Foreign Affairs |H.S.|

Chapter 2

I abruptly stopped the car in the park and quickly got out. I put on my sunglasses and slightly jogged into the office.
"Ms. Jamison!" my boss yelled. I stopped in my tracks and slowly turned around.
"Yes sir?" I said, putting a worried look on my face.
"You're LATE!"
"I'm sorry sir, I-I..."
"No need for excuses, just get to work. You have customers on the line."

I sighed and walked over toward my desk. Working in an office was much more work than what they made it look like in the movies and TV shows. It wasn't that simple.

"Hello, P.K. Offices, how may I help you?" I answered.
"Miaaaaaaaa."
"Who is this?"
"Alexa! Duh!" Alexa was my best friend. We were like sisters.
"Oh hi Lexi, what makes you call?"
"Oh. My. Gosh, I have the greatest news."
"What? You finally have a boyfriend?"
"Psh, yeah right."
"Okay, anyways, continue."
"Okay, my break is coming up next week, and I'm taking a vacation."
"That was your news?" I said unimpressed.
"I'm not finished!"
"Okay, I'm sorry. Finish."
"Okay, well, I'm going to London and..."
"Oh, hold that thought. I have another call on the line."
"Ugh, hurry up!"
"Okay, okay."

"Hello, P.K. Offices how may I help you?" On the other end was an angry customer who wanted to speak with my boss.
"Okay sir, he's in a meeting right now, so would you like me to leave him a message?"
"NO!" he screamed through the phone. "Get me on a line with his ass, NOW!"
"Okay, sir, I can't just interrupt his work, and he doesn't get out for like another fifteen minutes."
"Well fine! Let me wait fifteen goddamn minutes! I just want to know why I have extra charges that I've paid off already, and I'll be damned if I don't get an answer TODAY!"
"Okay sir, please hold," I said, pushing the hold button and going back to Alexa's line.

"Hello?" I said.
"What took you so long?" she asked.
"Angry guy. I guess he had extra fees on his bill."
"Oh. So, anyways, I'm going to London and I want you to come with!"
"You're kidding."
"No, I'm so serious. C'mon pleaaaaase."
"Well Alexa I don't know if I can, I mean with work and everything I can't just get up and say, 'Hey I'm out! Peace'. I mean it just doesn't work that way."
"Oh c'mon!"
"Alexa.."
"Look, I promise I'll help you make up lost time. Just please.."
"Okay, okay fine. But how am I supposed to..." I was cut off by Mr. Waterson screaming my name.
"Hold on Alexa. I gotta go. I'll call later."
"Okay, ciao!"

I walked to Mr. Waterson's office. I went in and closed the door.
"Have a seat," he said, pointing to the chair by the door.
"Miss Jamison, what are you doing?" he asked, his hands folded on his desk.

"Um, well my friend called and.."

"Does he and/or she know that you're supposed to be working?"

"Yes sir, but..."

"Then why do they call during the most inconvenient times?! You have angry customers waiting on the line for half an hour because you're late. Then you sit down and began 'chatting' with one of your friends! What the hell do you think this is?!"

"Well, for starters, it's definitely not a place worth working at! I mean, I only get paid five dollars an hour, working my ass off and on top of that, YOU make ME cover shifts for other people who are 'sick' and I work overtime, but I don't get shit for that! But yet you want me to take this place seriously?! This is living hell!"

Oh shit, I thought to myself. But why did I feel bad? I've been working here ever since I was 18, and two years later, here I am, slaving for everyone else while they sit on their asses..

"Okay, Miss Jamison. Well, if that's what you think, then at least remember that there are others who can replace you..."

"You know what Mr. Waterson? Skip all the trouble, and save all the bullshit, because I... I quit!" With that, I stormed out.
_________

I went into the house and leaned back on the door. I set my box of things down on the floor by the couch and took off my heels. Then I plopped on the couch. Alex was still at work. I sighed to myself. I decided to call Alexa back.

"Hello?" she answered cheerfully.
"Hi Lexi," I said in a monotone voice.
"What's wrong Chicky?"
"I just quit my job."
"Oh..."
"Yeah. I couldn't stand that place anyways. But, what were you saying about the trip?"
"Well, my vacay is two weeks long, so do you wanna come? I really want you to. I've been planning this trip forever!"
"Okay, fine. I'll come, but only if you pay for any drinks we get."
She chuckled. "Okay, fine."
I smiled to myself. I mean, I've heard great things about London. Cute guys, double decker buses, the Big Ben... How bad could it be?