Offices of Savoy and Savoy, Attorneys at Law
The law offices of Savoy & Savoy are the epitome of taste and class in a refined business atmosphere. Shades of white and silver and eggshell are accented by modern works of glass and sculptural art. A creme-coloured marble-topped reception desk leads out into a comfortable, spacious reception area, the furniture clean, modern and elegant. A large set of double doors set directly behind the reception area leads into the managing partner's office, and a hallway that runs parallel to the business front leads off to a series of other offices as well as to the private law library housed within.
It's evening, well after the time the sun has set, the timing purposeful, so as to make the meeting that's been arranged as safe and as comfortable as possible for, mostly, all of the parties involved. The office itself is brightly lit, as it would be on any evening, if the office actually kept regular evening hours. But the staff is limited. Leslie, one of the paralegals is at the front desk, taking over for Desiree, and Paulo, one of the clerks, is in the law library. There are more than the usual compliment of security moving silently through the office, but aside from that, the only remaining occupant is Mignonette, settled in behind her desk in her office.
—-
Michael's been considering this since his meeting with Mignonette in the shopping centre, and so he's prepared, he carries himself with a cool, professional confidence; there's even a cat-like grace to his movements as though they take far less effort than they should. In short he seems an entirely different person to the man that allowed two women to pick out clothes for him, he carries a folder under his arm and when he gets to the front desk he speaks with surprisingly authoritative tones as though he's a man used to getting what he wants, even his English accents gone. "Good evening, I'm Michael Isonzo, I'm here for my appointment with Mignonette Savoy."
—-
Leslie rises from where she's been sitting, offering the man who walks in a polite, professional smile, and an equally polite greeting, "Of course, Mr. Isonzo. I'll just let her know that you're here." As all good office staff should, she makes no judgements, either in her expression, or in her body language, as to what she might think of the client. Rather, she simply activates the intercom, "Miss Savoy, Mr. Isonzo is here." Migs' voice sounds a moment later, "Thank you, Leslie. I'll be right out." And true to her word, the door to her office opens just a few moments after, and Mignonette steps out, dressed as professionally as ever, her stride equally so, as she crosses the distance from her office to reception, offering a hand, "Mr. Isonzo. Welcome to our office."
—-
Michael falls into that relaxed motionlessness that those who spend their time around vampires see so often, not so much as his eyelids move, that is until Mignonette arrives then Michael turns to face her shaking his offered hand he inclines his head to her for a second. "Miss Savoy it's good to see you again, I appreciate that these aren't your regular office hours, thank you for seeing me." The tone is still clipped with professionalism, making it quite clear that he believes there was no favour done in the office being kept open.
—-
"Our office strives to provide good service for all of our clients. If special hours are required, then that is part of our function as a practicing firm." Mignonette's handshake is firm, and all business, before she releases your hand, "If you'll step into my office, we can settle down to business." She moves to lead you back towards the office, holding the door open, allowing you to step inside first.
—-
Nodding Michael steps into the office and the observant might notice that unlike most people he doesn't glance around the room, instead he seems content to just check the corners, his expression as impassive as ever as he gets out of the way of the door giving Mignonette a chance to step through he moves closer to the desk although he doesn't take a seat until one's offered at the very least, he does however shift the folder under his arm so that he can better get to it if he should need to.
—-
Once you've stepped into the office, Mignonette allows the door to close behind her. It's just standard procedure to offer privacy, no matter the time of the day or the level of staffing in the office, "Please, have a seat. Can I offer you something to drink?" That too, is just standard practice, though Mignonette does pause beside the drink station, until she has your answer one way or the other.
—-
Sitting down Michael shakes his head. "No thank you. I rarely drink." He looks at Mignonette for a moment, then he opens his folder. "I've taken the liberty of listing those companies I have interests in within Texas, as you'll see I am heavily invested in a number of companies, yet I own none outright, this of course presents certain security risks; I've found that in business the best partners will generally try to stab you in the back at some point, usually they go through the legal channels." He smiles at this, although there's not feeling behind the twist of his lips
—-
Mignonette nods, stepping away from the station and moving to settle into her desk, hands folding on the wood on front of her, "So you're looking for us to vet your fellow investors? Or are you looking for us to find any potential loopholes that they might attempt to use against you? Or are you simply looking for leverage to buy them out of their halves of your investments?"
