Disclaimer: I do not own Hey Arnold or any of the characters. Hey Arnold is the property of Nickelodeon and Craig Bartlett.
The First Year
Work Hours
A glimpse at work life for both Arnold and Helga.
Mid September
It was a windy morning in the town known as Hillwood, as a certain couple had woken up early to do their daily routine of showering, getting dressed and eating breakfast to give them the energy that they would need to face another long day of work.
It's Arnold and Helga Shortman, who were currently eating some omelet's the blonde wife made for breakfast.
"What time is it honey?...'Arnold asked his wife who had already finished her morning cup of coffee and her breakfast.
"It's already 7:05...we better get a move on if we don't want to be late today...'Helga said as she took a final bite of her breakfast and then put her dishes in the sink.
"You're right, I better get going...Dr. Garcia is expecting me to come in early to review my new article about the cultural differences between tribal villages and the modern world..."Arnold said.
"Yeah, the sooner you show it to him, the sooner he'll be able to put it on every cultural magazine he can get his hands on..."Helga said.
"That's only if he approves of it...'Arnold reminded her.
"You make it sound like he might not, everyone knows your his best researcher..'The wife said.
Arnold smiled at that. Helga's always been supportive of him and his career and never once doubted in his abilities. The husband kissed her on the cheek.
"Anyway, enough mush...we got to get going before the traffic starts and we get yelled at for being late...'Helga said as she got her brief case, purse and other necessary belongings.
Today her bosses Mr. Wright and Mr. Tate were having a big meeting with the company's publicist and Helga was still technically his assistant, so while she had already submitted her book to him, she was still on the "waiting list", so until she started getting some recognition and green, she still had to answer phones and get the guy's coffee until then but Helga was determined and confident that soon enough, her break will come.
"See you at 5 honey...'Arnold and Helga both said in sync as they shared a kiss before they got into their cars and soon left for another day of work.
At Hillwood University
Arnold had arrived to check in at Hillwood University and soon went directly to the Department of Anthropology, where he began his usual duties of revising this weeks curriculum, assisting in the lectures and finally, meeting with his boss Dr. Juan Carlos Garcia, the head of the department, a man in his late 50's who was currently reading his article with a critical eye.
Arnold just sat there patiently as his boss read his work, keeping a calm smile plastered on his face as the man continued to read.
"I hope that he likes it, me and Helga really need this..." Arnold thought deep inside.
Okay, he was nervous about potential rejection as much as any one would be at this point. It's not that he wasn't good at his job, his boss told him repeatedly that he was doing well and that was good enough for him. But Arnold was counting on him getting this article published for the extra money.
Sure, he and Helga were doing well now, but he didn't want to spend the rest of their lives in that apartment. He wanted to help save up for a house of their own one day. Sure, he and Helga had agreed that they wouldn't try and move until they at least had some kids first, and thus would need a bigger space but they both needed to save up for a down payment.
The trails of adulthood can be a difficult one.
So anyway, here he is, waiting nervously as his boss continued to examine his work and waiting for him to tell him either congratulations or reject him. Not to mention after this, he had to meet with Dr. Snow and Professor LeCompte for a meeting regarding another upcoming expedition, not to mention he had to assist in a group lecture this afternoon as well.
"I hope Helga is having it easier...'Arnold thought as he continued to wait until his boss is done.
At Wright and Tate Publishing
"Welcome to Wright and Tate publishing, please hold..."Helga said over the phone as she heard another call coming in.
"Welcome to Wright and Tate publishing, please hold..."She said over and over again.
Once she was done going her phone duties, her boss Mr. Wright had come.
"Shortman!..."Mr. Wright bellowed.
"Criminy! He doesn't have to shout, I'm right here..." Helga thought with an eye roll while on the outside, she had her "work face" on.
"Yes Mr. Wright...'Helga said in a patient tone that took her years to perfect.
"I need you to send a fax for me to our lawyer Mr. Jameson...we need him to go over the new contract...'Mr. Wright ordered the blonde woman.
"Yes Mr. Wright, I'm on my way..."Helga said as she took the documents he handed her and then proceeded to fax them.
Once that was done, Helga began to start filing as it was another one of her duties here at Wright and Tate publishing. She knew that she was just an assistant and this is just her fall back job until her book starts selling. So, she continued with her typical duties of filing, taking calls and organizing things around here, until Mr. Wright came back with another demand...I mean...order.
