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ng_independent ([info]ng_independent) wrote in [info]marvel_nextgen,
@ 2010-06-06 22:38:00


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Entry tags:inactive - julian gallo

Phoebe Stevens sat in her brightly lit, perfectly decorated office at the Foundation for a Finer Life headquarters.

She was reading the newspaper.

It was reporting that Roxxon Energy executive J. Pierpont Krieger, alleged to have been the driving force between many of the corporation's most socially and environmentally harmful recent policies, had been robbed, tied to his bed, and beaten within an inch of his life in the night. The concussion was too severe to make an adequate description of his assailants. His bodyguards, who had been with him for several years and were said to have impressive superhuman powers, had gone missing. All of the building's security cameras had been stolen in the course of the night.
The paper reported that a note on perfumed yellow paper had been pinned to Krieger's pajamas saying "Someone might need to rethink his life!"

The paper reported that each "i" in the note had been dotted with a heart.

Phoebe smiled as she put the paper down. Such nice boys, those guards. They'd look so confused as she'd walked towards them, giving them a bright, serene smile as the energy fields they throw at her skidded like water off a duck's back. They'd just needed to be shown the way, poor things, her hands on their faces as she explained, as they broke down.

More recruits for the foundation, a just deed done....and publicity.



(Post a new comment)


[info]hellfireprince
2010-06-07 02:17 am UTC (link)
Julian Howard (or Gallio, for the two or three people who knew) read the paper in his apartment inside X-Factor Plaza, having just returned from a his out of town trip with Lisa. Looking over the information in the story about the Roxxon Oil Executive, Julian couldn't help but read a familiar tone in the story.

Whoever the new town hero was was starting to get annoying.

He put down the paper and turned on the television, looking for something interesting to watch...like last night's episode of X-Factor.

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[info]ng_independent
2010-06-07 02:34 am UTC (link)
One of the daytime shows is running an interview with Foundation for a Finer Life chairwoman Phoebe Stevens, as the host conveniently explains. She's discussing her life-improvement program and the various disasters befalling both individuals and society.

"It's amazing what it takes," she tells the host sweetly, "To make people rethink their lives."

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[info]hellfireprince
2010-06-07 02:42 am UTC (link)
Julian sees the program, and the woman on TV. He studies her for a moment. She's too damn perky for his liking and her own good. It has to be an act. She's so saccharine sweet that he feels he might develop cavities if he listens to her any longer.

He's about to turn the channel when he hears something odd.

"It's amazing what it takes...to make people rethink their lives."

Julian blinks at the screen for a moment, swearing he's heard that phrase before. He looks down at the newspaper and sees that the note left with the Roxxon executive.

"Someone might need to rethink his life!"

Julian picks up the phone.

"Paulo, get me a meeting with Phoebe Stevens at the Foundation for a Finer Life. Today." Julian says, then hangs up.

"Coincidence, Miss Stevens? I think not." Julian says, standing up to get dressed.

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[info]ng_independent
2010-06-07 02:46 am UTC (link)
The Foundation for a Finer Life will be so happy to fit Mr. Howard in.

Phoebe'll be ready and waiting when he arrives.

And her personal energy field will completely fail to register as existing.

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[info]hellfireprince
2010-06-07 03:21 am UTC (link)
Julian shows up at the building alone, not wanting to drag the team into this yet. He wants an impression of Miss Stevens on his own. So he show sup in an custom-tailored black Armani suit with Italian leather shoes. His cane clicks softly along the ground as he's escorted to the office.

"Miss Stevens. I'm Julian Howard. I couldn't help but notice you on the TV today." he says, reaching out gently to touch her mind...and finding nothing. He keeps his face as neutral as possible, but he has questions.

Who is this woman?

"Do you really believe it's that difficult to get people to rethink their lives, Miss Stevens?" he asks her.

