Rubatosis

Chapter One

"I apologize, Ms. Halls. We would just prefer a person of more experience to fill this position. I hope you understand." He was smart in the way that he pretended to be impressed by my resume as he examined it, but I knew he never had any intention of considering me. He placed my paper down next to the nameplate reading in solemn gray engravings "Petru Vulpe: Warden".  My spine almost hurt from how straight I was trying to sit in the uncomfortable metal chair across from my disappointedly not future boss.

           With a sigh and a forced smile, I stood to my feet, picking up my resume, "I understand Mr. Vulpe, but I appreciate you taking the time to consider me. If you do end up changing your mind though, please give me a call." I could almost detect a smile under his dark brown, lightly graying beard. He gave me a nod and we both said our goodbyes before I left his office. As I tucked my resume back into my faux leather bag I made my way down the depressing hall to find the elevator. 

        I had just graduated with my masters in criminal psychology and was eager to find work befitting my degree, but of course, no one is interested in hiring a 24-year-old newbie fresh from college. I had gone to so far, 4 interviews with no luck at all. How could I get experience if no one was going to hire me? There was absolutely no way I was going back to working as a transcript processor for the orthopedics by the downtown mall. I would shudder at the thought of that tedious and eye-straining job.

      I pressed the down arrow for the elevator and stepped back, taking my phone out to check for notifications. There were 3 texts from my very close friend, Norah, and a missed call from my ex-boyfriend J-sung. I held back the urge to roll my eyes, slipping my phone back into my bag as the elevator doors opened. Stepping in, I noticed a tall man with dark hair pulled back into a short ponytail with loose hairs hanging out and a navy blue satin tie with a subtle design pattern. He cocked an eyebrow as he raised his face to look at me as the elevator door shut behind me. I pressed the first-floor button and saw it light up, trying to ignore the man only 3 feet away from me. Small spaces always made me uneasy, especially with someone else in it with me. Starting from the 4th floor as we descended down I noticed there was a little more rumbling than when I had first got on to go meet the warden. 

    Just as it dinged we made it to the 2nd floor there was a heavy bump, knocking me forward onto the button frame and suddenly stopping. I gave a light startled yelp as I held onto the frame for balance. The quiet elevator music had ceased, but the lights remained on. "Hey, you alright?" His voice was very deep I noticed, looking over my shoulder to see him clutching the rail to his side. I steadied myself upright and nodded my head at him, "I'm fine, how about you?". He gave a nod as well and looked to the button frame that I had landed on prior. 

   "Probably another programming malfunction. We might have to wait to hit the call button to ask for help." He spoke calmly. I turned to face him entirely and gave a worried look, "Does this happen often?" The man almost looked to give a grin as he moved a piece of black hair out of his face, "Not often, but it's happened. Prisons aren't totally up to date on these things, you know."

    He could probably tell I seemed squeamish because he looked me up and down and turned his head the other direction saying, "I'm not an inmate, I won't do anything to you, don't worry." I stepped back into the elevator wall and gave a sigh, "I just don't like being in a tight place for too long." I heard him give a soft chuckle and felt almost embarrassed. "Why can't I hit the call button yet?"

      "You can try, but whenever this elevator stops it typically means certain power points have stopped, the call button is one of them."

     "Well, it can't hurt to try."

     "Go for it then." He gazed at me from a side view, making me nervous oddly enough. I pressed the call button, but he was right. It didn't light up when I touched it and I could hear no response. "See?" He spoke as if almost amused.