MOG

Chapter 2

~~~

I stared at the exceedingly long line of potential desk-workers leading up to the commissioner's office. That's terrible! With me having next to no experience, AND I hate answering phones and such...it'd be a slim chance that I'd get a job here. Where'd all these stupid kids come from??

It seemed like the line was moving quickly though...every minute, a teenager like myself would enter and leave the office. Some of them looked pleased with themselves -- others had the palest of faces. Poor losers. But I'd be one of those scared, unfortunate ones. Just watch.

It got me so angry to hear the conversations of the other potential teenagers in the line, most of them saying, "I have so much experience working at a desk, blah blah blah." It's so annoying! Stop it! Stop BRAGGING!!! I wanted to beat them up. Grr. I have the patience of Dee Latener, which is probably why he's one of my favorites.

Okay, now I'm just rambling again! I MUST focus. I MUST get a community service job here. I MUST...

"Next please. Miss? Miss?" A prodding to my shoulder snapped me out of my thoughts, and I realized that I was making a fool of myself again. Well, that's me. A screw-up who daydreams too much.

"Huh? Oh, thank you." I said politely to the girl who poked me, and I clenched my application as I entered Berkeley's office.

~~~

When Ryo told Dee about how Berkeley's eyes had this piercing effect on you, he totally hit the nail on the head. Past those rectangular-glasses were two orbs of penetrating blue eyes that drilled holes into your quivering form. Or, rather, MY quivering form. I gulped.

"Your name is Mary, is it?" he said rather briskly as he skimmed the application I handed him, so I wasn't quite sure if he was talking to me or to himself. I nodded anyway, though I knew he didn't see me do so. But whatever. I'm freakin' nervous here!

"I'm sorry for not having any experience," I blurted out. Berkeley lifted his eyes from the paper to look at me in confusion. But I kept on in my random rant, "But honestly, I'm a Pisces, so I'm a really fast learner and I adapt to new situations very easily!"

He stared at me, probably in amusement. Or he could've been thinking, 'what the hell was the matter with this unexperienced kid?'

"No one ever said that experience was a major factor in *community service*, Miss Shane." he told me, and I recognized the condescending tone so well. Well, fine. I deserved it.

Before I could have a chance at saying anything else ridiculous, Berkeley placed the paper down on his desk, leaned forward and steepled his hands. His eyes were dead set on me, and I froze. He knew I was nervous. It was written all over my face. Poor readable me. I smiled a quick nervous smile, but it was too late. He knew.

"Are you afraid of me, Miss Shane." It was more of a statement than a question. I wasn't afraid of him...I was afraid of me and my stupid mouth. Oh, and his eyes. Yeah.

"No, sir. I'm just trying to be polite." I told him sincerely, my hands folded on my lap. "There's no reason for me to be scared, sir. I just need this community service, is all. Well, actually...no. I AM a little nervous. But I dunno why. Well, actually, I do!" Well, that got me started. And when I get started, I don't stop until I really went all out on an explanation. "I know, I know, there's no reason to be all nervous about a little...uh...'interview', if you will, but it IS a little scary when there's a high chance that I wouldn't get this community service because of me being...well, me! And all those perfect little other teenagers with...with...these applications...!!"

Without thinking, I snatched up my application and shook it like crazy. "FILLED UP APPLICATIONS! Those guys are crazy! So...overqualified! For a community service, of all things. You know what I think it is? Rich parents! How much do you want to bet that they can play over 3 instruments, are class presidents, and have scholarships for top colleges, and...and...well, it's stupid."

Berkeley smirked at me. Man, he should have just told me to shut up already...

"Jealous of them, perhaps?" he asked. I shook my head quickly.

"I'm really not, sir. I....well, I..." I stopped talking and sat back down in my seat, wanting to rip my hair out of my scalp for completely blowing my chances. I just acted like a freak!! In front of the COMMISSIONER! Doh. "I think I'm just gonna go."

With that, I got up from my seat, but I didn't want to leave rudely. He stood up as well, and I walked over to him and held out my hand. "I'm sorry for the inconvenience, Commissioner Berkeley. But thank you for atleast hearing my stupidity." I was prepared to shake his hand, but..

He laughed.

I never thought it possible, but he did. And it wasn't a mocking laugh, like I'm so used to hearing back at home from my older sister, but it was a genuine laugh. I blushed. Atleast I got to meet Berkeley and Ryo, right? I'll just grab a community service job near the precinct, and just try harder to be close to the characters...

He stopped me from leaving. "They *were* a little annoying. And I need an assistant with enough energy to run around and deliver paperwork to the different departments of the precinct all day."

"I'll do it!" I hit my chest with my fist. It hurt, but I didn't care! "Commissioner Berkeley....I have lots of energy!" It was true. As long as I don't use the stairs, I was fine. Tae-bo and kickboxing helps, too.

"Good. I knew you would. Just do me a favor," he reached into his desk and pulled out a small blue booklet with a paper attached to the cover. He handed it to me. "...keep your outbursts to yourself when you're around this officer by the name of Dee Latener."

I blinked. "Why, sir?"

"You just remind me of him a little, is all. And I don't need two Dees in my precinct," he sighed, "You may go."

I left with the most humongous smile on my face. That comment reminded me that I want to meet Dee so badly!!

Oh, but now that I have the position, I have to begin my work. This is the hard part...who can it be? Is my assignment Ryo, or Dee, or JJ....or even Berkeley himself? It's so hard to figure out sometimes...and even harder to get to know the person. Especially if it were Berkeley.

But I am an experienced sorceress with 2 years of experience in this line of work, so I should probably know who my assignment is within a few days. Hopefully, I should accomplish my work before Rita sends in Ian. Grr.

The boring part is OVER!!

Now, to meet Dee.