Ghost Lover-Closed For Brightwell

4 May 1825 Ship Wreck-The Ship Rebecca

The four ghosts moved through the wood each pushing a wheel barrow with 4 cases of whiskey on each. They see Jessica sitting on a tree stump. John Hicks looks at his brother Thomas and says. That looks like Anne Bowen. The third man shakes his head. "No, it was Anne Cartwright, or was it Simms?"
The last man in lines says," It doesn't matter. Anne was on the Rebecca. The ship was lost off Rum Key. She was on a voyage from Jamaica to New York. David put her on the ship to make sure her return was not going to happen."
John Hicks looks a little surprised. "You must be Jessica Strouse St. Claire then, that is great. Enjoy the woods.
Thomas Hicks smiles broadly. "We got your whiskey delivery for the Inn. Miss Jessica We payed for it in gold.' He turns to the last guy Brian James and askes "What is a Euro? You never explained that to me."

" Never mind, lets get this to the Inn. " They all nod to Jessica and move toward the Inn.
 
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one hour later

Alexander follows the path. He stops at McGuire's knoll. He sees Jessica sitting on the stump. He walks up tp her slowly and steady, then stops. "Hello there, the boys told me you were here. I also heard you were looking for me. "he pauses.

Alexander shifts around not wanting to look directly at her. " I have given this a lot of thought. And yesterday at the scholarship dinner I was looking at all those fresh young faces I decided. I'm going to break the rules."

He looks at her. She still has no idea why she was here.

"Fine here goes. Tomorrow if you still want to go to the lawyer. You will be inherit a job, not the property. The job is as care taker of the House of David. The Inn for the dead not the living. The Inn never had a living guest. You see we are Spiritualists a believer that freethought as a natural freedom from all negative and illusive thoughts acquired from the society. In other words. The dead speak to the living, and the living speak to the dead. We are a protected religion, we have been protected by the New York legislature since January 5th 1800. I was your sponsor for the job. I wanted that little girl that I pushed on the swing to be the caretaker of the House of David. The house of the best known Spiritualists of our area. David St. Clair. My great great uncle."
 
Jessica heard voices arguing about Anne and turned to see the men with a wheelbarrow full of whisky. Great they thought she was Anne too. Well she'd be damned if she was taking off her clothes for them to prove otherwise.

"You must be Jessica Strouse St. Claire then, that is great. Enjoy the woods." one finally said to her. Another smiling man says "We got your whiskey delivery for the Inn. Miss Jessica We payed for it in gold." Then turns to one of the other men and asks something about Euro. They all nodded to her and went on their way toward the inn.

Jessica shook her head. "more ghosts" she mumbled into the cool air shaking her head.

For about another hour she sat there enjoying the quietness of the woods. The smell, the sounds, and the beautiful trees gave her bit of peace and tranquility that she'd been missing all these years away from it. It was Alexander that taught her how to take them in and appreciate the wilderness.

No sooner had she thought about him than he appeared.

As he talked to her things became clearer. "But why did the Lawyer send for me if you hadn't made a decision? And how does one care for dead people? And why did you choose me for this? There is actually a scholarship for people who want to run the inn? Does everyone in town know that you all exist? What did you mean by breaking the rules? and then her last question "Why did you choose me Alexander?" his voice was like silk rolling off her tongue.

She realized she bombarded him with a bunch of questions, but what he was asking of her was highly unusual. "Is everyone here of their own accord, or are you restless souls?"
 
Cassadaga Lake Spiritualism Culture Society and the house of David

Alexander nods as he listens. "I think I can answer most of you questions this way. In 1805 the Cassadaga Lake Spiritualism Culture Society approached me to become a member. At that time they had about 8 members. Since I was a Spiritualist I joined the society. The pastor at that time was Morgan Weez. He looked after the group. When I agreed to join. I was the care taker of the Inn. That added 2416 the residents of the Inn. To the rolls. And all of them were Non-living members. This made me the most influential member. I was asked to be the Chairman of the Society and have been since that time.
To be granted the caretaker is a long drawn out process. There is a five committee process and sponsorship rules. The short answer is I pushed your name along. The only real test was the NOT being Anne Bowlin- Cartwright-Simms-Carlsburg- Lopez"

Alexander takes more in. "The scholarships are for high school students that have a family member that is living or dead. The scholarships are for going to a college of their choosing. A grand prize of $10,000 and two smaller ones of $1,000." Alexander smiles.
"Jessica I broke the rules by telling you what is going on. That was the lawyers job. I didn't want to loose you as a caretaker. WHY? I will answer that after you see the lawyer. " Alexander stands and looks a little sad. I will have to report myself for breaking a rule to the rules boss. I will face punishment. I will loose my job. But I think it is worth it."
 
