Feet pounding against the pavement, late for Orientation. She makes it to the building and dodges around a few people.
"Good morning-" A greeter begins, but they don't get to finish on account of Jessie ignoring them. Making it into a huge indoor fun park, it's something she has never seen before in her life.
She stares in awe at it all. Attractions, lots of people, and androids...
"Umm, do you need help?" A woman asks, approaching Jessie. Jessie holds out a letter and the woman reads it.
"Oh, I see. You are here for orientation for new security recruits. You already passed the initial interview.
See that sign over there? Follow it and if will lead you to where it's taking place. I must warn you though, it began 15 minutes ago..." And she hands the letter back to Jessie.
Jessie looks worried, then just proceeds, heading straight there. She makes it into a small auditorium and a woman with long, curly blonde hair is onstage, talking through the history of the company and how it had been closed down for many years until a year ago when she finally took charge and how she is still getting used to handling the reigns and then she quickly moves on.
"And I see we have a late arrival by 15 minutes." The woman states loudly and everyone turns around to look at Jessie who's standing in the doorway.
"Just take a seat, I don't care right now. I have bigger fish to fry. All you missed out on was the history of the company." The woman adds on and Jessie silently slides into a spare seat.
Eventually the woman leaves the stage and a woman far younger than her appears on stage, introducing herself as Bella Day and she is the Supervisor of the entire Security department. Day and night shifts and runs through what a general belt consists of that one carries on them and so forth, going through employee conduct rules and the indoor parks rules for guest and she just drones on.
It's been two hours now and the clock strikes 11 a.m.
"Okay, everybody. Report to the Security office, you will be handed your uniform, ID card, belt, map of the facility, walkie talkie and you can also have a bite to eat as catering is available and then check the board for who is working day shifts and who is work nights.
Your routines are subject to change at a moment's notice depending on a variety of other factors."
Jessie follows everyone else out of the auditorium, just going with the flow.
There is at-least 30 or so of them present, all new recruits. But this is a big park and they probably found they didn't have enough staffing to cover all facilities, staff only areas, every nook and cranny.
Lining up instead as she's not hungry, her stomach too nervous, she eventually makes it to the front of the line where the woman, Bella Day was talking earlier.
"Name?"
Jessie opens her mouth to respond, but nothing comes out. Not now, don't this. Don't embarrass yourself. You're better than this, you promised yourself, Jess.
"You're the one who showed up late." She snarls.
Jessie refocuses her attention on Bella.
"So, what's your name? Hurry up, I don't have all day, pun NOT intended and there is a queue behind you."
"......"
Jessie opens her mouth to speak and nothing comes out. Bella appears annoyed.
"I don't have a single clue how you made it through the recruitment interview to be invited to orientation if you won't speak.
Cat got your tongue of something?"
"....."
Jessie tries again, but she just can't. "Right, out of the line then. Wait till everyone else is done." Bella snaps, gesturing for Jessie to move aside and she obeys.
Turning away and heading outside go take a breather, she stands on an enclosed bridge on the 2nd floor that overlooks the rest of the amazing building and above her is more bridges for other floors. It goes up at-least three more in height.
Wow.
"It's an impressive building isn't it none the less?" Says a voice. "Can't deny it myself."
She looks to her left to see the woman with curly blonde hair who called her out earlier, leaning on the railing of the bridge.
"I'm sorry I called you out like that before. It's not easy running a company and while that doesn't excuse my behavior, you we're late.
Security guards do need to be prompt. We can't have you being late for anything in the future. Is that understood?"
Jessie nods her head.
"I'm glad to see you do understand. Name badges and everything are being handed out inside the head security office."
"......"
"What's your name?"
"J-Jessie."
"I'm Maggie Stiefvater, the CEO."
And she extends her hand. Jessie reluctantly shakes it.
"So, Jessie. Because it seems you ran late this morning, allow me to give you a rundown, albeit a quick one of what you missed this morning.
I took over this company from my late husband, but that was actually 16 years ago and I only finally addressed and settled it last year. I still have work cut out for me though on account there is complaints and violations that piled up from before I took over and before I truly got around to it.
I know, I know. Why, wait 15 years? The short answer is I was stressed out and not in a good place before to handle it so I had a lawyer launch kind of an injunction while I took the time to recover from additional personal tragedy at the time and only now this past year, I've been coming to terms with this mess that was left behind.
Just to let you know, once I sort it out, I'm selling it all and moving on. Packing my bags and jet-setting off. I want to be upfront and transparent about the future of the company as your job security is on the line too and if I we're to lie to you, I'd be a horrible boss, wouldn't I?"
"......"