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[info]ng_independent
2010-06-07 03:29 am UTC (link)
She's impeccably dressed in finest Modcloth herself. She'll cross to shake his hand warmly.

"So nice to meet you, Mr. Howard," she says cordially. "I'm afraid it all depends on the person. Some are more open to a change a in perspective than others. We at the Foundation try to address individual needs, although we recognize that so many of the problems are widespread among people."

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[info]hellfireprince
2010-06-07 03:36 am UTC (link)
"And when someone's not open to a change in perspective? I mean, you sure can't expect a person to change if there's nothing in it for them. Can you?" he asks her, accepting the handshake, but keep his eyes open.

This must be part of the work, the attitude, the warmth. No one is friendly unless they want something. Or they already think they have it.

He would know.

"So, how did you get started in this whole business of trying to fix other people, Miss Stevens? It takes a bold person to tell people what's wrong with them. Some might take that as an invitation to take a closer look at the person evaluating." he tells her.

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[info]ng_independent
2010-06-07 04:04 am UTC (link)
"I believe there's always something in it for them, Mr. Howard. Where there's life, there's hope for a better life."

She smiles. "Oh, I'm well aware we all live in glass houses, Mr. Howard."

I know it's silly to be throwing them out when he obviously already got Bingo from the TV show, Daddy, she tells the one telepathic who can hear her. But I just can't help myself! I like to be thorough.

"I was a very lucky child. My material needs were all met, and I always knew that I was loved. I think I took an interest in helping people to be closer to my father. He is not With Us, but I always knew he was watching over me, and I've always wanted to make him proud."

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[info]hellfireprince
2010-06-07 10:57 pm UTC (link)
Another phrase he remembers from a previous note. That confirms what he knew when he heard her on TV, but Julian knows it's not enough to press any kind of charges or open an investigation.

It's like she's enjoying the game. he thinks.

"I respectfully disagree, Miss Stevens, but I guess we're all allowed to do that." he says with a smile.

"We come from similar backgrounds, Miss Stevens, though my mother was my primary caregiver. My step-father was also good to me, but my mother did best by me." he says.

"So, what exactly goes into your program here? I hope you don't mind my asking, but I'm intrigued in learning what you're selling, so to speak." Julian tells her.

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[info]ng_independent
2010-06-07 11:08 pm UTC (link)
"Reasonable people frequently can, Mr. Howard."

She smiled. "We do, as I said, try to tailor a few things to the individual. See which is the most urgent of their problems. Whether its encouraging them to extricate themselves from abusive relationships or improve their ways of thinking, or just to start living healthier from a physical perspective."



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[info]hellfireprince
2010-06-07 11:12 pm UTC (link)
"Very interesting. Do you just pick a random person off the street, or do they set up appointments with 'Life Coaches' and such?" he asks.

Granted, he thinks the idea of a "Life Coach" is so pathetic as to not merit words, but some people believe in (and pay for) them.

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[info]ng_independent
2010-06-07 11:29 pm UTC (link)
"Life Coaches treat upper-middle-class ennui, Mr. Howard. Already being so rich it's silly myself, I can keep the Foundation working for broader markets. Most of the people we help find us quite providentially, often after being thrown out of their own homes, or seeing rather vitriolic sides to their previous religious organizations."

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[info]hellfireprince
2010-06-08 03:07 am UTC (link)
"Good to know." he says.

"Are you busy tonight?" he inquires. "I'd like to continue this conversation over dinner. You make for stimulating conversation."

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[info]ng_independent
2010-06-08 03:15 am UTC (link)
"Oh, how kind of you to offer," she says cordially. "I believe I have a group therapy session until 6:30. I can meet you at eight?"

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[info]hellfireprince
2010-06-08 03:19 am UTC (link)
"That works for me." he says. "Should I meet you here?"

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[info]ng_independent
2010-06-08 03:21 am UTC (link)
"That sounds fine."

