Story:A Business Dinner
A Business Dinner
Written by Jwolfman and Haloke
- This is the result of a RP session between the players of Narkissa Kassius and her agent, Duncan Mulloy (Haloke). This occurred during All-Star Week, 2015 ********
Narkissa will be arriving at The Underground wearing a classy dress... it's a fine dining place, so she's dressed for the part. Michelin- starred chefs in the kitchen, all that stuff. She's not used to such places, but this was her idea afterall. Upon arrival, she smiles upon seeing the wolverine dressed in his very nice suit, the ringtail lemur swaying her large tail. "Wow, you're looking very classy Mr. Mulloy," she says as she approaches.
The older mustalid eyed his pocket watch before looking up to see his client right on time. Standing and moving around the white, table clothed, and finely set table to greet the woman. "Good evening Ms. Kassius, you're looking quite ravishing as well." he spoke giving the woman a firm and professional handshake.
She shakes his hand with a smile. "Thank you for coming in at such short notice. Hopefully I didn't alter your plans seriously?"
Duncan smiled, "There was no problem. You pay my salary, your business and success is important to me. Please, have a seat. I had a bottle of wine brought I do hope you enjoy cabernet."
She headtilts slightly as she sits by the table. "I honestly never tried that before... honestly, even though I chose this place, I do feel a bit... out of place." Narkissa grins, a bit sheepish. "Never attended any places like this back in Phoenix where I grew up."
"Well there's a first time for everything. Fine dining is one of the most interesting experiences in my opinion." He explained as he took his seat, perusing the menu before him and helping himself to a glass of wine, but not before filling the lemur's glass. "You deserve a night of refinement from time to time. We all do."
"Isn't that the truth. Not going to say names, but some of my teammates in Edmonton are kind of the opposite of refinement." She giggles, shaking her head. "Alright... might as well get down to business, hm?" But first she looks at the cabernet drink, gives it a soft sniff and then sips. She makes a slight face. "Mrph... it's a bit of an acquired taste, I guess. But it's not too bad."
"It's a very good year I'm told." He took a sip from his own wine and removed his reading glasses from his suit jacket setting them at the end of his snout. As the waiter came to retrieve their orders the wolverine requested Carre d'Agneau before turning his attention back to Narkissa.
"Yes, what is it you'd like to discuss Miss Kassius?"
"I want to talk about what my priorities should be by the time this season ends. We're just about halfway through the season, and I like to think that I've improved dramatically. My rookie year, I was traded from Spokane to Edmonton and was mostly in the reserves. Last season, an injury took me out for over half the season. Now I've been consistently doing better than say... most of the Edmonton Bench. And I'm on a minimum one-year one-million contract." She pauses for a moment, thinking. "... I'm loyal to the Totems, but they have Couture and Hirvonen. My chances of being a starter is next to nill compared to them. Or am I destined to be on the bench for the rest of my career?"
Mulloy listened intently to the female, keeping eye contact with her the entire time. Only occassionally breaking that eye contanct to take a sip from his wine or pull out a small notepad to jot down a few notes with a fountain pen with his company's logo etched into it. "Hm I see. So being a starting line-up athlete is your biggest goal you'd say? Being recognized for your skill. You have improved quite a lot."
"I would love to be in the starting roster..." She blinks. "I mean, that isn't too egotistical of a goal, right?"
"Not at all." He replied with lofted, furry brows. "If you think your skill is to that level and you believe you are not being properly showcased within the Totems club it may be in your best interest to seek teams that need a professional and seasoned player as yourself." Duncan smiles. "And, you may be more valuabe to a team than you know. I hate to say such things but many trade and contracting decisions will be heavily disctated by the Atwood ruling. Being the only primate in the league you're far less restricted than say...a Couture or Hirvonen."
Narkissa sighs. "I love the Totems... they've given me chance after chance after a frustrating rookie season and then being sidelined with a bad injury that still bothers me time to time... but I can't compete with Hirvonen or Couture for the Guard starting spots. They're too good."
She snerks. "As for being the only primate in the league... that's amusing and sad at the same time, but you have a big point there."
Duncan nodded. "I can understand that loyalty. The Totems have offered you the opportunity to feel out the league. However if you're wanting to see your career in a place they simply have no interest in. Have you been considering other potential clubs?"
