Chapter Two

The phone rang, and Tally, a somewhat tanned girl in her late teens, who was playing with her long, dark hair, called, "I got it," and allowed her hair to fall before she answered. "Hello?"

"Tally Johannson?" the voice on the other end asked.

"That's me. You're Larry Daley from the Museum of Natural History, right?"

"How'd you know?"

"Caller ID, and I heard about you."

"Bad or good?"

"Mixed."

"Oh, okay." The voice chuckled before going on. "What do you say to a job interview tonight."

"What? You're kidding, right?"

"Sorry, but no. Are you busy?"

"No, no! It's just...I didn't really expect...yeah."

"I gotcha. So I'll see you tonight?"

"See ya tonight."

When Tally hung up, her grandfather asked from his place on the couch, "What was that about?"

"Job interview tonight."

"So soon?"

"Better believe it." She really didn't believe it herself, but she nonetheless rushed upstairs and began rummaging through her closet for something decent to wear.

The sun was just setting when Tally Johannson walked up the stairs to the Museum of Natural History. She fixed her pony tail, jacket, and jeans before walking inside. A young, tan man dressed as if from ancient Egypt walked up to her. "Hello. Are you new?"

"I hope," she said with a smile. "You know where to find Larry Daley?"

He pointed down one of the hallways. "I believe he went that way, but he should be here any moment."

"Thanks." All the while, Tally was thinking, Can't look desperate, can't look desperate.

"May I ask what brings you here?"

"Job interview, actually."

"So that's why you look so nice."

"Thanks." Tally was sure she was blushing, but just then Larry walked into the lobby just then, saving her the potential embarrassment and already existing awkwardness of continuing the conversation.

"Let's get down to business. So, you think you can be a night guard at the Museum of Natural History, huh?" Larry began with a smirk, leading Tally down a hall as the late night crowd flooded in.

"Well, the night watch is...a family tradition, of sorts," Tally managed. "I thought I'd try my hand at it, see what it's like." Can't look desperate, she kept thinking. "Why do you ask?"

"I was just curious. Not everyone can be a night watchman, you know. Now, how much do you know?"

"Nobody comes in, nothing goes out under any circumstances unless it makes it in before sunrise, don't jeopardize the safety of anyone or anything in the museum, and keep an eye out for anything too odd to be true."

"Oo, you're good."

"Oh, and expect the unexpected. Anything else?"

"You're really good. Tell me why anything which leaves must make it inside before sunrise."

"It turns to dust, which is to say all hope of saving it is lost."

"You aren't...wait, are you?"

"That's my secret, Mr. Daley. Anyway, what else you got?"

"You know the night watch here like the back of your hand." He held his hand out for her to shake, which she did, with a smile. "You seem okay to me, but I'll let McPhee and the board know and we'll see what happens. I'll call you as soon as I know."

"Thanks a lot, Mr. Daley."

"Drive safely," Larry called as Tally turned to leave the hall.

She paused at the threshold and called back, "You bet."

Ahkmenrah walked up to Larry. "So, how did it go?"

"If it were up to me, I'd have hired her on the spot," Larry said. "She'd do a good job."