"Congratulations trainees. Pat yourselves on the back for making it to MY top six. After today's courses I'll pick some of you for my new security detail. So essentially I'll be your boss. You'll still have to fill-out the threat assessment reports and things of that nature, but you report directly to me. If any of you have a problem with that raise your hand right now and I'll take you off the list." Piper slowly looks at each of the recruits. Alex gives her a little wink, which almost makes her laugh. "Okay since that's not a problem, who would like to learn more about who I am and what my life is like." This time they all raise their hands. Alex is sporting a genuine smile, Piper notes.
"So as Jason mentioned last time, my name is Piper Chapman. Most of you probably have an association with that name. Whether it's the image the press has constructed of me being some sort of 'royalty', my family's wealth, my Dad's power, or the fact that Bill will forever call, and describe, me as Daddy's Little Princess. Even as an adult he calls me Princess more than Piper. Now how many of you have heard, seen, or read any of these things? And do you take them as truth?" Piper notices which trainees reluctantly admit to knowing and believing it. Alex has a smirk on her face that she can't quite read.
"While the details about my family are true. I am not what I'm assumed to be. I've had security details since I started preschool. I didn't particularly like any of them. My every action was reported back to my family. My security was scaring off anyone who so much as talked to me or got a little to close for their tastes. The only exceptions seemed to be the guys my uber WASPY Mom deemed fit for who and what a Chapman should be." She rolls her eyes for emphasis. "Needless to say, it was a miserable experiment. I basically had to suck it up and dealt with through high school. I started taking back control of my life while looking at colleges. Long story short, I wasn't allowed to pursue a more artistic degree path unless I agreed to a double major in business. My choice was media; radio and television in particular. I'll be starting my final year in a couple of weeks. Should have been done by now, but the double major takes longer, especially if you care about your grades."
Piper continues to constantly scan the trainees expressions throughout her monologue. "If you have any questions or comments, save them for later. I want to talk with each of you and learn more about who you are." Piper looks at Jason and sees him nod his head in favor of her spontaneous request.
Jason leads them all to an outside area. He explains that Piper will be walking through the space. And within the random teams of four, each trainee will take a specific detail role, and will monitor Piper and the area. He stresses that not everyone in the area is even aware of a training exercise, that they need to spot anyone behaving oddly or if they see someone repeatedly, or if they sense something being off. He also tells him not every exercise will have a threat but some will, so they need to be alert. He then makes a point to mic himself and gives Piper an earpiece to hear everything he says.
The first scenario is all guys and Piper. Two of them being assigned to roles the blonde earlier said she saw them in. If turned out to be a scenario with no threat. Jason pulled one guy aside at a time and asked what he had noticed, making sure his mic was close enough to the trainee so Piper could hear the conversations. Colton reveled that though there was no active concern for Piper's safety, that he did spot a few people acting odd but when he watched more closely, he sensed no threat. He also had noticed a couple of blink and you miss it sightings of someone who was involved in the exercise, yet not a trainee. 'I hadn't even noticed anyone fitting that description. So well done Colton, you could easily be my scanner'. I need to put that in my notes.'
The first of the exercises involving Alex assigned her to the lead and body person roles for the team, Chase as enforcer, Colton as a scanner and Bradley in the drifter in the role. This time there was a threat. Afterwards Jason interviewed Alex, and asked about her take on the previous exercise. "Sir, It didn't take long for me see that the scenario was set-up to mimic Piper walking through her campus quad. Tons of people around and most minding their own business. I asked Colton to pay attention mostly to the perimeter, he has a sharp eye and is really good at noting little details. I had Bradley switch in an out with me, so it wouldn't be so obvious that we were following her and made sure one of us was close enough to clearly see her facial and body reactions. The first person who approached Piper was asking for directions. She seemed completely comfortable answering the question, so I kept eyes on her, while the guys focused on assessing everyone and everything in the area. The second approach was a guy flirting with her. She was getting increasingly annoyed with him, so I moved closer locked eyes with her signaling that I was here if she needed me. She didn't. But I did notice she seemed calmer knowing I was actively monitoring things. Later Piper sat on a bench and a guy kept shifting a little too close. She she was not comfortable and seemed to be a little freaked out. He was persistent and kept asking her to go with him. While moving closer, I signaled to Bradley to circle back behind me in case I need him to quickly get Piper away. I put a hand on Piper's shoulder, so she could feel me near. I then locked eyes with Chase and quickly crossed by arms behind my back to resemble a restrained hold. He nodded and walked behind the guy ready to jump in if the guy tried to escalate. Then I kissed her on the cheek and said "Sorry it took so long. Please forgive me." She smiled and said "Thanks babe"and I knew we were on the same page. So I did the same maneuver I did in training with Piper and Tommy. The guy was not stunned and I did sense him about to escalate, so I extended my arm behind me gently moving Piper further away from me, needing her to be completely out of range for the guy. He kept trying to get at her, but I wouldn't let him. He began screaming homophobic slurs. Instinctively I wanted to make the guy hurt, but instead signaled to Chase. He restrained him. Colton by now was close enough to assist if needed. I then glanced behind and noticed Piper wanting to come to me, but Bradley had one of her hands to keep her from jetting. I walked towards her with open arms, Bradley released his careful grip and she ran towards me. Being in my arms started to calm her breathing and soon all signs of fright and panic were completely erased from her face." Alex found herself a little breathless by the end of the long accounting. But she wanted Jason to how her mind operates and that every non-verbal cue she gave to the detail had Piper completely as the focal point.
