When She Was Good (9780545361910) by Mazer Norma Fox

Author:Mazer, Norma Fox [Fox Mazer, Norma]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Scholastic
Published: 2013-01-01T05:00:00+00:00

“You have to project confidence when you’re looking for work, Em,” Mr. Elias said.

“Yes,” I said.

“You have to speak up.”

“Yes.”

“Sometimes you whisper. Like now, I can hardly hear you. I want you to use a big voice. All right?”

“All right.”

“Louder!”

“All right.”

“Good. And smile. Like that. That’s right. You have a nice smile.”

* * *

The first place I tried was the department store where Pamela and I had waited out hours in the ladies’ lounge. I filled out an application, then sat on a bench outside the personnel office. A parade of people with important-looking folders under their arms rushed in and out. An hour passed before I was called. A man wearing a white shirt and a blue bow tie sat behind a desk.

“Yes, what can I do for you?” he said without looking at me.

“I’m … looking for work.” It came out in a whisper.

He held out his hand for my application. “Do you have any experience as a salesperson?”

“No.”

“What can you do?”

“Anything you want me to.”

He looked up and almost smiled. “I don’t have anything now. Try me again in a month.”

* * *

I went to the next place. And the next. And then another place. And the next day I did the same thing. And the day after that. Every day I walked in and out of offices, shops, and factories, as if on a treadmill or in a dream. At night, under the green blanket, my dreams were crowded with offices and applications and voices asking me questions. Can you use a computer? Are you willing to work Saturdays? How old are you? Do you have any experience? How long were you on your last job?

In the dreams and in life, I filled in each line of the endless applications, using my best handwriting, and I answered every question, even the ones for which I had no answers. And in the dreams and in life I was told, No work now. Try again in a month. I’ll put your application on file.

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.