Chapter 2 - The first day

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-Shit! –I couldn't believe it. I simply couldn't believe it! Guess what happened. Apparently I didn't entirely recover from my awesome alcohol intoxication and I was late! Late for my first day of work. In The Independent. Shit... I jumped out of my bed when I saw the time. I had only 30 minutes to get ready and be at the office in time. I put a white shirt on with a red tie, along with my dark blue suit. I ran into the kitchen and my three cats were there, meowing hopelessly, waiting for breakfast.

-Oh! I have to hurry up guys! I promise I give you more food when I get back to lunch! –I said, while eating a piece of bread and putting their food on their plates. Quickly I put them on the floor and ran back to the fridge. I took a bunch of grapes and put them all at once in my mouth. Finally, I ran out of my flat and down the stairs to my car. When I got there I took a deep breath and I finished chewing the grapes. I looked in the mirror and brushed my hair with my fingers. I guess I was looking ok, but damn it! I was so stressed that I woke up late... With no more waiting I made my way to the highway. Next stop: The Independent offices.

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-Good Morning, I'm looking for mister Evans? –I said to the lady in the reception of the building. Everything was made out of glass and tiny lights all above the ceiling.

-Good Morning. You are...? –she asked. Blue eyes, red lipstick. Cute lady, I have to say.

-Armitage, Richard Armitage. Today is my first day and... -I was feeling a bit nervous and I felt my fingers shaking. She didn't let me finish my sentence and she laughed a bit.

-Oh Armitage! I know about you. Wait a bit, I'll call Dr.Evans. –she said, with a smile and picked up the phone. I felt like she corrected me with that «Dr.Evans»... I have to get used to these formalities. After the short call she put the phone back on the table and looked at me.

-Pick the elevator and go to the 5th floor. Dr.Evans will be waiting for you in the reception. –I thanked her and made my way to the elevator. When I was just standing there waiting for it to come I heard a «Psst» and I looked at the girl from the reception.

-Good luck! –she almost whispered at me. I gave her a smile and then the elevator was there. I pressed the 5th button and I got even more nervous. I had to look confident and ready, but inside I was burning and my knees were shaking.

-Gosh man, relax... -I said to myself. Quickly the elevator stopped and opened the doors. I gave a quick look to the floor and it was just like the lobby; glass everywhere, black leather couches and chairs, a large reception with one blonde lady. What's with The Independent ladies? They are all Barbie like...

-Oh, you must be Mr.Armitage! –said one deep voice.

-Hello, yes I am! –I said, smiling at him. However, I didn't know him.

-Welcome to The Independent! I'm the sub-director of this house, Dr. Paul Evans. –he said and I immediately shake hands with him.

-Thank you so much sir, It's an honor to be here. –I said. I felt my heart racing, that was too emotional for me!

-First of all, this is a family here. We all work together in a way to create a good feeling amongst us. No lies, no disrespects, no fights. We hope you don't find this boring. –he said, laughing at me. I felt a bit more comfortable and relaxed. He seemed nice.

-I fully understand, sir.

-Now, Mr. Armitage. Shall we? –I followed him through the entire floor. It was huge and very organized. All the rooms were set by section; writing, editing, news delivery, multimedia, a room for important meetings, and many other sections and private offices. There was a cafeteria as well, a living room with a TV and some plants (relaxing room, I guess...) and a secured area for smokers, next to a large window. Dr. Evans was showing me all the different sections and introducing everyone to me. I felt like I knew them for a long time, they were so nice and welcoming. After some long minutes of walking and getting to know everything, we got inside his private office.

-So I hope I didn't skip anything! –he said, while looking for some papers on his desk.

-I don't think so! Thank you again, Dr. Evans. –I said.

-Can you give me your documents please? Your contract and all that stuff. –he asked. I immediately opened my bag and handed him the papers. He checked them carefully, clipped them together with my picture and put it inside a filer that said «Employees». I felt... Lucky, important, happy. I was officially an employee of The Independent.

-Everything appears to be in order. Welcome again, Mr.Armitage.

-Thank you so much Sir.

-Now, my secretary will lead you to your desk. –he said, pressing a button on his desk telephone. Seconds after there was a knock.

-Yes, Doctor? –she said. Black hair, black eyes, red lipstick (again). Yeah, there are all Barbies.

-Amanda, lead Mr.Armitage to his new desk. Make sure everything is in place. –he ordered. We left his office and I walked behind Amanda to one of the rooms i've seen before: Writing Section.

-This is your desk, Mr.Armitage. You can change the position of your computer or anything you'd like. Mr.Green here will show you how things work around this section. Make yourself at home and welcome. –she said, smiling at me and leaving.

-Thank you! –I said. Then I noticed another desk on my right side. It was empty, but not for long. I saw a man coming towards me, holding two cups, probably coffee.

-Mr. Armitage I presume. –he said as we shook hands.

-Yes, but call me Richard. Mr.Green?

-It's Ian, please. Welcome to the family. Coffee? –I grabbed it and we started talking and drinking coffee. He showed me what I would be doing on the next days, months, years of my life. Basically the news arrives to the multimedia room and they sent it to us. We make sure it's not a fake new and then we start writing all the details of the new. After that we send it to our Director, who checks it and decides if we should launch it on the paper or not.

I didn't do that much on my first day. I just checked how Ian wrote a new, the way the news need to be written, the words used the most... He even told me that I can write chronicles for the newspaper as well and I felt even more excited by it. I couldn't wait to write news, interviews, chronicles, anything! I was more than ready to throw myself in The Independent as a great writer.

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