AN: Hello everyone! This is my very first fanfic! I'm really excited about the characters and the plot. I've got a few chapters drafted so I'm hoping to be uploading soon. This fanfic will be a modern day AU with a bit of comedy, action, suspense and the eventual romance between Annie and Finnick. Please review, I'd love to know what you think! Any advice is helpful!
"You're dripping half the ocean in my office," the man observed sarcastically from over his glasses, setting down the newspaper on the desk.
"You can't be serious!" Before him stood a very wet, very angry, Annie Cresta. Her long, dark curly hair was plastered to her head and her wetsuit clung to her body. She angrily dumped her bucket of fish onto the floor, the loud CLANG reverberating through the tiny office.
"The sea turtle rescue grant was cut?! Don't those damn politicians know that if this reef dies so do millions of dollars in tourism?" As she spoke, she stalked around the room, raising her voice and shaking her hands. Water droplets flicked onto the desk, and the man delicately moved some paper work out of harm's way. Professor Haymitch Abernathy was used to the rants about the evils of business and politics of his young post-graduate student.
Annie was a good kid. Young and full of ideals.
For Annie, the world could be saved, one marine animal at a time and the politicians just need to hand the money over for the medical supplies. Good was good and bad was bad. She still had the love of science, of discovery; that passion for wildlife and conservation that so many of the fresh, naïve kids going through the Panem City Marine Research Institute used to have. Until most of it had been shut down. Science wasn't a high priority when your country was in economic crisis.
Annie's passionate spiel was drawing to end and Haymitch interrupting him from his reverie. He should probably start listening again. "We've barely got enough to cover the software costs, let alone the CT and transport," Annie sounded defeated. She slumped into the chair in front of his desk and put her face into her hands. "I need to find a new project, Haymitch." She looked like she was about to burst into tears.
"There now, Annie," Haymitch sounded alarmed. As a research supervisor, these wouldn't be the first tears shed in his office by a young student, but that didn't stop him from feeling awkward whenever a new one started blubbering. Besides, there was enough damn water on the carpet as it was. "There's plenty of funding from the pearl industry in shell genetics if that takes your fancy?"
Annie shook her head and buried her face deeper into her hands.
"Well truth be told, I didn't think that would suit you much. I've just had a very interesting phone call though, from one Miss Effie Trinket."
Annie raised her head half-heartedly, fat unshed tears still swimming in her eyes. He pushed today's newspaper across the desk to her.
"FINNICK ODAIR SUMMER BLOCKBUSTER TO BE FILMED AT CAPITOL RESORT" was emblazoned across the front page of the local newspaper. The Capitol Resort was the flagship of a flashy hotel chain for the people of Panem who had, as Annie put it, "more cents than sense". It was only about a twenty minute drive from the main institute and was set right on the beach.
"I'm sure the local teenage girls are overjoyed. How does this help us?" Annie asked mournfully. A single tear rolled down her cheek and melded with the puddle of sea water she had formed on Haymitch's floor. Oops.
Haymitch smiled wryly, "They need a local expert on diving and wildlife for the film crew. I took the liberty of explaining to Miss Trinket on the phone that we happen to have an expert diving instructor right here at the institute who just so happens to be an exceptional underwater photographer and knows the marine life better than anyone. She said she was well aware, and personally requested you by name for the job." He paused. Annie's eyebrows shot up into her hair line, her depression forgotten in her surprise.
"Me? What for? Haymitch, you know I'm really busy with that shark study right now and-"
"-They're going to heavily publicise the institute and our work. You know we need it, Annie." He interrupted firmly.
Annie sighed, "Yes, we do need publicity."
It was true, public support drew donations and pressure on policy makers for more emphasis on the environment and science in the budget.
"And they're going to pay." Haymitch wheedled.
Annie wrinkled her nose. She had worked as a diving instructor and marine tour guide for rich Capitol Resort tourists before. It was definitely not an experience she relished. They treated her like she was dirt and expected her to magically make them expert divers. One time a woman had threatened to sue her because Annie had told her she couldn't dive while wearing her enormous green wig.
Still, it paid the rent on her tiny shack.
Or used to, until she lost her job for yelling at a man for using flash photography on newly hatched baby turtles.
"Haymitch, you know I'm not good with these people," Annie sighed. "Whatever amount they promised you, it's not worth it for me."
"It's enough to fund your research, and have money left over." Haymitch said casually, pretending not to notice the way Annie's ears pricked up. "For about… ten years."
Annie's mouth dropped open. Ten years? Enough time to complete her PhD, and post-doc? And have money left over? Were these people crazy? More cents than sense indeed!
"We're having dinner with her in a few weeks to arrange the details and you can meet the crew. I'll let her know you'll be there." Haymitch smiled.
Annie was still in shock sitting in the chair. She finally found the strength to close her mouth and nod. She could easily put up with a few snobby rich people for a few weeks for ten years of saving animals.
"Now run along, before you make my office permanently stink of fish," Haymitch drawled, and returned to his newspaper.
With a smile, Annie sprang from the chair, grabbed her fish bucket and practically skipped out the door.
Haymitch watched her leave with a sad smile. He stood from his chair, blearily rubbed his eyes and surveyed his office. Textbooks and pieces of paper were crammed into every shelf, nook and cranny you could imagine. He drifted across the tired maroon carpet over to the window which looked out over the sea. Today the sky was an ominous grey, the wind was cold and biting. He felt uneasy, giving Annie to these people. To Annie, the Capitol tourists were just silly rich people, with superficial problems and a general ignorance about the world. Haymitch knew better. He knew they corrupted. They destroyed.
What was he thinking?
He was saving her research.
Whatever amount they promised you, it's not worth it for me.
He glanced guiltily at the cupboard under his desk. With a sigh, he unlocked the drawer and pulled out a glass.
He needed a drink.
