Fairy tales of big city

First Omen

* Knocking on the door *- Jen, get up, you're going to oversleep again! - came a distorted hoarse voice, yet so disgruntled.

    She slept in, Jenna held to the simple truth that healthy sleep was the key to success. But it never worked out for her, night shifts as a bartender, directly contradicted her truths. A muffled banging on the door finally reached the Girl's consciousness, and her eyes widened in annoyance. Jumping up from the bed in a flash she put on her soft slippers, and swung the door open with force so that it hit the wall and bounced back at her attacker with a shudder.     Still with the same angry look, she surveyed the room. It was a hall, the same as always, the dark green walls still crushing, the amber chandelier hanging from the ceiling, the kitchen at the opposite end, and all those books. Volumes of stories, poems, magical folios, grimoires, reference books on all different subjects. There were so many of them that any successful attempt at structuring them would definitely lead to something terrible. The awakening of an ancient god, the folding of a forgotten magical seal, or the sudden appearance of a black hole. As Jen slipped between the piled piles of paper, she stepped out onto the balcony.

    John, in a neat tee suit, was leaning with his hands on the railing. His tentacles, with neat brown eyes at the ends, were walking across the landscape of the city. He flinched involuntarily when Jen touched his shoulder, and his right tentacle looked back at her. The girl grinned caustically and climbed onto a large wooden crate that had been standing here since long before they moved here. Demon's heavy sigh was the answer to the sneer.

- You do realise it's instinct, don't you? - John grumbled grudgingly, pointing a finger at Jena- Well, what can you do? I didn't choose to be born a hero, and such a snide one at that! - She scratched behind her ear and looked around. - Where's Yorick? He was supposed to bring coffee! - He overslept, and so did you, by the way. I'm already late, so he'd better get his bones in here fast! - The demon glanced nervously at his watch. Jenna chuckled at the joke.

    There was a high-pitched creak of the front door, and bones clattered across the wooden boardwalk floor. The skeleton had a cupholder in his right hand, three cups with the label of an extremely popular coffee shop in it, and with his left he pulled one book from a stack that seemed to prop up the ceiling, sure enough the improvised column fell with a clatter. Out of the open balcony door came an all-black tentacled John, who couldn't help but react to the noise, even though he realised who it was. Setting the glasses down on some furniture, he pulled out a packet of cigarettes that lay in his hipbone. Jen deftly snatched up the glass, as fast as if she hadn't even moved from her seat. The coffee and dope from the cure potion poured into her like a raging river, soaking into her like dried earth. With a triumphant sigh of relief, she pulled the glass away from her lips and slumped back against the brick wall in satisfaction. John sipped his portion calmly, absorbing the drink in the only way he knew how. Yorick, burdened by his present position, did not touch the drink. He sat down on the floor and flicked the ashes beside him.- So, what page, row? - filled with vitality spoke the skeleton.- Page 44 - John kept looking at his watch more and more.- Row 15 - Jen replied, relaxed as if a cat had eaten. The skeleton flicked through the pages with a deft movement and then coughed.- The car stopped and the world around you froze for a moment — that's your prediction for today. Any ideas? - Bone one closed the book and blew the smoke from his cigarette through his eye sockets.- I don't know about ideas, but I have to go! - exclaimed Demon and hurriedly, with rumbling steps, ran out of the flat.- Oh, corporate! - Jenna grumbled unhappily, swaying for inertia. - What today's passage says about the car is great! Maybe I'll get a taxi! - The girl jumped off the crate. - I don't know, 'The world stood still for a moment' sounds ominous. - Giggled Yorick - What are your plans today?- One interviews, then a break of a couple of hours and the evening shift at the "Cat". - She stretched, grabbing the railing. - What about you? Are you going to go and wash your bones?- Exactly, today on the podcast we're talking about Medusa(s) and what to do when you're petrified!- Okay.

    Jenna waved goodbye and went to make those preparations. Quickly brushing her teeth, showered, and started rehearsing. 'Hi I'm Jenna, perfect candidate', "Good afternoon, I'm Jenna, here as agreed", "Just like my CV says I'm an excellent professional", "What if they find out I lied about it?".    'No, it's all nonsense, I just need to act natural!' Relieved, she thought, 'Also, don't forget the legend!' That's when Jen was grounded by her realisation of the lie.    Gathering her courage and armed with her bus pass, Jen took to the streets of Brooklyn. Not that she was fashion-conscious or cared about the outfit, but it wasn't appropriate to show up to a job interview in sportswear. So she wore her best outfit, brown trousers, a white shirt that was too big for her, and a blue jacket for lack of another. The journey on the New York underground, contrary to all preconceptions, went smoothly, except for a small scandal caused by a large family of hobbits.

    The sunny autumn day was begging for a walk, and Jen gave in to that request. She got off a few stations ahead of schedule. A light, cool breeze blew over her body and relieved her from the heavy heat of the underground passageways. The mood was present, the eye was delighted by the beautifully dressed creatures, her stomach was still absorbing the cure potion from the coffee, and her hangover was waning, which was also a relief. The only disturbing thought haunting her at the moment was her interview.

    First round of interviews at a company she didn't exactly want to work for, but it was a great option to get out of her bar job. Good pay, a standard schedule which meant she could spend time with friends in the evenings, and dental insurance! That's why she was anxious, of course she had done everything she could, but still the jitters wouldn't go away. She decided it would be best to arrive calm, so she stopped, and concentrating on her breathing, she inhaled deeply, exhaled, inhaled. And her heart sank, and a military vehicle pulled up beside her.

- Jenna Mia Lopez, good afternoon, may I see you for a few minutes - A tall statuesque Elf, in military uniform, got out of the car and immediately turned to Jenna.- Again? How many times? - All her meditation had gone down the drain, now she was irritated and angry. - You must have already forgotten my... - she hesitated - 122 refusal!- Miss Lopez, I apologise for distracting you from - the elf looked at Mia - wait... But this is extremely important! We've taken your previous refusal into account, we're prepared to offer you a 20% raise and double time off, And also! - He didn't get a chance to finish.- No! No! No and no again. I'm not joining the army! Now 123 times no, please stop trying! You're coming to my work, you're coming to my door, leave me alone! - She was already just shouting at the idiotic recruiter, Jenna regularly listened to their entreaties.- But listen to me, you're a hero! The country needs your abilities! You have to! - he said in desperation, with a tear in his throat.- What? Can you say that again? - Quietly, and surprisingly calmly, said Lopez leaned her torso forward.- You're have to... - The Elf answered uncertainly.

    There were thunderous proclamations, appeals to legislation, and a torrent of hatred. When Jenna came to her senses, the war machine was gone, and so was the time to calm down before the interview.

She hadn't been recruited, or rather was told she would be. But she realised how it had gone, and she was honest with herself about it.

She stood on the balcony, still a couple of hours left before her shift. With a heavy sigh, she answered the clatter of bones against the wooden floor.

- That was about me, Yorick- Oh, third one in a row! - The lighter clicked on.- Yeah, it was the military again. - Jenna sighed.- Cheer up... They'll never let up. - There was an exhale.

                                                                               They'll never get away.