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[info]hellfireprince
2010-06-16 01:06 am UTC (link)
Julian does, in fact, arrive to pick Phoebe up from her office at the aforementioned time. He used the previous time to order a background check on the young woman, the results of which he'll have later this evening.

Meanwhile, he exits the car to greet her when as soon as he sees her.

"Hello, Miss Stevens. Where would you like to have dinner?" he asks.

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[info]ng_independent
2010-06-16 01:37 am UTC (link)
She'll be right on time as well, stepping out to shake hands warmly again. "So good to see you again, Mr. Howard. I hope you don't mind Josephina? I don't know if you've ever been, but their Mussels Provencal are to die for." She beams, adding "And the poultry are all certified free-range."

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[info]hellfireprince
2010-06-16 01:59 am UTC (link)
Julian nods. "No, I haven't been, but you just sold me on it. I'll try anything once." he smiles.

Once she's in the car, he'll order the drive to take them to Josephina and he'll make small talk along the way.

"So, tell me something about Phoebe Stevens that the public doesn't know. What's your favorite day of the week?" he asks.

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[info]ng_independent
2010-06-16 02:13 am UTC (link)
Phoebe looks far too pensive for such a trivial question. "Hmmm. I can't decide between Sunday and Thursday. The well-earned reflection or the latter stages of work, the plan coming together. And there's the poem, you see. Thursday's Child has far to go. I like that. But I'm actually a Sunday's Child myself." She smiles. "And a girl's gotta stick up for her own kind some."

She looks at him. "And what's something the public doesn't know about Julian Howard?" She asks as the car pulls up to a lovely little restaurant with a fantastic view.

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[info]hellfireprince
2010-06-16 02:18 am UTC (link)
"I suppose one of the biggest things is...Julian Howard is bad at Twenty Questions." he smiles in return.

"But he also loves exotic food." he offers. The car stops, and the driver opens the door. Julian will exit first, then offer his arm to Phoebe to help her out.

"What is your favorite color?" he asks.

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[info]ng_independent
2010-06-16 02:27 am UTC (link)
"Exotic food is always nice. Although I'm sometimes reluctant to encourage some types, because it's harder for people to know where it came from. I like to know that food had some kind of chance to thrive in life before it was food."

She will quite happily take his arm.

Elegantly furnished, art on the walls, lots of expensive wine being served. It's clearly the kind of place that requires reservations. It's also clear that they don't need them. They're shown a table very quickly.

"Yellow."

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[info]hellfireprince
2010-06-16 03:23 am UTC (link)
He nods, a little impressed that she cares that much where he food comes from. A lot of people don't usually lend that thought to it.

"Yellow can be nice, if done tastefully. Sadly, I see it done as anything but, most often." he says. "This place is very nice. I can't believe I didn't come here sooner."

He pauses.

"How old were you when you knew what you wanted to do with your life?" he asks.

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[info]ng_independent
2010-06-16 04:01 am UTC (link)
"The joie de vivre of Yellow cannot always be restrained by the boundaries of elegance, true. And yes, it's such a sweet little place, and the food is nice. I've been coming here for ages."

Phoebe reflects for a moment. "Eleven," she then says decisively. "What made you decide to go into television, Mr. Howard?"

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[info]hellfireprince
2010-06-17 12:34 am UTC (link)
"Television is a medium that connects with the world. Good way to get a message out, when one must." he says.

"Besides, X-Factor is rather photogenic lot of good people, so I thought it would be good to aid them in getting that exposure." he says.

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[info]ng_independent
2010-06-17 12:42 am UTC (link)
"It seems to be going over well. Harry and DJ seem like such sweet boys."

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[info]hellfireprince
2010-06-17 12:48 am UTC (link)
"They're both fine young men. Harry is learning to live with the spotlight, but everyone's adjusting. It's a continuous process." Julian says.

"They enjoy the fame and I do my best to see that they keep getting it." he says.

"So...why go after the tycoon?" he asks, giving her a dazzling smile of his own.

