Chesney did not like parting with this much cash, but it was business at the end of the day! Had to be done, and he was gonna do it! The tall man, fitted with one of his regular weekday suits, marched on in and straight up to the sign up table. There were quite a few managers already there, and he gave them a nod and a cheeky wink to some of the ladies. Good guy, he was, good guy.

He fumbled in his suitcase - yes, he had a suitcase - for the 100 galleons which were kept in a fancy little money bag, and held it loosely in his hand as he got closer to the table. He'd wait to be spoken to, of course.

There were mannnnnnny other managers here that he'd certainly not want to interrupt. As for now, Chesney jangled the galleons around. Swing swiiiiiing.

Of course the woman wasn't going to let the money issue go. Why was it everything had to be about money? Didn't these people think about anything else? Apparently not, since all the woman in front of him was focusing on now was him paying her.

Pulling the money out of his bag he held it for just a little bit longer. "What exactly is it that this money will be used for?" There was no way it was going to cost that much to have a name printed on a ballot. He didn't care how many ballots had to be printed up.

So come on ministry woman, tell him, what was the money being used for? He had a right to know, as did all the other managers that were there just freely handing over the large sum of money.

Just when it seemed like he might as well pitch a tent where he was a roast a few marshmellows, he was finally getting somewhere. "Good day to you too." He said with a wide grin. It was good when others smiled. It gave a new perspective to a mundane task. Made him almost able to trick himself into believing that he wanted to be here. Not that he didn't want to, because this was important...but the waiting wasn't exactly working.

"I actually have all that sorted out." He assured. Maybe she'd seen one too many managers today. What the case was he would over look it with a smile; see what a gentleman he was?

Oh and the fee. "Right. I have it here." He got out the 100 galleons and handed them over to her. She had said that was all he needed right? He wasn't forgetting anything? It was best to get it all out of the way now so he wouldn't have to make a second trip.

It seemed like the Ministry people were starting to realize that things were getting a bit crowded. Covington wasn’t exactly in a hurry, but even he knew that it wouldn’t work very well if all the campaign managers ended up waiting in the queue at the same time. Honestly, he didn’t mind waiting. The longer he was in the Ministry and not attracting attention the better, just by way of amusing him. The idea that there really wasn’t anyone left that remembered the last time he’d been in the building, escorted by Blackstone and two lovely ladies from MLES. It just proved that he’d won, at least metaphorically. He’d managed to set up yet more lucrative careers, and they didn’t even bother to see him as a danger anymore.

Soon enough, the male member of their little welcoming committee had stepped up and spoken, instructing all his colleagues and himself as to what information they needed to have, and he stopped his whistling. Time to get the show on the road, and he picked up the quill once it was his turn and swiftly wrote the necessary information onto the form.

SPOILER!!: form

Candidate: Andrew Jonathan Rose
Campaign manager: Covington Edward Penney

Once that was complete, he set the quill down and thrust his hand back inside his pocket to collect the 100 galleon fee, setting the coins down onto the table into several stacks before sliding them over to the worker. “Anything else you need from me, sweetheart?,” he said with a smile

The line wasn't moving as fast as she'd hoped it would. In fact it was going really slow to her. Please write legibly, anyone that couldn't write legibly needed to go back to school! That was one of Raelynn's pet peeves. She took her quill and began filling out the form, writing down the required information, legibly.

Quote:

Board of Governors Candidate
Roxanne Carter
Represented by Raelynn Spencer

That was just about all she needed to do yes? Other then handing over the galleons but she would just wait until they were asked for. After finishing the last bit of the information she handed it the person behind the table and with a smile said "Finished."

The secretary's cheeks and jaw started to hurt because of the smiling and talking. She's been repeating the exact same words and answering the same questions. Some of the questions weren't even necessary. And whenever she thought that she was finished, more managers popped up. Wow, she started to think there was an endless number of them. But that couldn't be it right? According to her list, not so many were left.

So when the two men joined the line, Victoria offered a smile and handed them both forms. "Please fill out the forms with your name and your candidate's name." VERY easy to do. "Then give me the 100 galleons fee." Because this was very important. Like the most important thing this whole work was about. She needed to be paid along with the other employees. She just hoped that those two weren't going to make a big deal of it. like others were.




