Vanity table 1 - « dream life » by Kevin Ngirimcuti

Chapter 1 : Close the door

Hello New York. i just got hired at Fitchley & Bradley Firm. I graduated from Yale Law University, one month ago and now I am here at Fitchley & Bradley Firm in New York. The world most famous law firm based in New York for more than 40 years, i had been dreaming about this moment all my life and now it has come to reality.

This morning; i woke up at 6 am and started to get ready. In my small Brooklyn flat, I was searching for the right clothes and the right shoes. I share my space with India, an hippie / it girl who studies fashion at Parsons. India is the definition of coolness. She knows everyone in New York and she works at different charities and big Organizations such as Greenpeace or Amnesty. India doesn't care about what people think about her because she is confident enough compared to me who always doubt.

India: What is this?
Me: What?
India: Your outfit, it is hideous! My eyes, how dare you? You are not going out like this, are you?
Me: Really? But that is the only thing I have!
India: You are MAD big time! I can't let you go like this, it is your first day for Christ's sake!
Me: you are going to make me cry!

India enters in her room and comes right after back with a suit she bought three years ago in Mexico.

India: it s Versace, and they all going to like you... trust me I go to Parsons, baby.

I smile but look a bit confused at the same time.
I leave my flat in Brooklyn for Manhattan. This was it, the big moment. I am going to meet my colleagues at my new job. In the subway, I have mix feelings. "Are they going to like me?", "What if I was not meant to this?" And i stared at the reflexion in the widow of this train. At one point, i think i am going to throw up. Once, I get out, I am just in front of the building.

Me: Here we are, Go Esmeralda. Don't you think twice. Everything is going to be just fine.

I take the lift and go up to the third floor of this huge building on 125 E 56th Street. At the reception, a young black man is hiding behind his computer. He doesn't notice me, i have to walk to him before he looks at me.

Me: Hi, I am Esmeralda Lincoln, I have an appointment with Josephine Leblanc.
The receptionist: One minute please, you can have a sit... I will go look for Joséphine.

He stands up and walks fast to Joséphine's bureau. He is very tall and skinny.

I sit down and look at my feet. I realize that my shoes are yellow.
Me: Yellow! What in earth, have I done! India will kill me...

Joséphine Leblanc walks in the hall.

Joséphine: You must be Esmeralda?
Me: Yes! Good Morning.
Joséphine: Come with me and close this door behind you.

We walk to her bureau and i close the door behind me.