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"I don't understand Alexander, why would you risk your job for me. Why would i want to be care taker to an inn of ghosts. How could I possibly make a living at that? You're asking me to give up my life, my career, to live in a Inn that I can't open to the public and have any human interaction with. No offence but you're a ghost. How exactly does that work anyway. You're tangible, you're not ethereal. Why was i never made aware of this spiritual society, was Great Aunt Hilda part of it? Is she roaming around some where? Aren't you suppose to pass on? Like Heaven or whatever you choose to believe in. This is literally the most bizarre thing I've heard of."

She took a moment and took a deep breath. At least he was being much more gentlemanly then he was last night. "I'm sorry, i just don't know. What did you do with the property at the river anyway?"
 
Alexander listened to Jessica's questions. He stands up and walked over to her. He looks into her eyes, he brings up his hands and places them lightly on the sides of her face. Then leans over and gives her a kiss on the forehead. He whispers " Why does a ghost play with a little girl that looks like a long lost lover?" He then smiles at her and turns and walks away. "I have broken a rule, I need to see the rules boss."

He pauses and looks back at Jessica. He smiles at her lightly. "Jessica Strouse St. Claire you passed the test. Talk to the lawyer." And he fades away.
 
When he responded with a question as to why a ghost plays with a girl that's the image of his long lost lover. She was lost for words. The feeling of his hands on her cheeks was so real. His lips pressed to her forehead and the world went quiet. Her mind went blank for the first time. It was like a peacefulness overcame her. Then it was over. When he released her and stepped away the questions and confusion came rushing back.

He told her she passed the test. Then disappeared. "BUT" there was no answer. She thought he hated Anne, why if she looked like her would he want her around? The man was a bowel of mysteries.

Well if he wasn't going to tell her about the river, she would just have to go and discover it on her own. "You're so frustrating" she yelled into the empty forest. Before getting up, and heading toward the river. At this point she had no idea what to do. If she turned it down, this caregiver position, she would never be allowed back in the inn. Her memories of Alexander would go back to be hidden away. Since this forest was part of the land, she'd never be able to walk through it again.

A dark ethereal figure of a woman came rushing toward her screeching "He's MINE! Stay away from him." The force in which the ghost hit her knocked her on her butt. Just as soon as it appeared it disappeared.

"Begone you demon spawn" Came another voice and tangible man running toward her. "Are you Okay Miss Jessica?" She looked at him and nodded. "I'm Edward another member of the Inn. I just happened to be taking my morning stroll. I love these woods."
He was probably no more then 18, but handsome lad. "I need to tell Mr. St. Claire, you should be okay now." and with that he disappeared.
 
Ostenheimer and Sons Estate Lawyers.

"Carol" the portly Reginald Ostenheimer cried out. The thin faced woman cracked the door. "Yes sir?"
The very annoyed lawyer quickly looked over the over night events report. He holds and shakes the paper at his assistant. "What is this silliness on my desk?"
The assistant enters the office slowly, and sternly says. " There is nothing silly on your desk!"

The lawyer tosses the report on his desk." Carol are you telling me Alexander St. Clair has stepped down from Chairman of the Cassadaga Lake Spiritualism Culture Society over a rule violation?"

"Ruth demoted him to member status!" she replies evenly.
The lawyer sits heavily into his chair. "Well that is just peachy!" he exhales sharply. " Fine what else is on the schedule?"

Carol flips her pad open "Jessica Strouse St. Claire, passed her test and will be in about the caretaker position."

"Yes, yes that was settled 12 years ago, the test was just a formality. Every one knows that Anne Bowlin's spirited soul was lost to the watery deep in 1825. We can thank David for that one! Give her to Robert he gets excited by those things."

