"The city of Seattle was dark, gloomy, cold, and full of people you would never get to know". That was the impression everyone I knew had given me before I made the decision to move from the familiarity of my small home town. Like most, my home was full of good, smart people who never had the will to leave. Home would always be home, but I refused to let sentimentality dictate the rest of my life. Leaving was hard. Moving hundreds of miles away from your family would never be easy, but I couldn't help but feel a bubble of excitement whenever the thought crossed my mind. It was the chance to do something new, to meet all of the strange and complicated people of the big city. Goodbyes were said. Everyone who came to send me off imparted their vast wisdom of the world outside your quaint little town; each suddenly an expert in city living. The send-off was bitter sweet, but stepping onto the grey-hound bus was the most liberating thing I had done. Still waving, friends and family became smaller and smaller until their figures were lost around the corner. An unexpected tang of worry flickered in my mind, but I pushed it away. As the sky grew darker, I fell asleep; knowing that when I woke, I would begin a new life and a great adventure.
X
My eyes opened, startled. It was dark out. Immediately I thought I must have slept all day, a quick look at my phone I was reassured that was not the case. Not long after I woke, the driver announced that we would be arriving at the Seattle transportation center in just over an hour. With the worried feeling gone, I began to bounce in my seat, much to the amusement of my neighbors. I didn't mind, I was happy. Things were going to plan, and I was prepared to make the best of this gloomy city.
One thing my family gotten right was the weather. It was pouring down rain once I reached the terminal. Unsure of where to go next, I checked my phone one more time. It seemed that I was a little further from my apartment than I expected. I put on my jacket, and tightened my scarf around my neck, bracing myself for the unpleasant walk home. I cursed myself for lack of planning. In the rain, the modest walk seemed to take forever. Looking at passersby, you would have hardly thought it was misting. The lack of umbrellas and real rain-gear among the natives was a surprise. Each person was walking with a purpose as if the rain didn't bother them at all. After about 20 minutes and several wrong turns, I made it to the apartment building.
"Marie?" a distant voice questioned. Looking up I spotted a very soft looking women in a grey dress suit. "Marie?" she repeated. "Are you the new tenant?". She gave me a sorry look, what a sight I must have been. Sopping wet, with numerous bags hoisted on my back, it wasn't surprising that she had difficulty discerning who I was.
Realizing that I had never answered her question, I spoke up. Trying to find a free hand from my luggage, I reached out my hand to greet her. "Ah, yes! I'm Marie. I'm so sorry I'm late, I don't quite know my way around from the city yet" I laughed. "Good, good. I am Ms. Moore" she followed with a laugh of her own. "I was beginning to wonder where you were. Let's get you up to your apartment so you can get out of those wet clothes". As I followed her to the elevator all my worries disappeared. If this was the first person I met here, the rest couldn't be as distant as my family had thought. Ms. Moore continued to make small talk as she opened the door and showed me around the apartment. She kept playing up the "rustic" look of the place which we both knew was just code for old. I didn't mind, growing up in a small farming town has its perks. I had always prided myself that I had an advantage in handiwork compared to pampered city slickers. It was nothing I couldn't handle. After the papers were signed, Ms. Moore left me alone. When she left, the energy and excitement seemed to go with her. I was now faced with the reality of where I was. Cold, hungry, and wet, there was no one to join in the celebration.
The following days were filled with an assortment of news paper cutouts as I searched for a job. While I did save a good chunk of money before I left home, I had begun to realize that living in the city was much more expensive than I had first thought.
The next morning, I woke up to the persistent buzz of my cell phone. I was tempted to ignore it and crawl even deeper into bed, but I reached over and looked at the caller ID. It was a good thing I did, because it was an associate from an investment firm I had applied to earlier that week. "Hello!" I almost shouted into the phone (early morning calls never went well for me). A small scough could be heard from the other line, "Am I speaking to Marie Holloway?" the voice questioned. "Yes, yes, that's me" I replied, desperate to get an interview. "We have looked over your resume and would like for you to come in for a preliminary interview at our local branch of Serpent Investment". I felt my heart flutter in my chest, eager to sound professional, I took a deep breath before continuing. "I'm glad to hear that. Is there a time in particular you would like me to come in?", the voice responded "could you manage 2:00 this afternoon?". I paused, looking at my watch, 2:00 was in just three hours. I wondered what their reason was for wanting the interview so soon, but my dry bank account made me disregard the thought. "2:00 today? Yah, I'm avail.."—"Good" the voice snapped. "We will be expecting you, dress nicely, looks will have an impact on our selection" and with a loud clack, the line was cut.
