THE 33 KEYS: Key 2 - ANSWER THE CALL "Listen for that Perfect Beat"

CHAPTER 50: THE MADAWAURIAN COPPER

"Mary? Mary Pethiel?" says a voice I'd hoped would definitely never speak in my direction again. "What are you doing here?"

I walk over to where she stands; my body stiffening into a possible stroke.

"I work here."

"Here? That's great! Then maybe you can help me out with my appointment."

"I can try," I manage to pluck the words from my throat. "What do you need?"

"It would be nice to meet the ambassador."

And sure enough Miss Nosy lives up to her name, so I don't get the chance to reject her.

"The ambassador's not meeting anyone else today."

"I was talking to Mary, love. You're just a receptionist."

"Just a receptionist? And what do you think she is?"

My eyes scream at her to shut up but she's not one to back down. Neither is the Copper.

"Didn't anyone teach you to speak when spoken to?"

"Not when someone compares me to a janitor, I don't."

"A janitor?" The Madawaurian Copper turns to me with a smirk on her face. "Mary?"

"Ignore her." I put on a brave voice. "The girl has issues."

But a quick realization sweeps over the Copper as she looks back and forth, sizing up our unrehearsed expressions.

"My God! She's right. You are the janitor!" she shrieks. "But wait! Aren't these the same clothes? My goodness, Mary! Don't tell me you still think you work at the bank?"

"Why don't you shut the hell up?" I shout, forgetting where I am.

"Right after you change your wardrobe." She laughs. "You know, to fit in with your new role of sweeping and mopping. Might even leave something for you to clean up"

"Again?" I snap. "You know, I'd still be there if it wasn't for you."

"Are you serious? You're blaming me for your leaving?"

I look all around me for effect.

"Maybe I'm blind. But you tell me. Is there some other vermin lurking about?"

"Come now, Mary," she taunts. "Is that any way to treat an old friend?"

"Is that what we were? The way you treated me, I'd never have guessed."

"I always made you feel welcome; and you know it."

"You're such a liar!" I spit out. "You know what? People like you deserve the worst death!"

"Nice to see you again, Mary." The Copper laughs as I retreat. "I'll give your love to the girls. Maybe even get them to pay you a long overdue visit. How about that?"

The next day I enter Stocatta Embassy still peeved. Tessa is waiting at the front door.

"Look at the hour!" she shouts at the top of her voice. "Is this seven-thirty?"

The hopefuls shuffle uneasily in their seats. One looks at his watch and back at me in disgust.

"I had a bad night," I say breathless. "The clock didn't alarm. Maybe I forgot to set it or something. Look! I got up at eight thirty and almost didn't shower to make it here for nine."

Tessa zooms in on my face.

"Thirty minutes to bathe, put on camouflage and rush down here?"

"Listen! This isn't my style," I lie. "I'm not some latecomer. Just cut me a break."

"And lose my job over a loser who's still holding on to her dead mother's fame?"

"That's a bit low, don't you think?"

"Not from where I stand," Tessa retorts. "I made a lot of sacrifices for this position."

"Just give me a damn break! Something happened here yesterday. I needed time to think."

"Well, if it isn't the entitled bitch we all know and hate. Well, I have one word for you, Mary. And you know good and well what that is."

"Just spit it out already."

"Zero!"

"You know what? I quit! Just give me my damn cheque and I'll be out of your hair."

"No surprise there. It's just like you to give up when you're this close to the prize."

"I said give me my cheque and you'll never have to see me around here again."

"Right after I call Matron Caine and tell her you messed up......like you always do."

"Tessa!" I lunge at her then stop myself in time. "All right! Okay! You know what? Keep it!"

"Even worms have more backbone than you."

"For the last time," I scream, and move towards her again.

But then I change my mind again and run down the steps, and back to the one who loves me.