"I tell ya, you have no idea how thrilled I am to see you two here!" Joey states, clasping his hands together idly after shaking yours. "These investors will be leaping out of their seats to get in on the acton."

Is That who these people are?

You Look around Mr. Drews shoulder since he is a bit taller than yourself, to glance at the others in the room and then to Bertrum beside you. Did they already talk to each other about his? Seems a little quick. There weren't any cartoon themed attractions blueprints even made yet as far as you knew. How far ahead of a mental track was this guy if we didn't even finish the interview?

However, based on your great uncles' surprised expression he's thinking the same thing you were. You try to keep the charisma going, "So I guess we're hired in every way but paper, right sir?"

Mr. Drew, who had been looking off to the side observing another engaging conversation, looks to you again, surprised, like it's the first time he sees you all over again. After you drag him out of whatever daydream he's having he grins. "Oh ho ho, indeed! I must say I like the way you think, bright eyes. Why waste time with all that paper work when you get working at this very moment."

Piedmont looks absolutely done with this man already-

"Oh I'm only joking, Bertie~! Can't blame an old dreamer like me for getting a little excited now, can you?" He says with a grin, the lights in his eyes glowing and crow's feet showing in full. That naïve façade he had up was shattered all bit mildly, and his shoulders shake as he chuckles lightly.

The previously small crowd nearby, around at least a half dozen or so people, giggle along with his statement in good humor but... having been an underling for so long you recognize boot lickers when you see them, kissing up to the cocky idealist with cash and getting a kick out of your current boss' situation. Said dreamer is lead away at that same moment to talk plans with those said shoe shiners.

And 'Bertie'? Bertie was pissed.

You could see it from the dark hue dusting his gray cheeks to the darker tone coloring the tips of his ears. The way his chin trembled as he clenched his jaw and grinded his teeth together but, aside from the blush and tense form he didn't quip back or correct Mr. Drew just across the room, because something livid and resolute shines in his eyes for a second so quick you could miss it. Before he pushes it aside and forces himself to follow Joey.

You blink and let out a breath you'd been holding. Unfortunately, you'd known that look so well because you'd seen is on your own face. Back when you vowed you would stop working for your uncle and get a real job away from under him years ago.

So you can't honestly say you feel too bad for him getting a cold shoulder, or bother using your time to wondering what kind of revenge he might be planning.

When you stride through the room to regroup too, your shoulder bumps into a smaller, young looking lad hurriedly passing by.

"O-oh no, I'm so sorry Mx! I won't do it again I swear, It's just SO crowded in here...!" It's a VERY young man, with dark shaggy brushed back hair, brown you think. His eyes gleaming and wide easily reflecting the overhead lights in the room, wearing a dusty white button up shirt. He's holding a stack of pages close to his chest

Jeez, are they still hiring KIDS these days?

"It's alright, son." after responding he finally seems to calm down again. You realize you must have looked intimidating with your fancy clothes, mingling in a room full of big shot people, and try not to heckle at the thought.

Yeah, right, me, business body.

"Thanks, I'm sorry again though!" He says but blinks for a moment when a steady realization makes him quickly look down to his one hand holding the pages and the other one empty leading him to even quicker snap his head to look at his feet. His eyes are hidden by his banges, you notice and look down to the floor as well. Following his line or sight you see a pen and tiny empty ink jar by your boot. The boy quickly picks up said object, and inspects it subtly for a moment.

"I could have sworn..." He whispers something more but you can't hear after you hear your name called from the other end of the room.

The kid is looking at you again, he looks terrified and guilty when he realizes how long he kept you for. You wince internally on behave of the poor guy when you think this may not have been the best first impression for your possible future college either.

You Smile as warmly as you can and politely hold out your hand, "I'm Mx. Reader. I hope we can bump into each other again someday."

Thankfully he seems to bounce back from his worries to, with much more enthusiasm thanks to his age "Absolutely, Mx! Name's Buddy."