Beside You

Chapter 2

I struggle to open an indimidatingly heavy door and make my way inside Modest Headquarters. The cool, white walls contrast greatly with the dark, mahogony wood accents around the lobby. My jaw physically drops as I marvel at the grandeur of the place. I approach the petite receptionist.

"Hello, I'm Paisley Thomas, here for an interview with Mr. Magee."

The brunette glances up at me through her thin glasses and offers me a warm smie.

"Okay, I'll let him know you're here." She says warmly. I return the smile and take a seat on one of the overly-plush chairs. Framed awards and certificates scatter the walls. At least twenty-five gold albums are framed just a few feet away from me.

Maybe this wasn't such a good idea. My anxiety kicks into full gear. My palms start sweating as I prepare for the worst-I might make an utter fool of myself. I could forget how to speak. I may wet my pants mid-interview..

I decide to look around and find something to read-it usually helps calm me down. With shaky hands, I pick up a brochure laying on the side table next to me. It reads, "Modest Management is a London based Artist Management Company, formed in 2003 by Richard Griffiths and Harry Magee. We manage all aspects of our artists' careers, including writing, recording, touring, brand partnerships, merchandise, endordsements, theatre, television and publicity."

I flip through the pages and see pictures and names of multiple musicians I recognize, only adding to the pressure I feel weighing heavy on my shoulders.

"Ms. Thomas?" I look up to see the receptionist motioning for me to approach her. She is standing a few feet away and I follow her to a room closed off by a massive set of wooden doors. She opens them and motions me inside. There is a middle-aged man sitting in the center of the room in a small chair across from another one identical to his, with a steel gray table in between. He motions for me to sit.

"Ms. Thomas, nice to meet you. Please take a seat." I nod and slowly make my way inside. The small brunette exits the room, but leaves the door open.

He sticks out his calloused palm and says, "Please hand me your resume." I swallow and give him the small black binder. He licks his fingers before flipping through each individual page, seeming to study its contents carefully.

"Well, Ms. Thomas, as you know, the position you are applying for is an inredibly competive one in an even more competitive field. The entertainment industry is extremely difficult to work in." I feel my palms start to sweat again so I wipe them on my pant legs. I swallow, hard. Mr. Magee seems to notice, his gray eyebrows furrowing.

"But, as you know, very few are even selected for an interview with us. We only consider those who we see to have the most promising potential." He looks up and smiles-he actually smiles at me. I return a shy grin.

"Thank you," I say. He pulls out a yellow legal pad and a dark pen and begins writing.

"Tell me about yourself, Ms. Thomas."

"Well, uh, I've played cello since sixth grade, so I have some classical music background. I joined a band as the rhythm guitarist when I was fifteen, and I also took some music composition classes in college."

"Ah, yes. Tell me more about your college experience. Miami University is a great school."

I clear my throat. "I recieved my undergraduate degree in Music with a minor in business and-"

He clears his throat and I stop talking. He writes something down and I'm not sure if I should continue, so I don't. After a few more minutes of interrogation, we both stand up and shake hands. I try not to make a face when I feel how warm his palms are.

"You will hear back from us within the week. I really do appreciate you coming here. You seem to have a solid level of understanding in regards to both music and business. It looks promising, but don't get your hopes up. You never know how these things go." Great. I turn and go.

I release a long sigh as I get back onto the sidewalk. Whether I got the job or not, I'm just glad to have this stressful event over. Even though he was intimidating, Harry Magee seems like he may give me a chance. I remember it's Wednesday, so I decide to treat myself to half-price sushi (a special this day of the week) at Kogen's, a sushi bar just two blocks away.

I order a California roll and check my phone as I wait in the dimly lit restaurant. I have a text from my sister, Kris:

Hope the interview went well. Call me when you're done :)

I dial her number and she answers after two rings.

"Heyyyy!" She squeals. I roll my eyes at the high-pitched tone of her voice but laugh it off. "How was it?"

My food arrives and I shove a piece into my mouth while I continue our conversation. "It was good. The guy seemed pretty cool and the building is massive and expensive. It's a pretty legit company-I mean really, really legit-so I don't expect much to happen out of it. But, the interview is still good experience for the future."

"You're totally gonna get the job-anyone to turn you down would be a complete moron!" She laughs out loud. Sometimes it's hard for me to remember she's two years older than me. Not that she's immature, she's just seems more outgoing and youthful than I am.

"Jack and I miss you, sis!" I flinch and drop my chopsticks onto the floor. Several customers send judgemental stares my way. Embarassed, I pick up my mess. "Oh, yeah, I miss you too." I quietly respond.

"Too bad we live so far away. Why did you decide to live in grungy New York, anyways?"

"Because not all of us want to be farmers out in Pennsylvania, like you," I joke.

"We do not live on a farm, Pais. We live in a rural community."

"You know I was kidding." I remark. We chat a bit more before hanging up. I finish my food in a hurry. I want to get back home after an eventful morning. I need to continue my un-packing process. Only moving in four days ago, I have a long list of things to get done.