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| Meet and Greet; Allen Consulting, LLC - Minneapolis, MN | |
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| Tweet Topic Started: Mar 14 2010, 05:04 PM (1,093 Views) | |
| Lunarmage | Mar 22 2010, 05:24 PM Post #26 |
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Priest
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Marcus nods when he is introduced and listens in quietly as people begin to ask questions. Ellen's admittance to being S.W.A.T. piques his interest a bit. "Ah, a fellow team member. Then Miss Cooper you have my undivided trust. Though I am curious about these 'other' abilities you spoke of". |
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| dhorn | Mar 22 2010, 09:58 PM Post #27 |
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Bio-Hazard
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[GM] Sensing a lull in the conversation, Chester continues. "You will have ample time to get to know each other if you should choose to join me in my quest for answers to the questions that most people dare not ask. The art of paranormal investigation has rarely been handled well in modern times. In part, this stems from lack of training and poor preparation. There are no academies, professional associations, or licensing exams for the paranormal investigator. Unfortunately these limitations apply to this group as well. With the exception of Dr. Phillips and Miss Cooper, most of you have no real experience in conducting paranormal investigations. However, the first few cases should provide you on-the-job training with relatively limited liability. The difficult cases will come later. To be successful, the investigator must be one part detective, one part folklore buff, one part naturalist and technologically savvy to boot." Though amicable and energetic, you each feel a sense of seriousness in Chester's tone as he continues. "Like a detective, we must find things that are hidden. Clues. We do this using the proven techniques of Mr. Thorne and Miss Cooper's colleagues in the law enforcement profession. We will interview witnesses, ask questions, conduct surveillance, locate information sources, and piece together clues." "Like the folklorist, we must study the wealth of knowledge held by ordinary people and our ancestors. Detailed record keeping and communication skills will be essential for making the often obscure connections between local superstition, urban legend, and ancient folklore held by peoples from around the world. Sometimes this knowledge is documented. Other times it is embedded in an oral history." "Like a naturalist, we must be watchful, perceptive, and patient with the awareness that supernatural creatures will almost always make themselves known to us on their terms. We must learn as much as possible about the subjects of our investigation so that the brief moments of direct interaction will not be wasted." "Finally, technology. We will use technology to our advantage whenever possible. I have purchased two EVP meters, three infrared cameras, two audio and two video recorders to help us in our investigations. I am well versed in their use and will help you learn how to use these tools if you are not familiar with them. I also have a dozen hand held radios for maintaining communication. Some of you likely have your own equipment that you will bring to the table. Our insurance policy will cover this equipment should you decide to use it on the job. Judith has some simple forms for you to fill out so that you can be reimbursed should they be damaged." Chester looks at his watch and then continues. "Now, I have developed an investigative ethic based on four simple principles. First and foremost, respect the living as well as the dead. Our clients will often be scared, delusional and in most cases, unpredictable. We must do our best to keep them calm and above all else, we must keep them safe. This first principle is worth emphasizing. The safety of our clients and our team is of the utmost importance. There are no exceptions." Chester takes a drink of water, his voice growing horse from all the talking. "Excuse me. I am not used to doing this much talking. Ok. So the second principle is simple. Leave the site of our investigation in the same condition that you found it. This applies whether we are investigating a haunting in someone's attic or staking vampires in a remote graveyard. This directly relates to the first principle. Respect." Chester winks and smiles, relieving some of the tension from the seriousness of the discussion. "Third... Rule out all logical explanations for the perceived presence of the supernatural. Mr. Thorne... Dr. Phillips, this is where your skills will be particularly useful. There are a myriad of rather mundane explanations for the manifestation of paranormal-like phenomena. Hoax and mental illness come to mind. We cannot feed hysteria. And while there is very little we can do to prove the existence of supernatural events, there are a multitude of ways to disprove them. Your keen investigative skills will be essential in this respect." "The fourth principle is quite simple. Supernatural monsters must be eliminated at all costs. To let them survive is to merely provide them with additional opportunities to prey upon the weak." Chester, visibly exhausted from the past couple hours sits down and looks around the room. "In addition to these guiding principles, each of you will be required to sign a confidentiality agreement that explicitly prohibits you from discussing the substance of our research to any outside entities. This includes the press, other investigators, or the general public. Any requests for information will be directed to Judith." As if on cue, Judith opens the conference room door and peeks in. She walks in with a fresh pot of coffee and a pitcher of ice water. She leaves and then returns with a plate of chocolate chip cookies. They smell divine. "I want to make one thing very clear. If you should fail to follow these simple principles... should you prove to be reckless in your technique or put peoples' lives in danger, you will be asked to leave the team. There will be a lot of stress and you will need to deal with it constructively. You will need to maintain a team atmosphere. If not, you will be asked to leave. I have vetted the applicants for these positions and found this group to be the most likely to succeed. Do not prove me wrong." "I will now address any questions you have. Please help yourself to the refreshments and goodies. Judith baked the cookies herself." Edited by dhorn, Mar 22 2010, 10:17 PM.
