Twenty Four / Seven

Flexible

I get off the subway and make my way toward the Altman & Co. building on 5th avenue. I made sure to set my alarm extra early, so that I'd have time to make sure I looked extra smart for this interview. I just graduated from Columbia with a master's degree in Business with an emphasis in marketing. I put in applications to a multitude of firms for creative assistant positions and research and development. I got a call back from Altman & Co. for an assistant to the Chief Creative Director position two weeks ago and I jumped at the chance to get my foot in the door. I was ecstatic that I'd be working directly with a higher up if this interview goes well. I can't wait to exhibit my unique prowess to Mr. Phillip Altman. This company is renowned for launching some of the most brilliant ad campaigns for only the most luxurious products from big name companies. I'm incredibly confident and I could sell trash to a garbage man. I'm that good. I'm trying to not get ahead of myself, but what can I say? I'm twenty-five and this is a major opportunity for someone just starting out.

I arrive at Altman & Co. and ask the receptionist, "Excuse me, which floor is the CCD's office? I have an interview."
"All the way up, sweets. 69th floor. I'll call and let them know you're here early. Hang on a sec", the woman behind the counter with a thick New York accent says sweetly before dialing the extension.
While it rings, she asks, "What's your name, sweets?"
"Minerva Sanchez", I answer while clutching the strap of my black leather messenger bag tightly. The nerves are getting the better of me.
"This is Dolores at reception. I have a Minerva Sanchez for an interview with Mr. Altman", Dolores waits for an answer. Now I'm really nervous. "Thanks, I'll send her up. You're a gem", Dolores says to the person on the other end before hanging up. "Mr. Altman's secretary says you can head upstairs now. That's a cute vintage outfit sweets", Dolores comments on my high waisted black wide leg slacks and white button down wide sleeve shirt as I head over to the elevators. My thick dark hair has been pressed straight and is parted down the middle with a subtle wave on the ends. I guess I do look a little vintage. Maybe like a black Katherine Hepburn. At least I hope I'm putting off that kind of gumption.
A group of suits come flooding out of the elevator. Some are cursing red faced into their phones. Others look panicked, and two women are exchanging a high five and smiles. I stay out of their way until they clear and then I enter.
The elevator stops a few times and with every stop I get more nervous. People get on until the 60th floor. Then I'm alone for a few seconds. It finally dings to the 69th floor and I step out into a lobby. There is a glass conference room and three offices on this floor. A blonde girl with a bright smile stands from behind her desk and asks me, "Are you Ms. Sanchez?"
I return her smile and say, "Yes."
"I'm Mr. Altman's secretary Stacey. He's in a meeting right now, but he asked that you go in and have a seat now. He'll begin the interview when he's done with the conference call", Stacey says opening the door.
"Are you sure?", I ask as I hear vulgarities being shouted in the room.
"Yeah. He said that you might as well get a feel for this work environment from the start. Just have a seat there against the wall. He'll begin momentarily. Good luck! You have impeccable style by the way", Stacey says smiling as she exits the room.
The three men in the room turn and acknowledge me momentarily.
"These mock ups are fucking garbage. There's nothing sexy about them at all!", a man whom I'm assuming is Mr. Altman complains as he tosses a thick cardboard poster across his desk at the other two men.
"We're selling razors. Razors need to be sexy? I didn't think men gave a shit what the razor looks like", the red headed pasty looking man argued.
"Exactly. You didn't think. I'm not talking about the God damned product! I'm talking about the ad surrounding it dip shit. Also! You're not selling the razor to the man! You're selling it to the wife! The girlfriend. If the product is for one sex, you sell it to the other! Or! You're selling it to the single man that wants to make sure his skin is smooth as fuck when he eats out the office skank he's been scoping out for six weeks! Get it together, gentlemen! I want a new proposal on my desk in the morning. Now, get out. I have an interview", Mr. Altman says as the two men gather their belongings hurriedly and shuffle out of the office.
Mr. Altman runs his hands through his hair and straightens his tie before coming around his desk to greet me. I stand and he says, "Hello. I'm Phillip. It's good to meet you Minerva", Phillip says holding out his hand and I shake it heartily.
I smile and his eyes seem to dance across my face as I answer, "Hello Mr. Altman.  Good to meet you too, sir."
"I just introduced myself as Phillip and you can call me Phillip. None of that Mr. Altman bullshit. Save that for my brother Paul. He likes feeling important. Anyway... what were we talking about?", Phillip asks absently as he strolls over to lean against the front of his desk.
