After hours

[Athena_e19]

OOC: I am looking for an older female, initially, to play an executive at a smaller law firm in a misc. big city. I will play a new hire, fresh out of school, trying to make their way in an incredibly competitive field. The partner has significant control over my future and uses it to personal pleasure. I don't want someone interested in a quick write up... Longer development if you please. Please PM me before posting.

Character description: Aryn is 24, brunette, 5'9", 34-24-32 measurements, and has brown eyes. She has a distinct tan, being half Hispanic/Caucasian. Went to a large east coast law school.

IC: Aryn tried to appear as confident and cheerful as she could. But her briefcase was too full, the box of personal mementos a little too wide, her heels too high, and her skirt too short to make the going easy. She found herself nearly waddling down the hallway, passing all her new coworkers.

There's no second chance at a first impression, she groaned to herself as she fumbled to open her office door. She nearly lost her balance and found herself spilling personal items all over the floor and landing in a pyramid shape- arms outstretched and heels pushing her lower half high in the air. Swearing under her breath she carefully transferred into a crouch and tried to gather her belongings.

 

[Athena_e19]

Bumpity bumpity

 

[Athena_e19]

One last bump

 

[RedHairedandFriendly]

OOC:

Katherine Hopkins
Age: 43
Hair: Dark Blond
Eyes: Blue
Height: 5'10"

Divorced mother of two; her children, twins boys - age 20, are both enrolled at MIT and have little to do with Katherine, unless it revolves around money. Her ex-husband is also out of her life, or so she hopes. She spent more time in the office than at home, thus why she is alone. Katherine is strong minded, and easily angered. She knows she’s seen as a Bitch and she uses that to her advantage to get what she wants, when she wants it. She works out, keeping her figure firm and toned. Her complexion is fair; her hair shoulder length, but at work always pulled back, thus accenting her high cheekbones.

IC:

Katherine Hopkins stopped walking toward her private office and stared at a pair of legs that looked wobbly on chick heels. She smirked as the girl righted herself, giving Katherine a chance to take in the newest employee. She’d not yet met the “fresh meat” for Hopkins and Willingham Attorney-at-Law. Alan Willingham, her partner in the firm, handled the hiring of new recruits and would, on rare occasions, send them to her for a quick run through. This particular candidate had missed that opportunity because Katherine had been in Jamaica.

She smirked and shook her head wondering what Alan had been thinking when hiring the young girl. It wasn’t until Katherine ran her blue eyes up and down the tall and well-built frame that Katherine made the connection. A chuckle rose from her lips and carried easily throughout the small lobby, where it was heard by whomever was paying attention.

“Good morning Miss Hopkins.”

Katherine turned her attentions to the firm’s Secretary and nodded her head. “Good morning, Sally. I see the new girl’s already making a good first impression.” She noted Sally’s smile turn toward the young woman.

“Give her an hour and then send her to my office. I know why Alan hired her. But I sure hope she has a brain to go with that body.” Katherine rolled her eyes and headed down the hall to her office. Once there she opened her briefcase, sat down at her desk and began to work on one of her more notable client’s cases.

 

[Athena_e19]

Aryn was busy setting up her new office, a look of elation crossing her face when the inter-office paging system on her desk buzzed in. A small plaintive red light blinked repeatedly in conjunction with the small groan of a hidden speaker.

Nervously, Aryn fiddled with a variety of switches and cords and things that she did not understand with little outcome. Really all she managed to do was upset her well organized work space once more.

Her door swung open and a confident looking woman peeked in.

"Ms. Carlisle?"

"Yes," Aryn looked up abashed.

"I'm Sally, Ms. Hopkins' assistant. She would like to see you in thirty minutes."

"Thank you," Aryn practically sighed. Her head dropped to her hands and she found herself blushing furiously when Sally did not turn to leave.

"And to answer the paging system, pick up the receiver on the phone." And with that, the secretary was gone.

