Harold emerges from his office when Brian's arrival is notified to him. He
approaches him, hand extended. 

You say "Brian Goddard?"
Brian shakes Harold's hand firmly, nods, "Yessir."

You say "Good to meet you, Brian. I'm Harold Dayton. Let's step back into
my office." 

You step into the inner office.
Richardson, Edison and Dayton: Main Office(#1195RF)

The desk is broad and made from heavy mahogany, and is clear of any papers
or equipment other than a dark green, old-fashioned desk blotter. The
chair behind the desk is comfortable-looking and a nearly-black leather
color: the chairs before the desk are similar and well-worn. Wooden
cabinets built into the wall contain rows and rows of law books, titles
too small to distract, but whose presence fills the room with the familiar
smell of old paper. The windows behind and to the right of the desk
command a stunning view of downtown Metropolis, the shining spires of the
skyscrapers extending upwards across it. 

Brian enters.

Before you stands Brian Goddard. He is 5'11", and with his dusty blonde
hair, pale blue eyes, and slightly freckled face, he looks like the
country boy he is. His hair is short, parted to the left; he is very
handsome, and something, perhaps his air of in nocence and happiness,
makes him more so. He weighs 180 pounds, and is well-muscled; he looks
like he does training on top of regular exercise. He wears a formal black
suit, slacks, and tie, with slate grey shoes. He looks about with wide,
curious eyes, a nd a bright smile. 

Brian looks around, taking in the office curiously, smiling.

Harold sits down behind his desk and gestures to the seat across from him,
nearest to the desk. A small stack of papers, Brian's application and
paperwork rests to the side. Harold looks Brian over critically. "Tell me
about yourself, Brian." 

Brian sits in the indicated chair, making sue to sit straight, but try to
seem casual, and to look directly at you. "Well, sir, I'm a junior at
Metropolis University, where I'm majoring in business law. I've got a 3.8
GPA, and I helped found the schools d ebate team, though I'm not on it
right now. basketball takes up most of my winter time." 

Harold nods, listening carefully. "What sort of career are you looking at?
I'm sure you're being scouted by some professional team or another, but
what are _your_ plans?" 

Brian smiles, "Professional basketball would be an interesting option, but
more than likely I'll go to graduate school, then get a position in my
fathers company." 

Harold leans back a little and nods as if unconsciously approving of
Brian's choice. "Well, Brian, let me tell you about what we do here, and
then we can decide if that sort of experience would be valuable to you." 

Brian nods a little, silently awaiting.

You say "This firm is prestigious enough that we have the happy ability to
take on cases that interest us. Unfortunately, we are also cursed with
eclecticism that makes us interested in a lot of things. We are the
foremost experts on parahuman law in the world, but we are also closely
associated with the legal committee of the United Nations, the Congress,
and the Executive branch, meaning that we do a lot of criminal and
administrative work." 

You say "It also means that we cannot shy away from politics. Some law
firms claim to be apolitical. We make no such claim here. I am a firm
supporter of the Bill or Rights, for example, and in today's political
climate, that makes me almost terminally li beral. However, I am also a
firm supporter of the right to counsel. We are therefore a consultation
firm for LexCorp, though I disagree with the CEO's political beliefs. Do
you follow me so far?" 

Brian nods once. "Yes, Mr. Dayton. It souns most intruiging."

Harold nods. "It is, Brian. It is. Now if you decide to become one of our
interns, I guarantee you that you will get some experience in every kind
of law, and intense experience in the sorts I mentioned earlier. But I
will not kid you: it will run you rag ged. I have no problem with giving
you time off for finals, for basketball season, or what have you, but the
time you are here, it will, in all likelihood, be the most challenging
time you have faced so far. If you don't think you can handle it, I don't
b lame you. But if you do, I'll be glad to have you on board." 

Brian smiles, "Well, sir, I'm always up for a challenge, especially one
that could be as rewarding as this. I'd be honored to get a position
here." 

Harold smiles as if he expected Brian's response. "Excellent, Brian. Now,
there are a couple of other things we need to go over. For instance, if we
decide you're going to be looking at the National Security Council
documents, you'll need a security clearance, which will be a hassle and
take some time, but has to be endured eventually. As well as whether you
want to be paid or to receive credit or some combination of both." 

You say "You ought to discuss that with the Dean and get back to me about
it." 

You say "We can give you some things to look over, to make reports on, to
make sure you understand some of the things we're doing while basketball
season is still going." 

Brian nods. "Yessir. I'm on full scholarship, but I'll still talk with
him, to make sure the proper decision is reached. 

You say "Welcome to the firm, then, Brian. Now there's one more thing
which I think I have to tell you before I start describing your first case
assignment." 

Brian nods, "Thank you, sir.", falls silent, listening intently to each
word. 

You say "Sometimes you will be asked to attend certain social events, to
represent the firm. Generally I'll be there, too. Some people may think
you're some sort of 'trophy intern'. You know, 'Oh, look, Dayton's pet
basketball star, isn't that nice.' Well , there's nothing either of us can
do about that, so you'll have to just grin and bear it. But you can be
assured, you will be contributing your fair share or I'll let you go. I
know that sounds strange as a reassurance, but there you are." 

Harold smiles at the end of it. "Do you udnerstand?"

Brian smiles, giving a soft chuckle. "Yes, sir, I do. Don't worry about
anything like that, though. I've grown accustomed to having to stand up
for my intelligence. Having to shrug off the whole 'dumb jock' sterotype;
I think I can handle it." 

Harold nods slightly. "Excellent. Well, then, let me tell you what has
been circulating around the rumor mill down at the House Intelligence
Committee. The Justice League will very likely have a chance at forming
again, and this firm will very likely be h ired to provide chief counsel
for the charter committee as we were during the last reorganization. I'm
going to give you some documents, news stories, letters, memos, and the
like, and I want a report on why the Justice League fell apart, from the
legal s tandpoint, and what, if anything, can be done about it in a
reorganization." 

Harold pushes an artfully concealed button on the desk and says "Frances,
bring in the JL postmortem file for Brian." A moment later, a secretary
enters, young and quick-moving, with a thick file folder. She puts it on
the desk and withdraws. 

Brian nods, fighting back a smile, eager to read up on the subject.
"Sounds interesting. You can count on me." 

You say "Of course, I already have some opinions of my own, but I want to
hear what you come up with. Now I know you have that road trip coming up,
but I'd like to have some progress on this as soon as possible. Say a
preliminary report by the time you co me back and the full text by next
Friday. Can you do that?" 

You say "I know this is moving fast, but the case is as well."

Brian nods. "I think I can manage that, sir, definitely."

You say "Excellent. Well, are there any other questions that you have for me?"

Harold seems more relaxed now. He folds his hands in his lap.

Brian smiles, "Well, just one. Do you prefer sir or Mr. Dayton." His lips
curve a little more in a slight grin. 

Harold smiles. "Either is fine. But if the Attorney General calls, you
call her 'General'." 

Brian smiles, nods. "Understood."

You say "Okay, well, thanks for coming in, Brian. Talk to Marcy on your
way out, she's the office manager. She can get you a set of keys and we
should have a desk set up for you by the end of the week." 

Harold stands up and extends his hand again.

Brian stands, smiling graciously as he shakes your hand firmly again.
"Thank you, Mr. Dayton. Its a pleasure to be working for you." 

Harold nods to Brian and smiles broadly as he goes. On Brian's way out, he
passes someone who may or may not be a former Secretary of Defense going
in.