Coffee & Cigarettes

First Day in 8H

(2008)

Scurrying into the elevator, Violet caught sight of her reflection. She grimaced and straightened out her pale pink pencil skirt. This wasn't her go-to attire, but it was her first day working at her dream job and she wanted to make a good first impression - not too formal, but not too casual. Taking advantage of her moment alone, she fluffed up the layers in her ashy blonde hair.

Holy shit, Violet thought as she heard the elevator ding. I am here. I'm writing for Saturday Night Live.

She practically sprung out of the elevator - maybe with a little too much spring. Instantly, her body met someone that was moving with just as much speed as she was. Both Violet and the person she ran into fell onto the ground. She felt hot liquid splash onto her chest, covering the sweater she spent way too much on for just a stupid white sweater. Why?!

"Oh..oh, my God." Violet sat up to see who she ran into. A baby-faced, wide-eyed, terrified man with dark hair. If she wasn't so upset right now, she would almost feel sorry for him. Before she could open her mouth he continued, "I am so sorry. I was walking too fast."

The entire situation felt so ridiculous that Violet couldn't help but just laugh. A little snort came out, which seemed to make this guy completely panic.

"Jesus, I'm so sorry. I'm pretty new here and I just - " Violet couldn't hold back, and was letting out a full body laugh at this point. The man scooted close to her and put a hand on her shoulder, concerned. "I...don't know what to do right now honestly."

Violet gained a little composure and took a breath. "You are completely fine." She put a hand on his shoulder as well. "This is my fault as much as it is yours, and it's my first day here. I think my brain is just..broken now due to stress."

"Well," The expression on the man's face seemed to soften as he looked from side to side. "It seems that there were no witnesses to this mortifying event, so how about we get up and pretend it didn't happen?"

Violet smirked and stood up. "While this is true," She leaned forward to get a look at his I.D. badge. "Mr. John Mulaney, the evidence of this event is all over my new sweater, and I have to get my photo taken for my I.D. badge today."

She meant for this statement to come off in a flirty way (he was kinda cute), but by the horrified expression that spread over John's face, it seemed to not be received well. He jumped up, then scrambled to pick up everything he had dropped.

"God, I am so sorry. I do not know how I managed to fling my entire coffee onto you." Violet opened her mouth to respond, but he kept going. "Follow me, I think I can fix this. Well, sort of."

Violet followed John down a hallway into a small, and thankfully empty, office. He lead her to what she assumed was his desk, then pulled a messenger bag out from underneath it.

"I keep extra clothes here because, well, I end up staying overnight a lot." A baby blue shirt that read, Steely Dan (?) was spread out in front of her. "Before you say anything, yes I love Steely Dan, no this is not ironic."

Violet snorted. "You know, maybe I'll go topless and just make a really strong first impression." John raised an eyebrow at her and reached his arm out to hand her the shirt.

"What you meant to say was thank you, right?" He snickered as she took the shirt from him, rolling her eyes.

"Uh-huh, sure. Turn around and shut the door please." Violet started to lift her sweater up and John frantically spun around and slammed the door shut. His ears turned red and he twiddled his thumbs nervously. "Sorry, just in a hurry. You can turn around now."

John cleared his throat and turned around. Violet had tucked his shirt into her skirt, and cuffed the sleeves to make it look more form-fitting. She looked a bit awkward, he thought, but also kind of cute.

"I look ridiculous," Violet laughed. "but I do appreciate this, thank you John." She started to walk towards the door, but John stopped her.

"Wait a second," He took off the black cardigan he was wearing and held it out to her. "this will probably make it look more..natural?" Violet nodded in acceptance, putting it on. John was thin, but significantly taller than her. The two made eye contact and then laughed as she rolled the sleeves up to make it appear less baggy.

"I'm Violet, by the way. I don't think I ever introduced myself formally."

"So nice to meet you, Violet. " A mischievous look glimmered in John's eyes and he gave her a soft pat on the back. "Ya look great, kid. Go get 'em."

Violet nodded and walked out the door with a nervous smile on her face. As she walked down the hallway John shouted, "Again, sorry!" with a soft smile on his face.