-one hour later-

When Jessica arrives she is escorted to the small pigeon hole office of Robert Crucherman. The thin bird like face man brightens up as she is shone in. He stands and gestures toward the only chair in the room " Well, its a real pleasure to finally meet you, Jessica Strouse St. Claire . Please have a seat."

He waits till she is settled. "Well, I have been reviewing you file." He puts on a highly excited smile and looks at the woman. He is almost giddy. After a very long pause, he starts.

"Miss Jessica Strouse St. Claire after you sign the Cassadaga Lake Spiritualism Culture Society acceptant form. I can start briefing you on the job. Are you willing to sign the form today?"

He hears her mumble a few words and then nods her head. With the biggest smile he opens the file and removes the form and shows her where to sign. He watches her sign. And he places the form back into the folder. He sits and looks at her for a few seconds blankly. Then starts to smile.

"Miss Jessica Strouse you have just now formally changed your name to Miss Jessica Strouse St. Claire. "He pauses again and blinks his eyes. " Miss Jessica Strouse St. Claire by a fixing your name to the Cassadaga Lake Spiritualism Culture Society acceptant form. " He pauses again and purses his lips. " You have become the wealthiest woman in the region." he stands and walks over to a filing cabinet. Opens the draw. And pulls out 12 bulging files. Each 2-3 inches thick. Now we don't have the time to review all of this today. You have a staff for that."

He pauses and lets her take it all in.
'What I will do, is give you the short tight version." He makes 12 stacks on his desk. "OK here goes. " he rests his hand on several files. These are your asset files. They come in at about 1.2 billion. " He places his hand on two more stacks. "This is your income files. They come in at 275 million a year. Your take home will be in the neighborhood of 3.6 million. Your operation budget is 260 million. And on and on. I'm sure you will want to sit down with you staff and go through the numbers."
 
Jessica didn't see or hear from Alexander the rest of the day. One would think that he would have been concerned over her mental status after running in to Anne and being knocked on her butt. But apparently he wasn't. She still didn't manage to make it down to the river. After the run in with Anne she had about enough of the woods and headed back to the Inn.

For having an Inn of dead people that could materialize she'd thought she would have had some company. But none appeared. Perhaps they were forbidden to interact with her unless she took it upon herself to become caretaker. She had a choice to make, and still hadn't come to a conclusion when she finally went to bed.

The next morning she sat at the island drinking her coffee, and eating toast. It was then a little blue jay came and sat upon the window sill looking in at her. It chirped and chirped as if it was trying to tell her something. "well what do you think little blue jay, should i stay or go?" the blue jay chirped in response. "how about one tap on the window for no go back to my life, or two taps for stay." The blue jay cocked it's head as it listened to her, tapped twice on the window, chirped and flew off.

Jessica sat there for a moment dumbfounded. Could that really have just happened? Why not she thought, i'm in an Inn with over 2000 dead ghosts. Figuring it was a sign that she should stay she got up and grabbed her coat and car keys and headed toward the lawyers office.

Jessica went into the Lawyers office, apparently mumbled yes that she would take the position signed a document and found out she was suddenly a billionaire. After the Lawyer went over a quick synopsis she asked "What can you tell me about the river property?, I'm sure it's in here, but I've been curious about it."
 
there you are

Robert huffs. The smile disappears. "Really?" Robert rolls his eyes. "The river property? oh all right. Though you have a staff for that kind of work. It's not my area. I work with new members. Not real estate law. He picks up the land asset folder and flips it over. He opens it and picks up three sheets of paper. "This is why I don't do real estate."

He lays the papers on his desk. "It seems that... "
There is a knock on the door. He looks up and looks at the door. A middle aged woman opens the door. "Mr. Crucherman the committee is here. "

Robert smiles knowingly. "Well it seems our little chat has come to an end." He looks at the woman and gives her a smile. "Show them in." He steps back from his desk. Suddenly, the room is full of female spirits. They all start talking at the same time. A tall one in a grey business suit gives her a crooked smile " There you are! How nice to have you on the team. From the back of the group a face appears then a body appears. She is frantic. "Miss Jessica you may remember me. I'm Susan Flynn. We talked a few days back. I need to talk to you urgently. I don't want to go back to the cellar. You are the only one that can help me."
Another woman in a 1940's dress steps forward.
" Hey with old Hilda out of the picture maybe you can get us moving again. I mean 3%. I can get that in my sleep. "
Then out of the crowd a woman in a in a dress from the 1790's moves forward. From the back of the tiny office Robert Crucherman mutters "Now you are in for it."
The woman gives him a stern look and then looks to Jessica. " Yes my dear. This party is over. I am in charge of this rabble. My name is Bethany "Silver" St. Clair we need to leave!"
Robert Crucherman smiles thinly as the group starts to leave the office. "Good Luck!"
 