Swearing under her breath again, and with a tight knot in her stomach, Aryn sunk into the large masculine office chair that had been provided for her. She felt like a small irresponsible and foolish child. Years of schooling and training and internships and she was already bumbling through her first day. She hoped she didn't disappoint Ms. Hopkins.

Unconsciously out of habit, the young attorney began to run her polished fingernails over her inner thigh. they would skip and jump over the gaps in her stockings. In college, masturbation had been an easy form of relaxation during midterms. But she would catch herself, just as her fingers began to work her skirt up beneath the desk.

No you stupid girl, she scolded. Not today. Now is definitely not the time.

Aryn would try and find something to do over the next thirty minutes but would find the task difficult. By the time her clock's arm had reached the hour mark, she was nervous as anything. Carefully adjusting her clothing, Aryn started through the door and down the hallway towards the large receptionists desk where Sally sat perched.

The assistant simply waved a hand towards a chair, indicating she would need to wait a moment.

 

[RedHairedandFriendly]

Katherine could see the young woman, her body language speaking loudly about her nervousness at having been “summoned” by the other half of Hopkins and Willingham. Katherine found that attribute humorous. The young woman would have to get over her fears of those with power if she were ever to make it in this business. She pressed her intercom and soon was rewarded with the young girl stepping into her office.

“Take a seat,” she looked down at her desk as if she had to find the woman’s name, “Aryn.” She rose from her desk and moved to lean on the front edge as she gazed at the girl before her. “We didn’t get a chance to meet when Alan hired you. I apologize for that, but I was on vacation. Jamaica is a lovely place.”

She shook the woman’s hand, noting the smoothness of her skin and then walked back to her seat. The leather cushion hugged her as she settled herself into its thick, lush, fabric. “I’m not one to beat around the bush when it comes to the law. You’re new, but you’re degree claims you’re bright enough to sit in court and win cases. Hopefully. . .you’ll prove the degree right, otherwise there really is no use for you.”

Katherine reached down and opened her lower desk drawer. She pulled out a thick manilla envelope and handed it to Aryn. “This is the Welsh case. Mister Welsh is divorcing his wife of thirteen years. She’s had an affair, so that is one thing in his favor, but he’d rather demanding and controlling of her. Enough so that she felt the need to seek solace in another’s arms. You’ll need to familiarize yourself with the players. The Mister and Missus, the lover, the children. . . there are three. Ages 15, 12 and 8. We’re trying to get full custody for Mister Welsh, though in my opinion the kids are better off with her.”

She shrugged her shoulders. “But the Missus didn’t hire us. So you need to find some dirt on the Missus. Something besides the goody-two-shoes lover she has. Use whatever means you have too, but do it quick.”

Katherine really didn't need Aryn for this job. She had all the dirt necessary to win the case. This was simply a test to see what Aryn could get done in twenty-four hours. "Any questions?"

 

[Athena_e19]

All of Aryn's practice and training seemed to fly right out the window from the moment she sunk into the small leather chair across from the named partner.

In the end, when she saw her hands close around the thick manila file, she felt like she had no answer or reply to offer. A divorce case her first day? No co-chair? Fuck! They were throwing her out to the wolves right away. A junior prosecutor she could have handled, but another high priced, more practiced attorney would be a challenge.

She simply nodded her head, and moved from the seat, never having said a word.

When she made it back to the office, she hurriedly closed the door and settled back into her chair and began to read up on the case.

Controlling had not been the word for her client. He had dominated, spied, manipulated, and coerced her into every possible thing imaginable. And she seemed to have evidence. How could Aryn sink the woman's suit against her husband?

 

[RedHairedandFriendly]

Katherine snickered as the woman walked out of the room. The somewhat lost and dazed look on her face only added to Katherine’s happy demeanor. It was best to let the young know that they weren’t living a fairy tale. This was a job and it meant hard work, which meant now, not when you were ready for it. She returned to her own cases, knowing full well that Aryn would have little accomplished by the end of the day, unless she was willing to admit her short comings and come to Katherine for aide.