Now this particular man had been the first to get here and yet he had not left. It wasn't because she wasn’t fast. Nope, it was because he was too curious . glancing at the form he had filed, Victoria looked up at him and forced the smile to stay on her face. "I assure you that the money is being asked for for very good reasons," Which she was thinking of right now. And come to think of it, she really didn’t have a huge idea about what the fee was for but it surely was necessary . "Do you have a doubt that the money is going to be misused?" She asked raising her eyebrow ever so slightly.




Now this was one of the nice not-curious and asking managers. He got a real smile. Victoria took the money and the form placed them both where they belonged and tipped her head up at the man.

"Thank you very much, that will be all," She said with a nod.

"Have a nice day.." Now move please and make place for others.




This man received a special huge grin. For a very simple reason that he had the money prepared. She heard the clattering of the coins. Her ears were great at detecting such sounds. Automatically she accepted the form, checked the names then placed it along with the others forms.
After adding the fee to the drawer she smiled another time at the man and nodded, "Thank you very much sir." Because he didn't ask a lot of questions.

"Have a nice day." She says this out of habit.




To the next woman in line. Victoria smiled at the woman, "Hello miss." Manners were number one priority when dealing with managers who were going to pay. Mhhm.

Like she did a lot today, the blond took the form from the woman and checked the names then added it to the other forms which were forming a pile by now.

"There's just the fee and it'll all be done," She said to her. The manager didn't forget to bring the money did she?!



Taking the paper from the woman and placing it on top of the other ones, Victoria nodded at Kezza as she took the fee. Because the money went into another place, a safer drawer.

"Have a nice day," She said to her smiling. Which she never stopped doing.




Now this man has been standing for a while. The blond smiled at him and took the form along with the fee. Good, he paid without asking many questions. The woman checked the names against her list then put the form on top of the other ones. The money went in the drawer.

"Thank you sir," She nodded at him. "That be it. Have a nice day." BYE!




This man was a man of business. He didn't waste his time or hers. She smiled and laughed lightly when the need called for such. Because he paid so he earned it.

"Thank you sir, have a nice day," she said as the man took off.

Considering the queue that was starting to form behind her Livia picked up her loose galleons and placed them back into her purse as the other woman answered her question. "I see. Yes the funding needs to come from somewhere as we are all aware of. The 100 galleons now seem like a reasonable sum. Money doesn't grow on tree's after all." Holstering her purse Livia shook her head "No I don't think so. Everything is in order so I shall go and take care of some other waiting errands."

Turning on her heel the redhead called over her shoulder. "Have nice day!" before she proceeded out of the ministry and into muggle London.

Raelynn smiled at the woman, "Hello," nice to see someone had manners she had met a couple people who didn't...Though most of those people were muggles...

"Of course, let me get it." She had brought the money, who ever didn't was just forgetful. Which was not a good quality. Picking up her purse she reached in and pulled out the red money bag with Roxanne Carter labeled on it. She opened it to see if the money was still in there before handing it over to the woman.

Now this woman was just downright avoiding answering his question. He knew when someone was stalling because they didn't have an answer. He did work in politics after all. "For a good reason you say? Please, do tell what that reason is. I'm sure some of the others would love to hear this reason." He knew he was interested, as would be Ivy.

Did he have doubts about how the money was going to be used? "Well I didn't have any doubts but I sure do now." He looked at the woman with a raised eyebrow of his own. "Why don't you tell me exactly what this large amount of money will be used for?" He asked as he waved the bag of money in front of her face. "Miss Knox does have a right to know what it is her money is being used for." As did all the other candidates.

Goody! It was her turn in line. She didn't have to wait long at all it seemed. "Good morning!" Honora sang in return. Yes, yes, she was here for the ballots, like everyone else in line. "Easy as pie." Honora's cheeks puffed out a little at the mention of the money, but she quickly filled out the paperwork before fishing around for the bag of coins in her purse. Merlin knew, she put it in there this morning.