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| Arthotus | Mar 22 2010, 10:09 PM Post #28 |
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Thread Reaper
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Vargus solidified the rules in his mind as Chester said them. He chuckled at the last rule. When refreshments were brought in, he had some water, but refrained from taking anything else and remained silent. |
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| ScaerieFaerie | Mar 23 2010, 08:10 PM Post #29 |
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Pilgrim
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Sadie reaches excitedly for a cookie. The smell of them had been driving her stomach wild and she munched happily on it while she reviewed the rules in her mind. She figured she would be able to follow the guidelines set down fairly easily. She wasn't sure she would be very helpful in the technology department, but she knew that she had skills she could contribute to the group, even if she wasn't about to announce some of them. Wondering a bit about one of the stipulations she asked, "Have all of the supernatural beings you've run into been evil and hostile? Must they always be eliminated?" |
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| dhorn | Mar 23 2010, 09:14 PM Post #30 |
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Bio-Hazard
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"That is an excellent question Sadie. My experience has been limited to hauntings. In this case, it would depend on the nature of the haunting entity itself. The sheer volume of lore regarding ghosts complicates things. Following Tyrrell's Apparitions, there are four categories for phantoms - Experimental Apparitions, Crisis Apparitions, Postmortem Apparitions, and Continuing Apparitions. Despite subtle differences in motivation, each of these hauntings involves a problem in the manner in which the soul passes through the process of discorporating from the body. These are not supernatural monsters. Rather, they are pour souls caught, if you will, between life and death. Some of these souls are shrouded in evil, others are not." "However, there are other, more insidious creatures that can easily be mistaken for apparitions. Victor Lazlo's book Worlds Within Worlds addresses these entities in detail. They use mischief and fear to torment humans which they view as prey. I categorize these entities as supernatural monsters and lump them in with other monsters such as vampires, dybbuk, ghouls, and demons. The danger that these creatures represent varies considerably, but their commonality is that they mean to do us harm." "I should have made this distinction before. Does this answer your question?" After a short pause Chester adds, "Miss Cooper? Dr. Phillips? Is there anything else you would add?" Edited by dhorn, Mar 24 2010, 08:04 PM.
