Story: The Job Interview. Part 7.

By Inanimate77

With a growing sense of dread, Amy realized that the wedding was fast approaching. It seemed like every time Amy began to feel a bit more comfortable in her role as a housemaid something new was thrown at her.

Unbeknownst to the young maid, Susan had been intentionally plotting to keep her off balance. It was all part of her plan to slowly break down the college student who despite having such a promising future was rapidly losing control.

From a young age Susan had always liked the finer things in life. As a child she used to sneak sips of her parents' fine wine when they were not looking. Throughout her childhood, she was always searching for the next big thing. Whether it was equestrian lessons or one on one figure skating lessons from a former Olympian, Susan strived to be the best. She craved being elite and took delight in one upping her friends. All of them came from good homes as well, so it was a continual arms race.

Amy, however, represented a potential crowning achievement. Sure many of her friends had domestics serving in their home, although most were just poor immigrants from some backward country. Still a few had managed to hire genuine Americans to serve at their beck and call. Up until now they had been the envy of the group, but all of that was going to change. When Susan presented her Ivy League educated housemaid to her friends they would literally die from jealousy. She just needed a little more time to finish breaking the girl before the big reveal.

As the Labor Day weekend wedding approached, Susan had intentionally taken her foot off the pedal. She needed Amy to let her guard down so that this latest experience would have the maximum psychological impact. With college set to resume the following Tuesday, her maid would be completely frazzled and out of sorts. While she didn’t want her to flunk out, Susan wanted to crush what little confidence remained in the coed.

Story: The Job Interview. Part 6.

By Inanimate77

Despite being a bit out of sorts as Amy headed out of the house, she thankfully remembered to bring a small wheeled cart with her. Her first stop on the list was going to Whole Foods and without the cart, it would be nearly impossible to walk back with all of the groceries.

The residential streets were still quiet as she made her way down them. Amy was grateful that so few people were out and about. She felt very self conscious in her uniform. Although she had managed to convince her employer to leave the apron at home, Amy still wore the headpiece. The young maid had considered removing it, but had decided against it. A part of her was worried that Susan may check up on her in some way and find out. The risk of being discovered was not worth the reduced embarrassment from wearing it.

Despite the circumstances Amy found some pleasure from her morning walk.  The Summer sun began to peek through the trees lining the sidewalk, casting dappled patterns of light and shadow on the pavement.  Hints of scented flowers blooming throughout the neighborhoods mingled with the familiar aroma of freshly cut grass.  The more Amy immersed herself in the beauty of the day the less she seemed to think abou the discomfort of her uniform. 

Still she was well aware of her surroundings.  The young maid deftly maneuvered her wheeled cart around a corner, avoiding a group of chattering neighbors who were out for their morning stroll.  Amy felt a pang of embarrassment as she realized that they were eyeing her uniform curiously.  She quickened her pace, hoping to put some distance between herself and their prying eyes.

Story: The Job Interview. Part 5.

by Inanimate77 

It had been a week since Amy had started working for Susan, and while the new maid had settled into a bit of a routine, she really hadn't gotten used to her role. After what had been a terrible first day, Amy had managed to redeem herself. However, the process of pleasing her new employer had nearly killed her. 

Since school was out of session, Amy had agreed to take on more hours. This meant that she was effectively working seven days a week. Susan had assured her that once Amy got the house in order, the workload would go down. Although the never-ending list of tasks had left her completely exhausted, there was a sense of peace and satisfaction that came with the monotony of the work. 

Each morning, the routine was exactly the same for Amy. She would awaken at precisely 5:30 AM, feeling a sense of exhaustion already creeping through her body. After a brief shower to wash away the remnants of sleep, she would sit down to a simple breakfast, fueling herself for the long day ahead. The next hour was spent meticulously ironing her uniform, taking great pride in ensuring every crease and fold was perfectly pressed. It had become almost therapeutic for her, this act of creating order out of chaos. 

