Video

[hammer]

[ The image of a rather ordinary, unremarkable looking man fills the screen. He’s clean-shaven, wearing a pair of black-framed glasses, and he’s got brown hair, cut short and though it’s a little messy, there’s something about it that suggests that it had been styled at one point earlier in the day. He’s just slightly disheveled, which those familiar with the comings and goings of individuals to Keeliai might recognize as a sign of a new arrival. ]

So this is… [ There’s a moment of silence, as he trails off and glances away from the camera. ] …different.

[ It only lasts for a second, before he looks back and rolls his eyes. ]

The whole—I mean, well… Whatever.

[ He takes a deep breath, lets it out, and pulls himself together. ]

Right, okay. I was given a place to live but no job, and I’m guessing that it isn’t free rent forever. So if there’s, I don’t know, a job center? Help wanted ads? Some turtle world version of Craigslist? Something? Could someone point me in the right direction?

Comments

[suoxi]

[ she ponders this. ]

Finance, hm? There might be a market for that here. I know I myself have those that do my books, and might potentially need another.

What is your name?

[hammer]

I've always been pretty good with math.

Justin Hammer. I can write up a resumé if you'd like to see it. Or a CV if you need more detail.

[suoxi]

Inara Serra. It's a pleasure.

That would be wonderful. I'm certain that Alcuin would appreciate some relief. [ he does have his own things to run, after all. ]

I'd also like to meet you, of course. Perhaps over tea?

[hammer]

Sure, absolutely. Tea's great. Any time. I'm in the... the Fire district, but I can meet you anywhere, Miss Serra.

[ Once he finds a map. ]

[suoxi]

I live in the Fire sector as well. If it would be easier, perhaps you could simply come by my suite.

[ she has a three story apartment. She's got room. ]

[hammer]

Of course. Definitely, I can do that.

[ A beat. ]

Which one's yours?

[suoxi]

[ she rattles off her building; FI-3A. ]

When would I expect you, Mr. Hammer?

[hammer]

Whenever it's most convenient for you. Would—I can be ready to go in like ten minutes.

[suoxi]

[ She's used to callers coming at varied times. She's up and ready. ]

That would be perfect. I'll put the tea on.

[hammer]

Okay, great. I'll be right there. Ten minutes.

[ He gives her a quick smile, then disconnects the transmission. It's been years since he had a job interview, but he knows that the first part of making a good impression is looking his best. First he's going to freshen up, then he'll be at her suite in exactly ten minutes' time. ]

[suoxi]

[ indeed, looking ones best is crucial to making a good first impression. It's why Inara, nine times out of ten, is dressed to the nines on any given occasion. Today is no different. She's in red, hair swept up and off her shoulders into an elegantly twisted bun.

When the knock comes, she greets him warmly, and with a smile. ]

Mr. Hammer. Please, come in.

[hammer]

[ Justin does the best with what he has, straightens out his three-piece suit, finger-combs his hair into order, and washes his face. He looks good, though not as perfect as he could if he had his large wardrobe and styling products at his disposal.

Of course, even his best wouldn't be able to match hers. The computer screen back his apartment just didn't do her justice.

He smiles back, only long years of public relations experience keeping him from staring at her in awed surprise, and steps inside with a bow of his head. ]

Thank you, Miss Serra. Please, call me Justin.

[suoxi]

[ She moves aside to admit him before closing the door and offering her hand to shake. ]

Justin, then. Call me Inara. [ She gestures further inside, towards her sitting area. ] Shall we?

[hammer]

[ He gives her hand a firm shake, careful not to hold it too long or not long enough, then lets go and nods his head. ]

Yes, please.

[ Following her direction, he moves toward the sitting area, pausing to see where she sits so he doesn't inadvertently take her place. ]

[suoxi]

[ She leads him inside, allowing the door to shut behind them. She's got a nice tea service set up, and she pulls out a chair to sit. There's one just opposite her that she indicates is for him. ]

Now, then. You mentioned finances. I assume this includes some knowledge of accounting? I recently lost one of my bookkeepers.

[hammer]

[ He dips his head in a shallow bow of thanks at the invitation to sit, opens the button on his jacket with a deft flip of his finger, and sits in the chair. ]

When I started my company, I kept the books myself. After it got larger, a couple thousand employees, dealing in multi-billion dollar transactions, I hired people to do it. Not because I couldn't - math has always been a strong suit of mine - but because it was becoming a full-time job for a team of people, not just one guy.

If you don't mind my asking, how much capital do you typically see in an average month?

[suoxi]

[ There's a small leather bound folder on the table, and Inara opens it with a smile and pulls several organized sheets out and slides it over to him. ]

These are last months numbers. You'll find expenses, profits -- everything. [ There's a tidy little profit, but Inara isn't loaded.

Still -- she's not doing bad for herself. ]

[hammer]

[ He looks over the sheets, taking in the numbers and adding them up himself. It isn't something he tries to do to show off, it's just the way his brain works. He practically thinks in math. ]

I could do this no problem. In fact...

[ He glances up, offering her a small smile. ]

I could help you make more.

[suoxi]

[ Inara suppresses a smile, fairly amused by that. What will he do, she wonders, when he finds out she runs a high class brothel? ]

Oh? How so?

[hammer]

[ He thinks about his own company and the measures he took to make it as successful as it was prior to his arrest. ]

Well, for starters, what's your advertising look like? Public relations, that sort of thing.

[suoxi]

[ She ponders on that a moment. ]

Word of mouth, and myself. Companion houses generally don't...need to advertise.

[hammer]

[ Although it would be an ideal time to ask what a companion house is, Justin's too caught up by the idea that they don't advertise. ]

Why not?

[suoxi]

[ Inara smiles politely. ]

Our clientele is very specific and individually chosen by the employee. We do not allow just anyone to cross the threshold and utilize our services.

[hammer]

Okay. So reverse it. Let them know you're out there and let them apply. Kind of like a job. If people know that being chosen makes them special, more will want to be a part of something just for the sake of saying that they've been picked while others aren't.

[ He shrugs. ]

It might let you meet someone you wouldn't have normally who you might want to do business with.

[suoxi]

[ She gives him a thoughtful, appraising look, and nods. ]

Perhaps you can assist with that, though I think I might ought to at least...inform you as to what sort of business it is that I run.