In Her Head - Collision Course

The First Event

After their escape room success, Peter and Elle didn't have many issues communicating, he would still sometimes, piss her off and she would snap right back at him. On the whole, they worked extremely well together and the media team were providing valuable help in marketing the new finance venture. They had made lots of contacts, Elle was fantastic at organising and helping others, Peter found out that she could deal with many different issues, Mers were trying to throw shade on the finance venture from Skeel. Elle reasoned that they were worried about Skeels success, so she suggested a media meet, editors and journalists were invited to a meet and greet event with the media team and Frank. The media outlets jumped at the opportunity to meet with the media shy Frank, Frank hated interviews, it was rare that he engaged in any communications with them, it all went through his media team. The event gave them a chance to win over certain outlets that would gladly bury them and also reinforce the positive relations with the other outlets.

The team worked hard to make it go without a hitch, they were set to announce the CEO of Skeel Financial and an expansion to the carribean for Skeel International at the event. Frank would be the one to announce this, Peter had been busy writing and practicing it with him, Frank refused to answer questions that arise from the speech, he was leaving that to Peter and Sebastien Fore (the to be named CEO) of Skeel Financial. Peter would be overworked with just that alone, Elle, Carla, Matt and Jack would be liaising that night and got together frequently to ensure that they got their message across. There were four Editors that they refused to speak with that night, they had tried previously and failed miserably, so Elle was to tackle them in the hopes they would warm to her honest nature.

The night was going without a hitch, Elle was out front to greet the attendees, she needed to know who she would need to talk to without having them pointed out to her. Elle had four Editors she would need to speak with tonight, of the four, only one was a woman, the media world was still discriminatory against women. Elle decided to approach her first, girl power and all, if she couldn't warm her to Skeel then that was fine but she would at least try. Once the four had arrived, Elle followed them in to the venue. Corps venue was a stunning event space, it had all stonework but the roof was glass and could be opened during the summer like an atrium. From the door, the stage was set up on the other side ready for the speech, there were many uplights around the wall. There were oak tables with oak seats with green velvet upholstery dotted around while waiters and waitresses were walking around with canapes and drinks.

Everyone was mingling and Elle spotted the Editor, Shirley Smith who she wanted to talk to first, she seemed to be having a heated debate with a man who looked as though he was being very condescending. With a smile painted on her face Elle made her way to them. She just got there to hear, "well you only got that position because of Daddy dearest!" Chauvinistic pig spat, he obviously couldn't handle what was said previously. "Ah, Ms Smith, it's great to see you!" Elle greeted, turning to Chauvinistic pig Elle practically gushed, "I must steal this wonderful Lady away, in such a discriminatory field, she was the first to break the story on the banking scandal when everyone had laughed it off thinking it was impossible! I do hope you understand." Elle said, "Oh Sir it seems you need a refill, please go and help yourself and if they don't have what you want just head to the bar, I believe they have some cheap shots there," Elle informed him with a smile and steered Shirley towards a table. "I am sorry you had to deal with that Ms Smith, my name is Elle and I am Executive Assistant to Peter Skeel, I will let Peter and Frank know what has just taken place and I can assure you, he will not get a look in. We don't believe in that kind of behaviour here," Elle informed her. Elle had decided that she wouldn't try to win Shirley over, she genuinely disliked what she just witnessed and would like to get to know her. "Elle, I do not need to be saved," Shirly said, "I was saving myself from scandal Ms Smith, I detest that kind of behaviour and would have liked to punch him." Elle told her as she was getting ready to leave. "Sorry if you felt that way but we feel strongly about equality and given the fact that you have to work twice as hard to do what you do, it was disgusting behaviour. Please help yourself, announcements should be within the next hour." Elle informed her nodding and making her way through the crowd. Two of the Editors that she would need to work on were talking together.

Kill two birds with one stone, she thought.

