"Beautiful. I see you did a great job with these." My boss, Mr Parson said. I'm glad he found them pleasing.
"Oh thank you sir."
"Please hand these to Brian," he said handing me pictures. "now, what was the thing you wanted to talk about."
"Yes. A raise."
I've been meaning to talk to him about this for the longest time.
"A raise?"
"Yes sir. I don't remember the last time I had one."
"Oh you don't? Then it was last month. Now can you bring me a coffee while you're out?"
"Please sir. I really, really need a raise. Or am I not doing a great job?"
"Oh no, you are Cam. You are one of my best employees."
"So, I do get a raise?"
"Um, You see..." He said, scratching the back of his head. He was going to say no. I had to convince him.
"I can get any other job because the rate of pay is much better. Especially if I get hired as a private or a personal photographer. With my education and experience it is guaranteed that I get more or possibly double the amount I get paid by you in this -"
"Yes."
Yes!
"But," But? "due to the inflation rate your raise is part the amount you're earning."
I knew very well that they is no current inflation in the country, but all I managed to say was:
"Oh."
"We are done here Ms Chesterfield, so, how about that coffee?"
He might have thought that he had won but he'll be losing one of his best employee.
I'm getting another job.
×××
Immediately I went home, I wrote down numerous resumes. I wasn't having this job anymore.
I get more workload and more perks but never more money.
"Want a drink?" My roommate Tasha offered.
"Some juice would be good, thanks."
I sent my resumes to all diffrent companies and were ever a spot needed to be filled because honestly, I cannot go on living hand to mouth.
Once I was done, I gulped down the juice and placed on the floor next to me.
All I did before being overwhelmed with weariness was hoped for the very best.
×××
I woke up with my laptop in my arms.
I fell asleep on the couch and Tasha did not even wake me up.
What a roommate she is.
I take a look at my screen and I already got a response.
A spot needed to be filled urgently. In three hours.
It was located in another town and it was so far away. That was an hours drive. But for me, that was a two bus trips that would take twice as long than using a car.
And they were offering triple of what my general wage was.
I didn't get time to read the whole message. It was a really long one but I just scanned for for important information.
I needed to get moving. I layed a jean sneakers and a hoodie on my bed and took a quick shower.
This settled it. I'm not going back working for Mr Parson any longer.
×××
I arrived at the event I was told to be at.
It was to raise awareness for a disease. Alzheimer's? Cancer? Maybe some other sort of mental illness?
"Ms Chesterfield." A learned man dressed causally called and went in backstage. I think I was supposed to follow him, so I did.
Backstage was bright and busy.
"This was all we could get? Her?" A cat like lady asked, clearly referring to me.
"Yep." The casually dressed man responded.
"A crazed fan?" She said while eyeballing me. Me a crazed fan?
He shrugged.
"He won't accept this. I mean look at her."
Who won't accept me? And why? Is it because of the way I am dressed?
"Does she even qualify for this job?"
I'm right here lady...
"Yes. And she was the only one closest to this location at this time."
"No. This won't work. Check for another, hurry."
"I, I'm much more qualified than I look." I squeaked.
She looked all over me with scorn in her eyes.
"Oh really? How so"
"Yeah. I, I..." words refused to reach my mouth. They were all stuck down my throat due to her patronising stare.
"I..."
"Bring someone more experienced please Hank?" She cut in.
Gosh, this woman is a villain.
I can't believe I just got fired before I even got the job.
Hooray to Cam with the record of having the shortest job duration ever.
No seriously. I should be in the guinessess book of world records.
I felt so embarrassed and disrespected. I felt my face losing colour.
Slowly turning gray.
"Clumsy, is that you?" A unfimilliar voice called.
Who in the...
Shawn? Mendes?
He was part of this event?
Okay, where are the camera's? This cannot be real. I think I'm being punked.
"Did you come for another trip?" He laughed.
"No, I...I..."
Oh hell if I can't get words to get out of my mouth, I might as well just resort to a life of silence.
"She came for the job." Hank answered for me. "I think."
"As a photographer?"
I nodded comically.
"Take your place. The event has long began."
"No, but I...I--" Words come out of my mouth, please!
He actually pushed me out to the spot that was reserved for the actual photographer.
I didn't think that Malificent approved with this. But what is done has already been done so...
Here goes nothing.