Author Note: If you've never seen the episode Telling Amanda...then for goodness sake, what are you waiting for?? Go watch it! Just kidding...but it is necessary to comprehend the basis for this story.

For the most part, the chapters will be short and to the point, kind of like episode segments tend to be and this chapter is VERY short, kind of like the pre-opening credits sequence.

There will be implications/hints of/possibly full out Maxanda throughout this story. There may also be other pairing hints, but nothing definite, at least not at this point in time.

Warnings: The following story will involve the subject of food poisoning in possibly a disturbing fashion. It will be used for comedic purposes as well. But it's important for everyone to take food poisoning serious. It can be worse than just a stomach ache in some severe cases. So, I am not trying, by any means, to make light of any case of food poisoning!!

For those new to my stories, I am first and foremost a dialogue writer, so please don't complain if there aren't a lot of details. Complain to FFN for not allowing script format...

Story Disclaimer: I most certainly do not own ANYTHING but an imagination when it comes to True Jackson, VP.

Chapter Disclaimer: I am not affiliated with Pepto-Bismol.

True Brings Trouble

"I despise our pitch ins," Amanda groaned as she came off of the elevator carrying a large saran-wrapped bowl with her. She stopped at the front desk and set it down for a moment.

Oscar looked down at the bowl and then at Amanda skeptically, "Right, because it's so hard to toss a salad."

"It's harder than it looks," Amanda defended herself. "Why does Max insist on these ridiculous pitch ins anyways? We're a million dollar company. Not some low scale hick office."

"My guess is it means one heck of a free lunch for him," Oscar responded. "But really, Amanda, pitch ins aren't that bad. I think they have a bit of je ne sais quoi to them."

"Of course you do," Amanda eyed him, slightly annoyed. "You're the guy who prepares half the recipes in your cook book and brings them in just so people will fawn over the fabulous-ness of your cooking," she accused.

"Not fair," Oscar said with a hurt tone. "I definitely scaled back from last year." Amanda raised an eyebrow incredulously. "Seriously, I did. I only brought 8 dishes this year."

Amanda rolled her eyes, "Whatever. I need to get this salad in the refrigerator and then it's off to find Max. There's no way I'm letting him gorge when no one is looking like he did last year."

"Good thinking," Oscar agreed wholeheartedly. "He ate all of my brownies before anyone else could try them."

"Yes, and then I spent the rest of the afternoon screening his calls and spooning him Pepto-Bismol," Amanda said with an agitated expression as she headed down the hall, leaving Oscar laughing at the image.

"Hey, Oscar," Lulu skipped off the elevator. "What's so funny?"

"Oh, good morning, Lulu," Oscar greeted her with a smile. "Just something Amanda said."

"Not even..." Lulu looked shocked. "Amanda's not funny at all. Well, except for that one time...oh and then that one time...oh and I forgot about that other time. Yeah, I guess she is pretty funny." Lulu shrugged as she thought of all the times something bad had happened to Amanda in a humorous way. "So..." she said changing the subject and lowering her voice as she did. "Did you bring me something to pitch in for the pitch in?" She looked at him hopefully.

"Of course," Oscar pulled out a plate with white chocolate chunk cookies.

"YUM!" Lulu exclaimed. "Those look good. Are they?"

"Why don't you try one and find out," Oscar handed her one. He watched as she took a bite and her face lit up.

"Wow, these are amazing. I did a pretty good job," she smiled and winked at him

"I'd say you did," Oscar shared in her praise, not exactly modest when it came to his cooking abilities. "So where's True?" Oscar asked as Lulu grabbed the plate of cookies and set them on her desk.

"I think she said she had to grab a special surprise for the pitch in or something like that," Lulu answered, not exactly sure what True had meant when she'd talked to her. Suddenly, Ryan came bounding down the hall, having taken the stairs. He stopped at the front desk and held onto it as he heaved over to catch his breath. "Ryan, what's wrong?"

"Emergency..." he choked and sputtered. "True..."

"Oh my gosh! Is True okay?" Lulu rushed over frantically, and Oscar waited anxiously for an answer.

Ryan managed a half nod in response. "Yeah," he said finally regaining his breath and standing upright again, "but Mad Style is in trouble."

"Why?" Lulu and Oscar looked at each other in confusion and then stared Ryan down until he answered.

"True's on her way up with..." before he could finish, the elevator dinged and the doors opened.

True stepped out, doing a little jig as she carried a large dish of something, which by the smell, Lulu immediately recognized, her eyes widening in utter panic. "Hey guys," True greeted as she continued her jig until she reached the front desk. There, she set down her surprise item, smiling ear to ear as she did. "Nothing says fourth of July like some super secret chocolate pudding pie."