her leave. "Thank you again, Barbara, and let's keep in touch on the computer system restoration." She hesitates in seeing Babs out, as Jacqueline is still there. "I can ask my friend about the tea, if you like. It would probably be easy to find again."

***

Babs takes Jacquelines' card and nods to her "I most certainly will. Thank you." Seeing Peppers hesitation she smiles and waves "It's alright Miss Potts, I can find my way out. I'll keep in touch. Thank you again." and with that, the younger redhead takes her leave with a smile.

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