Meeting the team

Right on time, Hunter's staff filed into his office, some of them bringing chairs to sit in. There are five of them, six if he included Sally the intern. They were hard working, dedicated professionals he had come to trust and admire over the time they'd been together. They pulled up chairs in an arc in front of his desk, all of them except Sally who remained standing.

After a few remarks about his health and wishes for his speedy recovery, they quickly updated Hunter on the status of the project. They were working on a pitch to a major potential client scheduled for Monday. Over the past two weeks they had developed a strategy and a campaign that integrated print, electronic and social media in what Hunter believed would be very attractive package to the client.

As they talked, he looked around the room, assessing and evaluating his people.

On his left sat Simon, the copywriter. The oldest of the team, well into his fifties, he dressed and acted like an eccentric college professor. But he had a knack for the turn of phrase, the hook that can set a campaign on a road to success. He had a wry, sarcastic sense of humour and he drank to excess at times, but he's a great favourite of the team.

Next to him was Lara, the creative director. An austere woman who is suspected of being a lesbian or even asexual, she has little sense of humour and almost never smiles. She has a brilliant sense of design, and is adept at moulding images, words and music into what Hunter's boss called "a marketing symphony."

Beside her was Petra, the graphic designer. She dressed like she was caught in an explosion in a thrift store, her clothes a mish-mash of colours and styles that should look clownish but somehow look oddly elegant. She's a fine artist, and outside of work has had a couple of small gallery exhibits of her art.

Next to her was Leo, the social media expert, a sharp dressed, elegant young man with an ability to lose everyone else in seconds when he talks about the algorithms of manipulating data. Hardly the classic nerd, he was a personable, charming, socially adept man who Hunter knew had little trouble keeping his bed filled with willing young women.

Finally the last and in some ways most crucial member of his team was Monique, the scheduler and manager. Her job was to keep things on track, ensure all deadlines are met, manage the budget and make sure no details are forgotten. She was highly organised, very efficient, and had a delightful hint of a French accent. She wore short tight dresses that look like she painted them on, and she turned every head in the office when she swayed by.

In fifteen minutes they brought Hunter up to speed and he nodded in satisfaction, congratulating them for their work, and telling them his plans to work late that night. They nodded and filed out, all except for Sally and Monique.

"Some things that need your signature," Monique said, sliding several documents across his desk. He signed as she turned the pages, her red nails pointing to where each signature was required. Hunter became aware that she was wriggling slightly as she stood beside him, rocking a bit on her stiletto heels. When he signed the last page she gathered them up and tucked them into a folder, leaning close to him as she did so.

"You have changed your aftershave?" she asked with a soft inflection. She looked puzzled when he shook his head no, but then smiled. "Perhaps it is me. You smell very nice today. Au revoir." She gave him a smile before swaying gracefully out of the room, giving him the slightest of glances over her shoulder as she departed.

Hunter turned his eyes from Monique's rump to Sally who stood nervously near the door.

"I just wondered if I can get you anything Mr. Collins," she stammered. "More coffee, or...or anything?"

"Sure. More coffee would be great. I'm going to be here a long time tonight, so I might as well get some more coffee."

"Um, about that...would you..would you want me to stay late. I can, it's no problem...no problem at all. If you need help..that is..."

"Let me consider that Sally," Hunter replied, watching the girl as she scampered off to get him coffee.