two ✩ video

[boobwindow]

[ ID reads Karen Starr.

Long time no see, network. This time Karen's post is not coming from the small comfort of her government housing, but from a brightly lit office. Situated against one of the walls is a dark red couch, a pillow propped up against the edge. The windows, though not quite large but neither small, reveal De Chima in the background for anyone who might recognize it immediately.

Though she's been living in her office for a couple of months now, the room doesn't look as lived in as one would expect it to. That's because Karen made sure to tidy up and make the office look as professional and presentable as she could before she dared to turn on the feed. However, her cat can be seen sitting in her office chair, peering over the edge of the desk and reaching for an elastic that's been left on the surface.

Karen, with her hair tied away from her face, smiles into the camera. ]

Hi there. It's been ages, I know.

Since there are many of you who don't know me: I'm Karen Starr. I'm co-CEO of Starrware Industries, located in De Chima, Virgina. We're an R&D company primarily focused in coming up with solutions to the planet's environmental issues. We've been trying to get approval on studying even a small sample of nanotech, but we haven't heard back aside from a "request pending" notif. So, at the moment my team is mainly working with artificial technology and semi-organics.

Anyway, we've been up and running since about September now. We're a pretty small firm, but recently business has picked up so we can afford a few new employees. I won't lie: the wages aren't really high, though if you're interested in doing some good for the planet and working alongside people with a similar passion and vision then you're more than welcome to drop off a resume at my office or contact me privately. There's a lot of bright and talented imPorts here, so I'd love to work with you if you're interested.

[ There's suddenly a light crash as pens and some papers are pulled off the table courtesy the cat. Karen gives a hapless shrug and then adds: ]

Annnd that brings me to a random question: anyone know any good real estate agents around here?

[ Seriously, it's time to stop living in an office. ]

Comments

[enigmaestro]

Endeavoring in real estate certainly exhibits a confidence in some sort of permanence.

[boobwindow]

[ A notable pause on her end. She may "just" be Karen Starr right now, but luckily Eddie's reputation precedes him that it isn't all that suspicious. ]

It would mainly be nice to have a living room again.

[enigmaestro]

The little things, is it? You seemed more ambitious than that.

[Hey, all CEO types have some common ground, he thinks.]

[boobwindow]

Who says I'm not? It's a work in progress.

[ Wow, okay Frederick Chilton!! ]

[enigmaestro]

Uh huh. Less of a progress, more of an odyssey?

[UH EXCUSE YOU, WHO IS THAT MAN??]

[boobwindow]

[ Just a look. ]

Some vote of confidence.

[enigmaestro]

I just compared you to Odysseus. That's the highest compliment I'm willing to part with.

[boobwindow]

Can't you just say "good luck" or "good work" or something?

[enigmaestro]

Seems a little too on the nose.

[boobwindow]

Ugh. Should have figured a guy who went by "Riddler" would say something like that.

[ Using past tense because she's about 99% certain he's reformed. He did hold Deputy Mayor for quite some time. He had to have been doing something right. ]

[enigmaestro]

I'm touched that a CEO of your esteem would keep up with my public history.

[boobwindow]

Gotham's got a reputation.

You had one. We never spoke while in the City, but I'm aware you were Deputy Mayor.

[enigmaestro]

Your acquaintance must have slipped my grasp. Or -- do you just avoided the company of politicians?

[boobwindow]

It's not really avoiding if I don't have business with them.

[enigmaestro]

Would you like business with them?

[boobwindow]

[ A beat. ]

What are you offering? I don't like mixing politics with my work and honestly? Being Unsettled isn't going to win any points.

[enigmaestro]

Unsettled? Then we have something else in common.

[boobwindow]

[ She's almost afraid to ask. ]

And the other thing is...?

[enigmaestro]

Why we're both... [a long, dramatic pause] Blue-eyed.

[boobwindow]

And about eight percent of the world.

[enigmaestro]

You and I both know about Batman...

... You have heard of Batman, haven't you? Forgive me, if that isn't on the itinerary of the modern executive.

[boobwindow]

Who hasn't heard of him in our world?

[enigmaestro]

There are some unfashionable people, Ms. Starr.

[boobwindow]

I think everyone's heard of him at some point.

I think you win in the face-to-face encounters department; don't think Batman visits Manhattan.

[enigmaestro]

He's not immune to travel and -- well, if you don't mind me speaking from experience, given his control issues, I'd be surprised if he hadn't strayed to New York. But you might count yourself lucky.