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| ScaerieFaerie | Mar 24 2010, 11:33 AM Post #31 |
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Pilgrim
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Satisfied with the answer given Sadie nods enthusiastically and smiles. "I understand the difference now and will be on the lookout." She knew that the skeptics around the table probably thought she was ridiculous and maybe a bit crazy or something, but she knew that the supernatural forces existed. There was no proof, but that was part of the reason she was here. She needed to know that the things that happened to her happened to others as well. There were no logical explanations to help her, so she was going to find her own answers. |
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| ScaerieFaerie | Mar 25 2010, 08:53 PM Post #32 |
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Pilgrim
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"Where will we be working from and what kind of hours do you expect we will keep?" The question is directed at Chester again, but she eyes the rest of the people at the table as they all sit by saying nothing. They were all very quiet. This would take some getting used to if things kept up like this. |
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| dhorn | Mar 25 2010, 09:06 PM Post #33 |
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Bio-Hazard
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"Well, it will depend on the job. The first case will take us to Nebraska. I envision a weekend trip, but we can talk more about that later. For know, I am most interested in giving you a thorough orientation to the company and our mission prior to discussing specifics. I want to make it clear what you are getting yourself into. However, if there are no more questions, I will move on." |
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| Mierin | Mar 26 2010, 07:01 AM Post #34 |
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Ellen listens, taking careful note of the answers Chester was providing and shakes her head, indicating that she does not have any questions to ask at this time. She then pours herself a cup of coffee and puts some milk and a little bit of sugar in it and takes one of the cookies and starts to eat it as she waits to see if anyone else has any questions. |
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| Grell | Mar 26 2010, 07:45 AM Post #35 |
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DoG Founder
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"I have nothing to add at this time, Mr. Allen." Nigel states. He did not approve of or like Sadie's enthusiasm on the subjects being discussed. There was a fine line between tempered passion and joyful abandon, one was productive while the other was not. Deep down, Nigel hopes she can temper that passion lest her failure bring consequence on them all. "But I will confirm Mr. Allen's perspective. There are insidious forces to be reckoned with that are difficult to discern apart from the ordinary without keen insight. Along with Mr. Thorn, I hope to be able to provide such discernment. Thank you." |
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| dhorn | Mar 26 2010, 09:40 PM Post #36 |
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Bio-Hazard
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"Thank you Dr. Phillips." "If there are no further questions, I'd like to briefly discuss the first case - which, if you decide to join me, will be taking us to Tilden, Nebraska. A rash of gruesome murders have rocked Tilden and the townsfolk are scared. A man has been taken into custody and Allen Consulting has been hired by his attorney. The man maintains his innocence, and believes that he has been framed. That is all I can tell you at this point." Chester looks around the room. Then he pulls a bundle of envelopes from his jacket pocket. He gets up and hands an envelope to each of you. Your name is hand written on the envelop. "I would like each of you to consider the offers contained within these envelopes. If you decide to join the team, I will need your confirmation by Wednesday. If not, no hard feelings. This line of work is not for everyone. However, upon confirmation I will send you the case files and we'll meet in Tilden on Friday. Your travel expenses will be, of course, covered by the company." "Before leaving today, I'd like each of you to fill out a personality test as a requirement for joining the team. This test is designed to provide me with information that should help me predict your responses to stressful situations, and should allow me to best prepare an action plan based on the talents each of you possess." "Thank you very much for your time. If you have any additonal questions, please feel free to ask them now or call me at the number listed in your job offer." "Miss Cooper, Dr. Phillips, I'd like the two of you to stop by my office on your way out." With that, Chester leaves the room as Judith enters, quickly passing out a set of questionnaires and pencils. All - please click on the link here for the personality test. Answer the questions as your character would. When you have completed the test please post the results in your character journal. Check out Chester's Journal here for an example. Check out the 'Type Descriptions' and post any quotes from the description that you think are applicable. Assuming each of you wants to move forward with the first case, I will be sending you a PM with a 'job offer'. Play out any additional RP associated with the meeting in this topic. Otherwise, please play out any RP after the meeting (e.g., response to the job offer or what your PC does in between the meeting and the flight to Tilden, thoughts on the meeting, etc.) in the 'Down Time' sub-forum located here. You'll need to start a topic with your character's name. Please note, this is different than your 'Characters & Journal' sub-forum in that it will describe what your character is doing when in between cases or when taking time off. Edited by dhorn, Mar 26 2010, 10:43 PM.