"So, Jessie. Tell me, why we're you late this morning?"
"I can't tell you."
"I'm sorry, you will have to speak up. I can barely hear you, honey bun."
"Sorry."
"Don't apologize. So, why we're you late this morning?"
"I don't know the city."
"Oh, I see. Did you just move here?"
".... Yes."
"Pretty understandable then. But don't let it happen too many more times, understood?"
"Yes, Miss Stiefvater."
"Good girl. So, you should head inside and get your uniform, belt, walkie talkie and so fourth I think."
"Yes, Miss Stiefvater."
And she heads back inside the Security office, leaving Miss Stiefvater behind who pulls out a phone, starting to text someone.
The line has dispersed now, everyone is chowing down, socializing and looking at boards to see what shifts they're on.
She approaches the desk; Bella Day is still on. "I see you're back. Name this time?"
"Jessie Thompson."
"Thank you. Here is your belt which contains your assigned walkie talkie, various miniature tools for any emergency and so forth, your employee ID on a lanyard which serves your ID, but also your pass for opening doors.
Over there in those boxes is different sized uniforms, boots so go pick your sizing and take a map from the pile next to it and familiarize yourself with the building.
Then check the board to see what shifts you're on. You report to this security office every shift and sign in and sign out here. Now, I have to go."
Says Bella Day, leaving the desk. Jessie collects everything in her sizing, a map and checks the board.
Day shifts. 8 a.m to 5:30 p.m. - Monday, Wednesday and Friday for the moment.
Soon enough, someone else in place of Bella Day, commands everyone to get dressed and form into groups so there can be a guided walk-through of the entire facility as it won't be repeated more than once.
After walking through, everyone is chilling again, but this time on ground floor, a medical tent behind them staffed with some paramedics.
"Brianna, where is the antiseptic?"
"Over there. It's okay, you'll learn."
"Thanks."
"Oh, hey, Joe, baby."
"Hello my beautiful love. How have things been going so far?"
"A few scraped knees and elbows, but nothing we can't handle. No serious injuries to report."
"Nice."
"How's it going for you?"
"Tried to fix a security light on the exterior of the building. We don't have the right bulb so we ordered one so it's non-functional for the moment.
Other than, nothing serious going on."
"Glad to hear."
"That is a private conversation, you know?"
"Who- What!" Jessie panics, accidentally throwing her cup of water, startled by someone behind her. But it's not just anyone, it's something.
An android wearing a flashy dress, glittery gold makeup and dark purple hair into pigtails. She looks human and around the same age as Jessie.
But she's not human and doesn't even have a defined age really. She's an android and can further identify this immediately based on a small shape that curves around her ear.
It's yellow at the moment. Blue being neutral state, yellow for "alarmed" and red for a serious emergency or critical fault is occurring.
"Androids are made to be resistant to at-least 100 gallons of h20. One standard size glass of h20 will not cause a major fault in my system.
Tomorrow's Future Entertainment requests you please remain from spilling liquids on androids though."
"S-sorry!" Jessie stammers.
"Your apology has been recorded and noted. Thank you for your cooperation, Jessie Thompson, Security - Day shift, employee number #130-72"
"Hey, hey, hey! Freaking watch, it!" Yells out the guy, Joe who was flirting with the paramedic, Brianna.
"They're expensive and sometimes complicated to fix!"
"I'm sorry! I just spilled a glass of water-"
"Joe, Maintenance - Employee number #92-11 - I don't appear to be damaged by a glass of h20 -
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My parts are functional and systems are running at peak performance." Speaks up the android.
"Ugh, whatever. Just be more careful new recruit. Princess, head back to the main stage."
"Of course, Joe."
And the android now known as Princess leaves. "What is she meant to be?" Jessie speaks up.
"Uh, that's the Princess Quest- Digital role playing- Real world interfaced game attendant for ages 12 and above.
She is also one of the main stage's popular acts. She's a popstar in addition to a warrior princess."
"I see..."
"Attention everyone, we are closing in one hour. Pre-closing down protocols are beginning. We request today's new hires leave the building and we will see you tomorrow morning or evening for your shifts." Bella Day calls out through a megaphone.
And Jessie begins to head towards the exit, looking over her shoulder on the way at the full area still with guests, androids amongst them.
This is going to take some getting used too. Once outside the building, it dawns on Jessie.
That's it, she's made it. She's officially hired somewhere and now... has to trudge back to finding somewhere to sleep on the streets for tonight and quickly shower at the gym as she paid for a membership to in the morning and hurry to work on foot so she's not late till she saves up enough of her pay check to afford a deposit for an apartment for rent and can take her stuff out of storage that she is also paying for.
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