It was a well known fact that Rachel was impatient. Truth be told, she absolutely hated waiting. Having to wait was worse than drinking decaf coffee, more tedious than taking a minor in business administration and as painful as having college classmates that voted for creating a series of unfocused, black and white prints for group projects.
Long queues at Starbucks would've been Rachel's idea of hell on earth, but fortunately she would never have to wait. She made sure she was always first in line, even if it meant rising with the sun to avoid the morning rush. Rachel had made a habit of letting the roosters that were kept illegally on her neighbours roof crow her awake. That was, if Beth hadn't wandered into her bedroom first and prodded her awake with her chubby fists and sweet talc baby scent.
All of Rachel's early morning preparations had failed her this morning though.
Drumming her fingers against her first in, first served cup, which would always contain plenty of full bodied caffeine, Rachel face screwed up in annoyance.
Someone had beaten her to Emma's NYU office. Probably someone who was smart enough to make themselves an appointment, because despite being impatient, Rachel was also impetuous. She often forgot about the small details despite having a big picture plan.
This annoying girl that waited for Emma was slumped over in a chair gripping her bag to her chest like a life raft. She was dressed similarly to Rachel, but she had to be younger. Or that's what Rachel assumed because her red rimmed eyes were wide eyed with shock. She looked pale, possibly even green around the gills. A freshman, that was Rachel's guess. A silly freshman who had waited until this late in the semester to approach Emma about her failing grades, late assignments or missed classes.
Dumb, was Rachel's first thought. She didn't like people who wasted their time or made bad choices. Unless they were her own friends.
"Tough year, huh?" Rachel made her voice saccharine. The epitome of empathy. Fake empathy. "All the assignments and finals. Lectures and hard ass professors. Horrible all nighters, stress and panic. But it's almost over, right?"
The girl looked incredibly peaky. Sweat beaded on her forehead. Time to reel her in.
Rachel continued. "Now you get to go home and share your good news with your parents. I'll bet they'll be super proud!"
The girl jumped up from her chair, her fists clenched tightly around the strap of her satchel. She managed to spit out, before running off, "Please tell Ms. Pilsbury I had to go to the bathroom!"
Rachel did a victory twirl and planted her triumphant ass in the chair vacated by Miss Sick. She hoped Emma would hurry up though because the guilt started seeping in. College was rough and there were numerous other problems, non academic problems, that the girl could have been seeing Emma about, because although she was just supposed to be an academic advisor, Emma was just so damn nice.
Pushing aside regret, Rachel barged into Emma's door as soon as it squeaked open.
"Rachel," Emma was surprised. "I'm supposed to be meeting with.."
"She needed the bathroom," Rachel interjected, lying breezily, "She said to go first."
Emma gave her a doubtful look, pursing her bow mouth with disapproval but indicated Rachel take a seat anyway. Emma was infinitely patient and Rachel could learn a thing or two from her long suffering advisor.
"What can I do for you, Rachel?"
Rachel was blunt. "Emma. I need money. I need a job."
Emma's brow furrowed as she checked her computer. "Yes. I thought so. Rachel, you already have a job. Two jobs, in fact. One at the bookshop, one at the library and you volunteer at the media lab. How will you manage your time? I can't envision someone, even someone as organised as you, shifting time."
"I know. But those jobs pay a pittance. And I've always been cool with that. Work maketh the man, as my Daddy would say. But now I need money. Lots of money. I have three months to make a motza."
Emma's smile turned up at one side and Rachel could see how it would be amusing. "You need money? Is your father in financial trouble, Rachel? I just read his paper company made a record profit, which bucks an established trend. And you're so sensible." Concern tinged Emma's lowered voice. "You're not in some kind of trouble are you?"
"No!" Rachel thought about her selfishness with the other girl in the hall. She had to get through issue before she felt remorse. "I want an internship. When I graduate next year. I've been saving money like crazy from all of my jobs but I don't think it will be enough. I won't be able to work when I get this internship. It's too intense and there is so much at stake."
Rachel was beyond excited about this internship. Working alongside the artistic director of Hudson Corp. It was the foot in the door she would use to begin her photography career at the super progressive media company run by infamous playboy slash merciless dictator Finn Hudson.
"But Rachel," Emma was gentle. She was well versed in this Berry family issue. "If you spoke to your Dad, I'm sure he would be happy to back you financially."
Frustration made Rachel snippy and acrid. "Believe me, he really wouldn't. He still doesn't know I changed my major. He wants to gift me his Company Presidency as a reward for graduating. Can you imagine! I've been lying to him for over two years! My passion is photography. I'm a creative force. He wants me to sit in an office and talk finance and distribution and circulation figures. I'd rather die! He wants me to be answerable to shareholders. It would feel like I'm withering away."
"So, what I am hearing is that you believe you devoted father would withdraw his financial support and affection because you sought a different life path?"
Rachel scoffed at Emma's Psych 101 babble. "You make it sound so simplistic. It's nuanced. Complicated. My father is a ruthless businessman. He rewards loyalty and reveres work ethic. He still believes his future success is built on his reliable orderly broadsheet because he thinks creatives are flaky and useless. Not to mention infinitely replaceable."
It frustrated Rachel that her father chose to be so single minded with his business interests.
"Essentially, you think he will cut you off." Emma redirected Rachel's point.
"It's possible." Rachel gave voice to her darkest thought. Her relationship with her father had always been an immense source of joy. She had inherited all of his best qualities and he had gifted her with unbridled love and attention. All she had to do was photoshop her name onto Quinn's excellent results and Rachel had managed to keep things on an even keel. Except her lies had created a fracture she wouldn't admit to and she sometimes felt like she was drifting away from him. Pushing the bad feeling aside, Rachel continued, "I accept he may not be willing to pay for something he doesn't value. If I have enough to pay for myself, I can figure out the rest as I go on."
Accepting Rachel's explanation with a slight hesitation, Emma sighed. "You're looking for something high paying over a short period. I don't really want to recommend that kind of work, Rachel."
"Oh God, Emma. I didn't think about that. Well I thought about it but I can't. I was imagining some kind of high paying student research or event photography. I've done some of that before and it pays well. I thought you might have some past student connections. I was hoping you did."
Emma thought for a minute. Holding back slightly Rachel felt Emma was being cagey. She said, "I might have something. Do you have any experience looking after children?"
"I taught dance classes at the Y. I was a camp counsellor. Oh, and I live with a four year old. Beth. She's Quinn's daughter. I look after her all the time. She's the sweetest girl. I adore her."
Emma smiled. "This position is very discreet. I can't even tell you any details. You'd need to sign a non disclosure agreement before you even interview. And it's only for three months. But the employer pays extremely well and the job is not hard. The man you'll be working for is, well, he is quite difficult."
"What do you mean difficult?" Rachel knew she had a penchant for being outspoken and critical. She'd never hold back and sought out confrontation when necessary. It wasn't always conducive to getting along with people.
"He's notoriously private. Has extremely high standards. And I suppose you would call him demanding. He expects a lot from people who work for him. None of your time will be your own for these three months but you will be rewarded handsomely."
"Sounds perfect," Rachel grinned. "Sign me up."
"Just get through the interview unscathed Rachel," Emma grimaced but Rachel was too excited to notice.