"Good evening gentlemen, how are you finding the venue?" She asked them both. They both turned to her, when they saw her smile they returned it. "It's lovely," they both said. For around 20 minutes they made small talk, Evan turned to her and said, "so how on earth did you find yourself working for Skeel?" Elle chuckled, "I applied." With that Evan and George roared with laughter, Elle joined in. "Okay, seriously, I have previous experience within a media office and when the position came up, I went for it. I can honestly say it's probably the best decision I have made in a very long time. The team are incredibly hard working and a joy to be around, the company values its staff and everyone feels it," Elle answered. "But, they have a high turnover of staff?" George stated questioningly. Elle frowned, "oh yes!" Elle exclaimed when she realised what they might be referring to. "That isn't the company going through lots of staff, it is the education the company provides for its staff. As an example, we just had an administration team member who had received secretarial training, as there wasn't a position available within the company once she had qualified, she moved on. It is sad when that happens but it is beneficial for the staff, if they earn it, they deserve it," Elle informed them both. The shock on their faces was enough to tell Elle they were very misinformed about Skeel. "But isn't he a tyrant to work for?" Evan asked. "Who?" She asked in return, Elle was unsure if they were talking about Frank, Peter or both. "Frank," George said, "Peter," Evan said at the same time as George and they all laughed again. "Okay, no to both. Both of them are inspirational, they have had numerous years of experience, they are very fair, the company is run almost like a family, the whole of the Executive team genuinely cares for everyone within the company. There is a lot as a company you cannot let slide but that is everywhere, we want each individual to succeed and that is what has us moving forward in leaps and bounds." Elle told them. Elle was honest in everything she told them, they could see it in her face, she had only been there for just over a month and already was offered the finances for a degree within media should she want to move forward in her career. "So what do you think of Mers?" George asked. "To be honest, I personally couldn't say. I don't know much about them apart from they have been operating for many years. I do know that there needs to be competition within the financial industry, that has been the case for many years now, so Skeel are working to bring that about. We are successful within the communications industry so it makes sense that we would be just as determined to have that same success in the financial industry." Elle explained, Evan and George looked at each other then looked to Elle, "it seems we haven't been very fair to Skeel or your team," Evan said to Elle, "well, I do hope it is all cleared up now," she smiled at them. Elle prayed that this was enough to open up communications between them both and the team. "I must go and mingle," Elle said to them, "I hope to see you both later, thank you, it's been light relief when I thought I might be bored," She finished. They chuckled and Elle made her way through the crowd smiling, she will grab the team and let them know how it went, they were due to gather just before speeches, they would have a chance to talk briefly while they were getting everything ready.

As Elle was making her way through the crowd she, quite literally, bumped into Shirley Smith. "I swear I'm not stalking you, I honestly didn't see you," Elle squeaked. Shirley laughed, "I know I was coming to talk to you but you changed direction," Shirley said, still laughing. "you are fast," Shirley said once she caught her breath, Elle giggled. "I cannot even begin to tell you how many bruises I have from bumping into things," Elle told her. "Are you okay Ms Smith?" Elle asked her intrigued as to why she was coming to talk with her, "yes I am fine Elle, call me Shirley please. Sorry I was a bit rough earlier, it is a sore point and he knew where to hit," she said. Elle smiled, "thank you, it is appreciated but, I do understand, like I said, you held yourself well, I wanted to punch him," Elle said. Shirley laughed again, "You're a breath of fresh air," Shirley complimented. Elle smiled, she really liked Shirley and Elle wasn't a girly girl, she had been stabbed in the back too many times. "How are you doing now?" Elle asked, "Shirley smiled, "I am doing better now but, I would be better if I had an exclusive with Frank Skeel?" Shirley said, half asking and half joking, "ha ha, nice try," Elle said. "can I be bold?" Elle asked her, Shirley coughed to cover her laugh, "I have got to hear this," Shirley said. "Why have you bashed Skeel so much?" Elle asked, "I'm not having a pop, I just genuinely want to know," she quickly added. Shirley sighed and grabbed two drinks off of a waiter, "let's grab a seat," she said, handing one of the drinks to Elle. Elle took it from her gladly and they made their way to the sidelines to have a seat, once there they sat down, "thank you Shirley, my feet and heels do not mix well," Elle said gratefully, Shirley laughed "that was the main reason I asked you to come and sit, I was just avoiding telling you my feet were sore." Elle was pleased that it wasn't just her that felt that way. "Okay, where shall I start?" Shirley pondered aloud. "Frank Skeel isn't very forthcoming when it comes to interviews, he seems like he is hiding something and that gets my back up, Skeel has quite a large turnover of staff and they don't answer why, it poses a huge question as to how the company is run. There is a non disclosure put in place when people leave the company that prevents them from saying anything to the media and we are all about freedom of speech. A little while ago my colleagues Daughter was fired along with her friend as one of the staff in the Executive Offices took a dislike to her, the non disclosure prevents her from talking about it and giving any more information, add that to the fact he is always disappearing and some of the older board members have just vanished without a trace." Shirley said, Elle paled.

