The Beauty Queen

The Beauty Queen - Chapter 2

Chapter 2

Since we moved here right before summer break started, I have plenty of time to find a job. Maybe even a job I'm old enough to take.

I'm fifteen, and I'm pretty sure most jobs in New York require being sixteen or older. And my birthday's in late August, so turning sixteen before summer ends is out of the question.

Of course, I can get a job while I'm in school. But like Linda said... We need jobs now. We need them before mom becomes a drug addict or a drunk, or both. And dad's already got a full-time job on his hands, so Linda and I aren't planning on giving him any trouble.

Right now, Linda's supposed to be searching downtown for jobs. She told me downtown New York was too dangerous for me, but I was completely willing to go in her place. But she wouldn't let me go, so she sent me uptown. I wrinkled my nose at the thought.

The sun was blazing hot, and it was creating glare off all the windows. It was getting harder to see the help wanted signs with all the light getting in my eyes. I shaded my eyes, pressing my face against every window in sight.

Hair salon? No. First of all, neither Linda nor I have experience in hair cutting. Second of all, I hate the smell of all beauty products, which is why I never use them. I moved to the next window.

Nail salon? Another definite no. I moved on.

Fancy French restaurant? Maybe. I found the flyer for new employees taped to the outside wall, and I stared at the tiny, curly writing. I looked at the requirements...

Must speak fluent French.

There goes my career in fine French dining.

I sighed in exasperation and walked over to the next window I saw. I peered inside.

Pizza place? Perfect.

I didn't see a flyer anywhere outside, so I decided to just go inside. I strolled over to the counter, where there was a chubby man talking to a woman that was probably his wife. They were arguing, actually.

"My own wife doesn't even let me run my business right!" the chunky man shouted. His face was turning red, and a few veins were popping out of his forehead. But his wife didn't seem phased.

"That's because you refuse to call the exterminator!" the wife screamed back.

That made me spin on my heel and hurry out the door, along with the few other customers. They left their pizza on the table. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw a man look like he was about to gag.

I sighed and carried on.

After seeing how inelligible I was for about every job in uptown New York, I was ready to give up and go home. And it wasn't just age inelligibility, it was other types of inelligibility, too. Like my dislike of the stench of beauty products or my extreme fear of cockroaches, or any insect for that matter.

Either way, I'm pretty sure I won't be able to find a good job for myself.

I sighed and started walking back to the apartment building. The sun had already set, but New York isn't called the City that Never Sleeps for nothing. It seemed like even more cars had gone into the streets when the sky darkened. I looked at the city in awe.

I was about to enter Times Square. Truthfully, it wasn't as exciting during the day. But now, all the lights and jumbotrons had turned on, and I could clearly see billions of advertisements for Broadway shows. It was amazing.

I told myself to stop staring before I stopped walking completely. I didn't want to get caught up in the midnight rush.

I resisted the urge to run into all the stores, especially the giant M & M's store. The colorful little chocolates seemed to be calling to me, telling me how delicious they are... An idea popped into my head.

I'll work at the M & M's store.

I quickly turned and ran across the intersection, trying to cross two in one go. I crossed the first intersection without a problem. I had twenty seconds on the clock before the little, white walking man turned into a red hand. This intersection was two times the size of the last.

I made a mad dash for the other side, glancing at both the M & M's store and the timer. 5, 4, 3, 2...

I made it to the other side right when the red hand popped up. I grinned to myself, feeling proud. I turned to the M & M's shop, where the lights were bright and I could see the giant tubes filled with M & M's. I stopped to admire the shop for a few seconds, ignoring the exiting customers that were bumping past me.

I wonder why they're leaving so early? I think the best time for chocolate is at night, for dessert. It makes perfect sense.

All of a sudden, an employee in a bright, yellow polo shirt walked to the entrance, followed by another employee in an equally bright green polo. A guy in a brown polo trailed behind them, carrying a ladder, helped by another in a red polo.

Is it weird that I'm getting excited that I'll soon be able to wear those same quirky, colorful polos?

The brown and green employees started setting up the ladder. I watched them curiously. What are they doing...?

The blue employee quickly climbed to the top, reaching for something at the ceiling of the entrance. No way.

Before I could react, the metal gate clanged onto the ground, signaling the closing of the M & M's store. The colorful employees put the ladder away, and I was left staring at the steel gate that had just locked me out of the perfect workplace.

I smacked a hand to my forehead. I'm so stupid.

The bright lights in the store powered off, and I quickly turned away. I started walking home again.

I'm such an idiot. I mean, what kind of moron just stares at their future job until they close? I grimaced.

I'll just come back tomorrow. No biggie. It's not like I don't have the whole summer ahead of me. And I'm pretty sure there aren't any major requirements, right? I mean, I can totally lie about my age. That won't be a problem!

Oh, who am I kidding? It's not like the store is close enough for me to walk to everyday. I'll just get a job somewhere else. And the M & M's store isn't such a big deal. It's just a big, chocolate-filled heaven...

There'll be more opportunities. Bottom line.