[Social] The Bot and the Beast

[Ashlie Minamida]

"I agree. Which is why I think outreach and getting them involved from the start is the way to start." she says, holding up her finger when the phoneline connects and placing her phone on the desk.

"Not a problem, Miss Sherlock. This is Professor Minamida, you're on speakerphone with me and Will Stanton right now. If this is a bad time I can call back later, but it has been brought to my attention that the University should be more involved with our fellow Mutants in Lambeth. Mister Eskandari is putting together a recruitment pitch for volunteers and me and Will are discussing some potential future plans to help Mutant Town flourish. Will mentioned your name as someone involved with mutant rights and social activism and I would appreciate your input on the matter."

[Jezabelle Sherlock]

"Well, I'm flattered that my reputation precedes me. This isn't a bad time at all. Actually this is something I most definitely want to get in on. I got to spend some time in Middle East Side when I was living in New York, but I'm afraid I haven't had much experience in Lambeth. What can you tell me about the situation there? Oh, should I come down to your office?"

[Ashlie Minamida]

"That would probably be easiest, yes. I'm not up on more specific details yet, but it's a low-income area, high unemployment. The crime rate is not as high as one would expect but that might be heavily under-reported. Estimated 70% Mutant population, highest outside Genosha. There's little money, support or opportunities within the community and none without. It's not a place where people thrive."

[Will Stanton]

"There's also a guy who makes great street tacos on the corner of Juxon and Ingram," Will butted in. "Though that might be neither here nor there."

[Jezabelle Sherlock]

"Alright, I'll be there in a couple of minutes." There was some muffled sounds on the other end before Jez spoke again.

"That sounds almost exactly like back in New York, tacos included. There will be resistance, that's for sure. From what you're telling me it has all the hallmarks of a ghetto, and those people are going to be wary of anyone coming bearing gifts. I can't say I blame them, they live their whole lives being kicked around, looked down on, and someone comes claiming to be a friend and wanting to help? To them that has all of the red flags of impending gentrification."

[Ashlie Minamida]

"That's what I'm afraid of. We apparently already have bit of a reputation as an ivory tower that most don't think they could reach or afford. I have some ideas but we'll talk when you get here."

[Jezabelle Sherlock]

"Good, 'cause I've got some ideas percolating in my head already. I'm on my way, I'll be there shortly."

And indeed, it wasn't very long before the girl knocked at the Headmistress' office door.

[Ashlie Minamida]

"Come right in. Will, we might need a whiteboard to write down some ideas, it sounds like."

[Jezabelle Sherlock]

Jez had a cheerful enough expression when she stepped into Ashlie's office, her knapsack over one shoulder. "Sorry I took so long, I had to see if I could find a couple of books." She sat herself down in one of the chairs facing the headdmistress' desk and crossed her legs with her hands in her lap, and nodded to Will in passing.

[Will Stanton]

Will nodded back at Jez, and sat there, legs crossed. "Glad you're here for the brainstorming session; you've got a bit more boots on the ground experience than we do."

[Jezabelle Sherlock]

"Maybe, but from the sound of things you've got more experience with the people. And that's going to be key going forward. We want to build a repertoire before we go in and try to sell them on whatever plan is decided on. Even if it's something as simple as recognizing us from having bought a cup of coffee a few times, or smalltalk while waiting in line."

[Ashlie Minamida]

"Which is difficult for simple day-to-day interactions, being over an hour away. Just from logistics alone it'd be hard to build casual interactions from obviously purposeful trips."

[Will Stanton]

"Well, there are a few of us from Mutant Town, which might help.

There's also this...what was it, Festival of the Atom thingamajig? Going on?"

[Jezabelle Sherlock]

"It'd be good to get those students in on this as well, then. Especially if they have friends and family back there."

Jezabelle tilted her head a bit. "A festival? Well, that sounds very interesting. Maybe we can find out a little more, if some of the students are interested we could take a bus or van and spend the day there. I might give us a better idea of what we have to work, and show some of the locals that we haven't forgotten about them. And, you know, have a fun time too."

[Ashlie Minamida]

"I do believe that is what Mr. Eskandari is currently working on. I'm simply... getting a little ahead of things and developing plans for the future." she chuckles. "I do enjoy a good project and this one seems like an important one."

[Will Stanton]

"Jez is right, though. Formally or informally, sending a small phalanx of Xunites down to London is a good head start."

[Jezabelle Sherlock]

"I'm definitely in favour of informality. Do a little recon, some networking, get the lay of the land, get indigestion, it's win-win."

[Ashlie Minamida]

"And a good excuse for me to take my first day off. We can reconvene afterwards and talk strategy."

[Jezabelle Sherlock]

"Oooh, we get to see the Headmistress in her casual clothes. Scandalous."

[Will Stanton]

"Five to one they'll all have the university logo on them."

[Jezabelle Sherlock]

"I'll take that bet. I'm guessing it'll be something business-cas. Sweater under a coat, with some jeans or a slim skirt. And some sensible flats."

They were talking like Ashlie wasn't even in the room with them.

[Ashlie Minamida]

"If you're going to start a betting pool then do it without me present." she says in a very neutral, is she actually offended kind of tone.

And then adds, "You don't want to skew the outcome."

[Will Stanton]

"We're X-Men. Skewing outcomes is what we do."

[Jezabelle Sherlock]

"Sounds like a plan to me. Boss, you're the one with the access to the email server, it should be pretty easy to arrange a field trip. We don't even need notes from our parents. In the meantime..." Jez unzipped her backpack and rooted around for a couple of books. "I'm sure you probably have access to, like, the pdf versions of these, but if you'd like to try a more analogue experience, I'll just leave 'em here." She set the two on Ashlie's desk, one titled "Slums Reimagined" and the other "Arrival City".

"If there's nothin' else we need to discuss at the moment, I can see about getting in contact with some of the people I worked with in New York and see about what worked for them and what didn't."

[Ashlie Minamida]

"I appreciate it. And I'll give traditional reading a try."

[Jezabelle Sherlock]

Jez zipped her bag back up and got to her feet. "Happy to help, even if just a little bit. I guess I'll be seeing you both again soon."