"AHA! Found it!" Taking out the purple bag, obviously weighed down from the looks of it and jingling quite a merry tune itself, she plopped it on the table with a smile. She had it. All 100 ridiculous galleons of it.

Hmm. It was almost too easy. Of course, Covington didn’t mind getting this all concluded in good time, seeing as that only meant he could have more time for his test to see if he really had gotten into the Ministry without anyone flagging him for his previous visit. The possibility that the memories of the people here were that bad, that they wouldn’t remember him was rather amusing. Useful, as well, and it gave him a certain sense of accomplishment just waltzing in here without question. Along with the fact his charm still worked, as the grin the woman behind the table had given him advertised. He always managed to intrigue women, and he wasn’t planning on losing that ability any time soon.

Besides, she had his name now if she was interested, so he’d just let her do the work. He had other things to do, now that there was 100 galleons’ worth less in weight out of his pockets. If anything, he could meet up with Andrew to let him know everything was set, and back in his court regarding the election. Luckily, after the beginning of the campaign, it had appeared the man knew what to say without too much coaching. He could always drop a few buttons around, surreptitiously. Either way, he had things to do, so he merely gave the blonde another charming smile since apparently nothing else was needed. “You’re very welcome, sweetheart, and you have a nice day yourself. Don’t work too hard,” he finished, giving her a little wink before turning to walk back towards the lifts. Now he just had to decide if he wanted to stop by any of the other floors or just head back out into the city.

Victoria smiled to the woman and leaned back on her seat as the manager worked on the galleons back to the purse, "I'm glad you see the reason behind it," She said, "It is important that you-managers understand what the fee is for," And Victoria understood that very well too. It was her job to explain as well. He job and her colleagues.

"You too, Miss Frost," She called over as the woman headed towards the exit.



The woman didn't forget the money. That was a relief and to be honest, Victoria doubted that a manager would forget such important piece of information. To be a manager they needed to be organized. So no forgetting a fee or anything else.

Accepting the money from the manager, Victoria smiled and placed the bag of galleons along with the other ones. Wow, she had lots of money in this drawer, "Thank you very much," the blond said. "That's it. Miss Carter is now signed up on the ballots." Victoria knew Roxanne quite well. "Tell her Victoria said hi," She added.

"Have a nice day," She nodded at the manager.



Whatever this man was thinking, Victoria knew it wasn't good seeing his reaction. It's really been a long day and yet the blond needed to remain patient and smiling. Though her smile had fallen but she still contained her temper. She rarely lost it since she's been working as a front desk secretary for more than four years now. She was more than used to curious and people who asked a lot. And in this case, Victoria knew she had to answer the man's question, he had the right to know indeed. And she too had the answer.

Forcing her eyebrows to not shoot up too much, she tried a faint smile making sure not to make a scene. The other managers better pay without being alerted. But to answer the man, "Mister Montgomery, I assure you that there is no need to have any doubt," She started. "And of course you and Miss Knox have the right to know as well as the other managers and candidates," She nodded. "You see the elections need to be funded. And the money is used to offset the expenses of those elections," she said repeating the exact same words that's been used in the meeting where the Board of Electors, she and her colleagues, discussed everything.

"I hope that reason is satisfying," She said glancing at the bag of money. No money, no name on the ballots, curious man. So gimme the money.



Waiting for the woman to fill the form, with a smile on her face, Victoria rearranged the pile of forms that got formed. Also she put the scattering quills on the table as the manager was fishing the bag of galleons. Yay, this one ,too, was going to pay without asking. Though if she asked, Victoria would delightedly answer.

Taking the form, checking the names then adding it to the other forms, Victoria worked in a fast motion as this routine had been rewinding itself. The money went into the drawer. "Thank you Miss O'Fay. Mister Vanderbilt is now registered on the ballots," She said. "Anything else I can do for you?" Answering questions for example.



This was a gentleman indeed. The blond grinned at being called sweetheart for the second time. Good thing Konrad wasn't near to hear. She didn't want to see his manish reaction. Besides, this particular manager was being super nice. She liked that and appreciated it. "I'll try, sir," She said with a giggle. Though she had worked too hard already.

