BanksCox Inc.: The Founding

[Frank "Sunny" Laffont]

Frank practically danced in place in front of the sign. The sign happened to be placed in front of a downtown storefront that existed not too far away from the club district. This really was only an ideal location if you hoped to pick up staggering club goers and the like, which probably went some way toward explaining why it looked a little not open right now. This didn't stop Frank from eagerly bobbing in front of the sign, standing up on her toes and looking up and down the street.

"She'll so be here any minute: she can't resist," Frank said to herself, if only to convince herself of that fact. Sometimes she did wonder about Ellen Banks's commitment to their friendship. Albeit, things had been a bit weird since the whole prom thing. Still, Frank was fairly tempted that "I have a proposition for you of the surprise nature involving an investment of fundage type things" would probably get attention. Frank had even put extra effort to make sure that it was nearly entirely grammatically correct, which for her involved a ton of effort.

"C'mon, Ellen!" Frank said, bobbing as if she had to use the restroom. "Gah, I should've told her to show up like way early then I wouldn't be all standing here talking to myself like I'm nuts or something," Frank mumbled to herself, before once again bobbing to her toes, as if hoping to make Ellen appear by sheer willpower.

[Ellen Banks]

No.

No, no no no no.

Ellen was done. Done with the games. Done with all of this. She was officially wiping her hands of the insanity of the world of Frank Cox. Ellen didn’t remember much about Prom night it being a pure haze of booze and awful decision making but she remembered enough to know that she would NEVER drink again.

Ever.

So naturally after what happened the very last thing Ellen would ever want is to be in a room with Frank. So no. Ellen had no intention whatsoever of responding to the poorly written e-mail. Whatever lunatic loony toons plot she had Ellen wanted nothing to do with it

…..

….

….

….God damn it

Ellen cursed herself as she found herself walking towards the meeting place with sunglasses covering her eyes sighing at this clearly stupid decision “You have ten seconds, to say something interesting before I leave

[Frank "Sunny" Laffont]

Frank grinned as Ellen finally showed up, albeit wearing sunglasses and lowering her head like she expected paparazzi to follow her (they seemed to avoid Kalispell for reasons that Frank didn't fully understand nor really spend that much time thinking about). Frank bobbed up and down and was about to hug her friend when Ellen made her demand. Frank began counting "silently" (mouthing each number), but she bobbed to the side, showing off the "sold" sign along with the added "to BanksCox Inc."

"I'm buying up property in Kalispell to make rad businesses and wanted to form an incorporation with you to develop them into super cool spots," Frank said, head still bobbing as she counted. Realizing she'd gotten to "eight" Frank then swung her arms toward the sign and did spirit fingers, wiggling each in turn.

"Ta, daaaaaaa!" she said, making sure to use up all those two seconds given to her. Because she wanted to show her resourcefulness, obviously.

[Ellen Banks]

Oh God, that smile. Like a dog meeting someone she liked and just waiting to slobber all over Ellen’s face. That what Ellen was, she was a dog sitter to a mutt that for whatever reason wags her tail whenever Ellen is around, no matter how much Ellen tried to tell her to shoo. Seriously…Franc…Erika…Vera, literally anyone else who liked her (Which seemed to be half the school…for some bizarre reason. They probably pitied her because God’s knows Ellen certainly did) But on no….Ellen just had to be the one that Frank had to torment. Why couldn’t she just leave Ellen alone?!

Good, she was taking Ellen’s words to heart. That’ll make this quick Ellen thought as her attention was drawn to the side, her stomach began to sink as she lowered her glasses to peer at the words imprinted on the sign.

She didn’t like where this was going…

Ellen turned to Frank again folding her arms letting her get her idea out, her expression giving away nothing. Once Frank spread out her fingers finishing her presentation Ellen didn’t say a word. Didn’t even more, she could only look Frank up and down as if trying to figure out if she’s for real…and after a good few moments she turned on her heel in disgust and began to walk away….

…she didn’t intend on coming back

[Frank "Sunny" Laffont]

"Wasn't expecting that," Frank said to the empty space where her friend had been standing a few moments ago. She spent a second or so waving in that general area, wanting to confirm that yes, Ellen had apparently just wandered away. Just like that. In front of the major proposition and everything.

"Elllllen!" Frank said, before running quickly to catch up with Ellen, coming around to walk in front of her (backwards of course). "C'mon! You know this is totally a good idea! We can, like, invest in the property in this area. It's a college town so, like, there's always gonna be people around to buy stuff and all. Plus it's got BA, and, like, we literally just held this big international thing less than a year ago."

Frank paused for a moment, held tilted, ticking items off on her fingers. "I feel like there was something else in there... was there something else? There really feels like there was..."

[Ellen Banks]

No,Ellen made a mistake, She shouldn't have walked away. That was a fundenmental flaw that Ellen made. What she should have done is run.. Run for the hills run as fast as her feet could possibly carry her and maybe hail a texi, go to the nearest airport, take the next available flight to Mexico and change her name to make sure she never had to hear the name Frank damn Cox ever again,

Pity she didn't think ahead...

