Angela

Angela shrank at the sight of the impressive archway. The
newly-blasted Stone feature loomed high into the cloisters of the
gothic facade. The brilliance of the late morning sun fading the
bleached brick slabs to the colour of her hair. Even as she edged
through the majestic door she felt the urge to stoop her diminutive 5'
6" frame in utter respect.
She knew her first day at Coleman and Andrews was going to be tough,
but even the building seemed to demand awe from all who graced its
foyer. She checked herself slyly in the gold etched door frame. Hair?
Tidy. Good. Pony-tail? Neat and straight. Even better. Lipstick? Blood
red, as always. She smiled, flashed her blue eyes and made for the
lift.
At first she thought her luck was in. No-one else in the lift. Then she
remembered her first visit. The interview. How the lift unfolds into
the modern, wide open office. A greeting of deep, cloying gazes and
silent inquisitions. Surely a ploy to undermine the bravado of anyone
who entered. As the doors shut she stabbed the fourth floor button with
a perfectly manicured finger.
Ok, she thought to herself. I'm ready for this.
She took one last look in the mirrored elevator doors and drew in a
breath. Her blue suit jacket and skirt was crease-free, not too much
cleavage, but enough to let people see her powerful attitude. Razor
sharp heels on her black patent shoes, the thrusting gait of a born
leader. First impressions last. Angela was oozing power. It was the
most important entrance of her life. She had worked so hard to get this
far, and now, now, it was on the other side of those mirrored doors.
She pouted. No, too much. Frowned. Too miserable. She lifted her eyes,
yes, a happy face, that was the one. It said, "Nothing fazes me". It
was her "Bring it on" face.
The ting! of the lift shook her back to life.
This is it Angie, show them who's the boss.
The lift doors rumbled open agonisingly slowly. She had expected the
worst, and she got it. Angela strode confidently into the lobby of
Coleman and Andrews showing a sassiness to end all sass. Then she
caught a heel on the Portugese ornate rug, which skewed across the
highly polished floor. Her weight disappeared like an astronaut in
orbit as her shapely, black, nylon-clad legs flashed before her eyes.
She landed lumberingly in a heap to the sound of silence.
Where she remained for an eternity.
No-body here. Please tell me there is nobody here. She looked up and
saw herself in the lift doors which had convened behind her. She looked
okay. A little shaken, her blonde pony-tail flicked across her
shoulders like a stallions mane. Then she saw the other reflection. The
reflection of an entire office stood gawping at the back of their new
Head of Sales. Silence. Silence and surprise. A heady mix. Then a
titter, from somewhere near the back.
Bitch! Thought Angela.
The moment passed in an instant, she shook herself and made an effort
to stand. She found herself lifted by one of her arms. A strong grip
that enveloped her slight stature.
"Here, let me help you, Miss...?" The voice was deep.
"Gray, Angela Gray.. With an A" She stammered back. Composure still a
thing of the future.
"Well, Miss Gray with an A, that was certainly quite an entrance." He
spoke again, this time as he did he let go of her arms and turned back
to the open plan office. "Ok everyone, carry on, stop gawping, I'm sure
you have all slipped over at one time in your life, C'mon, we have
deadlines people." The rest of the room began to murmur and turn away
from the scene. The mechanics of the office kicked in within seconds
and Angela's entrance was gone. If not forgotten. She turned to her
assistant and was cut off before she could speak. He was tall and quite
broad. Angie liked him instantly. He saved her a job of asking. "David
Planter" He said, reading her mind. "Region B sales co-ordinator, you
would be my new Boss then. Nice dive by the way." He smiled warmly.
Extending a hand. Angela was taken by surprise. She'd never seen a man
smile warmly before. She was immediately suspicious.