Operation 1: Designation
I stood at the reception desk of the hotel. Joan, the woman behind the large rounded desk sat reclined in her office chair, her oval glasses slipping down her nose as she filed at her red nails. The file's scuffing and scraping stopped every few seconds as she took a look up at me before glancing to the lift doors- they were still dormant.
"I'm sure he'll be down shortly, please take a seat," Joan croaked. There was only annoyance in her tone and it never changed. Not even for customers. I couldn't help the irritation that came with knowing I'd be so much better at her job. Yet here I was, giving up my few hours at the hotel to join some security agency that worked in and around the hotel.
"Oh okay," I spoke in an almost whisper, my small black heels clicking as I did as I was told. I took the chance to smooth down my pencil skirt and glance at the other's dotted about the lobby.
Marlene insisted I made an effort to look smart, even when I tried to defend myself against it by stating that the suits had probably seen me about the hotel in the maid uniform anyway. Yet here I was looking like an idiot in a black pencil skirt and white shirt. I kept my coat on for emotional comfort more than anything. The trench coat was like a safety blanket, albeit grey and stylish, but there was a sense of security in keeping it on- It also hid my stupidly smart outfit.
Lifting my left arm up I checked my watch for the time before re-clipping my hair up, just for something to do. I worked my bangs free of the clip so they could still hang around my face before grounding the rest of my locks to the back of my head.
Taking a calming breath I checked my watch again. I was told my new boss would be down in precisely five minutes and it will be five minutes in twenty-eight seconds and counting.
I checked over my silver nails Marlene had nicely done for me- she obviously wants me to get the job- before going back to brushing off my skirt.
Seventeen seconds.
Perhaps I should do an extra button up on my shirt? I don't want to draw attention with any cleavage, but I also don't want to draw more attention my trying to force the extra button to close to only look at a risk of popping free. It's a no win, I'll just keep my coat on.
I glanced back down at my watch before staring up at the clock on the wall above the reception desk; it might be more accurate to go by that one.
Five, four, three, I tapped my finger against my leg as I did a count down. It was unlikely he would actually be here exactly when he said, but I was bored.
Two…One!
The doors to the stairs crashed open as a man stepped into the reception. He wore a plain black suit, smart and workable with a white shirt underneath the open suit jacket. "Don't panic! I made it on time!" He gave a smooth smile as he swept some of his hair from his face before taking a look around the main reception.
Please don't let that be him, let my boss be the one that takes half an hour when he says five minutes not the one that actually takes five exact minutes.
"So, which one of you lily livered, pack mules are going to be my new lackey?" that same smile stayed on his face as he folded his arms, one brow raising on his face.
No one moved and rightly so. Everyone else were hotel guest and I was too mortified and horrified to move. Why? Why couldn't I have a sane boss? And how on earth had our paths never crossed before now?
"Well considering my new receptionist is female I'm going to take a wild stab in the dark and say you!" I looked at the man pointing towards me, a genuine look of disbelief sat on my face.
'How on earth did your great mastermind figure that out?' I thought before swallowing my dread as I stood and strode towards him. "You have a keen eye sir, what gave it away?" I questioned. I tried to subdue the hint of sarcasm with a friendly smile.
"Well, you're the only female down here," He stated with a grin.
"Umm, the receptionist is female," I added quietly and glancing at the amber haired woman as she reached up to pat her tightly pinned curls. Her arms were long and thin, and face holding age with a slight sag in her eyes that was only made more obvious by the bright blue eye shadow glaring from behind her thick glasses.
The suited man stiffened, his smile dropping as he turned to take in the other woman's presence. The frown deepened on his face the more he inspected every detail. "That isn't a woman!" He stated once he turned back to me, his voice hard and serious.
I was dumbfounded. My lips parted with lost words and all I could do was blink.
"My goodness Doll, you'd scare a man saying things like that," he called as he strode towards the lift. He kept his hands perched behind his back until he reached the lift where he then brought a hand round to press the call button.
I followed with a soft clicking on my heels, jumping in the lift quickly as the doors seemed to shoot open. "Why didn't you take the lift down?" I questioned out of curiosity. After all he did come crashing into the lobby, which caused everyone to jump one seat over… the poor guy that had been sat on the end of the row had ended up with his arse on the floor.
"If I had relied on the lift it would have taken sixty-three and a half seconds for it to reach my floor, then an extra sixty-three and a half to come back down, and that's not counting waiting for the doors to open and close and the time it takes to select the floor. Also while using the lift you become victim to other riders, like a bus, stopping and starting, loading and unloading, it all takes precious time, time which I didn't have," He finished of seriously after a few over exaggerated arm jesters, folding his arms and watching as the lift doors closed.
"So…it would have taken too long?" I simply put it.
"Exactimundo," He pointed towards me like he was ticking me off and after that, silence. I looked around the mirrored lift, making sure I was still decent, no make-up down my face, tufts of hair sticking up, no…all good.