Finally she was about to get answers, and the the dead ones invaded. At least that's what it felt like.
Jessica sighed. Grabbing up the files she headed out past the ghosts to her car. When they got back to the Inn. She placed the files on the kitchen Island with the intent on being able to go through them and hopefully find some answers.

No sooner then she sat down the brood of Ghosts reappeared, Susan begging to not go to the cellar, another woman still rambling on about 3%, and more voices joining in all at the same time. "Okay Enough. Everyone out of the kitchen. I need to talk to Beverly, and then I need to talk to Alexander."

Reluctantly they all evaporated but Beverly. "Okay, please bare with me i'm still getting my gatherings. Now you are in charge of what? Who will help me go through these files? Could you make me a list of every one on the staff and their positions so i can be sure everything continues to run smoothly. Also who do I report to? and do I have a secretary that can make appointments so that every ones concerns can be addressed?"
 
Beverly smiles " Technically you report to no one. You live in a large empty house on the outer fringes of Lily Dale, New York. The house is owned by Cassadaga Lake Spiritualism Culture Society and you will be paid 3.6 million dollars to be the care taker." She pauses. "The rest is up to you."

Beverly sits down on a seat in the kitchen. "You took the job. That is fine. The Cassadaga Lake Spiritualism Culture Society welcomes you. You came here to inherit an Inn. It is your choice how much you want to be here. You can go back to your perfect job and perfect boy friend Jacob. Who is cheating on you with Monica, by the way. You can hire Jack to fix the place up. Come to a meeting once a month. And that would be that."

"In a way Alexander sacrificed as much as David did. And no that was not Anna in the woods. That was Dora Meyers. In her mind she had 24 children with Alexander. They were never in the same bed. Every woman here is a threat to her even Martha, who passed at the age of 103."

" You see we have a lot of the same problems as the living. If you want to throw your life away. That is your choice. No matter which side of the coin you look at. You are as a Sailor once said to me. 'I'm fucked'"

"I wanted to have this talk with you at the very start, so there would be no what if's. "
 
"well not that it matters, but Jacob and I broke up, my job isn't perfect. And I hadn't thought about leaving her except to go back to the city and pack my belongings and quit my apartment and my job."

"Well i'm glad to hear that wasn't Anne, but this Dora seemed like quite the character, 24 children huh. Alexander would have been a busy boy, if he had lain with her. I hope some of them were twins." She let out a laugh

"I'm not really a spiritualist type of person. If it's required i'll make one meeting a month out of duty. But if it's not required, i probably won't go."

I appreciate the heads up. I'll take a look around and make a list for Jack. Or if anyone has any knowledge of things that need fixed that would be helpful."

Shaking her head she repeated "Now you are in charge of what?

Who will help me go through these files?

Could you make me a list of every one on the staff and their positions so i can be sure everything continues to run smoothly, and and do I have a secretary that can make appointments so that every ones concerns can be addressed?"

I am under the impression that unless you are a member of the society you do not speak of the society is that correct? Is the whole town aware of living with the dead?"
 
Beverly nods her head. "Fine then its settled then." Beverly stands and moves toward the door. "Its Monday take a few days to get your show together and close out your life in the city. " She stops and looks back at Jessica. " Alexander had been Chairman from the beginning. He gave up his job to be sure we secured you as caretaker. He had never done that for any other member for any other job. He must thing you are some thing special. I do hope he is right." Beverly opens the door, then pauses. "Alexander is just another member, right now. If you want him to be part of your team as caretaker you should make a request in writing to my office." And with that she fades away.

