Joanna Riggs, still reeling from her encounter with Emelia Sinclair, finally settled back into her office. The chaos of the morning had subsided, and she felt a renewed sense of purpose as she returned to her tasks. Across the museum, Henrik van der Hune was also resuming his work, diving back into the intricate study of Mayan hieroglyphs found at Iximché.
Henrik's office was a clutter of ancient texts, reference books, and scribbled notes. He was intensely focused on a particularly complex set of glyphs, muttering to himself as he worked. "Hmm, this symbol looks like it could represent 'rebirth,' but it's positioned next to the glyph for 'war.' Interesting combination..."
Meanwhile, Joanna had just finished compiling a list of new docents for the museum. She reviewed the list with a sense of satisfaction, proud of the diverse group of individuals she had recruited:
Jessica Davis from 13 Reasons Why – known for her dedication to social causes.
John B. Routledge from Outer Banks – adventurous and resourceful.
JJ Maybank from Outer Banks – loyal and spirited.
Topper Thornton from Outer Banks – charming and knowledgeable.
Emily Cooper from Emily in Paris – enthusiastic and full of fresh ideas.
Veronica Lodge from Riverdale – ambitious and savvy.
Evan "Buck" Buckley from 9-1-1 – courageous and quick-thinking.
Bess Marvin from The CW's Nancy Drew – curious and meticulous.
Jordan Baker from All-American – disciplined and strategic.
Joanna picked up the phone and dialed the number for the Board of Directors. After a few rings, she was connected to the head of the board, Mr. Thompson.
"Good afternoon, Mr. Thompson. This is Joanna Riggs from Beech Hill Museum. I've just finished compiling a list of new docents, and I wanted to get your approval," Joanna said, her voice confident and professional.
"Good afternoon, Joanna. Let's hear the list," Mr. Thompson replied, sounding interested.
Joanna read through the names and their brief descriptions. After a moment of consideration, Mr. Thompson responded, "This is quite an impressive list, Joanna. I think these individuals will bring a lot of energy and diversity to the museum. You have our approval."
"Thank you, Mr. Thompson. I'll make the necessary arrangements to get them started as soon as possible," Joanna said, feeling a sense of accomplishment.
After hanging up the phone, Joanna leaned back in her chair, reflecting on the whirlwind of events. Just as she was about to take a well-deserved break, her phone buzzed again. It was a message from one of the security staff: "Someone needs to watch over the Monolith."
Joanna sighed, realizing that with all the new docents coming in, they needed to assign someone to the Monolith's security. She made a mental note to address it during the next team meeting.
Meanwhile, in his office, Henrik was still immersed in his research. He had made some significant progress and was now examining a particularly fascinating set of glyphs that seemed to tell a story of an ancient ritual. His intense concentration was broken by a knock on the door.
"Come in," Henrik called, not taking his eyes off the glyphs.
Joanna entered, looking a mix of exhausted and amused. "Henrik, do you have a minute? I could use a break from the chaos and figured you might need one too."
Henrik looked up, a smile breaking across his face. "Always happy to take a break for you, Joanna. What's going on?"
Joanna plopped down in a chair opposite Henrik's desk. "Just finished getting the Board of Directors to approve the new docent list. We have quite the eclectic mix joining us."
Henrik leaned back in his chair, intrigued. "Tell me more."
Joanna went through the list, highlighting each new docent's unique qualities. Henrik listened, nodding appreciatively. "Sounds like you've got a great team coming in. Hopefully, they won't bring in any more Karens."
They both laughed, the tension of the morning's encounters melting away.
"You know," Joanna said thoughtfully, "with all these new docents, we should have someone keep an eye on the Monolith. It's one of our most valuable pieces, and we can't afford any mishaps."
Henrik nodded in agreement. "Absolutely. Maybe we can assign one of the new docents to that duty. Someone with a keen eye and a sense of responsibility."
Joanna smiled. "I was thinking the same thing. I'll bring it up in the next team meeting. For now, though, I think we both deserve a coffee break. What do you say?"
Henrik grinned. "I couldn't agree more. Let's take a break and recharge. Who knows what kind of adventures the rest of the day will bring?"
As they made their way to the museum café, chatting and laughing, both Joanna and Henrik felt a renewed sense of camaraderie and purpose. Despite the occasional interruptions and the colorful characters they encountered, they knew they were part of something special at Beech Hill Museum. And with their new team of docents, they were ready to face whatever adventures lay ahead.
