Zoom, Academy for Superheroes: Part 3

Poison and Wine

        "You only know what I want you to. I know everything you don't want me to. Your mouth is poison, your mouth is wine. You think your dreams are the same as mine. I don't have a choice, but I'd still choose you. I don't love you, I always will."
-The Civil Wars

*****

        The testing at Area 52 was finished and everything checked out alright, the weekend had passed quickly for most people, and now everyone was back in the facility and ready to work. But before any of the real work could begin, Dr. Grant was holding a meeting in the conference room found in the eastern wing of Area 52. It wasn't a large meeting, only the heads of the departments, the most important scientists, and Jack was invited to listen, everyone else in the facility would be sent a memo.
        Of course, when Jack got there, Marsha had already arrived and was seated around the large conference table, an empty seat next to her with his name on it. Jack didn't hesitate in immediately making his way over to her and having a seat in the empty chair.
        "Alright, what's going on now?" Jack asked with a sigh, he hoped that there wasn't any kind of threats or major problems as those were usually the reasons for calling such meetings.
        "I don't think it's anything bad, Laraby isn't even here." Marsha pointed out, shifting slightly in her seat to face Jack, who, after realizing there was nothing to stress about, gave a smirk.
        "So," he began with a teasing voice and Marsha knew exactly what he was about to say. She wondered just how long it would take for him to bring up what had happened on Friday night, it had been less than a minute. "I bet you're glad that I was so willing to come save your life, huh?"
        Marsha rolled her eyes, "I've already thanked you a million times for that, don't flatter yourself, all you saved me from was having to walk a few miles in the middle of the night."
        Jack just chuckled and turned his attention to Grant, who now stood at the head of the table and welcomed everyone.
        "I know it's early and I know everyone has things they need to be doing, so I'm going to cut straight to the point." He began, intriguing everyone, "The testing was expensive. We tested the security systems, the sprinkler systems, the electrical systems, the water systems, we tested new weapons and small bombs and different defensive items, we tested it all. And it all cost us quite a bit. This facility runs an expensive program, and if you add the expenses of last weekend's testing, it adds up extensively."
        "What, is he going to ask us to donate money as if the government doesn't have an infinite amount of cash?" Jack whispered to Marsha with a chuckle.
        "The Area 52 charity fund." Marsha responded quietly with a laugh as Grant continued.
        "So we've decided that we're going to be having a fundraising banquet. We'll invite the most prestigious and important people on our lists and it will be up to you as staff members to do your best in convincing them to sponsor the facility, the program, and the team. The banquet will be held in the Hotel Renaldi, located about a half hour from here, you will be given further directions if you pick up a memo. The hotel is already a sponsor of ours, and they have offered to provide us with entertainment and an open bar."
        The room filled with sounds of approval and excitement, Grant continued. "It is a very formal event, suit and ties for the men, formal evening gowns for the women. And we expect you all... " Grant paused and cast a gaze in Jack's direction, "... to be on your best behaviour. Included in the memo will also be tips on how to convince sponsors to sign on and I hope that it will be a successful evening. More information will be sent out later, Miss Holloway, Mr. Shepherd could the two of you stay behind just for a minute, and everyone else enjoy the rest of your days."
        Everyone filed out of the room and went off in different directions to begin their days, Jack and Marsha stood as well, but didn't leave the room, at Grant's request.
        "It's been decided that while you two are at the banquet, hopefully lining up sponsors, the rest of your team will be sent off to different meetings with the potential sponsors who have specifically requested that they meet the team and see what their powers offer. We were tempted to have you all attend these meetings, but, as the two of you train the team, we need you at the banquet more than anyone else."
        "So the kids won't be there?" Jack asked.
        "No, and I think it might work out better this way anyway. The evening would be quite boring for them, a room of adults who only want to talk and drink all night, they wouldn't be of much use there. Besides, this is a very delicate matter, one wrong move could cost us, so it's better if they're all off with the potential sponsors."
        Jack and Marsha understood, and hoped that the kids would have an enjoyable enough evening while the rest of them were off at a fancy banquet. They didn't have much to say about the whole things, so they just sent each other a look and went off to their necessary places.