Elizabeth’s Interview

It had been years since she was in her present situation. She was a Queen, anything she wanted she got. She was loved by many and hated by few. Don’t think she arrived there easily, it wasn’t handed to her. She earned every bit of it. Her sacrifice was huge and silent. Then one day she lost her place.

Elizabeth stood there looking blankly in the mirror. The past year had aged her. Crows feet were creeping in and where she once had just a streak of grey running through her long brunette hair now seemed to pop up everywhere on her head. It’s funny the destinations we land in life, places we never thought possible. At the top one day and at the bottom the next.

“Lizzie quit daydreaming, you need to get yourself out of this funk. The pandemic has had its toll on everyone. You’ll find your footing again. I found a job on Craigslist you might be interested in. The pay is not bad, it’s definitely not starting at the bottom and you’ll be able to move out on your own soon.”

“Thanks Joanie for your encouragement and support. You’re a great sister.” Joanie was Elizabeth’s younger sister by two years. Elizabeth knew if there was anyone she could always count on to be there for her it was Joanie. “I don’t know what I’d do without you. So.... what’s the job?” Elizabeth asked.

Joanie replied, “It’s an HR position for an employment agency. Send them your resume, I’m sure they’ll love it and call you right away.”

“You think so? I’ll put a cover letter together and send it ASAP.” Elizabeth said with a hopeful spark.

Three days after sending her resume, Elizabeth received a call to interview for the position.

“Elizabeth, hi how are you? This is Sofia Garamond from Lattimoore Employment Agency. We went over your resume and would love to interview you. Could you make it tomorrow at 8:00 am?”

Excited by the call back Elizabeth hastily responds, “Yes, I’d love to! I’ll be there at 7:45. Thank you Sofia.”

“Perfect the address is 1875 E. Hamilton Avenue, the Executive floor. Check in at the front desk and they’ll direct you.”, Sofia calmly replied.

“Sounds good I’ll see you tomorrow.”

Elizabeth pulled up to the address in her $500 beater car. She went from a 2019 GLE 350 Mercedes Benz to a 2009 Honda Civic with nearly 230,000 miles on it. It had a few dings and dents here and the headliner was falling down, but it definitely took her from point A to B. At this point in her life she was grateful for anything she could get. She stood and looked up to the top of the towering 12 story building. Just before she entered and took a deep breath in. Beyond the heavy big glass doors was a grand lobby that had a modern industrial vibe with cool neutral colors and wood accents arrayed throughout the room. As she approached the front desk a well manicured young woman sitting behind the desk greeted her with, “Good morning, how may I help you?” She looked friendly and a little brainy with her blue circular framed glasses.

“Hi, I’m Elizabeth Marquez. I have an 8:00 with Sofia Garamond.”

“Great! I’ll let her know you’re here.” She dialed Sofia’s extension. “Hello, Ms. Garamond, your 8:00 is here. I’ll send her right up.” She said cheerfully as she smiled at Elizabeth and then directed her to, “Go straight down the hall through the double glass doors on your right hand side and the elevator is straight ahead. You’ll go to the 12th floor.”

Elizabeth entered the elevator as Claire de Lune played softly on the ride up to the top floor. She reminisced on her life. Now going through a divorce, her children are grown and successful. She gave her whole life to her family only to find herself broke and alone. She recently lost her business thanks to the global pandemic and is now starting from the bottom again. She needed this job. She needed a breakthrough moment.

The elevator doors opened. This place was no joke, elaborate to say the least. A large open space, large windows on every wall of the room. Sofia Garamond approached the elevator doors with her hand stretched out towards Elizabeth. She was a petite, pudgy middle aged blonde. Dainty features adorned her face. Her large blue eyes glistened from the morning light. Trendy black and gold reading glasses hung from her neck. Elizabeth fret when she noticed them, realizing to herself she had left her Dollar store glasses in the car. Another reminder that old age was creeping fast. It was only six months ago she could read any sized lettering fine. Now she can’t read a thing without her little glasses.

“Elizabeth? Sofia Garamond. How are you?” Sofia stated confidently.

Elizabeth replied, “I’m great, thank you. Pleasure to meet you Sofia.” trying her best to sound just as confident.

“Your resume is quite impressive. A psychology professor at the university, former restaurant owner, and some social work. It says your leisurely activities include world travel, fitness, hiking, shooting at the local range and reading. So how did you get into guns?”she asked in intrigue.

“Well, I grew up on a farm and it just came with the territory.” Elizabeth smiled fondly as she reminisced, “We used to have target practice to relax after work. It really does help.”

“We all need our relaxation time. I grew up in the city myself. So I like to go shopping after a hard day in the office.” Sofia warmly replied, “And where have you traveled?”

“Europe, Asia and the Middle East. A few other tourist places. I did some mission work In Fiji with a group of Eye Specialists a couple years back.” Elizabeth’s eyes lit up as she spoke of one of her most precious passions.

“Sounds rewarding. Elizabeth I like you. I think you would be an excellent asset to our agency. I want to hire you.” Sofia said without hesitation, “You will need to pass our employment test. Our receptionist Jenny will hand you a bag on your way out. Everything you need for the test will be inside the bag along with instructions. You have until Sunday Morning at 6:00 am to complete everything. At the completion of the test we will notify you of your employment status. Do you have any questions?” She said with a smile.

This is the one question Elizabeth hated when interviewing. Internally working to come up with a question she asked “Outside of what’s inside of the bag may I use anything else for the test?”

Sofia replied very directly, “No, everything you need is provided. Good luck! I look forward to seeing your results on Sunday.”

“Thank you, I’ll do my best.” said Elizabeth with a hint of uncertainty.

She walked back into the elevator and back down to the first floor. The front desk girl, Jenny, was waiting at the elevator doors. With a bright smile and a tilt of her head she said “Best of luck to you Ms. Marquez “ as she handed Elizabeth a small backpack.

“Thank you Jenny I’m excited to see what the test is about.” Elizabeth said as she walked out of the building in haste.

When Elizabeth got back to her car she eagerly opened the back pack. She was in disbelief from what she found. There was a cell phone, a brand new laptop, 1 plane ticket to a destination unknown, two bundles of cash with a $10,000.00 paper band wrapped around each of them and a little black book. Inscribed on the inside of the cover page read “ We get one opportunity in life to fulfill the dream of a lifetime, this book is for you to fulfill yours. Write your hopes, dreams and experiences, go as far as your feet will take you. Live and be happy.

P. S. Make it memorable, make it extraordinary. We’ll see you at work on Sunday.

The Lattimoore Employment Agency

Employing Individuals willing to make dreams reality.”

...... “Lizzie, Lizzie!” Said Joanie in a harsh whisper as shook Elizabeth’s shoulder.

“What happened Joanie?”

“You need to get up. You’re gonna be late for your interview.”