sweet instigator

nine.

look i know this story is chaotic for now but it's gonna get so good!!!!

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"I don't see how this could ever be a good idea." Mr. Hanson frowned at Madeleine, who nervously stood in front of his desk.

He had hardly glanced at the spreadsheet Madeleine had made so professionally to pitch him the idea of doing Connor's ad. She knew it was a stretch to earn her boss' approval for this, let alone funds and maybe a few co-workers to work on it with her.

He had only frowned and briefly glanced over what she had created before staring at her critically over the rim of his glasses.

Maddie swallowed, "It's - uh... Yeah, I understand why you would think that. But I do think this could be good publicity for us if w-"

"We don't need any more publicity." He interrupted her, "Each and every one of my workers has a full caseload, including you. If I remember correctly, you all ganged up on me during our last team-meeting because you were overworked." He had a sharp tone to his voice, "And now you're asking me to take on something else?"

Madeleine took a breath, "I... I - uh... I know how it sounds."

"Bad?"

"Yeah." She sighed, nodding in defeat. Mr. Hanson gave the file in front of him a push back towards Maddie, "You don't have my approval for this. We've never worked with this company before, they're not one of our regular clients. Why should we take their project before all the others that are waiting? And they don't pay enough, this is below our fees."

Maddie nibbled her lip and Mr. Hanson took a sip of his coffee, "If you must do this, it's on you. After hours, no pay. We don't have the money for this, Maddie. And they're not covering the costs. You don't get anyone extra, so if you do this... it's charity. And you're the producer, assistant, editor and director all in one. Which you're not qualified for."

She closed her eyes and exhaled, scratching above her brow, "I know that." She mumbled, "If I could just ask Josh to do this between his h-"

"No." Mr. Hanson sharply spoke, "No, not a chance. Josh is overworked. He's this close to a burn-out or to fucking hand in his notice. We need him here and you're not driving him away because you feel the need to take on an extra project for god knows what reason."

"Bill - come on." Madeleine tried but he shook his head, "No, Maddie. It's a no. You asked and I refused. What did you think I was going to say?! Our waiting list is basically endless and people have been dropping like flies. You know summer is the most difficult time of the year for us with everyone taking their holidays. It causes a delay on the running projects, pushing everything else back." He threw his hands up with a sigh, "I don't have to explain all of this to you, you know this. You've been here for years."

She ran a hand through her hair, shoulders dropping in slight defeat, "Fuck, I know." She mumbled, "I know, okay? I know it's a bad idea, I know we don't have the funds for this, I know it's a... shitty project." She motioned her hand towards the file between them on the desk and then crossed her arms in front of her, nibbling her lip.

"Then decline it." Bill simply shrugged and Madeleine shook her head, "I can't. It's fine, okay? I'll just - I'll do it. I'll take on most of it, do it after my hours, like you said. It's fine." The more she said it, the less convincing it sounded. Maddie reached for the file and Bill cleared his throat, "Madeleine, if this interferes with your other work and I get complaints about you... I won't be lenient."

She exhaled sharply again, swallowing, "Wouldn't expect you to be." She mumbled before turning around and walking out.

Her limbs felt like jell-o. Madeleine had been nervous to approach her boss with this, knowing the reaction she'd receive. She had spent the week-end drafting up this spreadsheet and even making a fucking powerpoint presentation to convince him to pull out funds, people and time for this project of Connor. But he declined and of course he did.