By the time lunch rolled around Katherine’s mood was less hostile and her stomach was growling. The granola bar and orange juice she’d had that morning had long left her system and now she need to refuel. She thought of Sally and taking her out for company, then decided against it instead, buzzing Sally and asking her to inform Aryn that Katherine would be treating her to lunch and to be ready in ten minutes.

Katherine rose from her desk and headed to her private bathroom, that she’d insisted Alan have built for her when she became partner. He hadn’t minded really, after all it was her money that had built most of the new offices that were now in their large and spacious building.

After taking care of her most basic needs, Katherine smoothed down the strands of hair that had dared defy their home. She swiped a thin sheen of lip gloss onto her lips, and touched up a bit of her face powder with a soft splash of color. When she stared at her reflection, she told herself she was still attractive at the age of forty-three and the young blood had nothing on her that Katherine’s beauty and experience couldn’t topple.

She tugged her suit jacket down and then strode out of the room. Confidence oozed from her as she walked past Sally and rapped gently on Aryn’s door, then opened it without any verbal invitation. “Ready?” she asked and then stepped in and surveyed her surroundings, before coming to rest her eyes on the woman before her.

 

[Athena_e19]

Aryn looked up, the front strands of her hair pushed forward on her skull, a mark of her contemplation of her case. She had almost forgotten the invitation she had received to lunch.

"Yes, ma'am." She stood and quickly straightened her jacket. In the back of her mind she drew a comparison between the partner and herself. Perhaps in a few years she would have a position similar to Ms. Hopkins. The look on Katherine Hopkins' face and her style of dress told her that she managed to skillfully use both her femininity and her intelligence as a fatal one two punch. Most male attorneys still clung to the notion that it was a man's world and a boy's club.

Aryn hoped she would measure up to her bosses' expectation.

Obediently, she followed Katherine into the hallway.

"Where are we going," she pleasantly queried.

 

[RedHairedandFriendly]

Katherine eyed the young woman casually as they walked out of the lobby and into the sunlight. “Greg’s,” she replied. “We’ve got an account there that we take care of once a month and it’s really got the best seafood around and drinks,” she winked, “we’ll stay clear of those for now.”

The walk to Greg’s Restaurant was short and rather silent, once there Katherine was greeted warmly by the Hostess. “You’re regular table?” the girl with bright green eyes asked.

“That’ll be fine, Susie,” Katherine asked, and then followed the uniform clad girl back to a corner table surrounded by thick foliage and one window. She turned to Aryn after taking her seat and motioned for the girl to claim her own.

“Aryn, I’m sure you’ve not done much concerning that case I’ve given you. It really would surprise the shit out of me if you did.” Katherine wondered if the young lawyer was surprised by her casual manner, but Katherine wanted Aryn to relax. She could see she was nervous and for some reason Katherine felt sorry for her. “I’ll tell you want, I’ve got a couple numbers to give you,” she dug into her wallet and produced two business cards, “call either one of these gentleman, tell them what you need, money is no object and tell them how soon you need it. They’ll find it and you’ll look good presenting your findings to me.”

The cards proclaimed the names of two detectives, one quite legal and never breaking the rules, the other a bit more shady and willing to bend a few to get the worst on his marks. “Now. . .Aryn tell me about you. Mom, Dad, sisters? Brothers? Boyfriend. . . Girlfriend?” She let the last word settle as their attendant approached the table and asked for their orders. Katherine quickly made her choices and waited for Aryn to make hers.

 

[Athena_e19]

Aryn curiously accepted the two cards that were offered to her. Private detective agencies? She examined each of them in turn, listening to the words that came from her bosses mouth. One card was in pristine shape and looked like it was fresh off a professional printing press. The other, was cheaper in its design and arrangement, but showed more signs of wear. It seemed to have been used more frequently.

She glanced back up as she mentally rejoined the conversation.

