Subj: The Saga of Nicole Collins' First Job
Date: 10/20/00 6:55:24 AM Central Daylight Time
From: N.E. Collins
The story is for Jody's birthday. Happy Birthday, Jody!
Nicole Collins fidgeted nervously in the uncomfortable chair as she waited to undergo the interview for the sales associate position at Brewster's Department Store. She was sixteen years old and she felt it was high time that she had her own job and some responsibilities outside of her family. Cousin Elizabeth had offered to give her some cushy titled job at the cannery, but she would have nothing to do with that. She wanted to earn her own way in the world and so here she was waiting for Mrs. Sullivan to begin questioning her.
The slightly disheveled woman looked up from Nicole's application and peered over her reading glasses as she began. "Well, we here at Brewster's are already quite familiar with the Collins name, but in all my experience they have always been our customers. None of you ever wanted to work here. May I ask why you do?"
The woman smiled impatiently as Nicole worked up her answer. "Well, a friend of our family's, a writer, Jon Fellrath told me recently that if I really wanted a taste of what the real working world was like then I just had to go into retail. And since Brewster's is a retail establishment I choose to apply here."
Mrs. Sullivan made a noncomittal sort of sound and continued. "Well, like I already said, it is a bit unusual that someone of your social standing would want to work on this level. I would think that you would be more interested in working in your family's business over at the cannery or the shipping yards,..."
Nicole interrupted. "But that is just what I don't want to do. I don't want any special treatment, and if I took a job with the family that is exactly what I would get. No. I intend to make it in this world on my own and by my own terms."
Mrs. Sullivan was a bit ruffled that this young woman had cut her off from her little speech that she was about to make, but she let it pass. "If you are accepted for work here you will be expected to operate on OUR terms, you understand?"
"Oh, I didn't mean to imply that I wouldn't cooperate with the store! I just want the chance to do something on my own without my family orchestrating my every move." She cleared her throat and waited on the woman for her response.
Mrs. Sullivan looked over the rest of her application and said, "Your references seem to be in order, and your manner of attire is appropriate, and all that remains to be seen is whether or not you're cut out for this sort of work." Nicole was on the edge of her seat as Mrs. Sullivan said, "We'll give you a try. Welcome to Brewster's, Miss Collins."