Frank naturally followed after her because of course she did, she was the giant blue bottole constantly flying around her head, Ellen just kept walking forward staring straight ahead pretending Frank wasn't there. She was working on a theory that Frank fed on attention and if Ellen staved her of that attention she'll leave her alone but eventually it just became too much for her. She stopped in the middle of the side walk and turned towards Frank “Frank, you're almost in your 20's and you pass your time watching cartoons and eating candy. And you want to start a business? You are the last person in the world that should be starting a business”

[Frank "Sunny" Laffont]

"Hey, I'm only eighteen!" Frank protested, adding a slight huff and putting her hands on her hips. "And I clearly am, like, so not qualified to actually run a business. Duh," Frank rolled her eyes. "But what I am is super rich, and you don't get to, like, stay super rich and buy Japanese energy drinks if you don't invest that money. Plus, like, clearly I'm not all that sure about all the deets of a business and junk, but I still totes know that this place be hopping girl."

Frank did a little dive then, thrusting her arms down and across her chest in what she just knew was what all the cool and hip kids were doing these days. "Plus, I'm, like, obviously not the person who should be starting, but youuuuu," Frank pointed at Ellen, grinning, "you're, like, super smart and connected and you're already like a pantsuit away from being a badass bitch of business already. So, like," Frank pointed toward the store, "you could do that with mostly my money, and, like, who knows!"

Frank threw her arms open wide, absolutely certain that she'd just totally and utterly convinced her biffle with the bestest of best arguments ever.

[Ellen Banks]

“So.” Ellen leaned forward not bothering at all to lower her tone of irritation “Act like it” Really the idea of using age as an argument against her was laughable considering that often at times Ellen thought she wouldn't be suited for kindergarten let alone College. There was something seriously wrong with her, and yet everyone just treated it like it was nothing. Sure she may be quirky now, but in thirty years her behavior would be nothing short of disturbing

...but people didn't tend to have the forethought that Ellen herself seemed to be have, not that, that was surprising.

Ellen stood back and let Frank ramble away, not that Ellen could ever stop her when she went on one of idiotic babbles, she tended to tune it out like you would a child “Look mommy, my imaginary friend and I just went to a tea party with the mad hatter” “Ah-ha. That's nice honey” Ellen had intended it remain silent hopefully not giving Frank actually to latch on to like she tended to do but once Frank struck that pose Ellen couldn't help herself “Never do that again.”

Oh yes here it comes, the old Frank Cox sweet talk that seemed to be so effective against Ellen in the past, so she steeled herself accordingly “Of course I could do all that....but why on earth would I even begin to consider doing it with you?”

[Frank "Sunny" Laffont]

Frank just blew out a raspberry at the mention of acting like it. "Who said that this isn't how eighteen acts?" she pointed out, adding a stuck out tongue of true protest. As far as Frank was concerned, she could act however she wanted and everyone else would just have to deal with it. Plus, she knew that Ellen really did care, deep, deep, deep down inside. Sure you did, like, have to go super deep to hit that point, but it was still there.

Frank shrugged as she got told off for the pose that soon followed her explanation and all. Again: definitely something she was used to. Frank had been told to "never do that" with so many things that she was pretty sure that just talking to someone qualified as breaking one or the other. It was the last bit that finally got to her.

"Uh, because I'm super rich?" Frank asked tilting her head. "And 'cuz we're best friends?" Frank worked her lips for a moment. "And 'cuz you could then act like you were totally just being close to me and doing all that stuff so that you could then use me to help legitimize your business process and put a name on there that's not just Banks and wouldn't have the people who are totally against you for stupid reasons all up in arms which makes you look all super savvy and sexy sharklike."

Frank paused. "I'm still thinking the friends thing is the best argument, personally."

[Ellen Banks]

Ellen winched a little once Frank blew that raspberry, Ellen wrinkled her nose in disgust before making a point to slowly wipe spray spit off her face, very charming. Ellen again wondered why she was entertaining this idea, from someone who clearly didn't have two brain cells to rub together "Not even eight years old act that way. At least sane ones" Ellen shot back can't quite believing she was having a conversation about maturity with the most immature, childish and clearly disturbed person ever to walk planet earth and quite frankly Ellen would be insane to even begin to entertain the idea of going into business with her.

...and no, she didn't care for Frank.Not at all

Ellen crossed her arms almost daring Frank to make her even remotely interested, because she was about two seconds away walking away like she knew she should have done in the first place "No" Ellen said instantly feeling the need to shoot down the best friend angle right away even if she was willing to entertain the quite frankly insane notion that they were best friend, that was no basis whatsoever to start a business and doesn't change the fact that Frank was in no position to go near a business "Let me save you the trouble" Ellen held up her hand "Let me save you the trouble; There's nothing you could possibly say that'll make me-" Ellen began but was cut off when Frank made her point. Ellen, stayed silent for a moment almost trying to process, the rare logical argument Frank put forward. Wondering where the hell that came from. "....Why would you ever agree to something like that?

