I sat back nervously in the hard chair of the waiting room. It has been some 3 months since my last job interview and I am eager to get this job even though it is not exactly what I want. There is nothing wrong with the job; it's a PC Technician/ Support role for a small advertising company. It's the location, in a small town in the middle of nowhere, 100's of kilometers from anywhere that is big enough to have nightlife.
Not to say the town doesn't have its charm. It's a nice town, tree lined streets, and little traffic with a nice relaxed feel about it, but big enough that not everyone knows everyone else and small enough that people still say hello to each other on the street.
However a job is a job no matter where it is, I had slowly come to realise this over the past year since I finished my formal education. Before seating I had announced myself to the secretary/receptionist, she told me to take a seat and wait until you are called.
'Samantha' her name badge read. Not a bad looking girl, perhaps 18 or 19 years old, she had light brown hair down to her shoulders, hazel eyes hidden by glasses. Her clothes were loose and baggy, but somehow hinted that there was a lot more going on underneath. She totally ignored me while she went on with her duties.
After 5 minutes of waiting, a door to the side of the reception desk opened. What came through that door appeared to be one of the most beautiful women I had ever seen. About 185cm tall, black hair tied back in a ponytail that hung just past her shoulders. She had dark brown eyes which sort of commanded respect. Even though she was a little on the petite side, she had a killer figure, long legs and a large bust pushed up by a tight low cut t-shirt. I tried not to look.
"Hi, I'm Natasha" She said.
"Steven" I replied, shaking her outstretched hand.
"Come with me and we'll get this over and done with."
I followed her through the door, closing it behind me. I continued with her to the back of the complex, her desk was in the corner facing the rest of the room, to keep an eye on everyone else I guess.
She pointed towards a chair in front of her desk. "Take a seat" she said while she walked around the desk and sat in her chair. I took my seat.
"I had a look at your resume and you seem fine for the position. So do you want the job?"
I sat there for a moment with a surprised look on my face. I thought I would have to at least try and sell my self. "Err Of course" I replied.
"I'm sorry to surprise you like that, but it's hard to get people to come out here and work. But I promise you'll like the place. Everyone is friendly and easy to get along with. Well the pay isn't the best, but the bonuses are good."
"Well what does the job actually involve?" Is all I could spit out while trying not to look down her shirt.
"Not that hard, just keep all the computer systems up and running, maintain the website, also maintain the fax and photocopiers and order any consumables needed. When things are quiet you can help Samantha type up documents. This may be a small town, but there is more than enough business to keep us all busy."
"That sounds great." I replied while thinking probably not enough work here to fill up an entire day. Cushy job.
"Before I forget there is a 4 week trial period, that's ok isn't it?"
"Fine."
"Oh good. Can you start Monday?"
"Not a problem."
"Great. Just a few more things, dress requirements are smart casual, be punctual and professional, sure it's a relaxed environment and we have our fun, but the clients come first. ...While we are all here would you like to meet the other staff?"
"Sure" I replied.
"As you can see the office is separated into 2 parts, reception where Samantha works and this area where Katrina and Jessica and myself work. That's Katrina over there in that corner, and Jessica over in the other corner."
Both Katrina and Jessica looked up from their work and said hi, I said hi back and then they both got back to what they were doing.
I had to look at both girls twice, to make sure they weren't twins or at least related. Both were about 170cm tall, brown eyes, short brown hair that hung just below their shoulders. Both were similar in build to Natasha and dressed similar to her as well. The most curious thing about them was a smooth featureless bracelet type necklace that sat around their necks. Must be friendship jewelry I thought.
"Sorry about that." Natasha said. "They have a deadline to meet this afternoon."
"That's ok, we'll talk on Monday I guess." I said sounding a little forward.
"So see you at 9am Monday." Natasha said, while leading me towards to door.
"See you then" I replied.
--
I arrived at the office 5 minutes to 9am, at the same time everyone else got there. We greeted each other and walked in. Seeing Samantha in full this time confirmed my feeling that there is something going on under those clothes, don't know why she doesn't dress like the other ladies, shy I guess.
Natasha immediately gave me a list of things to do. "This should keep you busy for a while" she said. I looked at the list, so much for that cushy job. "Thanks" I replied.
I slowly worked through the list over the next few days. The ladies were great to work with, well most of the time. Jessica and Katrina are great when Natasha is around, but soon as she leaves the office for a little while, Jessica and Katrina start to throw their weight around. Ordering Samantha and myself to do silly little things such as removing staples from documents or emptying the hole-puncher.
Generally it was mindless bullying and power tripping, but the week after, Jessica and Katrina decided to take things a bit further. They cornered Samantha and myself and closed in on us.
"You better watch yourself Samantha." Said Jessica.
"What did I do?" replied Samantha
"Don't question me like that. Now beat it."
"Sorry" Samantha said before disappearing through the door to reception.
"Now you Steven, you better watch yourself to." Katrina said firmly.
"What you going to do? Abuse me to death?" I said trying not to laugh in her face.
Katrina stepped forward and groped me as hard as she could. I tried not to flinch. "You really don't get it do you? You should show more respect."
"What ever" I said back, trying to act tougher then I am.
Katrina let go and walked away without saying another word to me for the rest of the day.
Later on I asked Samantha what that was all about. She didn't say anything and told me to forget about it and don't make things worse. I left it at that, but still felt a little uneasy, and Samantha's lack of an answer didn't help.
The next few weeks went well. Jessica and Katrina still acted like bitches when Natasha was out, but other then that it was a great place to work.
---
I was sitting at my desk typing away at the computer when Katrina came up and threw a box of pencils on the desk in front of me.
"Yes?" I asked not knowing what her problem was.
"You ordered the wrong pencils" Katrina yelled.
"You asked for more pencils you didn't say what type of pencils."