"I have two brothers, but my parents died quite a while ago. I never really had the opportunity to date during school and don't have much interest now. School and work was a heavy load, and I want to make sure my mind is focused when I'm working for you," she finished. Aryn knew that the comment was all true, but also a bit brown nosing. She knew that Katherine was aware of her position and her influence. She deserved to receive respect for her work and abilities.

"What about you," Aryn asked in good natured reply.

 

[RedHairedandFriendly]

Katherine sipped at her drink and listened patiently to Aryn, taking in more of her and accessing her potential, not only as a legal-eagle, but as a woman in general as well as a potential confidant. When asked about her own personal life, she frowned, but knew it was only proper etiquette to return the favor, after all Katherine had started the nosey process.

“I have two boys, twins. Well, they’re men now. Twenty. Both go to MIT. Their father; I’m divorced lives in Switzerland and we don’t talk.” She shrugged her shoulders and sighed, “I don’t talk to my sons much either.”

The words fell from her lips like lead. She licked her lips and plastered on a small smile. “But I have the funds to care for them and they know that. So they call me when they need me.” She knew it made her sound cold and heartless and to many she was, sometimes even Katherine thought she was. “I’m not involved with anyone at the moment. Rumors abound about Alan and I. We had a brief fling when we combined our practices, but it was just that a fling, nothing more nothing less.”

A soft chuckle fell from her lips as she looked at Aryn. “I’m not sure why I just shared that with you.” She forked some of her food into her mouth, chewed silently and contemplated why she’d just told the new girl about her affair with Alan, something that not even Sally was 100% sure of. There was something about Aryn that made Katherine want to share and not be the hard ass attorney she knew she was.

 

[Athena_e19]

Aryn's head cocked at an interested angle as she listened to her new boss describe her life. She had known that in the legal field within the region, Katherine was considered one of the best- unique in the achievement as a female.

Some of the history sounded a little painful and Aryn was reminded of one of her professor's warnings in law school on the first day of class in her first year. "This is not just a job. Nor just a career. Nor a lifestyle. Law is your life. It will consume you, those around you, and everything you hold dear if you allow it to. But if you reach the peak, it is a kind and doting mistress, a skill that sets you uniquely apart from the rest of teeming masses around you. Learn its value, and be wary of it." She wondered how much of that was true for Katherine.

Aryn, caught up in the recollection, forgot temporarily that it was her boss she was speaking to. Innocently she asked, "Did it ever create problems with you two- working and being involved? Or was it a better relationship than with a non-attorney?"

 

[RedHairedandFriendly]

Katherine was surprised by the question. Her brows rose and she leaned back in her seat, contemplating the young woman’s inquisitive nature. After a few minutes she took a deep breath, exhaled and said, “You know, looking back. It didn’t help or hurt our business. I wasn’t married at the time, Alan was and still is. You’ll have to watch him. His wife is a sweet woman, perhaps that’s why we never went further than a brief fling. She’s just too nice, so believe it or not I felt guilty about it, because she was nice. She’s unaware or at least she acts unaware of his extracurricular activities. It wasn’t a romance, just sex. The cases we handled, well when we won we celebrated quite . . . happily. When we lost, we drank ourselves into oblivion and that was that. Right now we are good friends. We don’t sleep together, that chapter of our lives is over.”

She shrugged her shoulders, “Not sure if that answers your question or not, but I don’t have a real clear answer for you.”

The attendant swept by and Katherine asked for the meal as well as two plates of the house speciality desert. When it arrived she smiled in delight as she ate on the creamy confection. “This has been fun, Aryn. A lot more fun than I thought it would be. Tomorrow we’ll do lunch again, if there is time and perhaps if you’d like you can come to the Club with me over the weekend. I can introduce you to a few more folks and you can start dropping your name here and there.”

Katherine smiled again as she thought of taking the young lawyer under her wing, and grooming her to become another rising star out of the pits of Hopkins and Willingham.