It was orientation day for the newly-hired docents the next day. Joanna Riggs, the passionate and dedicated curator, stood at the front of the meeting room, ready to welcome the new team.
The room was abuzz with excitement and curiosity. The new docents sat in a semicircle, each holding a packet of information about the museum. Joanna glanced at the list of names once more before beginning. She was pleased with the diverse and dynamic group she had assembled: Jessica Davis, John B. Routledge, JJ Maybank, Topper Thornton, Emily Cooper, Veronica Lodge, Evan "Buck" Buckley, Bess Marvin, and Jordan Baker.
Joanna cleared her throat, and the room quieted. "Good morning, everyone! Welcome to Beech Hill Museum. My name is Joanna Riggs, and I am thrilled to have you all here as part of our team. Today, we'll go through an orientation to help you get acquainted with the museum, its history, and your roles as docents."
She began with a brief history of Beech Hill, detailing its founding and its mission to preserve and showcase Mesoamerican artifacts. Joanna's enthusiasm was contagious, and the new docents listened intently.
"One of our main attractions," Joanna continued, "is the Monolith. This incredible artifact is a centerpiece in our new exhibit, 'Finding the Maya: A Lost Civilization Speaks.' The Monolith offers a unique glimpse into the world of the ancient Maya, with intricate carvings that tell stories of their culture, beliefs, and history."
Jessica Davis raised her hand. "Where was the Monolith found?"
Joanna smiled. "Great question, Jessica. The Monolith was discovered at a site in Iximché, an ancient Maya city in present-day Guatemala. It was a significant find for archaeologists and has provided invaluable insights into Maya civilization."
Topper Thornton, leaning back in his chair with a smirk, raised his hand. "Is John B. Routledge in the Monolith?"
The room erupted in laughter, but John B. was not amused. His face turned red, and he stood up, glaring at Topper. "What the hell, Topper? Are you trying to make a joke out of everything?"
Topper shrugged, still smirking. "Relax, man, it was just a joke."
John B. stepped closer, fists clenched. "Well, it's not funny."
Before things could escalate further, Joanna stepped between them, her expression stern. "Alright, that's enough! This is a professional environment, and we need to respect each other. Topper, jokes like that are not appropriate here. If this behavior continues, you'll no longer be working at Beech Hill. Understood?"
Topper's smirk faded, and he nodded. "Got it. Sorry, Joanna."
Joanna looked at both of them, making sure the message was clear, then continued with the orientation. "Now, as I was saying, the Monolith is a crucial part of our new exhibit. Your role as docents will be to educate visitors about these artifacts and the stories they tell."
Twenty minutes later, Joanna introduced the Beech Hill staff. "I want you all to meet the core team here at Beech Hill. Aside from myself, we have Henrik van der Hune, our expert in Mayan epigraphy. Pierson Henderson, our operations manager, portrayed by Jack Reynor. Samantha Weghorst, our head of education and outreach, portrayed by Rose Byrne. And Eva King, our marketing and communications director, portrayed by Tayshia Adams."
Each team member gave a brief introduction, sharing their roles and what they loved about working at the museum. The new docents listened eagerly, clearly excited to be part of such a passionate team.
Finally, Joanna said, "Now, let's take a tour of the museum. You'll see where you'll be working and get a feel for the layout. If you have any questions along the way, don't hesitate to ask."
As they walked through the museum, Joanna pointed out various exhibits, explaining their significance and the stories behind the artifacts. The new docents asked questions, soaking up the information and getting a sense of the museum's rich history.
At the Monolith, Joanna paused. "This is where you'll spend a lot of your time. The Monolith is a focal point of our exhibit, and it's essential that you understand its importance and can convey that to our visitors."
The group stood in awe, taking in the intricate carvings and the sheer size of the artifact. Joanna could see the spark of curiosity in their eyes and knew they were ready to take on the challenge.
As the tour concluded, Joanna gathered everyone back in the meeting room. "Thank you all for your attention and enthusiasm today. I have high hopes for this team, and I believe you'll each bring something unique to Beech Hill. Let's work together to make this museum a place of learning and inspiration for all our visitors."
The new docents applauded, their excitement palpable. Joanna felt a sense of pride and anticipation. Despite the occasional hiccups, she knew that with this new team, Beech Hill was poised for a bright future filled with adventure, discovery, and perhaps a few more comedic moments along the way.