"Alex, even though I just watched it with my own eyes, your thoughts and analysis truly brought the exercise to a whole new level. How did it feel to be in the lead role?" Jason questioned while trying to hide a knowing look.
"It felt right sir. The guys and I were able to work together seamlessly to accomplish our goal, which is keeping Piper as the focus. To make sure she is not only protected but feels comfortable enough around us to allow our detail to do so."
"So you sensed no egos or anyone's discomfort or objecting to you being in charge?"
"I really didn't. I've always tried to work with other trainees, and only against them if required by the course or exercise. The only 'hard times' I've gotten have been if a guy was playfully teasing me about something. The only one to have a negative reaction was a guy who I shot down. Hurt his ego, embarrassed him in front of the trainees close by, and he didn't ever seem get over it."
"So what are your thoughts on Piper? She could effectively be your boss by day's end" Jason says with a big smile and a hint of something in his eyes that Alex clocked as pride.
"I like Piper. She's a beautiful intelligent woman, but so much more than that. I admire that she wants to break out of the mold and stereotypes that others tried to push her into. The evident passion in her voice when she talks of her choosing her major, of choosing her own security detail, both are pushes at taking back some control in her life. Of her really needing to be her own person and settle into her authentic self." Alex gets lost in thought about the blonde for a few moments. "Her facial and bodily expressions are an open book, especially when we lock eyes. I'm thrilled by even the possibility of being selected for her detail, sir"
"You'll know before too long Alex. Now let's run some more exercises. I'm putting you in the same position and switching up the guys."
In the meantime Piper had heard every word of Jason and Alex's long conversation. She was definitely liking the eavesdropping. 'Damn it I wish I had brought my notepad out here. How am I going to clearly remember every single word and the thoughts and feelings I had at hearing them." She closes her eyes trying to play back the scenario with Alex's words as commentary. 'She definitely blew my mind. Could I be more in awe of her? Every single non-verbal call from Alex was on the money. The four trainees worked in unison like they've been doing this for years, instead of it being thrust until upon them merely an hour ago. And I didn't even notice spectators stopping to check out the action, but I should double check that with Jason.' Piper softly laughs at herself, 'What are the odds that my exact idea of my security team was as good if not better than I hoped for. I really really hope that one of them meets both of daddy's criteria. Rick and Keith are going to have to be spectacular in the upcoming exercises to have even a slim chance. Neither has impressed me today.'
Jason ran more exercises over the next hour and a half, making sure each trainee had done threat and non-threat scenarios. He continued interviewing the trainees, talking to each of them them two or three times. He made sure to extract every piece of information Piper could ever want for her selection process.
"Okay everyone. Some great work today. I'm going to release everyone to eat. Afterwards, head into training room A1. In that course, Piper will have one on one conversations with you." Turning to her he asks "Are there any questions that you want to ask to all the trainees? Maybe give them something to think about while they eat?"
"I want to hear your thoughts on your fellow trainees. Who do you enjoy working with? Anyone you'd rather not work with? What team position or role do you think best suits each trainee, yourself included. And is there a role that you don't think works well with your skill set?" Piper makes a point to smile at each of them, "I think that's good for a start and we'll play it by ear from there."