Our Secretary

Chapter Two: Surprises

I stepped off of the train onto the platform. The subway was crawling with all types of people; business class, teenagers going to school, parents with young children and of course the few homeless that lined the cold walls. I pulled out five dollars and put it in an old man's hat. He smiled, teeth missing. I smiled back, trying to make his day a little better and then trudged up the stairs in my heels. When I went for interviews, I felt it was better to look taller than 5'2'. No one wants to hire a child. My dress pants hugged my small curves, the v-neck blouse I was wearing showing a tasteful amount of skin. I wanted this job, and if I had to look good to get it, then that didn't bother me at all. The pay check that I'd read on the application forms almost blew me away – so hopefully I could blow away the interviewer.

I shivered as I came out into the open air, craving a warm cup of coffee to hold close. I followed the map off my phone, down the streets of Manhattan.
My mind trailed off as I began to dread the interview. What if it was an old man who didn't think I had enough experience? I imagined a balding man in his sixties looking over my resume in disgust, looking as if he was going to throw it back at me and demand I leave his office. Or worse – an old lady. Jealous of my youth, my blouse insulting her and ultimately ruining the interview. I subconsciously pulled the fabric up my chest.

I looked around, navigating my way around the city. People were bumping shoulders with me, obviously grumpy that it wasn't Friday. I'd submitted my application late Friday night, and received a call on Monday morning letting me know the time for my interview. It had taken me by surprise that I even had a chance. I'd had to get out of my shift, palming it off to one of our casual staff members. Tim wasn't happy. He didn't like the idea of me leaving the store. I – however – was excited at the idea that he'd have to move on with me completely out of his work life. I'd miss my friends, of course, so I'd have to take them out occasionally. That was if I even got the job.

My stomach dropped as I arrived in front of the tall, impressive building. The Serpe logo displayed boldly, shinning green lacquer reflecting the sunlight. I tried to swallow, but my mouth had suddenly dried up. I broadened my shoulders and gripped my folder, then reached for the rotating door. My eyes landed on the front desk which spanned almost half of the foyer. My heels clicked against the marbled floor as I walked towards the receptionist lady. She looked up and smiled. Her greying hair was tied back professionally and her glasses frames were modern.

"Good morning," I said a little too loudly, clearing my throat afterwards. "I'm here for an interview with the hiring team."

She nodded, holding her arm out to the side. "Just wait over there sweetheart, shouldn't be too long."

I looked over to a lounge set, several people taking up the chairs, take away cups spread across the coffee table. I smiled and thanked the woman, strolling over as confidently as I could. All the sofas were taken up, so I sat down on a footrest ottoman. My eyes roamed over the well-dressed individuals. There seemed to be about ten or so of us. They all held files, some surfing on their phones while others read over their cover letters. One young man had a speech that he was silently going over to himself. I looked down at my folder. Had I done enough? Maybe I should've made a speech to go by. Or shown more skin like the attractive woman in her late twenties that sat across from me, glaring at me. I blinked and didn't look back at her in her tight dress suit.

After about five minutes of awkward silence, two staff members came over and greeted us. We all stood, going to follow the woman who had informed us that it was a group interview. I began to walk after her, until a gentle hand wrapped around my upper arm. I turned around to face the other staff person, his smile beaming down at me.

"You won't be going with them," he told me, pulling me across the foyer towards a wall of elevator doors. The man pressed the button, signalling that we were going up.