Chapter One.
The sun shone brightly through the Los Angeles day, bringing its warmth and color to the buildings, streets, and people. The grays of the night started to become red, then orange, then eventually their true colors with each passing moment. Stephanie and Ashley would not have known. They found themselves inside a small room with no windows for new employee orientation.
“I hope where they actually put us to work has windows” whispered Stephanie to Ashley, trying to break the ice and the boredom that tend to come with these events. Stephanie didn’t come to LA to work for a marketing firm but when the glamour of screenwriting didn’t pan out to be what Hollywood sold it to be, she needed money and took a job anywhere she could.
“It will,” Ashley responded thankful for the break from the monotony of the presentation. It was hard for Stephanie to focus and pay attention to the presentation since she was running late this morning and could not stop anywhere to get her cup of coffee to start the day. “That being said, we will not be anywhere near them. The windows are for the marketing higher-ups and meeting rooms where, as the presentation keeps saying, The Magic Happens!” She said this with a small hand gesture similar to the one the lady in the orientation video did, except a rainbow didn’t come out of her hands when she did it.
Stephanie had to use restrain to not let out a chuckle. She didn’t want to get into trouble on her first day.
At least my partner here has some humor to her, though Stephanie. Although this work isn’t what she planned on doing for the rest of her life, she did want it to at least be somewhat enjoyable and entertaining enough to bring stories home to share with her boyfriend. Having a coworker that was friendly and fun would help make this possible.
After the presentation, followed paperwork. After the paperwork, followed more paperwork. Once that paperwork was done, somehow there was even more paperwork. Eventually, the paperwork did stop and Stephanie and Ashley started the grand tour.
“This will be where you two will sit,” said the woman in a pencil skirt two sizes too small who took them from the elevator. I must remember her name, thought Stephanie knowing very well she had already forgotten it. She was introduced to her during the interview. She was the director of marketing and her boss. Not entirely intimidating but not the friendliest person either.
Ashley was right, there were windows on this floor, large windows that let you see the entire downtown skyline, but the desk that they shared was nowhere near them. Their desk was a rather large one that sat near the entrance of the floor. It served as the main hub for the floor, it was centered enough where people who entered the floor would know to come here first, but not so ominous and forboding that it forced all the workers on the floor to pass by here. Behind the desk sat rows of cubicles and on the outside of the center cubicle square were offices and conference rooms. “Where the magic happens!” The pencil skirt giving the tour did not use any of the sayings that the video did and that made Stephanie respect her more.
“You two will act as the central hub of the floor,” continued pencil skirt, “Clients will come in and be escorted by one of you to the meeting rooms for presentations. You will also help with planning and executing meetings and presentations as the associates need. Mind you, as floor managers, it is not your job to get people coffee or lunches, that is why we have interns and the associates have legs, but do not think any job is beneath you if it helps. You two manage this office, so do what it takes to manage it. The To-Dos each day vary and I will tend to have a revolving list for the two of you each day. You will usually be the first face that a client will see and be associated with the company. Your impression matters. Any questions?”
“Yes.” Stephanie interjected with absolute sincerity, “where are those interns with the coffee?”
“Here we go. Wish it, and I shall make it happen.” James arrived carrying two Grande Starbucks coffees almost on cue.
Well, actually on cue. James knew that although technically the floor managers did work for him and the other marketing associates on this level, getting on their good side was key to a successful relationship. It makes the difference between getting a continental breakfast setup in the large mahogany conference room at a reasonable hour versus getting the scraps of the earlier group in the smaller conference room on another floor.
“Oh wow, thank you” Stephanie let out, amazed by the timing and the gesture of it all.
“We have a coffee machine here, but I prefer standing in line and talking to the barista. You know, build that relationship. It really is underappreciated by too many these days.”
“As a previous barista in college, we love our regulars and the relationships you build with them. Sorry, don’t be offended by this, but you seem a bit old to be an intern?”
“That is because he is not” Jennifer interjected both with the phrase and with a stare. She was wearing her “too tight” pencil skirt which always meant orientation, she dressed more formally for clients, which always meant James needed to pop up and, at the very least, say hello.
“Stephanie, Ashley, say hello to James Shaw, one of the marketing associates you will be working with. James this is Stephanie Campbell and Ashley Royce, the two new floor managers.”
“Ah pleasure,” James stood upright and grandiosely gave a bow, noticing he was still holding a cup of coffee in his hand. “Oh! I believe this is one is for you Ashley.”
“Oh, I don’t drink coffee.”
“You don’t drink coffee? How do you function? Truly remarkable,” James replied feigning being amazed by the simple truth. Some people just don’t need coffee, some people just don’t like coffee. Some people are just not people. “Well then, as I do and I did not get one for myself, they were out of carriers and I only have two hands, this one will be mine.”
“Oh I love coffee,” added Stephanie, raising her paper cup as though she were making a toast.
“Then you will have a cup whenever I get a cup.” James did likewise with his cup.
“I love coffee as well,” Jennifer interjected, once again.
“Then let us get Cameron the intern to pour you a fresh cup.” This answer made Jennifer’s eye roll and this is what James lived for. With a smile of satisfaction, he bowed and excused himself back into his office on the same floor.
“I assure you they are not all as incorrigible as that one” Jennifer said, trying to gather herself back into orientation mode and continuing the morning agenda.
Shame thought Stephanie as she gathered herself as well and took a sip of her coffee.
