The Hazards of Hiring a Temp
by Mlle. Elizabeth
Rated: T for suggestions of violence and some possibly suggestive language
Pairing: None--Gen, and, I hope, Humor
Spoilers: None.
Disclaimer: No, not anymore. Sorry, 1013.
Beta: Thanks Em, I think you beta read this way back when. I know you provided the inspiration! I sincerely thank you for both.
Summary: Meg Williams, office manager and staff supervisor of a medium sized law firm, needs a temp. She calls her friend for a referral.
Author's Notes: 1. Some of you may have seen this before, as I posted it in its original form to Ratales. 2. This is unabashedly Mary-Sue fic. I've been a legal secretary for 13 years. I actually love my job most of the time. And I like my boss very much. He's a great guy. None of the following story is intended to reflect on any of the people I work for or with. It's just that sometimes you have one of those days! [g] Several months ago, in the middle of "one of those days," I took a quick break to check up on an online rpg I was participating in. I happened across a post from our Alex requesting a "Temp Alex" while the person playing him was away for a few days. The little wheels in my twisted brain started spinning and, I came up with this.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~oo(O)oo~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Meg Williams "Hello Sharon? This is Meg."
Sharon Russell "Hey girl, what can I do for you?"
MW "Do you have a reliable temp service? The one I've been using has really gone down hill."
SR "Haven't used the lately, but my husband's office does and he swears by the service they use. Says they're great - the best! He uses .... Um, let me look." [pause] "Just a sec ... He tosses business cards in this drawer ... Okay, here it is, Alexis Legal Services, (...) 555-3786."
MW "Thanks bunches!"
SR "No problems. How are things going? I haven't heard from you in a while."
MW "Oh, just the usual. Busy, busy. We should get together for lunch and catch up sometime."
SR "Yes, we should. We really don't do that often enough. Give me a call some time next week and we'll try to get together."
MW "Okay, I will. Bye and thanks again!"
SR "Bye."
~~~~~~~oo(O)oo~~~~~~~
Ring ...
Alex Krycek "Yeah."
MW "Um, hello, is this Alexis?"
AK "Who wants to know?"
MW "Um, I'm Meg Williams with McCluskey, Tremble and Forrester. I was referred to you by Sharon and Bill Russell."
AK "Sharon?"
MW "Yes, Sharon Russell. She said you are really reliable."
AK "Oh yeah. Bill. I remember him."
MW "He says that you're the best."
AK [smirk] "I am the best. He's not bad himself." So, what do you want?"
MW "Oh good. I need someone really experienced. Someone discrete and on the ball who can tAKe care of two very difficult attorneys."
AK? "Attorneys? Two of them at the same time?"
MW "Yes, in the products liability section of our firm."
AK "When do you need this done?"
MW "Can you be at our offices tomorrow morning?"
AK "Okay. You really want this done at your office tomorrow?"
MW "Well, yes. That's how we usually do it."
AK "What time do they come into the office?"
MW "Oh, they're both early birds. Unusual for attorneys. Both of them are usually here by 745 or 800."
AK "What are their names?"
MW "Jack Prescott and Phillip Smith. Their offices are right next to each other on the 23rd floor and the secretarial station is immediately across the hall from them. They're right around the corner from the conference room on that floor. You should really have your employee check in with me when they get here."
AK "Oh, I'll tAKe care of this myself."
MW "Really? I don't think we've ever had a guy before. Not that it matters."
AK "No? Is this something you do often?"
MW "Only when we absolutely have to. We prefer to use someone in-house when we can get away with it."
AK "Right. Okay. Did they tell you about payment?"
MW "No, we didn't discuss that. I do need to know what you charge."
AK [Laughing] "Industry standard. 1750. Bill has the information on how to get it to me."
MW Meg writing down $17.50 per hour "That sounds fine. Looks like we got a deal. Thanks for helping us out here."
AK "You bet."
~~~~~~~oo(O)oo~~~~~~~
The next morning Meg noticed the parking lot was full of emergency vehicles -- police cars, ambulances, even the Federal Marshals were there. Wondering what could possibly be going on, she approached the entrance to the building. A heavyset policeman stopped her and asked where she worked. "McCluskey, Tremble and Forrester, on 23," she replied.
The security guard looked at her sadly. "I'm sorry to have to tell you this ...."
The End
~~~~~~~oo(O)oo~~~~~~~
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