Music City Read Online Free PDF

answer the telephone. I can type about fifty words a minute, I know all of the Microsoft programs, including Access and I can create spreadsheets in Excel in my sleep.”
    Tracy took a breath and continued, “I can set up a filing system, I know the rules of grammar and how to use them in formal letters and reports. I am an impeccable speller. I am organized, competent and efficient—I understand confidentiality and how to maintain it.”
    Alex laid Tracy's resume on the conference table, “Tracy, you just graduated with degrees in English and Sociology from Vanderbilt, why do you want to be a secretary? More specifically, why do you want to be our secretary?”
    Alex leaned forward as he went on, “Vanderbilt is one of the top universities in the entire country. I find it difficult to believe you would even consider this job, it’s certainly not the money we’re paying, there has to be another reason—what is it?”
    Tracy's face reddened slightly and he shifted in his seat just a bit. “Well, the truth is, I’m a writer.”
    Alex just nodded, “Go on.”
    Tracy, though obviously flustered at Alex’s very tough questioning, relaxed a bit as he spoke, “I think working here would accomplish two things for me.” He held up a perfectly manicured index finger, “First, I need a steady job, and second, working for this firm would give me first-hand experience, real insight and credible ideas for books and short stories. I’ve always been fascinated with investigative work and I’m a really good researcher, I love it. Other than those reasons, the most important one is that I think that I would learn a tremendous amount from y’all, things that can’t be taught, things that simply have to be experienced.”
    Derek stood, he had heard enough, “Tracy, would you mind excusing us for just a moment please? There is coffee and water in the reception area, help yourself,” he said as he waved an arm toward the door.
    Tracy left the conference room, Derek closed the door, and turned to Alex smiling, “I like him.”
    Alex leaned back in the comfortable leather chair and burst out laughing, “He’s a boy! When have you ever heard of a boy secretary?”
    Derek shrugged, “So we change the title to Office Manager or Administrative Assistant, I think those titles are more politically correct anyway. I'm telling you, I like him. My gut tells me he's the perfect fit.”
    Alex sighed. “If you want him for the job, I won’t argue, we need somebody. I really don't care who it is as long as they can do the job.” Alex glanced over his shoulder as he stood, “I’d say he is more than qualified to do the job.”
    Derek opened the door and walked down the hall to the reception area where Tracy was pacing, just like Derek was earlier. Derek stretched his right hand out to Tracy, beaming, “When can you start?”
    Tracy's smile was broad as he pumped Derek’s hand, “I can start now if y’all want me to.”
    Alex reached out and shook his hand. “Tomorrow's soon enough. We are usually here by seven, but you don't have come in that early. Any time before eight would be great. We will discuss your regular hours and get your keys made tomorrow.”
    Alex smiled at Derek and Tracy and then left the room, heading to his office. His back was hurting and he sat down in his plush office chair with a heavy sigh. Leaning back, he pulled a worn and slightly frayed folded piece of paper from his pocket. Smoothing out the letter, he leaned forward and reread it with a bowed head, his hand unconsciously massaging the back of his neck.
    The following morning, Tracy was waiting in the parking lot when Derek pulled in behind Alex at six thirty. Not normally one to gloat, he just smiled, knowing they had made the right decision in hiring Tracy.
    After a week, Derek and Alex were unanimous in their approval of Tracy, but Alex still had one mild concern. Being a straightforward guy, Alex went directly to Tracy that Thursday morning.