"Shortman!..." He called once more.
"Yes, Mr. Wright..." Helga said.
"The meeting with Monique is over, I need you organize another meeting with her and our lawyers in other to take the final step in sealing this deal...Oh and make arrangements for lunch to celebrate..." Mr. Wright said.
"I'm on it...'Helga said as she began typing at light speed, made the phone calls and in less than 15 minutes, she had everything arranged.
"Okay, the meeting will be tomorrow at 11 sharp and I booked you guys for lunch at around noon at Paulo's...'Helga said as she knew that Mr. Wright loved Italian food like crazy.
"Excellent, good work Shortman..." Mr. Wright said before leaving.
"When is he ever going to just call me Helga?..." Helga thought in annoyance.
She's worked for the guy for nearly three years and he never calls her or anyone else by their first names unless they are either investors, top authors or his share holders. Helga was determined to change that once he actually got to reading her book, but since she was a novice, he put her on the waiting list and she knew it would take a while before then.
So until then, she'd have to suck it up and keep following orders...
"Shortman! Get me Max Samuel's on the phone...'Mr. Tate hollowed.
"Shortman! Remember that the report is due tomorrow, don't forget..."Mr. Wright shouted once more.
All the while, Helga was trying to keep her temper and sanity under control...
"Just remember that this isn't forever, this is just a stepping stone on my path and soon, I will be one of the top writers at this place and then I won't ever have to take another person's call ever again..." Helga repeated for the millionth time in her head.
She then proceeded to continue doing her job, with her eyes glancing at the clock every once and a while as she waited until her day was over and she could go home and see her husband again.
"I hope Arnold is having it easier..." Helga sighed as she continued to do her duties.
Though she had a sinking feeling that it was going to be ANOTHER long day here...
Later that evening
Arnold had arrived home feeling tired but content, especially once he saw Helga's car in the building's garage and knew that she was already home.
"Honey, I'm home...'Arnold shouted as he made his entrance.
"Hey darling, you look like your in a good mood, I bet I know what that means..."Helga said as she came and gave him a kiss.
"Dr. Garcia loved the article and he says that by the end of this month's it's going to be featured in The International Journal..." Arnold said.
"I'm so proud of you..."Helga said as she gave him a big kiss.
The International Journal was one of the biggest cultural magazines out there and she never doubted that Arnold's articles would be features in it.
"Come on, I made your favorite dinner and dessert to celebrate...'Helga said to her husband.
"Roast chicken, mash potatoes and apple pie for dessert...'Arnold said happily.
"Doi!..."Helga said as she began to take everything to the table.
"So, how was your day at work?...'Arnold asked.
"Same old, same old...Wright and Tate are both driving me nuts and I still haven't heard back about my novel..."Helga said.
"Don't worry honey, just hang in there...you'll be published soon enough..."Arnold said in an encouraging way that made his wife smile.
"The sooner the better...I know that all first time authors have it hard but I thought actually working for those guys would have given me an edge..."Helga said to her husband.
"Your time to shine will come, I read that story and I know that as soon as your boss actually reads it, he won't be able to sign you fast enough..."Arnold said.
Helga sent him a smile. He wasn't saying that to make her feel better or because he's her husband and he's suppose to sound encouraging. Helga knew that Arnold truly loved her work and believed that she could do it. Just as she always believes in him whenever he has to do his duties as an anthropologist.
It always made Helga feel better after a long day of taking orders by Wright and Tate. It also made her feel even more enamored of her man when he says things like this to her.
The wife leaned in and soon the husband and wife were enjoying a tender kiss which soon turned a little more passionate and the dinner soon ended up forgotten as the husband and wife were much more interested in the other than in any form of food.
After a hard day at work, just being with each other like this, made it all worth it...
-To be continued-
Next time on The First Year
Jealousy
A/N: Remember that if anyone has a suggestion for a possible chapter idea, let me know in the comments and I will see if I can add it to the story
REPLIES to my loyal and totally awesome reviewers:
Kryten: Yeah, no matter what, no one will ever dose that fire!
Invader Johnny: Yep...
Metaheadrailfan: Heh, as she said, no one could resist a good sale, regardless of the item...
:) Till next time beautiful people, remember to read and review :)