I've been thinking of attempting an NCIS story for a few weeks now and this just popped into my head. I hope this little drabble is up to the high standards of so many of the writers here.
The Weekly Report
"Have you got it," Ms Harper's foot tapped out a frantic tattoo and she tapped the Rolex that sat amid the gold bangle on her left wrist.
"Just a moment, Ms. Harper, the fax is still printing, Ms. Harper."
The harried young temp tried to seem competent, but failed miserably. Joanne Harper could tolerate very little from the secretary pool and this bumbling chit was not going to last until the end of the week. Why had Ms. Browning thought Bank America was better than here was beyond her?
"Here it is, Ms. Harper, its just a little longer than usual, Ms. Harper." The girl slipped the fax into the heavy, buff folder. "There are three photographs in there. They tend to slow things down."
Harper flipped open the file to check its contents. There were indeed three photographs of the young couple; one on the street, one in a restaurant and one entering the woman's apartment building. Beneath the pictures were typed transcripts of the pillow talk revealed to the private eyes from the bug in the bedside phone. This was going to make her boss pause⦠the man would not believe a woman of this caliber would have anything to do with 'the loser.'
The girl smiled as she watched the private secretary turn from toward the office door. Thank God, she had survived four days in this office. Once she was down in the bowels of this Wall Street firm she was never going to volunteer for anything again.
Ms. Harper's steps were muffled by the thick Berber carpets that lead from the outer office to her office. Carefully she added the file to the stack on her desk, poured a cup of buttermilk into a crystal glass and straightened her spine in almost military bearing before entering the lion's den.
"Good afternoon, sir," Harper announced as she entered the oak paneled office of her boss. "Dr. Majundah says you are to finish your milk before you take your prescription. I have the Nynex and NYSE closings on top. They aren't any different from what you expected. There is another hostile take over bid being attempted by the Bronfman Group. I do believe they are finally recovering enough to get obnoxious again. And the regular Friday report from Washington. It seems as if things are improving⦠our inside sources have revealed that your man was offered a promotion. He turned it down in favour of staying in Washington. I would think that relocating in Spain would be an attractive option for him. Perhaps it is the girl that keeps him state side."
Anthony Dinozzo Snr. Flipped through the weekly report on his son and sighed. "The girl is a doctor? Perhaps my son has finally decided to grow up. He'll take the next promotion, no doubt. Pity the other didn't stay in Mexico."
"Yes," Ms. Harper answered with the perfect amount of servitude and sympathy in her voice. "Agent Gibbs isn't really a liability yet, sir. Where are you dining tonight sir?"
Dinozzo cast his eye over his secretary and a smirk drew up the corners of his mouth, "if you wish to join me, we could order room service at the Ritz."
For the first time today, Joanne Harper smiled. The reports were dealt with and set aside.
Fin
