Odd One Out ~ Solangelo

Times Tower

Nico

October, 1941

A chilly gust of October wind blew through my hair. I shouldered my way through the congested sidewalks, the deafening uproar of the city filling my ears. I navigated my way down the street until I reached Times Square. Buildings towered high over my head. Cars and trucks sped by in a parade of city clamor. Business men bustled along side women herding their children down the sidewalk. 

I turned spotted an enormous building more than thirty stories high across the street. The glass window panes glittered in the early morning sunlight. People in the streets stopped to stare in awe at the glorious structure. I felt excitement rising inside of me. I've made it. I'm actually here. I'm staring up at Times Tower, the location of my new job. 

Without even bothering to look both ways, I bolt across the street. Several drivers honk and curse at me, but I don't care. I'm here. I'm actually here. I pushed open the doors and rushed into the lobby. A receptionist with caramel colored hair and rich brown eyes sat at the front desk, her hands splayed against the surface of the desk as she waited for her fresh coat of red nail polish to dry. 

I cleared my throat, "Excuse me, Miss."

She looked up from her fashion magazine and smiled. "Hi there! How may I help you?" she asked. 

"I'm here to see the editor. I'm the new employee," I replied. 

"Oh, of course! How could I forget? Mr. Zeus said he was expecting you," The receptionist exclaimed. She closed her magazine and shoved it under the desk. She swiveled around in her chair to face a black rotary phone on her desk. She dialed a number and pressed the phone to her ear, "Editor? Yes, Mr. di Angelo is here. Okay... yes... of course... alright... okay... bye now." 

The receptionist hung up and returned her attention to me, "Mr. Zeus says to send you right up. Go to the thirty second floor in the elevator. His office is in through the door at the end of the room."

I nodded, "Okay, thanks!" 

I hurried past the desk to the elevator. I hit the button, and a few minutes later, I step into an elevator full of stern looking men and women. They stared at me with disdain as I entered the elevator. I didn't blame them. A twenty three year-old kid with unkempt black hair and a disheveled suit paled in comparison to a bunch of adults dressed in expensive clothing from upscale city joints. 

Finally, the elevator stopped on the thirty second floor. The doors slid open, and I rushed out of the elevator and into the office. About fifty people were in the room, bustling between the tightly spaced desks with enormous stacks of papers in their arms. The rhythmic click clack click clack of typewriter keys reverberated through the office, mingling with the chatter of the workers. At the opposite end of the room, I spotted a wooden door with gold lettering that spelled "EDITOR" nailed to the front. I approached the door and gingerly rapped on the wood. 

"Come in!" A thunderous voice replied from the other side of the door. I creaked open the door and entered the room. A tall, lanky man with thick, salt-and-pepper hair sat behind the desk. He was dressed in a gray pinstripe suit, and a cigar dangled from his lips. He looked me up and down with his harsh, stormy gray eyes and gestured toward a chair in front of his desk. "Have a seat," he said.  I cautiously took a seat in the chair. 

I took a deep breath, "Hi, I'm Nico di Angelo, and I'm here for the-"

"You will speak when spoken to!" Mr. Zeus shouted.