[ That gets a small laugh out of her, some amusement shining through for a moment. ]

You could say that. I manage a global tech conglomerate back home-- and the previous CEO, who can be a PR nightmare all on his own right. Putting out fires at home and the office is a specialty of mine at this point.

Name's Pepper, by the way. Not that I mind going by new pal, but if you feel like some variety here and there.