Love of the Twenties

Chapter One

June 1924 - New York

When they met during the summer of 1924 life in New York was very extravagant.

The 1920's known as "The Roaring Twenties" or the "Jazz Age" was a decade of recovery and fun for the United States. The first World War had ended two years before. Many people still in sorrow from losing their fathers, sons, husbands from being killed in action.

The weather was hot and humid to the newly graduated twenty two year old Lillian Baker. Her attire for her new job as a filing clerk at a brokerage firm consists of a flowy navy dress, a gray lightweight coat, sheer nude stockings, and black high heels.

Trying to get a taxi this early in the morning was anything but possible. Forcing her to walk ten blocks in black high heeled shoes.

Her long brunette hair probably a mess by now. She hadn't given into the craze of cutting her hair like other girls her age were doing.

She was taught by her family to have better morals then dressing in a provocative way, cutting her hair short, and caking her face with makeup. Deep down she applaud the so called 'flappers' for stepping out of the social norms that they knew.

Finally after what felt like hours she made it to the building where her new jobs was located at. She followed a crowd of other men and women into the doors.

The information on the piece of paper in her hand says that she needs to go up to the twenty sixth floor.

Lillian had gone to Connecticut College for Women. She had wanted to major in Journalism or even Performing Arts. But, her father Robert said it was a terrible idea. Saying that she would never get anywhere with either kind of degree. Instead she majored in business like her father suggested along with liberal arts.

She had graduated just last week, quickly moving back to the city. Surprisingly she was able to rent out a one bedroom apartment in Manhattan. Since she hadn't worked at all, her father offered to help her pay for the apartment while she worked. As long as she did what he wished he would remain paying the bills.

Lillian joined the group of people waiting for the elevator. One of the doors opened and at least thirty people piled into the elevator. Leaving it packed in the elevator, to the point where everyone was shoulder to shoulder.

After twenty five floors only seven people were left in the elevator. Once the doors opened at the twenty sixth floor, Lillian exited the elevator and walked down to the room where the office was located. When she opened the door she saw a blonde older looking woman sitting at the desk.

"Excuse me." she said politely. The woman's eyes met Lillian's and she continued speaking.

"My name is Lillian Baker, it is my first day here. I'm supposed to be working as a filing clerk."

"Oh Miss Baker, yes your father asked me to show you around." the woman said as she stood up from her desk and walked over to Lillian.

"Right this way." she said placing her hand on Lillian's shoulder and guides her down the hallway. They make it to the middle of the hallway and the woman opens a door. The room was big as a conference room but it was lined up with at least fifty desks.

"You will basically be filing any kind of records in alphabetical or numerical order. If there are some records that do not need to be here anymore you will toss them out. Create new records if needed and if someone asks for them you will retrieve them for them." the woman says as they walked along the desk then stopped at an empty desk.