As she got more accustomed to using the iron, Amy found ways to make the process more efficient. What used to take her hours now only took one. She hoped that eventually, she could shave off an extra 30 minutes and get some much-needed rest in the mornings.

Story: The Job Interview. Part 4.

By Inanimate77

Amy was a little out of breath when she arrived at her new job. Looking down at her phone she noticed that she had just made it with about two minutes to spare. The college student took a moment to collect herself before ringing the doorbell.  While this might not be her dream job, she certainly did not want to make a bad first impression.

Once she had caught her breath, Amy rang the doorbell. Although Amy's things had already been moved into her room, her employer had insisted on this formality. It was supposed to signify the formal change in their relationship - the moment in which Susan officially became Amy's employer.

As Amy waited by the door, she had a brief moment of panic when she realized that she had not put the apron and cap back on. A flurry of activity quickly ensued as she frantically tried to fix her appearance before her new employer arrived at the door.

She had just managed to finish tying her apron when Susan opened the door. "You're right on time girl. I like punctuality in the help."

Amy was so discombobulated from her mad dash over that she didn't unpack what had just been said. She responded, "I’m ready and excited to get started.”

"Ma'am," Susan replied.

"Pardon?"

"I’m ready and excited to get started, Ma'am." Susan scolded her new employee. "You're in my service now. I will not tolerate any informality."

Story: The Job Interview. Part 3.

by Inanimate77 

Although it had been a couple days since Amy had traveled to Stich n'Time to get fitted for her maid uniform, things had begun to move quickly. Amy had met Susan for lunch where she revealed all the documents that she needed to sign. It seemed a bit much at the time, but Susan had assured Amy that the paperwork was necessary given it was a live-in position. The inch thick pile of papers required her to sign over 20 times during their lunch. 

Susan did not rush Amy and encouraged her to read through the documents but after reading through the fourth or fifth page of legal mumbo jumbo, Amy just started signing things. It was enough to make her brain hurt. The college student justified her actions by the simple fact that she was out of options. Her lease was up and she needed to move out now or risk having her landlord throw her stuff out on the street. Susan's patience and professionalism provided her with a lot of comfort. 

That trust seemed well placed when the next day movers showed up at Amy's apartment to pack up her things and get them over to Susan's home. They only left her with a few basic necessities to make it through the next few days before her official start date. Susan did not feel it was appropriate to have Amy living in her home until she started working. 

The day before Amy was to start she received several texts from Susan with instructions. She expected Amy to arrive and begin working at noon the next day. Amy's employer also mentioned that Amy could come by in the morning to drop off the remainder of her things. The final text from Susan informed Amy that she had an appointment with the seamstress at 10:00 in the morning to pick up her uniforms.

 

Story: The Job Interview. Part 2.

by Inanimate77

A day had passed since Susan had interviewed Amy for the housemaid position and the college junior was having second thoughts. Although her options were pretty limited, she felt the whole idea of working as a housemaid demeaning. Unable to sleep much, Amy had gotten up early and spent the last several hours scanning every source she could find for job opportunities that would meet her needs.

There were plenty of jobs out there. That was not the problem. The challenge was two fold. She really needed flexibility. School was unpredictable. There would be nights she needed more time to study. Her class schedule also changed every couple of months. That problem was manageable. The bigger issue, however, was the lack of housing. The Boston housing market was really tight. With her limited credit history and negligible income, no respectable landlord was going to offer her a lease. Unless Amy was open to living in a bad neighborhood far from school her options were pretty limited

The longer she searched the more determined Amy became to find a way out of the situation, but so far a solution eluded her. Just before lunch Amy's phone buzzed with a text. The message indicated that Amy had an appointment at Stitch n'Time to be fitted for her uniforms. It appeared that despite her best efforts things were beginning to move forward.

Story: The Job Interview. Part 1.

by Inanimate77

This was not the job that Amy had expected to get when she went away to college, but that didn't matter at the moment. The 21 year old junior didn't have an internship and was completely out of cash. To make matters worse, her lease was up and she didn't have a place to live. She really needed this job whether she wanted to do it or not. That was how she found herself at the doorstep of the large home inquiring about a live-in housemaid position.