"You ask me to call you...", I start and he cuts me off.
"Right! Right. Call me Phillip. We're going to be working very closely together and Mr. Altman will get old really fast", Phillip seems to be giving me a once over before saying, "...and ... Minerva is kind of a mouthful. Mind if I call you Minnie?"
"Not at all. Minnie is fine. Most of my family and friends call me that", I say with a small and reassuring smile.
"Great. You have your credentials?", Phillip asks with his hand out. I readily hand over my portfolio.
Phillip quickly flips through my binder to confirm that I am who I say I am and not much more. He flippantly tosses it on his desk behind him.
"Everything looks good, Minnie. I'll hang onto that for a bit so my secretary can make copies for your employee file", Phillip says folding his hands over his lap momentarily before suddenly standing upright and walking around to sit in his chair behind the desk.
"Have a seat Minnie. Let's talk a bit more extensively about what will be expected of you in the immediate future", Phillip says as he settles into his incredibly expensive black leather office chair.
I hurriedly take a seat and smile.
"Wow. You've got a great smile, Minnie. That's going to really come in handy in this business", Phillip says pointing a finger at me.
"Thank you", I say slightly taken aback.
"Alright Minnie, I have a few questions that will help me determine if you're right for this position. Yes, you will be a more hands on creative assistant to me eventually, but for now you're mainly going to help foster my creative process. I need to be free of all distractions at times and I can't be worried about the day to day stuff. That's where you come in. There will be coffee runs, personal shopping, errands, and sometimes I'll just need you to sit there and let me bounce ideas off of you. Don't be afraid to talk back and be brutally honest. There's no room in this business for timidity", Phillip pauses and looks at me pointedly as if to ask me if I understand.
"Understood", I answer firmly and make eye contact with Phillip.
"Now a few questions. Are you married?"
"No."
"Do you have kids or anyone dependent on you for care at home?"
"Uh... no."
"You hesitated. Why?", Phillip probes with eyes like dark chocolate mixed with caramel. He's completely disarming.
"Well I have a family that I will be helping to support financially. My parents and siblings, but I don't have any children of my own."
"Where are you living? With your family?", Phillip continues.
"Yes. In Queens temporarily", I answer honestly and my face is growing hotter as he stares me down. I somehow feel like he's judging me.
"I can't have you that far away at night", Phillip says flopping back into his seat. I'm not quite comprehending what he means by this.
"Excuse me?"
Phillip sighs, "What I'm getting at Ms. Sanchez, is that I need you here at a moments notice. Sometimes I wake up in the middle of the night with an idea for an ad campaign. Sometimes my team comes up with something and an emergency meeting is called. Sometimes I don't sleep until I'm satisfied with concept art for a commercial. You sleep when I sleep and you're by my side feeding my brain every waking hour. Your days off are my days off. The company will provide you with an apartment in the same building as mine. Your schedule must be completely flexible. Your phone must be charged at all times. Carry a back up charger and power bank. Leave your ringer on and vibrating. Don't ever let me go to voicemail. You'll be required to travel with me sometimes. Do you have a passport?"
"Yes, sir."
Phillip freezes and looks at me as if taken aback. "Sir? Hmm. I kind of like that. You're incredibly polite, Minnie. Is there any fight in you?"
Phillip leans forward in his seat with his elbows resting on the desk. He looks incredibly daring and devilish with a hint of a smirk.
"I fight when I'm provoked. I fight to defend myself. I fight for what I want. I always succeed because I never give up. Adrenaline takes over and I feel nothing until I've won", I say with such a confidence and a mock air of haughtiness as I lift my chin.
Phillip's smile widens like a Cheshire Cat and he extends his hand to me, "Welcome to Altman & Co. , Minnie. You start tomorrow at 7:30 a.m. sharp. Make sure to eat a really good meal tonight and get plenty of sleep, because your sleep schedule is gonna be totally fucked from here on out."
I shaking  his hand and I'm beaming. "Thank you, Phillip."
"You're sure you're ready for this? Can you be as flexible as I need?", Phillip asks as he pulls his hand from mine and shoves them into his pockets as he rocks back on his heels.
"Absolutely. I won't let you down", I say as I lift the strap of my messenger bag over my shoulder.
"We're gonna make a great team, Minnie. See you tomorrow", Phillip smiles as I turn and head for the door.