 

[Athena_e19]

Aryn nibbled daintily on her desert, admiring both the perfect compliment it formed to the heavier dinner and the taste of the woman who had selected it. Aryn felt a growing sense of pride to be associated with this firm. And she understood the value in having a mentor who had gone through what she would likely have to endure, to make it to the top of their competitive field.

Katherine really was the embodiment of who Aryn wanted to be and already the young woman found a strange sort of attachment to her- even from their ever so brief conversations. She was pretty, intelligent, feminine, skillful, and exacting. Aryn secretly smiled at the luck she had in landing here.

"I'd like that, I really would," she responded to Katherine's offer. She dabbed at her lip as she finished another bite of her luxurious final course. This place was amazing for a restaurant with a name like Greg's.

"Any tips on the case? Our client is pretty clearly not the most admirable of characters. And the things he is alleged to have gotten her into, don't seem to helpful to our case. I really have no idea how I can win this one."

 

[RedHairedandFriendly]

Katherine took a look at Aryn, once more assessing her as she contemplated on how much to help the new hiring. “I’d go with the less than reputable detective. He’ll dig deep and he won’t hold back any punches. The case starts tomorrow, but honestly, it’s going to go on for a while. Our client is worth millions, so if we want this over fast then whatever skeletons in her closet are going to have to be really rotten. Our guys already a crook, but a wealthy crook gets off free and he’s lined the right pockets through the years. There is bound to be something in her past that she’s kept hidden. Surely she isn’t the Betty Crocker Mommy that she appears. There are no women out there like that. . . they don’t exist.”

She pulled her purse up to the top of the table and then slid away from the table. “Aryn, you’ll do fine. Tomorrow is the first day. I’m not really going to throw you to the wolves the first day out. The second maybe, but never the first. Let’s get back to the office. You can either stay there and make your phone calls regarding the case, or grab a company card from Sally for your expenses and take the day to do your own footwork.”

Katherine waited for Aryn to rise before leading the way out of the restaurant and back to the office.

 

[Athena_e19]

Aryn felt slightly reassured that Katherine had promised not to throw her to the wolves on her first outing. But as they chatted their way back to the office, she began to grow more and more concerned about their client. He may have been worth millions and he may have friends in high places, but it just didn't seem feasible that the legal system would let him get away free from the debt he really owed his wife.

Settled in her office, she poured over her paperwork time and time again, examining the numerous visits of the police to the couple's residence in the waning weeks of their marriage. Most of the trips had been initiated by the wife, in secret, and were oriented around accusations of abuse. Whenever the police arrived, the situation was defined as calm, and there were no visible injuries to the woman. Usually the detective had advised that the two separate overnight until things cooled down. the lasting effect was a bad appearance of the husband and the victimization of the wife. If there was a jury for the proceedings in the suit, their client could lose everything.

Aryn knew that this first case would set the tone for her career. She quickly pulled the private eyes card from her briefcase and gave the dirty little sheet of card stock a once over. Sighing, she began to dial.

The phone call had been quick. A gruff and not so brilliantly spoken voice had discussed the fees necessary for their arrangement, taken valuable information as to the wife's whereabouts, and promised to provide regular updates.

Aryn, glad to be off the phone, turned to what she could do. Interested in having a face to face with the client, she dialed the number that Katherine had provided for her.

The man on the other end of the phone was much more polite, much more polished, and suave. Aryn could tell that his charm could be either a godsend or a curse. If the jury perceived him as sleazy, they would lose. If they saw him as an innocent good guy, the damage may not be bad. But considering the accusations brought against him, she figured sleaze may be the result. She invited him into the offices, but he in turn invited her to his residence. And Katherine too. Surprised and a little eager to please, Aryn agreed.

Grumbling a little more to herself, Aryn headed down the hallway to Katherine's office. Sally stopped her dutifully and asked to take a message for the senior partner. Aryn relayed the information about the meeting to Sally.

"We're scheduled to be meeting him tomorrow at four at his house. If she can't make he said that he would reschedule."