"Hrm. Yeah... I have. I even heard during the off-season last year that some teams wanted to offer me a contract but they retracted them because back then, my knee was a much bigger liability than it is now. Think Newark wanted to offer a contract before they backed down... but I think they're okay on Guards there. You know of any team that would be a good fit for me? I'm pretty short as a basketball player, I know... but I tend to shoot like a Shooting Guard a lot but I'm as quick as a decent Point Guard, which was my primary role in college back in Arizona."
"I think there are a handful of clubs that may be looking to take a step back from those players they've been using for quite a few years and bring in some new blood." He leaned back and scratched at his chin. "Pittsburgh, Perhaps the Voodoo, yes the Pride are an option....Baltimore I think those are all good options looking for players on the up instead of on the down."
"Hm. While Edmonton remains a priority, that's only the case if they're willing to pony up the cash in a future contract. It depends on how well I can be consistent for the rest of this season and continue to improve. But if the Totems don't want me anymore, then I want you to send um...'feelers' out to those teams you mentioned. See if they're interested in a ringtail lemur guard." She smirks.
Duncan smiled and moved closer to the table as his order and Narkissa's was delivered. Taking up his silverware and tucking his cloth napkin into his collar. "Hm, yes I can certainly get into contact with them. I can have a letter written up and submitted to you for approval before sending them to the proper people in their ogranizations. As you say it all, ultimately, depends on you Ms. Kassius. No pressure." It was a joke, but he didn't laugh. He merely gave off a small smile.
Narkissa chuckles, half-looking at her food but is mostly intent back to Duncan. "I'm just here to play basketball, right? You deal with the dirty work." She thinks for a bit. "... what percentage of the cut I'm paying you, again? Sorry, I forgot."
Duncan flicked his ears as he took a bit from his lamb, "I believe the agreed upon rate as per our contract was 18%?" He commented wiping at his mouth.
"Oh, right it is. Heh. In comparison to your other clients, I'm not paying you as much due to my minimum contract..."
"No, you're not." He stated matter-of-factly. "But do not think for a moment that lessens my commitment to your success. You entered into a contract with me, you entrusted me with your delicate affairs, wants, and needs. I'm here to serve you." His gaze grew intense as he rested it on the lemur. "If you need anything I'm a phonecall away or closer."
Narkissa nods, looking back at him. Her gaze's not as intent, but she understands how serious he is, and thus his dedication. "Thank you, Mr. Mulloy... the real work will begin as soon as the clock buzzer sounds out in the last game of the FBA Finals. I don't want this to be a one-way relationship though... if you feel I need to do something or behave as someone in order for you to breathe easier, I'll cooperate."
"I don't doubt it. It seems you are a very smart woman though. Unlike some PR nightmares in the league right now you have common sense and decency. So my only request is that you keep that up. I keep a close eye on your social media as per our agreement. I will flag anything I deem as damaging to your image and contact you immediately. Trust me."
She chuckles. "So no TMITuesday revelations about me having two boyfriends at once during college?" She winks and is in fact joking as per her tone of voice.
The older man let out a gruff sort of chuckle and wiped his muzzle again after another bite from his meal. "Yes I would think not. You're notexcluded from getting involved with your fans or fellow players through social media. Simply realize that it is a public forum. Anyone, including potential employers, could view it. I do encourage you to use it, reach out to your audience. Perhaps give them a look inside the Lemur? That you aren't just an athlete but a person too. A personality. That's what people remember, and that's what sells tickets."
"Hmm.. a personality. Heh, a lot of people through twitter know that I'm addicted to electronica music, but obviously there's more to me than just that. I'll do what I can..." She thinks, headtilting slightly. "In fact... do you have any connections with the media? Respectable media, not the tabloid types."
"I may, it depends on what you're looking for Miss Kassius." he motioned a paw toward her. 'What did you have in mind?
"Heh, oh it's just a crazy thought in my head right now." She chuckles,too distracted in thought to bother with the food in front of her for the moment. "See, my Dad and I are on talking terms, much better than it was rookie season when I disavowed him... but it's still estranged. I was just thinking of someone making some kind of short documentary on my Dad, his hype to the Draft, and his failure in the FBA and how it affected me growing up."
"Do you believe putting that kind of information so intimately into the public eye would be a wise decision? It could prove to be as harmful as it is helpful, potentially."
"Hrm. It could be... there was one journalist that said I had the 'Kassius Curse' during the FBA Draft because of my father. Spokane drafted me on Pick 21 when I was a top ten prospect under T. Matt's list before the Combine existed."
