30/A Case of the Mondays

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A Case of the Mondays
Date of Scene: 10 April 2017
Location: Stark Tower, New York City
Synopsis: Virginia "Pepper" Potts and "Natalie Rushman" (the Black Widow Natasha Romanoff working undercover) discuss business.
Cast of Characters: Pepper Potts, Black Widow (Romanoff)




Pepper Potts has posed:
It had been over two weeks since Tony went missing. Everyone is pretty sure he's off on a bender somewhere, but Pepper's gotten a little more worried. Deeply worried. So, she's doing everything she can to run the company in his stead without actually letting the press know that he's no longer around. And, of course, not to lose herself emotionally to the worry. Work helps with that. So, she's been in the office since 7 am. But it was 10 am when the board met and opened the instructions that Tony mandated upon his death or missing. Which means 11 am the new legal rep was handed directives from the board. A directive they were quite unhappy with, but could not change -- Pepper Potts was to be made acting CEO. It's up to Natalie Rushman to tell the woman now. None of the old men on the board were doing it.

Fortunately, Pepper is easy to find. In the CEO's office, on the phone with England, she's trying not to sound exasperated as she sips her coffee and listens to the frustrated man on the phone, "Look... George. We shipped the product. You have everything you need. If there is something *wrong* with it, I can fix that. There is no reason you need to talk to Mr. Stark... and you KNOW he doesn't even come into the office on Mondays, much less this early..."

Black Widow (Romanoff) has posed:
Natalie Rushman was a fairly new face in the halls and many floors of Stark Tower, but she's gained a reputation of being extremely reliable, punctual and a capable problem solver. She also was not the type to fit into the various gossip cliques that circulated the office levels, she kept to herself and not many people knew her outside of work (much as many have already tried to).

She was at the meeting today where this news had been formulated and she not only accepted the job to tell Pepper, but she actually spearheaded the idea of it. She knew the others weren't going to want to do it, and she knew it took her right to the top. Which is precisely why the woman was here, to watch the going-ons of Stark's business from the inside. (At least the true reason why she was here).

Natalie had been told to enter the office by the receptionist and she overheard Pepper's voice on the phone as she walked to the woman's desk and adjusted the black glossy folders that she held in both of her hands, then picked a chair in front of the desk and sat down on the edge of it. She put her green eyes onto Pepper and would seek to make eye contact to establish her presence here and now, then she'd look away to be polite and let her eyes roam over the items on the desk or sweep over to the windows to look out at the bustling morning Manhattan skyline.

Pepper Potts has posed:
Another sigh over the phone, Pepper sitting up a bit straighter as someone comes in, but keeping with the conversation, "Well, have your inspectors go through the shipment and call me back. No. Me. Mr. Stark wouldn't do a damned thing anyway..." Pepper huffs over the line. She then gives the darker red head an apologetic sort of smile, half covering the receiver of the phone with her hand as she mouths 'You can just leave the things there...' Pepper is completely unaware this is anything more than just a drop off.

But, of course, Natalie cannot leave. This isn't just news one leaves on the glass, holographic projecting desk upon which Pepper Potts works. She arches a brow at the woman's persistence, but gives a single nod, "George, some of us have work to do. You know my email." And CLICK. She slightly huffs and then turns a slightly too-sweet smile up to the other woman, "Sorry about that. Now...how can I help you... Rushman, is it?" Yes, Pepper's read all the new personnel files.

Black Widow (Romanoff) has posed:
Natalie would look back at Pepper when she'd react to her presence and she'd show a soft smile. When it was suggested that she leave the items on the desk though she would very very gently shake her head once from left to right. She would, however lift one of the two glossy black folders up and set it upon the front half of Pepper's desk.

Once the phone converseation was ended, Nat would show another small smile. "I'm sorry." She started. "I was instructed not to leave without verbally informing you of this... development." Her voice was huskied and calming. She'd then slide that folder across the holoprojection desk toward Pepper.

"It would seem that you just got a promotion, ma'am." She'd say then. "They're waiting on your signature to set it into stone." Which is what the folder she just gave her was. The second folder, she was holding still, was lifted up. "This is the legal forms that lead them to this decision. It can stay with you, for you to read over."

Pepper Potts has posed:
"...What?" Pepper echoes quietly, the blinking innocence of someone who has a sinking suspicion of what is going on but really doesn't want to acknowledge it. Pepper is too smart for her own good, but she doesn't want this to be happening. She exhales slowly and reaches out, accepting the folders and opening them quietly. "Stay a few moments..." She echoes up to the woman, her voice distantly professional, but there is the rockiness of someone whose world is shaking beneath.

The silence stretches on far too long as Pepper reads over the directives. CEO. Acting CEO. In the event of death or being unable to do the job... she was CEO. She blinks quietly, "I... can't believe the board let this through." She finally murmurs, numbly reaching out for the fountain pen on her desk so she can sign the papers. She's not saying no, but shock is a weird thing. She's mainly just going through the motions.

Black Widow (Romanoff) has posed:
SHIELD knew precisely where Tony was, but that was information that couldn't be released. Natalie stared at Pepper as the news sank into the woman's head. She sat there on the edge of the chair that she'd chosen and just quietly watched Pepper's reaction.

Once Pepper went to sign, Natalie placed the second folder onto the desk next to the one that the new CEO was working on. "The company is in the perfect hands for this scenario." She'd reassure the other in that dry-tone of voice of hers. "They really have made the right decision." She'd show another very faint smile, that somehow almost seemed to be alien to her face like it was an expression that a robot was trying to simulate.

