Julia

Julia Chang had always been a crusader. In every conceivable sense of the word. This was common knowledge among her friends and acquaintances, as few and far between as they were. For her "work", a broad term meant to sum up all the diverse activities she engaged in, always took precedence over her social life.

Her resume was a colourful one. Having painfully paved her own way through college, subsisting on a meager student grant and the modest salary of a medical records clerk, she had tactfully refused a generous offer of secure employment at one of the Mishima Zaibatsu's research facilities, an offer made by the elder Mishima, at the request of, she later found out, his grandson and her close confidant, Jin Kazama. Although Julia appreciated Jin's initiative, she insisted on carving out her own career path herself.

And carve out her career path she had.

Within a few weeks of her graduation, her immense talents were noticed by the equally respectable G-Corporation, and she was subsequently hired as a researcher.

The large-scale reforestation project she laboured on was the centrepiece of her working life, but it was not the only one, for Julia also found enough time to do plenty of volonteer work, giving numerous school presentations about health and environmental issues, and leading several demonstrations against corporations for creating pollution, and against the government for instigating the war on Iraq, and had even earned herself a brief stint in prison for one of those( Hwoarang had once jokingly told her that a prison sentence at one stage of their lives or another was just about the only thing they had in common, but that they could still make their relationship work). Even her brief, three-week long summer holidays were devoted to travelling around the remote places of South America, as a doctor and missionary, solely for the Indian tribes' benefit.

Julia really was a crusader.

XXXXXXX

" Hey, Julia, it's me, " Jin's calm, collected voice sounded over the speakerphone.

Julia, who had been riffling through some folders in her office, paused and looked up, a pleasant smile fluttering to her lips. " Why, hello, stranger! Long time no chat!"

Jin's tone was apologetic. "It can't be helped. You're a difficult woman to get hold of."

"I see, " Julia replied distractedly, now turning her attention to the contents of a filing cabinet.

Jin was quick to notice her harassed tone. "Something the matter?" he enquired with concern.

"Remember that reforestation paper I showed you last week?The one you called "an ambitious project"?" Julia began, over the background noise of papers rustling and desk drawers slamming. " I've got a presentation tomorrow and I can't seem to find the thing!" She sounded frantic.

" A presentation?"

"Yes. See, G-corp's budget is a little strained at the moment, so I got in touch with a couple of independent big-shots, who seemed pretty interested in what I was doing. If this presentation goes well, and they decide to fund me, budget strains will become a thing of the past, my friend!" Julia had worked her self into impassioned fervour.

Jin was dubious. " You know, reforestation and alternative energy projects aren't at all lucrative business. I don't think that those people would ever deliver on their promises, no matter how impressed they seem to be with your work."

"You think so?" Julia asked dejectedly.

"Well, that's what we learned in Economics this term, " Jin replied, a little uncomfortably.

Julia shook her head with a smile. " But high school economics can never give you an accurate account of what goes on in the real world."

"Really?" Jin was amused. "Then what's their point?"

" To encumber you with more school work would be my guess, " Julia offered.

"I'll take into account that this non-sensical answe just came from someone who never believed in material business and profit."

Julia chuckled. "Very funny." She thoughtfully chewed on her bottom lip." But seriously, what will I do if I can't find that file?"

"Oh, don't worry, I'm sure it'll turn up, " Jin replied nonchalantly. "Hey, I wanted to ask you about Hwoarang..."

XXXXXXX

Jin hung up, then sat cross-legged on his bed. He reached for a three-inch thick file that lay at his feet, entitled Reforestation Paper, and turned to the first page. Twenty-nine pages of critical analysis later, he let the file gently drop to the floor, having finally come to a decision.

XXXXXXX

" I still can't find that paper, can you believe that? And my presentation is at two o'clock!" Julia moaned wearily, rubbing her temples.

Jane, a fellow G-Corp employee in charge of the company's JACK project, looked at her, startled. " What are you talking about? It's right there by your computer! And there's something else too, besides the file. Looks like an envelope."

Incredulous, Julia raced for the desk. Just as Jane had said, the file was there, seemingly intact. She picked up the envelope, which was addressed to her, and carefully tore it open. Inside was a cheque for three million dollars, to be cashed from a Mishima Zaibatsu account.

A thought suddenly occured to Julia. She left her office on the fourth floor and proceeded to the ground floor lobby, stopping at a receptionist's desk.

"Hey, Mai, can I take a look at the visitors' log for this morning? "

Mai handed it over, looking mystified, and Julia quickly ran her finger down the list of names. Halfway down the page, she found what she was looking for.

Jin Kazama, 11:00 am

XXXXXXX

" Yes, yes, I'm calling to cancel my appointment with Mr Suzuki, yes, will you please let him know?Thank you."

Julia quickly hung up, having just informed her second would-be funder of the presentation's cacellation.

She sighed. Jin had once again put his foot down. But she was not upset. Not in the least.

Because it was true that strong friendship, unlike business liaisons, never failed you.

XXXXXXX