—-
Offering a couple of documents to Mignonette Michael shrugs a shoulder. "I'll have my paperwork run through your office so that you can show me the loopholes in any future business, but mostly I just want them watched, they each have considerable investments themselves which makes it important that I know how their money's moving as much as possible." He flicks through a number of other documents. "I'll also want you to arrange detailed investigations of any investments I think may be… inappropriate, it's not unheard of for people to move money through bad investments after all, I don't want to have to trust the evidence that my associates can influence in any way."
—-
Mignonette accepts the paperwork, going over it with a critical eye, though she continues to look up at you now and again, so make certain that you're not excluded from her attention, "I have a good forensic accountant on staff here, I can get him started right away. We also have a very good one in the Baton Rouge office who's worked with my grandfather for a number of years. I can outsource some of this to him as well. We can get started tomorrow morning, but with the number of investments you have, we'll want to take out time and make certain we get a complete dossier together for each of your business ventures. I'm assuming you're willing to give us the time we need to make certain we do the job correctly?"
—-
"Time isn't an issue." Michael closes the folder placing it on the desk. "I'll have my the records sent over from my current lawyers, they're a good firm, you should be impressed with what they've gathered, it should save you a considerable amount of time." He shrugs a shoulder again. "I'll be frank Miss Savoy, I'm only looking to change because I like to be able to meet with my lawyer in person, and my current representation's in New York, that's a long trip to discuss monthly revenues." He sighs. "And of course I intend to be making some serious investments in the local area soon. It always good to have a lawyer who knows the locals after all."
—-
"I have never expected you to be anything else, Mr. Isonzo." Mignonette seems neither pleased not displeased at your revelation that you would happily take your business elsewhere if you had a choice. "I will get our firm working first thing in the morning, and I will make certain that Savoy & Savoy provides you with the same level or better of service that you have come to expect from your current law office. I would encourage you to keep your previous firm on retainer, on the off chance that you choose to return to them. It is easier to maintain an existing relationship than to salvage a severed one. And if you are dissatisfied with our work, they would be more than welcome to go over what we have found for you."
—-
Michael offers a casual shrug. "I've been researching your firm since I heard the rumours you'd been planning to move to town, I very much doubt you'll disappoint me, I've selected you because I believe you'll be the best firm for my needs." He leans back in his seat a little, his expression almost amused. "I'll be keeping my current representation on until I've seen how you handle this, hopefully I'll have you dealing with all my business after that." He takes a look around. "I wonder if your company has any plans to expand into evening shifts? I'd think vampire lawyers aren't too rare, at least not if comedy stereotypes are anything to go by."
—-
"That depends entirely on the needs of our clients. You are actually the first vampire that has made any contact with us since we've been in business in Dallas. While we do not generally keep the office open after normal business hours, it has always been in our literature that we are willing to meet our clients at any time, and at locations of their choosing if the office location is not suitable. And we have an answering service and I am always on call if a client needs me during non-standard hours." Mignonette, having finished looking over the paperwork you gave her, sets it neatly back into a pile under her hand, "We are hoping to make the business a bit more visible when we have our opening reception at the Hotel Carmilla. It should be in about a month or so."
—-
"Well it's good to know that I'll be able to arrange a meeting whenever necessary." With that Michael rises from his seat nodding his head to Mignonette. "It's been a pleasure doing business with you Miss Savoy, you've got my details if you need me for anything, but I think that's more than enough for us to be starting with?" He pauses a moment letting Mignonette bring up anything else she may think of.
—-
"That's quite enough, Mr. Isonzo." Mignonette rises as you do, coming around the desk, to meet you, and to escort you through the office and to the door, "I will make certain to keep you updated on our progress, and you of course can reach me at any time, should you need any information or further assistance. I look forward to a successful working relationship between my firm and you."