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| Grell | Mar 26 2010, 10:38 PM Post #37 |
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DoG Founder
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N.E. Phillips
Nigel leans back into the chair, closes his eyes and smiles while exhaling. "Of course." He replies before quickly marking his answers to the same test he's taken several times before for several different reasons. Minutes later, he rises to gather his things and proceeds to continue the discussion with Chester Allen. |
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| Arthotus | Mar 27 2010, 11:17 AM Post #38 |
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Thread Reaper
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Vargus looked down at the personality test. He sighed, brought his pencil down the page in a sweeping motion, got up and handed in the completed test. He had no doubt what it held,and was sad that he was to be measured by such a simple test. It just didn't take almost anything in real life into account. Not even any hypothetical situations. Vargus casually sauntered out, waving his hand over his shoulder at those gathered. "I'll see you all at the job, I presume," he called over his shoulder. |
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| Mierin | Mar 27 2010, 03:08 PM Post #39 |
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Ellen nods at Chester with a polite smile as she takes the pencil and personality test from Judith with a smile of thanks. She fills it out quietly, occasionally tapping the pencil against her chin as she contemplates how to answer each question. Once she is finished, Ellen hands her test and pencil back to Judith before she grabs her bag and heads to Chester's office, as requested. |
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| Lunarmage | Mar 27 2010, 03:17 PM Post #40 |
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Marcus shakes his head. He had taken one of these three times while in S.W.A.T. Each time his captain had looked at him funny but never actually said anything. When Marcus tendered his resignation his captain almost seemed relived. Marcus fills his sheet out without much thought, the answers he had answered the same way every time. As he took the test Marcus' mind wandered and he wondered why Ellen was chosen as the leader, not that he wanted the job really, but what were her qualifications to handle a team as diverse and multi-talented as the one he had just been introduced to? |
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| dhorn | Mar 29 2010, 10:38 PM Post #41 |
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Bio-Hazard
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~In Chester's Office~ Everyone - feel free to read this post... it's part of the story. Just remember that anything discussed between Chester, Ellen and Dr. Phillips would not be known to your PC's. You will be receiving more info on the offer letter later this week. Chester, Ellen, and Dr. Phillips... "Please, have a seat" says Chester motioning to a set of chairs positioned in front of a modest desk. The office space is somewhat disheveled - stacks of books are piled in front of a set of bookshelves, boxes of trinkets and office supplies line one of the walls, and a stack of manila file folders is stacked on Chester's modest desk. "This mess is driving me crazy" Chester quips as he plops down in his chair. "Well, this is the team - or most of it anyhow. There were a few additional applicants that were unable to make the meeting that might be pulled in for specific jobs or as needed. One of them being a rather knowledgeable scholar that may be a nice addition to the team." "Anyhow, my intent is to make an offer for this first job to the group you just met. I wanted to debrief with the two of you and see if you had any comments or concerns about the team. I value your opinions given the experience you've each had." Chester slides each of you a folder filled with notes on the first case. I will be getting the actual contents of the folders to you (and the rest of the players) later this week. As you flip through the files, you see a couple of photocopied news clippings from various Nebraska news papers reporting on a recent string of murders that have taken place in Tilden, Nebraska. There are some original crime scene prints as well, detailing the gruesome slayings. All of the victims appear to be young women in their late teens. Chester reaches over the desk and points to a photo that Ellen is examining. The photo shows the body of a young woman. There is no question that the cause of death is a result of disembowelment. Chester taps the photo, drawing your attention to a peculiar circle surrounding the body. The circle has some strange markings on it. Make a Lore: Magic roll to pick out something about the markings that you may have seen before. "These were ritualistic murders" says Chester. "This man" he continues, pointing to a mug shot of a very average looking Caucasian male, "is being held in custody as the prime suspect. His name is Bernard Robertson - ex-con. He did time in the Lincoln state penitentiary for sexual assault in the mid-70's. Was paroled in 2001. Moved to Tilden for a new life. He, of course, maintains his innocence. The local law enforcement and townsfolk think differently." "We've been hired by his attorney to do some, shall I say, unorthodox investigation. He thinks there may be something strange going on that his client is being caught up in. Unfortunately, the case goes to trial next week. So we don't have much time." "I hope that the two of you