"Right. I think it could be a good thing if handled properly. A story of triumphantly overcoming an image forced upon you? Perhaps that is a good thing. Treating it as some kind of woe as me pitty card? Certainly not. However, film is a very long form media. It takes ages to get anything done. There's a lot of work, filming, time, editing, and money to be spent on all of it. A proper script from the screenwriter's guild likely...It would take some time. Perhaps it should be a goal once you are firmly situated with a good contract offer."
"Hmm... maybe it's an idea to come back to after I retire. If I retire in a much better position than I am now. I'll keep it in the backburner, it's just too early."
He took another drink from his wine. Unlike his client he certainly wasn't taking any of the fine wine and food for granted. There was a reason he was a bit of a thicker person around the middle. "Yes, I think that's an excellent idea."
She chuckles a bit and she goes quiet again, the lemur finally resorting back to eating the ultra-expensive plate of food. After a couple bites, she looks back at him. "What about the worst case scenario? I don't get a contract at all in the off-season after this."
Duncan frowned, "If that's the case you may find a home in the D-League for a time. It may be that you'll simply need to keep at it, work, improve, show your mettle as I work to find you a contract. Clients relegated to that league that are under my contract, I have it arranged that I take a smaller portion of your salary as compensation until you are successful once more."
"That's good... so even if worse comes to worse, you won't be breaking the commitment."
"No, I will not. Not until the completion of our contract or if both parties mutually agree that my services are no longer required."
Narkissa smiles! That's a relief for her at the very least. "Thank you. I can't control what the GMs decide to do... the least we can do is just nudge them to where we want them to go."
"Indeed. We won't know much until, as you said, the buzzer sounds."
She nods and goes back to her meal. "Mm! The Underground's very good... this is one of those places where it can take months of booking before one gets a table... so thank you. Hopefully the headache of reserving a table here is worth it."
Duncan shifted in his seat at the mention of the reservation before shifting a glance to the working staff. "Yes it was certainly a challenge, especially given All-Star Weekend. But reputation talks. As does plastic." He smirked "I aim to please. Keeping my patrons happy, and having them know I value them individually and not say...some happy friendly community where everyone is together to speak to their private agent."
"Yeah, you seem to be rather different than a lot of the agents I've heard about. Particulary those in Twitter. I've made the right choice with you." Narkissa grins and then holds up her half-filled wine glass.
"To our better future?"
"To our future! And to making money." He spoke smoothly before clicking the fine, crystal glasses together and taking a drink. "I am so very pleased that you are satisfied with how I operate. Do tell your friends. Just the good ones though." For once he had a bit of a lighter tone, and was that a quick wink? Hard to tell.
"I'll talk to my teammates about you. Who knows, maybe you'll snag Rocky." She grins. "At the meantime, I'll do my best to stay consistently well. I'm on my drive to score 20... I know it's small potatoes of a goal, but my first two seasons were bad for me points-wise."
"Well, it's good to have goals Miss Kassius. It gives you a drive, puts a fire beneath you."
"Good lord it does. Wish I've done it much sooner but can't dwell in the past." She sips her drink. "Hm. You know, I don't know a whole lot about you. What's your academic background? You a former athlete?"
Duncan was taken aback by the personal question and took another bit from his supper. "No, I was never an athlete. To be completely honest I'd never touched sports until the 90's. And that was because of a lost bet. Some compatriots believed I didn't have the...personality to work with entitled individuals. I'm not delicate you see." he explained. "I have a degree in logistics and business management. Most of my business sense was self-taught in actual practice. Forming, buying, and selling businesses."
"Lost bet?" She resists the strong temptation to chuckle though she does grin at that. "I'm not going to pry any further, so don't worry. Your commitment and dedication to your job is more than adequate enough, but I just wanted to see what your background is, even on a surface level."
"Well if you have any more doubts our curiousities I can certainly send you a copy of my resume. It underlines quite clearly my various business endeavors. For now I believe this wraps things up nicely? Any last questions before I settle the check?"
"Hm." She shakes her head. "No, I don't have any concerns right now." She'll finish her meal! "Again, thank you for all this."
"Certainly. It's my pleasure, as always." The bill would be settled from there as Duncan stood to shake Narkissa's hand one last time before he bid his farewell as they both exited the establishment. "Do enjoy the rest of this All-Star break Narkissa. Get some rest. Perhaps you'll be on the hardwood next year."
Narkissa shakes his hand and walks with him out of the building. "Thank you, and I'll work hard as always to keep career in the FBA going. Have a good night, Mr. Mulloy."
Featured Characters
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