INCIDENT IN A LIFE
Clutching the magic charm so tightly in her fist that it drew blood, Belle Sklath seated herself lightly, legs tensed, ready to flee. The interviewer across the desk from her raised its head and barely glanced at Belle. The smile on the interviewer’s lips was more of an accusation of murder and a sentence to death than a welcome.
‘Belle Sklath, is it?’ uttered the interviewer.
‘That’s right, …’ Belle began before freezing, utterly unable to decide between ‘Sir’ and ‘Ma’am’ for a crucial moment before dribbling, ‘Your Readiness.’
Inwardly cursing herself, Your Readiness? YOUR READINESS? What does that even mean? IDIOT!, Belle failed to hear the next question from the interviewer and began rapidly blinking her left eye only, a nervous trait of hers dating back weeks. The silence was sinister. Belle, nearly fainting, decided it must be broken somehow. So she threw her magic charm into the interviewer’s face and, screaming hysterically, fled the room.
On the street outside, with trembling hand, she drew a line through the item at the top of her list and read the second item. She nodded. She had plenty of time to get a bite to eat before the next job interview.
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