The lift came to a stop with a ping and the doors slid open.
"Oh Skippa, you're back!" A shorter guy ran forwards seeming more my height and dressed similar in a black suit.
"Whoa, easy Private," the so-called Skipper eased as he stepped out the lift.
"Skipper?" I whispered to myself, that look of disbelief finding it's way to my face again.
"Kowalski report!" Skipper barked as he perched his arms behind his back, as a rather tall man appeared, back strait and arms by his side in attention. "How was HQ during my leave?"
"Nothing out of the ordinary sir," The tall Kowalski confirmed.
I looked at the three dressed in black suits; I was going to be a receptionist for them? I didn't even know what they did! A giant clap shook the floor, seeming like a thunderstorm coming for next door.
"Rico!" Skipper hailed as another man appeared. Thick ash followed the new man as he fell out the room. He gave a low chuckle to himself while closing the door and shutting off the cloud of smoke. "Enough with the dynamite" Skipper raised a brow and the scruffy looking Rico seemed to sag with disappointment. His white shirt was dusted with soot and hair scruffy, there was a faint signature of a mohawk in his hair and a scar across his lips. "Team, I'd like you to meet our new receptionist, call her what you like for now, I haven't decided on a suitable name," Skipper smiled looking at his three team members, his arms still poised behind his back.
"I already have a name, its Lola," I pointed out.
"Kowalski, take fizzy pop here to her new station," Skipper ordered, only bringing his arms forwards to give me a push while I frowned.
"Fizzy pop?" I gave him a raised brow as I made a slow start at following Kowalski.
"You said your name was Cola didn't you," A cool smirk pulled at Skipper's lips.
"Lola!" I stated again before turning and marching after Kowalski and his long strides.
Please tell me I'm not surrounded by crazy people.
"Skippa?" The smallest of the three turned to his leader.
"What is it Private?" Skipper encouraged.
"Don't you think we ought to introduce ourselves?" The shy Private questioned, bringing his hands up and pushing his finger tips together as he thought over what he just suggested.
"In time Private, let the girl get settled in first," With that Skipper turned on his heels and strode off leaving the young Private to look at Rico, seemingly a little lost. Rico just gave a simple shrug as if Skipper's words made perfect sense before retreating back into the room he first came from.
Looking around the now empty space around him, Private then looked down the hall Lola had wandered off down with Kowalski and gave a sigh. With his head bowed and eyes looking down to the floor he had little options and so followed after Skipper into the main tasking room.
"Why are there two doors?" I frowned, staring at the door across from me while I stood in the frame of the door we came in through.
"That door is access from the tasking room, it saves us the trouble of running around the halls to come to this door," He pointed at the doorway I was currently blocking.
"So why not just have that door?" I pointed across to the door behind him.
"Because, then you would be running around the halls to get to different areas on this floor which are easily accessible through that door," He once again pointed towards the door frame I was stood in.
"Okay, makes sense," I shrugged.
The tall Kowalski turned and faced the main part of the room and motioned me inside. "This will be your station," He stated with a nod as I stepped next to him.
"Is the avalanche of paper my station? Or is my station under the avalanche?" I managed to squeak out after the shock of seeing the flooded mounds of paper. "Are you for real? This is all your paper work! I have to sort through all that!" I lifted my hands up and pushed my bangs free of my face.
"Welcome to HQ!" The voice of Skipper sung from where he was leaning in the door frame that opened up into the tasking room.
"Thanks." I mumbled still eyeing the hoard of paper.
"Feel free to take some time to settle in and get acquainted before knuckling down," I looked across at Skipper; the smooth smile he held was almost taunting. It was quickly wiped from his face as he turned on his heels and strode out, calling over his shoulder. "Kowalski!"
The called man gave me a nod in departure before following after he leader.
"Great," I sighed looking at the mountain.
This was my designated area?
"Alright gang, I want close observations, for all we know she could be a spy sent in to be a mole in our system and leak our sources, Rico, I want you to gather what you can find on this girl," Skipper ordered, pointing to the man rubbing the scar on his lips and forcing him to jump and look about before giving a nod. "Kowalski!" The finger was pointed to the tallest and he sat ready to take notes. "I want you to pick through the paper work she filled in and anything Rico comes back with, If anything doesn't add up I want to know about it, the smallest loop hole can mean disaster," The captain threw his arms up before looking at his group, his eyes stopping on the shortest as he held his hand up to speak. "Yes Private?"
"What can I do Skipper?" The youngest questioned.
"I have a special task for you my curious little friend!" Skipper's lips turned up in a planning grin as he put an arm round the young Private's shoulders. Skipper turned him to look across the room and through the window of Lola's new office The group watched as she placed her hands on her hips and ran a hand through her hair for the fifth time, successfully messing her up-do before she eventually bent over to scoop up a pile of papers and shuffle through them.
000
