Going to HR

Wendy led you down the hallway back to the elevator and pushed the button to call it. "So, what did you think of Ray?" she asked, a bit of a smirk on her face.

You weren't sure how to answer. On the one hand, you had no attraction to him at all. On the other, you didn't want to badmouth anyone. You didn't know what Wendy really thought of Raymond. After an awkward pause, you simply shrugged, brushing a stray lock of hair out of your eye.

Wendy winked. "He sometimes asks women here out for drinks after work."

You took a big swallow of the lozenges' soothing nature, and exhale. You moved the lozenges into your cheek, so as better to enunciate, and tell her, "I know. He asked me out after work today."

Wendy snorted back a laugh. "Did you accept?" Without letting you answer, her eyes widened, The shame of it must have shown on your face. "You did! You have a date with Ray tonight!" She winked and shrugged. " It doesn't matter. You're not really his type. He really likes the spandex mini-dress and stripper heel look, not 'smart business woman'."

EDNA's voice suddenly came from within your purse. "Date outfit noted. Delivery shortly," startling you. You swallowed one of the lozenges, half way, and started coughing. You immediately begin fumbling with your purse, your urgent need to shut EDNA up, coughing at an attempt to get the lozenge back up, combined with your long, lacquered nails made it take what seemed like an eon to do.

When you finally pulled out the phone, you realized that with the women coming into the ladies room, you had forgotten to turn the stupid thing off. You pressed the sleep button on the phone, hoping that things would not get any worse.

"Uh.... what was that?" Wendy asked.

You sighed. You didn't want to get into things with Wendy. You just wanted to get out of here. "Virtual assistant that's not very helpful," you wheezed softly, finally swallowing the lozenge, burning a bit as it went down. You moved the other under your tongue so that it would stay in place and NOT be swallowed.

"Ah," Wendy said. "Virtual assistants never are. That's why we hire women like yourself, Jane."

The elevator doors slid open and you both stepped on. "Lisa in HR is a great woman. She'll help you get settled in here. I'm so glad you accepted the offer! We need all the help around here we can get. We're so short staffed."

You spent several seconds wracking your brain with an excuse to leave, to get out, but before you could think of an excuse, the elevator doors slid open again, and Wendy gestured for you to step out, which you did. Your calves were starting to hurt from the heels on your feet. Wendy led you down a hallway, and knocked on a doorframe. "Lisa? Meet Jane. She's accepted our offer. Call me when you're done with her."

Wendy turned to you, "Welcome aboard, Jane!" and left.

Lisa smiled at you and stood, leaning over her desk to shake your hand. Se reseated herself and began furiously typing on her computer. "I need to find out what position you've been hired into, exactly. The system is a little scant on details. Bear with me a minute. Please, Jane, have a seat," and she gestured at the pair of visitor chairs she had in her office, resuming her typing.

You looked around, hoping that a hole would appear and swallow you up, but the universe seemed to be working against you, and it didn't happen. You sighed and sat down. Thinking quickly, you crossed your legs..