Chrisie Nevermind, I didn't know that open threads were supposed to be in the Danse.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
There is a twinkle in Michael's eyes at the Claire's comment about 'their research going a bit further'. He glances for a moment at his suit, notebook and the pocket where his phone is.
Well, I suppose I could buy all that with a professor's salary. But, come on, seriously?
He could tell her that the research had been ongoing for nearly ten years now. But instead Michael smiles:
"Of course. Next time there is a disturbance in one of the markets, I will call you. There is the little matter of me not having your contact info, of course", - there is a pause, - "I have a knack for this kind of thing, but an experienced specialist's perspective could give us ideas on how to improve the model."
At the 'nitty-gritty' comment he actually has to suppress the urge to wink. Women rarely hit on him, and he's pretty sure she isn't doing it right now, but that doesn't mean he shouldn't appreciate her beauty or charm:
"Well, I'm hardly the 'stay all day at home buried in books and computations' guy, but..." - his expression turns more serious, - " when you risk your money and reputation by betting on the result of your research you need to make sure that no 20-year-old assistant screws everything up." - the smile returns, - "Plus, it's not fun to have results without putting a bit of effort into it, is it?"
The level of noise lowers considerably as a middle-aged man walks up to the computer. He's wearing an expensive striped suit and his blond hair is cut just a bit short of shoulder length.
Michael grins before becoming silent:
"Hope this will be fun."
Now, why does this feel like a really weird date. I should really get out more: staying with hunters must have done something to my head.
"Good evening. My name is James Williams and today we will be speaking about the new features of Bloomberg: new ways to access the data in Excel and implement Bloomberg's functionality into your own applications. This seminar will consist of two lectures with a coffee break during which I will answer your questions and refreshments will be available. I hope I won't bore you today..."
The next hour and a half are spent in talking about Bloomberg formulas in Excel and two graphic interfaces which can be used to easily import data. Main focus is on greater flexibility and the ability to access info about a set of companies or financial instruments at once. During the lecture Michael leans just a bit toward Claire, but keeps his attention on James while writing notes on his notebook.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Claire watches Redfill look down at his suit and pocket, for a moment wondering if he was going to answer a call, but dismisses the notion as soon as his eyes are back on the conversation. And more importantly, her.
Upon their expected queue, two long fingers slide into her silk suit's breast pocket and draw a business card. The flawlessly embossed ink bears the faintest shimmer and the paper stock, to fingers in the know, is of impeccable quality. It states only her name, degree, phone number, and email on one side, and she offers it to him in a smooth, continuous gesture.
"Well then, when you need a specialist, let me know," she replies.
After he rambles on a bit longer, she contributes, with an obvious smirk, "So dreadfully boring to only ever win, you think? I try to find pleasure in everything." She has no comment on his theoretical incompetent intern.
The presentation beginning, she gives a final nod to her partner in conversation before focusing entirely on the presentation. Her eyes move from slide to slide, as a notepad and pen emerge from her purse. Eyes on the prize in its entirety, her hands scribble shorthand on the pad periodically with the precision of long practiced multi-tasking. If one were to pay close attention, one might notice she was jotting down her notes in simplified Chinese.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Michael accepts the card gladly, pulling out his phone and making a photo of it. He then stashes the card in the breast pocket of his suit.
There is a nod at the 'enjoying things as they go' part:
"Life is hard to enjoy when you only pick the battles where the opponent simply surrenders."
After the first part of the presentation is over, a line forms to ask Mr. Williams about the Bloomberg functionality. Questions range from the ability to quickly reprice complex financial derivatives to the amount of analytics available on a given corporation's solvency. It is apparent that the recess will take quite a while.
Michael takes a few seconds to look over his notes. Apparently satisfied, he turns to Claire:
"Well, that will certainly help to speed some of my work up." - the Doctor then gestures to her notepad, - "Is that for security or does using kanji allow you to fit more information in less space?", - this time he actually winks, - "Whatever it is, it's damn impressive. I've never had that much talent for languages. Certainly not enough to learn something that is so unlike English."
He seems genuinly interested in Claire's knowledge of Mandarin. And the fact that he's sitting near her without the presenter distracting them certainly doesn't decrease his fascination.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Claire does not deign to bother and explain the difference between Kanji and Hanzi to the Doctor, nor does she wish to discuss the matter of security with someone she has just met. She does, however, remark, "It is rather space efficient. I've been fluent since childhood, so talent hardly factors into the equation." The most humble thing she'd said in a while.
She continues to listen in on anything interesting from the question and answer in the background as she looks Redfill over again. Scribbling down one more note with an an extreme degree of fluidity clearly supporting her last point, she adds, "That is rather the issue with teaching languages, I'd say. It's not about learning, it's about being. One can think about anything, but one has to think with a language. I daresay I would not ever suggest taking one up lightly."
Said with sincerity, it may or may not be coincidental that her words should shoo away potential competition. She would very much enjoy any leverage her skills might provide. Curiously, she adds, "Do you speak anything, apart from English? You said not much, rather than none."
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Michael nods at the linguistics comment:
"Yes, that's the thing. But natural languages aren't completely unique in this aspect. Pragramming languages, for example, also require you to think in a certain way. Although the possibilities are a lot more limited. And, of course, once you get deep enough into economics or history, for example, you start viewing the world from that perspective too."
When she asks him about learning anything except English, he actually fidgets in his seat a little in embarassment before getting a grip:
"I've started learning German more than a year ago, but my trauma and recent troubles really slowed the progress," - he shakes his head, - "I suppose it's fate that things always come up and mess with what you enjoy. Makes us better."
Then the smile returns:
"I like German a lot. Such a structured, elegant language. Somewhat rigid when it comes to grammar, though."
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Claire raises an eyebrow at his seeming contradiction in terms - he appreciates structure but mourns rigidity. Oh, paradoxical desires were such a terrible part of the human condition, even if they should like to claim they were more than human. Or less.
"Indeed, and they all intertwine to make matters worse. Very inconvenient for finding quick and easy answers, our world has chosen to be."
She leans back in her seat, taking another brief look around the room before settling her gaze back with him.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Michael smiles:
"Well, I wouldn't have it any other way. If I had a choice. I like to think that I did."
They spend some more time talking about linguistics and economics both during the recess and after the seminar. In the end, they both have each other's contact information. Scene end.
Draft this Post