"Once Mister Stark returns, he will probably let you keep the position too." She let the strange soft smile turn into a little smirk as that was her attempt at humor to lighten the moment. "Is there any message you would like me to take back down to them, ma'am? Most of the board is still assembled, they're waiting for my return."

Pepper Potts has posed:
Another deep breath in, Pepper about to say something, but it catches in her throat. She really wasn't expecting this, not emotionally. Mentally, yes, but emotions are different things. As cool a customer as Natalie is, Pepper seems very much on the edge of completely losing her head. She takes a third breath and then finishes signing the paper, folding the document shut and smoothly handing it back to Natalie with a watery sort of smile.

"Tony always knew there were... Risks. I guess I shouldn't have been surprised he was prepared. But he's not been gone that long. I'm sure this will just be a week or two and he'll be back to take things over again. I... I'm just a secretary, really." Pepper admits with a level of practiced, false modesty even she doesn't really believe any longer. "...What is the mood... of the board?"

Black Widow (Romanoff) has posed:
Natalie's green eyes were on Pepper's face, watching her reaction and studying it like she was (again) a machine learning the ins and outs of human emotion. She blinked her eyes at the last question then and she gently swayed her head back and forth once more.

"Honestly?" She replied initially before a small pause, accepting the signed-folder back into her right hand and laying it upon her lap. "They're excited to have this settled. Mister Stark's accomplishments cannot be argued. His level of life achievements outweigh the achievements of most city populations... but his unpredictability can really only be summed up as... bad for business."

Natalie would glance to her left at a picture of Tony that was hanging on the wall, he was on a boat somewhere on the ocean. "The board believes you to be a more stable business presence, someone who can bring solid faith in the company in Mister Stark's absence." Her expressive green eyes returned to Pepper's visage. "I fully believe that he will return though, safe and sound. I've known of the man since I was a child... he doesn't let bad things happen to him. He's likely working on his next big 'reveal' in a secluded facility somewhere." That was more attempted reassurance to aide Pepper's rattled emotional well being.

Pepper Potts has posed:
The strawberry blonde listens quietly, not really phased by Natasha's completely emotionless expression. Pepper is used to business and, most likely, this was just business. She gives another of those watery smiles, slightly chuckling, "That is a very nice way of putting it. While they are happy for stability, I'm certain at least Jones and probably Archer were quite unhappy that someone else wasn't put in this place. There are seemingly more capable people, on paper, in the company..." But Pepper knew, just like Natalie did and Tony put in writing, that she knew the company better than anyone short of Tony Stark.

A hint of surprise crosses her pale features at the comment of having known Tony. "I...I didn't know you both were friends. Is... that why you joined the company? Interesting. He never spoke about you..." Is Pepper jealous? No, surely not. Perhaps a little. This morning's messiness has confused all of her emotions. She tries to shake it off with a good smile and a straighter spine, "Anyway, I do not mean to keep you. You are welcome to bring the board my acceptance. I... I suppose I have more work to do now..."

Black Widow (Romanoff) has posed:
"Jones and Archer have trouble operating the elevator." Natalie quipped back nearly immediately. "Giving them the company would be like giving a seagul an alka-seltzer tablet." She showed another half-smirk and then scooted a bit furward on her chair almost getting up until Pepper asked her about her relationship with Tony.

Natalie shook her head then and showed a larger smile than she had yet (She did have it in her!). "Goodness, no." She said and looked away for just a moment toward the windows in the office. "I'm just a... fangirl of technology... and I guess of his work since I was young." She'd put her eyes back onto Pepper then. "Its like when you know where you want to work someday and you set your ship's trajectory precisely on that route. So working here, is, you know... a childhood dream." She dipped her chin a little then and a grin was shown. "I'm a nerd, I apologize."

Nat would rise up then to her feet, signed folder held in front of her lap between both of her hands. "I won't take up any more of your time, ma'am. Thank you for this. I'm excited to see you in this position. I know you're going to do wonderful things with, in the short term and likely beyond." She'd reach over the desk then to offer a handshake should Pepper wish to receive it. Natalie was an interesting case, she seemed to exude a level of confidence that one in her position (and age bracket, at 28 years) might not normally have.

Pepper Potts has posed:
Hearing that story, the commentary about being a nerd, a fan girl of technology, it was all enough to make Pepper's brows climb curiously up her forehead. She's surprised and interested, not at all doubting the story, but also clearly thinks there is more to it all. "Well... I'd love to hear more about your career when it's not 11 am on a Monday. I'm glad to have you board as well, Miss Rushman, for what it's worth." That commentary isn't just glad-handing either. The fact that the woman seems to appreicate Pepper and the company was a nice turn of pace.

Pepper then stands respectfully, almost towering on her spike Prada heels. She does offer her hand in turn for a good, warm shake. A proper business shake. "Thank you again. I'd like to see you in this office more often. I'm sure there will be much that I'll need the assistance of someone bright to handle." And with that, Natalie has absolutely secured her position at the top. Pepper gives her hand one last squeeze before letting go to dive back into emails.

Black Widow (Romanoff) has posed:
Natalie would give the woman another soft smile and her handshake was firm and simple. "That sounds wonderful, ma'am." She told her. "Just drop me a message and I will be here on the double." She'd offer another dip of her chin and then turn to exit the office, the black glossy folder held between her hands in front of her abdomen. She'd reach the doory and close it gently behind her on her way out.