"What did he need to rethink about his life so badly that your people decided an attitude adjustment was in order?"

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[info]ng_independent
2010-06-17 01:11 am UTC (link)
Phoebe blinks innocuously. "I'm afraid I couldn't possibly say what you're talking about, Mr. Howard, but are you familiar with what some people call an 'actuarial concept of murder'? That no matter how much a person might distance themselves from the consequences their selfish and predatory actions have on others, the lives destroyed still add up, and can still be laid at their doorstep?"

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[info]hellfireprince
2010-06-17 01:14 am UTC (link)
"I've heard of the concept, but I'm skeptical of how much water it holds." he says. He thinks he understands what she's getting at, but she'll never admit to being behind it outright. That's what the clues and hints were for.

"Do you think he'll really change if shown the error of his ways?"

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[info]ng_independent
2010-06-17 01:23 am UTC (link)
"Hard to say," she says simply. "One can always hope."

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[info]hellfireprince
2010-06-17 01:25 am UTC (link)
"Indeed." Julian says.

"So, are you single?" he asks.

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[info]ng_independent
2010-06-17 01:29 am UTC (link)
"Mmhmm. Generally pretty busy, and most of the guys I meet definitely aren't in a position to be starting a healthy new relationship."

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[info]hellfireprince
2010-06-17 01:37 am UTC (link)
"Ah, so you're a workaholic, then? I understand. One has to be to get anywhere in this day and age." he says.

A waiter arrives to take their drink orders. Julian orders club soda with lemon and waits for Phoebe to order before continuing.

"If you could name your best feature or quality...what would it be?" he asks her.

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[info]ng_independent
2010-06-17 02:00 am UTC (link)
Phoebe asks for 'the usual,' and the waiter will soon be back with the club soda and what looks like some form of vegetable juice.

"I like to think that I'm an especially good communicator. You're aware you're quite into one end of 20 Questions, Mr. Howard?"

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[info]hellfireprince
2010-06-17 02:10 am UTC (link)
"Oh, I meant to say that I'm good at asking 20 Questions, Miss Stevens. I'm not great with answering them. Besides, you're interesting to listen to, so I figure I should make the most of it." he tells her.

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[info]ng_independent
2010-06-17 03:00 am UTC (link)
She smiles sweetly. "Why thank you, Julian."

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[info]hellfireprince
2010-06-17 03:05 am UTC (link)
Julian takes a sip of his drink and notes to himself that a smile does look good on this woman. She's attractive, even if she might be crazy in some fashion.

"How large do you expect the Foundation to become? Do you have branches in other countries? You must travel a great deal to spread your message." he says.

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[info]ng_independent
2010-06-17 03:11 am UTC (link)
"We're mostly focused on first getting firmly established in North America, where we have a few different established points, but we've already got a substance abuse rehab clinic in Europe. I want to keep going further, of course. Many societal problems are interconnected globally, even if they have to be addressed differently in different cultures."

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[info]hellfireprince
2010-06-18 02:37 am UTC (link)
"You've got some good ideas and a good plan to implement them, Phoebe. You also seem to have a lot people loyal to your vision, which is nice when you're in the business of helping others." Julian says.

Or world domination. he thinks.

"When's your next seminar or gathering?" Julian asks.

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[info]ng_independent
2010-06-18 03:03 am UTC (link)
"Thursday night. The Auditorium on the first floor of the Foundation building. I'd love to see you there."

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[info]hellfireprince
2010-06-19 11:06 am UTC (link)
"I will certainly consider that, Phoebe. Couldn't hurt to take a look under the hood and see if your path has any merit for me." he says.

"Now, what should we order?"

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[info]ng_independent
2010-06-20 06:25 am UTC (link)
"I can never resist the mussels Provencal." She smiles. "You know, I know vegans who claim that most shellfish should qualify as plants?"

(Reply to this)(Parent)




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