Shame really, this lady did not want an introduction. Because Warfield always had an introduction ready. "'Very' you say?" To be working in the Ministry and say that giving up 100 galleons was easy, she clearly did not know the value of money. "Very well".
Warfield set his briefcase up onto the table and unlatched the clips holding it together. He swung it open facing the top half of the briefcase in the Ministry Lady's face and dug his hand into it deep, a few Blonde Cooper Cope wigs fell to the floor as he reached in deeper. Then he pulled out a tiny safebox. "You can never be to careful with that kind of money, you shouldn't just fling it around in small purse sacks. Those could get holes, or easily stolen." He spun the lock on the safe right, then left, then right again until it clicked and opened up. "You'd be suprised as to how many pickpockets are out there. Sleight of Hand is an unnessacary skill amongst out kind." From within the safe he grabbed a shoebox pulled the lid off and took out medium sized brown sachel. "100 galleons, just as you said." He pushed it towards the Ministry Lady. Warfield took one of the forms next and filled it out.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Form

Candidate's Name-Cooper Cope
Manager's Name- Warfield Rockefeller

Chesney stopped jangling the galleons and smiled at the woman who had finally acknowledged them. To be honest, it was a shorter wait than he was expecting. The man rested the bag of money on the table, shot a few glances at the other people around him, then took the forms from her.

Quote:

Candidate: Sherman Clark
Campaign Manager: Chesney McCready

He checked it over for neatness and stuff, then slid the slip over back to the lady. As for the money, he was glad to see that it was still on the table and no one had run off with it. "There you go, ma'am!" He offered the big bag of galleons with a beam. "It's all there, I promise." But he'd happily wait around for her to count it. No biggie.

The blond leaned back on her seat and fiddled with a quill as the man handled the process of retrieving the money. Now this particular manager she liked because he was going to pay first then fill the form. Unlike some people who kept arguing. But then again she doesn't get to complain. She knew the job's downside. And yet she accepted it. Besides those people paid so they needed to be treated very nicely. For she got paid probably from the money they were paying. Those high heels she spotted the other day needed to be bought and that was her motivation that kept her going the entire day.

Victoria watched the man fishing the money while making noise and dropping.....was that hair? She pretended not to have noticed anything. She cared about the money you know. A box came out so she leaned forwards expecting to take the money but was surprised that there was still a satchel. All of those managers were kinda...eccentric unique. She smiled artificially at the man and nodded in agreement. "That is very thoughtful, sir," Now hand over the money please.

Taking the money and the form, the blond placed them were they belonged before turning back to the man. "Thank you mister Rockefeller," She said glancing at the form to check the man's name. "That be it." She said with a nod.

As in, you can leave, now. Unless he wanted anything else?




Her theory had been proven true more than once. All those managers paid extra attention to the money they carried around. That was good of course, since she had to collect that money. And there was no way she could register any name on the ballots without receiving the money. Strict rules they had. No money, no name. Simple enough. Taking the form from the man, Victoria checked the names against the list she had because if any typo or mistake was made they'd come back to her. She didn't fancy having such situations. So she double-checked.

In a professional way she added the money to the drawer and counted the galleons fast. She had been doing this for hours and didn't take time It ended fast.Then she turned to him and nodded. "Thank you Mister McCready." She said after having seen the name on the forms. "Mister Clark is now registered on the ballots," She added.

"Have a good day." Unless the man wanted to ask something?

Did this woman really think that answer was going to satisfy him? All she was doing was talking around his question. In no way was she giving him a straight forward answer. "I may have been born at night Miss..." What did that other guy say this woman's name was? Oh right. "...Victoria, but I wasn't born last night. I see your lips moving but I don't hear you answering my question. You say our money is being used to fund the election, but what exactly is it that we're funding?" For all he knew, the money she wanted him to hand over was going to be used to line her pockets.

So go ahead woman. Tell him exactly what the money was being used for.

