The Scholarship

The Interview ~ 12

We're on the way, Con driving, and I'm just twiddling my fingers. I have nothing to do, except from sing along to the radio (which I did for a bit of the journey). We stopped in traffic,

"You nervous?" He asks looking over at me, so I turn my head to face him.

"Well, a bit. But you would, wouldn't you?"

"Mmm." He replied, his eyes now focused on the road, we start to move again. The rest of the journey being silent, except from a few sing-alongs.

***

When we arrive and had gotten out of the car, I stop and look over at Connor, who is already locking eyes with at me at this point.

"You ready?" I nodded, "Got your CV?"

"Yep."

"Then let's go." He then walks over to the restaurant, me trailing along behind and eventually catching up. Entering the vintage Italian Restaurant I walk over to the receptionist.

"Hello there, how may I help you?" I quickly glance down to her name badge, her name is Janice.

"Have you got any jobs going Janice?" I say this confidently, and she smiles to the sound of her name, nodding, before going onto the computer and typing something.

"Would you like to apply now? Who would it be?"

"Me." I say pointing at myself, "and yes, if possible."

"Just take a seat and I'll be with you in a minute." She says with a smile, pointing to where the seats were behind us. I smile as a thank you and sit down.

The room is not too big, and on the right corner as you enter is the reception along the wall, with seats on the opposite side to that on the left. Then a glass door to the side of reception on the far wall to which I pursume would be the restaurant. I'd also read that they were holding as a meeting venue too, so the extra glass door on the far right wall in the corner would with no doubt be that. Then there was another door opposite that one on the other side of the room, which is where Janice went. Seconds later she arrived back with a man. He is in a gray suit with a white shirt with a matching gray tie, and is called Danny according to his name badge.

"Hello nice to meet you, and you are?" He said with a smile offering a hand to shake, I kindly take it and reply.

"Bailey. Nice to meet you too." I return the smile.

"Would you like to come in?" He pleasantly asks.

"Of course!" I glance behind my shoulder and nod at Connor before leaving the room with the man as Janice returned to the reception.

We enter a brightly light corridor before a small-ish dark room, third door on the left. There is a wide and  clean desk near the far wall, one black, leather rotating chair just behind it, and two basic wooden chairs with blue padding to the side of it closest to me. The walls are a plain deep blue with only a few certificates hanging neatly above the glossed, wooden desk. After sitting on one of the rather uncomfortable wooden seats, I reach into my newly bought black bag (I tried to make an effort) and retrieve my CV, to then place it on the table.

"So, let's start off with a few questions. Is this your first interview?" The man questions.

"Yes, well at least for a real job anyway. Because when I was younger I was chosen and participated in interview practises."

"How old are you?"

"17." He writes something down every time I talk.

"Have you taken part in any clubs or have had any experience in working somewhere?" At this point I send the CV to the other side of the table.

"I've not had entire experience, but I used to work for a restaurant for a while, well, a few weeks."

"Ok." He wrote down again. "Where do you live? How long would it take and how would you get here?"

"I live about 5 minutes away in the New Springs estate. And I would probably come by car, but if there is traffic or something, I can walk for 10 minutes as there is a walking shortcut."

"Ok. Why are you applying for a job?"

"As I said earlier, having had restaurant experience, I would like to come into practise again. Like many people, I am planning to save up, for possibly moving abroad. I have no doubt that this is a great restaurant and I would love to work here!" I smile, which makes him smirk, and puts me a little shaky.

"How long would you like to work here?"

"For the foreseeable future, having had the opportunity to go abroad for further education, I could start this academic year or the next." I try to put on my confident but not too cocky, serious face. At my best chance of winning the gig.

"When would you be working here if you got the job?"

"Some weekends maybe? I could also work a couple of days within the week or evenings if you'd prefer?"

"When would you like to start?" Danny asks with a smirk.

"As soon as possible! I'll be available this weekend if you'd like me?"

"Great!" He uncrossed his arms and takes his game face off. "How about Saturday? Opening night. But firstly-what to wear. Now strictly, here we don't have a uniform, although you must wear black. We recommend a plain black dress, but holding some kind of sequins or sparkle so customers could point you out. Also, the minimum length for these is just above the knee." He then stands up and walking over to me, demonstrating the allowed length. "If you couldn't already guess, we would gladly hire you as a waitress, although with the perfect attitude and understanding we would, here at Italiano's, be happy to give you a promotion."

"Thank you again Sir Danny'," I splutter unknowing of what to say, "What time?" He looks on his watch.

"Well we serve all day, so would you prefer to work 8 'til 3 or 3 'til 10?"

"Could I work in the morning please?" He simply nods and makes a few more notes. Smoothly, he offers me another handshake, once standing next to me, and says welcome aboard. We both walk, although I feel like I'm gliding, through the hall and into the main room. Here Janice looks up from her computer with that now knowing smile again, and with Danny as I turn round to thank him once more. But when I turned to my right, Connor isn't there. Where's he gone? I furrow my brows and the receptionist seems to notice as she gestures to enter the restaurant. And when I do, I can see a table in the far corner with candles and Connor. I approach up to it smiling, as does he.

"So," I ask as soon as I've sat down and we've been left alone.

"Yeah."

"What is this for?"

"You got through!" He smirks.

"You make it sound as if I was on the X factor." I scoff unattractively, covering my mouth.

"Well maybe you are."

"Are you saying you've sent me off to enter?" I question whilst raising my brows.

"Nope, but if you want to. You've just missed it, they've started now." I playfully smack his arm and laugh.

"Well this is nice, so thank you."

"Only the best."

***