Against the Odds

Chapter 4

A young woman, probably around my age, puts up her index finger as I approach the reception desk. Confused, I stand in front of the desk awkwardly. She presses a device in her ear, meets my eyes and smiles. Ah, Bluetooth, technology's trickster.

"Hello, welcome to Global Elite Solutions, Marketing Division. How may I help?" she inquires in a robotic tone.

"Hi, I have an interview with Marice Holland at 10 am." I check my watch to make sure I'm not late.

"Oh, yes, Miss Sterling. Please follow me." The receptionist stands up and walks around the desk.

I follow her quick pace as she maneuvers the hallways, trying to remember every turn. This place is like a maze. Stopping in front of office number 1751, the receptionist knocks on the door and then leaves.

"Ah shoot, come in, come in," a voice shouts from inside.

Entering the room, there's an older woman with curly white and gray hair standing at her desk, wiping her blouse off with a napkin.

"Hello, I'm Delilah Sterling."

Marice waves me over to her desk, still wiping down her shirt. "Sorry, dear. The knock startled me and I spilled dang coffee all over myself. Please, sit down, sit down."

"At least you're wearing a dark colored shirt," I blurt out.

"Glass half full kind of gal, aren't ya?" Marice laughs. "It's nice to meet you Delilah, my name's Marice Holland and I take care of all the hirings and firings around here." There's a slight twang to her voice. Maybe she grew up in the South.

"Ideally, we won't ever have to discuss the latter," I mumble nervously.

Marice laughs again.

The interview lasts 20 minutes. We go over my education, my experience at the Student Union, the various glowing recommendation letters from my professors, as well as my short-lived experience as a Sales Associate. I removed my tenure at Hot Shot Events from my résumé, I didn't want Marice to Google the company and get the wrong idea. Donna's motto is plastered on the careers page of the website: Smile. Flirt. Laugh. Repeat.

"Ok darling, I think I've heard enough, I'd love to sit here all day and listen to all the reasons why I should hire you, but I just don't have the time." Oh my god, I blew it.

Apparently sensing my panic, Marice reaches into her desk drawer and hands me a stack of documents. "So why don't I just hire you?"

Contract in hand, I run through the glass doors of the building and start spinning around on the sidewalk. The occasional odd look from passersby catches my eye, but I don't care. As soon as I sign these contracts, I'll officially be a Junior Marketing Assistant at GE freaking Solutions!

I read the contract as I make my way to the flower kiosk just down the street. The probation section jumps out at me. "Your employment at Global Elite Solutions may be terminated without cause or notice during the six-month probationary period."

I know probationary periods are a standard practice, but six whole months of walking on eggshells and fearing unemployment seems like a lot. Not that I'm planning to underwhelm my boss, Camille Harris, with my performance, but I've been out of school for a long time. Oh my God. Do I even remember what's in a marketing funnel? Awareness...engagement...purchase... I think I need to review my notes from college.

But even if I don't disappoint them with my skills, it says they can terminate you "without cause". What does that even mean? What if I say "Good Morning" to Ms. Harris on my first day and she fires me because she doesn't like the sound of my voice? What if she hates my penmanship? My style? My jokes? Oh God.