Raisa stepped into the foyer with apprehension weighing heavily on her chest. She ran a hand along the length of her handbag's worn leather strap, feeling the comforting weight bearing down on her left shoulder. Her shoes made soft tapping sounds as she crossed the slick granite floor toward the receptionist's desk.
The young woman behind it eyed her, finishing a call. The nameplate on the desk read, "Theresa Heim." Her skin was almond, her hair chocolate. Raisa felt her stomach twist- it had been too long since lunch. "May I help you?"
"Yes, please... I'm here to see Mr. Davis about a position. I have an appointment."
The dark eyes watched her intently, and then turned to a computer, tapping away. "Your name, please?"
"Raisa Kobiak. K-O-B-I-A-K. Appointment for four-thirty." She watched the young woman, trying to stifle the anxious grumble in her gut. She always felt uncertain coming in to an interview, especially to a brass and marble place like this. She kept waiting for a man in dark glasses to materialize beside her, and ask her to 'please step outside, Miss.' Somehow, she could never quite feel that she belonged here. So why was she applying?
"Alright." Theresa reached into a desk drawer for a Visitor ID card, and ran it through what looked to be a credit card reader. She made sure the clamp worked and slid it across the stone desktop to Raisa. "Use that to work the elevator, and keep it on you at all times. Third floor, take the left corridor. Follow it when it bends, and you'll be right where you need to be." She slid the drawer closed with a metallic clang.
"Thank you," Raisa murmured, backing away a few paces before turning to the elevator. She had passed the first test.