Raelynn smiled as the lady took the money. "No thank you,". Getting the okay that Roxanne was on the ballot the brunette picked up her purse and slung it over her shoulder. That was one big weight off of her shoulders. Now all Roxanne needed was to win, which would be a snap! Before leaving she heard the lady say something, "Will do..Victoria. Wonderful name by the way. Have a marvelous rest of the day." As she left the table she heard someone with a rather rude mouth was he seriously that paranoid that he was questioning the ministry. She sighed and sent a smile and a wave towards Victoria.

Getting Cooper on the ballot wasn't as tedious as he believed it to be. No jumping through flaming hoops, thank Merlin for that. "I appreciate your listening... Miss?"
Haha! Back her into the corner and forced her into introducing herself...Although he was sure he had heard others call her, and she said it herself her name was Victoria. It wasn't official though not until she said her name to him!
Retrieving most of the wigs from the floor and placing back in his briefcase, then putting the shoe box into the safe, and the safe into the briefcase. Warfield looked down and picked up one last Cooper Cope wig and placed it on the table beside the young Miss.

Now this wasn't the first time she had encountered someone persistent and who likes to question details. She let out a faint sigh because showing the man that she was bored or annoyed would only make him more annoyed and suspicious. Especially that he must think that she was hiding something from him. Ignoring his comment about night and moving lips, she tucked a strand of loose hairr behind her ear and nodded.

"Yourself being a manager, must mean that you are familiar of how elections are run and also debates," Unless he was new in the business which wasn't likely since he talked in a knowing tone. "There is thirteen candidates. All going to be debating. Also many people are going to attend and participate. Not to mention how many employees are working hard to organize names and invitations and other countless stuff." She explained patiently. "All this process requires money. Either to pay the employees," Such as herself who are answering many questions. "Or to purchase all the requirements." She said.

Then after taking a deep breath, "And may I point out that the fee wasn't a random number." Did he think it was. " I assure you that specialists have thought it through and did the calculating part to decide onexactly how much money each candidate must pay." She chimed in. "It's not like I woke up and said let's make it one hundred galleons." She added making sure not sound too sarcastic. "It was all thought out Sir,"

She glanced at the form which was filled by Chandler. She can't add it to the others unless she received the fee. Which she didn't yet. Was he convinced now? If no, then she'd have to ask a superior. Maybe the manager would believe them more.



Victoria smiled at the brunette as she headed to leave. Oh she liked her name, not many say that. Since it was an old-fashioned name. It was nice of the woman to say that anyway. Some managers were nice at least.

Have a marvelous rest of the day...

The blond's first answer was, doesn't seem like I will. But then her secretary's manner floated and she waved back. "Thank you, I'll try to." Not that it was working very well.



Well, she appreciates him for appreciating her listening. Did that make sense. Probably not much so she didn't say it aloud. Instead she skipped to introducing herself, "Victoria Smith. Victoria is enough, though." She said the smile never leaving herself. When she got him she was going to frown a lot. Though frowning wasn't her thing but her face muscles needed rest or balance or whatever. "I'm a secretary in Level-one," She added because why not. The line wasn't long anymore. "Also a member of the board of electors," Which explains what she was doing here.

Just she said this she saw a hair sitting next to her. She instinctively drew her hands away and folded them in her lap. Blinking at the wig she wondered how many people had worn it. There was no way she was touching it. She reached for her wand but then decided that it'd be better to do it after the man left. "Umm....Thanks," ..?? Was it a souvenir or something. Should she now vote for Cooper. If so, then this way of promoting wasn't really a smart one.

Ian walked into to the room and looked on the people who were helping the campaign managers.... and then there were the jerks...


"Victoria, darling," he said putting his hand on her shoulder and looking at the young manager. "Don't bother explaining what the fee is for to Mr. Montgomery... If he is a good Manager, he would know already what it is for. Have any of the older managers asked you what the fee is for?" Yes. He getting a dig on the boy. "And, more importantly, if Ms. Knox wants to be on the ballot, and I know she'd be unhappy if she wasn't... he'll pay it. Won't you Mister Montgomery?" Ian narrowed his eyes to the man. He may try to mess with his staff, but the Senior Undersecretary? And an elected Board Member? Step off child!

