xp_logs | Log: Madelyn and Terry

Backdated to last week because I'm a moron and forgot to post it.

Madelyn meets with Terry about the FBI and careers therein. More meetings are promised.

Terry ran down to the medlab a couple minutes ahead of schedule. She didn't want to waste any of Madelyn's time since this was a favor and all. Her PDA was tucked into the pocket of her jeans, in case Madelyn wanted to see her marks. She rapped on Madelyn's office door then habitually checked her watch.

"Come in, Terry!" came Madelyn's reply to the knock. She was in the process of clearing her desk of the remaining notes she'd made for Nathan as Terry opened the door. "Hi, Terry. You had some questions you wanted to ask? Come on in and have a seat."

Terry did as she was bid and took one of the chairs facing Madelyn's desk, sitting on the very edge and leaning forward. "Thanks for taking the time to meet with me, Dr. Bartlet. Mr. Summers suggested I talk to you since the local PD wouldn't have me." She smiled unselfconsciously. Despite the disappointment, she was obviously taking the rejection well.

"Scott mentioned something along those lines," Madelyn said, noting Terry's obvious lack of distress with slight approval. It was a disappointment, yes, but she was dealing with it in a mature fashion. "So, you're considering a career in law enforcement?"

Terry nodded. "Like I told Mr. Summers, I want to do something that makes a difference. And I'm not good at medicine like Clarice or an activist like Jamie and Forge. I just...I've seen a lot of law enforcement and they make a difference." She shrugged, "Besides that,
it seems like a way of balancing the scales."

Madelyn smiled gently. "You should possibly compare notes with Angelo - he was asking me pretty much the same questions for similar reasons not that long ago." Resting her elbows on her desk and propping in her chin in her hands, she gave Terry a considering look. "So, the FBI, huh? What were you wanting to know?"

"I thought perhaps you could give me some ideas on what they are looking for in an agent. I've got my marks here, if you wanted to see them."

"Well, generally they prefer trainees to have a bit of life experience and a degree, so they tend to recruit graduates - that was what happened to me. I'd only just finished my residency when one of my professors suggested I consider it." Madelyn considered the issue. "A certain maturity, someone who can work as part of a team as well as with just a partner - there's no room for cowboys in the Bureau, especially in these politically correct days." A slightly wry smile crossed her face. "Unusual skills are good, too, although it depends on the department you end up with - not everyone is as flexibly-minded as my old boss."

"Is there a particular degree that would be better than another? I know the PD prefers criminal justice if you're going to get a degree." Terry shrugged, "Which I'm interested in anyway."

"Criminal justice is good, yes. Psychology can be useful as well, as long as you're willing to put up with being called Agent Starling." Madelyn chuckled. "Law, if you're interested. Even Computer Science - there's a lot of openings in the area of forensic computing."

"And mutants?" Which had been the sticking point for the PD, Terry knew no matter how diplomatically Scott had tried to cover. "Interpol took Sean but that doesn't mean the Bureau will be as welcoming."

"It's changing," Madelyn said after a moment's consideration. "I'll be honest - it's a bit of a boy's club even now, and the old school style of thought doesn't always lend itself to change. But there's enough younger agents moving up through the ranks to start making a difference." She chuckled a little. "Not to mention there's a whole section that deals with mutant matters - and not just as offenders, either. That's where I was working before I came here; I'm still in touch with my old boss, Fred Duncan, if you wanted to maybe talk to someone still current, perhaps get the guided tour?"

Terry's eyes lit up, "That would be great. Do you think he'd have the time to talk to me? I really just want to get an idea of what it's like to work at that level of law enforcement. I don't know if I'd end up in the Bureau or doing…something else." Her lips curved at the thought of putting on an X-men uniform. "It will be good to get perspective either way."

The doctor nodded, amused and gratified by the enthusiasm Terry was showing. It was good to see the kids thinking constructively of their futures, even if the trend towards the X-Men was a little scary. It wasn't a safe or easy vocation, but then again, neither was law enforcement. "I'll call him and set it up, if you like. I tend to drop in fairly regularly these days. Mutual favours."

"I would really appreciate that, Dr. Bartlet." Terry sat back in her chair, still smiling. "Anything I can learn now about what to do will help me plan the next few years." Terry believed fervently in having good plans and sticking to them.

"It's a very sensible attitude." Madelyn propped her elbows on the desk and her chin on her hands. "And good to see. It might take a few years, but if you worked hard, I'm sure you could make it." Something occurred to her. "You're still an Irish citizen, aren't you?"

Terry nodded. "Aye, that would be one of the decisions I have to make. If it's a matter of citizenship, I would have to decide between Eire and the US. I've technically plenty of time to become a citizen but I don't know that I would want to. Ireland is home after all." She'd known that would be an issue before she even asked.

"The Bureau only takes US citizens, so yes, it would be something to consider. But there's plenty of time for that. And if you don't want to change it... well, there's always something like what your dad did, with Interpol." Madelyn suggested it carefully, aware of the not-so-undercurrent of tension between the Cassidys. "That's the beauty of thinking about this stuff now - you've got plenty of options. And you know you've got plenty of help any time you need it here."

The expression that flickered over Terry's face at the mention of Sean was too complicated to be easily deciphered. "Aye, that is why I was asking now. I will likely continue the same course of study either way but if I know what I'm aiming for, well that can only help, right?"

Well, unreadable was better than explosive. Progress was happening, hopefully. "Indeed it can." Then her pager went off, and she grimaced. "And that's my call to arms, I'm afraid, kiddo. I'll call Fred and arrange that meeting for you and let you know when, okay?"

"Yeah," Terry stood and gave Madelyn a grateful smile, "Thank you very much, Dr. Bartlet. I really appreciate you taking the time to meet with me."