The advertisement highlighted several key benefits which appealed to Amy. First the hours were flexible which was critical to the college student. Amy needed a job that would work with her college class schedule. However, even more important to Amy was the fact that the job was a live-in position. It included free housing and given her current apartment situation that was very appealing.

Ringing the doorbell, the business major was not sure what to wear and had picked something out that was probably more appropriate for an interview with a corporation, not a potential employer looking for a maid.

As she stood at the doorstep, Amy nervously fidgeted with her skirt, trying to smooth out the wrinkles. She took a deep breath and looked at herself in the reflection of the door's peephole. Her long curly hair was tied up in a bun, and she had put on some minimal makeup to look more presentable.

The woman who answered the door appeared to be in her early 30s. She had brown hair that was pulled back in a ponytail and piercing green eyes. While Amy was dressed quite formally, her potential employer was wearing a baggy t-shirt and a pair of designer leggings. She gave Amy a strange look, "Hello can I help you?"

The woman's reaction made Amy even more nervous. "Um... hi, I'm Amy. I'm here for the 2:30 interview." 

Story: Leah's First Day.

By popular request, the sequel to Inanimate 77's Bridal Shower is finally here!

by Inanimate77

Leah stood silently for a few minutes as the Uber driver sped away leaving her alone in front of the Davenport Estate.  After her last experience, Leah had sworn that she would never return to this place.  The entire episode felt rather bizarre, and quite honestly, she still had a hard time believing it had happened.  Somehow Leah had found herself mistaken for the help while attending her good friend Charlotte’s bridal shower.

In hindsight, Leah should not have been so concerned about Lady Davenport.  The young professional woman had really wanted to make a good impression on her friend’s old money mother.  Her plan to do so really never had a chance.  Lady Davenport would never accept Leah because of her lineage.  No matter how much education she attained or how much professional success she experienced, Leah would always be seen as lower class.  It was simply the way of things. 

The entire ordeal had almost ended in disaster, but being a true friend Leah acted the humble part of house servant in order to not cause her friend embarrassment.  When Charlotte had found out, she was truly horrified.  Charlotte and Leah had been roommates in college, and unlike her mother, the young heiress did not ascribe to her mother’s views on social class.  She was at school to find educational enlightenment with the hope of making a difference in the world.  Despite being from very different backgrounds, the two girls had become close friends.

Story: The Bridal Shower

by Inanimate77 

Leah’s eyes lit up wide as the Uber driver dropped her off at the Davenport Estate.  In all her life, she had never seen such an opulent display of money and power.  From the first day Leah had met her roommate Charlotte, she was aware that the girl came from immense wealth.  The Davenports were one of the richest families on the entire East Coast.  Charlotte’s attendance at the elite private university, that both girls attended, was all over the news as everyone tried to pry into her life.  The paparazzi could not get enough of her. 

To say that Leah was heartbroken the day she found out the two of them were going to be roommates would be an understatement.  All her life, Leah had worked hard and pushed herself to be the best.  Countless hours of study and dozens of extracurricular activities had resulted in a full academic scholarship.  It had all paid off, but with the circus that was sure to follow Charlotte, Leah was deeply concerned that everything would go off the rails. 

Much to her surprise, the hubbub around Charlotte quickly dropped off and both girls settled into college life.  The rich heiress turned out to be every bit Leah’s academic equal.  Her focus was driven by a desire to prove that nothing had been given to her.  She earned a degree in Biology and Business, and was determined to prove herself in the world of Genetics.  Leah meanwhile excelled in her passion, pre-law with a focus on environmental matters.  Over the years, both girls became fast friends as they pursued advanced degrees in Law and Genetics.

 

Captions Sunday!

Three excellent captions from a new contributor, Inanimate77 (from Deviant Art). Enjoy! 

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