"Make sure to get your employee credentials made up with Stacey. She'll get you set up before you go", Phillip winks and I feel a fluttering in my belly that I quickly shake off.
I smile over my shoulder and nod at my new employer as I turn the door handle and exit. Once the door is shut, I let out the deep breath I'd been holding. I smile as I walk over to Stacey.
"Welcome to Altman & Co. , Ms. Sanchez", Stacey smiles at me.
I fill out my employment paperwork happily, but I have a feeling deep inside that's telling me I'm in for an entirely different life than I've ever known. I'm excited for what's to come and to prove myself a force to be reckoned with. After I sign my employment contract, Stacey hands me a set of keys.
"What's this?", I ask in confusion.
"That's the key to your creative assistant's apartment. I'll walk over with you", Stacey says with that same chipper lilt in her voice.
"Walk over? It's that close?", I ask still bewildered. What am I supposed to wear tomorrow?
"Yeah. Mr. Altman made sure he and his closest associates live near the office. C'mon", Stacey picks up the pace as we walk out into the brisk evening air of 5th avenue. We turn the corner and walk a just a couple buildings down to another high rise building.
"What about my stuff?", I ask as we enter the elevator.
"The apartment is completely furnished and Mr. Altman has arranged a car to take you to pick up any essentials you might need for tonight, including an outfit for work tomorrow. He's asked me to accompany you if that's alright."
"That's fine. I have tons of questions and maybe you could give me the inside scoop on what it's like to work for Altman & Co.", I answer her absently.
The elevator opens up to a luxurious penthouse apartment with a magnificent view of Manhattan. The furnishings are slate, black, and white throughout. It's thankfully not too white and cold like most of these apartments tend to be. I'm absolutely floored.
"So, I'll be living here? Is this for real?", I ask as I turn from the windows to face Stacey.
"Yep. Check out the bedroom, bathroom, and kitchen. Make sure everything is to your liking. Phillip asked me to report to him anything you may need, no matter how small. He needs you to be just as focused as he is on all projects", Stacey nods slightly with her hands clasped in front of her.
"Everything is perfect. I mean, I'll want to get some things from home to make it feel like home, but... Phillip is incredibly generous. I'm a little overwhelmed by it", I admit.
"Mr. Altman is very generous and... incredibly selfish. Everything he does, even the good... is all for his benefit. You'll learn that before too long. You have to be like water and stone. Remember that", Stacey's eyes drift from my eyes to the floor. She seems to know Phillip very well and it feels like there's a story there, but I don't want to pry.
We make our way down to the car sent for us, pick up some clothes and personal items, and have dinner at a sushi restaurant before I'm dropped off at my new building.
I walk into my building and I hear another elevator ding. I see Phillip step out and is laughing with a slender Victoria Secret model type. She tosses her honey colored hair over her shoulder as they walk toward the exit.
"Oh hey, Minnie", Phillip says much more softly than our interview.
"Hello, Phillip. Hello", I wave to his companion.
"Hi. Are you new?", the woman asks smiling sweetly. She seems surprisingly nice.
I'm about to answer and Phillip cuts me off, "This is Minnie. She starts tomorrow, Janelle."
"I love your name. Minnie, like Minnie Mouse?", Janelle asks.
I smile at her asinine question and answer, "Yep."
"She's hardly a mouse though, aren't you Minnie? You're mighty and scrappy. We're gonna make a great team and make a fuck ton of money", Phillip points and whips his finger through the air.
Janelle laughs and I just smile and nod. Phillip pulls Janelle closer to his side. Her blush slip dress is being slightly bunched up beneath his fingers.
"You settling in ok, Minnie? Everything good?", Phillip asks slightly sobering up.
"Yes. Thank you, Phillip. I just got back from getting a few things for tomorrow", I say juggling my bags of items and my purse.
"Did you eat a good dinner?", he asks like a concerned parent.
"Yes!", I smile. "Stacey and I got some sushi just now."
"Good. I'll see you tomorrow, Minnie. Bright and early", Phillip says as he and Janelle walk away.
My elevator opens again and I step on. Just as the doors are about to close, an arm juts inside to stop it. It's Phillip.
"Oh Minnie, one more thing..."
"Yes?"
"How do you make coffee?", Phillip stares at me serious as a heart attack.
"Seven heaping tablespoons for 12 cups. Rocket fuel."
Phillip smiles and sighs, "Good girl. Have a good night."
The elevators close and I smile to myself. I'm absolutely giddy.