The Solar System Legacy Challenge: Snake charmer Gen 1 pt. 100
Flashback of the Night: Madison was in San Myshuno.
Amyot Galactics' San Myshuno office was located in the fashion district. Thomas Amyot (CEO and founder of the company) and his wife, Giselle Amyot, visited frequently when they stayed in the city. The science happened in other places like Oasis Springs and Strangerville, which garnered the attention of SNN news. There were rumors that Amyot Galatic was somehow linked to the strange events in Strangerville. One more fire for Giselle, head of Public Relations, to put out, coming second only to the disastrous news of their only child’s arrest in Brindelton Bay.
Madison's cab pulled up outside the office. She thanked her driver, wishing him a good night as she stepped out into the brisk night air. The rain had started up again on the way, but Madison didn’t bother putting on her rain gear. She fast-tracked through the parking lot to the front of the building, where she stepped into the cold, grey lobby. It was bare, all grey slabs and hard floors. It matched the heart of the man who had it constructed. In contrast to the lack of decor, she was greeted by two familiar smiling faces that lit up the room and filled it with warmth. She caught the tail end of their conversation as she approached the desk.
Maneet: See, James, I told you it was her. Madison! Oh, sweetie, it’s so good to see you. It's been too long since we last heard from you. And with the news about ‘Ms. Paris, well, I wasn’t sure if we would.
James: You'd better keep your voice down, Maneet. I haven’t seen either of them leave for the night. But that aside, if it isn't little Maddie. How are you, my beauty?
Maneet and James worked side by side at A.G. for nearly 20 years. They watched her and Paris grow up. Maneet had been like a second mother, while James had taken on more of a cool uncle role than a father. While Maneet tried to teach the girls maturity and keep them out of trouble, James let them ride the stairway banisters and helped them set up pranks in the conference rooms. They were like Yin and Yang, a perfect match for each other, and Madison loved them dearly.
Madison: It's so good to see you, Maneet. Little Maddie isn’t so little anymore. I’m actually here to see Thomas and Giselle. Well, I was hoping for Giselle.
James: I know he’s in his office on the second floor. But I can’t tell you where Ms.Giselle is at the moment. Her car is still parked in the lot, but I haven’t seen her.
Madison noticed Giselle's car outside when she arrived. It was hard to miss amongst all the standard cars. But if James didn’t know where she was in the building, it meant she didn’t want to be found. So she was left with Thomas. Her stomach twisted into a knot at the thought of taking this confrontation directly to Thomas Amyot himself, but she was here. She had everything she needed to get this done, and she had so many people relying on her, including Beckett, his sister, and Takara.
Madison: Then I guess I’m just here to see Thomas.
Maneet: You can go ahead, sweetie. I’m sure you remember the way. Make sure you say goodbye before you leave.
Madison knew the building well. She’d spent a fair amount of her childhood and teen years roaming those halls. And the things she had seen and heard. She hoped those things would be Paris' undoing. It was risky volunteering to walk into the snakepit, but if she pulled this off, she could call herself the snake charmer.
Upstairs, Thomas pulled out a cigarette from his desk and lit it.
Thomas: Darcy, make sure those damn numbers are on Keith’s desk first thing in the morning. I don’t care how long it takes, just get it done!
Darcy: Of course, Mr.Amyot.
As Darcy left the office, Madison caught hold of the door and stepped inside.
Madison: Mr.Amyot, it’s good to see you.
Thomas turned slightly at the sound of the vaguely familiar voice. His expression held no indication that he was surprised to see her, and Madison wasn't sure what to make of that.
Thomas: Have a seat, Madison.
That was all he said as he stepped around his desk and took his seat in his fur-lined chair. He took a moment to relight his cigarette as Madison tried to make herself appear relaxed and at ease in the seat across from him. He finally looked up, taking a long pull from his cigarette as he analyzed her. For a long time, he said nothing; he just stared at her as he smoked, blowing the smoke in her direction. After a while, Madison turned her palms over in her lap. She was sure he would be able to see the sweat building on her palms otherwise. Finally, he broke the silence.
Thomas: What do you want? I’m sure you know that Paris isn’t here, so what can I possibly do for you?
Madison steeled herself. She rehearsed this moment in her mind so many times. The words were practically floating in front like a teleprompter; all she had to do was open her mouth and speak. She summoned courage she didn’t think she had and began.
Thomas: The answer is no. You've wasted your time coming here.
She pulled a heavily padded folder from her bag, having come prepared for that answer. She smirked as she outlined the words written on the folder in bold red lettering, “Top Secret.”