Satine glanced up from her notebook and smiled as someone noticed her and she walked over to the woman, "Satine Farris, campaign manager...." she said as she grabbed a piece of paper out of her notebook, "I need to sign my candidate up..." she said with a smile as she handed a resume and an envelope with the money for her candidate in it. "I need to sign up Mr. Nolan Reynolds, please."

Chandler stood there and listened as the woman attempted to give him a better answer this time around. Of course he was familiar with how elections were run. He didn't have this job just because of his pretty face after all. He also knew how many candidates were still in the running. Again, she was just telling him things he already knew.

And there it was.

The real reason they were all being forced to pay this ridiculous sum. To line the pockets of those that really didn't do much at all for the election, such as this woman holding down that chair and putting their registration forms in a basket. Yeah, hard work that is.

He was about to ask what exactly these requirements were that she said they needed to purchase but she just kept talking. It was probably best he didn't ask that one anyway. She'd just talk around the question again like she was doing now.

It had been well thought out how much they would have to pay? Yeah right, well thought out, as in we can charge whatever we want because we hold the power of not putting your name on the ballot if you don't pay whatever number we come up with.

Just as he opened his mouth to respond to this not so convincing answer, they were joined by none other than...



Ian Amaroso, Secretary of the Board of Governors.

Did he really think he was going to intimidate Chandler just because he was already on the board, and he worked for the Minister? Not in this lifetime. "Hello to you too Mr. Amaroso. First off, let me just say this. I never once said I wasn't going to pay the ridiculous fee." He wasn't that stupid. He didn't want Ivy putting a hit out on him if her name didn't get on the ballot. "I simply asked this young lady here how the funds were going to be used. It was a simple question really. One anyone working in her position should be able to answer, without talking in circles." Which she seemed to be a pro at. "I guess now my question is to you. What exactly is it the Ministry is hiding? I mean after all, if they weren't hiding anything you wouldn't be telling your employee here not to answer my questions." That's right Mr. Undersecretary to the Minister / Secretary for the Board of Governors. Just what exactly is it you don't want the people to know about?

Do tell.

Inquiring minds want to know.

Abby nodded, "thank you, can you please fill in a form with your name and the name of the candidate you are representing, as in Mr Reynolds?" Abigail asked with her usual warm smile. No business was too formal for a smile and all.

"does this envolope contain the required 100 Galleon fee?" she asked. She probably should open it to check. She might be more relaxed about her own money yet when dealing with money not meant for her, Abigail wanted to make sure she was not cheating anyone.

Victoria didn't like the man's looks as she spoke. It was obvious that he wasn't yet satisfied by what she had been explaining. And it made her curious of why this man was pretty much concerned about the money unlike the others. Did he have some experience or past knowledge that would make him be suspicious. Or was it just a regular characteristic to being a manager.




Oh Mister Amaroso. Victoria smiled up at the Senior undersecretary as he came and spoke. What a relief. She really was running out of answers. Because the entire thing was so simple that she didn't know what to explain. Like what possibly a fee is needed for. Pfffft. Very natural.

But the man didn't stop arguing and obviously wasn't convinced by her rather prolonged explanation. And if the man intended to offend her by saying she was talking circles it didn't work. Because she took it as a compliment. As that was a very good characteristic one should have working in the ministry. Especially with so many people asking so many question and you can't not answer so you talk around the question. This man got her so well. Though she didn't intend to do it now. But out of habit probably.

And she was very complimented when he said 'young lady'. Good then it wasn't obvious that she had neared her thirties. Because that was more important than anything!

So where did this discussion get again?

Ian laughed. "Yes. The ministry is hiding the fact that you are the ONLY manager who doesn't know what the fee is for. In all seriousness Montgomery, we could use the money for new toilets if we wanted to. Would you risk not putting Miss Knox on the ballot?" He shook his head... "Now pay Victoria, and be nice, or I won't accept your ballot entry."

Oh Yeah... he could do that.

"Thank you Abby for taking her." He said.

"Go on, Victoria... take his money." He smiled.