Steel and Fangs

Chapter Two ; 9 to 5

The five story building Sophie looked up at didn't appear to be anything special. But she could hear that inside was bursting with activity. It had taken her half the day to find the industrial area where all the mills were. Not many people even knew what she was talking about when she had asked. Now, nearly the end of the day, Sophie only hoped that the lumber and steel manager was still in his office. And in a good enough mood to give her job, too.

When she stepped inside, she was accosted by the noise and winced. Steel on steel squealed as workers custom sized beams with thick saws, while others moved crates on motorized dollies. There was a lot of yelling, whistling, and screeches. 'Can I really handle this? It's so overwhelming!' She bit her lip, took a deep breath, then turned towards a stairway that led up to what looked like office space.

She strained to hear over that noise as she knocked on the office door. After a few moments with no response she decided to just go for it and opened the door. Cigar smoke enveloped her, made her eyes water, as she walked in rather timidly. "Um, Mr. Dolt? Sir?"

A large, solid oak desk took up most of the room, littered with paperwork on top. An older looking business man sat behind it in a high back leather chair with his leather shoed feet resting on some of the paperwork, his cigar barely staying upon his lip as he snored.

She wondered if the shine on his pale blonde hair was from hair products or natural oils as she dared to get closer. "Mr. Dolt... My name is Sophie... I was told you might have..."

"A job?!" Mr. Dolt yelled, spitting his cigar across the room. His chair snapped back into the upright position as he straightened himself out, not even an ounce of embarrassment on his face that he had been caught sleeping. He finally stopped and looked Sophie over. "You? You want to work in the steel factory?" There was a mocking tone to his words. "This isn't a job for a little weakling lady, such as yourself. And I don't need a receptionist, no matter how tempting you might be."

Sophie paled. She couldn't decide which statement was more offensive. Best not to make waves, yet, with her potential boss. "I met a waitress, out in Bonneville... She said you had work for people willing. And, to be honest, sir, I am desperate. I just moved here and--"

"Save it. I know the story. Lost little country girl moves to the big city to become an actress... or a singer... or god knows what these days. You need quick cash. Come closer, what was it? Sophia?"

"Sophie," she corrected and leaned a bit over the desk.

His hand shot out and gripped her wrist, pulling it to him, and he sniffed her wrist before giving it a lick.

Mortified, Sophie pulled her hand back fast as she could. Her face screwed up into a permanent shocked face.

"Werewolf... Never mind what I said earlier, your kind are great to have at a factory like this." He grinned and rose from his seat, marched over to one of the windows that overlooked the factory and scanned it. "Ah, yes. We have a spot open...over... in the splitting department. With Hilda. And," he turned, eyed Sophie up and down again. "Let me guess, you need an advancement. The hours are long and hard, but you look good for it. Nothing over five hund-o."

Relief washed over Sophie as she watched him pull his wallet out and flip out five crisp hundred dollar bills. This was her lucky day. She barely had to say anything and it didn't seem like this guy wanted her to do paperwork yet.

Mr. Dolt was quick to shove Sophie back out of his office and on her way to her new job for training, the wad of cash hastily shoved into her pocket. She neared the splitting area, paused and watched what was happening. A petite person in a metal mask slid a long board down the conveyor belt until it met with a metal saw that buzzed to life soon the board neared it. The person then ran around to the back to secure the wood as it split onto a cart with wheels.

The job looked simple enough. Sophie felt confident she could pick up wherever this person needed her help most.

"Hey, Hilda!" Sophie called soon as the noise level went down. Her wave was awkward, almost as awkward as her smile. "Mr. Dolt sent me down here to be your second."