Canyon Moon | H.S.

Adventure Is Out There (1)

I don't think I'm that interesting of a person.

That sounds bad, but really when you think about it, to be interesting you have to do interesting things, or associate with interesting people.
I don't do very much. And I don't associate with many people either.

I've been out of school for two years, and I haven't really done, well, anything.
I still live in the same old place my mum and I lived in, I still work in the boring local pub that I got my first Saturday job at.

I live in the outskirts of London, so you would think finding a bit of excitement (or at least a better job) would be easy, but for me? What's really easy is just keeping to myself.

I like my own company. I spend the money I make on food and art supplies, squirrelling away the rest to my savings. I'm not saving for anything in particular, it just seems like the smart thing to do.

I don't think I'm a boring person. I get on well with people, when I actually interact with them. I was quite popular in secondary school, not that that really counts for much, I guess, as being 'popular' in school has, realistically, two outcomes: one, you become a little bit boring after you leave as you sort of peaked in school, or two, you become another teen pregnancy statistic.

Thankfully, I'm just the former.

So, my world might be quite small, but it doesn't feel like that. You see, I'm an artist, and every painting I start feels like bumping into a stranger, and every painting I finish feels like making a friend. Art is my addiction, my passion, not to mention my mother's legacy to me.

I paint any chance I get; I don't think there's been a single day that I haven't found paint behind my ear or up my arms, and I definitely don't own many clothes that aren't splattered in various colours.

Every Sunday, my day off, I travel into various parts of London, set myself up somewhere out the way, and find someone to paint. I've done this so often I've gotten very good at painting from memory, since the people in London never stay in one place for very long.

This Sunday was slightly different, however. I was slightly further into London than usual, and I happened to pass a very official looking building, with a rather unofficial looking sign in the window.

The seemingly out-of-place sign read:

LOOKING FOR:
Assistant/Maid Service
Live in job
Contact for more information

And then a phone number.

All in all, pretty sketchy. The rational part of my brain felt like I was in the set up for a horror film. I looked up the number and it wasn't a spam number, so I figured it wouldn't hurt to give it a call and get more information. I have been meaning to look for a new job for a while now, though an ad in a random window isn't the first way I would have gone about it.

I dialled the number and then sat down on a nearby bench. I didn't think someone would even answer, not on a Sunday, but after three rings echoed through my phone speaker, a male voice answered:

"Good afternoon, this is Brian from Modest speaking, how can I help you?"

"Oh, hello!" I reply, shocked anyone picked up, "I noticed your ad up in the window and thought I'd give you a ring to find out more as I'm currently looking for a new job."

"Who am I speaking to?"

"Oh, sorry! Natalie, Natalie Moon."

"Nice to meet you Ms Moon. Do you know much about Modest?" Brian responded.

"Not at all, sorry."

"Not a problem. Modest is a talent agency in charge of the management of many singers and bands. As well as managing their recording contracts and performing opportunities we also assist with other more domestic tasks. We're currently looking for someone to act as a resident maid slash assistant to one of our clients. Our current criteria includes a similar age range to make them feel more comfortable, someone with relevant experience, and someone that is available to start almost immediately and sign on for an indefinite amount of time."

"I see, okay."

Perhaps one of the strangest job criteria I've ever heard, but it certainly sounds more interesting than washing dishes at the pub.

"And how does one go about applying for this job?" I ask.

"Are you local to London?" Brain asked.

"Yes, I live about 45 minutes away from your building."

"Are you available to come in tomorrow morning for an interview? I'm aware that's short notice but it would be great to get the ball rolling as soon as possible if you are interested, as we'd like to get help to our client as soon as possible."

"Uh yeah, I can do that!" I reply, feeling quite giddy all of a sudden.

"Wonderful. I'll see you at 10am tomorrow. Make your way to the front desk and Judy will show you where to go. "

"Thanks Brian, Ill see you tomorrow." He hangs up.

I sit on the bench a moment longer, completely dumbfounded. Singers and band clients he said. I wonder if they manage anyone I listen to? It could be fairly underground artists, and a chance for me to listen to some new music, which would be cool.

I shake myself off and pack up my stuff to head home. It's been a while since I've done a job interview, and somehow I don't think this will be quite the same as applying for the local pub.

I need to brush up on interview technique... and find something without paint on it to wear!

A/N

Hi everyone!
Really hope you'll stick around. This chapter is super short, but following ones are longer. I'm excited for people to get reading!

An important preface - obviously this story deals with real people. Like many fanfictions, real people slowly become placeholders for the characters that we've imagined in our heads, but please be careful to separate what you read from reality, and, both in reality and in your thoughts, always treat people with kindness.

Lots of love!

R