The Secret Life of Georgina Carlton

Chapter 1

"She's coming."

"Get up, Get up."

"What? What's going on?"

"I already told you, she's coming?"

"Who?"

"The boss, idiota."

A small group of men shuffled around, trying to hide their phones and pack up their lunches hastily, the sound of heels clicking on the stone floors became louder and as the volume increased, so did their haste. There were four, two who in their late 30s had already gone back to unloading boxes from a truck, and two others, who were still cleaning up.

The youngest one, a man named Fabrizio, who had just started working there, was confused as the men were on their lunch break and there was no reason why they should have to move quickly. The oldest man, Gerardo, was hurrying him along, not taking the time to explain that the person who was quickly moving towards them was the exception to every rule.

"Ms. Carlton- Buon pomerrigio." Gerardo said, noting as she finally appeared from behind the corner.

"Ciao- Como vano le cose?" Georgina said, her eyes serious and her mouth in a straight line as she reached the men who were already back at their task.

The younger man, Fabrizio, could not help but watch the woman who had appeared from beyond the warehouse- she was one of the most intimidating figures he'd ever seen. Tall and slim, she might seem a wisp easily blown away by the wind but the way she stood and the way she held the clipboard in her hands told him she was a formidable force. She looked down at her notes, taking a small radio which hung on a lanyard around her neck and muttering to some one inside. Her badge, which hung at the lanyard above her silk blouse read Georgina Carlton, Assistant Curator, La Academie.

He knew there were several assistant Curators here, but he also knew, from what the other men had told him, that Georgina was the strictest, most demanding and by far the most shrew like of them.

After a few more minutes on the radio, she let it swing back down on the lanyard and brought one hand down into the pockets of the high waisted skirt she wore.

"All of the boxes are accounted for, we are going to start inventory shortly." Gerardo said with a nervous smile. Ms. Carlton moved forward, looking over the boxes as if taking a quick count on her own and then nodded with a very faint grin.

"Perfect. Thank you, Gerardo. As always, you are doing an excellent job." She said, turning on her heel and moving back towards where she came from. "We need this done by 4pm- no exceptions. And I would recommend getting the young one up to speed on the rules."

Fabrizio frowned, wondering what she had meant by that. He turned towards Gerardo who shook his head lightly.

"Your shirt. She means that you are wearing the wrong shirt." Gerardo said.

"But this is the uniform shirt I was given." Fabrizio protested and Gerardo nodded.

"Yes but blue is for Tuesdays and Thursdays, white is for the rest." Gerardo said, making Fabrizio look around and notice for the first time that he was the only one wearing the blue shirt.

"Oh." Fabrizio said. "I will keep that in mind."

"The rules around here are pretty simple and realistically very relaxed... except on the days when Ms. Carlton is assigned to our area. That's why every afternoon, check the next day schedule. If you see her name, be prepared to be extra sharp." Gerardo said.

"She's American?" Fabrizio asked after a short while and Gerardo nodded.

"Yes, she is. From New York I am told." Gerardo said.