Chapter 4
"I fucking hate Orton," Cricket said, flopping down beside Lana. "You know, you lucked out getting London. It seems I get stuck with all the assholes."
"I wouldn't call it 'lucking out,' Cricket," Lana replied. "Actually, Denise referred me to him."
"Well, still, you got a better deal than I did. Just when I think I couldn't work for a more arrogant ass, I get hit with something else. Considering the job market these days, I should be grateful to have this job at all, but still. Would you believe he wanted me to call an agency and book a couple of hookers after the show last night?"
"He wanted what?" Lana couldn't believe her ears. "Isn't he married?"
"Carol was right; you got a lot to learn. Married or single, doesn't matter to most of these dudes; except maybe a grand total of three or four guys that are decent, the rest will screw anything on two legs and in a short skirt."
Lana went a little pale. "Good God."
"Stick around with me long enough and I can tell you stories."
"Perhaps I'm better off not knowing some of them."
"And some you should," Cricket laughed. "And I thought being an operating room secretary before this job was some strange shit."
"What happened to that job?" Lana asked.
"I was a victim of downsizing," Cricket replied. "Kind of a shame, because the job wasn't really that bad. I was actually thinking about going into nursing before I lost my job. Then I saw an ad for a secretary position here, and the rest is history."
"You still don't want to study nursing? You have the personality and compassion for it."
"On what this asshole pays me? I'm lucky I can get a decent cup of coffee sometimes."
"There's grants and loans, " Lana pointed out. "Nursing is a very solid job. You're very bright, Cricket, and you have drive. I would still look into it."
Cricket shrugged. "Maybe I will."
Another secretary walked in, one Lana knew well.
"Hey, Kim," she smiled at the petite brunette.
"Morning, gals," Kim yawned, going for the coffee urn.
"Eight hours is good for that, girl," Cricket said.
"Usually I get about six," Kim laughed, "but Brian kept me up most of the night having a bitchfest."
"If it's what I think it's about, Paul filled me in last night from backstage," Lana said. "And to put it mildly, he wasn't a happy camper either."
Kim nodded. "It was. And to be honest, I'd been totally pissed too."
"It's like dealing with a couple of kids sometimes nevertheless," Lana replied.
"Yeah, I hear you there. But it beats the shit out of working for some of those idiots a few other of us girls have. I think you and I got a pretty good draw even if the pay sucks."
Lana smiled a little. "I can't help but agree. Never a dull moment with those boys."
Kim then looked at Cricket. "Wow, you mean Orton let you off your leash for a change?"
"Yeah, surprising, isn't it?" Cricket snorted. "And I'm enjoying the moment."
Kim sipped her coffee and made a face. "Jesus, how old is this shit?"
"There's fresher down the hall," Lana offered. "Carol just made it."
"Nah, I'm too lazy. This will do for now. I'll just load it up with cream and sugar. And maybe today will be quieter so I can sneak in a nap later."
"Seems like you could use one," Lana said sympathetically.
Just at the moment, Paul had waltzed in. "There you are," he said to Lana, and then acknowledged Kim and Cricket. "Hey, ladies."
"Hey yourself," Kim smiled back.
"Was there something you needed? I had my phone on," Lana said.
"Uh…no. Just wondering where you were." He went to the coffee urn.
"I wouldn't drink any of that if I were you. Carol made fresh down the hall," she warned.
Paul shrugged. "That's okay. I've had worse."
The three women glanced at each other, each giving quizzical looks as he left the room.
"And I thought my boss was weird," Kim finally said.
"He's been terribly odd lately," Lana sighed. "It isn't just looking for me when he didn't even need anything, but there's also been the times I've been working, only to turn around and find him practically staring a hole in me. When I ask if there is something else that he needs, it's always 'Oh, nothing really.' It's just bizarre sometimes."
"Maybe he just likes the companionship," Cricket suggested.
"That's a strange way of showing it," Lana replied.
Kim's phone then buzzed. "Hold that thought, girls," she said, then attended to the call.
"Brian, Jesus, calm down. Don't start tripping out on me again. I'll be down in a few minutes to help you find them. Meanwhile, check your bag; they could be in there and you just overlooked them."
Kim then snapped her phone shut. "Sorry, girls; I have to go. I have a spazzy blond in a crisis because he can't find a pair of his favorite shoes."
"Have fun. Meanwhile, I need to split too before my jailer hunts me down," Cricket said.
"And I need to get back to having a hole stared in me. I'll catch up with you all later," Lana added, before leaving the room.