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“No, I haven't. Why’d you ask?”
“Go and check out her office and get her to talk a little about her interests, if you can. You might be surprised about how much Allee does know.”
Noah stepped back, a look of puzzlement crossing his face, “Okay, I'll go. I just hope you aren't sending me on a wild goose chase.”
“Noah, you're a decent guy, and I think Allee knows that. I also think that she needs to know that we aren't all here to make her life a living hell. Go and talk to the girl, let her know that you're there as a friend, should she need it. Something tells me that girl needs as many friends as she can get. Don't ask me why, I just feel like she's all alone.”
Chapter Eight
The rest of the week passed without incident. There had been no more gossip or laughter behind Allee's back, and she had even sat down with Andre and had a conversation about the latest offerings from the Marvel Comic universe. For the first time since she'd arrived, Allee felt that she was finally being accepted in her role and that she was becoming part of the team.
The greatest surprise, however, had come from Noah. Early on Friday afternoon, he knocked on her office door, a sheet of paper in his hand.
“Hey, Allee, are you busy at the moment?”
“No, I'm not busy, or at least not with anything that can't wait. Come on in.” Allee rose from behind her desk and gestured towards the couch. “Take a seat. What can I help you with?”
Noah sat, looking around as he spoke, “I've got my list here, and – whoa, is that Space Invaders? Where did you get that?” Noah's gaze had landed on the wall opposite, and he was transfixed.
“Oh, I used to love playing it, so when I saw the sheets on the weekend, I just knew I had to have them. I know that the industry has come a long way since those days, but I thought it wouldn't be out of place. Besides, seeing as how they're removable, I can always change them around if I want and have a different look each week.”
Noah shook his head in admiration, “You’re full of surprises. Anyone who thinks that you're just some average office drone would be wrong on so many levels.”
“Thank you, I think. I'll take that as a compliment.”
Noah grimaced, realising that he had pretty much admitted that he had thought of her in that way, and then smiled in a self-deprecating manner.
“It was meant as a compliment. I'm just not that adept at giving them. Sorry.”
“It's okay. I'm not offended. Now, what can I help you with? I'm sure you didn't come in here just to admire my wall.”
“I have that list you asked for, “Noah gestured with the sheet of paper. “Most software or hardware upgrades and programmes we need go through IT, so Darryl gets them for us. But there are a few other bits and pieces that would be really useful, and we also need new chairs. Have a look and see if there's anything you need to ask me about.”
Allee nodded, taking the paper and skimming the page.
“You’ve asked for some type of whiteboard,” she said, “I've seen some magnetic glass boards. Would one of them be suitable? Also, most of you have asked for an interactive whiteboard for the conference room. I've seen a brilliant interactive glass screen. They're the latest in technology. I think that would be an excellent use of the funds as well.” Allee could see Noah was stunned as she went over to her desk and opened up an extra tab on her browser. “I can't guarantee you'll get the interactive board in this round, but I'm sure I can swing the magnetic ones. If I can't get the interactive one this time, I'll be using it to bargain with Head Office, because I'll argue that if they want you to be competitive and earn them loads of money, then they need to provide you with cutting-edge technology. After all, it'd be better for them if you were the pioneers of gaming with new technologies, rather than having to play catch-up.”
Noah sat there, disbelief on his face. Allee looked up at him and grinned at his look of incredulity.
“What? Did you think that I was just going to fob you off with the cheapest thing I could find? Hell no! My family would skin me alive if I crippled the makers of one of their favourite games by providing them with sub-standard equipment.”
Noah quietly murmured, “No wonder Pengelly spoke so highly of you in his recommendations.”
Allee heard Noah, astonishment covering her face in turn.
“You know Gareth?”
Noah smiled and nodded, “Remember when we were first introduced, and you were told I was the 'oldest' on the team? Well, they weren't lying. You do know the history of Black Bugs Studio, don't you?”
“Well, I know that you guys started out here in Brisbane as a small company, and you developed Tiki Terror first, and then Guardians. Then somewhere along the line, you got bought out by CMD Inc., and you've been making buckets of money with all subsequent releases in the series. You're now working on Tiki Terror V, and Guardians III: Return of the Warrior, respectively. Am I right so far?”
Noah nodded, gesturing to Allee to take a seat next to him. She came back around her desk and joined him on the couch, feeling no discomfort or anxiety despite their close proximity. That was a first for Allee, as it took her some time to feel relaxed around Gareth.
“The original three guys, Brian, Greg and Thad, were the ones who came up with the concepts for Tiki Terror and Guardians. They worked on Tiki Terror first, and when they released it, they got themselves quite a fan base and following. This resulted in a fair amount of money coming in, and that's when they hired me.” Noah shifted a little self-consciously, never really feeling comfortable talking about his achievements.
“So, what was your initial job description?”
“I came in to help sort out the various bugs in the game, which freed them up to release Guardians. That was also well-received online, and that's when we started receiving offers from publishers to retail the games in stores, rather than just online. We moved into a small office in Newfarm and got a few more staff. Darryl and Sammy came in not long after that.