I sat for moment dazed at the oddity of the conversation and the speed at which it happened. Looking at my watch one more time, I threw myself out of bed and straight into the shower. The comment that looks would be important stuck in my head. While I wasn't funny looking, I had never drawn the attention of the boys at home. Struggling to control my dark, curly hair, I did my best to pull together a modest outfit, hoping that would be enough to prove to the interviewers at Serpent I was worth the job.
Walking into the building I was taken back. It was absolutely beautiful. The building was tall and black, by far the tallest building I had ever seen. The inside was brightly lit and gave the impression of wealth and importance, a feeling I found inspiring and off-putting at the same time. Immediately I felt out of place. The room was swarming with beautifully busy people, all walking with a purpose. I waddled up to the counter, letting them know I had arrived. "Excuse me?" I peeped. A set of strong eyes whipped up from their work at the computer,*this must be the voice behind the phone* I thought. "You are early, that's good. Wait in the lobby, an associate will be down to lead you to the interview in just a minute" the woman from behind the counter responded. Immediately after, her eyes went back to her computer and she continued her work. as soon as I sat down, a man approached me.
While he certainly looked like he belonged there, his face seemed kinder than the woman from the counter. With an easy smile on his face he introduced himself. "My name is Mr. Rumlow, I'm here to escort you upstairs". I nodded my head and followed him towards the elevator and up an impossible number of stories. Eventually the elevator stopped and we exited, following him down a long hall. "It is a good thing someone came to get me, I don't think I could have found the room on my own" I laughed, trying to break the silence. He simply smiled back at me and continued down the hall.
Taking in the view of the city, I fell behind Mr. Rumlow who disappeared into the maze of hallways. In a small state of panic, I quickened my pace up to a light jog. *he can't have gone that far*. Turning quickly around the next corner, I came face to face with a tall, ominous man.
Bumping into his shoulder felt like a wall, unprepared for the sudden obstacle, the impact had me falling backwards. I let out a small gasp as the man's hand shot out and around the small of my back, saving me from an embarrassing collision with the floor. I just stood there for a moment, with his arm still around my waist, unsure of what to do. I just looked at him for a moment, taking in his handsome features.
Long dark hair framed his scruffy face. A set striking blue eyes just looked at me until I regained my footing. Without a word, he released me, and turned back down the hall.
"Ms. Holloway?", it was Mr. Rumlow. "There you are, I'm sorry I lost you for a moment there. The room is just down the hall here" he smiled again, gesturing in the direction the strange man went. "Oh, no. It was my fault. I was taking in the view" I reassured him. He placed his hand on my back and guided me into a small room.
He went in first and sat down at a broad desk. Color rose to my face when I read the plaque and realized that the office belonged to Mr. Rumlow. "Y-you are giving the interview!?" I said surprised. He let out a deep bellied laugh, "yes, I didn't mean to deceive you, but I do like to get a feel for the disposition of the people I interview. As soon as they know who I am their attitude changes considerably". "I suppose I understand that" I replied meekly. "Would you please take a seat? My partner would like to join us". I turned over my shoulder and jumped, seeing the strange man from the hallway standing behind me. I hadn't even noticed him come in. Mr. Rumlow gestured towards a chair and I took my seat. He had the other man take the place next to me.
As the interview went on, I wondered what the purpose of the second man was. He hadn't spoken to you or to Mr. Rumlow. He just sat there, I could feel his eyes boring into the side of my head. His look wasn't imposing, its was almost inquisitive. *what's wrong with him? Is it me, did I do something wrong? is there something on my face?*. I did my best to ignore the burning questions I had and continued with the interview.
It was strange how Mr. Rumlow barely even acknowledged the nameless man next to me. I dared not look over and risk making eye contact. I wasn't used to having a handsome man give my features so much attention. The thought made a second wave of color flush my cheeks.
He was not like the other people in the building. For starters his clothes were different, I thought he might be security. My mind didn't linger on the thought and before I knew it, the interview was over and I was on my way back home.
That night I felt restless. The whole day seemed like a strange dream, and while I did my best to reason with it, something seemed wrong. The job by all accounts was perfect. The space and the people were beautiful, but I couldn't shake the feeling of the dark nameless man from before. Eventually my thoughts gave way to sleep.