I am in deep s**t. I just told Evan and George about the further education Skeel provides. s**t, s**t, s**t! Elle thought and she started to really worry.

"Elle, are you okay? Didn't you know?" Shirley asked concerned, "No it isn't that, you do have it wrong but I have just told two of the editors what it was without realising there were non disclosures in place, I am so screwed, I really like this job," Elle replied face palming. "Elle, will you really lose your job?" Shirley asked, Elle thought about it, she honestly wasn't sure but if there were non disclosures in place, it was there for a reason. "I don't know, I will find out soon enough," Elle groaned. She really liked Shirley but she had it all wrong, Elle could see that Shirley had her position for a reason but she didn't want her to come unstuck, she seemed like she had enough to deal with. "Can we talk off the record just now?" Elle asked, "Yes, but don't you dare sign a disclosure!" She warned. Elle nodded, "Shirley, you have it all wrong but here is what I know. Frank probably doesn't like interviews but he is passionate in whatever he does and I would back him 100%, Skeel provides, and please do not repeat this, an educational programme for employees, if they work hard and wish to further their career then Skeel will fund it, the turnover will have something to do with that because, unless a position comes up within that field at Skeel they would move on, the staff are encouraged to better themselves" Elle informed her, Shirley gasped. "They only ever said they were happy with their time at Skeel and would return if the opportunity presented itself, but they couldn't discuss anything else as they have a non disclosure agreement, but then Becky.." Shirley thought aloud. "Your colleagues Daughter wanted my position and had no qualms in coming up and making it known that she thought I was worthless, I had enough anxiety about starting that day and I told her she shouldn't be in the Executive Offices unless she had an important message from her boss, she didn't take kindly to it. Anyway I worked quickly and as we didn't have much to do that week I was told I could head home early. I have two children so I jumped at the chance," Elle said smiling at the thought of her kids. "The following day I was walking to the team, she was telling one of my team members that I was a frump and to make sure she told everyone about how I was horrible and couldn't be trusted, she even said that I was sent home early the previous day as I was terrible at my job and to say I was upset was an understatement, poor Mr Skeel jnr got both barrels off of me that afternoon," Elle said deflated. "I am sorry that they lost their positions but she completely twisted what had happened trying to play the victim, I think she would have left anyway once I was done with her over her outright lies." Elle said feeling low now, she had to make it clear that her colleague's Daughter was lying to them and she didn't like doing that but Shirley had the wrong idea about Skeel, she couldn't let her continue thinking that. "Well f**k me sideways," Shirley said aloud, Elle was shocked and Shirley gasped, "that wasn't meant to come out!" Shirley shouted then she groaned at how loud she was. "I have to go and find my boss to let him know what I have said, but still off the record, Frank is very hands on in all departments within Skeel, that even includes off site engineering, as for the board members. I can only presume they had good pensions, I would disappear off the grid too if I had the chance," Elle finished. As Elle got up to leave the table, Shirley grabbed her hand, "I have really enjoyed meeting you, you are honest and you accept responsibility if needed. This conversation won't go any further but I really need to look at why I was hell bent on going for Skeel. If they do let you go, come and see me, I need more people like you, you're easy to talk to." Shirley said, Elle realised Shirley's card was now in her hand, she smiled and walked over to the room that held Frank, Belinda and Peter.

