Chapter 3: Enter – Bonnie
In the midst of a midsummer day, a short raven haired woman stands in front of a once familiar site. Her green eyes scan every inch of the rubble in the process of being cleaned up by the cleanup crew. She watched them clean the part of the lot that she assumed was once her office. The livelihood she once had was no more with her employer having gone under after being a victim of the terrorists and the Reds and the Blues. Calm down Bonnie, it's not their fault. She echoed the thoughts in her mind. She turned to leave and looked back one last time. Reaching her apartment, where she worried for the eviction notice to arrive any day now, she unlocked the door to her home and entered. She rested the bag of supplies beside a half-eaten breakfast. She shoots a silent curse as she gently wraps it up and puts it in the fridge. I hope its still alright. If I ration it properly, I should be able to make it last for another two days. However, her stomach disagreed with a loud growl. At least I hope I can make it last.
She sat down by her cheap computer and sighed at the frustrations it brought her. As if like a car struggling to start its engine, the computer did not sound too happy to be turning on either. To her, it almost seemed like an act of retaliation for her continued negligence. Gee, sorry computer, if only I was better with technology, she pondered in a sarcastic tone. Bonnie noticed a more than usual number of notifications present. That was fast, its only Monday morning. I can already imagine what they are. She pondered to herself as she hovered over to the mailing application and studied every mail's subject line. You give me a rejection, they give me one, everyone gives me a rejection. Rejection to go all around! Dammit. She opened the emails to see the same bland pattern in their wording. No thought or effort put into it. Clearly it was the product of a quick template search with minor modifications. Bonnie walked over to her plastic bag and began to store the items away for safe storage. I can probably only last five more months in terms of rent and food based on my savings. Although, I'm already behind on rent this month. I need to find something fast. Its ridiculous how just because I'm a graduate psychology major, no one is willing to hire me for jobs. No such things as over qualified, that's just a convenient term for them to justify filtering people into categories.
Bonnie knew that the more she thought about this, the greater the anger arose from the deeper recesses of her mind. She dragged a seat by the large windows of her balcony and took a seat with a glass of wine in one hand. The wine helped to cool her mind with its bitter, yet sweet taste. Things really went downhill for us little people after the whole war between the Reds and Blues, and the terrorists. I am thankful to them, because if it weren't for them, I would have been blown away by one of the nukes at that time. But I wonder if this is any better?
She shook her head, but quickly stopped at seeing the wine nearly jump over the rim of the glass. It's not their fault, it's more like the business owner's fault for never insuring the business properly. She took another sip to calm the nerves. I wonder how everyone else is holding up. She stood up at the sudden ringing of her phone and rushed over as if nothing else mattered in the world right now. "Hello?"
"Hi," she could hear the gentle yet professional voice of a woman on the other end. "Am I speaking with Bonnie?"
"Speaking."
"Hi Bonnie, my name is Molly. I'm calling from the Mental Health and Treatment Centre in regards to the recent application you made for a part-time opportunity."
"Oh, yes," Bonnie's eyes suddenly lit up with a sliver of hope. "I remember."
"Well, we would like to know, are you still interested?"
"Yes!"
"Would you be able to come in for an interview this coming Thursday at 2:00 PM?"
"Yes, that time works great for me."
"Fantastic," Molly answered as Bonnie heard a few clicking and clacking noises in the background. No doubt it was Molly's keyboard. "We will see you then Bonnie, have a great day."
"Looking forward to it, thank you so much for the call. Have a great day!" Bonnie gently placed the phone on the table as she let her heart calm and her breaths regulate normally. It wasn't long before she quickly went to work in diligently preparing for the interview, and ensuring her knowledge is up to date and ready to recall at any given moment. She studied day and night, her eye was on the goal.
Two days passed, and it was Thursday. The interview time was creeping up on her, and she could feel her heart deepen in beat with every passing minute. In the mirror, she studied her three button suit with a knee height skirt, her stockings pulled up neatly to not leave any creases. Her tie was saddled up against her neck, two pieces of ear jewelry rested on each ear. Light black eye liner coursed its way from the inside to the outside edge of her eyes to complement her raven hair. Her short hair was combed down from the top to her bottom right. Her lips were glossed in a bright red lipstick and the skin of her face lightly powdered to leave a happy scent wherever she visited. Bonnie gently sprayed some perfume on her wrists and rubbed it around to complement the smell of the powder. She held her small purse in one hand and studied her posture in the mirror. You got this girl. Bonnie suddenly became alert at the sound of the pre-set warning alarm. She quickly fastened her high heel shoes around her ankles and hurried for the door. Hopefully I will be coming back here with some favorable results tonight.
Bonnie opted to take the public transit that still operated in certain areas of the city. She made her way down to the non-profit organization's offices. She walked in confidently with just twenty minutes to spare prior to her interview. A courteous smile was worn on her lips, she announced the details of her visit, and the intention while projecting a strong confident individual as she had planned to. Just remember, be confident Bonnie. You will have this in the bag if you just remain confident and show them that you know your stuff. Also, don't give in to that habit.
