10762/A Dark Meeting

A Dark Meeting
Date of Scene:	16 January 2020
Location:	Offices, Gotham University
Synopsis:	Hugo Strange is hired to build a profile on Wonder Woman by Cheetah
Cast of Characters:	Hugo Strange, Cheetah

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Hugo Strange has posed:
Professor Hugo Strange sat in his office, a stack of paper-work before him. He was grading the newest set of tests that his students had completed, which was usually an all-night affair. He was already halfway through the test, and so far he was disappointed. His newest class was turning out to be a disappointment so far, with only 3 of his students getting perfect marks.He looked up from his desk and looked around his office, which was painted red and had some modest decorations like a fern and, of course, a bust of Sigmund Freud himself. Hugo sighed and looked at the bust and said,

"Well Sigmund, let us get this over with."

Besdies the tests, Hugo had another reason to be disappointed. His attempted "acquisition" of the Hellfire Ruby had been foiled by some meddling do-gooders. As a result, he lost seven of his men, who were either killed or arressted. It should've been simple, but his planning didn't forsee heroes, a mistake he will not make twice. Hugo sighed and went back to his paperwork, he believed he was the only one in the offices right now and wasn't expecting any visitors.

Cheetah has posed:
A brisk, rather loud, English accent slashes the silence like the claws of a cat, "Dr. Strange, I presume!" A female silhouette has taken up residence in the now open doorway to the good doctor's office. Odd that nobody heard her approach. The figure glides gracefully into the office and more clearly into view. She's tall, Caucasian, red-headed, and well-made. A large, manila envelope is being cradled in the crook of her left arm. She is expensively dressed. One who regularly follows the shallower ends of the social media "pool" might recognize her as Barbara-Ann Minerva: former super-model and present "queen" of Cats Eye Cosmetics.

Hugo Strange has posed:
Hugo jumped when he heard the English-accented voice call his name. Hugo looked up and saw a red-haired woman dressed rather richly in his office, cluthcing a manila envelope. It took a bit of brainstorming, but he recognized the woman as Barbara Ann Minerva, the cosmetics magnate. Normally, he would never be interested in that kind of thing, but since he had made a habit of following his students social media profiles. Hugo shuffled his papers and looked at Minerva calmly and said,

"Miss Minerva, welcome. What brings the Queen of Cats Eye to my humble office. If you were wishing to enroll in my course, you missed the admissions office by a hallway or two."

Cheetah has posed:
Minerva smiles warmly, "I fear that would be an exasperating exercise for both of us, doctor. I'm a rather poor student." She is not at all put off by the fact that Hugo knows her by name. I mean, why wouldn't he? She's Barbara-Ann Minerva!

Barbara crosses the room and helps herself to a chair facing Hugo behind his desk. "I do apologize for this late-night rendezvous; however, I'm in search of someone with a particular set of expertise and your name came highly recommended. I'm in something of a desperate situation and I can't afford to wait." Barbara leans forward as she sits as though inviting Hugo to join her in some grand conspiracy. She lays the envelope on the desk immediately in front of her.

Hugo Strange has posed:
Hugo Strange's rubbed his chin as he thought over his options. There was a button under his desk that, if pressed, would summon security and drag her office. But on the other hand, it was quite unusual for a fashion maven like Barbara to appraoch a Psychology to accomplish something any PI could do. His curiosity eventually won him over and he took the envelope and started to open it while saying,

"Very well Miss Minerva. I shall play your little game."

Cheetah has posed:
A set of immaculately cared for (and off-puttingly white) teeth gleam yet further from behind blood-red lips. Barbara-Ann wastes no time with pleasantries. "As you are no doubt aware, my company sits on the cutting edge of what one might wistfully call the 'image' business." Minerva helpfully uses the first two fingers of each hand to add air-quotes to the word 'image.' Satisfied that Hugo is keeping pace, she presses on.

"It isn't uncommon for companies in my field to retain the services of celebrities to assist with our advertising. We've recently entered into discussions with a certain...someone." A slender finger reaches forward and gently taps Hugo's hand, "I don't mind telling you it was quite a coup. This person is extremely influential." Minerva pauses as if unsure how to proceed. "Recently, we've received some information that casts this person an a less positive light". She leans in, "I'll cut to the chase..." Minerva thumps the envelope in front of her authoritatively, "I need to know who I'm getting into bed with and I need to know discreetly." A red eyebrow arches skyward, "...if you follow."

Hugo Strange has posed:
Hugo, for the first time, grins at Cheetah and says," Of course i follow Miss Minerva. You wish for me to build a extensive profile of this "famous person" and see what makes her tick and how she functions. I would be more than willing to do this. Provided you answer me one question, who is this individual you wish for me to analyze?"

Cheetah has posed:
Minerva rubs the envelope gingerly, "I'll presume you're canny enough to infer the tremendous sensitivity of this. I wouldn't be here personally and at this ungodly hour otherwise?" Seeing no overt sign of protest from Hugo, Barbara pushes the envelope across the surface of the desk to within Hugo's easy reach. When he opens it, the first thing he will see is a 8x10 photo of Diana Prince -- the Wonder Woman. There are an assortment of other documents that are likely of little utility to someone of his pedigree.

Hugo Strange has posed:
Hugo opens the envelope and pulls out the photo. His eyebrows raise in surprise when he sees a photo of Diana Prince, or Wonder Woman as she was more well-known as. This was quite a surprise for the docotor. Hugo looks at Minerva and says,

You present a interesting challenge Miss Minerva. A profile on the Amazon shall be most interesting, i accept your offer. Don't you worry about being implicated in this, i will keep this between me and you and if Wonder Woman figures out, I will not implicate you in my investigation."

Hugo then stretches his hand towards Minerva.

Cheetah has posed:
"I knew from the moment I laid eyes on you that you were a man of virtue and tact." Minerva positively purrs. The fact that she would personally gut Strange in his own home if he were to do otherwise goes unsaid. She, too, is a person of tact.

Seeing the bust of Freud out of the corner of her eye does, briefly, provoke the idea in Barbara-Ann that she should seek counselling herself: this strange obsession she has developed with Wonder Woman is pushing her to take ever greater personal risks.

Hugo Strange has posed:
"Thank you Miss Minerva, nut i do have a question. As you can tell, this would cost me time and resources. I can't exactly build a profile overnight, it requires time and resources. My question is simple, how much are you willing to pay me for this task?"

Cheetah has posed:
Minerva smiles darkly despite herself, in the process likely giving a keen analytical mind like Hugo's a brief glimpse behind the metaphorical curtain to her inner self. "Money is no object, Doctor. My company's reputation is on the line." Yes. The company. Not some pathological blood feud with a woman she's scarcely met and who has done nothing harmful to her. All perfectly normal.

Hugo Strange has posed:
Hugo nods, raising in eyebrow when Minerva's smile turns dark Perhaps he should start building a profile on her as well. Hugo then says," Alright Miss Minerva, i shall start building Miss Prince's profile as soon as i can. I will ocassionly give you updates on my progress. You can either meet me here or have me meet you at a location of your choice. I do look forword to this task and I promise you won't be disappointed."