From beyond

From beyond the door, a whiff of lilac perfume signals the presence of Maxine, the tireless, tough-as-nails receptionist of the Web's biggest night spot. No matter how late or early the hour, the everpresent "doll with the Devil's humor" greets visitors to the Demise. Those who cannot answer her eternal query wind up performing for the amusement of the patrons below. Like most of the Demise's staff, Maxine puzzles outsiders. Although she seems human enough, no spinner would endure her eternal vigil. Naturally, anyone could look like Maxine. For all anyone knows, there are a hundred Maxines taking turns between the various antechambers leading into the club proper. Over a dozen entrances exist, each with a slightly different flavor; Maxine waits behind each door, her icon dressed appropriately. Each Maxine, however, shares the "original's" personality — a slightly sweet, slightly condescending mix of moxie, mischief and boredom. No one — not Dante, not Kibo, not even Master Porthos himself seems to impress Maxine. If Jesus Christ, the Matriarch and Alan Turing were to march through the door simultaneously, Maxine would probably look up from filing her nails long enough to ask "What's the password?" and cheerfully dump any or all of her guests if they don't answer correctly. (In)famous as she is for her password query, Maxine can converse as fluently as anyone else in Netspace. Certain people even warrant a hug when they come in... but even these favored few must know the password. Friendly visitors might inspire her into chatty digressions about movies, philosophy, technology or whatever else interests the speaker. Oddly enough, Maxine's hobbies always seem to match those of the most vocal visitor. She's pretty well-informed, too... much more informed than someone who spends every day in an office should be. There are certain things she never discusses, though: her personal life, the internal workings of the Demise, guests of the establishment and Ascension War politics. "Sorry, chief," she demurs, "but we hired helpers ain't supposed ta' discuss those sorta things wit' the guests." As you might expect. Maxine has several admirers. However, no one can prove he's been on a date with the receptionist though many people, male and female, claim to have gone out with her.