Rory stood outside and stared up at the building. She wanted to cry. The place wasn't very big, but to Rory, it was immense. This job was a huge opportunity for her. It was the New York Times, the largest newspaper in the country. Granted, she was only an intern but she would work her way up.
She reached out and grabbed hold of the door handle. The cold metal was a small relief for her sweaty palm. She shut her eyes and took in a deep breath and let it out. She pulled open the door and opened her eyes. The inside seemed twice as big as the outside. The place was filled with so much excitement she could have sworn it was the New York Stock Exchange instead of the times. She dug in her pocket for the small sheet of paper she had written the name of the person she was supposed to talk to. She walked up to the nearest desk where a younger man was busy typing away on a computer that looked older than Rory.
"Excuse me." She interrupted.
"Yes." The man answered, not taking his eyes away from the computer screen.
"Where would I find…" Rory read from her piece of paper, "Kennedy Moore?"
"Third floor." He replied quickly. She could sense the irritation in his voice and wandered down the hall to the elevator.
The third floor was one long hallway with one door at the very end. The silence was sort of eerie after being in the busy office downstairs. Rory's footsteps echoed as she approached the office door. She gently tapped the fogged glass window.
"Come in!" shouted a strong male voice from the other side.
She pushed the door open and carefully shut it behind her. The man, she assumed was Kennedy, held a phone to his ear and was leaned back in his desk chair with his feet propped up on top of his desk. He motioned for her to take a seat. While he finished his call Rory took a moment to study the man she was going to be working for. He was younger than she expected. His blonde hair was sticking out in all directions. He had the sleeves of his white collared shirt rolled up to his elbows, exposing his dark tan. She could bet he spent a lot of time outdoors.
He ended his call and placed the phone back on its receiver. He moved his feet and put them back on the floor.
"Good to see you again, Miss Gilmore." He said straightening in his chair.
She nodded, too nervous to talk. She didn't want to say anything stupid. He drummed his palms against a book on his desk. He seemed to be thinking of what to say next.
"So, I guess we'll start you off with reception." He told her as he gathered some papers off his desk.
"Okay." Rory agreed politely. It wasn't where she wanted to be but she had to keep reminding herself it was the New York Times. He picked up a few more things and stood up.
"Let me show you where you'll be working." He motioned towards the door. She stood and followed him down the hall. They stepped into the elevator and he pressed the button for second floor. Rory broke the silence.
"Mr. Moore--"
"Please," he interrupted, "Call me Kennedy."
"Okay, Kennedy, I just wanted to thank you so much for giving me this job. I know I was a little older then the other applicants and—"
"Rory, your reporting experience is what got you the job. You should be proud of yourself."
She nodded in response.
The elevator doors opened to the office and she felt her new beginning.