A few minute pass. A woman in a Union short jacket and blue soft cap comes in from the dining room. She lets the door close and stands at a easy parade rest. With your permission. I can clue you in on what is going on. I'm Sally Moss, of the 12 New York Volunteers. I'm from Jasper New York. I was killed May 24, 1864 at he battle of North Anne River. I was a powder monkey. A shell hit my wagon and threw me 12 feet. I am first secretary to the care taker. I liked Hilda St. Clair, she was a good boss to work for. I was promoted in 1963 to that position. I had been a clerk under the Rules boss Ruth Ranker. "
 
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When Beverly left she was frustrated once again. As it seemed anytime she asked a question, no one would bother to answer it. Then Sally appeared.

"Oh thank goodness i have a secretary." she let out a laugh. "I'm glad to meet you Sally, i'm so glad you're here to help me through all of this. My first request is that the you start an appointment book so i can meet with the residence a couple days out of each week and address their concerns. Secondly i need you to draft a letter to Beverly's office officially requesting Alexander be a part of my team, Assistant to Caretaker should be a good title. I suppose the first thing i should do is find the key to the office and get it organized."

She took another moment to think. "Do we have a carpenter? I'm sure we have someone that can build me two frames. There are two newspapers on the floor in the library. I would like those framed and hung. "My second thought is having this place marked a historical landmark. That will ensure it's protection from ever being at risk from anyone. I suppose you should draft a letter to Beverly's office and have that request made as well. I'd like those three things done first, by then I should have a good portion of the office organized, i hope. Then we can look to the other positions that are filled or need to be filled, and go over the files."

"Do you have any questions? "
 
Sally Moss

Sally stands in the kitchen, she listens to Jessica and nods and shakes her head. She closes her eyes.

And replies "Appoints-no go! Faction rules 1206.5, 1395.7 and 8.

Draft letter, can do. Assistant to Caretaker, can not do-at best 43rd clerk under Beverly in operations-rule 26-B Although, we could try for 116th file clerk.

No key, you have room in the attic no door.

Carpenter-no. 18th century framer in the village, living member. Members get first bids. Rule 316 J.

Landmark- 3 attempts made 1909,1927, 1985.Each attempt costs $250,000. Council will not approve the request. If you wish to do it on your own. There is a $1.25 million bond you have to post."

Sally pauses. "I know! Your new and your frustrated. I get that. Let me heap a new problem on your desk. Susan Flynn is my lesbian lover. She talks a lot, but I love her. Get Ruth to reinstate her as 2nd Secretary. " She fades out.
 
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Before she could ask why there were rules about having an appointment book she was gone. "Does this place have a maid?" she yelled out into the empty air, before going to the pantry and finding a garbage bag.

Grabbing the files and a garbage bag she headed up the stairs headed to the attic. The word chaos described it at best. There were files piled up on the desk, along with a couple layers of dust. Books and ledgers were scattered through out the room.

Taking a deep breath she took a moment to compose herself. "Ruth" she called and waited for her to appear.

"Hi, nice to meet you, my first question for you is why i cannot have appointments to see the residents. My second question is do I have someone that runs errands into town for me?, and my third is that I would like to appoint Alexander my guide. I need his help, and no one is more capable or knowledgeable of the Inn and the society. Also we are getting the internet, If i'm to do things efficiently I will need it to research and such."
 
Ruth appears in a white Weddington blouse and black floor length skirt. She looks around the small office. "You call me to the office like a child, like a school girl?" She turns and is about to leave the room and stops. She stares at Jessica with angry eyes. She grits here teeth. In a horse voice just above a whisper, she say." There are over 2600 dwellers here. Every one has a job. I know you spoke to Beverly. What did she say to do?"

She pauses and calms down some. "First, this is not my job. This is an OPERATIONS question? Any way, you start with your secretary writes a note, a clerk carries it to the operations area. The clerk hands it to an operations clerk. The operations clerk takes the note and it is given to the senior clerk. The senior clerk decides which secretary gets the note. A clerk is called. The secretary decides which group leader sees the note. A clerk is called. And if needed the leader will show it to the boss. " She walks to the stairs." Don't ever call me to the office again, send a note!"
 
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Jessica was dumbfounded at the rudeness and hostility this woman showed. "If I offended you, i do apologize. But do not mistake me for one of your underlings that you can throw your bitch attitude towards. Thank you for the brief and hostile explanation of the rules. I shall not mistake calling you again. Good bye."

From the look on Ruth's face she doubted the woman had ever been given a bit of her own medicine, and she went away as quickly as she came without another word.