Madison: I wonder how the world would feel about you and A.G. after they got if they got hold of this. The rocket fuel leak from a few years ago, your "affairs" with Nancy Landgraab, and even the whereabouts of Kane Hana are in here. He's been subpoenaed to testify in court, you know.
Thomas’ eyes grew wide. He stood quickly, his chair crashing into the bookshelf behind him.
Thomas: Do you have any idea who you’re dealing with? You are just a silly girl that my daughter kept around like a pet. You’re bluffing!
Without warning, Madison began laughing uncontrollably. She couldn’t stop.
Thomas: What the hell is so amusing?!
Madison: You.
That was all she managed as her laughter continued.
[Madison]: I must be losing it. Watcher, this is so hard… get it together, Madison. You can do this.
She thought to herself as she tried to quell her laughter. When she was sure she could speak, she addressed Thomas again.
Madison: I know exactly who I’m dealing with, which is why I can assure you everything I need to bring you and everything you care about to its knees is in this folder. I’m not the little girl who ran these halls with your daughter anymore. There’s no bluff, but you’re more than welcome to gamble on it and find out the hard way, Thomas.
It was the first time in her life she had ever called him by his first name to his face, and somehow it was both frightening and exhilarating at the same time. But she couldn’t get sidetracked by trivial things. This wasn’t a battle; this was the war she had in her hands, and she had to make sure her side won. Bring down Thomas, and A.G. didn't ensure Pairs would pay for her crimes. She had to make sure Thomas agreed to her terms, or this was all for nothing.
Thomas seethed, but something in her expression made him think twice about his next words. He needed to weed out the truth and see if she really had the information she claimed she did. With a sigh, he reclaimed his seat.
Thomas: Fine. Give me the folder and I will make some calls.
He held his hand out expectantly. Madison stood and held the folder just out of his reach.
Madison: You're more than welcome to see what's in the folder, but understand that these aren't the only copies. I'm not a child, Thomas. I would never show up here and hand over my evidence to you without having a backup.
Thomas had been hopeful she would make an amateur mistake. He gave her credit; he'd underestimated her. He took the folder and thumbed through it, shocked by the photos and documents she had. The depth of the information contained in the documents could get A.G. shut down. Thomas pulled out a few of the more critical photos and documents, then pressed a button on his desk. A soft beep sounded, then he spoke into the speaker.
Thomas: Get Jericho in here immediately.
They waited in uncomfortable silence till the door to Thomas' office opened.
General Jericho: You called, sir.
Thomas: Take these to the tech team and have them run them through every database and site they can. Tell them to make sure this information has not been published anywhere. Wait there, and when they are done, report back to me immediately.
He handed Jericho the stack of papers before returning the folder to Madison. He waited till Jericho was gone before he spoke.
Thomas: When I am sure the information is still confidential, I will meet your terms.
Madison: You'll be doing the right thing.
Thomas: You come in here and blackmail me, and you dare to speak of right and wrong. You are a child playing a dangerous game.
Madison: I'm sorry you see it that way.
Thomas: You're not sorry yet, but someday you will be.
Madison: I'll be sure to take that threat back to my people.
Thomas scoffed but said nothing. Clearly, whoever she was working with was powerful; otherwise, they wouldn't have been able to obtain the damneding information they had against him and his company. He would have to be careful how he dealt with her. For the time being, she was untouchable; if anything happened to her, he would be the first suspect. Her "people" had to know she was there. But he wouldn't forget this.
A knock on the door pulled both of their attention to Jericho.
Jericho: Sir, the tech team has reported that the information does not exist anywhere that they can find. They've gone ahead and deleted the digital blueprint created from the search. For the time being, there is no evidence of their existence outside of these physical documents.
Thomas: Very well. You have a deal, girl. Jericho, escort Ms.Miller to the exit. We're finished here.
Jericho: Come on, Ms. Miller.
Madison: I'm sorry it came to this... Have a good night, Mr.Amyot.
Madison followed Jericho out of the office, then quickly made her way to the stairs. She was desperate to put as much distance between herself and Thomas Amyot as she could.
Thomas stood behind his desk, seething. He was in true disbelief. The nerve of that girl to come into his office and make demands of him. But he knew his hands were tied. If she leaked that information, everything he built would be destroyed in less time than it took him to build his empire. Worse, he would make powerful enemies. On the top of that list would be Nancy Landgraab, and everyone knew you didn't want Nancy as an enemy. He did the only thing he could. He picked up his phone and made the call that would probably ensure his daughter never saw the light of day again.
Thomas: Get me the San Myshuno Chief of police. Tell him it's Thomas Amyot.
