Playing With Fire Read Online Free PDF Page A

and rest.
    Somehow, and God only knew how, I pulled myself together enough to walk into the interviewer’s office with my head held high and my shoulders squared. An older man with thick silver hair and a stiff brown suit sat behind the room’s only desk. He grinned when he spotted me, his eye crinkling at the corners. Kindness radiated from him.
    “You must be Belle.”
    “Yes.” I forced my lips into an answering smile. I wouldn’t be able to keep up the facade for long. I realized that when the interviewer—what the hell was his name?—shook hands with me. The feel of his palm against my too-sensitized flesh nearly dropped me to the ground, huddling in a fetal ball and crying for the mommy I hadn’t seen in more than twenty years. The contact, though brief, cut through me like a barrage of slashing knives.
    “You’re a little late,” he said, glancing at his wristwatch, “but I think there’s just enough time to get to know each other.”
    “Thank you. Thank you so much. I had an unavoidable delay, but I promise you now, I’ll never be late again.” Hurriedly I unfolded my résumé from my pocket and handed it to him, careful not to touch him.
    Ding, ding. Let the interview begin.
     
    O KAY , SO I TOTALLY BLEW the interview.
    My ears had rung too loudly, and I hadn’t been able to hear him. My joints had ached too fiercely, and I hadn’t been able to sit still. My mind had neared explosion, and I hadn’t been able to think of intelligent answers.
    Disheartened and racked by intense, debilitating pain, I entered my apartment, tossed my keys onto the old brown shag carpet, locked the door and lumbered to my bedroom, stripping as I walked/crawled/begged God for sweet death. As I fell into the soft coolness of the bed, the entire horrific nightmare replayed in my mind.
    Interviewer: My, but you’ve worked at a lot of jobs.
    Me: Only recently. Before that, I was a maid—with the same hotel—for almost five years, as well as a waitress—for the same restaurant. But at each of my latest jobs, I assure you I’ve learned valuable lessons.
    Interviewer: What, uh, did you learn at the Kimberly Dolls factory?
    Me: I learned that it is not funny to put the Kevin head on the Kimberly body.
    Interviewer: Hmm. And at the pet groomer?
    Me: I learned that dogs and cats are to be respected and not shaved to resemble lions. In my defense, the lion look is very popular with certain breeds.
    Interviewer: I see. I’m curious about something. Were you fired from each of these jobs or did you quit?
    Me: I prefer the term “let go.” Fired just sounds so…mean.
    Interviewer: Were you let go, then?
    Me: Yes, but I can explain.
    Interviewer: I’m listening.
    Me: At Harrison and Co. Books, I completely misunderstood the return policy. A simple mistake, really, one anyone could have made. You see, I thought it would be totally fine to take the books home in my bag, read them and return them. You would have thought the same thing, wouldn’t you? That’s what return means.
    Interviewer: Well, uh, hmm. What about Jumpin’ Jive Cars? Why were you let go from there?
    Me: Well, that’s an interesting story. See, there was an unfortunate accident with one of the cars I borrowed. Totally not my fault. The lady in front of me didn’t signal, and you know how important it is to signal when changing lanes.
    Interviewer: Yes, that is important.
    Me: Just give me a chance, Mr. uh, uh—
    Interviewer: Mr. MacDonald.
    Me: I’ll be the best damn, uh, uh—
    Interviewer: Maid.
    Me:—maid you’ve ever seen. Maid! That’s excellent. I told you about my five years of experience, didn’t I? I’m great with people and even better with toilets, and that’s the Belle Jamison guarantee. There’s nothing more solid than that, Mr. MacRonald.
    Interviewer: It’s Donald.
    Me: Why, thank you, Donald. You may call me Belle.
    Interviewer: That’s not—never mind. I have to be honest with you, Miss Jamison. We at the Ambassador are looking