"I don't know what I'm doing here. This Crag, Mr. Leon Crag wants to 'give...' me an interview. Shit. I'm so nervous I'm shaking; I'll bet I'm white as a sheet, I can't even open the door. Three hundred dollars a day; it has to be illegal. I can still here Mom's words screaming from her bed room, "He's either going to rape and murder you or sale you to the black marketers, you'll be gone and I'll never see you again. I remember shouting back as I ran out the door; "He called 'me' in for the interview I'll be safe I'll make the cabby watch me go in. I 'need!' work!" Hell, I still hear the echoes of the slamming door after mom and I fought. My mom is sick; my little brother isn't old enough to work, and they need somewhere to live, and mom's disability isn't enough to starve on much less pay the rent. I 'want...' them to have more than that. I want my Mom to have her medicine, a good doctor, and my brother Jeff to have his computer, games, and a college education. Mostly I want away from the dead end cafΓ© jobs, and three hundred dollars is a start. Well here goes."
"Come on in darlin', have a seat please," Leon Crag said smoothly, "What can I do for you?"
"Well, Mr. Crag, I saw your ad in the paper; you remember we did talk about it over the phone last week, and you called me yesterday for an interview. I was just wondering if the position is still the same?" Rachel asked.
"You mean the ad in the Underground Times, or The Times, and or the internet personals?" he asked casually adding, "Please excuse me I talk to a lot of people about a lot of jobs every day."
"Yes, the one in the Times want ads," She replied softly, hesitantly, "Is the job still available? You did call me, saying something about an interview, and the appointment was for two-thirty and it is two-thirty now. I hope being punctual counts." Rachel added earnestly.
"That job and several others, are always available," Leon replied dryly, "I run that same ad everyday of the year! Yes, I called you in for an interview, for this afternoon. I thought you might back out quietly, or if you did come it would be of your own free will."
"Really?" Rachel questioned and then pried further, "You mean you have that high of a turn-over for jobs that pay three hundred dollars a day?"
"Honey, this is the big city." He said gently, "There 'is...' a high turn-over for three-thousand dollars a-day jobs, there are no free lunches. There is always some one quitting; or some one undercutting, or just waiting to take someone's place, do not ever forget it! If you decide to stay; go through with the interview and then take the job, you'll earn every penny!"
"Then how, what do I have to do?" Rachel stammered, "I guess I don't understand."
"Listen. I am sure, where you are from jobs like this do not exist." he pointed out and asked, "Where are...you from? Remind me please."
"Iowa, I'm from Platteville Iowa, it is a very small town and there are still a lot of different jobs," she responded quickly sounding secure.
"And how old are you?" Mr. Crag questioned.
"I just turned eighteen two months ago." she replied proudly, "Why, does it matter?"
"Oh yeah, I remember now," he replied softly, and scoldingly added, "You bet your sweet little bottom it matters." Then his face softened, as did his voice, "Do yourself a big favor get back on the bus, and go home, like you say there are a lot of jobs there you'll find one."
"I can't. Your ad said females eighteen to twenty-four make $300 or more per day." She whined, and stared stubbornly, "I'm eighteen. I'm female and need to earn a lot of money in a short time."
"Do you have any idea what we do here?" Leon asked pointedly.
"I-it's not illegal is it Mr. Crag?" Rachel asked warily, "I promised my mom I'd never break the law on purpose."
"Not at all," he shot back quickly and chuckled.
Rachel stared stubbornly her arms crossed, and demanded, "Now! Mr. Crag, it isn't fair not to consider me for this job or any other job you may have. I'm a high school graduate, and I really need a job! I have references from two of my former employers."
Leon leaned back in his chair hands inner laced behind his head. With a whimsical smile on his face, he looked at Rachel, the wall, back at her, and the door. He closed his eyes, wiped his face and hair; opened his eyes and drummed the desk with his fingers, fumbled through some papers and looked at Rachel for a few seconds more then Leon asked, "Tell me your name again."
"Rachel, Rachel McAndrews." she responded a little puzzled.
"Well Rachel... Rachel McAndrews let me start out easy. What kind of job are you looking for?" Leon asked frankly as he peered over the top of one of the papers.
"Full time employment. I'll work any hours, over time no problem. I have problems in my family we owe a lot of money, and $300 a day would clear them up in a couple of years." Rachel excited exclaimed.
"Sorry to hear that, but you still haven't told me what 'kind...' of work you are looking for?" Leon asked impatiently as he organized a pile of papers as if he were putting them in numeric order.