Orientation

They woke as the captain announced the beginning of their descent, both of them sitting up and stretching, smiling drowsily at each other. Through the cabin windows they could see dawn starting to break, a golden light spreading over the water and ground below.

Sally felt her heart beating quickly, excited at the thought that they were so close to their destination. Their instructions had said that they would be met at the airport and taken to a small private terminal for connection to the island resort, and her mind was racing ahead, excited about the new job and experiences. Beside her Jenna peered out the window, wriggling slightly in the seat with nervous energy.

In the terminal they made their way through a long chain of corridors to the luggage carousels. Sally was watching the suitcases slide around the steel plates, looking for hers,when Jenna tapped her arm.

"There's our welcome party," she said, pointing to a slim young man holding a sign reading 'Sally Robertson/Jenna Chambers.' "You keep watching for our stuff. I'll go tell him we're here."

A minute later Sally was pulling Jenna's bag off the carousel, when her friend returned, the young man in tow. He gave her a bright toothy smile and held out a hand in greeting.

"Miss Robertson, welcome. I hope you had a pleasant flight."

"I slept most of the way," Sally giggled as she shook his hand, "It's great to be here. Oh, there's my bag."

"Allow me," the young man said, plucking it off the carousel. "My name is Jay. Jay Hart. If you'll follow me I'll take you to your connecting flight."

With efficient speed he shepherded them out of the terminal and into a waiting van, Jumping into the driver's seat he pulled away from the loading area and turned down a series of ramps that eventually led to an access road.

"Our private terminal is on the other side of the international airport," he said, glancing over his shoulder at the two girls.

"How long is the flight to the resort?" Sally asked.

"Just less than an hour."

A short time later they pulled in front of a small building and Jay helped them take their luggage inside and dealt with some paperwork. A few moments later he was leading them across the tarmac to a small jet plane, and helping them board, taking a seat across the aisle from him.

"You're the only passengers this morning. Guests usually arrive on later flights," he explained.

Sally watched with a fluttering tummy as the plane taxied into position, then roared into take off, the ground falling away beneath them. In a moment they were over water, the ocean glistening with dawn sunlight and she reached out and squeezed Jenna's hand excitedly.

Jay's estimate was excellent. By Sally's watch they touched down fifty six minutes later. She hadn't seen the island until moments before they touched down, just a flash of azure water and shining beach before they were landing and braking to a stop on the runway and taxiing to a halt.

"Welcome to Freedonia," Jay smiled as he opened the cabin door and gestured to them. The two girls stepped out into warm morning sunshine and a fragrant scent of floral foliage in the air. Jay pointed to a jeep, where another man sat waiting. He stowed their luggage and helped them into the back seat before climbing in beside the driver. "You have an orientation meeting as soon as you arrive. We'll take you there, and drop your luggage at your room," he grinned back at them.

A few minutes later the Jeep pulled up in front of a low building that blended almost perfectly into the landscape. Jay escorted them to the door and led them to an open door, ushering them inside.

"Misses Robertson and Chambers," he announced, gesturing to an elegant older woman who rose from behind a desk. "This is Miss Eileen Calano. She'll look after you from here. A great pleasure meeting you ladies. I hope we meet again soon." He shook each of their hands with another bright smile before turning to leave.

"Ladies, please take a seat. So great to have you join our little family on Freedonia. Can I get you anything? No? Well we should begin." She sat behind her desk and fiddled with some papers before looking up. She was probably in her mid-thirties Sally guessed. Slender but with some curves, and a fluid way of moving. She wore linen slacks that flowed about her legs when she walked, and a bright yellow top that hinted at pert but not extravagant breasts. She wore a silver necklace, really more of a choker, with glowing red stones set in the metal. A matching bracelet was on her right wrist.

"Here are your key cards for your room. Staff housing is about a hundred yards from here. We have you sharing a room as per your request. Here is a map of the resort for each of you. We have the whole island, but most of the facilities are centred at this end of the island. Uniforms are already in your room, and I might add are only to be worn when you are on duty. Off duty you should wear your personal clothes.

"Duty rosters are posted to the computer terminal in your room. Make sure to check each evening to see if there are any changes, but normally the schedule is set on a week to week basis. We will assign you a mentor for the first few days to help you with any training issues you might have. Let's see when you're first expected to report for work." She tapped a keyboard and bent forward to look. "Miss Chambers, you are scheduled to work in the dining room as a hostess beginning this afternoon. I believe you have some experience in this? Excellent. Now Miss Robertson, let me see. Oh! You have been assigned to housekeeping, and you are scheduled to start thirty minutes from now. This is unusual, and most unfortunate. I was hoping to give you a few hours to get settled in. Well, no help for that I'm afraid.

"Let me give you both your bracelets and neck pieces." She pushed two boxes across the table. "These are to be worn at all times. They indicate your availability." The girls opened the boxes to see similar silver jewellery to that worn by Miss Calano. They glanced at each other then shrugged and put them on. The metal felt warm against Sally's skin, as she turned her wrist to admire the look of the silver and red against her skin.

There was a tap on the door and another young woman entered, this one wearing a short black dress that flared from her hips. The upper part was tight and low cut, showing a fine expanse of lush skin. Her long legs were encased in black seamed stockings and low heels. She too wore a silver choker and bracelet.

"Miss Dooley, right on time. This is Miss Robertson and Miss Chambers. Miss Dooley will be your housekeeping mentor Miss Robertson. If you don't have any questions, she'll take you to get changed and off to work."