will help guide this first investigation. I see this as a trial in which we will gauge the potential of the team. I indicted earlier that I had hoped Ms. Cooper would take the leadership position... at least for now as we get things off the ground. And I also hoped that you" he says gesturing to Nigel, "would provide support to Mr. Cooper and serve as a sort of second-in-command." "I ask this of the two of you because we need to be very professional and careful as we begin to build this company. Because of the law enforcement element involved, we will need to be especially attentive to our behavior. Ms. Cooper, you have specific experience dealing with law enforcement and I believe this will prove useful. I have taken the liberty to schedule a meeting between the two of you and Mr. Robertson's lawyer, Samuel Pantano on Friday morning. The rest of the team, should they accept my offer, will arrive with me on Friday evening. You will brief us on the interview with Pantano and provide a game plan for the investigation." "If either of the two of you find this arrangement to be unacceptable, I'm all ears. Given your references, it would seem as though this will be a rather simple assignment for you. We'll need detailed investigation notes and a report that I will help you with once the data gathering phase is complete. Mr. Pantano will then utilize this information to build his case." "Please consider my offer. If you can respond by Tuesday, that would give me enough time to find a different team lead should either of you decline the offer. You may take these case files with you to study in preparation for the trip to Tilden. The team will be receiving the same case files should they decide to join us." Edited by dhorn, Mar 29 2010, 10:40 PM.
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| Crash | Apr 10 2010, 12:11 PM Post #42 |
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The Portent of Grell
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Zavier McDugan stumbles into the room, spilling the contents of his briefcase on the floor a clatter of paper, pencils, and tools can be heard. "Am I late?" he inquires as he kneels down to pick up the objects. |
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| dhorn | Apr 12 2010, 07:16 PM Post #43 |
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Bio-Hazard
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Zavier, you stumble into the offices of Allen Consulting only to find that you've completely missed the meeting. Looking lost, an attractive young woman approaches you. "May I help you sir?" she asks. You fumble a few words - being somewhat distracted by her beauty. "Ah" she says smiling. "You must be Mr. McDugan." As you confirm her speculation, she proceeds to lead you into the conference room. She offers you refreshments as she did with the others, and proceeds to paraphrase much of what Chester Allen described during the meeting. Better late than never as they say. Please read through the preceding posts (if you haven't already) to get brought up to speed. If you have any questions you can post them IC here. Dr. Phillips and Ellen - I'm still waiting on your posts in response to Chester's exposition. Edited by dhorn, Apr 12 2010, 07:23 PM.
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| Crash | Apr 13 2010, 11:24 PM Post #44 |
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The Portent of Grell
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Zavier blushes, as he fumbles with his things. He listens intently to what has happened during the meeting then asks "Do you happen to know, if there a chance we could run across any of these demons or monsters?" then as if the idea suddenly dawned on him "By the way, I didn't catch your name." |
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| Mierin | Apr 16 2010, 07:31 PM Post #45 |
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Ellen takes the indicated seat and smirks as Chester quips about the mess in his office. Taking the folder Chester gives her, Ellen starts to look through its contents as she listens to him describing the case that they are going to be investigating. She looks at the peculiar circle that Chester had pointed out, but isn’t that familiar with magic rituals and shows it to Nigel to see if he could recognize what significance, if any, that the circle had in regards to the victim’s death. Smiling politely at Nigel as Chester announces his hopes that she would take the leader position of the group and that Nigel would be her second in command. “I look forward to working with you and the rest of the team to solve this investigation.” Ellen then falls quiet and waits for Nigel to ask any questions he might have or give his opinions on the odd circle in the picture. Edited by Mierin, Apr 16 2010, 07:33 PM.
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| Crash | Apr 17 2010, 06:30 PM Post #46 |
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The Portent of Grell
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Zavier chuckles at the ridiculousness of his question "of course there is, well miss other than requesting your name, I have no other questions at the moment." |
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| dhorn | Apr 18 2010, 07:25 PM Post #47 |
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Bio-Hazard
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"My name's Judith. If you have no questions, I'll see you out" she says somewhat indifferently. "Mr. Allen will be in touch." I'll send you a PM with your offer letter. Stay tuned. |
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