I am in so much s**t now, way to go Elle. You are so dumb! She chastised internally.

When Elle walked in they asked how it was going, Elle explained that she had won over two of the four, she made a friend in Shirley Smith, but she hadn't talked to the fourth one Peter Bane. Elle wasn't sure how to broach it but she said, "Look, I think I have buggered up." They all looked at her, "what do you mean, buggered up?" Peter said, "for lack of a more conservative word at the moment, exactly that, I told Evan Fells and George Thallos about the educational programme for staff, I only just found out about the non disclosures of former staff members from Shirley. I also told Shirley about Becky, it turns out Becky is the Daughter of Shirley's colleague and has misled her stating that she cannot discuss anything because of the non disclosure agreement." Elle said, "I did talk to her about that off of the record and she agreed," Elle added. "Oh and one more thing, Edward Delson was being a chauvanistic pig to Shirley Smith, I snarked," Elle added again.

I am so sodded, I keep putting my foot in it! Well he definitely deserved it though. Pig! Elle thought.

"He seemed to be towering over her and I saw red," Elle blurted as they were looking at each other. "What did you say exactly?" Peter asked, Elle was unable to get a read on his face, "I told him he could get cheap shots at the bar area, I heard him take one at Shirley," she said honestly. Peter nodded at Frank and Belinda then got up to leave, Elle drooped her head and her shoulders sagged, "I am really sorry, I should have been better prepared with my knowledge," Elle said deflated.

"Yup definitely losing my job, Peter must be running out to do damage control." She told herself.

"Elle honey, only the Executive staff have non disclosures but all staff are given the option to say that if they don't want to talk to the media, well we didn't give that option to Becky and her friend, there was never any mention of non disclosure," Belinda told Elle. "Most of our media contacts are aware apart from the four on your radar and two that Matt is tackling, we just ask that they don't publicise it and when they hear why they don't." Frank added, Elle was shocked, she really thought she screwed up. "So I'm not fired then?" She asked them, Belinda and Frank jumped up to hug her, "90 minutes into the event and you are on first name terms with those who we didn't get a look in with previously, I don't think we could ever afford to let you go," Frank chuckled. Elle sighed, she was pleased, it felt like a weight off of her shoulders. They all sat down and had a brief catch up until Peter walked back into the room, he was followed by Shirley, George and Evan, they were all smiling. Elle smiled at them and Frank stood to greet them all, they looked like they had just won the lottery. 

Frank sorted exclusives for them all at different times and asked in return that they kept silent about the employee education programme, Frank explained that they would be inundated with employees only interested in a free degree, he emphasised that as it is offered to those who work hard and show a real interest in that area and it wouldn't be fair to shame staff members who didn't. "Ms Smith, I have to inform you that both employees that you discussed with Elle, were released from our employment under our no tolerance towards bullying policy. Neither were offered the option of a non disclosure agreement so they have none. I do hope this will help you in understanding the events leading to the termination of contracts," Frank informed her genuinely. "Thank you Mr Skeel, it sure does," she replied smiling at Elle. Peter smiled at them all, "I hope we can have better communications going forward." he said, everyone agreed. "Mr Thallos, may I have a quick chat about an incident that happened earlier?" Peter asked, George nodded and they walked off to the other side of the room. Elle got everyone a drink and the rest of them made small talk, "Shirley, I am so sorry!" George apologised coming up beside her, "I can assure Edward will be dealt with," he said. Elle gasped, "no way he is one of yours," Elle said astonished. George sadly nodded his head yes, "George, I don't hold others behaviour to anyone else," Shirley told him. He smiled at her, "That my Lady is how you are so good at what you do, we should all take a leaf out of your book," George said to her, Shirley glowed. Elle had her suspicions that they would get together soon. 

The night was a success, they had opened up communications with all but Peter Bale and Danny Jones, although, they weren’t quite as aggressive towards Skeel as they had been in the past. Shirley, George and Evan all contacted Elle the following day to thank her. Elle told them they were a blessing to her as she had a fantastic evening.