Connie

I rolled my eyes at Mrs. Dubowitz's back. She was always complaining about something, and she kept sticking me with most of the work. My job title is file clerk, but I'm already writing bonds, whenever Mr and Mrs Dubowitz want a break. I had to cover nights and weekends, and my raise had been minscule. I'm practically running the whole office by myself, and still getting paid like a file clerk. Tomorrow, I start looking for a new job. These cheapskates are making me crazy. I'm barely making ends meet on my current pittance.

Vinnie Plum walked into the office and handed me a body receipt.

"How's it shaking, hot stuff?" He leered, eyes heading straight to my cleavage.

I raised one eyebrow, and said, "So, all set for your wedding? I hear that Harry the Hammer is going all out for his only daughter."

Vinnie's eyes quickly went to my face, and his leer changed to an oily smile.

"Yeah, it's going to be a real big deal. Are you going to be able to make it this weekend? There's going to be a band and an open bar."

I smiled back at him. "I wouldn't miss it. Maybe I'll find a new boyfriend."

Vinnie had tried to make the moves on me when I first started working, but had stopped pretty quickly once he realized that my uncle was a business associate of his girlfriend's father. He's actually a pretty good bond enforcement agent, and he sometimes asked my advice on how to treat his girlfriend. My advice had paid off, and now he was marrying into a family with some serious money. I had a feeling that despite his facade, Vinnie really does care about Lucille. He was a slimeball, but hey, this is Jersey. He's no different than any of the other Italian men in the Burg. That's one reason I don't have a boyfriend. I don't want to end up like my mother and my aunts. I want to be independent, and live my own life. These Burg guys all expect you to stay home and pop out babies, while they're out carousing. I'm related to most of them, except for the Morellis and Mancusos and you'd have to be crazy to marry into that family. I went to high school with Joe Morelli. He was hot, but he was a typical Morelli. Trouble with a capital T. Best to stay clear of them. They'll break your heart.

Vinnie looked around, to see if anyone was within earshot, then leaned over my desk and whispered. "I need to talk to you about a business proposition. Can I buy you lunch?"

I hesitated. Surely he wasn't going to come on to me after inviting me to his wedding? Even Vinnie wasn't that big of a jerk. Besides, if he paid for lunch, it would help me stretch my paycheck out for an extra day. I could take half of it home for dinner tonight.

"Sure. Let me get my purse, and tell Mrs. Dubowitz."

Two hours later, I was back at my desk, typing up a letter of resignation. Vinnie was going into business for himself, backed by his future father in law. He'd shown me the office space he'd rented and asked me to be his office manager. He gave me a company credit card, and asked me to get everything set up while he was on his two week honeymoon.

Office manager! And the increase in pay should be enough to let me buy my own place. No more penny pinching, no more skipping lunch, and best of all, no more Mrs. Dubowitz.

Look out world, Connie Rosolli is going to be in charge now. First thing I'm going to do is find a file clerk. I'll never have to file again!