At your car Brittney catches you

You headed out to the parking structure, the late-afternoon heat still clinging to the concrete even as the sun started to drop behind the studio lots. Your car was only a short walk away. You had almost reached it when you saw her.

Brittney was coming toward you at a quick, uneven pace, arms crossed tight over her chest, eyes flicking around like she was afraid someone might overhear. The confident smirk from earlier was gone. She looked smaller somehow, almost sheepish. The second you saw that expression you knew exactly what had happened. She had reached into her back pocket, found nothing, and realized the offer letter was gone.

She stopped a few feet short of you, shifting her weight from one foot to the other.

“Mr. Johnson… can I talk to you for a second?” Her voice was quieter than it had been in the office, edged with nerves. “I—I think I lost the letter. The one you gave me. I had it when I left, I know I did, but it’s not in my pocket anymore. I’ve checked everywhere.”

You kept your face carefully neutral, though the urge to smile was strong. She didn’t notice the faint curl at the corner of your mouth.

You let the silence stretch just long enough to make her shift again, then spoke in an even, almost regretful tone. “If you already lost it… then I’m not sure you’re the right girl for the job after all.” Her eyes widened. The color drained a little from her face. “Please” she started, stepping closer. “I’ll do whatever it takes. I can come back tomorrow, I can sign another one, I can...”

You held up a hand, cutting her off.

“This is a dog-eat-dog world, Brittney. If you’re already this careless with something that important, I’m not sure you have what it takes to survive out here. Naïve and forgetful don’t last long in this business.”

You let the words hang between you, watching the panic settle deeper into her expression.