At the direction of the receptionist, she took a seat on the padded chairs by the reception desk. She picked up a magazine, however, before she could even begin flipping through it, Molly was already out and about. Molly, a woman in her early twenties, dressed in tight jeans and a loose, breezy top with a flowery pattern. Her long orange hair was made into a wavy form, and her freckles hardly hidden by her makeup. "Hello Bonnie, how are you today?"
"I'm good, how about you?"
"I'm good myself, thank you for asking. If you will just follow me, I will take you to the interview room," Molly led the way. Bonnie followed quietly, but studiously noting her surroundings. For a non-profit, they sure do have access to some good equipment here. The office space is not too bad. The two ladies entered a small office with a rectangular desk, and three chairs. Two chairs sitting opposite to one. Her second interviewer was already seated, anxiously so as Bonnie could tell based on the interviewer's weak posture, and a gaze that averted from Bonnie's many times. The second interviewer stood up and shook Bonnie's hand rather weakly, this caused a rather surge in confidence in Bonnie. If this is what I'm up against, then this shouldn't be too bad. Although, how'd ever someone like this get to work with patients?
"So, tell us a bit about yourself Bonnie," asked Molly. The usual slew of questions first. I bet that Cassie here didn't get the chance to read my resume yet. Trying to buy time probably. Bonnie began with an almost pre-rehearsed response, yet natural enough to fit the situation. Sure enough however, just as Bonnie had thought, Cassie did not indeed read her resume ahead of time. Cassie reached for her sheet of questions and began to make her way down the list. With every question, Bonnie felt her confidence increase. But so did her hubris as her judgemental attitude continued to escalate. No, chill it Bonnie, you don't want to drop the ball here. Molly looked over to Cassie and noticed that her questions were complete. Molly asked one last one before wrapping up the hour long interview. "Do you have any questions for us?"
"Yes, a couple," Bonnie admitted as she asked the first. "I'm definitely interested in this opportunity, and would love to know if there is ever any chance of this becoming full-time?"
"That's a fair question," Molly replied. "As you know, we are a non-profit. So we are primarily dependant on the budget we get and how healthy our workforce is. If there is ever an opportunity, we tend to post it internally first to give our employees a heads up. So there is a chance."
"Okay, how about the next steps?"
"We are interviewing others today, based on our decision after that, we will contact you and let you know if we are proceeding with your candidacy or not."
"Okay, thanks."
Both Bonnie and Molly heard the loud clang of a pen bouncing against the floor. Cassie scrambled to fetch it as it rolled closer and closer to Bonnie's feet. "Oh, I'm so sorry. I can be such a klutz sometimes."
Bonnie reached down to pick it up just before Cassie could get to it. "Here is some advice, try to seem more confident. It doesn't help the other person on the receiving end if that individual appears to look weak. Here is your pen."
"O- Okay…"
Molly cleared her throat, breaking the rather awkward situation and led Bonnie out the office. "Thank you for coming down here today. We will be in touch."
"Thank you for having me here," Bonnie parted with one last handshake and looked up at the sky just outside of the building. Fuck, fuck, fuck, I'm such an idiot. I blew it, god-fucking-dammit!
Sure enough, the next day what she feared came to pass. A rejection email sat in her inbox from her part-time job interview. I hate myself for being so judgemental all the time. Sometimes I wonder if I'm even fit to be a psychologist. Bonnie angrily shut the computer down and dug her face into the pillow of her bed. It's been three months since I started looking for work. Five months since I was laid off. Even with all of my experience, I'm beginning to wonder if I'm even the employable sort or not.
Bonnie stretched her legs as she ran her fingers through her hair. She could feel her nails dig into her scalp in a pleasurable sensation. Her scratch satiated, she looked out to yet another beautiful day. Maybe I should go take a walk. But where will I go to? She pondered as she readied herself. Still in her pajamas, she put on her sneakers and stepped outside. A mildly strong breeze blew from her right and pushed her along to the left. It was as if the wind wanted to take her somewhere, and her feet complied with little to no qualms about it. Walking, walking, and walking, she finally came upon the site the wind took her to. It was her old office site. I always end up back here one-way or another. Bonnie, you have a problem. You need to learn to move on. She sighed to herself in fatigue, tiredness of everything that has been happening lately. Should I consider a career change? It seems to be the more likely option at this rate considering my inability to keep my judgemental side shut. The lone woman, standing in front of the rubble stared on, saddened at her state of life, and cursed her own weaknesses. This young psychologist that once had a promising career now sat at the lowest point of her life as it is right now, while pondering her next move. Bonnie, a strong, but a weak woman right now, broken by the war of the past like many others, but life must find a way to move on and it shall for her.
A/N: Another rookie introduced and out of the way!
What do you think about Bonnie based on the small introduction?
Which team do you think she will be on?
Hope you are enjoying this story so far. Trust me, it will all come together in the end :).
Any respectful feedback is appreciated!
Thank you for reading. Till next time!
~ Monty