After a half hour Sally came to her with the draft she requested. Reading over it she said. "I'd like to put in a request that Alexander is my guide. I'm sure there's some rule against it. But i want the request sent to operations anyway. Do I have a credit card to the bank which holds my funds?" "Do I have an errand boy, a cook, and a maid? If not create a request for those positions to be added. Also when you get a chance i'd like you to call the internet provider for this area and have it added to the house. I'd like to have access in the attic, my bedroom and the kitchen please. and for your kindness Sally and diligence. Please create whatever request i must submit to have poor Susan spared from the cellar. You have no idea how overwhelmed i am by all of this, i truly appreciate your patience with me. Oh and i know there is some rule against appointments do you know the reason behind it? I'd like to make a request to have it overturned. Thank you again.""
 
Sally shakes her head. "Did you even listen to her? Your section leader takes care of that. Since this is a legal issue. You need the legal division leader, that would be Marc Storms. If you want to have a rule over turned its called an appeal. It will be an appeal to overturn a standing rule. In this case Faction rules 1206.5, 1395.7 and 8.
Tell you what I'll cut a few corners and see if he will see you on short notice.

10 minutes pass

A tall white man in a white suit appears. "Marc Storms, Princeton class of 1808, Your, what NYU? Seriously, your serious, you want to overturn the Faction Rule 1206?" He shakes his head. "Are you out of your mind? Are you here to start a war within? Do you understand balance and peaceful coexistence. You can not just start talking to dwellers. The other factions will see it as favoritism. You will be showing Discrimination against the other factions. That will start a war in this Inn. Is that what you want?
 
"I appreciate you coming Mr. Storms. Well honestly there is favoritism. He is what I need if i'm going to do this job. I don't understand your rules, or your hierarchy. But Alexander St. Claire is the only reason i'm here. If it means turning the world on end to make it happen, then that is what i need to do. Without him, there is no me. If i am not allowed to speak to him, or interact with him, or get his advice, then there is no reason for me to be here. He was David's choice, and his is my choice."
 
Marc Storm shakes his head. "This is about Alexander?" He moves around the room. "Alexander doesn't belong to a faction as of yet. So 1206 does not apply." He moves toward the stairs.

" I think there is a clause in the sponsorship rules that may apply here. I might be able to get Ruth on overreach if there is. And, Alexander is wildly popular with all the factions. He is a master at getting the council to do what he wants. Just look at you"

"OH, its a formality, technically I work for you. The Chairman has his own staff. Since he is not the Chairman any more. I need your authorization to work on his behalf. Can I assume I have it?"
 
"Oh that's excellent Mr. Storm. " she exclaimed. "I just need to check with Alexander real quick and be sure that he is okay with this. Please wait one moment. Going over to the door she stuck her head out the door and called "Alexander are you around? I want to make you my guide is that okay?"
 
I was...

Alexander fades in and collapses in to a chair. He looks at Marc then Jessica and chuckles. "Marc, our legal beagle. Your quite right 1206 does not apply. Since I have not had my hearing in the cellar yet. I have had a lot of free time. I was just at Dunkirk beach fishing. " He spreads out his hands. "I caught a fish this big." He starts to laugh.

"Any way, this Inn runs on rules. It has from the beginning. There is a rule on guides, it dates back to 1780's. It's an operational safety rule. 111.3- No member may travel to the lake or river area during a time of war with out a guide. I don't think that applies here. I think the words you want is senior Advisor. Since Advisor is not a ranking, such as worker, helper, clerk or secretary or leader. It would not violate the reduction in rank rules. So Ruth's ruling will not be in play. So Jessica, if your willing to request I be an advisor that is fine with me. Or if you wish me to take you fishing I'll be your guide. " Alexander laughs.
 
Jessica couldn't help but smile when Alexander came in. His mood was night and day from there first encounter a couple days ago. He seemed to actually be lighter on foot if that's even possible for a ghost.

"Those are the words to use" she said to Marc "Senior Advisor, that is what I want him to be. Thank you so much Mr. Storm for your help. It's been agonizing getting anything answered around here. Everyone seems to have some kind of attitude issue."

She said her goodbyes and Mr. Storm faded away.

"Thank you Sally" she said dismissing her and leaving Alexander and her alone. "You said once i accepted you would tell me why. Also what did you do with the land at the river?"
 
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