[Frank "Sunny" Laffont]

Frank just gave Ellen her meanest look for about five seconds at the whole being compared to an eight year old thing. Hardly the meanest thing that Frank had been called, not even the worst thing she'd been called by Ellen, but that didn't make it any less hurtful. But Frank had a spiel to deliver, and she was determined to do so.

Frank then continued, running right over the raised hand and the pause, again demonstrating her real talent for such things. Frank then actually held silent as Ellen asked her question. "Uh, I told you: you're my best friend," she said, shrugging. "So why should I care if you just wanna use my name to be all legit and do your Banks thing and, like, be awesome and all. That's kinda what friends are for," Frank leaned forward, giving Ellen a smile again. "Which is totes what I've been trying to tell you for, like, ever. But I'll be cool if you just wanna, like, use me or whatever,' Frank shrugged. "Whatever makes you happiest works for me."

And she stood there, arms folded behind her back, grinning like an idiot... or an evil genius.

[Ellen Banks]

With all due respect to Miss Frank Cox, her mean look was akin to a little puppy growling at Ellen, she wasn't even aware that Frank HAD a mean look to give. And she was momentarily proud of herself for being able to break that constant stream of happy even for a moment.

It was good to see she could get under the skin of even Frank Cox's...

Ellen was taken aback, she couldn't...be serious could she? It was hard to tell with Frank Cox. No no no, something was wrong with this, Frank was...Doing something, trying to play head games with her in some way, like she always does. It was the same Frank Cox jedi mind tricks that was always so effective on Ellen well this time Ellen wasn't going to fall for it

"If you're trying to trick me, it's not going to work Frank. I'm wise to your mind games"

[Frank "Sunny" Laffont]

"ugggggghhhh," Frank groaned, rolling her eyes skyward. "Why you gotta make this whole friendship thing so complicated?" She looked back at Ellen, grinning wide once again. "I'm not trying to trick you: I'm trying to involve you in this super awesome thing that you know will be totally cool. So stop trying to act all cool and aloof and junk and just agree to do it with me! you can set yourself up as a major investor in, like, a developing firm right here in Kalispell. How cool would that sound?"

Frank did know the lingo, even if she almost winced when she had to say certain words. you didn't grow up in the Cox household without picking up a few things, particularly not if your father, in yet another awkward attempt to show love and affection, took you under his wing for a few months and tried to hammer in the intricacies of the family business into your skull.

[Ellen Banks]

"Because that's how things are, the world is a complicated place, but I imagine you haven't noticed" Ellen snapped back at her nemesis as usually not taking even a second of Frank's usual "Well golly gee isn't everything just so wonderful" Nonsense that was Frank's trademark. Really it was Frank's fault that this friendship was complicated. Ellen wanted nothing to do with the girl, They had nothing in common but ohhhhhh nnoooooo Frank just had to refuse to listen to reason and drag Ellen kicking and screaming into this relationship "No one else lives in the fluffy little bubble that you live in where everything is just so easy. I deal in reality. And stop grinning like an idiot it's look like you had a lobotomy."

The worse thing about it was...it wasn't a terrible idea, and having it come from anyone who wasn't Frank Cox Ellen might have leaped on it....the problem was, if she agreed. Then she'd be going into business with Frank...they'd be business partners....and if that happened, she would never get rid of Frank. She would be locked into this friendship for good maybe for the rest of her life or until Frank eventually strangled Frank

So, there was an inner struggle in Ellen's mind...the part that considered this a good deal and the part that told her to stay away from Frank Cox as much as possible.

Ellen face turned to stone, a totally blank expression on her face not saying anything for a few moments ger face not giving anything away "...Before I consider this I want to set up some ground rules"

[Frank "Sunny" Laffont]

"No, it's really not," Frank replied, shrugging. "We need, like, to eat and sleep and enjoy stuff and everything else kinda gets in the way of it. Also, I don't live in a bubble, thank you verra much," Frank stuck her tongue out at Ellen. She was almost tempted to start talking about the whole kidnapping thing or point out that she actually did have to work some at the whole happiness and cheer thing. Okay, it was admittedly pretty little, since this was essentially second nature to Frank by now, but there was still at least a modicum of work involved with the whole thing. But Ellen probably didn't care; She'd been dealing with Frank for a while now and she'd pretty well already figured out how Frank actually worked whatever she may say to the contrary.

Which is why Frank was essentially vibrating while she waited for Ellen to piece everything together. She had to grin even wider as Ellen started, actually bouncing and seeming to vibrate. "Okay, okay, okay," Frank said, tilting back and forth, "shoot. Do the thing. Set up the rules. I'll be quiet!" Frank then placed her hands over her mouth, which struck her as being very necessary.

"I'm ready," she said, though it was admittedly stifled by the hands and all.