Violett's Diary

Exhausted

 "August 7, 1976

Dear Kira,

I'm exhausted.

Yesterday I went out to look for a job.

I couldn't go anywhere near the apartment, so I went to Glendale first. I had told Abbel I was going to go to Rosemead, but I don't want to have to travel so far every day.

I walked for miles and miles. I visited grocery stores, meat shops, small offices, a couple of restaurants, a hospital and even a car wash. My feet were killing me after a few hours. I made the mistake of taking my new shoes. BAD IDEA!!!

And after all that walking, nothing!

Today I have blisters on my feet, so I'm going to rest and I'll try to go out again tomorrow.

Vicky, (the real Vicky), told me there are some openings in a sweatshop she knows.

Is it possible that the only job I can get is at a sweatshop? The only problem is that I don't know how sew a stitch!

I'm going back to bed."

"August 11, 1976

Dear Kira, I will try again today. My feet feel better. Today I'm taking my comfortable shoes.

Fingers crossed!"

"August 12, 1976

Dear Kira,

I had thought of going to Pasadena, but I remembered that my dad has some friends there. Couldn't risk it, so I went instead to Roseamead.

Same old story.

Walked for several miles and nothing.

Then I came across this small office and I went in. I asked the lady at the front desk if they had any openings. She stared at me for a long time until she finally answered, "You looking for a job?"

I felt like saying, "Noooo! I'm asking just for the sake of it!" But I held my tongue and answered very politely, "Yes, Ma'am."

She gave me a paper and said, "you need to fill out an application."

At that moment, this old guy came out of an office and she became all helpful all of a sudden.

He looked at me and said, "Who is this?"

The woman said, "She's looking for a job, Doctor Olive."

"Really?", he said. "What can you do?" he asked me.

You know something, Kira? I hadn't thought of it. What was I going to say if they asked me what kind of job I wanted?

I tried to think something I was qualified for, but couldn't think of anything. I just blurted out, "Anything!"

He pursed his lips and looked at me for a few seconds.

"I'm looking for a girl Friday. "

"Uh.. What's a girl Friday?" I asked.

He laughed heartily.

"Sorry. I always think everyone still speaks the way they did fifty years ago. That means a girl who can do many things, run errands, bring me coffee, keep my office tidy, stuff like that."

"I can do that!", I said.

"What's your name?" he asked.

"Viol...!" I started to say. "Vicky."

"Mmmm. Viol-Vicky. Interesting name."

"No, just Vicky!", i said.

"Okay Vicky", he said. "Fill out this application and Vera here will explain to you the details. See you Monday!"

With that, the old man left.

I asked the lady who he was. She said, "That's Doctor Olive. One of the best in his field."

"I see. And what is his field?"

The woman didn't answer. She handed me the form and pointed to a desk where I could sit to fill it out.

When I finished, I gave it to her and she said, "Okay, Miss Fuentes, we expect you here next Monday at 8 o'clock sharp. Not a minute later."

"Thanks, Miss..." I said trying to find out the lady's name. She just turned away and started typing something.

I took the hint and came back home. She's going to be tough to deal with but who cares. I GOT A JOB!!!

Talk to you Monday after work then!"